Editors’ Note: Starbird is no longer looking for student employees.
Walking into Starbird is like stepping into the future of fast food.
Starbird, a fast food chain based in California, opened a new Palo Alto location on Sept 13 at 2515 El Camino Real, next to Chipotle. The restaurant offers crispy chicken, fresh salads, and unique sauces just five minutes away from Palo Alto High School.
According to Starbird restaurant manager Helen Flores, Starbird chose to open in Palo Alto to bridge the distance between other locations.
“We decided to open here because we only have one [restaurant] in Sunnyvale and one in San Francisco, so this is in the middle of the locations we have,” Flores said.
Arriving at Starbird three days after its soft opening at noon, I found the restaurant bustling with customers, and the waiters greeted everyone who walked in with a warm welcome. Every table was packed and the ordering line threatened to overflow out of the restaurant. The inside of the restaurant seemed almost as bright as the outside, with light streaming through the floor to ceiling windows, illuminating every inch of the area. Sleek yellow chains, tall grass shrubs, and Starbird’s bold yellow font decorate the exterior.
The ordering system is similar to that of any other fast-food restaurant: big monitors above, and tablets on the counter to order. Although the monitors weren’t accurate all the time, within five to 10 minutes the food was served on the counter.
At a glance, the $12.47 Cali Gold BBQ Bacon Sandwich resembles your typical American burger with a thick middle section with mayonnaise oozing out. The crispy bacon, chicken tenders, and pickles gave a satisfying crunch with every bite. The sweet mayonnaise sauce Starbird put in the sandwich pairs well with the chicken.
Flores said Starbird never freezes its natural and fresh ingredients.
“Our products never go in the freezer, and nothing is antibiotic,” Flores said. “We fry our chicken and fries every day by order.”
Starbird’s $12.97 10-piece chicken nuggets are popular. They have a crunchy outer layer while being soft on the inside. Although its price might spook you, the size of each nugget is larger than those at Chick-fil-A and McDonald’s, making the price worth it. The $3.97 House fries are unpeeled and rich in flavor, although they may be pricey, the flavor makes up for it. The $6.97 Truffle Fries are flaccid and the truffle flavoring tastes artificial it contrasts from the rest of the meal and it’s additional $3 charge is not worth it for the quality.
Starbird offers a variety of house-made sauces ranging from Mango Habanero to Greek Yogurt Ranch. The Honey Mustard paired well with Starbird’s fries, chicken nuggets, and sandwiches. The Honey Chipotle BBQ sauce is mildly spicy and sweet which makes for a great sandwich dip. The Korean Seoul sauce had an addictive sweetness that mixes well with the Honey Chipotle BBQ sauce.
According to Flores, Starbird Palo Alto is looking for student employees.
“We can hire them [students],” Flores said. “We have good positions, open schedules, and flexibility. They can work from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.”
Ultimately, there is little to criticize about Starbird. From its filling meals, great location, and reasonable prices, Starbird has all the qualities of a go-to spot for Paly students.
