Fatbird

Southern restaurant (US) · South Bend

Fatbird

Southern restaurant (US) · South Bend

1

103 W Colfax Ave, South Bend, IN 46601

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Highlights

Southern comfort food featuring fried chicken, jambalaya, sandwiches  

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103 W Colfax Ave, South Bend, IN 46601 Get directions

fatbird-sb.com
@f_a_t_b_i_r_d

$10–20 · Menu

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103 W Colfax Ave, South Bend, IN 46601 Get directions

+1 574 383 5708
fatbird-sb.com
@f_a_t_b_i_r_d

$10–20 · Menu

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Last updated

Aug 30, 2025

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Downtown Southern‑leaning plates—from fried or vinegar chicken to cast‑iron sides—crafted by a local ownership team. Spotlighted by Indianapolis Monthly and embraced during Restaurant Weeks, it’s a lively pre‑show stop by the Morris.

https://www.indianapolismonthly.com/food-and-drinks/south-bends-hottest-new-fried-chicken-shop/
Best Restaurants in South Bend (2025)
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Destiny Letky

Google
Wow! Eating at the FatBird was refreshing. Everything was on point including the service. We felt welcomed and tended to the entire time. The food was absolutely delicious and everything was unique. From my drink to the apps to the entree we were excited for a new experience. I can’t wait to come back here and I will be telling friends and family to try this place out the next time they are down town south bend!

James Fischer

Google
Loved it!! It's kind of unimposing from the exterior but when I searched it on Google, I knew it was going to be something glorious on the interior. It's exactly what you could think of when the food is described as Southern down home cooking!! I will definitely be back there and if your thinking about it then think more..... Just go, eat and be happy!! 😊

Kathleen Dvorak

Google
Exemplary service from Kristine who was super kind. Food was outstanding. Had Murica chicken sandwich and chicken salad sandwich which had unbelievable tastes! Crunchy potato chips on top of sandwich. Ceasars salad had a unique touch with seasoned cheezits on top.

T Shelly

Google
I must address the complete dining experience at this establishment. The parking situation presents a challenge, with limited street parking and a nearby garage. The adjacent performing arts center contributes to significant congestion. Upon arrival, the service immediately fell short of expectations. Despite waiting at the host stand for an inexcusable two minutes, multiple staff members passed by without acknowledgment. The evident understaffing issue impacts the overall service quality, though the present staff demonstrated commendable effort. The bartender, particularly, exhibited exceptional hospitality and engaging conversation. The menu execution was inconsistent. The bacon cheddar soup was exemplary - rich, well-balanced, with perfect consistency and depth of flavor, reminiscent of premium chowders. However, the macaroni and cheese was subpar, presenting as a basic preparation with a peculiar Cheetos garnish, lacking the essential qualities of a proper cheese sauce. The green beans demonstrated proper technique with their crisp-tender texture, complemented by generous portions of protein. The fish entrée was a pleasant surprise, featuring three well-proportioned pieces with a properly seasoned coating, accompanied by a modest portion of coleslaw and a citrus sauce that, while good, should be offered as a separate accompaniment. The aromatics on the plate enhanced the presentation considerably. The Old Fashioned cocktail displayed proper balance between spirit-forward notes and sweetness. At approximately $70 including gratuity, the value proposition is questionable. While the atmosphere is inviting and suitable for casual drinks and appetizers, the establishment requires operational improvements to reach its full potential. I would return for the bar experience but would hesitate to recommend a full dining experience until certain refinements are implemented.

Jenn F

Google
When a gluten free and a vegetarian go out to eat it's often hard to find somewhere that caters to both. That being said, the waitress was very knowledgeable about both and walked us through a plethora of choices. I had red beans and rice and my vegetarian had a mock chicken sandwich. Both were amazing. We also had the deviled eggs. Loved everything!!

