Al Baik, Saudi Arabia’s favourite fried chicken chain, has had an extraordinary debut in Dubai thus far, with thousands visiting its new shop at the Dubai Mall’s food court to get their first taste.
The demand has been so high, actually, that the restaurant has been forced to limit the menu and higher security to control the crowds.
This afternoon, the restaurant posted on their Instagram Stories that the menu will be limited down to the 10 Piece Chicken Fillet Nuggets. The order will be available in both Regular and Spicy options.
Customers have told Esquire Middle East that customers are also being limited to four orders per party, as some customers have been ordering far more than one meal per person.
Albaik was already on a limited menu since the restaurant opened yesterday, offering, in addition to its Chicken Fillet Nuggets, a Fillet Nugget Sandwich, fried shrimp, as well as sides. Now only one item remains.
Customers on the ground tell Esquire Middle East that the restaurant’s staff are informing all who ask that the full selection menu, including the famous Broasted Chicken, will be available “next week”.
Which day has not been confirmed.
“Dear customers, to serve you better and make your experience with us during our soft opening as per your expectations and following the Covid-19 precautions we will only be serving our 10 Piece Chicken Fillet Nuggets both Regular and Spicy. We look forward to seeing you soon!” the restaurant wrote on Instagram.
The brand opened more than 50 years ago in KSA, and has since developed the kind of cult following that few fast food places get.
More branches are to come across the UAE, so if you’re not close to Dubai Mall, you won’t have to wait too long to grab some of this much clucked-about chicken.
AlBaik was founded in 1974 by Shakour AbuGhazalah and has always maintained its no-frills but high-quality ethos, centered around a famous 18-spice secret recipe.
While AbuGhazalah is no longer with us, his sons have kept it going true to their father’s legacy.
Look to Esquire Middle East for a full review of the Dubai edition of the Saudi chicken chain coming soon, as we’ll certainly be some of the first lined up to try the full menu, as much as our appetites will allow.
Check out albaik.com for more.
