Local Bird restaurant review: Tuart Hill’s fried chicken hub ‘the one I always go back to’

It’s embarrassing, but my iPhone is almost always oily because of how much fried chicken I eat. My friends make fun of me because my side hustle is shooting food content, and yet half the shots are blurred with fryer grease. I‘ve tried almost every place in Perth, but I always go back to the Local Bird in Tuart Hill. The spicy chicken tenders will always be my favourite. But I shook things up this time and tried their popcorn chicken ($8). This was extra crunchy, with a thick layer of spiced dredge. The size of each piece was just bigger than a piece of popcorn, making each bite satiating yet still addictive. The chicken comes with a good serving of aioli, which is great because paying for sauce is the pits. We got their maple butter bird burger ($18.50), which may seem a little steep because it doesn’t come with chips. But wait till you see the size of this chicken. The fried beast juts out surrounding the bun in a tutu of fried perfection. My only issue was the bun. It was drenched wet due to the hot maple and falling apart quicker than we could finish the burger. We had the same issues with the spicy smash ($18). It was a great double Oklahoma smashed patty, with a crispy lattice of beef that had been smushed to smithereens. Each layer was covered by an oozy cheese. It would be perfect if the bun held up. The umami fries ($5.50) were the perfect add-on. I always make sure to get them. I love the thin cut and they are covered in a scrumptious powder — sweet and slightly spiced. And my bestie and I decided to go all out by getting it with a pool of cheese sauce ($4.50). The liquid bath of cheese is enough to dip a burger in. It’s great with the chips, adding a waxy layer of savoury milkiness to each bite. It’s tried and tested. Local Bird is the absolute mother hen of all chicken shops, and I’d take greasy photos Sunday if it means I can tuck into their irresistible chicken. Local Bird 91 Wanneroo Road, Tuart Hill Open 4-8.30pm Mon-Weds, Sun 4-9pm Thurs-Sat Contact 6508 6018 Bookings No Verdict My favourite American-style chicken shop in Perth. Excellent value and massive pieces. 17/20