Charcoal Chicken Joint El Jannah Is Officially Opening Its First Melbourne Store This Weekend

Sometimes, time doesn't fly. If you're a Melburnian who has been waiting for a local El Jannah outpost, the past 14 months have probably felt like a drag, in fact. The Sydney-favourite Lebanese-style charcoal chook joint announced back in February 2021 that it was finally expanding into Victoria; however, it has taken a while for that poultry dream to become a reality.

Come Saturday, April 30, your tastebuds will finally officially get what they've been clucking for — or, if you're new to the chain, you'll find out why it has become one of the Harbour City's beloved chook go-tos. First, there's the chicken, of course. But there's also the chips and garlic sauce that've similarly been earning Sydney fans since 1998.

The place to head to: 600 High Street in Preston, with the chook chain taking over the old Hungry Jacks site. Originally, it was hoped it'd be up and running late in 2021 — but we all know how last year turned out.

El Jannah's charcoal chicken comes in halves or quarters, on rolls and burgers, as part of a platter, on skewers and in salads. It also does fried chicken, too — in mixed pieces, tenders and wings, and also in boxes and on burgs.

You'll also find shawarma on the menu, falafel rolls as well, plus tabouli and fattoush salad. And, among the sauces, the chain's own chilli version, hummus and baba ganoush sit alongside its coveted garlic option.

Thanks to the new Preston digs, El Jannah now boasts 14 stores to its name, including 13 in New South Wales. When it revealed its plans to head south, the chain advised that it was planning to expand to include 30-plus venues in total across both Melbourne and Sydney, with at least five Melbourne stores operating over the next five years. Fingers crossed that all comes to fruition.

And yes, if you're a Sydneysider already enamoured with the brand's dishes, you can now rest safe knowing you've got somewhere to get your fix on your next Melbourne trip.

Find El Jannah's first Melbourne store at 600 High Street, Preston — open from 19am–11pm daily. For further details, head to the El Jannah website.