the "Food Network" connection

Cindy Baker, President of Chicken Bandit LLC, once owned McShane's Restaurant & Pub in East Syracuse, NY.

 Although once thriving, McShane's was having hard times due to the mass exodus of nearby manufacturers that were the economic mainstay for the restaurant.  Desperate, Cindy invited Food Network's Chef Robert Irvine's "Restaurant Impossible" team to redo McShane's in hopes of saving it. 

During the course of filming the show, Chef Robert claimed he could make better chicken than Cindy's "McShane's 1/2 chicken". In a blind taste test, Cindy crushed Chef Robert's chicken overwhelmingly! 

That same chicken is now served on the Chicken bandit as "Bandit Chicken". Loyal fans of that chicken still track us down wherever we are to eat that peppery seasoned, secret recipe chicken. It's the only place in the U.S. you can get it!

Cindy Baker & Chef Robert Irvine

Cindy Baker during the filming of the McShane's Restaurant episode of "Restaurant Impossible' 

McShane's famous 1/2 chicken, now served on the Chicken Bandit Food Truck & Eatery as "bandit Chicken"

Dennis Souva, Chicken Bandit partner with Chef Robert Irvine

Food Network’s “Iron Chef” Jose Garces with Cindy Baker at his restaurant “Whiskey Village” in Philadelphia on April 18, 2021

Food Network’s “Iron Chef” Jose Garces with Cindy Baker at his restaurant “Whiskey Village” in Philadelphia on April 18, 2021

Chef Mark Vetri and Cindy Baker at his restaurant “Vitri Cucina” on April 16, 2021 in Philadelphia

Chef Mark Vetri and Cindy Baker at his restaurant “Vitri Cucina” on April 16, 2021 in Philadelphia

You will have to decide! Go to Bobby Flay's "Gato" Restaurant in lower Manhattan to try his. We've been there and it's a great place to eat!   That's where this photo was taken . Bobby was working the kitchen that night. Then come to the Chicken Bandit Food Truck and try our famous "Bandit Seasoned" Chicken.