Like Lili’s Vegan Kitchen, reviewed in last week’s issue, Bird-N-Bun is located in the quite tremendous if very out of the way Culver City Cuisine ghost kitchens on Selmaraine Drive. That means that you might miss out when it comes to a warm interior, helpful staff and that sort of thing.
But every yin has its yang, and in this case it comes down to the fact that a multitude of incredible eateries are all under one roof. You can walk in, wander up to the easy-peasy monitor, and order a bunch of different meals all at the same time. If you want Mexican food, your partner wants salad, and your child wants a burger–no problem! A world of dining is at your fingertips.
On this occasion, it was in fact the teenager in the family who wanted a chicken sandwich, and Bird-N-Bun was the clear option. With 11 locations in California and three more in Arizona, this is a mini franchise that is growing fast. Licensing information is available online, where they say: “Join our quickly expanding family! Execute Bird-N-Bun from your existing restaurant for added sales and profits, without the risk.”
That’s interesting; Bird-N-Bun have landed on what appears to be a cost-efficient business plan that allows them to focus on the quality of the food. They keep the menu relatively simple, much like In-N-Out Burger, which also increases efficiency.
That said, there’s plenty on the menu that’s appealing. You can get your fried chicken on a spicy or original bun, or a deluxe version (with coleslaw, by the looks of it). You can get it on a biscuit or a waffle, or all by itself. The three choices of sides are waffle fries, buttered biscuits, and coleslaw. No fuss, no frills.
We went with the original chicken (or bird) bun–no spice, no coleslaw. It ended up being an inspired choice. The sandwich is simple; fried chicken with pickles and special sauce on a sweet, brioche-ish bun. The sauce is familiar in a thousand island-esque way, and the pickles add some welcome tart while cutting through the grease. The bun is warm and bouncy.
But the chicken is exquisite; hot and crispy, it’s fried to perfection. The meat under the crunchy breading is juicy and not at all; dried out.
Meanwhile, we went for a side of waffle fries and they too are marvelous. Seasoned beautifully and cooked to a crisp, they pair perfectly with the sandwich.
Life doesn’t always need to be complicated.
Bird-N-Bun is located at 5660 Selmaraine Dr., Culver City 90230. Visit birdnbun.com.