What a gem of a place. Decor is gorgeous, mixing wallpaper, seating, lighting. It is a really nice ambiance. I waltzed in on a weekday afternoon and it was pretty dead, but I was greeted and my food came out quickly. The maque choux was to die for. The banh mi chicken was less exciting, but still good enough to entice me to try it again. Wish I was able to order a cocktail on that trip, as the menu looked intriguing. read more

This review is specifically for their restaurant week winter 2026 menu, which my boyfriend and I ordered off of for lunch in January 2026. I have not yet had the pleasure of trying anything off of Fatbird's normal menu. I'll try to keep this review quick since it is pretty specific but long story short, we loved the unique and well made food and the service and vibes were great! So while Fatbird is known for their chicken sandwiches, my bf and I ordered the $40 lunch for two from this special 2026 menu, which was heavily indigenous Latin American-inspired in the ingredients. For the starter, we shared 8 sweet plantains slices which were yummy but we wish we had more. Then for our main, we split one grilled jerk chicken sandwich with VERY unique ingredients like a pickled green tomato as well as two creative tacos with tender shredded pork and more pickled veg. The tacos were spicy as heck and definitely not for the faint of heart! Lastly, we split a small bowl of arrow con leche brule, which helped bring the heat down from the tacos. While we didn't leave full, we had fun trying a curated and very unique set of dishes with interesting flavors, textures, and spices. The other 4 people we ate lunch with ordered a variety of stuff from the normal menu, some of which are in my attached pictures. My bf also ordered himself a pineapple tepache to sip on, which was $8, and I got myself a diet coke with lemon ($3). Our waitress was on top of her game and was very friendly. The interior is cute and spacious and the bathroom is cute and clean. I love a clean bathroom! Their normal menu has 8000 things I want to try next time! As for this special menu lunch, we paid, after tax, tip, and a credit card surcharge, a total of $67. A bit high for lunch, but good vibes all around! read more

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The chicken wings are next level! Carolina Gold is my favorite, but pick yours, they are all great. Tender, not greasy, perfect. Hush puppies are out of this world. If you've never been to visit your Southern grandma, this is how she'd greet you. The margarita's are delicious. A perfect blend of tequila, agave, and cointreau. Lots of great entrees as well. Can't go wrong with any, whether traditional or slightly experimental, they're all good. Great service, great bar, a great night out. read more

Fatbird - Fried Catfish Sandwich - Southern Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

Good spot in the area. We were in town for an event and happened to be there early - so we went on a hunt for lunch. It was later for lunch, but there were a decent amount of tables full. Service was friendly and seated us right away. They were efficient but not kicking us out by any means. Tasty menu and a cute spot. However, what is with the tiny plates? We shared 2 chicken sandwiches (fried chicken and chicken salad). Both sandwiches were about the size of the tiny plates and that resulted in crumbs going everywhere. I felt like I was making a huge mess just trying to cut the sandwich (which I would have done even had I not been sharing). Good spot, cute atmosphere and tasty food. Just... the smallest plates compared to the size of the food! read more

Went before a show at the Morris. Not vegetarian friendly at all. Wasn't a fan. But if you're in the Midwest and need a fix for a modern take on southern cuisine this is definitely the right spot. read more

A total gem in the heart of South Bend. Food was more than supreme and the cocktails were carefully crafted with care and precision. Highly recommend the grilled carrots, deviled eggs and shrimp po'boy. Sooo many hits that you can miss. read more

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Food was true to its southern roots, with excellent catfish, fried chicken, and sides. We went late, near closing time, but I'd love to visit while more people were there to feel the ambiance as it should be. read more

For my Southern food connoisseurs, I wouldn't say this is going to hit the spot. For those less familiar, this is probably a great place. The good: You can definitely walk in without a reservation, it was pretty quiet on a Saturday evening. The servers are quick and friendly. I'd also say if there's one food item that was genuinely good, it's the hush puppies. I also enjoyed the mashed potatoes with the skin bits. The meh: The chicken sandwiches are alright, I've had juicier from fast food chains. I got the JFC, which was too large to properly consume. I felt it was trying to do too much with the pork belly in there. The bad: Jambalaya was oddly sweet. Do not order. read more

