Firebird — Restaurant in South Island

EDIT: The owners response is frankly disgusting. I have no grudge with you, I quite enjoyed the chicken! I have never left a review before and never felt the need too until I was told these things. I see from other reviews they have a dismissive attitude to anyone who leaves a low rating which is childish.

I have since asked for clarification from the person who told me this and they have made it clear it was accurate. The restaurant did in fact answer several phone calls from people asking if the food was Halal. At which point when the employee I spoke to asked about it, they were told that "the alcohol comes off in the fryer". This is not how this works man let alone the fact that the meat isn't Halal as well! It is plain and simple that if you use beer to batter your chicken it is not Halal.

I will say again I personally very much enjoyed the actual chicken I had, but this lack of regard for others beliefs is so disgusting and intolerable in such a diverse country as New Zealand.

As for the other claims, they stated that yes they saw these behaviors particularly on busy nights. Attempts from Chinese tourists to use their debit cards which lead to errors were treated much ruder than any other customer who's card failed.

The avo and the cheese are not really an issue compared to these, just disappointing to see from a place charging $20 NZD for a takeaway burger.

I would love for the owner to take complaints seriously. To imply that any criticism of his business is simply someone holding a grudge is so baffling to me as a business over myself!

Original Post:

Having spoken to someone who has worked here in the past and having eaten here on vacation myself I just need to put an FYI out there for anyone ordering.

According to the former employee the food is NOT Halal. The owner would answer calls asking if the food was Halal with a resounding yes while there are 100+ bottles of beer behind him waiting to be made into the batter for the chicken. This was a common enough occurrence for them to take note of it!

There is not argument to be made of a misunderstanding as anyone in the food service industry would know to mention that it made with alcohol and let the person decide if it met their standards rather than obscuring the truth. Truly a deceitful bit of greediness. It was not made clear whether the meat is actually Halal as well but if that behavior is acceptable to the owners I assume that they wouldn't mind lying about that as well!

Also witnessed was the mocking of Asian customers, especially Chinese, for even requesting gloves (a common practice for eating messy foods in the country) once the customer had walked away! As well as getting visibly frustrated when payments methods didn't instantly work even when not busy or when they would need to translate the menu! Considering the amount of Asian and Chinese tourists in the area this is appalling.

Shockingly the Avocado in the burgers comes from a tube and the cheese sauce isn't even real cheese but more of a nacho squeeze craft single style cheese from a plastic bag! Having eaten here before I felt these elements were off but could not place my finger on exactly what it was. This is unacceptable for a place charging $20 for a...

Firebird in Wanaka was absolutely incredible and definitely a must-visit for anyone craving amazing chicken! Everything was served hot, fresh, and full of flavor. The fired chicken was perfectly cooked—crispy on the outside, juicy and tender on the inside. The wings were outstanding, packed with flavor, and the chicken strips were just as delicious, making every bite satisfying. Even the medium spice level gave a great kick—enough to excite your taste buds without being overwhelming, which I really appreciated.

The smoked fries were a highlight on their own, with a rich, smoky flavor that complemented the chicken perfectly. The seasoning was spot on, and you could tell the ingredients were fresh and carefully prepared. On top of the fantastic food, the staff were friendly, welcoming, and attentive, making the whole experience feel comfortable and relaxed. The atmosphere of the place was casual yet vibrant, perfect for a fun meal with friends or a casual dinner in town.

Seating was abit difficult! But the crowd comes...

We were drawn in by the buzz and the long line at this food truck, and their bold tagline, "fried chicken like no other." Eager to see if it lived up to the hype, we ordered the 2 Piece Hot Box with smokey fries, a classic combo for a first-timer.

The first test was the wait. While the receipt promised a 20-minute turnaround, we found ourselves waited for about 40 minutes. It's a long time to stand around for a quick meal, even with the convenient benches right in front of the truck.

The food 2/5: The chicken was tender, but kinda dry, and it lacked that juicy, flavorful kick you'd expect from a place known for its fried chicken. The smokey fries, however, were the star of the show. They were crispy, well-seasoned, and honestly, the best part of the meal.

So, the big question: Was it worth the $18 price tag? Unfortunately, no. The long wait and mediocre dry chicken didn't...