Recently I stopped in at Byrd's Hot Chicken on Clark Street for lunch, a "Plan B" as I was looking forward to eating at a nearby restaurant but it happened to be closed on that day. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The Chicago-themed mural adds to what is otherwise a typical interior space.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]There are napkins, and a water dispenser within the standard fountain pop/soda machine.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The young lady serving me was courteous. I ordered 5 chicken wings for $7, a fairly good deal for lunch nowadays. I waited about ten minutes, but the five whole wings came out piping hot so I had to wait another minute or two before I could safely eat them. The chicken was hot and juicy, but unfortunately the flavor was a bit lacking. I chose BBQ sauce in a cup as the dipping sauce, but the sauce added minimally to the overall flavor. read more

When I was a kid, every now and again my parents get KFC. Having never been inside one, I thought that "Extra Crispy" was a special request made of the kitchen. I did not know that this was one of the standard menu options. Thus, I'd ask if it can be ordered "extra extra crispy". So... why I am telling you this? Because if there were such a thing as "extra extra crispy" it would be the chicken at Byrd's. Good thing we never did get such a thing at KFC, because it's not the greatest thing in the world. The crust on this chicken ended up being a little thin and too crunchy for my liking. The meat itself was cooked well, no complaints there. As for the heat level, the "hot" had a milder than "hot" heat for my taste, but knowing my affinity for the flame YMMV. Now, let me ask you all something: Did Dave's Hot Chicken start this trend of chicken shops using tenders alone or between bread, with a generous heat scale, and some kind of savory, lightly sweet, light orange colored sauce? Or did Dave's just jump onto something which was an up and coming trend? No matter, I'm someone who believes that sometimes, it's not necessary to re-invent the wheel. If there's something out there that works (i.e. makes money), why not? Thus, I have no issue with Byrd's using the same model as Dave's. However, if you're going to do something, get it right. This comes down to two things, other than the crust being a little overdone: 1. Bread - With a slider format, while the tender does stick out a little, the balance is preserved, and everything stays together more. With using a full-sized burger style bun, this balance become upset, and with the tender shape, some bites are only bread. Further, it does make the sando more susceptible for falling apart. This is compounded by: 2. Sauce - The sauce itself is good, no issues there. However, the lack of any on the bread means there is less adhesion, and it makes the sandwich just a little dryer and more plain. Finally, some closing notes/remarks: - Potato Salad: I'm not complaining, I am only asking: why?? Especially since there are fries, it seems the only reason this is here is that Byrd's may say "Look Ma, I'm not like Dave's, I have potato salad!" - Fries - Cooked and seasoned well. Perfect for crinkle cut! - Freshness: it is noted that I was one of only people here, so the kitchen was no busy in the slightest. With this, the chicken and fries tasted fresh out of the fryer, and not from under a lamp. - Service: pretty standard for a fast-casual place like this, not black tie, but no complaints! - [[HIGHLIGHT]]Vibe: While the black/white/red/wood look is cool and modern, the lighting does detract a bit. Modern circular LED chandeliers are cool and all, but the light emitted seemed harsh.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I liked it when I was a middle schooler going to my local Taco Bell, but as I've grown, I find it reminds me of a place where things get done (a professional kitchen, warehouse, RMV, etc.) rather than a place one can sit and enjoy a meal and/or company of a friend. Thus, while Byrd's had an A-OK piece of chicken, other things made the experience a little less than fantastic. With the wealth of chicken shops int he city, I do not think I will be making a return to Byrd's. read more

Byrd’s Hot Chicken - Spicy Sandwich - Chicken Shop Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We recently ordered takeout from Byrd's. It was ready at pick up. Our family had a mix of fish and chicken sandwiches and wings. Everything was great although the sandwhiches were a little steamed by the time we got home. The wings maintained their crispiness. Overall flavor was good for everything but not to go out of your way for. read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Service was really quick and lots of seating as well![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I got the chicken wrap with fries. The fries were good, I liked the seasoning on them! The chicken wrap was goood but nothing crazy. It is just chicken and coleslaw and the sauce comes on the side. I think this would be amazing if it were chopped chicken with lettuce and sauce. read more

Byrd’s Hot Chicken - Crispy Byrd Wrap LARGE FRIES - Chicken Shop Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Stop killing baby chicken to get them little ass wings. They not even wings. On top of the small ass wings y'all got fried mf chicken hair with it. And I know y'all cut upon chicken tender tomato my sandwich. That shit was an insult to me. I know y'all popular and people going to come. But damn do better. Deals are great now invest in a company that supplies grown chicken wings that lived for awhile. read more

Pros - tenders and sauce = phenomenal and my favorite thing here! tenders are v juicy and flavorful. pairs perfectly with sauce. can really taste the pickle brine - sandwiches = juicy, soft, pairs well w sauce. yes, as other reviews mentioned, it's basically a tender. they should put more in - vanilla cake shake - 24k sauce Cons - wings, full and normal = bland. avoid read more

I'll update my review if warranted after another visit, but the oil clearly needed to be changed before frying this batch. Ruined the entire meal. Wasted my money. read more

