Char'd Is Sydney's Charcoal Chicken Upstart Looking to Rise Above Your Average Suburban Chook Shop
Learning the trade from within takeaway giants, this 29-year-old stepped out on his own to raise the bar on Sydney's neighbourhood chicken shops.
Some takeaway fads come and go before you even get to try them, but one fast-casual essential that remains a staple of suburban strips everywhere is the humble charcoal chicken joint. Yet as a sign of its renewed popularity, numerous big-time chains have entered the scene, to varying results.
Yet one spot looking to keep standards high is Char'd, a Lebanese-style upstart that doesn't believe in taking shortcuts or making compromises when it comes to quality.
Founded by James Estephan in September 2023, the 29-year-old has since launched two locations: Eastern Creek and St Clair. Like many, he got his start as a teenager whipping up burgers and fries at McDonald's before moving into digital marketing at Red Rooster.
Having gained the inside word on the good and bad of the takeaway industry, Estephan stepped out on his own to show that attention to detail and genuine pride in the product can go a long way.
Rising above many of its competitors, Char'd's menu is familiar but goes the extra mile. Headlined by 48-hour marinated chicken slow-cooked over real charcoal, chooks are never held for more than 15 minutes. Naturally, this dedicated approach results in fresher and juicier meals that leave a lasting impression.
Built around an expansive menu that spans burgers, wraps, loaded fries and more, Char'd's tenders and fried chicken are another highlight. Marinated for 12 hours and cooked fresh to order, expect a serious crunch. Bringing a considered touch to the game, Char'd is building upon this storied takeaway tradition while adding its own bite.
Char'd is open daily from 10am–9pm at locations in Eastern Creek and St Clair. Head to the website for more information.
Images: Trent Van Der Jagt.
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