Local Flavor: Dizzy Birds returns for takeout

A popular downtown Biddeford eatery has relaunched as a take-out restaurant.

Dizzy Birds opened in 2019 at 65 Main St., serving rotisserie chicken and made-from-scratch elevated comfort food.  

Last year, owners Barbara and Tom Peacock announced they were closing the restaurant in December and were brainstorming a new business model.

The dine-in business had dropped during the pandemic and had not since picked up to pre-pandemic numbers, said Tom Peacock in a phone interview.

“We have a 1,000 square foot dining area that isn’t producing any revenue. It just didn’t make sense (to operate as a sit-down restaurant),” he said. “We made the tough decision that it was in our best interest to focus on takeout and delivery.”

After some a lot of thought and careful planning, the couple has reimagined their vision for the restaurant. Dizzy Birds reopened this week at the same location on Main Street, and will only serve take-out and delivery.

The menu will be similar, but there will be more of a focus on prepared food and pre-portioned  “grab and go” items in microwavable containers, said Peacock.  The featured items include chicken pot pies, vegetarian pot pies with mushrooms, leeks and lentils; shepherds pies, and lasagna. Old favorites, like the chicken, macaroni and cheese, maple ginger carrots and corn bread will still be available.

“People can come in, grab their meal, and eat it at home on their own schedule,” said Peacock.

He’s hoping to lease out the former dining area to a complimentary business like a coffee shop or boutique wine and beer shop.

Dizzy Birds is currently open 3-6 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 11:30-6 p.m. on Saturday. Peacock said more business hours will be added in the future.

Liz Gotthelf is the publisher of Saco Bay News. She also loves to eat – and support local businesses. If you have any local restaurant or food news, she’d love to hear from you. Send her an email at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.