In an exciting addition to South Salt Lake’s culinary scene, Square Kitchen Eatery has welcomed a new food concept, Rusty Birds, which made its grand opening on June 12.
Founded by Rusty Bartolay, the eatery focuses on delivering mouthwatering rotisserie chicken, available on its own or incorporated into wraps, salads, and sandwiches.
Bartolay, originally from the Philippines, has a rich background in Utah’s hospitality industry. He has previously worked as a server at Stein Eriksen Lodge in Deer Valley and was the owner of Hugo Coffee in Park City.
His culinary journey took him to Austin, Texas, where he recognized a growing demand for healthy dining options within the market.
Inspired by this trend, Bartolay launched Rusty Birds last October in a gas station in South Austin, specifically catering to health-conscious consumers.
The rotisserie chicken served at Rusty Birds is crafted following an impressive brining process that lasts 24 hours, employing a blend of water, salt, sugar, lemon, herbs, and pepper before being roasted to perfection.
With time, people began to recognize Rusty Birds in Austin.
However, a yearning to return to Utah led Bartolay to relocate back to the Beehive State in April, where he found a spot for his restaurant within the Square Kitchen Eatery.
Among Bartolay’s most popular dishes are the Buffalo wrap, Caesar wrap, and Chinese Crunch wrap, all made with housemade dressings designed to enhance the flavors of the rotisserie chicken.
Additionally, customers have been drawn to the chicken club sandwich, which is generously prepared with peppered bacon, provolone cheese, avocado, and other delicious toppings.
During my visit, I opted for the Caesar wrap priced at $12.75, but it became clear that to fully appreciate Bartolay’s flavorful chicken, one should try one of the plated options.
The ¼ Bird Dark plate, for instance, offers a fantastic value at only $7.75, typically featuring one leg, one thigh, roasted potatoes dripping with chicken juices, and warm pita bread.
The chicken was sensational, boasting a peppery exterior that gave way to juicy, well-seasoned meat with each bite.
For an optimal experience, pairing a piece of chicken with a chunk of potato created an incredible flavor combination that I highly recommend.
To add a refreshing touch to my meal, I also tried the Green Day smoothie priced at $8.50, comprising mango, pineapple, banana, spinach, agave nectar, chia seeds, and coconut water, which delivered an exhilarating tropical taste that was simply out of this world.
Looking ahead, Bartolay plans to introduce coffee selections to the Rusty Birds menu, drawing from his previous experience at Hugo Coffee.
He also harbors aspirations of expanding Rusty Birds with additional locations in the future.
For now, patrons can find Bartolay at the counter in Square Kitchen Eatery, immersed in his mission to provide delicious, healthy eats.
In other food news, Costco has begun transitioning its food court offerings from Pepsi to Coca-Cola products, with several locations in Utah already making the switch.
Additionally, Ritual Chocolate, a local small-batch chocolate maker, is set to host a chocolate-tasting experience on July 31, at their tasting room in Heber, with limited spots available for a fee of $25 per person.
Meanwhile, Camelot Cafe & Baklava has opened a new location in Salt Lake City, offering a portable café experience featuring Turkish tea and coffee alongside baklava, while a new Dunkin’ location has commenced operations in South Jordan, eagerly serving its assortment of beverages and baked goods to a broad customer base.
The culinary landscape in Utah continues to thrive with these exciting developments, making it an excellent time to explore new dining options.
image source from：sltrib
