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A collection of seven dishes filled with food on a wooden table.
Hermosa’s roast chicken is among the best.
Jack X. Li/Eater Chicago

Where to Eat Succulent Roast Chicken in Chicago

The bird is the word

by Eater Staff and Ashok Selvam Updated
View as Map
Hermosa’s roast chicken is among the best.
| Jack X. Li/Eater Chicago
by Eater Staff and Ashok Selvam Updated

Roast chicken can come in many permutations. When executed properly, smiles abound. The meat’s moist without any overcooked dry portions. Aromatics bring nostalgia and perfectly crispy skin that intermingles with whatever seasoning the chef selects. These birds taste different from grilled chickens. The oven or spit brings a distinctive set of characteristics. At a sit-down restaurant, good roast chicken is the type of item that makes diners believe that they can’t cook this at home. Here are a few of Eater’s favorites.

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Brasa Roja

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This mom-and-pop Colombian restaurant gets the charcoal fire going in the early morning and doesn’t stop until everyone’s satisfied. Diners can watch the action up front, where the chickens are seasoned in a secret recipe and roasted for two hours over an open flame. It’s also quite affordable — a whole chicken will only set you back $14.95.

3120 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 866-2252
(773) 866-2252

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D'Candela Restaurant

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On the border of Irving Park and Albany Park, D’Candela serves up spicy, garlicky Peruvian pollo a la brasa, or rotisserie chicken, available by the quarter, half, or whole bird, for dining in or to-go, with a choice of sides.

3449 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 478-0819
(773) 478-0819

Basant Modern Indian Restaurant

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Basant takes a more modern approach to Indian food. That may alienate folks used to North Indian buffets, but if they pause a little and breathe (and inhale the wonderful aromas), they’ll feel right at home. For instance, diners won’t find a traditional tandoori chicken. They opt for Cornish hen for a richer flavor. 

1939 W Byron St, Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 770-3616
(773) 770-3616
A cut up chicken with chutney. Basant Modern Indian Restaurant

Also featured in:

GG's Chicken Shop

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Boka executive chef Lee Wolen has worked hard to perfect his chicken recipes. He’s served it at the Michelin-starred flagship, and now in Lakeview, he’s bringing it to the masses at family-friendly GG’s Chicken Shop. It’s a fast-casual spot devoted to chicken, and the rotisserie bird is what children of the ‘90s wish their Boston Market or KFC Rotisserie Gold dinners tasted like. 

3325 N Southport Ave #2, Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 819-7671
(773) 819-7671
Boka Restaurant Grouop

Also featured in:

Athenian Room

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Lincoln Park’s Greek eatery has been a neighborhood staple for more than four decades, thanks in large part to its popular roast chicken. In fact, Tiny Fey loves the dish so much she called the restaurant one of her favorite places to eat in town. And when it comes to food, we won’t argue with Liz Lemon.

807 W Webster Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 348-5155
(773) 348-5155

Also featured in:

Hermosa Restaurant

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Hermosa chef Ethan Lim was looking for a reason to drop his magical roasted chicken from his rotating dinner menu. Don’t let him. This chicken, a family recipe marinated with an ambrosia aroma, might be the city’s best. Tender, juicy, and just a lovely dish, Lim serves this part of his Family Meal reservation-only dinner series. Make time for this special dish or live in a world of regret.

4356 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60639
(312) 588-6283
(312) 588-6283
A plate of roasted chicken on a plate surrounded by small dishes. Jack X. Li/Eater Chicago

Also featured in:

Feed

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A whole rotisserie chicken at this Southern-style Humboldt Park spot is $13.29, quite a bargain. First, it’s delicious, and second, leftovers can be turned into one or two extra meals. Half and quarter chickens are available as well, with a choice of light or dark meat, and so are wings.

2803 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 489-4600
(773) 489-4600

Tanta

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Peruvians take their chicken seriously and the pollo a la brasa at Tanta does the national dish proud. The signature entrée is brined for 24 hours in a mix of Coke, garlic, cumin, soy sauce, and other ingredients before being roasted in the oven. The crispy final product arrives at the table alongside cannellini beans, potatoes, arroz con choclo, criolla salad, and a trio of aji sauces.