Zhenay Newhouse

Google
I finally made it here!! It was worth it!! The fried fish was phenomenal!! The deviled eggs were ok. The green beans were great!! The atmosphere is good!! I'm glad I made it. They only disappointment was I didn't see etoufee, an oyster dish or chicken and waffles. With that being said I will definitely go back. I felt the portions were good and not extra pricey

Michael Anand-Obleton

Google
Outstanding food and legendary service! Miss Lindsay created an anniversary 🌹 and Bastille Day 🇨🇵 dinner for us that was out of this world! The fried haddock 🐟, the red beans 🫘 and rice 🍚, and the biscuits with honey 🍯 butter 🧈 were so delicious, but the side dishes stole the show! The mashed potatoes 🥔 and gravy, the maque choux 🌽, and the southern green beans 🫛 were so perfectly seasoned that we will no doubt see them in our dreams. We can't wait to come back and ask for Miss Lindsay again ✨

Jeremy G

Google
Hands down the best chicken sandwich I have ever had! I have had plenty. Generally don't see what is to get excited about. Like Chick-fil-A...nothing about that is good. I have a guilty pleasure about original Burger King chicken sandwiches, but that is what it is. Usually, if I go with a chicken sandwich, I will go with a Nashville Hot. I was offered something different here, and it was well worth it! The JFC!!
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Lauren W.

Yelp
Food was delicious. Big portions. The ambiance was nice and the service was top notch. Great place to visit if in SB
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Phyllis C.

Yelp
For my Southern food connoisseurs, I wouldn't say this is going to hit the spot. For those less familiar, this is probably a great place. The good: You can definitely walk in without a reservation, it was pretty quiet on a Saturday evening. The servers are quick and friendly. I'd also say if there's one food item that was genuinely good, it's the hush puppies. I also enjoyed the mashed potatoes with the skin bits. The meh: The chicken sandwiches are alright, I've had juicier from fast food chains. I got the JFC, which was too large to properly consume. I felt it was trying to do too much with the pork belly in there. The bad: Jambalaya was oddly sweet. Do not order.
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Dody E.

Yelp
Came here on a whim. Vibe is super nice - lots of plants to make me think I'm doing something outdoorsy. Service was great. Menus (like the physical ones) could maybe use some reinvestment to match the vibe. Loved the tables too. Cloth napkins also would be a welcome addition. Food - best part by far. Great fried chicken sandwiches. Mac N cheese also sneaky good. Will come back for sure.
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Britnee C.

Yelp
The service is ALWAYS amazing and the food is so good. I'd love more variety or change up but I can't complain when what they do have is so tasty

Ruby E.

Yelp
The food is not good. Very odd side choice options of either cheetos or fritos. Bacon cheddar soup had an odd taste the chicken sandwich was bland, dry and not appetizing. Side of mac is incredibly small. I will say the servers are nice but the host or person at the bar isn't. Pretty nola theme inside but no where even close to actual nola food or atmosphere.
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Amanda W.

Yelp
Chargrilled chicken with side of Mac n cheese - definitely a surprise delicious chicken! A bit pricey at $22 but delicious!!! Mac n cheese was decent. Onion dip app - love a good onion dip. Interestingly served with Zapps voodoo chips. Deviled eggs app - this was a pass for me. Love deviled eggs and appreciate the dill pickle slight addition for taste but pricey for quantity and ingredients.
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Rich S.

Yelp
Driving to Cleveland and stopped here on the way. Had the fried chicken. It was delicious and the service was great.
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Marlee P.

Yelp
The service was AMAZING. The waffle fries were bomb and the Mac n cheese was delicious. The chicken sandwich-meh. I think it just needed a little bit of slap ya mama seasoning in the batter or a liiiitle bit more salt. Also bread n butter pickles on the sandwich(to each their own) but would be super awesome to have an option on what kind of pickles go on your sandwich. Still an awesome place and people should definitely check it out!
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Karen K.

Yelp
This was a really good chicken sandwich. They use the chicken thighs. The breading had a nice crunchy texture. Loved the mashed potatoes too. I was not a fan of the Mac and cheese it had a weird taste to it. Super cute restaurant and decently priced pop was only $2.00!
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Elona E.

Yelp
Such a cute restaurant! I wasn't sure base on the plain exterior, but inside is super cute with a vintage/retro feel to it. We came after the lunch hour was over so it was quiet and the manager was able to easily accommodate our large group. But the best part was the food! Everything had a slightly unique twist to it and it absolutely worked. If you're a chocolate lover, try the chocolate cake if they have it!!
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Sarah F.

