Just based on the wait time to get food, and the fact that it's packed anytime you walk in, you know it's good. This restaurant does just two things- and does them well- chicken and ribs. When you walk in and see the amount of staff cooking the amount of food that they must have to prepare every day. It's remarkable. The smell is amazing. And the smokiness on the food is like being at your favorite backyard barbecue. They fully load the sides that they offer as well. If you go home hungry that's your fault. Because the food is really good here. Just a word of advice even if you order in advance, there's still maybe 45 minute wait before your food is ready to pick up. But believe me it's well worth the wait! read more

This was my first time trying Chicken Lovers in Bayside and I didn't realize how popular this place was. We ordered a whole chicken and a half. The chicken was good, but not mind blowing. The ribs... though? Amazing!!! Super juicy, tender, and flavorful! I'd honestly come back just for the ribs alone. And of course, the green sauce was incredible. Chef's kiss! I also really liked the rice. Such a solid combo with the meats. The mac and cheese was just meh. read more

Chicken Lovers - American Near Me - Bayside, New York

Insane amount of food at an affordable price. Chicken Lovers is a gem the locals want to keep a secret, but even with that, the restaurant is bustling with orders. We stopped by around 4pm on a Friday and it was about 45min-1hr wait for our order. Those who came after were told the wait time would be about 1.5hrs, so def call ahead. But this all speaks volumes to their demand for the food. Chicken is smokey from the grill but still tender. They also pack on the sides. Potatoes are a little too salty for my preference read more

Chicken Lovers - American Near Me - Bayside, New York

Food first, thoughts after... Oh. My. Goodness. Delicious, delicious, delicious. My brother has been chanting chicken lovers for the longest time. They are always sold put but today through preorder we got it. I'm not a ribs person but their is so good. Sides were delicious and paired just right. Chicken was perfect! My favorite now. read more

Chicken Lovers - Whole Chicken & Whole Rack of Ribs with Seasoned Baked Red Potatoes, Cucumber Salad, Green Salad, and Rice - American Near Me - Bayside, New York

Got a whole chicken family meal plus ribs and overall everything was really good. The wait was about 2-3 hours which is kinda long for the chicken but overall everything was really good. The ribs were my favorite being perfectly tender and juicy/sweet and savory balance. The chicken was seasoned well and even the breast wasn't overly dry. Overall, would come again and lot of food for the price. read more

Chicken Lovers - American Near Me - Bayside, New York

We ordered from Chicken Lovers from word of mouth and this place is truly was something special. As you enter the establishment, you see staff grilling as people ordered their food. We ordered the whole chicken and whole rack of ribs that came with a few sides for 6 adults and we did not finish the meal because the portions were so generous. The ribs were juicy and fall off the bone, the chicken was smoky and tender that paired perfectly with their green sauce. There is a wait so ordering ahead is the way to go but it is definitely worth the wait. read more

Chicken Lovers - Whole chicken and Whole rack of ribs with sides of mac and cheese, buttered corn, cucumber salad, and mash potatoes. - American Near Me - Bayside, New York

I know it is called chicken lovers- but really it is about the ribs! I order here via uber eats often and the ribs are so tender. I also find the bbq sauce is the underrated perfect sauce instead of the green sauce for their grilled meats. The ribs literally taste like you are at the best cook in your family backyard bbq event. Highly recommend! For sides I stay simple with the flavorful yellow rice- it's tender, fluffy,and has some surprising flavor (not bland at all). read more

Keepin it real out here in Bayside Close on Sundays, basically the family own charcoaled version of chick fil a. Food is always fire, and that green sauce is next level, idk whats in there but it's basically the green chil fil a sauce. Takes some time to get your order, can use that time to enjoy the view of the chicken being made. Always a treat to chicken lovers read more

Chicken Lovers - American Near Me - Bayside, New York

See all

This place gets very crowded. I never see anybody dine here, but there's always a line. I ordered online and was told the food would be ready in 1 hour!!! This was just ordering it online... I come maybe about 10 to 15 minutes early because I thought maybe itll be ready, I was wrong. They told me itll be another 10 to 15 minutes. I see a bunch of people behind me on line and a bunch of bags behind the counter for take out orders. There's about a staff of 10 people and they're all working and moving. This place definitely has one of the best chicken and ribs since it's always made fresh. The ribs is my favorite, its so tender and falls off the bone. The bbq sauce is just the perfect balance of sweet and savory. If you bring cash, thats the price you see on the menu, if you choose to use credit, it'll be a 3% charge. read more

