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- jessica p.Riverside, CA11413324Jun 1, 2024Updated review
This review is WAY overdue. The first time we came here was in 2019 on our way home from Whistler - we had an amazing experience here and at the ice cream place next door (same owners). Since then, one of my kiddos has come to school at WWU and we come here every time we are in town. The same person is always at the front desk - I wish I had their name because they are always amazing! My son plays in the WWU Jazz band and we are frequently needing to eat dinner early. The staff here opens the door early to us, accommodates our need to move quickly without ever jeopardizing quality or service. The food is always perfect, delicious, and consistent. The drinks are creative and interesting - not only in taste. It the spark memories. As a side note, no one ever side-eyes me as an adult when I want a coloring sheet. Overall favorite place in Bellingham and I 100% tell you to go get some!
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0Aug 23, 2019Previous reviewStopping through after a 90 minute wait coming at the Canada border. This was a great experience to end our family vacation! They were busy but able to seat us quickly. I had a very interesting cocktail with fresh rosemary and thyme, strong and not too sweet. Perfect! We ordered family style, sharing both fried and rotisserie chicken with sides. All of the food was flavorful, balanced and gone in an instant! Service was fast and friendly. The food took about 45 minutes after we ordered and the breast meat was a little on the dry side...minor concerns that didn't impact the overall experience. LOVE that they provide profit sharing versus tipping culture. Kudos for that and for the free ice cream vouchers for the kick-ass spot next door!
- Camille W.Los Angeles, CA11432Aug 23, 2024
I came here with a friend on a Thursday a little after 5:30pm. It wasn't very crowded so we were seated immediately and we got to choose between sitting downstairs or sitting upstairs - we chose upstairs, loved it!
I ordered the Chicken and Waffles with the seasonal, Save A Horse, cocktail. I'm not much of a drinker so the cocktail was a bit strong for me but still very delicious and refreshing! The breading on the chicken was perfectly crispy and I loved the flavor of the butter with the chicken.
I wasn't totally in love with the waffles as much as I loved the chicken but the chicken was SO good, I ended up just eating only the chicken in the end.
Our waitress was SOOO nice! She took amazing care of us (I don't recall her name but she had a septum piercing and tattoos on her forearm so if you see this, THANK YOU!)
The music they played was great, not too loud, could still comfortably converse. The decor was also stunninggggg, I felt at home!
We spent a little over $110 (including tip) for 2 entrees, 2 cocktails, 1 appetizer, and 1 side. This felt like a good bang for our buck for sure!Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Michelle T.WA, WA066Jul 28, 2024
If you want to experience a warm and friendly atmosphere with delicious food and cocktails then you must visit Bantam. The bar is one of the most beautifully lit and decorated places in Bellingham. A perfect spot to show off to your friends!
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Oct 11, 2023
Yes it's expensive for roast chicken but a plate is enough for two and everything is delicious and served well.
Definitely coming back!Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 1Oh no 1 - Jan 19, 2023
After long last I was able to sit down with some beloved Bellinghamsters and try Bantam on a recent trip back "home." I was delighted! A word to first timers, the number you are given matches the table you are assigned. You can take yourself to it once the host gives you the thumbs up. I had no idea and stood there with my number for a few minutes till I overheard them explain that to another party.
We started with the deviled eggs and the beet salad, out of the two, I loved the beets due to the blackberry infused honey in the dish - and whipped goat cheese is always a quick way to my heart. The eggs are a super fun experience too, so do what I did and order both.
I also ordered the Fried Chicken Meal, because I really wanted to use it as a base to explore their menu. Holy Moly. If you're wondering how someone can make fried chicken be both satisfying and not greasy at all: This is the magical location. i was wow-ed with the entire dish, from the main to the slaw: I can see why this place is so highly rated and loved locally.
My side choice was the grits, which I regret - those missed the mark for me and I was expecting something more along the lines of grits I've tried in the Carolinas. I thought they'd be lighter (just in flavor, I get that its grits y'all), but there was an deeper, more savory than expected element, almost smokey, to them. Some folks might like it, but since all the other flavors in my order were so robust, I was looking for a side to anchor it. Maybe the mac and cheese would have been a better choice and I look forward to trying it on my next visit.
My dining partners had a line cook sammy and garlic herb chicken: I think the Garlic Herb Chicken and some of their rotisserie options (they were out this time around) will be on my next "to -order" list as well. Everyone was happy, cocktails in hand.
A shout out for those who love a good vibe cause the interior design here is one-hundred. The upstairs is the place to be in my opinion, but I know locals love the heated patio too.Helpful 16Thanks 0Love this 17Oh no 1 - Jul 26, 2023
This restaurant was a recommendation from a friend who's local to Bellingham and I took my visiting parents and family. At first, I thought the menu was really limited with just chicken and no other protein offerings, and pricing did not really match the ambiance of the restaurant. However, once we got our food - we were like yes that was really worth it.
We got hush puppies for the table, fried chicken meal and chicken sandwich and I got the garlic herb chicken. I really loved my dish and everybody else who tried it enjoyed it a lot - the sauce was really fresh and the fried chicken was lightly fried and still crunchy and crispy. My least favorite was the slaw.
Overall, we really enjoyed this meal and was pleasantly surprised.Helpful 2Thanks 0Love this 2Oh no 0 - Dec 13, 2022
From the moment we walked in we knew this place was going to be special. We were greeted with a warm welcome, some advice on the drink menu to include non-alcoholic options. We were celebrating a graduation but our graduate forgot her ID and the manager gave her a rain check free drink card to come back for one. The food was awesome, great fried and rotisserie chicken options. The root salad was refreshing. The mac and cheese was super delicious, cheesy goodness. We also had the poutine and a round of tasty drinks.
This is a nice place for a small group gathering or date night.Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Dec 11, 2022
Food is good
Prices are a Bit high
Portions are large except for the beet salad
Good lace for fun get togethersHelpful 1Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - May 29, 2023
This has got to be the best fried chicken I've ever had. Portions are pretty big so I split a plate.
Ordered the Line-Cook Chicken Sandwich and with a side of poutine and garlic Parmesan fries.
They have upstairs seating at the bar which is pretty trendy. Highly recommend!Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 2Oh no 0 - May 4, 2023
Maybe the best chicken you'll ever put in your face. The Golden is our favorite...oooh that HEAT! But we tried less spicy dishes, like the Garlic and Herb chicken, or the Line Cook Sandwich...all carefully prepared and full of flavor, and the sides are eye-rollingly good.
The drinks are always fun and creative, and there are plenty of non-alcoholic selections as well. They have a swank lounge upstairs, by the way. It's hard to get to if you have mobility issues...which almost lost them a star...but they were so gracious and accommodating that we were just fine on the ground floor, too.
Friendly staff, informative and loquacious management (it's great to see folks excited about their product) and a specials board that usually has something actually special on it, all make us come back for more.
Highly recommended!Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 1Oh no 1
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