The Eating Chamber reviews Jungle Byrd

My Eaters! I hope you are all well.  The school year is coming to an end, kids are coming home for the summer, and vacation season is here.  Whatever is on the horizon for you over the coming weeks, I hope you receive the rest, love and memories you need.  I also pray that the good eats are abundant for you all.  To aid you in this, this week I’m telling you about Jungle Byrd Eatery, a new restaurant in Peachtree City.  

For years, Gwen and I have discussed how much Fayette and Coweta County could benefit from a “mom and pop” restaurant concept that offers a healthy vegetable and light fare forward option to the local culinary eco system, at an affordable price.  The solution has arrived.  Jungle Byrd Eatery is the brainchild of chefs and serial restauranteurs, Shawn and Isha Bell.  If the names sound familiar, Jungle Byrd Eatery is their second restaurant in Fayette County.  They are also the visionaries behind Da Loaded Mac in Fayetteville.  As the name suggests, their flagship restaurant celebrates and elevates the Southern culinary staple.  When asked about Jungle Byrd Eatery, which opened in December 2024, Chef Isha explained that balance was very important for her and Shawn while they were conceptualizing their second brand.  It was important for them that Jungle Byrd offered a light and healthy contrast to the starch heavy comfort food of Da Loaded Mac.

Upon arriving, I was immediately taken by the restaurants carefully curated aesthetic.  Its mint green palate, abundant green foliage, and the spaces’ unique collage of Jungle Birds marry in a way that is enticing and left me feeling welcomed and wanting to come back.

I was warmly greeted, which is always nice!  The health score was an 87 which is within my acceptable range.  I then turned my attention to the menu.  It was not overwhelming, which I appreciated.  I could see very quickly that their offerings were clean, fresh, and light.  Menu items for those who are gluten free, vegetarian and vegan are staples.  The menu appears to be very adaptable to most allergies and sensitivities which sets Jungle Byrd Eatery apart.  It is a well-curated mix of healthy masterpieces. 

 For my inaugural visit I ordered a smoothie, a salad, and their smoked salmon avocado toast.  As I waited, my anticipation grew.  At first my thoughts were consumed by the jungle birds on the wall.  All I could think was, “what is the food going to be like that comes out of a kitchen with these interesting creatures as its namesake?”  Then, after an appropriate amount of time, my food was ready.  I retrieved my order from the counter. Immediately my anticipation turned to excitement.  The food looked just as good as it did in the pictures.  It was beautiful.  After looking my order over and taking a few photos for all of you, I decided that I was going to take the salad home so I could observe how it held up over time.

Their Grand Rising smoothie was the first thing I tried.  I loved its color and was equally satisfied with its taste.  It was the perfect refreshing needed to start an impromptu Saturday morning brunch.  You all must know something about me.  I have a bonafide affection for lox or smoked salmon.  It was a no brainer when I saw it on the menu.  If I’m honest, my expectations were low.  Since coming to Georgia, the places that execute lox appropriately are few and far between in my opinion.  However, this affection I have always wins and I continue to give places the benefit of the doubt.  This time it paid off!  This toast looked amazing, represented each ingredient respectfully, and despite being a tad bit too messy for me, it had me licking my fingers in public with a messy face like it did not matter. A few hours later, I gave the salad to my friend.  I watched her light up as she opened the bowl.  It was their Byrd’s Nest salad.  It was fresh and just as delicious as everything else.  It held up in the refrigerator well, and she reported that the black sesame ranch was next level tasty.  

As I reflect on my experience with Chef Bell’s food, I am completely enamored by how well it was presented, how good it tasted, and how well balanced each dish was.  The service and price were on par with where they should be.  I got to chat with Chef Bell for a moment.  When asked, she told me that I should let you all know that when you come to Jungle Byrd Eatery you can expect to be fed fresh and clean from scratch cooking.  When I asked her, “What do you love about Fayette County?”, she spoke of how she was happy that her restaurants are able to fill a void in the local market.  When not working, Chef Bell says that she and her husband enjoy outdoor nature activities, foodie adventures, and traveling.  As you are exploring your local foodie options this week, go and try Jungle Byrd Eatery in Peachtree City. You won’t be disappointed.  Also visit their flagship restaurant, Da Loaded Mac in Fayetteville.  You can also come visit me and my team at the Peachtree City Farmers Market every Saturday.