Chicken Lovers - American Near Me - Bayside, New York

See all

Cuisine: 8 Service: 7 Decor: 3 Value: 9 Overall: 8 I honestly love this place. They are unique, delicious, and inexpensive. The perfect combination for a local no frill, no thrills, divey neighborhood joint where I can get a really gut busting high quality meal for a very reasonable price. For over two decades, I have been coming here specifically for their food whenever the craving strikes. They specialize in just two things, which is grilled chicken or BBQ pork ribs. Since it's a far drive, I always get both. The grilled chicken is excellent. Not 100% of the time, but generally very juicy, which is not easy to do with grilled chicken on the bone. They also cut the pieces smaller in order to properly cook them, but it results in more smokiness as well. Btw, don't forget that delicious green sauce. Some people prefer the BBQ pork ribs even more than the chicken. Which are likely steamed and then tossed onto the grill. Always fall off the bone tender, though I would have loved them to be more smoky. Regardless, still quite good. It's 2025, no longer can I get both chicken and ribs here for under $20, which is understandable. However, half a chicken and 10 ribs for about $30 is still very inexpensive. Most people do takeout, but if you dine in, it means you are sitting in a dingy room with semi-sticky tables and slippery floors. If you can get over those issues, then you'll enjoy your food. read more

See all

Worth Every Minute -- Incredible Food & Even Better People I'll admit -- I had serious doubts placing my order. A two-hour wait for chicken and ribs? I thought, this better be some life-changing food. But after driving 40 minutes, I figured I had come too far to turn back. I ordered a full rotisserie chicken and a half rack of ribs, hoping it would live up to the hype. When I walked into Chicken Lovers, it wasn't some fancy, trendy spot. It felt more like a chicken and ribs factory in the best way possible. The place had a sense of nostalgia and purpose -- workers moving with focus, prepping sides, sauces, and grilling meat. I especially loved the grill-view window where you can watch the team at work. It added excitement to the whole experience and showed just how much passion goes into every order. I had a couple of hours to kill, so I ran errands and came back around 7pm. The cashier, who was really kind, let me know the food wasn't quite ready yet, so I waited inside. And this moment is why I'm writing this five-star review -- and why I'll be back, no matter the wait. While I was waiting, I watched the cashier politely turn away walk-ins, explaining they were sold out for the day. Then a mother and her young daughter came in. She had driven 45 minutes, and all her daughter wanted was ribs. The cashier gently explained they were out -- and you could see the disappointment. But instead of turning them away, he gave them two sides, no charge. That simple act of kindness melted my heart. That's how you create loyal customers. That's what makes a business special. When my food was finally ready, I walked over to the mother and daughter and gave them a few ribs from my order. The mom was so touched -- she wanted to just take one, but I insisted she take more. She smiled, nearly in tears, and said, "These ribs were worth it. You made my day." And let me tell you -- she wasn't wrong. We couldn't even make it home before tearing into the ribs. They were huge, meaty, flavorful, and fall-off-the-bone perfect. Some of the best I've had in a long time. When I got home, I realized the cashier had also thrown in some sides, even though I didn't order any -- another small gesture that meant a lot. The rotisserie chicken (especially with the green sauce) was juicy and delicious -- and I'm usually not a rotisserie chicken person (I'm loyal to Pio Pio), but this came close. Still, the ribs were the absolute star. The sides? Amazing. The rice was seasoned beautifully, the corn was sweet, and the mashed potatoes were comforting and creamy. Now I fully understand the wait. It's not just the food -- it's the care, the passion, and the people behind it all. Chicken Lovers, you've earned my loyalty. I'll absolutely be back -- and I'll be bringing friends read more

