This food is so good. The owner is super nice. HIGHLY recommend the rice bowl with an extra tender. Sooooo good. 10/10

Extremely good experience! My partner and I wandered into The Red Bird in Lake Forest last weekend, and we were blown away! We were Red-Bird first-timers, and the manager, Jay, spent time meticulously walking us through the menu. Jay's descriptions were on point, and the food was absolutely delicious! When I commented on how good the food was to Jay, the way he responded made me think maybe he was the owner. It's so special to have that kind of service (accompanied by such savory flavors). This was a real treat at an affordable price. We hope Jay and his store are recognized for the pride they take in what they do. If this was the show "Undercover Boss," I would definitely put Jay on a track toward ownership. read more

Red Bird Hot Chicken & Fries follow @jo.bellyy for more recs! I found a DAVES DUPE and dare I say the deals are even BETTER (plus they're halal!). Literally where else can you find a spot that gives you TWO HUGE chicken sliders AND fries for $14??? Not to mention they have a great variety of spice levels and other dishes to suit your own preferences. What I Got: Two Sandwiches w/ Fries Chicken Cheese Fries Red Bird Hot Chicken & Fries 27412 Portola Pkwy, Lake Forest, CA 92610 read more

The Red Bird - Two chicken sandwiches w fries and chicken cheese fries - Chicken Shop Near Me - Lake Forest, California

I was craving hot chicken sandwich, so we decided to try this place. It was very clean and spacious. The cashier was very helpful and recommended 3 items on the menu that is a must try. So we ordered the #2 which is 2 hot chicken sandwiches with fries, the chicken cheese fries, and the halal chicken rice bowl. They offer a 6 levels of spice. We tried the mild and medium levels. When out order came out, I was so shocked to see the size of the chicken sandwich. The chicken was HUGE!!! And I've been to a lot of hot chicken sandwich spots and this place has to be the best prices that I've ever seen. My favorite was the rice chicken plate. The white sauce is sooo tasty! Overall, I would give this place a 9/10. read more

The Red Bird - Chicken cheese fries, hala chicken rice bowl, 2 chicken sandwiches with fries combo - Chicken Shop Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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This place is amazing. I just moved to the area and have had it 4 times in 7 days lol. Awesome chicken, fluffy tasty rice, awesome people working there. Definitely stop by. Chicken and rice actually GOOD here lol. I get the chicken and rice bowl. I don't know what people are on about in some reviews. It slaps. I haven't even tried anything else it's so good. To each their own. read more

Was craving some fried chicken and had not been to a Red Bird before so why not give it a try? Located in the same location as the legendary Dude Where's My Curry (RIP) it is very clean inside and you will be greeted with some great customer service. Any questions will be answered right away. Pretty good Halal chicken sandwich if you ask me. Several spice levels so if you love heat they can accommodate but if you aren't a fan of spicy then they have that as an option too. read more

The Red Bird - Combo - Chicken Shop Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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The service was nice and the inside was clean but I wouldn't come back for food. Got the medium spice bowl and the rice was disappointing. So bland and flavorless. The lettuce was old and wilted and turning pink. Just ate the chicken and left cause why eat boring tasting carbs. read more

The Red Bird - Their rice bowl. lettuce was old and turning pink. rice was bland. - Chicken Shop Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Tried halal fried chicken for the first time at The Red Bird and it definitely did not disappoint. The chicken was super fresh, crispy, and full of flavor, and the fries were honestly one of our favorite parts because they were perfectly seasoned and crispy. The vibe inside was really nice with good music playing, the spot was clean and comfortable, and there was plenty of parking which made it super convenient. Service was also great everyone was friendly and helpful throughout the visit. Overall, the food was fresh and delicious and we'll definitely be coming back. read more

The Red Bird - Chicken Shop Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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This is a cool new spicy chicken sandwich spot! If you're looking for a break from the usual chicken sandwich picks, The Red Bird is coming straight from the east coast with halal chicken and it's crispy and delicious. Personally, I loved the chicken cheese fries, the portions are HUGE, enough for leftovers! And their tenders are equally as big and honestly worth a try! I got one of their medium spice chicken sandwiches and man, it was the perfect amount of heat. Very manageable and still flavorful which I really appreciated! read more

