Bird & Cleaver

09/27/2021

A 12'x 14' food trailer. A micro restaurant. Private dinners. What do you all think of this? I mean, none of it is a 100 year old home that was lovingly, and meticulously renovated for almost 2 years, right down to the smallest detail, but it's.............Something?

Anyway, I hope it goes without saying, but we miss you all. Deeply. We miss seeing you. We miss talking to you. Most of all, we miss feeding you.

Kinda think it's about time, and we might like to do that again. Hence, the questions.

Not unlike any of you, Covid really wrecked us in a lot of ways. Financially (obviously) it was devastating, emotionally it was the most challenging year ever. It took so much away from us, that it was often hard to even conceive of recovering sometimes. However, despite all of the heartache and loss, none of it came without its share of invaluable lessons.

1. Longer tables, not separate tables. You can take this however you want (but you are probably right).

2. When one door closes.... You go through the window? You plant a garden? Maybe you just forget about that door altogether? You find a new place and knock politely until they answer?
You know what, f**k a door.
What a dumb saying.

3. No matter where we are; sharing what we have, and showing our community love is what we do. We can do it anywhere. Ya know, like a lil' cutey trailer thing, and any ol' spot we plop it.

So, what does this all mean for the future of B&C? So glad you asked! We have several things in the works. Obviously, we lead with the big plans/ideas purely for dramatic effect. However, while we try to work some magic to make those a reality, we have some other, smaller things, heading your way much sooner.

* For the last 15 years, we have been talking about doing a B&C cookbook. Well, that time has arrived! As you would imagine (at least I hope you would at this point), this cookbook will be non-traditional, and very much us (whatever that means). More info on that coming soon.
* Exclusive B&C Patreon content - R&D, Recipes, OG Blog stuff, giveaways, etc.
*AND EVEN SOONER!!!!! Be on the lookout for some of your B&C favorites coming up for preorder in the very near future. Hot sauce, fondue, and pastry boxes just in time for the holidays.

********** Follow along on social media, as we ramp things back up to full steam. We can't wait for you to "eat with us" again.

So, friends, this is where we are. A little, " little help from our friends" situation. A clean slate, and a sustainable, equitable, responsible solution for the future. That's where we'd like to be.
Anything to get us closer to being out, doing what we do, would be amazing, and we would be ever so grateful.
XOXO,

B&C
J&L

P.S
The fact that I used a Beatles reference, and did not immediately delete it, probably indicates to some of you that the help needed extends far beyond what I'm asking for here. Don't worry, I'll be fine. Let's just talk about Hillbilly fondue instead.

01/29/2021

We don’t know about you all, but we are far beyond tired of seeing posts like the one you’re about to read (let alone, having to write them).

Once again, Covid has decided to show up, and ruin the party. Due to a direct exposure, the B&C pop-up will be rescheduled for February, so everyone can be tested /quarantined.

To say that we were ecstatic to see all your (presumably) smiling faces, is an understatement.

Here’s to hoping we see this end very soon, and we can do the damn thing, again!

Xoxoxo,

B&C

P.S
Everyone who had a reservation for Sunday will automatically have the opportunity to carry it over to the rescheduled date. Someone from the Welches crew will contact you once things have been sorted.

01/14/2021

Thanks for the love! This brunch is officially SOLD OUT! ❤️

01/13/2021

Friends! Long time no see! We've missed you so much. Even though B&C doesn't have a physical space, you knew we wouldn't stay gone forever. We miss you too much. So, if you miss us too, we've got some good news. Our amazing friends at Welches are letting us take over their kitchen to serve up some of your favorite B&C brunch faves.After School Special, lentils,tacos will all be making an appearance. Don't sleep on it, space will be limited-there will be no carry out. All questions, and reservation requests will be through Welches only. Please call during their normal business hours to get your spot. See you soon.



Poster by the amazing

12/22/2020

Something wonderful came from these sad times! We look forward to the food truck serving our community in a greater capacity ❤️

We bought a food truck! In partnership with local street outreach teams, this truck will be on loan to groups serving the homeless and anyone needing a meal right on the street to support the amazing work they’re already doing. While it was sad to hear that Bird & Cleaver is closing, they saw the truck as an opportunity to continue their spirit of service to Fort Wayne. She’ll hit the road in the coming months after a redesign, first with Common Ground Outreach, then others. We thank Bird and Cleaver for sharing in the vision for this project. Do you have questions about how to support this work? Or do you own a local restaurant and would like to partner in this project? Contact our executive director Joshua Gale for more information.

