Crispy Bird on Glebe Street opened its doors to customers for a soft launch last week but is now serving its full menu to customers who have come in thick and fast.
This fried chicken shop replaced Indian takeaway Saagor, when it closed its doors after almost thirty years at the heart of Penarth’s high street. It marked the end of an era for one of Penarth’s long-standing food outlets – but opened the door for another.
Crispy Bird’s signage has been up for a short while, with the business documenting the changes to the well-known premises on social media.
In posts made shortly after this signage appeared, Crispy Bird say they wanted to recognise “what came before” and described Saagor as a “much loved local business,” wishing its owners “nothing but success for the future” while promising to bring the space “back to life” with a different concept.
Since opening, the team has seen a number of extremely busy evenings with customers keeping the “flock on its toes,” thanks to their chicken that is made fresh in store every day.
This chicken and the menu it featured heavily on was designed, in part, with the help of customers.
Though it is early days, clear favourites include the various offerings of different fried chickens, alongside rotisserie chickens that are cooked fresh in store, in clear view of customers who may be looking for something more substantial from their fast-food choices.
All these choices and more are now available, following their soft launch.
Crispy Bird told the Penarth Times: “The soft launch has been an incredible experience.
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the support and patience shown by the local community while our new team finds its feet.
“It has been wonderful meeting so many familiar and new faces, and the feedback has been really encouraging.”
In their posts, Crispy Bird echoed their predecessor Saagor’s plea for residents to support small businesses, describing independent traders as “the heart of our community” and urging people to “shop local”, “support independent businesses” and “use” cash rather than lose it.
Whilst many residents may have been sad to lose one long-standing takeaway; this shop has also begun its own legacy and a new chapter of the town’s food scene.