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my bf dropped the chicken sandwich for me and i thoroughly enjoyed it. very creamy thick sauce and tender chicken meat. fries too read more

The Red Bird - bam - Chicken Shop Near Me - Lake Forest, California

These days, the LA / OC chicken sandwich contest is pretty much at MMA main event level. A field of heavyweights scrapping for honor, where any new upstart has to be perfect or they're only seconds away from a firm size nine and the hazy sound of a bell accompanied by some tasty canvas. I'd been looking forward to bringing Red Bird into the fray for a while after hearing good things locally, and I had high hopes when my partner and I visited for a midweek dinner. The location has plenty of parking, and was empty when we arrived. The music was pretty loud but just below obtrusive, with speed garage playing from the main speakers. Somewhat annoyingly though, it clearly wasn't to the chef's taste, and the R&B blasting from the kitchen somewhat clashed tempo-wise. The counter staff were great, taking time to go through the entire menu in a way that would've been super helpful to the less initiated (chicken nerd ego claim lol). The prices were very reasonable too, and the portion sizes huge - especially with the 'divide and conquer' #2 meal that contains not one but two chicken sandwiches and a heap of very enjoyable crinkle-cut fries (with a lovely honey mustard dipping sauce that was probably the highlight of the lot). Sadly though, the sandwiches were only 'pretty good', and around here that's mid-pack at best. A reliance on Serrano peppers in the slaw leads to a hint of bitterness across the entire bite in the milder chicken flavors, although it does sit well at X-hot level and might be enjoyable to some. Spice-wise, the scale seems to sit a step or maybe even two steps lower than comparable restaurants in the area. The smaller sandwich size might be helpful to those with lesser appetites, and points are gained for them being a bit less oily too, but it did lead to the occasional drier bite when compared to its gigantic 'two-hand-hold and wonder how big the cluckin' bird must have been' local competition. In summary, I'd still recommend that any fried chicken fan should give Red Bird a try. It's certainly not bad by any stretch, I just expected a bit better than I got. I'll likely go back for their loaded fries - which I expect to be a highlight - and a FCK (their top) level sandwich soon. I'm also the kind of boring fried chicken nerd willing to ride 50 miles for the best sandwich rather than settling for what's closest, so bear that in mind here too. read more

The Red Bird - X-hot Chicken Sandwich - Chicken Shop Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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We saw the great reviews and decided to try this place. I'm soo sorry but it was not for us at all!! Friendly service. However the chicken did not meet expectations. I personally liked the flavor somewhat, and it was juicy, however it was not crunchy at all! My breading fell off on each bit. The flavor was a little sweet. My medium had not heat and the hot had a tiny bit. Since it's halal, does it mean it's not crispy? Not sure but we will stick to Dave's hot Chicken. Nephew thought his was crunchy but he didn't like the flavor. The fries were good though! Not for us unfortunately. read more

The Red Bird - Medium & hot tender basket - Chicken Shop Near Me - Lake Forest, California

I've been seeing great reviews on Yelp and other platforms for this newly opened restaurant so I had to try it. It's a light, bright and super clean spot. I was greeted enthusiastically by Jay who was super friendly and helpful explaining the options. I went with the two sandwich and fries option since that seemed to be the go-to order. I got the original and medium spice. The size of the chicken was huge. I honestly could've just had one, in fact I couldn't finish the French fries after eating both sandwiches. They were delicious and had just enough spice. I will certainly be back. read more

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Very affordable price compared to other chicken sandwich places. Ordering online had promotional pricing for some items and was convenient. The menu is disorganized though. The chicken sandwich and nuggets were both dry and lacking seasoning. The fries are the generic crinkle cut kind. It's overall good enough for a cheap eat location but misses the mark. Ambience of the restaurant was overwhelmingly white/red with harsh lighting. They have some inside tables. read more

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The portion sizes are large and the prices seem almost too good to be true in this economy. Being a brand new restaurant, the staff are upbeat and eager to please. The chicken cheese fries had great flavor, and the spice level is below average. I normally get hot, but I'd go for extra hot here. It's a shame that another reviewer docked stars for the spice levels. It's not the restaurant's fault that you can't handle MILD spice. Being right down the street from my house, I'll put this place in my regular rotation for eating out. Cheers! read more

