Cult Western Suburbs chicken chain opens in Sydney’s East

Queues have been seen snaking around the block in Sydney’s East for the grand opening of a much-anticipated Western Sydney institution.

Western Sydney’s cult-favourite charcoal chicken institution, El Jannah, has officially landed in the Eastern Suburbs.

The iconic Western Suburbs institution, which launched in Granville in 1998, is famous for its mouth-watering chicken and legendary garlic sauce.

It has now opened its first store in the city’s east, with the Randwick location on Belmore Road celebrating its grand opening on Saturday.

To mark the milestone, anyone with the name Charlie (or any variation – Charles, Charlotte, Charlene, etc.) eats for free, provided they bring ID.

For everyone else, their famous quarter chicken meal (with chips, garlic sauce and a drink) is just $5.

Videos posted on the business’s social media show huge lines snaking around the block, as families, couples, friends and singles waited their turn to get their hands on the famous chicken.

The foodie corner of the internet has lit up with excitement and rave reviews.

DJ Mistah Cee posted on TikTok that he was excited about the “greatest chicken known to man” coming to the East.

Meanwhile, Miss Double Bay, a local influencer, told her followers: “El Jannah has infiltrated the East, nature is healing”.

Other customers called it “the best” and the chicken “juicy”.

El Jannah has opened in Sydney's East. Picture: Instagram/ElJannah

The store had its grand opening in Randwick on Saturday. Picture: Instagram/CoogeeRandwickMaroubraSocial

The Randwick outpost will offer the full menu, including their famous falafels, pickles, fresh rolls and tabouli.

“Opening in Randwick is a milestone moment for us and a reflection of Sydney’s ever-growing love for charcoal chicken,” said Adam Issa, Head of Marketing at El Jannah.

“What began as a single family-run store has grown by keeping true to our founding principles; serving honest food, made with care, and shared with community.”

The store was founded by Lebanese immigrants Andre and Carole Estephan, who waited 11 years until they opened a second store in Punchbowl.

Now, El Jannah is a huge franchise with over 40 locations across New South Wales and Victoria.

The cult Western Suburbs chain is known for its juicy chicken and legendary garlic sauce. Picture: Instagram/seany.eats

Lines snaked around the block, as people waited to get their hands on the famous chicken. Picture: Instagram/chloii

The Randwick opening has redrawn the city’s ‘Red Rooster Line’ – an online theory that if you plot Red Rooster locations across Sydney, a boundary emerges between the city’s north east from the south west.

It’s also known colloquially as the Latte Line, the Colorbond Fence and the Quinoa Curtain.

Honi Soit expanded on the idea when they said it wasn’t just Red Rooster that defined Sydney geography, but other chains that also helped shape the city’s boundaries.

El Jannah’s Randwick store is the sixth outpost to cross the Red Rooster Line.

Originally published as Cult Western Suburbs chicken chain opens in Sydney’s East