118 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 222-9700
(312) 222-9700

Also featured in:

River Roast

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Come for the picturesque views, stay for the roasts. There are several types offered, from beef and pork to fish, but it would be foolish to pass up the whole chicken. It’s wood-smoked, comes accompanied by crispy potatoes, and is carved tableside. Best of all, there will be enough leftovers for days.

315 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 822-0100
(312) 822-0100

Also featured in:

The Publican

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It’s not just pork and seafood at one of Chicago’s most essential spots. The celebrated farm-to-table restaurant from One Off Hospitality Group serves a succulent plate of chicken using birds from Slagel Family Farm. It’s served with summer sausage and fries for a simple down-home meal.

837 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 733-9555
(312) 733-9555

Also featured in:

Roanoke

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Whether it’s for a business lunch or a pre-show dinner, Roanoke is a solid option for rotisserie chicken in the Loop. The restaurant, located inside the Residence Inn, roasts juicy birds on a spit and presents them over a bed of roasted vegetables and kale mushroom gravy.

135 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 940-3760
(312) 940-3760

Also featured in:

Bistro Monadnock

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The owners of a trio of Chicago bars have extended their wings with their first restaurant. Inside the historic Monadnock building, this bistro presents French cuisine in a simple manner. Instead of chicken, confit Cornish hen stars with a black garlic jus.

325 S Federal St, Chicago, IL 60604
(312) 945-7040
(312) 945-7040
Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

Also featured in:

Bruna's Ristorante

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Chicken vesuvio, bone-in chicken sautéed in garlic, oregano, olive oil, and wine then oven-roasted and served with potato wedges and sometimes peas, is a Chicago classic. Many places claim to have invented it (though the now-defunct Vesuvio Restaurant took the credit, hence its name), and now it’s a standard at Italian restaurants around the city. Bruna’s, open since 1933 in Heart of Chicago, serves a particularly fine specimen

2424 S Oakley Ave, Chicago, IL 60608
(773) 254-5550
(773) 254-5550

Also featured in:

Virtue Restaurant

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At Virtue in Hyde Park, chef Erick Williams serves lemon chicken, which arrives at the table dripping with its own pan jus with green beans and roasted fennel.

1462 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL 60615
(773) 947-8831
(773) 947-8831

Also featured in:

Nicky's the Real McCoy

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The sauce is boss at this Gage Park restaurant with locations in suburban Alsip and Cicero. The birds comes seasoned the Greek way with hints of lemon, oregano, and garlic. A great choice if you're not in the mood for a Big Baby burger.

5801 S Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60629
(773) 436-6458
(773) 436-6458

Also featured in:

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Brasa Roja

3120 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60618

This mom-and-pop Colombian restaurant gets the charcoal fire going in the early morning and doesn’t stop until everyone’s satisfied. Diners can watch the action up front, where the chickens are seasoned in a secret recipe and roasted for two hours over an open flame. It’s also quite affordable — a whole chicken will only set you back $14.95.

3120 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 866-2252
(773) 866-2252

D'Candela Restaurant

3449 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60618

On the border of Irving Park and Albany Park, D’Candela serves up spicy, garlicky Peruvian pollo a la brasa, or rotisserie chicken, available by the quarter, half, or whole bird, for dining in or to-go, with a choice of sides.

3449 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 478-0819
(773) 478-0819

Basant Modern Indian Restaurant

1939 W Byron St, Chicago, IL 60613

Basant takes a more modern approach to Indian food. That may alienate folks used to North Indian buffets, but if they pause a little and breathe (and inhale the wonderful aromas), they’ll feel right at home. For instance, diners won’t find a traditional tandoori chicken. They opt for Cornish hen for a richer flavor. 

1939 W Byron St, Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 770-3616
(773) 770-3616
A cut up chicken with chutney. Basant Modern Indian Restaurant

GG's Chicken Shop

3325 N Southport Ave #2, Chicago, IL 60657

Boka executive chef Lee Wolen has worked hard to perfect his chicken recipes. He’s served it at the Michelin-starred flagship, and now in Lakeview, he’s bringing it to the masses at family-friendly GG’s Chicken Shop. It’s a fast-casual spot devoted to chicken, and the rotisserie bird is what children of the ‘90s wish their Boston Market or KFC Rotisserie Gold dinners tasted like. 

