About
Joyland is an imaginative concept from James Beard Award-winning Chef
Sean Brock inspired by the original fast-food restaurants of
yesteryear. It was created out of Brock’s innate curiosity and
extensive research and development, combining quick service and
indulgence with the innovation and exploration he has experienced in
some of the world’s best restaurants. What appears as a simple menu of
biscuits, burgers, fried chicken, and more has been furiously studied,
tested, and perfected over countless trials, utilizing pioneering food
technologies and the highest quality ingredients to create a
delightfully fun experience that harks back to the heyday of fast
food.
The Joyland menu includes twist on classic favorites, such as the
famous Crustburger; Joysticks, a cross between Japanese kushikatsu and
Mississippi’s tradition of fried chicken-on-a-stick; buttermilk
biscuits, which are also available gluten-free, a variety of
handmade-to-order shakes, and a revolving hand pie that changes
seasonally.
The concept’s flagship location opened in East Nashville, Tennessee in
2020 and the second location opened in 2024 in the heart of
Birmingham, Alabama’s Avondale neighborhood. Through a partnership
between chef Sean Brock, Pihakis Restaurant Group CEO Nick Pihakis,
and Southall Farm & Inn founder Paul Mishkin, the second opening marks
an era of growth for the Joyland brand. Where should we spread JOY
next?