See all

Whenever I find myself in a deep spiral of self loathing, I've found that a good half chicken and two sides is my preferred antidote. The most recommended chicken spot (other than Malecon) has been Chicken Lovers in Bayside. Chicken Lovers has FANS, let me tell you. I've resisted coming to Chicken Lovers for a bit now, for 2 reasons: 1) It's about a 90 minute commute door to door. I had to take the LIRR smh. 2) It's grilled chicken. I tend to prefer roasted/rotisserie, as grilled chicken is usually drier since it is cooked with high heat and direct contact with the heat source. This rapid cooking leads to muscle fibers to contract and expel moisture, leading to drier chicken. Anyways, I had time on Saturday so decided to commit my blessed Saturday to making the pilgrimage to Chicken Lovers. When I arrived, I had the best gut feeling. It had all the makings of a legendary chicken spot. It took up 1 of 4 units in a beat up strip mall, the sign is in desperate need of some TLC, when you enter you can see 4 employees carefully tending to the 30+ whole chickens that are on the grill, you can see them preparing the green sauce, etc. This is some real respect for the game, and you can't cheat the game. I walked up and confidently ordered my half chicken and 2 sides ($14.70), and the guy at the front said "it's going to be about an hour wait is that okay?" I paused for about 3 seconds too long. An hour!?!?! I just came 90 minutes out here... but I said yeah that's fine and just cracked open a book. Trying to get my screen time down. After about 35 minutes, my name was called. I was ready to see if this grilled chicken was really like that. Was it going to be tender? Would I have to rethink everything I know about chicken? The answer is yes. Yes I do. This was some QUALITY bird. They really know what they're doing in here. A nice char on the skin, well seasoned, the meat was super tender, well seasoned, and damn near fell off the bone. Unquestionably first team all chicken. I don't know how it's still so tender when it's cooked on a grill. You also get this HUGE pita bread that they cook quickly on the grill as well. Unreal. Rice and potatoes were doing their thing also. You're probably gonna chirp me for not getting mac and cheese, but I'm a simple guy. Sometimes I just want rice and potatoes. $14.70 for all this food is actually an insane deal too. I think I got the lunch special pricing, but this is legit 2 meals for your normal sized human being. THANK YOU CHICKEN LOVERS! YOU MADE ME A BELIEVER! IG @jnov_ Tiktok @jnov__ read more

See all

Chicken Lovers is one of those rare, old-school gems that's been holding it down forever. It's a true hole-in-the-wall spot--nothing fancy, no frills--but the flavors come out big and bold. The ribs fall off the bone with just the right amount of smoky sweetness, and the chicken is exactly what comfort food should taste like: juicy, seasoned, and satisfying. Service is quick, the staff is friendly, and you can feel the history in the place the moment you walk in. If you're looking for polished décor, this isn't your stop. But if you're chasing flavor that's stood the test of time, Chicken Lovers hits the mark every single time. read more

The chicken is good. I only had the broccoli and corn on the side which were meh, nothing special. Broccoli just tasted steamed with no seasoning. But I liked the chicken and green sauce. Staff was pleasant. My big complaint is that it took over 30 minutes for me to get a single lunch combo of a 1/2 chicken with 2 sides. They get extremely busy apparently. So if you plan on getting food from here, call and order ahead for sure. read more

THE HOUR WAIT IS WORTH IT!!! Yup, you read that, the HOUR PLUS WAIT IS SO WORTH IT! Hands down my favorite grilled chicken and rice around. We've been coming here since it first opened, and STILL no other place comes close. We also know there's going to be over an hour wait so we always call ahead (there have been days where they take their phone off the hook and we've been out of luck and had to begrudgingly settle for other places to eat. Now on to the food. The chicken has never been dry (we get ours extra well done(because otherwise it can be a little pink sometimes) and it's still great) it's moist, juicy, and salty. They dont ovetwhelm you with spices because that's what the green sauce is for. The green sauce is such a flavor packed sauce. It's absolutely delicious. We even get extra to keep at the house to put on everything. The rice is SO delicious as well. The corn, and Mac and cheese are my kid's faves. Im a rice and chicken girl myself. OH and they put the pita on the chicken so it absorbs the juices and becomes soft and delicious. I have no notes. Maybe to just give me a code or a password to cut the line. Especially since I drive over half an hour each way for this chicken. Oh yeah for price for the 2 chicken 4 side meal is absolutely unbeatable. Keep up the good work guys. read more

Can't stop coming back for the green sauce, I'm in Brooklyn and with traffic its about an hour. It's honestly addictive. The ribs are so good too tender, flavorful, falls right off the bone. The wait is still pretty insane though. I usually order about an hour ahead and still end up waiting another 20 to 30 minutes when I get there. Worth it, but definitely something to keep in mind if you're in a rush. read more

I stopped by Chicken Lovers in Queens and ordered the whole rib. Portion size was impressive--plenty of food for the price, and it came out hot and fresh. The rib had a nice smoky flavor, tender in most parts, though a little on the chewy side in some spots. Seasoning leaned toward the salty side, but that paired well with their house sauces. The staff was friendly and quick, and the place was clean with a casual, no-frills vibe. Definitely more of a takeout/quick bite spot than a sit-down restaurant, but they do a good job at what they're known for--big portions of grilled chicken and ribs. If you're in the area and craving hearty comfort food at a reasonable price, Chicken Lovers is worth a visit. read more

