Drive, don’t walk or run, to get your charcoal chook and chilli sauce fix in Edmondson Park.
If you’re a fan of a cheeky weekend charcoal chook run, brace yourself, because everyone’s OG favourite Frango has launched the country’s first charcoal chicken drive-thru. The Portuguese chicken and burger institution has opened a drive-thru restaurant in Sydney’s southwest, allowing fiends of the succulent Iberian poultry to pick up their haul while remaining socially distant.
Serving high quality chicken shop meals since 1989, the family-owned chain has been the go-to destination for piri piri lovers for over 30 years. Known for its Portuguese flavours and chooks barbecued over natural charcoal fire pits, Frango has six locations across Sydney: the original in Petersham, Bella Vista, Smithfield, Penrith, Gregory Hills and, now, Edmondson Park. At the latter, the cult chook brand’s followers can satiate their palates from the comfort of their cars — seven days a week, from 10am to late.
Owner Luis Fernandes said that the restaurant decided to adapt its operations when it experienced “unique challenges… as a result of COVID-19”. While many of its stores reopened in mid-May, the chain has once again temporarily stopped dine-in at its Gregory Hills restaurant — in response to a recent spike in positive cases in the area. But now, Frango has a new socially-distant way to continue serving up delicious food during the times we find ourselves in.
The eatery has even gone further to fix the pet hates associated with most drive-thru experiences, too; Frango’s drive-thru menu options aren’t a limited version of its dine-in menu — in fact, it includes some new add-ons. And yes, that includes the famous family-recipe chilli sauce with a reputation that precedes it.
So, drive, don’t walk or run, to this newest innovation of the celebrated chicken shop that boasts one of the biggest followings in the city. Australia’s first charcoal chook drive-thru will leave you circling through the pick-up zone over and over again.
Originally published on Concrete Playground, 24 July, 2020.
Eden Caceda 