Andrea H.
Yelp
Birdcall has a fresh, new vibe to its approach to fast food. The diner inside and out is eye catching with a fun colorful mural on the wall and an electronic marquee advertising the weather, date, and time. Inside feels like a sit down restaurant minus the waitstaff. The interior decor is modern, clean, and comfortable.
There are several touchscreens on the counter where you can order food. You must swipe your credit card first. I'm not even positive that paying in cash is even an option here. The menu pops up afterwards so you can select a category from the navigation bar on the left and then select the item you want on the right. Descriptions and pictures were available as well as additions. The system is smart and quick. I ordered the Nashville crispy chicken sandwich which is made spicy, but the system immediately prompted me asking me hot I wanted it. After selecting my sandwich, it immediately asked me if I wanted to make it a combo, and then walked me through the choices of sides and drinks. Upon checkout, you can have your receipt emailed or forego it entirely. For the first time ever, I wasn't asked for an obligatory tip. In fact, it wasn't even an option.
If you are like me and want more time to study the menu and explore before ordering, you can also look at the electronic menu boards above the bar, or you can sit down and look at a laminated house menu or a to go brochure menu.
Once you have placed your order, there is an electronic board that displays your name (probably lifted from my credit card) and the time it will take to prepare your order. After the order is ready, someone from the kitchen will stick it in a numbered cubbyhole where you can pick it up. You really don't interact with the employees here at all. Occasionally they come out to clean a table, call a name and number, and say hello, how is everything, but for the most part you just hangout and eat while they take care if the cooking.
My Nashville was spicy and sweet. The sweetness was from the chunky bread and butter pickles on the sandwich. The spiciness was just right (I went with the normal "hot" option). The meat was tender and plentiful. Every bite tasty. The bun was plump and kept its form, but it had a bit of a greasy glaze which I wasn't a fan of. Not a lot, but a shimmer of a glow. It just means you're going to need napkins and to wash your hands afterwards.
The lemonade was cool and refreshing, not sour, not sickly sweet. The drink station provided crushed ice, which I love. I didn't see lids or straws. The cup encourages people to "recycle me".
The Southern Coleslaw seemed very plain. It is not made with mayonnaise. Instead, it seemed to be made with a vinegar. The veggies were crisp and it was a very large portion served in a container with a lid so you could share it or take it to go for another meal later. I probably wouldn't get this again because (1) the flavor wasn't enticing and (2) there are many other things to try.
Intriguing place, especially the hands-off atmosphere and lack of interaction between customers and staff. The food is solid. It's much better than Popeye's or KFC in my opinion because it has healthier options (salads are available) and seems to be prepared and presented with higher quality ingredients and greater care.