Fatbird - JFC with a side of Mashed Potatoes - Southern Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

We came here after a 3:30pm Notre Dame football game at around 7:30, and we were able to be seated immediately. This is the perfect hearty post-game meal. I got the chicken and waffles. I really enjoyed my food, but was a little surprised to see that the chicken was bone-in, which I felt made it slightly hard to eat (and less meat, more breading). Next time I would opt for one of their chicken sandwiches, which were a huge hit among my family. The sides were also fabulous- between the 5 of us, we tried the mashed potatoes, French fries, and Mac & cheese. Give it a try!! read more

Came here on a whim. Vibe is super nice - lots of plants to make me think I'm doing something outdoorsy. Service was great. Menus (like the physical ones) could maybe use some reinvestment to match the vibe. Loved the tables too. Cloth napkins also would be a welcome addition. Food - best part by far. Great fried chicken sandwiches. Mac N cheese also sneaky good. Will come back for sure. read more

Fatbird - KFC - Southern Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

The service is ALWAYS amazing and the food is so good. I'd love more variety or change up but I can't complain when what they do have is so tasty read more

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Wow! FatBird was a refreshing experience. The service was welcoming, and the food from drinks to apps to entrees was unique and delicious. Excited to come back. read more

Fatbird - Southern Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

Chargrilled chicken with side of Mac n cheese - definitely a surprise delicious chicken! A bit pricey at $22 but delicious!!! Mac n cheese was decent. Onion dip app - love a good onion dip. Interestingly served with Zapps voodoo chips. Deviled eggs app - this was a pass for me. Love deviled eggs and appreciate the dill pickle slight addition for taste but pricey for quantity and ingredients. read more

I was in town for work, and I when I can, I like to take my students out to lunch or dinner, I gave one of my students choices of places to go, and they picked out fatbird. Service was awesome! Attentive but not overbearing, I also loved the inside! Our food was delicious! We split the deviled eggs, I had the murica chicken sandwich with a side of macaroni, both items were very tasty and savory! I also enjoyed a mezcal cocktail as well, that was smoking with a touch of sweetness All around great experience! Can't wait to go back! If you are in the area, pay them a visit! read more

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It is very convent for dinner prior to shows at the Morris. The food is excellent southern nicely spiced cuisine. The service is competent, thoughtful, and timely. The bar has great drinks. It's a very comfortable atmosphere. read more

There service was good. Food was decent but not great. The drinks were flat and a bit watered down. Nice place.

On my way to take a walk by the South Bend River Lights, I popped in for a quick dinner. Started with a great margarita, but the Cornmeal Cajun Fried Shrimp just blew my mind! Paired with the seasonal Watermelon Salad, it was an incredible meal.The service was warm, attentive, quick & friendly. I will certainly be back next time I am in town. read more

Great food, great service. I had the Nashville Chicken Sandwich. Spicy, but a really great taste. Warning on the menu that there are no returns. Like spicy, you'll love it. Friend had the shrimp appetizer as a main. Lots of shrimp with a good sauce. Dessert options sounded great but we were too full from dinner. Shout out to Shane for great service and local tips. read more

I was visiting on a business trip and this was a great surprise in Indiana. Definitely the best Nashville chicken sandwich I've ever had, attentive service, and a great dining area. If I come back to south bend, this will be a must for dinner. read more

We've been to Fatbird a few times, each time the service has been great. The place has a unique vibe and great drinks. The food is really good, highly recommend the Banh Mi! read more

Wings and Jambalaya were excellent. Red Beans and rice were tasty but more of a gumbo w beans than red beans and rice. Very flavorful but soupy. Overall very good food. read more

Fatbird - Jambalaya - Southern Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

Lindsay C was our server yesterday and could not have been more pleasant and attentive. The food and drinks were unusual and tasty, it's so nice to have a place that offers unique cuisine and offer a relaxing atmosphere with great service on top! read more

This was a really good chicken sandwich. They use the chicken thighs. The breading had a nice crunchy texture. Loved the mashed potatoes too. I was not a fan of the Mac and cheese it had a weird taste to it. Super cute restaurant and decently priced pop was only $2.00! read more

