The building is lined with yellow, whether it’s from the bright yellow chairs outside, or the bold letters spelling out “STARBIRD.” This contrast from its paler surroundings is naturally appealing.
Starbird Chicken was founded on the belief that people can get a quality meal at an affordable price, while also creating a well-decorated atmosphere to give their customers a great experience.
Palo Alto’s Starbird meets both standards —a modern design and quality food.
As I walk by, the bright and warm feel of the restaurant compels me to enter, and as I step inside, a whiff of fried chicken cooked in sizzling hot oil hits my nose. I glance around, and nearly all the seats inside are taken. The restaurant is filled with chatter.
Right at the entrance of Starbird are multiple kiosks that take your order, where an employee eagerly waits to help. Music of the 2010’s pop variety plays on the speakers, quiet enough to have a conversation over but still loud enough to hear.
The restaurant comprises just one room, with an island placed in the middle to direct traffic, and about ten tables that are reasonably spaced. Each of the tables is complemented with a set of gray chairs, and if the seating inside isn’t enough, there are plenty more seats outside.
Seated here are a wide variety of people, due to its proximity to nearby schools and businesses — on the ground lay backpacks, purses, and briefcases.
“It seems pretty diverse because of the area,” Salem Keller, a Starbird employee, said. “The teenagers and highschoolers and young adults usually come in during the afternoon, but from about 5 to 9 p.m., we have a bunch of the older crowd come in. We do have a lot of families, but probably more college aged kids.”
Despite their broad range of customers, Starbird’s menu is able to accommodate everyone, including vegans, with their impossible chicken and a plethora of staples. It consists of salads, tenders, wings, nuggets and chicken sandwiches, while the types of sauces also seem endless.
If the menu wasn’t large enough already, they offer multiple dessert options, such as ice cream sandwiches, cookies and churros. Countless homemade teas and lemonades are available, including Berry Bliss Lemonade and Peach Lemon Tea — mixing these two creates the perfect drink.
As I scroll through their bottomless menu, the Big Star Chicken Sandwich catches my eye. Although each item on the menu had its own unique appeal, I decided to go with the trusty chicken sandwich. My food was ready fairly quickly, but the quickness did not take away from the quality.
Big Star Chicken Sandwich – $9.97. The warm and glossy bun gleamed in the light, while the cold lettuce and tomatoes provided the refreshing crunchiness. The chicken patty achieved a golden brown crust, whereas the meat of the patty was tender and juicy. The cold and tangy pickles, alongside the secret sauce smeared across the inside of the bun, completed the sandwich. The multitude of flavors seem to mix together perfectly, with their assortment of homemade drinks coming in handy to wash everything down. Their Big Star Chicken Sandwich is something that I would recommend.
Cali Gold BBQ Salad – $13.27. The salad comes with crunchy lettuce, plump cherry tomatoes, slices of cucumbers and of course, chicken nuggets. Flakes of bacon are scattered throughout the dish, with a big scoop of guacamole topping everything off. Starbird’s salads are all healthy options loaded with protein and nutrients, and are more than enough to feed one person. Similar to their other dishes, the salads provide very generous servings.
10 Piece Chicken Nuggets – $12.97. The nuggets are crispy on the outside, but still soft on the inside, giving each bite a variety of texture. Starbird’s chicken nuggets are both filling and delicious, and could easily emerge as a go-to item on the menu.
Sweet Thai 4 Tender Box – $15.97. Their tender box is on the expensive side of the menu, coming with fries and coleslaw, but it was underwhelming. The taste of the seasoning on the chicken was faint, and it just didn’t seem to stand out. However, the chicken itself was good, and these dishes were much better when paired with the array of delicious sauces available. Out of the nine different sauces, the Mango Habanero and Star sauce elevated the tenders the most, making the dish much more appealing by adding what was missing: a unique and yummy flavor.
Large Berry Bliss Tea – $2.97. Starbird provides many unique flavors for their drinks, and the Berry Bliss Tea stands out the most. Coming with infinite refills, you can enjoy your food while endlessly sipping on a tangy and sweet concoction. If you prefer a less exotic and more classic taste, there are many sodas and fountain drinks at your disposal.
Considering their prime location on California Avenue, Starbird keeps their menu affordable, and does a great job with their food and customer service. This newly opened restaurant nailed it, and I’m glad they opened a store near PALY, because I’ll definitely be visiting again.