The Red Bird - Chicken cheese fries - Chicken Shop Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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For someone like me who has low spice tolerance, a hot chicken place is not on the top of my list, although such places have a "mild" option which I can enjoy. But this place's "mild" was too hot for me to handle. I came for lunch during their soft opening. Their customer service was superb, very friendly. I went to the counter and ordered their #1: two chicken strips (I chose mild) with fries, which also came with toast and a tiny side of slaw. They have a fridge with canned and bottled sodas so I also got a can of ginger ale and took a seat at one of their tables. The wait was really long but I'm not dinging them on that since they were slammed and, as mentioned, they were in their soft opening and still finding their rhythm. My food was delivered to my table. The fries were excellent as was the dipping sauce. The toast was soggy but good. The chicken was juicy and good quality. The coating was another story. One bite and my eyes watered while my tongue was on fire. Maybe they put the wrong spice level on it? Or if this is their mild, this is not the place for me. Luckily the coating flaked off easily; each poke with a fork caused it to crumble. For most customers this might be a bad thing but for me it was wonderful! A few more pokes with the fork and all the coating was completely off and I could easily eat the uncoated chicken. The combination of a guy who can't handle heat and the fact that I ate there during their soft opening clearly puts The Red Bird at a disadvantage for being reviewed by me. I'll freely admit that and point you to other reviews for (most likely) better experiences. read more

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WOWZA! What a yummy spot inside of this plaza. This is a great option for those looking for halal chicken that tastes good! I love that you can customize the spice level here, the menu resembles Daves hot chicken- but the portions here are BIGGER! You can easily share the chicken cheese fries (we do it!) They have 8 two-person tables inside and even more outside. They don't have fountain drinks here but they sell unique canned drinks. We will definitely be back! read more

Sometimes simple is what you need. Good fried chicken, good spice levels and a nice crunch/texture to it. This little shop has all you need. Chicken tenders, sandwiches and some good fries. Came here since I was craving some fried goodness and I'm glad I check it out. I tried their #2 special which comes with 2 chicken sandwiches and some fries. I thought they were going to be sliders but they were regular sized so you get a good deal out of it whether for yourself (guilty) or sharing. Make sure you ask about spice levels because for some people a little spice goes a long way. They have a good amount of seating area inside for you to stay and enjoy the food fresh and crisp. read more

The Red Bird - Reds #2: Two Sandwich Combo - Chicken Shop Near Me - Lake Forest, California

First and foremost, absolute rockstar at his job, I could probably explain what's on the menu after listening to this man say it once he did so well for our first time visiting. Man running it down for us was Jay, stellar personality and if I open any form of business I'd want him as the face of my company. The first and last person you interact with, he personally made it the last place we will eat at before we head back to the airport at the end of our vacation. Secondly, oh my goodness the food is amazing. My wife loved her meal and they made wonderful accommodations for her requests with zero issues at all. Made us feel like we belonged there eating that meal and no where else. The kids loved their food and even said the flavor was amazing and they'd go a step up on spice next time because they're so used to places that just burn you instead of give you flavor from the peppers. The four of us ate A LOT of food for about 10-15 dollars a person (with drinks) To wrap it up, 100/10 Jay the man, food worth coming back multiple times on one vacation for. From GA with love read more

Great place next to the starbucks. I got greeted as soon as I walked in and the guy up front explained the menu to me. Excellent service! I got the chicken rice bowl and 2 tenders w/fries. They let me choose different spices so I got 1 extra hot and 1 hot. They had a little kick but nothing too crazy! The fries were pretty good as well! Ended up taking a toffee cake to go and it was so bombbb. Definitely coming back read more

