Only a hop, skip and a cluck away from Fordham’s Walsh Gate exit, there’s a new restaurant waiting to ignite your taste buds: Burning Beaks. It’s not just a restaurant; it’s a flavor haven strategically located within a mere five minutes from campus.
As I stepped in, I was immediately captivated by its aesthetic charm. The ambiance was crafted with vibrant red booths, white walls, cleanliness and sophistication. A striking piece of colorful artwork adorned the walls, adding a touch of beauty to the setting. It was evident that every detail of this restaurant had been meticulously planned and executed, designed to grab the attention of anyone fortunate enough to pass by.
As I approached the counter, Ereza, a Burning Beaks employee, greeted me with a warm smile that set the tone for an exceptional dining experience. Her knowledge of the menu was as impressive as her welcoming demeanor, and she eagerly shared insightful recommendations. The menu consists of many mouth-watering options, including chicken sandwiches, chicken strips, chicken nuggets, chicken wraps and chicken wings. There are six flavors available for their wings (from no spice to the hottest): lemon pepper, honey soy garlic, buffalo, mild, hot and burning. For those seeking a complete meal, each menu item is available in a combo, which will come with crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside french fries and a canned beverage or water.
Buffalo Wild Wings and Wingstop are nothing compared to Burning Beaks wings. I had the pleasure of tasting the buffalo and lemon pepper wings, and the flavor exceeded my expectations. The wings were not only crispy on the outside but had the perfect amount of flavor and soft and juicy chicken inside. I also tried one of their famous sides: mac and cheese. It is a sin to leave without savoring a spoonful of this masterpiece. Everything on this menu is given a homemade touch and the evident love with which it was crafted and served truly elevated my experience.
I had the fantastic opportunity to speak with Veton, the owner, and learn a little bit more about the dedication that went into making this restaurant a reality. Amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, while on Zoom class, Veton found himself yearning for a savory distraction: fried chicken. After months of learning the skills to make the best fried chicken, he perfected his dish. He would serve it to his friends and a close family member who recognized his skill in the art of fried chicken, sparking his idea of starting his own business to share this taste with more people.
Thankfully, he found the perfect store near Fordham University on Arthur Avenue, bringing this taste to us. On opening day, the most popular item, the chicken sandwich, sold out quickly. The dish on the menu that Veton is most proud of is the chicken wrap due to the amazing taste and photogenic look of the item when it’s served. Always made with care and quality, Veton checks every batch of chicken he receives to ensure quality among the resources he receives. When cooking the chicken, he always gets rid of the distasteful sections to ensure the perfect taste to his consumers. Upon serving, Veton puts the secret sauce on the side: beak sauce. This sauce is ideal for dunking your wings or french fries in and putting on your chicken sandwich.
Another notable aspect of this restaurant is that it is family-run. Veton, his mother, brother and soon-to-be sister-in-law all help serve the best quality to every consumer. Veton hopes to make this business continue to exceed expectations and expand to Grubhub and UberEats to make it even easier to deliver this flavorful place right to students on campus and members of the Bronx community.
To ensure that cross-contamination does not happen, the workers are constantly wiping down tables and surfaces in the back to be allergen-safe. Nothing is cooked near nuts, and no nuts are in the kitchen. Only the magic bar dessert option is not nut-free.
The restaurant’s name has a story behind it. Did you know farmers feed chickens pepper flakes to promote good health? Chickens have low taste sensitivity, and cannot taste the spice they digest. This oxymoron gave Veton the idea for the name Burning Beaks.
If you find yourself hungry or walking near Arthur Ave., go cluck down to 2462 Arthur Ave. and get a snack or a meal of the best chicken in town.