Chicken Lovers - Whole Rack of Ribs - American Near Me - Bayside, New York

My friend got ribs and chicken from Chicken Lovers for a group of friends to-go and it was delicious. The ribs here are so soft juicy. Meanwhile, the chicken was also delicious (but I just wish there was a bit more seasoning on it). We got mac and cheese, corn, and rice as sides and they were also pretty solid. Highly recommend their creamy cilantro (?) sauce and gravy to enjoy your meat with! read more

Chicken Lovers - Ribs and chicken - American Near Me - Bayside, New York

We did a takeout for whole chicken and sides (salad, mashed potatoes and corn) When I went to go pick up there was seating area but looked mostly like takeout. It's seems they have everything pre-packaged ready to go. So I liked that!! However, the Chicken Delicious the sides, salad was good, corn was ok and the mashed potatoes was definitely boxed not a good look. Services: Pretty good waited sometime to catch someone's eye to let them know I was here to pick up, they were talking amongst them selves which is fine but look over at the counter. Inside: Very clean and well kept. Overall: I would come back only for the Chicken!! read more

We ordered half chicken platters that come with two sides and a soda with pita bread. Chicken was really good with a nice smoky taste. I can see how the white meat can easily be overdone and dry from time to time but our orders were delicious especially with the green sauce! My tomato cucumber salad had some bitter tasting cucumbers today but must have been a fluke. We love the corn and mac and cheese as well. read more

Chicken Lovers - Half chicken with two sides (comes with pita). - American Near Me - Bayside, New York

I've been eating food in Bayside for years now, but this is my first time actually ordering from Bayside Chicken Lovers. I think the biggest reason is because I usually don't eat rotisserie chicken often, but finally decide to give it a try. I ordered the 1/2 chicken and 1/2 ribs. For the sides, I got the rice, Mac and cheese, and seasoned red potatoes. After ordering, it took about 45 mins until my order was ready. There were definitely a good amount of people ordering from this place and there was also a LOT of chicken being prepared. Loved how everything tasted. Both the chicken and rib were great and so were the sides. A lot of people talked about the green sauce here and I definitely loved it! read more

Tried Bayside Chicken Lovers t and honestly, I was pretty disappointed. I ordered the half chicken with corn and vegetables, expecting something flavorful and comforting. Instead, everything was just... bland. The chicken was dry, the corn tasted like it came straight from a freezer bag, and the vegetables were overcooked and mushy. Nothing about the meal felt fresh or particularly cared for. Maybe other dishes are better, but based on this experience, I'm not in a rush to come back. read more

Great place! Good food! I order the other day and said to John : what your last name. He quickly said to me , my last name is Go or Gu . But you can called me John. He said to me your order will be ready around 5 pm. I said may I come back around 5 pm to pick up my order. He said yes. Came back and waiting on line. John saw me immediately and call my name. This place always jammed pack. People always loved the chicken and ribs. I would give this restaurant 5 stars for the food and service. I am glad this restaurant is near home. read more

Chicken wasn't cooked all the way, sides weren't tasty either, Mac and cheese was soupy.

The places is always extremely busy especially on the weekends. If you don't get your order in a couple of hours before they close, they won't take your order. The chicken is very tasty but can be a little dry. If you dip into their extremely delicious green sauce you're in good shape. The ribs are very good. I typically order the family meal which comes with 4 sides. I like the red potatoes and cucumber salad. My kids like the Mac and cheese. The mash potatoes is good. The only is did not like was the rice but that just us. read more

The kids brought back takeout again last night. I enjoyed the food just as much as I did last time, except the chicken tasted a lil bit dry this time. I will dip it in the gravy next time. Again, I am not sure about the service or atmosphere of this restaurant since I've never been there before. I'm sure it's great. read more

Chicken Lovers - Everything was delicious in this photo!! - American Near Me - Bayside, New York

See all

Chicken lovers is a no frills but all flavor chicken and ribs place. You can watch them grill the chicken and ribs, which is pretty cool. The food is great, portions are big and prices are decent. There are tables but most people sit there to wait for their orders because it can take a while for them to grill the meat. Its like cafeteria style seating. You find a table and pick up your order. You order from the counter and they'll call your number when its ready. Make sure you get some green sauce because its so good. read more

Food 3.5-5 / 5 (ranges) Service 4.5/5 Ambiance N/A Always do to-go and pickup order. Food isnt really consistent; however, still good. Always get the family deal with the ribs. Side note: if ordering for holiday(s) Always order in advance and expect very long waits. read more

