Adam Pechal, who once owned Tuli Bistro and Restaurant 13 and now bills himself as a vagabond chef, is back in town this weekend with a three-day pop-up at Tiger restaurant on K Street. Called Cali Bird and Atom Burger, the takeout-only pop-up will feature riffs on Pechal’s greatest hits from Tuli: a fried chicken sandwich and a hamburger.
“Atom Burger is the burger concept I’ve wanted to do for 15 years,” says Pechal. “It’s based on the classic drive-in burger, with shredded lettuce, tomato and Thousand Island sauce. But I’ve got my tricks for making it a little more special.” Customers will choose their patty (beef, turkey or vegan) in one of four styles: Drive-Thru (American cheese), Gunslinger (bacon, white cheddar and BBQ sauce), Steakhouse (blue cheese, cabernet onions and arugula) or Fungi Fondue (sherry-glazed mushrooms, Jarlsberg and pickled onions). The chicken sandwich, made with Mary’s Chicken, comes in two versions: Crispy Bird (with buttermilk ranch) and Fire Bird (pepper jack cheese, pickled peppers and hot sauce). The menu also includes wings, fries, tots, a couple of salads and craft cocktails to go from Tiger’s bar.
After making a splash with Tuli and Restaurant 13, Pechal left Sacramento three years ago and cycled through a few chef gigs in Northern California before recently landing at Hog Island Oyster Co. He was set to open Hog Island’s new Larkspur location when the pandemic hit and he was furloughed. Since then, he’s done a couple of pop-ups at other locations in Sacramento. “I’m trying to find creative ways to feed people,” he says.
The pop-up will run 5–8 p.m. Friday, noon–5 p.m. Saturday and noon–3 p.m. Sunday. Diners can call in orders starting two hours before service begins, or they can walk up and order food and drinks to go. For ordering, call (916) 382-9610. Tiger is at 722 K St.
