When I was invited to North Scottsdale to try out a new casual restaurant concept called sneakybird, I immediately jumped on social media to do a little research before my visit. I discovered that this new restaurant claims to specialize in “crispy, tender and flavorful chicken that tastes fried, but never is.” That seemed like a bold claim and I was eager to find out how good this faux fried chicken could really be.
Located on the northeast corner of Loop 101 and Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard, sneakybird is easily detected via its huge “NOW OPEN” sign. The relaxed restaurant has a walk-up order counter, open seating and a long sleek bar offering local beers and seltzers. The menu is straightforward and focuses solely on chicken cooked with cutting-edge technology. This quick oven-grilled chicken is available two ways: Naked and Homestyle. The Naked style is only seasoned with a blend of salt, pepper and garlic, while the Homestyle is battered and tossed in Parmesan and panko breadcrumbs, giving it a crunchy texture. Once you pick your style, meal options include chicken sandwiches, tenders, wings, salads and flatbreads, with tots as a side.
I selected the Naked tenders and a Homestyle chicken sandwich. As I took my first bite of the tenders, I was impressed with how juicy the chicken was. The Naked chicken is simple and tasty. Meanwhile, the Homestyle chicken has crispy edges and that flavorful browned breading you come to expect in fried chicken. Served with fresh lettuce, tomato and pickle on a fluffy toasted brioche bun, this delightful sandwich had all the usual touches, and I’ll admit that my taste buds were convinced I was indulging in fried chicken.
Now to the fun part: all the homemade signature dipping sauces and dry rubs. The varieties range from mild to spicy, allowing multiple options for any palate. As a foodie, I was in heaven working my way through the 15 different sauces, dunking my chicken from one to the next. My two favorites were the Fools Gold with sweet golden mustard and BBQ flavors, and the Music City Hot Nashville-style hot sauce. The garlicky, buttery Parmesan-based Brutus sauce was the perfect match for my side of tots. Other sauce options like the Asian-inspired SoKo or the tangy Mango Habanero can easily transform your meal into an explosion of global flavors.
sneakybird founder Dan Chaon, I learned, is the former CEO of a familiar restaurant I grew up with here locally: Native Grill & Wings. Native (formally Native New Yorker) was my go-to spot for chicken wings in high school and even employed some of my closest friends. Clearly Chaon knows a thing or two about chicken, but he is now approaching it with a new, lighter method. “At sneakybird, we believe that you don’t have to sacrifice flavor to eat healthy, and we’re excited to offer a delicious, healthier alternative to traditional fried chicken,” he says.
Similar to Native, sneakybird is a family affair – Chaon’s son Nate serves as general manager. Both father and son are looking forward to growing and expanding the brand. “We’re thrilled to bring sneakybird to North Scottsdale, and we can’t wait to share our never ever fried chicken with the community,” Dan Chaon says.
sneakybird is now open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, and offers dine-in, takeout, delivery and catering options. As a busy mom, I am continuously on the hunt for a healthy, quick and delicious option when I am on the go. With sneakybird’s kids’ menu and all those dipping sauces, there’s an opportunity to make all the members in my family happy.
For more information, visit sneakybird.com or follow along at @nevereverfried.