Fatbird - Southern Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

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Well... for starters, not a single employee was around for 5-10 minutes after we came in. The sign said to seat ourselves, so we did. No servers... no bartender... we almost walked out. Eventually they came out of the back, brought water and resumed as if nothing was weird about their absence. Food was okay. The vidalia dip was probably the best part of the meal. The chips were chips. The char on the wings made for an unpleasant, bitter flavor. The side of mac and cheese tasted like Cheetos and my daughter wasn't a fan. Cute interior, which is really all this place had going for it, at least for this visit. read more

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Made reservations at this spot before a concert next door at the Morris Performing Arts Center. Super convenient. Friendly and knowledgeable staff for drinks and service. For the table we shared the grilled lemon pepper wings. Yummy. The red beans and rice was a crowd pleaser, but the catfish entree was the star of the show! It had a unique cornmeal batter with an added crunch. The side coleslaw side was cool. Pass on the over cooked hush puppy. Overall, good experience. read more

The food is not good. Very odd side choice options of either cheetos or fritos. Bacon cheddar soup had an odd taste the chicken sandwich was bland, dry and not appetizing. Side of mac is incredibly small. I will say the servers are nice but the host or person at the bar isn't. Pretty nola theme inside but no where even close to actual nola food or atmosphere. read more

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Warm it up!! Is this Nashville hot? I thought it tasted good, but didn't think it was sooo hot. Can't complain the bird wasn't dry and the chicken was crispy. My bad for not writing this sooner. It has been a few months since we ate here. Just have ti go back and try again and I'll update my review. I remember the vibe being good and the service seemed good too. All my friends enjoy it. Soooo. Hope you check it out. read more

Fatbird - Welcome to Fatbird - Southern Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

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I got the grilled chicken wings with dry rub and a side of "goddess ranch". It was so disgusting I could barely eat my food. First of all they get their meat from Tyson and the chicken tastes so disgusting, I'm not saying it has to be organic but if your whole theme for a restaurant is chicken it better taste good. It was overpriced bs... the interior design is pretty but I will not be returning. read more

The food was decent, but nothing outstanding. I'm not dying to go back. But I do recommend the mac & cheese. The places decorated nicely and has a cool vibe. But our waitress was super pretentious and snarky. We asked questions about the menu and she acted all high and mighty. Plus, I hate when a place charges you to make a reservation. You're spending money before you sit down. You shouldn't charge your good customers and punish them for the behavior of a few bad customers you don't want as your customers anyway. read more

100% yes While the places is about as cozy as a tee-drive in your face the food is legit. I'd recommended the Nashville spicy, the Hush puppies and the Mac and cheese. I wish they could figure out a way to not make it feel like you're sitting on a bench in HS waiting to get scolded - but if food was this good in HS I'd be ok w it. read more

One of the places where everytime I go, it gets better. I love the atmosphere and the vibe it brings. The wallpapers they picked are perfect. The staff is kind and friendly. The food though, the star of the show. I love it so much! My favorite restaurant to date. read more

Fatbird - KFC and mashed potatoes - Southern Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

Driving to Cleveland and stopped here on the way. Had the fried chicken. It was delicious and the service was great.

Food was delicious. Big portions. The ambiance was nice and the service was top notch. Great place to visit if in SB

Unique atmosphere and friendly staff. Their cocktails are wonderfully different with each season. We all love the chicken salad, and Korean chicken sandwich-spicy. All the sides are incredible. read more

Stopped in on a Monday afternoon. It was a late lunch that we had. Our server was fantastic. Very friendly very helpful. I am doing a second review because my first one wasn't the greatest. Their food is a little different but I have to say the deviled eggs are my favorite! My friend told me the corn chowder was good. I did not try any. The green beans were very good when my friends thought they were spicy I did not. They were very tasty. The web salad was very good as was the chicken croissant sandwich. read more

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The service was AMAZING. The waffle fries were bomb and the Mac n cheese was delicious. The chicken sandwich-meh. I think it just needed a little bit of slap ya mama seasoning in the batter or a liiiitle bit more salt. Also bread n butter pickles on the sandwich(to each their own) but would be super awesome to have an option on what kind of pickles go on your sandwich. Still an awesome place and people should definitely check it out! read more

