Cosmic Bird is now open in Irish Hill at 619 Baxter Ave., offering the house specialty vegan fried chicken along with other plant-based menu items. The building formerly housed Flour Shoppe and Morel’s Cafe, lending Cosmic Bird a sort of vegan legacy vibe.
Founder and owner James Morier began following a vegan diet in 2019, but was dissatisfied with vegan alternatives to chicken and set out to develop his own. Morier moved to Louisville in 2021 and first began Cosmic Bird as a “fauxltry” (fake poultry) pop-up at several local bars.
The pop-ups were well received, and a fauxltry storefront has become reality, with Amanda Hancock reporting the story at the Louisville Courier Journal.
‘The vegan KFC’: This new Louisville restaurant serves alternative fried chicken items
(Morier) said he found a recipe that felt like a “eureka” moment. Morier uses a mix of vital wheat gluten, beans, seasonings, legumes and other items for Cosmic Bird’s chicken items.
Cosmic Bird features other vegan items, such as a fish sandwich, mushroom burger, Impossible meat sausages, onion rings, and burritos. The restaurant will offer weekly specials, including upcoming “Sushi Sundays” and “Hippie Happy Meals.”
Opening hours for Cosmic Bird’s opening stages are Monday through Saturday from 12:00 noon to 8:00 p.m.
