More than 60 years after their grandfather arrived in Australia and built a life around selling fresh chicken, cousins Omar, Shane and Sam are continuing the family tradition with the revival of one of Blackwood’s best-known chicken shops.
Botanic Chicken Shop, established in 1986, is preparing to reopen with traditional charcoal chicken, chips cooked in beef tallow and a secret chicken salt recipe passed down through the generations.
But the story behind the new venture goes much further back.
A sign on the front of the shop shares the family’s history, beginning with Omar’s grandfather, who arrived in Australia more than six decades ago with a passion for food and went on to build a career in the chicken shop industry.
The family credits him as one of the pioneers who introduced chicken salt to Australia, with his recipes continuing to influence the next generation.
“Some recipes are created. Ours were inherited,” the sign reads.
“As children, our father and uncles stood on milk crates behind the counter, learning the trade before they were tall enough to reach the bench.”
Now, Omar and his business partners are continuing that legacy, taking over the longstanding Botanic Chicken Shop at 365 Shepherds Hill Road.
Once one of the area’s most popular takeaway spots, Botanic built a loyal following during the 1990s before changing hands several times.
“It was one of the probably busiest shops in Adelaide once upon a time in the early ’90s, and it was a very strong, great shop for the area,” Omar said.
“Me and my business partners said it’d be a great opportunity for us to just bring back the old-school chicken shop vibe, like what was working there in the ’90s.”
The team has installed new equipment and completely renovated the interior, but has deliberately kept the shop’s traditional look and its original Botanic name.
Food-wise, the revived chicken shop will focus heavily on charcoal cooking, with whole chickens cooked over the coals and taken off the grill throughout the day.
“Cooked on charcoal, you taste a difference night and day,” Omar said.
“Just more tender, more juicy, more fresh because you’re taking them off more often.”
The menu will also feature beef and chicken schnitzel burgers, alongside fried chicken tenders and special sauces.
“It’ll be mix of old school and new school,” Omar said.
“There’ll be something for everyone.”
The new owners are no strangers to the industry, with experience across Newton Charcoal Chicken, SA Chargrill in Hallett Cove and He Said She Said cafes.
For Omar, the revival is about more than reopening a neighbourhood favourite. It’s also an opportunity to carry on the family tradition.
“We’re combining our experience to bring the shop back to its best, with the ambition of making it one of Adelaide’s best chicken shops once again,” he said.
“We’re proud to continue what our grandfather started all those years ago.”
Botanic
When: Late October to early November
Where: 365 Shephards Hill Road, Blackwood
To find out more, click here.
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