Best ribs (and green sauce) anywhere. Looks like a dump but the food is on target. Chicken is good too but it's a freaking chicken no matter how you slice it. :D read more

It's coming a tradition to order food from here. We are late or to tired to cook food, just call this place in advance and you will try one of the best grilled chicken in NYC. Call at least 1 to 1.5 hour in advance. But it worth the wait or plan with time . read more

The food was so tasty and well wrapped. It tastes fresh of the grill yet so tender. I did not know what to expect but this definitely exceeded my expectations. We were impressed with the portions and taste. We'll definitely be ordering from there again! Great job! read more

Chicken Lovers - Whole Chicken side order of broccoli and Cucumber Salad - American Near Me - Bayside, New York

See all

I dont like its staff very bad service. I will never come again. The cashier was so rude. I didnt find anything special the wait time was too long. read more

Chicken is juicy Green sauce is so good Got the whole chicken, Mac and cheese, and mashed potatoes Kids likes the sides Parking is hectic but there's parking in the neighborhood I would call and order ahead cus it can get really busy Price went up a little. Always get more green sauce Extra green sauce (4 packs is $2) Some buy the 1/2 qt or qt read more

Chicken Lovers - American Near Me - Bayside, New York

Amazing food at an affordable price point! I ordered a family platter which consisted of a whole chicken, one rack of ribs, and four large sides all for $57! I ordered this for my group of friends and they all loveddd it. The food itself is delicious and the green sauce that comes on the side is chefs kiss. I will definitely order from this spot again and would highly recommend to others. read more

Super popular grilled chicken spot in Bayside that has been around forever. Small place, so mostly takeout, but totally worth it. They offer several meal options - we usually do the Family Meal #1, which comes with a whole chicken (cut up) and choice of 3 sides. Nice variety of sides - faves are corn, mac & cheese, broccoli, and roasted potatoes. Also comes with a pita bread, which is a nice complement. Portions are huge and the green sauce is tangy and satisfying. Staff seems friendly and hard-working. Only downside is the long wait (although they will tell you ahead of time) and lack of parking in the area. read more

Chicken is slammmmmmming, very well flavored. A little charred but it's alright. Service was pretty good, the cashier was very nice and welcoming. The green sauce was outta this world. I put that on EVERYTHING. And I mean everything. The sides are........... nothing special but the chicken makes up for it in my opinion. Will definitely come back! read more

Chicken Lovers - American Near Me - Bayside, New York

This place used to be really good and well organized. Now it's just a mess.. everyone is just standing around waiting for their food. From 15 minutes to 30 minutes and then another 45 minutes.. they are always out of something because it isn't done yet. I would understand if it's a one off but the last two times I've been here it's been like that. I only ordered the chicken and I have to wait 20 additional minutes for the ribs that I didn't ordered.... Why? Because it's being cooked on the same grill? Their food is good. But it's not it's not waiting for 1 hour good.. doesn't matter if you called, came in person or what not. You'd still have to wait.. overall your food will just be cold.. would not come back just because the wait is ridiculous. They should portion out their food and know how many orders they can handle. Not just take every order and have everyone wait forever. read more

See all

The best juicy, meaty ribs ANYWHERE !!! We've been to over 26 different rib joints , from NYC to Montauk , and this place beats them all !!! My wife loves their bbq chicken ... juicy with great flavor ... chicken and ribs with sauces always on the side. Worth the trip . read more

The green sauce is so good! Get extra. I put it on everything! The ribs are consistently good here, juicy and tender. The chicken can occasionally be a bit dry. Try not to come here during popular hours because this place can be a madhouse. People crammed in a small space, in front of the cashier area, waiting for their orders. The inside of this place (dining/ serving area) is a hodge podge of stacked boxes and counters. Could really use a renovation but the food is good so what does that matter. You are not coming here for the atmosphere. I would recommend takeout. Seating. There is some small tables and chairs. Depending on when you get here, behind a glass wall, you can see a multitude of chickens cooking on the grill. This place can be super busy so I suggest you call your order in. Even then there may still be a wait, so don't rush over to pick it up. For holidays, plan on ordering ahead of time. This place gets slammed. Note: closed on Sundays. read more

Great nice service. Food tastes great. Price is very nice. I got a whole chicken w 2 sides and it was enough food for 2 people. Price was good too. Only downside is the chicken was at some areas too black for my liking but it was fine overall. read more

Chicken Lovers - Whole Chicken - American Near Me - Bayside, New York