Before you get a glimpse of the shiny bain maries lined up and conclude that Freddy’s Chicken Shop is a slapdash takeaway joint, you should know that it’s actually the handiwork of Burleigh Pavilion’s Ben May, Rob Domjen and Guillaume Zika alongside keen surfer Paul Surman. The team, who all spend a considerable amount of time in and around the beachside suburb, noticed a gap for a casual eatery that didn’t compromise when it came to quality. They would oft reminisce about the days you could come out of the surf and hit up the local milk bar with sandy feet and salty hair for a classic burger and chips, meet people and have a laugh. When the opportunity to take over the high-profile corner site presented itself, they grabbed it with both hands. The end result has the hallmarks of an old-school milk bar with a modern focus – think chargrilled roast chickens, chicken-and-hot-chip rolls, seasonal salads, burgers, shakes and more.

Whilst Freddy’s Chicken Shop is intentionally low-key in its approach and general vibe – when it comes to the food, it’s anything but. The kitchen is presided over by Guillaume, who also oversees operations at Burleigh Pavilion and The Tropic (and once did a stint as head chef of a two-Michelin-starred restaurant), so there’s a strong focus on quality. Guillaume has utilised his tight-knit network of local farms and producers to ensure Freddy’s champions a local, sustainable and ethical ethos. The chemical-free chooks, for example, are sourced from the Noosa hinterland and cooked in a flame-grill rotisserie, whilst the farm-to-plate salads and burgers are made using quality, seasonal produce. Freddy’s is the perfect spot for a post-surf bite, or grab a bird to-go for a guilt-free takeaway dinner. There are plans to introduce a coffee window that will sling Blackboard Coffee and piping-hot cinnamon-dusted doughnuts that are made-to-order – yum!

Freddy’s Chicken Shop is open now! Roll over to our Stumble Guide for opening times.