Bird Modern Provisions: A Dining Review (Bird closed in September 2018)
(Bird closed in September 2018) I was chatting with my physical therapist, Shelley, when she mentioned that she had been to Bird Bar & Chicken recently. She got my attention since I had long considered doing a review of Bird. She told me that she had a waffle and that it was delicious.
Bird is one of three restaurants in Tucson developed and run by Fukushu Concepts. In the fashion of the day, Bird Bar & Chicken is considered Southern Fusion, which is essentially Southern food with a modern twist. No restaurant these days would claim to be French, or Southern or … To avoid criticism of their “Authenticness” they claim “Influence”. That way they can put their own American touch to the food.
Fukushu also owns Obon Sushi Downtown and in Scottsdale, and Goodness on Campbell.
Anyway, a few weeks ago Ms. Karen & I went to Bird. It is in the Casas Adobes Shopping Center, (Near Wildflower). We arrived early for lunch as is our custom to avoid crowds and waiting time. We were seated immediately adjacent to windows on two sides. The place has a comfortable setting of exposed brick and mosaic tile with windows along three sides.
Our waiter approached us for drink orders. We both wanted a Sauvignon Blanc. He, waiter, suggested that if we were to have more than one drink we should get a bottle and take the rest home. So we got a bottle, enough for two servings each.
Next he asked us about our brunch order. It being the weekend, the Brunch Menu is served from 9am – 3pm. Ms. Karen vacillated between Pot Roast Hash and the burger & fries. She commented that we had recently been to Harvest and had the best burgers. Our waiter replied that a Bird burger is way better than a Harvest burger. Saying she doubted it, she ordered the burger anyway: House blend, American, tomato arugula, house pickle, onion, Bird sauce, brioche ($15).
I ordered the Hot Chicken and waffle: boneless, Nashville style (fried), syrup, salted butter ($12). I asked that my chicken not come with the extra spicy layer to which our waiter replied “No problem”.
Our brunch came in short order. I asked Ms. Karen how her burger was. She let me have a bite. We both agreed that the Bird burger did not hold a candle to a Harvest burger, which we had pronounced a week earlier as superior to a Zinburger.
As to my hot chicken, it was indeed HOT, meaning spicy … but really good. And the waffle … excellent. The best I have every enjoyed.
We left Bird reasonably satisfied. The French wine was very good. The service good, too. They have several menus and the Brunch menu may not be best of them. We give Bird a four-saguaro rating. Next time Ms. Karen will have the Pot Roast Hash.
Bird Bar & Chicken
7109 N Oracle Rd
Tucson, AZ 85704
520-441-9509