Byrd's Hot Chicken — Restaurant in Dundee Township

I wanted to love this place…I really did! But I got the 2 sandwiches for $10 tonight. One for today, one for tomorrow. The guy at the counter was super nice and “deconstructed” the second sandwich for me for tomorrow so it didn’t get soggy. But the portions of everything on the sandwich were sub par. I think I may have gotten 1 pickle and there was such a small amount of coleslaw that it looked bare. But lastly, the size of the chicken breast I got looked closer to a chicken tender than a breast, worthy of a bun. So there was a lot of bare bun (no pun intended). I peeled the excess bun off to just eat what was around the chicken and needless to say, I had a lot of the bun left. The chicken I did have (I got medium spice—not very spicy) was juicy, crispy and fresh. The flavor was very good. But for the whole experience, I probably won’t return.

**UPDATE 10/20/24

So fate would have it that I was in the area around lunch time and I was with my daughter and we decided to give it one more shot. I didn’t want to let the cashier know I was coming because of a prior review because I wanted the real experience. But I let them know about the second chance, but that didn’t seem to matter much. Spoiler alert: it was pretty much the same experience as last time. We got the regular chicken sandwich with the “medium” spice (I think I got mild last time) which proved to be too spicy for my 12-year old daughter. But the portion sizes were almost identical to last time. We got a chicken finger on a bun. The coleslaw amount left something to be desired and we got two pickles which I’m assuming is standard. The sandwich came out hot and they included a large portion of hot fries. I just wish the sandwich matched the generous portion of the fries. Fries were hot, but flavor was meh. I gave them a second chance and sadly, my experience was exactly the same (even knowing I was coming in due to a not super awesome review). You’d think they would’ve tried a bit harder. Staff is always friendly, atmosphere is clean (although the cardboard boxes covering the eyesight to the back kitchen doesn’t do them any favors), but the food is what I am focusing on. I can’t specify which pictures are the second trip, but I’m not “holding” the chicken finger this time.

*as I was leaving, the front desk person asked me how it was and I told him it was about the same as last time. But he pointed out on the menu, that the chicken sandwich is indeed a chicken tender on a bun. So that’s literally what you are buying. I feel that’s a bit misleading as a chicken sandwich in my experience has typically been a chicken breast size. But as long as you know that and you are OK with that… But $8.00 for just a chicken tender size piece of meat on a bun is way too...

My family and I had went over there today, went inside to try new food. I had gotten the Byrd Bomb. I originally asked for plain instead got mild ( the cashier DIDNT inform it about it was spicy prior ) Maybe they had misheard me. When it was brought out, I gave it try anyway, I had taken a few bites of everything, the pickles tasted like iron/plastic taste which was sorta disappointing because personally I love pickles, I'm a pickle girl. Haha. Anyway next was the cheese on the straight bottom of the tray, I felt like it was soo much as my fries also on the bottom were soggy prior to it being arrived, it took 20 minutes to arrive which is decent wait for 3 people. I also took a bite of my partner's chicken wing, decent size but it was very greasy and no flavor to it. Yes you can use ranch for it and other stuff but flavor wise for something plain was disappointing. I will say the chicken is very juicy though. Moving on environment, very queit and no on was there besides us but notice it was empty but still was dirty with crumbs a bit over on tables but other than that it was nice.

After a while going home, my stomach wasn't very happy as I started to feel sick, haven't ate since but I will not be returning to this restaurant. But I hope to see you guys thrive and have happy customers. Please don't take my judgment badly but to improve and thrive for better. Thank you if you have...

5/25/22 NEW REVIEW:

So I gave this place a few more months to iron out their issues before trying again and I’m happy to say that the food is much improved. I decided to skip the sides this time since they were so bad last time and the chicken was fresh, flavorful, and juicy. I am really glad they were able to figure things out. I’ve added two stars to my review and attached updated photos.

ORIGINAL REVIEW (2 stars) I really wanted to like this place. I love supporting local halal restaurants as it’s hard to find in our area but this place needs some real improvements before I will return.

First off the pricing is insane. I understand food costs are high due to inflation but there needs to be a line. I paid $18 for a single chicken sandwich with a side of fries and a single scoop of Mac and cheese.

I wouldn’t have minded paying the price if the chicken sandwich was worth it. Unfortunately that was not the case either. When I went to eat my sandwich the bottom bun was soaked in grease and fell apart. I got the Hot seasoning and the chicken had no flavor.

I am all about restaurants going through growing pains as a new business so I am hoping that they will improve as time goes on and they receive more feedback from guests. I really hate writing bad reviews especially for local small businesses but for this price I feel cheated out...