Jeff B.
Yelp
(Took Out 04/06/21 TU @ 5:00pm): Honey... you've got some kind of bird!
After a day of running errands in the area, I was too lazy to cook anything once I got home and felt it was the perfect time to finally try a business I've had bookmarked since the day they opened several years ago in my hometown 'hood... Honeybird. Although I loved a good crispy crunch spicy fried chicken in any form, I never went bonkers for the craze which still seemed to grow without any end in sight. Plus, I generally loved to support any business in the area I grew up in, so this was a win-win situation. Would I be sweet on the kind of bird and sides they served here!?
PURCHASE
The Honeybird Chicken Sandwich ($10.00): A thick piece of boneless crispy fried thigh meat, pimento cheese, tomato, slaw, and pickled chilies placed between a fluffy toasted brioche bun, this was a messy two-hander that was finger-lickin' good even the Colonel would've been proud https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=gdkeUV3myhz-jdBv7F9-_A&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw!
The Firebird Chicken Sandwich ($10.25): Identical to the Honeybird Chicken Sandwich but with an added spicy kick, sadly I was unable to truly tell the difference. Either way, this was still a lovely sandwich at just a quarter more https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=t0aiV7RrGh4PhNdvYUFinw&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw.
A La Carte Leg & Thighs + 2pc Honeybird Biscuits ($2.50ea. + $5.50): These chicken pieces had a lovely crunch but were small and lacked any spiciness. However, the biscuits were dreamy, moist, and plump made with bacon bits, cheddar cheese, chives, maple syrup, and screamed "breakfast" to me - amen https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=FxiszC4PjD5PysTDJZNd5g&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw!
Mac 'N Cheese ($5.50): Pasta shells mixed with a 5-cheese blend topped with panko breadcrumbs and chives, I was simply taken to another world by this creation of gooey goodness and plentiful pasta. I felt this was the star of my order https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=3i3rZH4eguyqoQJw56XVfg&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw!
A La Carte Garlic Mashed Potatoes ($3.50): Thick and garlicky, this was a hearty dish that reminded me of the paste used in kindergarten but in a good way https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=c6uaeOtTXo3vmAGZDX3Myg&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw!
A La Carte BBQ Baked Beans ($3.50): BBQ beans with flecks of pork, this was another hearty dish that stuck to your ribs https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=elO3n05EdXMD0UJEKHpJDQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw.
Slice Pecan Pie ($6.00): This was a thick cut of Americana goodness with candied whole pecans, brown sugar, and maple syrup. Heated for barely thirty seconds in the microwave served with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, I was in heaven with this dessert https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=5_kbhG-bVEfmEKHSY2r54w&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw!
SERVICE
Due to current COVID-19 restrictions at the time, they limited the amount of people inside and had protective plexiglass at the counter. A friendly young lady efficiently took my order. About ten minutes later, my order was packed and ready to go as I headed out the back door - easy-peasy!
PARKING (FREE)
They shared a tiny back lot with a couple other businesses. Otherwise, there was plenty of spots along the main drag of Foothill Blvd. and all surrounding streets - 'nuff said.
ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE
A medium storefront with a spacious indoor dining area that was closed to customers at the time, there was a corner counter area to place and pick up your order with an easily readable order menu placed up on the wall behind the counter as well as printed menus. Aside from the protective coverage, it had a country cottage homey feel about it. Plenty of natural lighting came in through all the large front glass windows and doors while numerous electric ceiling lights filled in the rest. I didn't notice any TVs but music played in the background.
ATTIRE
Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops.
OVERALL
Honeybird was worth the wait and hoped to return to try other selected items on their minimal menu. I thoroughly enjoyed their food, the prices were very comparable, and the provided service was all I needed. The only recommendation I had was to please try and make the chicken spicier. And, it was always a pleasure to support small local mom & pop businesses like this one (I believed they actually had 3 total locations). I found complete value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $52.00 BEFORE any discounts/tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 5.0 STARS