Oh Romados, how much do I adore you so - let me count the ways:
Location - Rue Rachel and Rue de Builion in the Plateau-de-Mont-Royal. Yeah, it's a 7 minute walk from the Station Mont-Royal on the Orange line, or the STM 55 (St. Laurent/St. Urbain) bus line. You got your OPUS card, right? Good. Rue Rachel is also bike friendly, so Bixi over.
Service - self service counter. Wait on the long line for your shot of chicken rotisserie goodness, we are all equals here (unless you call it in for take-away in advance, get ready for the icy stares from lesser men and women, or has the tragic distinction of being a vegetarian...in which case, I pity you). After you are done, take your chicken-y goodness to the Parc De Mont-Royal, or sit down on the bench outside. Francine (I think that's her name) would come out once in awhile to greet you and ask you how you are doing in French (I think she is the wife of Fernando, the owner). Merci beaucoup madame, le poulet est superb (sorry, my middle school French from NYC never really developed beyond this point). It's good to have the wife of the great patriarch of Montreal chicken ask how you are enjoying yourself in their presence.
Food - yeah, as if you need to read my reviews to know that they are good. Look at the satisfaction ratings - it's 90% above 4 stars as of Fall 2014. But just in case you don't pay attention, here are the facts:
a) Chicken - juicy tender and flavorful with that smoky flavor, the peri-peri based spicy sauce is downright addictive
b) Fries - plentiful, crisp yet soft and savory, salty like the way it should be
c) Poutine - see fries. Now add a healthy (to the cuisine, not to your heart) amount of cheese curds, properly set up so it's not cold, and then add some very warm and spicy chicken gravy on it. It's Poutine as it was meant to be at the good places - it's pure and well crafted. No silliness like guacamole, no bell pepper sauce, no hot dogs, no smoked meats like the has-beens at Resto La Banquise. Just good, crispy soft greasy salty spicy dirty mess. Like embarrassing good sex that leaves you itchy and sweaty all over. Yes. It's that good.
d) Sumol - I know it's not an exclusive of theirs, but shots of Sumol should be poured while enjoying their chicken. It's citrusy, it's effervescent, it's cheap(ish), won't give you a weird buzz like Guarana, and it's not coyingly sweet like those godawful American sodas. Just do it.
e) Pasteis de nata - the quintessential Portuguese custard/egg tarts. There's a reason why they are ALWAYS sold out by 7p. It's soft, it's crispy, it's savory, it's better than 90% of the tart practitioners in North America (and I should know - I hit the joints in Newark often). Just buy some, and then try the other places in Montreal (a certain stall in Marche Jean-Talon comes close, just like some of the Chinatown bakeries on Rue De La Gauchetiere, but it's just not quite the same). You'll see WHY it's better.
Value - $9.50 for a half-chicken meal, served with fries and tasty fresh salad. Piri piri sauce optional (but highly recommended), or just fine by itself. I dunno, the last time I ate at a Yelp 4+ stars rated place in MTL I had to fish out at least a Borden (AKA the Canadan Benjamin). Here I whip out three Macs and got me some loonies and a toonie, that's good for me and the lady, plus we got leftovers good for breakfast the next day. How about that. If that's not value for the Canadian dollar, I don't know what is.
So yeah. If you are in Montreal and just so happens to be in the Plateau, GO. Pick up a Turkish coffee from Cafe Replika nearby, savor the evening, admire the street murals and await your turn with chicken goodness. read more