Yelp
I was in town for work, and I when I can, I like to take my students out to lunch or dinner, I gave one of my students choices of places to go, and they picked out fatbird. Service was awesome! Attentive but not overbearing, I also loved the inside! Our food was delicious! We split the deviled eggs, I had the murica chicken sandwich with a side of macaroni, both items were very tasty and savory! I also enjoyed a mezcal cocktail as well, that was smoking with a touch of sweetness All around great experience! Can't wait to go back! If you are in the area, pay them a visit!
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Ali S.

Yelp
Well... for starters, not a single employee was around for 5-10 minutes after we came in. The sign said to seat ourselves, so we did. No servers... no bartender... we almost walked out. Eventually they came out of the back, brought water and resumed as if nothing was weird about their absence. Food was okay. The vidalia dip was probably the best part of the meal. The chips were chips. The char on the wings made for an unpleasant, bitter flavor. The side of mac and cheese tasted like Cheetos and my daughter wasn't a fan. Cute interior, which is really all this place had going for it, at least for this visit.
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Brittney S.

Yelp
Service was super fast ! Food was okay. I wish the chicken sandwich had a sauce with it - it was sort of dry. I wasnt offered any sauce as a condiment, so just had to eat it. I wasn't a huge fan of the Mac n cheese - seemed like a mix of multiple cheeses. But the biscuit was great! The location is great and easy to find. Within walking distance to hotels, which was convenient. Ambiance was pretty cool. Pretty open concept in there and the windows everywhere made it light and airy.
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Aimee B.

Yelp
The food was decent, but nothing outstanding. I'm not dying to go back. But I do recommend the mac & cheese. The places decorated nicely and has a cool vibe. But our waitress was super pretentious and snarky. We asked questions about the menu and she acted all high and mighty. Plus, I hate when a place charges you to make a reservation. You're spending money before you sit down. You shouldn't charge your good customers and punish them for the behavior of a few bad customers you don't want as your customers anyway.
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P 3.

Yelp
100% yes While the places is about as cozy as a tee-drive in your face the food is legit. I'd recommended the Nashville spicy, the Hush puppies and the Mac and cheese. I wish they could figure out a way to not make it feel like you're sitting on a bench in HS waiting to get scolded - but if food was this good in HS I'd be ok w it.
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Jillian N.

Yelp
One of the places where everytime I go, it gets better. I love the atmosphere and the vibe it brings. The wallpapers they picked are perfect. The staff is kind and friendly. The food though, the star of the show. I love it so much! My favorite restaurant to date.
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Thomas K.

Yelp
We went with a group of friends and it was during restaurant week. We were seated right away and we tried to tell the owner about how when a few of us were looking at the menu on the website it was bizarre how when one person looked at it - it showed red snapper sandwich and for another it showed fish sandwich. Her tone instantly got nasty and I think she thought we meant the restaurant week menu versus the regular menu. It was very weird and I almost left. I ordered the haddock meal that had no side except a small dish of coleslaw. The fish was very good - I loved the breading. I ordered a biscuit and it was delicious. The other half ordered red beans and rice and it was very very spicy so be warned.
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Eileen G.

