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Food was great. HUGE portions. Definitely try the Cesar Wrap it was so good !!! We will 100% be back.
Went hiking and decided to grab a meal from this random chicken shop. Not only do they have some insanely good pricing, but the seasoning they use for the chicken is absolutely bomb. We got the 2 sandos w fries and portions were perfect for a quick lunch. Top tier place would def come back
If you're looking for hot chicken that's packed with flavor and not just heat, Redbird Hot Chicken & Fries needs to be on your radar~ What I loved most is how they focus on building real flavor first, then bringing in the perfect kick of spice. Every bite was crispy, juicy, well-seasoned, and had just the right amount of heat to keep you coming back for more My absolute favorite was the Chicken Cheese Fries Loaded with tender hot chicken, crispy fries, melty cheese, and flavorful toppings. Beside that, the manager is super kind, he went over everything on the menu with us and give us the best recommendations.
The loaded fries were easily my favorite thing on the menu! The chicken was juicy and flavorful, but what really stood out to me was the batter. It's different from the typical super-crispy hot chicken coating--it's smoother, packed with flavor, and lets the chicken stay incredibly tender. The sauces are honestly the star of the show and bring everything together perfectly, especially on the loaded fries. The $5.99 sandwich deal is a great value if you're just looking for a quick bite, but I think the best bang for your buck is the 2-sandwich combo with a drink for $13.99. It's a much better value and gives you more food for only a few dollars more. l
We ordered an Original Chicken Sandwich with fries and a Mild Chicken Sandwich. The restaurant was clean, and although we visited during lunchtime on a Saturday, it was surprisingly quiet. The fries were excellent and ended up being one of the highlights of the meal. I also liked the slaw, though it was a bit too peppery and spicy for my partner's taste. The Original came with cheese, while the Mild sandwich was noticeably larger but did not include cheese. I'm not sure whether the size difference was intentional or related to the different menu items. Unfortunately, the chicken itself was disappointing in both sandwiches. The meat was dry, and the coating was not to our liking. It almost felt like a thin sheet wrapped around the chicken rather than a crisp, flavorful crust. The chicken breast was also underseasoned and lacked much flavor on its own. The bread was only lightly warmed and could have benefited from a proper toasting. Nothing was particularly bad, but nothing stood out either. Aside from the fries, the meal felt fairly forgettable, and it's probably not a place I'll revisit.
I work nearby, and when I saw this hot chicken spot open up I had to give it a try... I went in and was greeted by the coolest gentleman ever, we talked about the food and he just had a really good energy about him, which inspired me to come back. Then as time went on and more people got hired, the service just continued to improve. They always speak to me with the most relaxed courtesy, but in the most respectful way. I don't know how you can train that other than just hiring the right people. The vibe is wonderful. Everybody is pleasant. The food is amazing, the reward system is great, and gives good (free) rewards. Definitely an OC top 5 lunch spot for me here.
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.
