Brisbane’s best hot chicken shops ranked: Big Charcoal Chicken, Brodies, Good Lookin’ Rooster

Roast chicken is more than a comfort food; it’s life-affirming. We rank the very best hot chook shops across Brisbane. SEE THE FULL LIST

Roast chicken is more than a comfort food; it’s life-affirming.

Combine a good chook and the right amount of heat with a little seasoning, and the result can be otherworldly.

Perfect, rusty crisp skin atop juicy, white and brown meat is always a showstopper and something any cook worth their salt should master.

But, sometimes, the craving hits and roasting a chook at home isn’t an option.

We all look to the local rotisserie chook shop to save the day when dinner needs to be on the table stat.

We love steaming, hot chips doused with a little too much MSG courtesy of that classic Aussie invention – chicken salt.

Traditional chicken shops have made a come back in Melbourne, while Portuguese-style still reigns supreme in Sydney.

In Brissy, we are blessed with select charcoal and rotisserie chicken joints that keep locals happy and well-fed with salty, smoky, flavourful birds.

So for plump chooks with an enticing aroma, cracking fresh salads, perfect chips and optional heady garlic sauce – look no further.

5. Brodies

Brodies earns a spot on the list of Brisbane's best hot chooks.

When it comes to authentic, traditional roast chicken and chips, the one name many remember fondly is Brodies. Although Brodies have six outlets, it’s proudly Australian-owned and has been around since 1987.

There are burgers, but it’s the meals and feasts where chook is the main attraction. From a quarter with chips to full-size 13 chickens, the secret seasoning keeps the punters coming back for more.

The chips can also come pre-dipped; that’s shorthand for topped with aioli or mayo and sweet chilli, or hop on the gravy train with an Aussie take on Canadian poutine with cheddar and gravy.

For locations:https://www.brodies.com.au/

@brodies_chickenburgers

4. Big Charcoal Chicken

The smell of Big Charcoal Chicken will draw you in.

At Big Charcoal Chicken, that tantalising aroma will make you a little weak in the knees when you first walk in.

It’s a virtual world chicken tour with a touch of India with a very desi spicy chicken paratha roll, a Yemeni Mandi Chicken, Aussie chicken and three veg, and of course, there are always chips. It’s this little bit of everything menu that seems to set this Acacia Ridge chook shop apart and the locals coming back for more.

Come for the wide-ranging menu or a simple chicken and chips dinner that comes with gravy and some magic garlic sauce.

14/1150 Beaudesert Road, Acacia Ridge

3277 2026

@big_charcoal_chicken

https://www.bigcharcoalchicken.com.au/

3. Pierre’s Golden Chicken

Pierre’s Golden Chicken has long been a star.

Not far from the Esplanade and Wynnum Jetty, Goldie and the crew have been taking care of business and their customers for 20 years.

When it comes to chicken, the family-owned business serves up tender, flavourful BBQ birds for those flying solo to big families. There are chips (of course) and an extensive range of sides, including roast veggies and chook shop gravy.

Pierre’s has twelve salads on rotation. From Greek to balsamic marinated mushroom to a healthy brown rice number and a marinated zucchini number.

They cater for coeliacs with a minimum of four-hours notice to ensure the chicken is gluten-free.

8/89 Bay Terrace, Wynnum

3348 2116

2. Royal Charcoal Chicken

Royal Charcoal Chickan keeps it simple but delicious.

This Stones Corner stayer might be no frills and no fuss, but those fragrant rotating chickens mesmerise as they just dodge the open charcoal flame.

The result is deeply lacquered, crisp skin and richly flavoured meat. Not in the mood for chicken?

Shish, shawarma kebabs and halal snack packs will sort out the entire hungry horde.

Choose a spicy butterflied chook or a traditional bird to make your own combo packs with salads, chips, roast vegetables or rice. (Perfect for capturing all that juicy goodness).

Dips include hummus, baba ghanoush, garlic and real deal labneh.

66 Old Cleveland Rd Stones Corner

3847 2597

https://royalcharcoalchicken.com.au/

1. Good Lookin’ Rooster

Good Lookin' Rooster earns a spot atop the list of Brisbane's best hot chooks.

Yes, the girls here are good-looking, free-range, locally sourced and rotisserie cooked.

They’re also succulent, cut to order with caramelised bits from their signature Le Coq salt. Albion is blessed to have the fast-casual Good Looking Rooster in their hood.

Sides here are no mere support act. Go 50/50 chips and baby tatties and mix and match salads.

While the GLR Signature salad blends pumpkin, chickpeas, kale and dukkah, The Big Red is quinoa, roasted corn, pickled onion and fire-roasted capsicums. Corn goes a little fancy with Cafe de Paris butter pat down.

Bonus points for biodegradable packaging. And a great bottlo next store.

6 Crosby Rd Albion

3326 0677

@goodlookin_rooster