An award-winning Falls Church restaurant is previewing a new spinoff eatery in time for the Fourth of July.
Side Chick is a new a fried chicken carryout and delivery by Ellie Bird. The concept, based out of the restaurant’s kitchen at 125 Founders Avenue, blends Southern comfort foods, Asian American-inspired flavors and tongue-in-cheek attitude.
“I put on our website jokingly, ‘our core value is like, infidelity,’ meaning you will cheat on your diet,” co-founder Carey Tang told ARLnow. “It has brought some levity in what has been a very serious year, and it’s been nice for us to toe that line between having fun with cuisine and showcasing things we’re really excited about.”
It serves homemade fried chicken
- Available at varying spice levels, the chicken comes with Filipino-style cornbread. Dipping sauce options include Szechuan mustard and Thai green chili.
- The menu uses the same chicken recipe that Yuan and Carey Tang perfected during the pandemic and served carryout-style from their D.C. restaurant, Rooster & Owl.
- “We had a recipe that we really, really liked,” Yuan Tang said. “We were always looking for an opportunity to bring that one back and make it its own thing.”
Sides spotlight fusion flavors
- Miso mac and cheese, kimchi potato salad and rice vinegar slaw add playful twists to typical Southern comfort sides.
- For dessert, Side Chick offers sweets like Vietnamese coffee-soaked tiramisu, “no-share” strawberry-yuzu cheesecake and pints of homemade ice cream.
Preordering for July 4 is open
- The timing is purposeful, honoring Carey Tang’s childhood memories of July Fourths spent eating fried chicken and watching fireworks by the Potomac River.
- After previewing this Friday, Side Chick plans to officially open on Tuesday, July 8.
- Delivery and takeout orders can be made on Ellie Bird’s website.
