Kowbird, a soul-infused, family-owned fried rooster joint from barbecue phenomenon Chef Matt Horn, opens in Oakland, Calif. on Friday, January 14. The second idea underneath the Horn Hospitality Group umbrella, following his game-changing first brick + mortar restaurant Horn Barbecue, Kowbird pays homage to the Southern consolation meals Horn loved together with his household as a toddler.
“For me, fried rooster represents soul and love. Rising up, it was a dish that will deliver my household collectively. Whether or not after church or within the yard with mates, it was at all times centered round love.” says Horn. “To open a fried rooster idea in my house of Oakland is private to me, it bridges household, love, soul, and good meals.”
Horn additionally desires the group to really feel at house when on the restaurant. Opening within the former Fairly Girl diner, the design of Kowbird pays tribute to each the foodways of the South and the storied historical past of house. Horn maintained unique components all through, from the traditional U-shaped counter from the Nineteen Forties, to the funky inexperienced tiles within the kitchen, whereas including murals and pictures of black farmers within the South, an homage to Horn’s household roots. With a nod to the traditional diner, visitors are inspired to order on the register and revel in their meal indoors across the counter, take their meal to go, or take pleasure in in Kowbird’s out of doors seating house.
CRISPY, CRUNCHY, CRAZY GOOD CHICKEN
Matt Horn retains the menu at Kowbird easy, bringing his famend dedication to excellence to fried rooster, and placing his contact on featured dishes from his childhood.
The menu will characteristic Matt Horn’s signature buttermilk fried rooster in varied variations, all served on a potato bun and accompanied by house-made pickles. Variations embody the standard Southern Chook, the Honey Chook, completed in a pickled mustard seed-honey sauce, the Early Chook, that includes rooster thighs, Southern-style gravy and a fried egg, and eventually, the Scorching Chook, completed and dusted with dried, fermented chilis, which Horn describes as HOT, however not insufferable.
Non-meat-eaters needn’t worry the rooster; Horn has created an Oyster Mushroom Vegan Sandwich, made with crispy fried oyster mushrooms with particular seasonings, a plant-based “aioli” and carrot slaw.
Past the bun, the Kowbird menu will embody a standout Hen & Buckwheat Waffle providing, that includes unique or scorching rooster served with a puffed buckwheat waffle and topped with honey butter, a Wings & Fries plate, and, on Sundays, a specialty Fried Catfish Sandwich, unique or Nashville Scorching.
Facet dishes deliver collectively traditional comforts and Southern indulgences, together with Fried Cabbage with Nation Bacon, a recent Chicory Slaw with Pumpkin Seed French dressing & Citrus (v), a creamy white Mac & Cheese made with Havarti, Provolone and Gouda, dusted with crispy dehydrated rooster skins, Fried Gizzards and Steak Fries. For dessert, chew right into a crowd-pleasing Sweet Apple or Salted Caramel Apple w/ Peanuts, or go for a traditional slice of Pecan Pie. The menu is rounded out with house-made lemonade and candy tea, with beer, root beer and cream soda all on faucet.
Taking his dedication to high quality and taste one step additional, Horn can be engaged on organising his personal apiary on the restaurant, bringing in Bay Space bees to supply the restaurant’s personal honey.
CHEF MATT HORN
Matt Horn is a number one authority on barbecue, drawing acclaim from barbecue aficionados and media throughout the nation together with his personal California-style. Horn grew up in Fresno, California, the place he spent a lot of his free time honing his signature barbecue method in his grandmother’s yard, studying concerning the household’s Southern roots and educating himself by way of a rigorous technique of R&D. A self-driven entrepreneur, Matt bought his begin popping up wherever he had the chance to serve his barbecue – from breweries to wineries to church buildings and farmer’s markets, shortly turning into beloved to the San Francisco Bay Space within the course of. In October 2020 he opened his first restaurant, Horn Barbecue, in Oakland, which drew on the spot acclaim from loyal followers and each native and nationwide media. In 2021, Matt Horn was named one in all Meals & Wine’s Finest New Cooks in America, and Horn Barbecue was named one in all Esquire Journal’s Finest New Eating places in America and landed a coveted Michelin Bib Gourmand designation. Matt is the founding father of the Horn Initiative, a nonprofit devoted to meals fairness and social justice, which every day feeds folks in want free lunches of barbecued brisket and different dishes. Spring 2022 will welcome the discharge of Horn’s first cookbook: Horn Barbecue: Recipes And Strategies From A Grasp of The Artwork of Barbecue. He lives together with his household within the Oakland space.
ABOUT HORN HOSPITALITY GROUP (HHG)
Based by famend Chef Matt Horn, HHG is the mother or father firm of a bunch of restaurant ventures and inventive partnerships within the Bay Space and past, constructing with a dedication to black excellence and goal. Underneath the culinary management of Chef Matt Horn, all HHG eating places will combine the traditions of Southern foodways with the palate-changing improvements of California delicacies.