First off, the customer service here is amazing, which is something a lot of places now a days miss. This place blew us away. So glad that it's so close to where we live too. Onto the food, it's perfectly done. Best chicken I've had in a while and everything is seasoned to perfection. Really excited to go back but our first time there was a 10000/10 experience.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
16 days ago
$15 for two chicken sandwiches and fries is such a steal, the fries were also really well cooked and crispy! the sauces they gave us were super yummy too. def would come back!! read more
1 month ago
This is The Red Bird Hot Chicken & Fries in Lake Forest, and if you need a quick bite that doesn't destroy your wallet, this one starts at just $10. The Chicken Rice Bowl comes loaded with juicy hot chicken, rice, lettuce, tomato, and both their Famous White and Big Bird sauces. But if you're a hot chicken traditionalist, get the sandwich. Crispy, juicy chicken with slaw, pickles, Big Bird Sauce, plus fries on the side. And apparently one form of chicken wasn't enough for me, so we also tried the Chicken Caesar Wrap. read more
2 months ago
30 days ago
Food was great. HUGE portions. Definitely try the Cesar Wrap it was so good !!! We will 100% be back. read more
16 days ago
Went hiking and decided to grab a meal from this random chicken shop. Not only do they have some insanely good pricing, but the seasoning they use for the chicken is absolutely bomb. We got the 2 sandos w fries and portions were perfect for a quick lunch. Top tier place would def come back read more
If you're looking for hot chicken that's packed with flavor and not just heat, Redbird Hot Chicken & Fries needs to be on your radar~ What I loved most is how they focus on building real flavor first, then bringing in the perfect kick of spice. Every bite was crispy, juicy, well-seasoned, and had just the right amount of heat to keep you coming back for more My absolute favorite was the Chicken Cheese Fries Loaded with tender hot chicken, crispy fries, melty cheese, and flavorful toppings. Beside that, the manager is super kind, he went over everything on the menu with us and give us the best recommendations. read more
The loaded fries were easily my favorite thing on the menu! The chicken was juicy and flavorful, but what really stood out to me was the batter. It's different from the typical super-crispy hot chicken coating--it's smoother, packed with flavor, and lets the chicken stay incredibly tender. The sauces are honestly the star of the show and bring everything together perfectly, especially on the loaded fries. The $5.99 sandwich deal is a great value if you're just looking for a quick bite, but I think the best bang for your buck is the 2-sandwich combo with a drink for $13.99. It's a much better value and gives you more food for only a few dollars more. l read more
We ordered an Original Chicken Sandwich with fries and a Mild Chicken Sandwich. The restaurant was clean, and although we visited during lunchtime on a Saturday, it was surprisingly quiet. The fries were excellent and ended up being one of the highlights of the meal. I also liked the slaw, though it was a bit too peppery and spicy for my partner's taste. The Original came with cheese, while the Mild sandwich was noticeably larger but did not include cheese. I'm not sure whether the size difference was intentional or related to the different menu items. Unfortunately, the chicken itself was disappointing in both sandwiches. The meat was dry, and the coating was not to our liking. It almost felt like a thin sheet wrapped around the chicken rather than a crisp, flavorful crust. The chicken breast was also underseasoned and lacked much flavor on its own. The bread was only lightly warmed and could have benefited from a proper toasting. Nothing was particularly bad, but nothing stood out either. Aside from the fries, the meal felt fairly forgettable, and it's probably not a place I'll revisit. read more
3 months ago
I work nearby, and when I saw this hot chicken spot open up I had to give it a try... I went in and was greeted by the coolest gentleman ever, we talked about the food and he just had a really good energy about him, which inspired me to come back. Then as time went on and more people got hired, the service just continued to improve. They always speak to me with the most relaxed courtesy, but in the most respectful way. I don't know how you can train that other than just hiring the right people. The vibe is wonderful. Everybody is pleasant. The food is amazing, the reward system is great, and gives good (free) rewards. Definitely an OC top 5 lunch spot for me here. 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
First off, the customer service here is amazing, which is something a lot of places now a days miss. This place blew us away. So glad that it's so close to where we live too. Onto the food, it's perfectly done. Best chicken I've had in a while and everything is seasoned to perfection. Really excited to go back but our first time there was a 10000/10 experience. read more
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
5 months ago
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
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
1 month ago
6 months ago
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
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
1 month ago
24 days ago
1 year ago
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
1 month ago
Really enjoyed the chicken and rice! Everything was well seasoned, and the sauces were really good. The employees were also very friendly and welcoming, which made the experience even better. Definitely a spot I'd come back to! read more
1 year ago
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
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
7 months ago
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
2 months ago
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
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
10 months ago
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
11 months ago
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
11 months ago
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
3 months ago
10 months ago
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
2 months ago
I just had the new chicken wrap last night and it was insane. The Redbird always takes it to another level when it when flavor. The wrap you just could eat one half you have to finish it completely. Red bird has the unique style of creating new items that always has you wondering what is next on their mind to make. J the manager and his team are the Heart for the Lake forest location. They are always on point and professionals. Love this place. Plus both owners are from Washington DC like me. We know how to cook and eat good food. read more
1 month ago
1 year ago
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
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More info about The Red Bird
27412 Portola Pkwy
Ste E
Lake Forest, CA 92610
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(949) 670-0707
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http://www.hotredbird.com
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