The warm aroma of rotisserie chicken greets you at the door at Tilly’s Charcoal Chicken, promising a meal that’s simple and satisfying yet special. Located in Kimball Junction, away from the crowds of Main Street, Tilly’s has quickly become a locals’ favorite and a foodie hot spot. 

Opened in November 2024 by the team behind Five5eeds and Matilda—Ian Pope, Mark Shrayber, Pierson Shields, and Price Nicol—Tilly’s marks the group’s third Australian-inspired eatery in town. 

“Tilly is short for Matilda, a nod to the unofficial national anthem of Australia, ‘Waltzing Matilda,’” says Shields. “We wanted to have some fun with it.” 

Shields explains that in Australia, every suburb has a neighborhood chicken shop; many focus on Greek, Lebanese, and Middle Eastern cuisines. The group decided that for their Park City outpost, they’d focus on Lebanese flavors.

The secret to Tilly’s success is right in its name: charcoal. While many restaurants opt for gas or electric, Tilly’s employs the traditional method of cooking over real charcoal. This isn’t just for show; the restaurant’s Josper charcoal oven from Spain creates a distinct smoky flavor and a perfect char that simply can’t be replicated. The result is chicken that is incredibly juicy on the inside with delightfully crispy, seasoned skin on the outside. “The oven runs all day; we do chicken, pork ribs, beef ribs, and short ribs,” says Shields. 

The menu showcases the star of the show in various forms. You can order a quarter, half, or whole chicken, perfect for sharing, served with salsa verde and toum, a Lebanese garlic sauce. Each meal comes with a choice of delicious sides that elevate the experience far beyond typical fast food. The orzo pasta salad or the falafel provides an elevated meal that is both nutritious and tasty. Other favorites include perfectly seasoned roasted potatoes—with a side of chicken gravy, of course. 

Beyond the classic chicken plates, Tilly’s offers signature items like the hot chicken roll sandwich on locally made Red Bicycle Bread. For a lighter option, the chicken Caesar wrap and the salads are substantial and flavorful, boasting generous portions of that same delicious chicken. Larger, order-ahead family meals, such as the Big Tilly’s Feast—two whole chickens, fries, three salads, two sides, and gravy—will feed up to eight people. 

“Let us do it all for you,” says Shields. “All you have to do is pop off the lids; it’s already hot, seasoned, and fresh.” After all, less time in the kitchen means more time on the slopes.