The Bird — Restaurant in San Francisco

I’ve been curious about The Bird in Hayes Valley for a while, so I finally stopped by during their weekday happy hour yesterday. The restaurant has a fun, casual vibe with some great wall art I loved the playful dog mural that gives the place real character. I ordered the Grilled Chicken lettuce wrap with a side of fries for takeout. The food itself was quite good, the chicken was well-seasoned and the lettuce wraps were fresh and satisfying. The fries were crispy and had that perfect golden color you want. My main issue was with the wait time. The restaurant wasn’t particularly busy when I arrived, maybe half full, so I was surprised when my to-go order took over 23 minutes. I understand kitchens can get backed up, but for what seemed like a straightforward order, it felt longer than necessary. The staff was polite enough, though they could have communicated better about the delay. The atmosphere is definitely a plus it’s got that neighborhood hangout feel that Hayes Valley does so well. I can see this being a great spot for a casual dinner or drinks with friends. The menu looked diverse with some interesting options I’d like to try next time. Despite the service hiccup, I’d probably give The Bird another shot. The food quality was there, and everyone deserves a chance to improve on timing. It’s clear they care about the food they just need to tighten up the execution...

*11/21/2023 The crispy chicken, house-made apple slaw, mayo, and pickles on a freshly toasted bun deliver a perfect balance of flavors. The spice level is spot-on, and the portion size is satisfying. The cozy ambiance and friendly service enhance the dining experience.

10/20/2023 I ordered the Naked Bird, which is essentially just the chicken without the bun, and it came with a side of their house-made apple slaw. I also got their Curly Fries.

Both items were absolutely delicious. The chicken was well-seasoned and had the perfect level of spiciness.

7/28/2023 I tried The Bird and opted for their Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwich, which includes their House-made apple slaw, mayo, and pickles on a freshly toasted bun, and ordered a side of curly fries. While the food arrived after a reasonable 15-minute wait, I must admit that the overall experience left much to be desired.

The Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwich was decent, but it failed to leave a lasting impression. The level of spiciness was underwhelming, which was a disappointment for someone like me who enjoys a little kick in their meal. Additionally, one of the drawbacks was that the staff forgot to include the chipotle aioli condiment that I paid extra for, which further impacted my enjoyment of...

Update 2022/02/26 - Finally came back after almost a year and they have really stepped up their game at this locatio . The chicken is super crispy, juicy, and spicy. Now with the addition of Super Duper burgers, it's like a dream come true. On the online ordering website, you could add grilled onions, jalapenos, and cucumber to your burger so you may want to request those if you are ordering in person. I absolutely love this place with all my heart. I didn't have an issue or wait with my order but they did forget one of the sauces I requested but it wasn't a big deal.

Old review May 2021 - I was so excited to try this new location of The Bird because I loved the one in Downtown. I got the Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwich and Fully Loaded Fries. Definitely love a good dark meat chicken thigh patty. Flavor was wonderful though but not that spicy. However, it wasn't crispy...? It needed more time in the fryer. The fries were also cold when I got them and I wish they put more toppings on it. From the looks of it, most of the employees were new and needed training (as of Mar 2021) so I understand that they need a little more...