The Bird, the restaurant-bar formerly known as Willie Bird’s, is changing locations.
Over the weekend, the Press Democrat reports that the Santa Rosa Avenue diner held a bon voyage party of sorts with live music in a tent in the parking lot. The gathering was COVID-19 compliant. Owner Joe Castro had come under some fire during the pandemic for allegedly allowing indoor dining at a time when only take out was allowed, but Castro says no fines were issued, although the restaurant did get a warning from the city. The spot was originally the home of Stein Haus Hof Brau in the 1960s. In 1980, Aloha Benedetti and her son Willie bought the restaurant and turned it into Willie Bird’s, selling many turkey centric dishes. A year after Willie Benedetti’s death in 2018, Castro purchased the restaurant. The Bird will now make its move to a spot along Sonoma Highway in Rincon Valley. Castro says he’s shooting to reopen by Mother’s Day.