Work Begins On New Chicken Joint In Vernon

VERNON, CT — Work has begun to transform an old pizza place into a new chicken restaurant in a busy plaza in Vernon.

After months of anticipation, "coming soon" signs have been posted at the site of the new Bird Code restaurant at the Tri-City Plaza at 35 Talcottville Road. The eatery will be located in the former Papa Gino's location next to Mo's Southwest Grill and will operate jointly with Mo's, records show.

Building permits for Birdcode were secured last week, town officials said.

Birdcode currently has two locations in Connecticut — its mothership restaurant at 120 Park Road in West Hartford and its Darien eatery at 151 Post Road. Expansion plans not only include Vernon, but at 101 Albany Turnpike in Canton and at 488 Hartford Road in New Britain.

According to its website, Birdcode features "farm-fresh, 100 percent air-chilled, never-frozen, steroid- and antibiotic-free chicken," locally baked brioche buns, fresh local produce and "one-of-a-kind french fries."

One signature menu item is "The Sando," which requires plenty of napkins, according to the website. It's a classic piece of chicken with a "heaped-on and hearty helping" of vinegar slaw. It's dubbed as "a full meal on a bun."

See more on the menu here.