Smooth your feathers and grab your appetites on Friday, Sept. 25, when Byrd & Barrel opens its doors at 3422 S. Jefferson Ave., in St. Louis for flocks of fryer fanatics.
As The Scoop reported in November 2014, Bob Brazell announced his plans to open a fast-casual chicken shack in a former Popeye’s in South City, complete with dine-in and drive-thru options.
Unlike traditional deep-fried chicken, Brazell uses a pressure fryer to quickly fry his buttermilk-marinated fried chicken, available by the piece, bucket or as boneless chicken “nuggz.” Sides include mashed red potatoes and fried chicken gravy, kale cole slaw, Provel mac-n-cheese and house-made tater tots. Wash it all down with one of 11 varieties of Vess soda or a sudsy 58-cans list of beer from 4 Hands to Hamm’s.
While fried chicken dominates the menu, Byrd & Barrel does not put all its eggs in one basket. Start with one of six appetizers featuring everything from fried chicken skins to roasted cauliflower. Sandwiches are also up for grabs, including a fried chicken-liver bahn mi or the larger than life Mother Clucker. Byrd & Barrel will offer daily specials, one of which will be vegetarian or vegan friendly.
The fast-casual eatery just south of Cherokee Street seats about 40 inside at banquets and two bar-style areas; another two dozen spots available outside. Starting Monday, Sept. 28, patrons won’t even have get out of the car to get a fix; a pared-down version of the menu will be available at its drive-thru.
Byrd & Barrel will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Here’s a sneak peek and what to expect when the fryers heat up tomorrow.
This article appears in September 2015.