3325 N Southport Ave #2, Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 819-7671
(773) 819-7671
Boka Restaurant Grouop

Athenian Room

807 W Webster Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

Lincoln Park’s Greek eatery has been a neighborhood staple for more than four decades, thanks in large part to its popular roast chicken. In fact, Tiny Fey loves the dish so much she called the restaurant one of her favorite places to eat in town. And when it comes to food, we won’t argue with Liz Lemon.

807 W Webster Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 348-5155
(773) 348-5155

Hermosa Restaurant

4356 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60639

Hermosa chef Ethan Lim was looking for a reason to drop his magical roasted chicken from his rotating dinner menu. Don’t let him. This chicken, a family recipe marinated with an ambrosia aroma, might be the city’s best. Tender, juicy, and just a lovely dish, Lim serves this part of his Family Meal reservation-only dinner series. Make time for this special dish or live in a world of regret.

4356 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60639
(312) 588-6283
(312) 588-6283
A plate of roasted chicken on a plate surrounded by small dishes. Jack X. Li/Eater Chicago

Feed

2803 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

A whole rotisserie chicken at this Southern-style Humboldt Park spot is $13.29, quite a bargain. First, it’s delicious, and second, leftovers can be turned into one or two extra meals. Half and quarter chickens are available as well, with a choice of light or dark meat, and so are wings.

2803 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 489-4600
(773) 489-4600

Tanta

118 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60654

Peruvians take their chicken seriously and the pollo a la brasa at Tanta does the national dish proud. The signature entrée is brined for 24 hours in a mix of Coke, garlic, cumin, soy sauce, and other ingredients before being roasted in the oven. The crispy final product arrives at the table alongside cannellini beans, potatoes, arroz con choclo, criolla salad, and a trio of aji sauces.

118 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 222-9700
(312) 222-9700

River Roast

315 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654

Come for the picturesque views, stay for the roasts. There are several types offered, from beef and pork to fish, but it would be foolish to pass up the whole chicken. It’s wood-smoked, comes accompanied by crispy potatoes, and is carved tableside. Best of all, there will be enough leftovers for days.

315 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 822-0100
(312) 822-0100

The Publican

837 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607

It’s not just pork and seafood at one of Chicago’s most essential spots. The celebrated farm-to-table restaurant from One Off Hospitality Group serves a succulent plate of chicken using birds from Slagel Family Farm. It’s served with summer sausage and fries for a simple down-home meal.

837 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 733-9555
(312) 733-9555

Roanoke

135 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60602

Whether it’s for a business lunch or a pre-show dinner, Roanoke is a solid option for rotisserie chicken in the Loop. The restaurant, located inside the Residence Inn, roasts juicy birds on a spit and presents them over a bed of roasted vegetables and kale mushroom gravy.

135 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 940-3760
(312) 940-3760

Bistro Monadnock

325 S Federal St, Chicago, IL 60604

The owners of a trio of Chicago bars have extended their wings with their first restaurant. Inside the historic Monadnock building, this bistro presents French cuisine in a simple manner. Instead of chicken, confit Cornish hen stars with a black garlic jus.

325 S Federal St, Chicago, IL 60604
(312) 945-7040
(312) 945-7040
Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

Bruna's Ristorante

2424 S Oakley Ave, Chicago, IL 60608

Chicken vesuvio, bone-in chicken sautéed in garlic, oregano, olive oil, and wine then oven-roasted and served with potato wedges and sometimes peas, is a Chicago classic. Many places claim to have invented it (though the now-defunct Vesuvio Restaurant took the credit, hence its name), and now it’s a standard at Italian restaurants around the city. Bruna’s, open since 1933 in Heart of Chicago, serves a particularly fine specimen

2424 S Oakley Ave, Chicago, IL 60608
(773) 254-5550
(773) 254-5550

Virtue Restaurant

1462 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL 60615

At Virtue in Hyde Park, chef Erick Williams serves lemon chicken, which arrives at the table dripping with its own pan jus with green beans and roasted fennel.

1462 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL 60615
(773) 947-8831
(773) 947-8831

Nicky's the Real McCoy

5801 S Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60629

The sauce is boss at this Gage Park restaurant with locations in suburban Alsip and Cicero. The birds comes seasoned the Greek way with hints of lemon, oregano, and garlic. A great choice if you're not in the mood for a Big Baby burger.

5801 S Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60629
(773) 436-6458
(773) 436-6458

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