CINCINNATI -- Bird is definitely the word at CityBird Tenders.
The new carry-out-only eatery by Thunderdome Restaurant Group opens at 11 a.m. Saturday at 1344 Vine St. in Over-the-Rhine. Thunderdome also owns the Eagle restaurant next door.
With no seating, CityBird is configured to get customers inside, up to the counter and out the door as quickly as possible. During its soft opening Friday, CityBird's employees turned out lunchtime orders in about 10 minutes.
I waited in a small but comfortable area for my order number to be called out. pic.twitter.com/3r12xP7Gu7
— Brian Mains (@B_Mains_Cincy) February 9, 2018
CityBird's menu also contributes to its speedy service. The eatery offers canned, bottled and house-made beverages but no alcohol. The menu features three primary food options: tenders, chicken sandwiches made with tenders and a salad. The juicy tenders are house-brined, lightly breaded and fried to a crispy golden brown.
Stand-alone tenders are sold in "packs" of four, six, eight and 10. Each pack is served in a white cardboard carry-out box loaded with french fries and one of five dipping sauces. (Eight- and 10-packs come with two sauces.)
Packs range in price from $7.49 to $11.99. You can substitute a half salad for the fries for $1.49 extra. There is also a kids tenders and sandwich combo for $4.99.
Sandwiches ($5.99) are served on a toasted potato bun. The "CityBird" is made with tenders covered in slaw, a tangy "City sauce" and pickles. The "Lemon Thyme" includes tenders, shredded iceberg lettuce, lemon-thyme ranch dressing and pickles. The "Spicy" has smokey tenders, Green Goddess vinaigrette dressing, slaw and Sriracha mayonnaise.
CityBird's salad includes romaine and iceberg lettuce, cabbage, carrots, black quinoa, sunflower seeds, golden raisins, almonds and a choice of Green Goddess vinaigrette, CityBird vinaigrette or lemon-thyme ranch dressing.
The restaurant will be open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m.-3 a.m. Friday and Saturday. For more information visit the eatery's website.