The Red Bird - chicken rice bowl & tenders - Chicken Shop Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Right from walking in the door, I was met with such a friendly staff. He offered to explain the menu to me. I told him I've been looking at it online and felt like I knew what I wanted. I got a rice bowl with a medium chicken and I added one extra tender. He did a great job and telling me that if I got two extra tenders, the meat would likely not fit so I went with only the one extra tender and he was right it was more than enough. I will say I'm glad I went with the medium spice, it's definitely hitting. Got my nasal passage a little stuffy, it's that good type of burn though lol I also got 10 chicken nuggets so I could try them and also split them with my dogs. He basically explained they are pure chicken and he was not lying, 100% chicken no filler they are crispy and so tasty. I had two on the way home with no sauce couldn't stop myself. Places super clean on the inside, lots of nice new bright Graphics. Really good design and simple menu to order from which I love! 100% can't wait to come back to this place, the pricing is so good, especially for the amazing quality of food that is being given. I'm currently still eating my bowl as I type this review, if you're in the area, you at least have to give it a shot! read more

The Red Bird - Chicken Rice Bowl, Medium spice - Chicken Shop Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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I was on a work trip and was looking for a place to eat lunch. I found this place through a social media influencer. When I entered the restaurant I was greeted by staff. Staff were friendly and very helpful. I ordered the original chicken sandwich with a blueberry drink. The chicken sandwich was cooked to perfection and seasoned very well. The chicken was moist and very flavorful. The bun was soft and the sauce they used was the perfect combination to go with the sandwich. The drink was refreshing and not filled with sugar. The ambiance is customer service friendly with plenty of seating. The menu had some great choices and the prices were reasonable. This is a great place to go to if you want a wonderful tasting chicken sandwich. read more

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TLDR: The quality and taste of the rice bowl is a bit surprising given the price, but I'm all in for it. My man behind the register is so awesome. Really welcoming to everyone coming in and super friendly to talk to. The other staff were also great anytime I spoke to them. Not only is this place better than many others in terms of freshness and taste, it's also somehow cheaper. I was very skeptical at the high reviews given the low price, I thought it would for sure be subpar quality- I was pleasantly proven wrong. My go-to has to be the rice plate, the flavor of the chicken meshes really well with the rice and sauce. Sandwich is good too, but I personally don't see myself getting it that often. The shop is pretty small, and you'll especially feel it during busy hours, but they do also have a small seating area outside. read more

The Red Bird - Chicken rice plate - Chicken Shop Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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Happy that a halal fried chicken place is near us. Service is friendly and courteous, chicken tenders are loved by my kids. Wasn't crazy about the chicken sandwich, and their ranch is meh. But we keep going back for the tenders and chicken nuggets! read more

Great staff, great food, highly recommended! Chicken and rice bowl was awesome, nice spice on the chicken.

I don't say this often, but Red Bird might just be one of the best halal hot chicken spots I've ever been to. From the moment I walked in, the service was on point -- friendly, fast, and you can tell they actually care about their customers. The vibe inside was clean, fresh, and inviting, not your typical greasy fast-food setup. Now, the food... wow. You can instantly taste that it's fresh, never frozen chicken. The texture, the crunch, the juiciness -- everything hits perfectly. It's not just spicy for the sake of spice -- it's flavorful hot chicken that stands out from every other place I've tried. And the portions? Ridiculous. You get so much food for what you pay, I literally had to try everything because it was priced so fairly. Every bite felt like real quality, not some cheap filler. If you're into authentic, flavorful hot chicken with amazing service and fresh vibes -- Red Bird is the one. Flavor: 10/10 Value: 10/10 Freshness: 10/10 Ambience & Service: 10/10 read more

The Red Bird - Chicken bowl - Chicken Shop Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Food is on point, and spice level is great, the quality is beautiful, overall it was a delicious dish

We recently tried Redbird and it was really tasty, I believe the food is Halal, which is really great. Service was outstanding. The food tasted really good. I think we'll definitely come here again. read more

Great service and friendly staff. We got a chicken rice bowl and chicken cheese fries , both were delicious. The coleslaw came with the deal was surprisingly tasty! The chicken meat was tender and juicy, even the next day heated up in microwave. read more

The Red Bird - Chicken rice bowl - Chicken Shop Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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Brand new restaurant in the area. Nice clean vibe and aesthetic. Service was very helpful as they explained the menu to us for our first time. Everybody was very polite and genuinely wanted to make sure that we were enjoying our food. The food was absolutely delicious. It was cooked to order and it came out piping hot. Really high-quality chicken and I very much enjoyed the breading and the seasoning. We ordered medium and hot to give it a try and both were totally doable for our spice level preferences. I did think the tender by itself was a little bit too salty but if you eat it with some rice or lettuce or the bun, then it balances out nicely. A great new neighborhood spot! read more