12/02/2020

Friends, we come to you with somber news. The closing of Bird and Cleaver at 1603 N. Wells, will be a permanent one. This year has dealt us all an unbelievably terrible hand, and unfortunately, our story is not a unique one. This decision has not been easy, as this has been our dream for more than 15 years. However, as much as it stings, when we look back on the short time we had in our space, we cannot even begin to convey how proud we are of what we created, and the love that we felt from our community. We will always remember this time as one of great accomplishments. The feeling of pure, honest hospitality and true "come as you are" spirit that B&C achieved was unparalleled; and you absolutely have yourselves to thank for making something so beautiful with us. We will never be able to thank you enough.
From the bottom of our hearts, thanks for eating with us.

XOXOXO,

B&C
J&L
Mom and Dad

10/22/2020

Guess what?!!

We don’t have the RONA!
F@ #%ing awesome, we know!
You know what’s not awesome though?
The idea of having to do this continuously for the next 6 months (or however long). Can you imagine having to close for several days, every time there is possible exposure (which is worse now than it has ever been, btw). Or worse, closing for even longer if there is exposure. This is going to be the reality of any place that has the best interest of their staff/family/customers at the forefront. It is the right thing, and the only thing B&C would ever feel comfortable with. But, it’s exhausting, both mentally and physically. Not to mention, it is completely unsustainable financially. And, most importantly, the not so subtle elephant in the room - NONE OF US IS GETTING THE HELP WE DESERVE TO SEE THIS END.

So, as of today, B&C is tapping out........ for now. Closing it up.
In the best interest of our staff, ourselves, and our beloved customers, we cannot in good conscience keep running in our current state.
A safe return, to whatever normal looks like, is our end goal. Unfortunately, this is the only option that can possibly see it come to pass. So, fingers crossed.
However, if it doesn't, and this means we’re done, we’re at peace with that.
We're proud of what we have created; and completely humbled by the undying support you have shown to us, since day one.

Stay tuned for possible small events, and news moving forward.

We love you all so much.

Thanks for eating with us.

XOXOXO,
B&C

P.S
Preaching to the choir, we know. Please, keep showing love to the businesses that make, spend, and invest their money in this community. They might not be around otherwise.

10/17/2020

You know what is amazing about the service industry? We are one big (slightly dysfunctional) happy(ish) family! We are a constant ebb and flow, of highly caffeinated chess pieces, performing a spirited, revolving door routine - making all of your food and drink dreams come true (or something like that). If you have ever spent time in hospitality, you'd know that to make this big, overly complicated, machine work, we have to share parts. There is just no way around it. Making ends meet, often means working brunch, straight into dinner service, then slingin' drinks in the club until close. It's just what we do. It's what we have to do.
As you can imagine, this type of resource sharing often comes with very unique sets of challenges.

But, being that this is 2020, those challenges are on fire, and covered in broken glass.

And........this brings us to the point.

At B&C, we share some of these aforementioned pieces and parts. So, following suit with our ever growing, extended restaurant family - ****and this is purely out of caution**** B&C will be closing for the remainder of the weekend, to get the whole crew tested.

More info, coming soon.
Stay safe, friends.

XOXO,

Bird and Cleaver

P.S
(Taken from a previous post. with updates)
Boxes of unmarked cash, emails of support/encouragement, and ZOOM crying sessions will be accepted..........well, pretty much whenever.

P.P.S
Tell your restaurant working friends you love them. They could really use it right now.

10/17/2020

new vegan breakfast tacos! onion, pepper and kale tofu scramble, tater tot, squeezy cheese, salsa and cilantro! Servin’ them up from 11-2!

10/14/2020

A big thanks to Steve Penhollow for the article!!

This week's issue features the 5th annual Hobnobben Film Festival taking place Oct. 23-25. This year, the Embassy Theatre opens its doors for Cinema Center's annual festival which celebrates the art of film and filmmaking, with an eclectic mix of international, regional, student & locally produced films

Plus:
* Vegan delicacies and more at Bird & Cleaver
* Alexandra Hall and Jeremy Stroup at Garrett Museum of Art
* Fall Harvest Drum Circle at Sweetwater
* Rising country superstar Chasericemusic set to perform at 13-24 Drive In
* Album Reviews- Ace Frehley, Surfjan Stevens, The Psychedelic Furs
* Brent Leuthold's take on Netflix's "The Trial of the Chicago 7"
* In memory of guitarist Eddie Van Halen
* Screen Time with Greg W. Locke
* Support Honeywell Center with Jim Brickman virtual concert on Dec. 20
* Calendars for Music & Comedy, Arts & Exhibits, Stage & Dance

Check it out online and on newsstands!
https://whatzup.com/issue/201015_Hobnobben