The Dirty Bird Serves Up Chicken and Waffles in Toronto's Kensington Market
Katherine Pendrill — September 14, 2016 — Lifestyle
References: facebook & thedirtybird
For those in the mood for feel-good comfort food that will have you licking your fingers clean, The Dirty Bird Chicken + Waffles is the perfect spot. With chef Adrian Forte and chef Brian Butler at the culinary helm, this cozy chicken shack is changing the way Torontonians think about fried chicken.
The Dirty Bird is an eat-in/take-out restaurant with locations in Toronto’s Kensington Market and historic Annex neighborhood. The restaurant specializes in selling perfectly crispy fried chicken piled on top of fresh-made waffles. While it may sound like an unusual combination, the dish has a long history in the US as the meal of choice for musicians working into the wee hours of the night. Now the hybrid breakfast dish has become a deliciously savory choice for any time of day.
What sets The Dirty Bird apart from similar chicken and waffle joints is its #NORTHERNFRIED chicken, which has a distinctly Canadian twist. Unlike the fried chicken found south of the border, The Dirty Bird sprinkles its trademark maple-sugar seasoning onto each piece of chicken plucked from the deep fryer. The #NORTHERNFRIED chicken also differs in that it is halal and gluten-free. The waffles can even be prepared with gluten-free ingredients, making it the first celiac-friendly fried chicken and waffle dish in Canada.
Of course, fried chicken isn’t the only reason that Torontonians flock to The Dirty Bird in droves each day. In addition to wings, legs and thighs, the chain also serves up unique sides such as ‘Tato Salad, Mac Salad and the obligatory Slaw. Signature toppings such as the fiery Dirty Sauce and delicious sweet Maple Aioli are also a major draw for fried chicken fans.
With the success of its Kensington Market location and the recent addition of its Bloor Street West restaurant, The Dirty Bird has quickly established itself as an integral part of Toronto’s diverse culinary food scene. For those living in the city, the Dirty Bird is also available for order through delivery platform foodora.
Photo credits: The Dirty Bird, Chew Toronto, @remakewithtea, Everson Mars, Blog TO, Jennifer Ho, Foodora.
The Dirty Bird is an eat-in/take-out restaurant with locations in Toronto’s Kensington Market and historic Annex neighborhood. The restaurant specializes in selling perfectly crispy fried chicken piled on top of fresh-made waffles. While it may sound like an unusual combination, the dish has a long history in the US as the meal of choice for musicians working into the wee hours of the night. Now the hybrid breakfast dish has become a deliciously savory choice for any time of day.
What sets The Dirty Bird apart from similar chicken and waffle joints is its #NORTHERNFRIED chicken, which has a distinctly Canadian twist. Unlike the fried chicken found south of the border, The Dirty Bird sprinkles its trademark maple-sugar seasoning onto each piece of chicken plucked from the deep fryer. The #NORTHERNFRIED chicken also differs in that it is halal and gluten-free. The waffles can even be prepared with gluten-free ingredients, making it the first celiac-friendly fried chicken and waffle dish in Canada.
Of course, fried chicken isn’t the only reason that Torontonians flock to The Dirty Bird in droves each day. In addition to wings, legs and thighs, the chain also serves up unique sides such as ‘Tato Salad, Mac Salad and the obligatory Slaw. Signature toppings such as the fiery Dirty Sauce and delicious sweet Maple Aioli are also a major draw for fried chicken fans.
With the success of its Kensington Market location and the recent addition of its Bloor Street West restaurant, The Dirty Bird has quickly established itself as an integral part of Toronto’s diverse culinary food scene. For those living in the city, the Dirty Bird is also available for order through delivery platform foodora.
Photo credits: The Dirty Bird, Chew Toronto, @remakewithtea, Everson Mars, Blog TO, Jennifer Ho, Foodora.
Trend Themes
1. Crispy Fried Chicken - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore new flavor profiles and seasonings for fried chicken to attract a wider range of customers.
2. Chicken and Waffle Joints - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Experiment with unique combinations of chicken and waffles to create a distinct culinary experience.
3. Celiac-friendly Fried Chicken - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop gluten-free alternatives for fried chicken to cater to the growing demand for celiac-friendly options.
Industry Implications
1. Fast Food - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Incorporate innovative and healthier menu items, such as gluten-free fried chicken, to attract health-conscious customers.
2. Food Delivery - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Partner with food delivery platforms to provide easy access to unique chicken and waffle dishes.
3. Restaurant Franchises - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Introduce unique variations of chicken and waffles to existing restaurant franchises to attract a diverse customer base.
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