Yelp
After visiting Notre Dame's campus we were hungry and Fatbird sounded like the best place for lunch offering a variety of options, since we couldn't figure out what we wanted. The ambience was classy and a little quirky but it worked well. Older, original floors of wood on 1 side and larger black and white tiles in the bar area. They serve traditional Southern style dishes with a modern flair and the Specials that Sunday sounded amazing like FGT BLT: fried green tomato BLT, hush puppies Yum! I tried both. Hush puppies were dense and delicious, could've been crispier for me, might have been the sauce drizzle which was finished with scallions + served on top of coleslaw. Tasty but I'm a simpler person. FGT BLT was on perfectly toasted white bread, nice thickness and crust had nice "chew". The "lettuce" was shredded and I believe a bit of slaw(?) If not, whatever sauce was on it gave it all a nice flavor without any aspect overpowering another. I found it easier to just hold sandwich between bites or else it would fall apart. I had a Banana Rum Old Fashioned and it was really tasty, nice aroma before sipping and dried banana garnish helped with that part. My sister ordered their famous pimento cheese spread and it was fantastic! Could've made a meal out of it, so many delicious additions to it (can't recall exactly 4 days later) but you Have to try it! Served with Ritz crackers in individual packages which at 1st I thought ruined presentation but soon realized that they were fresh and crispy, making every bite the perfect bite. Sis also had their chicken which had perfect breading for crispy juicy bites along with side of Mac n cheese (which a Yelper described as having "crazy flavor" & they were right) It too was so delicious we couldn't stop talking about it. Her iced tea was also very good, darker than any I've ever seen before which gave it a nice strong but smooth flavor. Josie was tending bar and was helpful in delivering tea refill at just the right time, clearing dishes promptly while our server took care of the rest. And dang it! I can't remember her name (after I said I like to use names in my reviews too!) but you know who you are, and you were delightful! Pleasant, attentive at the right times, answering our questions about the history of the building etc. The restaurant and facilities, guys and gals, were very clean and they played great music giving the experience the best vibes! Seating was comfortable classic chairs w/ vinyl and brass tack accent border, wood tables with ceramic tile detail in center. Along the wall of large glass windows is cushioned bench seating. Great for groups, couples, families for any occasion or before events at neighboring Performance Art Center. Some outdoor patio seating within a wrought iron fence, open air so if sunny better have your sunglasses also taller bar height seats at smaller counter along wall in bar area. 2 entrances with 1 having a step up to enter but 2nd door around corner by fountain is mobility accessible; a threshold of 1.5" where floor surface changes. Come check this place out you will not be disappointed! Prices are $$- $$$ depending on what you order, but I think appropriate for the overall experience. It was also slower on a Sunday afternoon, only a handful of diners in place that could easily hold 70-80 people.
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Tiffani B.

Yelp
We had the vidalia onion dip and chips. It was good. We also got the hush puppies. They were also good. We had the wedge salad. It was fresh. The dressing didn't seem like a green goodness ranch but it was still good. We had the shrimp po' boy sandwich. This was very good. We also had the lemon pepper wings and these were very good! The service was good and the atmosphere was relaxed.
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Ruth W.

Yelp
Appetizer: grilled carrots. Will order again. Loved the sauce. Drinks: The hentail (non-alcoholic) drink I had was Virgin cassia crossbill and it was very tasty. My boyfriend had 2 house cocktails, the Mockingbird and the Inca Dove, which he said he also enjoyed very much. Entree: I got the Jambalaya and it was delicious and exactly what I wanted this evening. My boyfriend got the Viniger chicken and it was half of an entire chicken! But he cleaned it up completely and told me it was delicious too. The sauce is quite Vinegar-y thought so beware if you don't like that flavor. Severs were quick and very helpful in helping to pick a drink. The restaurant's ambiance is very photographable with many cute sports for friend to take pictures :).

Mike K.

Yelp
First let me say that I am a senior citizen. So bear this in mind when you read my review. This was the first time I visited Fat Bird and did so with my son, daughter-in-law and Granddaughter. My first impression when I read the menu was that the prices were a bit on the high side. My second impression was the portion size was fairly small for the prices charged. My third impression was the service. It wasn't the quickest but we were chatting and enjoying each others company until the food came. I ordered what was described as deep fried haddock, with Cole slaw, pickles and bread with chips.What I received was a fish sandwich with a dab of coleslaw a pickle slice and a tartar sauce smear. Oh yes the chips were served in an individual serving bag which can be found in a vending machine. The bag was tossed onto the table in front of me. This dinner cost $16.99. My wife had jambalaya. This consisted of a flavored rice, sausage slices, small chunks of chicken and a few shrimp. Included was a fairly small biscuit. This was $22.99. Others in the party had a PoBoy and hamburger sandwichs. Again,in my opinion the prices charged were quite high for what you received. The food tasted ok but nothing you would rave about. Since this is located downtown South Bend, the parking was nonexistent. Granted it was Saturday evening but that is something you should consider. One other thing to be aware of is the 3% charge for credit and debit cards. Some may appreciate the style of meals, I will not be going back to this restaurant.
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Melody T.

