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Friends, by the grace of sweet garlicky Jesus, the chook lords at El Jannah are gracing us Sydney folk with their very first charcoal chicken hot spot north of the bridge. Mmm, I can practically savor the excitement already.

Located right in the heart of Crows Nest, this new chook shop is set to serve up their renowned garlicky toum, tabouli, hot chippies, Lebanese bread, pickles, coleslaw, burgers, rolls, salads, crispy fried chicken, and of course, their famous charcoal chicken to patrons starting March 2.

This iconic establishment began making its mark over 25 years ago and has arguably become the premier chicken shop in town, boasting over 20 stores across New South Wales, Victoria, and the ACT — and as a Queenslander, all I can say is, lucky bastards.

The modest chicken shop is anticipated to expand to around 50 stores across Australia by mid-2025, and El Jannah, if you’re reading this, I insist you head to QLD next, please. I’ll be first in line.

Having never been fortunate enough to enjoy an El Jannah meal myself, I turned to my Sydney colleagues for their delightful experiences. “Honestly, just lock me in the toum tomb and throw away the key,” exclaimed one, while another claimed, “The first time I tried El Jannah felt like being introduced to genuinely good chicken.” Bold claims indeed, but with everyone singing its praises and a quick scroll through El Jannah’s Instagram, I’m convinced I’ll be making the long and arduous journey to Sydney.

Anyway, it’s reported that the big grand opening will be packed with “mouthwatering dishes, warm hospitality, and the unmistakable ambience that defines El Jannah”, according to the owners. So if you find yourself north of the bridge from March 2 onwards, why not stop by and indulge yourself?

You can explore El Jannah’s full menu here ahead of the Crows Nest opening.