We tried Byrd's Hot Chicken in Skokie and it was absolutely worth it! We ordered the Byrd Bomb (crispy tenders with cheese, slaw, 24 karat sauce, pickles on bread and hot toast) and it was packed with flavor. The hot chicken sandwich was juicy and had the perfect kick, while the crispy Byrd wrap was a great twist with amazing crunch. We also got a full order of wings, and they were cooked perfectly--crispy on the outside and tender inside. The drinks selection is solid (Pepsi products) and paired perfectly with the heat. Service was great, the staff was friendly and attentive, and [[HIGHLIGHT]]the place had plenty of space with lots of parking available.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] If you're looking for delicious hot halal chicken with great portions and excellent service, this is the spot. Definitely coming back! Also they are on uber eats and open super late read more

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The woman working here was really nice! And the food was really good! We got the 2 spicy chicken sandwich deal for $12 or something like that. The sandwiches were really good and fries were amazing! Great deal [[HIGHLIGHT]]Also it was really bright in there, the lamps are kind of unnerving[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

It's sad to see that this is a chain popping up all around. What a sad experience. The sandwich is literally a single chicken finger on a cheap bun. We got a salad that was a handful of salad mix, some pickles, red onion slivers, and cherry tomatoes - and they called it a two for one for $10! It was advertised with chicken - but no chicken to be found on the salad. You'll probably be more satisfied if you just hand them $40 and then go get dinner somewhere else. read more

Best service! Food is made fresh and staff is super accommodating! We really enjoy coming here.

The food was delicious! So much flavor has amazing server too cashier was so kind! This place is definitely a top 3 the chicken is so juciy, I will be coming here more often love this place read more

Ordered Byrds Hot Chicken on door dash, it came faster than expected. I got chicken tender meal and a tender on the side. I expected the tenders to be on the smaller size, so that is why I ordered a third. To my surprise the tenders were massive! The crunchiness of the chicken was delicious and the "hot" spice level was a perfect level, I think I could even go up a notch to supahot. The chicken meat was juicy and everything you'd expect in a tender. The potato salad and fries were good, but nothing to write home about. Would recommend and can't wait to try their chicken sandwich! read more

Byrd’s Hot Chicken - Chicken TENDERS COMBO - Chicken Shop Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I have to say that the chicken I had here today was incredible. I had chicken tenders, and a sandwich as well. Brioche bun with pickles, coleslaw, and a chicken tender as big as my head. The portions are huge, and a great value, but honestly a wonderful meal. I brought some tenders home and we had them in the air fryer, which came out just as good as they were in the restaurant. If you're in the area, it is well worth the stop. read more

Recently tried Byrds and the prices were HIGH. I was surprised to see such an expensive chicken sandwhich especially since it's basically fast food. The fries were good! read more

First time here and the chicken was amazing! The wings were crispy but juicy and very flavorful. Fries hot and delicious (crispy) my husband's chicken wrap was amazing. I had a few bites. Customer service was excellent as the staff and chef were cordial and friendly. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The place was very clean[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] and I highly recommend you try it. We will be back, next time with family and friends. Z is great with customer service. read more

i've passed by this place a few times and when i finally decided to give it a try it was just disappointing... i stopped in with my bf and i got the wings meal and he got the chicken sandwich meal. a handful of the things i wanted they were out of, and the woman taking my order wasn't very helpful. i asked for side sauces and she said they didn't have them, i assumed they were just out but she flat out said they weren't available when they're clearly up on the menu. [[HIGHLIGHT]]we waited for about 20 minutes and it was silent inside, no music or anything on so it was a bit awkward to be sitting there.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] i grabbed one of their to-go menus and when i looked inside the menu and prices were completely different than what was on the menu screens up front. when we got home and tried the chicken it was still spicy even though we both asked for them plain and i could barely finish my meal. my bf said he'd go back but i don't think i'll be trying this place again. plenty of other chicken places to spend my money at. read more

I work nearby, so i eat at this restaurant sometimes on my way to or from work. fprices are.. alright, considering the area (nearly $7 after tax+tip for a single tender & toast feels a bit high, considering $14 gets you two tenders + toast + fries). generally my experience here is ok, but i have a few things that bear complaining about. firstly - expect a long wait, especially at night. even if you have a small order and there's no one inside the restaurant, as is often the case, you can expect your food to take 20-30 minutes, as the bulk of their business is takeout. understandable, but can be a bit frustrating if you forget to place your order online beforehand. [[HIGHLIGHT]]secondly - ambiance is pretty rough. last time i went in there were cobwebs on half the light fixtures that looked to be actively hosting spiders, which doesn't bode well to the sanitary qualities of the building.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]also, there are frequently locals causing a ruckus who are tolerated by the staff.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] thirdly - i get the impression the workers really don't want to be here. it seems to be a new and inexperienced cashier every other week who struggles to find their way through the cashier terminal, so i imagine turnover is high - and the general demeanor of most employees doesn't leave me feeling like they get paid enough. they also frequently seem short staffed - the other day one of the cooks ran over to take my order... and operated the terminal without taking off their gloves? which is definitely a health code violation. overall, i see this restaurant struggling to succeed long term in this neighborhood unless they up their quality of service(ideally by paying their employees more), clean up their dining area, and consider lowering their prices. i personally wouldn't go here at all if i didn't happen to work close by, despite the food being real tasty. wishing the staff here luck in getting this all sorted! (also, the new garlic sauce they had me sample was refreshing, but a bit bland. could maybe use some citrus? just a thought) read more

