A low-key, no-frills diner yesterday announced that it has been sold. Located at 4262 Spruill Ave in North Charleston, FOOD on Spruill has officially closed its doors and is no longer serving up its signature Cincinnati chili.
While this may come as a disappointment to those who frequented the eatery, the space is set for an exciting new chapter. Renowned Chef Eric Hara recently acquired the establishment and will soon launch Barnyard Chicken in FOOD’s stead.
Chef Hara brings a wealth of culinary expertise to the table, with 25 years of experience in kitchens across the country. Throughout his illustrious career, he’s trained under French-born Chef Michel Richard at Citronelle in the Santa Barbara Inn Hotel, served as executive chef at Fishtail by David Burke in New York City, and has even owned a couple of eateries himself.
Barnyard Chicken will be a fast-casual, chef-driven chicken haven. One standout dish will be the Brick Chicken, a deboned and brined half-chicken cooked skin-side down under a weighted cast iron skillet. “I cook it… on a cast iron pan with a brick, really putting pressure on the skin,” Hara told What Now Charleston.
In addition to the signature Brick Chicken, patrons can look forward to the Barnyard chicken fries—fresh French fries coated with a luscious layer of chicken fat. Beyond these specialties, Barnyard will offer an array of sides and chicken-centric dishes. “We’re trying to take our chicken serious,” said Hara.
And while FOOD may be closed for good, owner Pete Twomey remains active in the local culinary scene. He continues to run Islands Catering, known for its “innovative, yet refreshingly uncomplicated, delicious food,” and is currently scouting new locations to set up shop. Reflecting on FOOD’s success, Twomey remarked, “[it] was a fun concept but in the end, we just couldn’t operate a catering company and restaurant.”
Chef Hara hopes to open Barnyard Chicken by late May 2024. He plans to revamp the kitchen and enhance the interior with new tables and chairs, ensuring a fresh and inviting ambiance for diners.
As the culinary landscape evolves in North Charleston, both FOOD’s cherished legacy and Barnyard Chicken’s promising arrival stand as a testament to the area’s enduring appetite for diverse and delicious dining experiences.
