Chicago's culinary scene is renowned for its deep-dish pizza and hot dogs, but beyond the iconic, lies a world of delicious roasted chicken. This guide dives into the top 20 spots serving up mouthwatering, perfectly roasted chickens in the Windy City, ensuring your next meal is a truly fowl experience.
Finding Your Fowl Favorite: A Guide to Chicago's Best Roasted Chickens
Choosing the perfect roasted chicken can be a daunting task, especially in a city as diverse as Chicago. To help you navigate the options, we've compiled this list based on factors like:
- Flavor Profile: From classic herb-roasted to spicy variations, we consider the unique taste each restaurant brings to the table (or rather, the roasting pan!).
- Preparation Method: We've included restaurants using various roasting techniques, from traditional oven roasting to spit-roasting, ensuring variety in texture and taste.
- Overall Quality: This includes the quality of ingredients used, the freshness of the chicken, and the overall presentation of the dish.
- Customer Reviews & Ratings: We've factored in customer feedback from various sources to reflect the overall dining experience.
Top 20 Roasted Chicken Restaurants in Chicago: A Culinary Journey
This list is presented in alphabetical order, not by ranking, as each restaurant offers a unique and delicious take on roasted chicken.
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Andros Taverna: This Greek spot offers a fantastic lemon roasted chicken, crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Their simple seasoning allows the natural chicken flavor to shine.
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Bavette's Bar & Boeuf: While known for its steak, Bavette's also serves a beautifully roasted chicken as a side dish, making it a worthy addition to this list. Expect perfectly browned skin and tender meat.
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Big Star: Their roasted chicken is a casual, yet delicious choice, perfectly complemented by their famous tacos.
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Bohemian House: A sophisticated take on roasted chicken, this restaurant uses high-quality ingredients and meticulous preparation.
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Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!: This Spanish tapas restaurant offers a flavorful paella that often features wonderfully roasted chicken.
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Chicaco: This restaurant brings a modern twist to Latin American cuisine with a frequently changing menu that sometimes includes fantastic roasted chicken dishes.
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Girl & the Goat: Stephanie Izard's renowned restaurant features creative and unique dishes. While the menu changes, their chicken preparations are always exceptional.
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Monteverde: This Italian restaurant serves a perfectly roasted chicken that is often featured on their ever-changing menu, usually with creative seasonal vegetable accompaniments.
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RPM Italian: A high-end option, RPM Italian's roasted chicken is known for its elegant preparation and rich flavor.
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RPM Steak: Another RPM Group establishment, this steakhouse also offers a beautifully roasted chicken as a side, showcasing their commitment to high-quality ingredients.
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Rosebud on Taylor Street: This Italian-American staple delivers a classic roasted chicken with a comforting, familiar taste.
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Siena Tavern: This trendy restaurant boasts a contemporary take on Italian cuisine, with a roasted chicken that's both stylish and delicious.
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The Purple Pig: Expect small plates with high-quality ingredients at this lively restaurant. Their roasted chicken dishes frequently appear on their menu, with unique flavor combinations.
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The Publican: This gastropub offers a roasted chicken dish that's perfect for a casual, yet satisfying meal.
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RPM Italian: Known for upscale Italian cuisine, their roasted chicken is a luxurious choice.
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Aba: This Mediterranean restaurant offers a variety of flavorful chicken dishes, often including roasted options.
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Little Goat: Another Stephanie Izard creation, this spot is known for its creative and inventive cuisine, including unique chicken preparations.
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Avec: This Mediterranean-inspired restaurant uses fresh, seasonal ingredients and showcases a simple, yet flavorful approach to roasted chicken.
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Parsons Chicken & Fish: Though primarily known for fried chicken, they also offer a well-executed roasted chicken option.
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Federales: This modern Mexican restaurant uses fresh, high-quality ingredients, frequently featuring delicious roasted chicken dishes.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Roasted Chicken
| Factor | Description |
|---|---|
| Price | Prices vary widely, from casual to fine dining establishments. |
| Ambiance | From casual pubs to elegant restaurants, choose the atmosphere that suits you. |
| Location | Consider proximity to your location or planned activities. |
| Sides | Many restaurants offer various sides, such as roasted vegetables or potatoes. |
| Special Diets | Check menus for vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free options. |
This guide provides a starting point for your roasted chicken adventure in Chicago. Remember to check restaurant websites or call ahead to confirm menus and availability, especially for seasonal dishes. Enjoy your culinary journey!
