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Earlier this month, The Village Cork announced that it will close on South Pearl Street by June 30. Today the restaurant taking over its space was revealed: Chook, a fast-casual chicken joint will open there in September, 5280 reported. While a fast-casual chicken joint isn’t exactly the sexiest in Denver restaurant news, its owners and mission should spark broad appeal and interest.
Recent James Beard Award winner Alex Seidel is behind the new brand, as is Snooze’s co-founder Adam Schlegel and longtime Denver barman Randy Layman. Their mission is to bring quality poultry at an affordable price to Denver diners, they told the magazine. To start out, the team will source meat from trusted Colorado farmers. Eventually they plan to have their own chicken flock. Chook’s food offerings will center around a coal-fired rotisserie, with grilled veggie salads and side dishes for accompaniment. A family or similarly sized group of eaters should be able to fill up for less than $10 per person. Beer, wine, and casual cocktails also will be on tap.
Schlegel’s wife and their time spent together in her native Australia spawned the concept. “Chook” is Australian for chicken, and across that country, similar rotisserie restaurants are common. This new one will add another level to Seidel’s existing farm-sourced food offerings, which include vegetables, pork, and sheep’s milk cheeses produced at his own Fruition Farms and sold at his restaurants Mercantile and Fruition.