Tallahassee foodie news: Hot Birdie's Chicken returns. Same sandwich, new name

Kevin Stout says the chicken shack is back.

You may remember a wildly popular buffalo chicken sandwich as a bar and lunch menu item at Food Glorious Food, then that same sandwich becoming the main attraction for the Hot Birdie's Chicken restaurant that opened nearly two years ago in Capital Plaza on Thomasville Road, before closing suddenly last September.

And while chicken enthusiasts were devastated, there's no need to fear.

Stout, who also owns Food Glorious Food, is bringing back the heat and taking it to another level – one floor up to be exact – from his landmark Betton Place location.

The chicken sandwiches are now served in the upstairs dining area. By day, it'll be called "Birdie's at Betton." After 4 p.m., it goes back to being "Bar at Betton."

"We've had a lot of people asking about it and I want to re-energize the space," Stout said about bringing both concepts under the same roof to garner more traction, especially during slower lunch hours.

Hot Birdie's chicken sandwich 'hotter than ever'

Last September, a post on the Hot Birdie's Facebook page told fans to "hold tight" because they were going to come "back soon and hotter than ever."

Just seven months later, a subtle logo change on the former Hot Birdie's Facebook page, to a "sophisticated chicken" dressed in a monocle and top hat, hinted that foodies wouldn't have to wait much longer.

Those who favored the Birdie's location a few blocks north have reunited with the concept since its opening Monday, teasing that The Great North American Eclipse would actually be living in its shadow that day.

Birdie's at Betton serves some of the city's favorite chicken sandwiches including "BAB's Nashville Hot Birdie," a chicken patty dipped in Nashville hot butter and topped with spicy mayo, brown-sugar honey slaw and aged spicy pickles on a brioche bun.

Another specialty is the "BAB's Bacon Ranch Birdie" topped with American cheese, two thick slabs of smoked bacon and a ranch dressing drizzle on a toasted brioche bun. Each is served with fries for $12.95. There will be other sandwiches, sliders, chicken fingers, fries and drinks.

Stout has enjoyed seeing regulars in the revitalized space. "I love talking to customers," he said, adding that he enjoys seeing customers dig in because by the time he makes it to greet their tables, their faces are "covered in hot sauce from the sandwich," which always gives him a laugh.

More changes will be coming to the menu, including the possibility of fried catfish Nashville-style sandwiches and vegetarian options.

If you go

Where: Birdie's at Betton is in the Betton Place shopping center, 1950 Thomasville Road.

When: Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Kyla A Sanford covers dining and entertainment for the Tallahassee Democrat. She can be reached at [email protected]. New restaurant opening up, special deals, or events coming up? Let me know!

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Restaurant news: Hot Birdie's Chicken returns. Same sandwich, new name