Photo by Jess Kearney.
Simon Haslam
If you’re thinking about a simple takeaway chicken, with maybe a broccoli dukka tahini pecan and dried fig salad, The Coop Rotisserie is your new chicken, salad and roast vegetable takeaway alternative – located right in the heart of Byron Bay on Jonson St, run by enthusiastic couple Adam and Lisa.
This is a welcome return home to the Northern Rivers for Lisa (front of house), who grew up near Murwillumbah; her brother runs a deli in the town and their connections ensure that all the produce is regionally sourced, but the real hot young stars of the show are the chickens, who come direct from a third-generation poultry farmer.
They don’t just have one very modern and tasty salad, they have 16 salads, with something to suit everyone’s taste and dietary requirements, from the classics to that very enticing broccoli dukka tahini pecan and dried fig salad. It sounded so good I just had to write it a second time.
Evidence of Adam’s Swiss German training can be found in the beautiful Kartoffel (potato) salad and his special coleslaw with apple. From Monday to Friday they offer a lunch special of chicken and two salads for $15.
Over the holidays the house is often full of guests, and everyone’s more interested in having a good time and eating well, than spending hours preparing food. This is where the Coop might be able to help – they do catering, and other meats to order, and have already developed a following for their lamb shoulder, duck confit and pork belly (pre order only).
Adam and Lisa are somewhat accidental arrivals to Byron, as Adam was managing the development of the chicken rotisserie project for someone else, when they decided not to proceed, but Lisa says ‘it was perfect timing’ as she was keen to return home to the Northern Rivers, and ‘loves being part of a small community where people connect more freely.’
The couple are proudly green and clean, solar powered, all their packaging is recyclable, and any leftover food is given to Liberation Larder to feed the homeless. They are proud suppliers of Rosnay organic products, and they would love you to drop in and say hello and have a look at their selection.
Website and online ordering coming in the new year!
The Coop Rotisserie and Larder.
91 Jonson St, Byron Bay. Open 11am to 7pm
Sunday to Friday.
I’m a bit surprised people still eat dead chickens, cheap and fast I suppose.