Yelp
This place checked all the boxes. Great drinks, great service and amazing food. We started with Pecan old fashions, followed by Haddock and Jambalaya. Perfection. Topped it off with crème brûlée cheesecake with a miso caramel sauce. Don't miss a chance to try this place. We will definitely be going back.
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Wing Yan K.

Yelp
Located right at downtown South Bend, Fatbird offer contemporary southern cuisine. Their dining area is very spacious and love the vibe. I got the Chicken & Waffle & Watermelon and it taste very good. The little circular-shape waffle is super fluffy, along with the chicken cooked to golden brown and still maintain the juiciness within. Along with some heat from the spicy sorghum maple syrup. It also come with a few pieces of champagne and sweet tea infused watermelon. I do like the Vinegar BBQ sauce that come with the Grilled Wings. It is not super strong, but compliment the wings fairly well.
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Harry B.

Yelp
Warm it up!! Is this Nashville hot? I thought it tasted good, but didn't think it was sooo hot. Can't complain the bird wasn't dry and the chicken was crispy. My bad for not writing this sooner. It has been a few months since we ate here. Just have ti go back and try again and I'll update my review. I remember the vibe being good and the service seemed good too. All my friends enjoy it. Soooo. Hope you check it out.
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Marianne L.

Yelp
Stopped in on a Monday afternoon. It was a late lunch that we had. Our server was fantastic. Very friendly very helpful. I am doing a second review because my first one wasn't the greatest. Their food is a little different but I have to say the deviled eggs are my favorite! My friend told me the corn chowder was good. I did not try any. The green beans were very good when my friends thought they were spicy I did not. They were very tasty. The web salad was very good as was the chicken croissant sandwich.
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Joy M.

Yelp
Food was delicious! Love how they serve it on antique plates . Our server was very knowledgeable and kind.
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Almad M.

Yelp
Going to give my most honest review. I've only ordered here twice but it was enough for me. The chicken is one star better than Popeyes on a bad day, biscuits are a gamble. We tried the chicken and waffles since it seemed that everyone had given it rave reviews. I totally understand that this isn't California but this is far from Roscoes chicken and waffles either - (Google it) 2 chicken legs and 1 side with a few cornbread style waffles. Staff seems "friendly "however, the ambiance wasn't diverse enough to accompany their menu and dining experience. One more thing I'm not one to gripe about the costs of dining but for some reason it seems to be priced to keep a certain group away that usually eats this style of food often. I would say cultural appropriation at its finest.
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Brad S.

Yelp
This Cajun food is the real deal, best I have had outside of LA. Great bartender, made a nice Old Fashioned and took good care of us. That's mo bettah!
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Billie K.

Yelp
This is a hip and trendy spot! We made reservations and our glasses of water were already at our table when we arrived. Our very pleasant waitress then brings over a clay carafe of water. Asked if we had any questions regarding the menu. We had the fried okra for an appetizer and we all really liked it! It was one of the best tasting okra I've ever had. The sauce served with it was really good, too! Serving sizes are large and prices are moderate. It's kinda cool how they bring china plates for your appetizers. Love being able to people watch out the window; as the seating is along the glass.
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Mike G.

Yelp
Small portions large prices Not a French-fry in this place. Sides are a little different than they should be. Not a fan of peppers in my coleslaw. And the Mac and cheese was not like mom use to make. Not a bad place to eat but I have no plans to return.
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Jodie D.

Yelp
The biscuits were delicious. I ordered 2 of them. I was for later. The mac n cheese was delicious. I would recommend and plan on eating there again Husband's chicken was yummy too!
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Pam H.

Yelp
On our way home from a soccer game and stopped in for a late lunch. Staff was amazing- knew the menu well and took my nut allergy seriously. In fact our server stated she had the same allergy so I felt completely confident with our food. I enjoyed the pimiento dip while my son had the Nashville chicken sandwich. The dip was delicious - flavorful, creamy with just a hint of spice. Yum. The sandwich on the other hand was full of spice! Lots of sauce so it was hard to eat, but tasted amazing. Potato salad on the side was perfect way to cool down. Very fresh.