Food was ok, however the service was not. You can't even understand then man and there was only two people working. The lady next to me said her fries were cold and it took around 20 minutes to get our food. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Ambiance was cool but desolate[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Byrd’s Hot Chicken - Chicken Shop Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Really good food. Got the hot chicken sandwich with the fries and the potato salad. Everything with a drink ran at 20$

love the fried chicken here, tried everything and here is my recommendation: Tenders, sandwiches, mac and cheese, potato salad the tenders are really juicy. good amount of spiciness. the tenders are used for the sandwich, so it's a relatively small sandwich. the flavors balance really well and it's bogo so the price is good for the portion. the mac and cheese while doesn't look very creamy or cheesy it does taste creamy and cheese. good spice. doesn't taste watery or powdery like some of the macs out there that's assembled to order. the potato salad taste best when cold. it has a light texture which makes it balance the other menu items really well. I have tried the green beans. growing up I was always told to never fry green beans because it makes them bitter. I went against my grain and found out the hard way the nuggets are similar to mcdonalds a little bit more crispy. maybe i'm just growing out of my nugget love lol I do prefer the tender better. the wings are tasty as well. the flavor options are different for the wings so I tend to order tenders more. easier to eat too since no bones or feathers lol read more

Pretty good! Had the 2 for $10. Chicken was a little small for the bread. Tasted very similar to Popeyes chicken sandwich

It was delightful! I wasn't sure what to expect, but their 2 for $10 Chicken Sandwich deal is really hard to beat and they were larger than the chain chicken sandwich shop's. The breading was very good and flavorful and the spice tastes actually had flavor and weren't' too strong on the heat. Would keep try read more

The best chicken sandwich in Chicago hands down! (In my humble opinion) The potato salad reminded me of my grandmothers potato salad and that is not something that I would just throw out there. Great service by Hasan who I assured I would be back soon to try another delicious item off the menu! Cozy vibe reminiscent of a Nashville chicken grill ambiance great atmosphere. Excellent! read more

Timing was quick, and our chicken sandwich combos were crispy, obvs made to order. The chicken quality on par with CFA but the flavor of the skin/seasoning was lacking a little... read more

Good chicken tenders. Spicy and timely delivery. Best part about it is that it's open super late night

Yummy food! This chicken is definitely on the saltier side but the portions were huge.

Best chicken sandwich with a decent price!! The place of overall really good just wish they don't keep raising the price

I was pleasantly surprised! I've been watching hot ones lately and was craving wings so I came here. They are cooked to order and it's a lot more food than I thought it would be. Only complaint is the price as it seems pretty steep for 6 wings. read more

My chicken sandwich was pretty good, the chicken itself was a little dry but putting extra sauce on it definitely helped. I liked the seasoning on the fries and the potato salad was pretty good. Overall I think for the price it wasn't bad. read more

Such crispy chicken and even travels well for take out! They are quick and the restaurant is very clean! Highly recommend the Mac and cheese as a side! read more

Really great food and even better owners. Food is always hot and cooked fresh for you. Get the Byrd Bomb. You won't regret it!

This place is wonderful - the man working at the counter was so kind. I ordered chicken tenders and got cheese fries instead of the fry/potato salad combo. It's 15 dollars but they do not skimp!!!!! So much food!!! My boyfriend and I got our own but we could have split a meal and easily had some left over. I love the seasoning they put on the fries and their signature sauce is chefs kiss read more

The fried chicken craze isn't over yet I guess. It's a franchise. 15 years ago, this might have wowed us. But now? With so many of these out there? Check. Fried Chicken, Check. spices. Check. Soft buns. Check. pickle. Check. Slaw. Check. Orange y sauce. Check. Breaded. & the fries w same spice all over them? (wasn't necessary) and the chix was lacking in the one spice it actually needed. Salt. I think some don't understand you can add tons of spice and still lack flavor... Some oddities. They serve 2 types of potatoes automatically together. Fries and pot salad. They both tasted ok but no balance in the meal there. Decor: They have a large industrial type trash an in the dining area near the counter. Doesn't do much for ambiance. Napkin dispensers on the table were not dispensing napkins and you will need them bc the chicken is quite oily. (not that's a bad thing) it is fried chicken afterall. Overall, it's a decent type of fried chicken, sides, portion. Doubt I'll crave it though. read more

Great chicken, good fries, very nice owner. Tenders are large, and very large portion of fries

this restaurant has very good service and i love the food that they serve. i highly recommend coming to this location, the people are so nice and friendly. read more

this is just amazing I couldnt have anything more flavorful and tender in my mouth this is amazing buy now