Simon Kony, owner of Short Order Burger Co, dreamed up a concept for a fried chicken restaurant while he was still cooking at The Mantle (now The Sunshine Harvester Works). After being on the backburner for five years, Kony’s idea is finally coming to fruition in the heart of Fremantle. Enter Goldbird Hot Chicken.

“It’s my take on a few of my favourite places in Perth and around the world,” says Kony. “It’s a real nod to ’70s family restaurants. There are influences from Chicken Treat, KFC, Hungry Jack’s and Macca’s, with a lot of Australiana and some little touches of my Jewish heritage. It’s going to be very different from what people think of a chicken shop.”

Those who’ve tried Short Order’s fried chicken will know that it’s some of Perth’s best. The new shop will capitalise on this, offering a “not-exactly-Nashville” style and only working with chicken tenders.

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“With the success we’ve had with the F’n’Z Nashville Chicken Sandwich, I think we’ve been able to nail fried chicken,” says Kony. “There’s a movement in Nashville chicken here and I want to put my hat in the ring. It’s going to be loosely based on a few places in America. Dave’s Hot Chicken is a major influence. So are Sweet Chick and Howlin’ Ray’s. It’s all going to have little bits of influence from those guys.”

The menu will offer a small selection of core items but allow for plenty of combinations: think chicken tenders with fries, on bread, or in a slider with slaw and pickles. Sides are going to be a key part of the Goldbird experience, according to Kony.

“Think Women’s Day circa the ’70s and ’80s cookbook-type dishes rather than burgers – more tray-based dishes,” he says. “I’m spending as much time on the sides as I am on the main dishes. There aren’t going to be many variations, but we can cater for a lot more people that way.”

Although the menu is still being finalised, Kony promises vegan and gluten-free options, as well as some riffs on classic ’70s desserts. Milkshakes are also on the agenda, with cereal milk and tahini among some of the custom flavours in development.

The 65-seat restaurant will initially be BYO. Takeaway will be available, but some dishes will be dine-in only.

Goldbird (3 Cantonment Street, Fremantle) is slated to open in late December.

@goldbirdhotchicken