Today we’d like to introduce you to Russel Taylor
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
“Can you please bring me dinner?” My father-in-law had had it. “But it can’t be pizza, barbecue, burgers, or tacos.”
That request, a reflection of the lack of healthy, convenient food options in Hill Country, was the genesis of Chicknic. That night, around a dinner table topped with rotisserie chicken, salads, and vegetable sides purchased from one of our favorite restaurants in central Austin and chauffeured 26 miles to Dripping Springs, we began to lay plans for what, 18 months later, would be a new fast-fine chicken concept.
Although I, Russel, have an extensive background in hospitality, I spent the previous 4 years as a creative strategist for IBM (I also have a background in film production, but that’s another story). The direction in which IBM was headed did not align with my values, so I chose to leave in December of 2021. Coincidentally, my sister-in-law, Maria, and her husband, Juan, managed and ran a restaurant in Dripping Springs where the working situation could have been better (I’m being polite). The opportunity presented itself to create something for ourselves that reflected our shared vision of high-quality, nourishing food and exceptional customer service.
Before Chicknic, I had spent years working in some of the most celebrated restaurants and hotels in London, New York, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. I served the kind of fussy food that chefs plated with an offset spatula and a pair of tweezers. These were all incredible experiences, but the experiences I valued most were the Sundays at the pub or at home with friends and family, sharing a traditional roast. Maria studied commercial design at college (you can see her work in all the Chicknic branding) but found herself most content baking cakes and creating meals for the people she cherished. Juan’s entire family are chefs, but he chose his path not because of obligation but because he finds joy in providing the senses of happiness and contentment that come with enjoying a delicious and satisfying meal.
We knew from the start that Chicknic would be different. We wanted to create a fast-fine dining experience that was delicious and also catered to the busy lifestyles of the modern, health-conscious families in Bee Cave. We wanted the ordering and pick-up experience to be seamless. We wanted the space to be beautifully designed and vibrant, memorable from the moment you walk in, even if most guests would only spend a moment inside. Most importantly, we wanted to make everything from scratch with the highest quality ingredients so our customers would know that when they served their family and friends a meal from Chicknic, they nourished them with clean, nutrient-dense, natural ingredients.
We wanted these things, not because we wanted to be the next hip hot spot (although we are proud of what we created with Chicknic and think it’s pretty neat), but because we believe by providing delicious, convenient, and nutritious meals to our customers, we honor our guests and community.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
We are introducing a different concept not only for BeeCave but for the entire industry: offering fine dining quality food in takeout containers. This is a shift that many consumers are just beginning to embrace. Our main challenge lies in how customers perceive our pricing. However, once they experience our food and recognize that we prioritize quality without compromise, they often return as loyal patrons, which we truly appreciate.
Running a business with such high standards comes with its expenses. Therefore, we are committed to finding solutions that allow us to maintain our quality while broadening our reach. To achieve this, we are rolling out more accessible menu items and offering different portion sizes for our dishes. This strategy aims to appeal to a wider audience while preserving the excellence that defines Chicknic.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Chicknic?
Chicknic is a fast-fine restaurant located in Bee Cave, Texas. We specialize in roast chicken, salads, sandwiches, and bowls, making us the ideal choice for busy families who want to nourish their loved ones with high-quality, convenient food. Our signature dish is our roast chicken, and we also take pride in our Chicknic Sandwich, which features our signature, no antibiotics ever roast chicken, sunflower sprouts, fennel, orange supremes, pickled red onion, Chicknic Ranch dressing, feta cheese, and roasted chicken jus, all wrapped in a warm pita.
What distinguishes us from other restaurants is our straightforward menu, crafted with the finest ingredients available. We make everything from scratch including our sauces and aiolis. Our goal is to create food that is honest, nutritious, and delicious. While we offer a variety of options to accommodate different dietary needs, we firmly believe that wholesome ingredients are key to healthy eating.
As a proud local brand, we often encounter questions about whether we are part of a chain. We want to clarify that we are not! Chicknic was founded by four family members who are actively involved in the daily operations of the restaurant. We hope all Austin gives us a try!
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
We would like to also tell your readers we offer catering. All of our menu can be ordered in convenient trays or make-your-own-bowls. We also love working with customers un tailored menus for their events.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://chicknic.online/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chickniconline
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/chicknic-bee-cave?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)
