Half Bird Chicken & Beer

Chef Brian Howard of Sparrow + Wolf shifts into fast-casual dining with Half Bird, a Chinatown concept that's all about chicken – either fried or roasted on a high-tech rotisserie. Howard only uses pasture-raised, free-range chickens from a Colorado farm, putting the meat to good use in a variety of dishes, from platters to sandwiches and some of the best nuggets (or "nugs") in town. Even the leftover bones are used in a weekend ramen special. There's a definite Asian influence in some of the spices and sauces . If you crave something on the hot side, ask for the Sichuan peppercorn chicken salad.

Half Bird is a fun spot with graffiti-style mural artwork, a walk-up takeaway window and a long semi-covered outdoor patio. Even the bathroom has goofy decorations. Beverage options include beer, wine and cocktails by the can, as well as mini-bottles of champagne, presented in a bucket with red Solo cups.