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Wow!! My reaction after taking the first bite. Drove out here from DTLA & it was definitely worth it. 10/10 recommend! Best hot chicken hands down! Juicy, tender chicken. Buttery, soft buns! We ordered the Halal Hot Chicken Rice Bowl & Reds 5, spice level HOT. Perfect spicy level. Mac n Cheese was sooo delicious, very cheesy and creamy. Ended it with the Toffee Cake, crazy good, melts in your mouth. Love the vibes. Amazing customer service. Friendly staff & the owner made us feel at home, very welcoming! Definitely coming back soon!! read more

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We ordered Chicken Cheese Fries and it's tasty. The staff is nice and has great customer service.

This is a must-visit! Their chicken is absolutely incredible! juicy, tender, and perfectly seasoned chicken. Jay was extremely friendly and attentive service, you really feel valued as a guest. Overall, an amazing dining experience that I can't wait to repeat! Highly recommended! read more

The Red Bird - Chicken Rice Plate - Chicken Shop Near Me - Lake Forest, California

First Time. Ordered the Chicken Rice Bowl. Mild Spice on the Chicken. Chicken very good! Similar to Dave's Hot Chicken, but healthier. Bowl has Lots of Bland Orange colored rice. No flavor. A little bit of lettuce and tomato and with a cool white mild sauce. The most underwhelming bowl ever. Don't be like me, do not order the bowl. Order any other menu item. Nice interior, clean. Will be back. read more

I tried this place a couple of times. It offers reasonably priced and good tasting halal chicken. It is located near the UPS Store and next door to Sunrise Bagels in the Portola Hills/Foothill Ranch area. The coating of the fried chicken here is likely seasoned flour based without cornstarch so it's smoother and not as thick as the crunchier coating you would get from Dave's or Zak's Fried Chicken. The restaurant is managed by the owner and his brother, I met both of them and they were friendly and helped us navigate our options. The place looks nice and clean, with some dine in seating. Overall, it is a good halal option in this neighborhood and I would come back when in the mood for it. read more

I don't leave reviews a lot but this place is a really good chicken spot. Been coming here since they've opened and the food is really good. My go-to order is their 2 chicken sliders and fries, both have good flavor. The customer service is really great, always greeted when I come in. If you haven't tried it, I think it's worth a try one time. I will continue coming back. read more

Went here with my boyfriend for the first time & def gained some new customers! Got recommended this place on our insta & my brothers, who've recently tried it. When entered, we were greeted right away & helped out momentarily. There was plenty of sitting & great service! The awesome worker, who helped us was pretty patient--sadly didn't get his name. We ordered the Red 2 & 4 to-go, which was more than we imagined eating when we opened the box at home. We can tell that the coleslaw is homemade & it was crunchy good! Everything we ordered was mild since we didn't know how their spices tastes like, but it wasn't spicy at all, so definitely spice up the level to medium or hot--if you want a kick. At the register, we also noticed they were selling red hot tacos too & maybe we'll try that next time too! read more

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AMAZING!!!! Red Bird in Foothill Ranch is an absolute GEM! From the moment you walk in, you're welcomed with the warmest hospitality! The manager is so genuinely sweet and makes you feel like family. The service is beyond amazing! Everything is fast, attentive, and always with a smile. The food? Out of this world! The menu is simple, but that's what makes it so perfect! Every dish is packed with flavor and cooked to perfection. You can tell they really focus on quality over quantity. Every bite was delicious, comforting, and honestly left me wanting to come back the next day. This place has quickly become one of my all-time favorites. If you're anywhere near Foothill Ranch, do yourself a favor and EAT HERE. Red Bird deserves way more than 5 stars! read more

The Red Bird - Chicken rice bowl - Chicken Shop Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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Great service, great food and excellent value. The chicken is always fresh and tender. I enjoy the extra hot flavor

I work in an office in the same area as RedBird and my coworkers and I love it! The manager, Jay, is always kind and courteous, he calls us his "favorite online people" The food tastes great, the prices are super fair and all of the staff are amazing. Highly recommend! read more