Star chef and television personality Carla Hall is opening a restaurant, bumblebirds. The Capitol Hill location brings Hall’s Southern-style fried chicken to the city, in partnership with Sunnyside Restaurant Group. The restaurant occupies the former Good Stuff Eatery space.
Carla Hall Debuts in Washington With Bumblebirds
Carla Hall will open her new fast-casual eatery, bumblebirds, in the Capitol Hill neighbourhood of Washington, D.C.
Hall is partnering with Sunnyside Restaurant Group, the family-owned hospitality company led by the Mendelsohn family. The concept combines Hall’s Southern cuisine with a fast-casual format. It emphasizes fried chicken sandwiches, refreshing beverages, and warm hospitality.
Hall has created a menu showcasing Southern comfort flavors based on family recipes, including her grandmother’s. “bumblebirds is my love letter to the South and to D.C., a place that’s been home for a long time,” said Carla Hall.
Diners can relish homestyle sides like Southern biscuits, pimento cheese boards, and kettle chips. The beverage program was developed by mixologist Andra “AJ” Johnson.
Sunnyside Restaurant Group CEO, Micheline Mendelsohn, said the partnership is a perfect fit given Hall’s creativity and charisma. “This moment feels perfect. Capitol Hill is ready for something playful and bold, and bumblebirds lets us introduce a new kind of fast-casual energy while staying true to what we do best: quality, hospitality, and a real sense of place.”
The project also marks a renewed collaboration between Hall and the Mendelsohn family. The two have known each other for decades through personal and professional ties in the restaurant industry.
Grand Opening Details
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The restaurant will first open its doors on March 14, 2026, from 11 am to 1 pm. Located at 303 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, the restaurant seats 125 guests and will offer delivery and takeout through Uber Eats.
At the Grand Opening Celebration, the first 100 guests will receive a free OG Bumble chicken sandwich or Southern Fried Chicken Nugs. All attendees will have the chance to win a bumblebirds party for 6 at the restaurant.
The restaurant will open officially on Monday, March 16. Patrons can visit from Sunday to Wednesday between 11 am and 10 pm. Operating hours for Saturday are 11 am – 11 pm.
Carla Hall is a chef, television personality, and bestselling author widely known for her creative approach to Southern cuisine. She believes that food unites people.
Menu Specials
The menu at bumblebirds focuses on Southern comfort food with twists and bold flavors. Carla Hall and Cathy Mendelsohn developed the offerings. They incorporated classic Southern recipes with modern toppings, sauces, and textures.
Highlights include crispy fried chicken sandwiches paired with creative condiments. Guests can also try the dedicated iced tea and lemonade bar. Here’s a brief lineup of some special inclusions:
- The OG Bumble
- The Blue & Buffalo
- The Sassafras
- Southern Chicken Nugs
- Southern Sharing Board
- Sides include Housemade Kettle Chips, Homemade Biscuits, Shoestring Fries
Hall took a moment to highlight that the mission is to make it an enjoyable, friendly place to have a good dining experience.
“We want bumblebirds to feel like your happiest detour, something you didn’t know you needed until the first bite. Drop in to the pop-in! Come hungry, leave smiling,” she added.
Sunnyside Restaurant Group is a hospitality company founded in 2007. The group is engaged in creating and managing fast-casual restaurant concepts. The company has grown its portfolio over the years, both in the United States and internationally, and currently operates nine restaurants.
