Tinderbox Chook House

When Tinderbox Kitchen closed its doors during Covid it was a blow for James Street—and pizza lovers all over Brisbane. But now, the space has a new lease on life and a new use for that wood fired oven, having reopened as Tinderbox Chook House, a relaxed, casual spot for rotisserie chickens, sandos, salads and more.

Still under the purvey of PJ McMillan, who also owns the iconic Harvey’s Bistro next door, Tinderbox Chook House was inspired by Switzerland’s mountaintop cafeterias where you can dine on rotisserie chicken and roasted potato mid-ski run. It might be a tad warmer here, but the idea of being able to get good quality takeaway and casual lunch time eats on the run stuck with McMillan, and after a quick kitchen refurbishment, the Chook House was born. 

While the menu centres around rotisserie and wood fired chicken, which you can get whole or half and pair with sides of salads, roasted potatoes and skin on chips, it’s not all you’ll find here. There’s also snacks and share plates of hummus and pita bread and chicken liver parfait, nourishing salad bowls and buttermilk fried chicken that happens to be gluten-free, all of which can be ordered for both dine-in and takeaway. Over the lengthy lunch period there’s also a sandwich menu, which features everything from a roast chook and gravy roll to a fish finger pita and Nashville fried chicken burger. 

If you are dining in, you can take advantage of the curated wine list, with beers, cocktail cans and non-alcoholic options on offer too. Plus, it means you can peruse the dessert list and stay for a cheeky treat of pineapple and banana fritters or bittersweet chocolate mousse. 

Image credit: Ranyhyn Laine | Urban List