Bird’s, a new chicken restaurant and tavern on north Main Avenue, will open this week.
The fast-casual restaurant will open in a remodeled building that formerly housed KFC. Its menu will feature the same meat, rotisserie style.
The co-owners of Steamworks Brewing Co. and El Moro – Kris Oyler and Brian McEachron – are opening the restaurant that will join the ranks of other popular local restaurants with the same fast-casual model, such as Zia Taqueria and Grass Burger.
While other types of restaurants are struggling to grow nationally, the fast-casual sector has grown steadily for five years, according to NDP, an American research company.
“People want good, wholesome food, but in a quick, casual setting,” Oyler said.
A family of four will be able to pick up a whole chicken and four sides from Bird’s for less than $30, he said. The sides could include macaroni and cheese, onion rings and miso green bean salad.
Customers can also order half a bird, breasts, legs and wings, according to a news release.
“We are always going to purchase hormone- and antibiotic-free chicken that’s – pun intended – a leg up,” Oyler said.
The restaurant will also feature vegetarian options, such as tomato soup and ramen, Oyler said.
Breakfast options, such as burritos and chilaquiles, will also be served all day.
In addition to traditional soda options, Zuberfizz in six flavors – such as vanilla cream, root beer and lemonade – will flow freely from a one-of-kind fountain at Bird’s.
Zuberfizz, Durango-made soda, is distributed in glass bottles, but the company is interested in offering fountains to restaurants, Oyler said.
Bird’s alcoholic libations will include wine and mainstream and crafts beers, all served in cans, he said.
The restaurant will seat almost 70 people inside and more than 60 people on a new deck. Customers can also use the drive-thru that was preserved in the remodel of the building.
Bird’s will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily at 2957 Main Ave. The restaurant’s grand opening will be held May 4.
For more information, visit www.birdsdurango.com.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