Mark C.

Yelp
WOW. 5 starts across the board. Vibe was right inside. Good music, good service. (Chrissy took care of us) We got the 1/2 chicken w/ Alabama sauce, deviled eggs, Cuban sandwich, half wedge salad and maque choux. Our little one got the burger and Mac n cheese. Crazy flavor. Chicken fell off the bone. Juicy, tender but also had that char and then drenched in the Alabama sauce. Sheesh. Grew up in Miami and that Cuban sandwich felt like home. MAC N CHEESE was unique and different but amazing.
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Jo V.

Yelp
If you're in town for business or Notre Dame you should check this place out. It's definitely one of the best kitchens in South Bend.

Sacha R.

Yelp
Cool soot in a fun little college town. Great service and food made in house not ordered through a vendor. Great little gem.

C K.

Yelp
This worked pretty well for our large group, BUT... * It was loud enough that it was hard to hear each other. * There weren't great menu options for vegetarians or those who don't love spicy food They ARE open on Mondays, and lots of places weren't. Our server was harried but managed it well. Made promises (i.e. timing) that were realistic and could be kept. The side dishes were standouts-- the potato salad, cole slaw, mac & cheese, and green beans all good thumbs up.

Liam M.

Yelp
This place looks a little run down from the outside but don't judge a book by its cover! Food was delicious, the online menu is fun, definitely worth a stop in the small town of bend!

Anthony L.

Yelp
How is this place getting 4 stars ? Food was at best mediocre, nothing I ate made me even remotely say I had to come back .. ever? Very expensive for what you got $15 for 6 undercooked wings ? The waitress was pleasant but never even looked our way for a refill ? How about adding French fries ? Fried chicken already on the menu.. so there's a fryer present ? Save your money ...
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Meg S.

Yelp
This place was absolutely perfect! We went here post-show of West Side Story with the cast, and the service was amazing. There were over 20 of us & everything was extremely organized, and came in a good amount of time. The food was even better than the service; I wish I had eaten a little bit more slowly but I couldn't because it was too good to stop. If I'm ever in South Bend again soon, I'd definitely come back!
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Jessica S.

Yelp
We tried the deviled eggs, fried chicken, mac and cheese, potato salad, mashed potatoes, maque choux, biscuit, and green beans. The food was ok but there was not anything we really liked a lot, unfortunately. The decor is nice. Service was friendly. Location is good.
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Katie U.

Yelp
What a great find for lunch in downtown South Bend! As the name suggests, the restaurant menu focuses on bird - specifically, fried chicken. But if you're not a fried/hot chicken person (like me), fret not; there are other handheld options like po boys and Cubans. I ordered a Cuban sandwich - what a massive sandwich! Paired with the coleslaw side dish, this hit the spot. Our table ordered the grilled carrots as an appetizer, and while I wasn't enthusiastic about the choice, it was a delicious start to our dining experience. Next time, I'm ordering the deviled eggs to try those out. On top of the great food, service was quick and friendly.
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Clay G.

Yelp
For a while now, I've heard about how good this place was. Finally, I had the opportunity to try it and it did not disappoint. Everything is super delicious and bursting with flavor. It might not be the healthiest meal of your week but it will definitely be one of the best. I was particularly surprised at how much I enjoyed the addition of salami to the Cuban sandwich. It adds a little kick that really works. I will definitely be back in the future.
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Dan S.

Yelp
With the cold of winter, the sun through the windows at our window seats was warm and bright. With plenty of time before the show, we enjoyed a full meal that included an appetizer, plates, and desserts. The pimento dip and saltines got mixed reviews, but was finished off easily. The jambalaya was full of flavor and the sausage and shrimp did not disappoint. It could have gone without the chicken. The biscuits had a crispy exterior and soft baked interior and with the special butter spread that comes with, it also was easily finished off. The chicken salad had a delightful dill flavor for one of our group. And the chicken and waffles was a hit with another. The green beans and maque chaux did not live up to the flavor of prior experiences. And the Mac n Cheese layered crispy and cheesy into something memorable. In the end, my pecan old fashioned was a perfect pairing with the jambalaya. A cheesecake, chocolate cake bomb and cookie were the finishing touches for others in the group. All in all, delightful and service was top notch, even though understaffed.