Awesome food and vibe. Loved my visit. I had heard about this place and came hungry (Good idea!) I had the jambalaya and my friend the fried chicken. Both entrees were hot and tasty. So glad we have Fatbird in our backyard! read more

We went with a group of friends and it was during restaurant week. We were seated right away and we tried to tell the owner about how when a few of us were looking at the menu on the website it was bizarre how when one person looked at it - it showed red snapper sandwich and for another it showed fish sandwich. Her tone instantly got nasty and I think she thought we meant the restaurant week menu versus the regular menu. It was very weird and I almost left. I ordered the haddock meal that had no side except a small dish of coleslaw. The fish was very good - I loved the breading. I ordered a biscuit and it was delicious. The other half ordered red beans and rice and it was very very spicy so be warned. read more

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This is a hip and trendy spot! We made reservations and our glasses of water were already at our table when we arrived. Our very pleasant waitress then brings over a clay carafe of water. Asked if we had any questions regarding the menu. We had the fried okra for an appetizer and we all really liked it! It was one of the best tasting okra I've ever had. The sauce served with it was really good, too! Serving sizes are large and prices are moderate. It's kinda cool how they bring china plates for your appetizers. Love being able to people watch out the window; as the seating is along the glass. read more

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After visiting Notre Dame's campus we were hungry and Fatbird sounded like the best place for lunch offering a variety of options, since we couldn't figure out what we wanted. The ambience was classy and a little quirky but it worked well. Older, original floors of wood on 1 side and larger black and white tiles in the bar area. They serve traditional Southern style dishes with a modern flair and the Specials that Sunday sounded amazing like FGT BLT: fried green tomato BLT, hush puppies Yum! I tried both. Hush puppies were dense and delicious, could've been crispier for me, might have been the sauce drizzle which was finished with scallions + served on top of coleslaw. Tasty but I'm a simpler person. FGT BLT was on perfectly toasted white bread, nice thickness and crust had nice "chew". The "lettuce" was shredded and I believe a bit of slaw(?) If not, whatever sauce was on it gave it all a nice flavor without any aspect overpowering another. I found it easier to just hold sandwich between bites or else it would fall apart. I had a Banana Rum Old Fashioned and it was really tasty, nice aroma before sipping and dried banana garnish helped with that part. My sister ordered their famous pimento cheese spread and it was fantastic! Could've made a meal out of it, so many delicious additions to it (can't recall exactly 4 days later) but you Have to try it! Served with Ritz crackers in individual packages which at 1st I thought ruined presentation but soon realized that they were fresh and crispy, making every bite the perfect bite. Sis also had their chicken which had perfect breading for crispy juicy bites along with side of Mac n cheese (which a Yelper described as having "crazy flavor" & they were right) It too was so delicious we couldn't stop talking about it. Her iced tea was also very good, darker than any I've ever seen before which gave it a nice strong but smooth flavor. Josie was tending bar and was helpful in delivering tea refill at just the right time, clearing dishes promptly while our server took care of the rest. And dang it! I can't remember her name (after I said I like to use names in my reviews too!) but you know who you are, and you were delightful! Pleasant, attentive at the right times, answering our questions about the history of the building etc. The restaurant and facilities, guys and gals, were very clean and they played great music giving the experience the best vibes! Seating was comfortable classic chairs w/ vinyl and brass tack accent border, wood tables with ceramic tile detail in center. Along the wall of large glass windows is cushioned bench seating. Great for groups, couples, families for any occasion or before events at neighboring Performance Art Center. Some outdoor patio seating within a wrought iron fence, open air so if sunny better have your sunglasses also taller bar height seats at smaller counter along wall in bar area. 2 entrances with 1 having a step up to enter but 2nd door around corner by fountain is mobility accessible; a threshold of 1.5" where floor surface changes. Come check this place out you will not be disappointed! Prices are $$- $$$ depending on what you order, but I think appropriate for the overall experience. It was also slower on a Sunday afternoon, only a handful of diners in place that could easily hold 70-80 people. read more

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