Half Bird Chicken & Beer
Sauces – Green Curry Ranch, Sweet Miso BBQ, Wild Honey Mustard, Scallion Ginger, Chili Garlic Crunch, Yuzu Hot Honey, Sriracha Mayo
Nuggs
Brix’s Mac ‘n Cheese – Radiatori Pasta, Cheese, Crispy Spam, Furikake
Broccoli – Roasted Broccoli, Scallion Ginger Sauce, Crunchy Garlic
Chicken Pot Pie Bao – Corn, Chicken, Scallions, Umami Gravy
Spring Mountain “Hot Chicken” Sandwich – Pickled Cucumber, Green Curry Ranch, Shredded Lettuce, Potato Roll
Classic Fried Chicken Sandwich – Pickled Cucumber, Shredded Lettuce, American Cheese, Kewpie Mayo, Potato Roll
Gravy Fries – Umami Gravy, Scallions, Sesame Seeds
Fresh Baked Chocolate Chunk Cookie
Described as a “love letter” to Chicken Half Bird is the newest culinary concept from Chef Brian Howard, the man whose Sparrow + Wolf helped elevate Spring Mountain now focusing on a more casual Restaurant without sacrificing in terms of technique or complexity.
Opened in August to raves from (their words) “Cool Food Kids,” though the location at the end of a constantly-crowded plaza has thus far delayed an on-site visit by this writer, it was via catering that Chef Howard chose to send a smattering of menu offerings on Friday with delivery both professional and timely.
Offering “whatever Chicken you’re craving,” in this case omitting Rotisserie Birds in favor of fried “Nuggs” and Sandwiches, Half Bird immediately shows good branding in terms of packaging and nomenclature – the bite-sized Poultry moist with good spicing even before being plunged into one of seven housemade Sauces.
Comparable to Big Chicken in scope and price, though the source of Half Bird’s Birds is not promoted, Sandwiches see Howard and team coat Breasts delicately before placing them on housemade Potato Rolls, “Spring Mountain Hot Chicken” tingling thanks to Sichuan Peppercorn while “Classic” polarized audiences via Cheese and sweet Mayo.
Beta-testing Pot Pie Bao on the group, texture on point but the interior in need of seasoning, Sides feature big flavors but may not be for everyone as Broccoli eats akin to Garlic confit and Brix’s Mac ‘n Cheese has a soupy consistency outside of crispy bits of Canned Meat.
Better off with Fries, slow-cooked Rotisserie Potatoes roasted in the Chicken Fat as crispy as one can hope (and even better ladled with “Umami Gravy,”) Dessert is singular but mighty in the form of crispy-rimmed, soft-centered Chocolate Chunk Cookies flecked with Sea Salt.
THREE STARS: Based on catering alone Half Bird checks all the boxes in terms of customer service plus branding, but across this order seems best when focusing on simplicity rather than more creative flavors where “a Level Up from the Rest!” seems to obscure rather than enhance otherwise skilled cooking. An in-person visit to try the Rotisserie will need to occur for further comment.
RECOMMENDED: Nuggs, Spring Mountain Hot Chicken Sandwich, Gravy Fries, Chocolate Chunk Cookies.
AVOID: Broccoli, Classic Fried Chicken Sandwich.
TIP: Open Sunday through Thursday from 11:00am to 9:00pm, Friday & Saturday 11:00am until 2:00am.
WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.
www.halfbird.com