Iris F.

Yelp
The jambalaya was pretty good, not too spicy and the service was good, they checked in with us often and overall the place seemed nice and my friends and I kept complimenting the music they chose lol. Overall a good experience!
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Erin L.

Yelp
10/10 would recommend Fatbird in downtown South Bend! Their chef brought his love of New Orleans and southern soul food to South Bend for this gem of an eatery. Serving up all the good stuff - fried chicken, pimento cheese, fried okra, maque choux, cornbread, and biscuits, the taste of the south really runs deep here. They cook their fried chicken sous vide style, meaning it's cooked in a vacuum sealed bag in temperature controlled water, making it so very tender and delicious. The waitress told us their wings fall off the bone, that's how tender they are. I hear they have a great happy hour, too. Something I'll be back for.
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Siobhan D.

Yelp
My son and I were road tripping Chicago to Oberlin, OH today and needed to find a place to order to-go lunch. We are keeping a super tight COVID bubble, so in-person dining is not an option for us. My son picked Fatbird based solely on the Yelps about the Cuban sandwich, and was so pleased with this excellent find!! Fatbird wasn't too far of a detour and worth the extra few minutes drive into South Bend from the highway. Our meal was ready in just 10 minutes from phone call to pick up! There were limited vegetarian options for me, no entrees unfortunately, but I really enjoyed my mashed potatoes and corn soup with a fabulous pesto garnish. My son raves about the Cuban sandwich and side of cole slaw. Staff members were really friendly. Our take-out meal didn't come with utensils, but my son and I rigged up a ketchup packet as a spoon, and were eating in our car when a staff member came running across the street to deliver utensil packets!! It was so sweet. That's some great service there!!
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Ryan And Karissa S.

Yelp
This restaurant is amazing and their staff is even better. Their grilled chicken was delicious! Plus, my family loved their food as well. Even the appetizers are delightful. We sat outside with our pups, and they thoughtfully brought us little dishes with water for them. It was such a great experience
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Kristin H.

Yelp
Not sure where to start except to say "wow!" The atmosphere is cool has a southern flair to it. Staff is friendly and our service was quick. Started with cocktails, the ham and turkey and wild belle. They added bitters to the hams beer which made it delicious with a side shot of wild turkey. The wild bell was like a upscale Mimosa with passion fruit and orange juice. We were really looking forward to the fried chicken. Which has been really difficult to find. Fat bird knocked it out of the park. Best fried chicken I've had locally in years. The batter or dredge on the chicken was crispy and delicious. The chicken was juicy and hot when it came to our table. As for the sides they may have rivaled the main dish. Mac & cheese, seriously the best mac & cheese I've ever had. The laminated biscuit, let's just say I went home with a dozen more. And the coleslaw, I mean who raves about coleslaw but this was creamy and flavorful and I are traditional vinegar tangy coleslaw. I can't wait to come back, next time with friends. Is the kind of place you have to share with friends and family.
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Katie N.

Yelp
On a fairly impromptu Spring Break trip up to see the Indiana Dunes, we elected to stay in South Bend and sample as many food and drink options as we could! Fatbird happened to be our choice for lunch one day, mostly because I am not immune to the Chicken Sandwich wars that have been waging amongst the fast food giants - and I'm always up for a taste test. We walked in for a late lunch on a Monday so we elected to sit at the bar. Our bartender was very adept at recommending menu items and answering all of our questions - which always makes the experience of a new restaurant that much more enjoyable! They have plenty of local craft beer on tap, and a nice varied menu. I, of course, got what I came for and ordered their classic Chicken Sandwich. A few things that set it apart - perfectly fried chicken thighs (so if you don't like dark meat, might want to skip out) and homemade pickles. My husband ordered the Cuban, which according to the bartender is the "unsung hero" of the menu - and it didn't disappoint! The maque choux is signature and definitely a great side option if you're not in the mood for fries. Would highly recommend this great local spot that made our trip to South Bend that much more delicious!