Contraction continues in the 405 diningscape
405 Burger Bar closing for good; Nashbird trims three stores
Another week, another platter of sad news to serve with news that 405 Burger Bar is closing and Nashbird has reduced from four stores to one. Alas, I do have an update on service at Birdie’s by Chef Kevin Lee.
On the fried chicken front, the aforementioned Birdie’s by Chef Kevin Lee is only here at the cost of Birdie’s Fried Chicken. Then, last week, Nashbird Hot Dang Chicken locations began to shutter. Co-owner Marc Dunham confirmed Monday morning that he and his wife and business partner, Jenny, have closed their stores in Midwest City, Edmond and Norman.
“To be clear, the 9th Street store is still open,” he said.
The original store in Automobile Alley opened in the summer of 2017, bringing Nashville-style hot chicken into the market. By mid-2022, it had grown into four units, plus a counter in the Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium for Sooner football games. Dunham said the contraction was the result of simple economics.
“The simple truth is sales just slumped for too long.”
After we spoke, he posted a lengthy announcement on Facebook.
The original store remains open, and he didn’t indicate immediate plans for that to change. If you’re a fan of Nashbird and haven’t been in a minute, now would be a good time to change that. Goes for all your favorite indy restaurants these days.
We will lose another one of those at the end of this month when Stelen Covel closes the 405 Burger Bar in Norman. The announcement was made on social media Monday. The sports bar and eatery opened in September of 2021 in the building where 180 Meridian Grill and a Jimmy’s Egg once stood. Covel, who dips his entrepreneurial toes in several directions, won’t be leaving food-service altogether. He is partnering with James Vu on the long-awaited Tequila Chulos just east of Nichols Hills.
Finally, my plans to attend the last preview of Birdie’s by Chef Kevin Lee went down the toilet on Sunday. No, I feel fine, but let’s just say no one will be hiring me on as a plumber anytime soon. I was, however, able to get a few pictures of the new dining room.
Kevin said on Monday he is taking reservations this week for Wednesday through Saturday. He’ll serve a limited menu with grand opening scheduled for Jan. 30. Here’s hoping the fried catfish he served at last week’s Made in Oklahoma Event ends up on the menu eventually.