Painted Rooster Delivers The Holy Trinity of Comfort Food
It's fried, cheesed, and poured
You can’t miss it—the towering, 10-foot, cast-iron rooster that holds court on Central Avenue in Plaza Midwood. It’s the work of local artist Matt Moore, and it greets you at the entrance of the new restaurant whose name it matches, Painted Rooster. It’s unapologetically kitschy, a selfie magnet.
Painted Rooster doesn’t bother with cloth napkins or elaborate food presentations. It’s all about the basics done right: crispy chicken, hearty mac and cheese, and ice-cold bottles of beer. It has a come-as-you-are attitude and a menu that’s unfussy and affordable. This food won’t win any Michelin stars, but it’s the kind of meal that makes you think, That’s exactly what I needed.
Painted Rooster, which occupies the former Zada Jane’s space, is managed by Zach Current and Crissy Oliver of Current & Co., the hospitality group behind Moo & Brew. The restaurant seats 68 inside and an additional 50 on a covered, dog-friendly patio. The interior got a refresh that feels nostalgic and classic-Americana, with vintage Coca-Cola ads, sepia-toned Miller Lite posters, and large metal barn stars. The music is a laid-back mix of Fleetwood Mac, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and The Eagles.
10-foot, cast-iron rooster by artist Matt Moore
The beer list is substantial but not pretentious. Choose from domestics, lagers, ales, IPAs, sours. (Domestics are available in “shorties and forties.”) They also offer a selection of ciders and seltzers as well as booze-free and gluten-free options. Cocktails include classics like an Old Fashioned ($11) and a Bloody Mary ($9), plus signature drinks like the Rooster’s Garden ($11) and the Roose-Rita ($10). If you prefer your liquor straight, see the whiskey, rum, gin, tequila, and vodka lineup. Rock Nest Wines are also available by the bottle.
Start with an order of Fried Pickles ($9) or Buffalo Chicken Dip ($11), and be sure to read the descriptions. They’re solid gold. (“Finally! A Buff Chick Dip that doesn’t suck!”) Salads include the Pacific Coast ($16), topped with grilled chicken, red onion, artichokes, sundried tomatoes, goat cheese, and shaved almonds, and the Lil’ Red Rooster ($15), with paprika grilled chicken, roasted corn, red bell pepper, crispy chicken skins, scallions, cheddar, and fried pickles. You can also build your own salad and choose from more than 40 toppings.
Don’t leave without trying: The Dyn-O-Mite Chicken ($14) is golden, crispy, and just the right amount of indulgent.
Wings ($9 for 6, $17 for 12, $32 for 24) can be made traditional, char-grilled, or with cauliflower as a chicken substitute, and tossed in your choice of sauce or dry rub. Each sauce is listed with one to four chickens to indicate spice level; Too Hot for the Menu comes with a disclaimer. (“Don’t do it! No refunds!”) They’ve also got Tenders ($8 for 3, $13 for 5, $24 for 9) and Nuggs ($6.50 for 6, $11.50 for 12, and $17.50 for 18), which are a big hit if you bring the kids—or you just like to eat like them.
Handheld Hootenannys are available as a sandwich or a wrap and come with your choice of a side. Try the Anchor Bar Buffalo ($15) with buffalo fried chicken, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, and buffalo ranch or bleu cheese dressing, or the Thirsty Beaver ($15) with a meatless chicken patty, lettuce, tomato, pickle, red onion, and garlic mayo. Side Hustles include Seasoned Waffle Fries, Mac ‘n’ Cheese, and Lil’ Hen House Salad.
A Mac Daddy & Cheez topped with bacon, chicken, and ranch.
The six Mac Daddy & Cheez selections feed two to three people as a side, or one person as an entree. It’s a base of spiral noodles coated in melty cheese that you can punch up with top-shelf bar bites. Highlights include Bacon Chicken Ranch ($13), Spinach Artichoke ($13), and Dyn-O-Mite Chicken ($14), a heap of mac and cheese topped with buffalo nugs. This is the kind of dish that puts you in a full-blown food coma.
If your stomach has a secret dessert compartment, though, go ahead and order a Chocolate Chunk Cookie Bake ($8) or the Root Beer or Cheerwine Float ($8). You can always regret it later.
