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    What A Chicken

    4.4 (616 reviews)
    ModerateMexican
    Open 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order What A Chicken Takeout or Delivery

    What A Chicken Photos

    Business Info

    WHAT A CHICKEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - What A Chicken

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    Simple menu
    Peter V.

    I can't believe this place has been in business for 8 years and I'm only finding it out now. Definitely coming back. Had the tacos and a whole chicken to go. Ended up eating chicken there. Couldn't wait. Kinda hidden spot. Chicken was juicy and flavorful.

    Steak burrito
    Sharon P.

    Chicken is good, still quality and big portions. Prices have increased but as expected, like everything else. Love the salsa but small salsa bar, free chips. Lots of seating but small parking lot. Right off a busy street but close to the freeway.

    Shrimp, asada, al pastor taco.
    Lexi G.

    Stopped by here for a quick bite last week, I ordered a al pastor taco, which was a bit salty and a chicken taco which was really good. My husband got a shrimp taco, asada, and asked for a chicken taco but was mistakenly given a al pastor taco. Service was fast and friendly. Ambiance was calm, it was a Thursday night so not much happening.

    Red salsa
    Roberto M.

    Ordered some tacos and ate them at what a chicken. There was a salsa bar with three different sauces. We had the green and red both which were really good. The agua Fresca we tried was the cucumber and lemon which was a bit on the sweeter side for my liking but tasted good. I just wish they put ice in the cup. The tacos were single tortillas which didn't hold up very well with the lemon juice making them fall apart. The asada had a nice crunch to the meat. The Al pastor was a little too salty. And the shrimp tacos had a lot of shrimp to it which was good.

    2 piece chicken with beans and rice with veggies salad
    Drea U.

    Yummy place! Finally tried it and I see why it's always so busy. The chicken was perfect and so flavorful. I got a 2 piece with 2 sides (beans and rice with veggies). The total was around $13, totally worth it. I added some pickled veggies and pico de gallo from the sauce area. The staff were friendly and worked really fast. I had my food in less than 10 minutes. The inside was clean and organized, I took my food to-go but would definitely have dined in if I had time. I will definitely be coming back!

    Burrito has changed. It used to look nice and chunky. Now, it's soggy and salty. Quite disappointed.

    Chicken Burrito with melon aqua fresca

    Delicious! Food is fresh and tastes great. I've only eaten their burritos but they have salads, wraps, tacos, chicken plates, and more. Their aqua Fresca is refreshing. Not sure there is anything special about their chips but I absolutely enjoy them. Great salsa options. I think there has been a recent owner change but you certainly cannot tell as the food, the service and the restaurant is still amazing! I do wish they would open another location in Santa Rosa. Feeling hungry, support local and enjoy a great meal from What A Chicken!

    Pineapple Agua Fresca~ The agua fresca was ok, light flavor.
    Rachelle P.

    LOL my pregnancy bloodhound nose immediately smelled a whiff of someone barbecuing something amazing at Santa Rosa Farmers Market! I ordered the 2pc of Ribs + Coleslaw plate and Pineapple Agua Fresca. The ribs were seasoned to perfection and VERY meaty! I loved the generous coleslaw as well! The agua fresca was ok, light flavor. I would recommend this small business that started in 2018. Santa Rosa Farmers Market runs 8:30AM-1:00PM Wednesdays and Saturdays! We're looking forward to returning to try their famous chicken! SYOY! :-) *Song Credit: Midnight Fever by AI Music

    Nice salsa bar
    Teri K.

    People had recommended this place to my daughter and since we were driving through Petaluma on our way home, we decided to check it out. It is casual Mexican fare with THE sweetest guy working at the counter. Since this was our first visit, we asked him what his favorite dishes were. He said What a Plate (chicken, shrimp, ribs, tortillas, salad plus two sides), but that was way too much food for the two of us so his second recommendation was the fajitas. My daughter ordered the recommended chicken fajitas with two sides, potato salad and rice. Her dish came with 3 homemade tortillas. I ordered the 2-piece grilled chicken with two sides. I chose whole black beans and their homemade tortillas. Our plates also came with a small salad with tomato, cucumber and red onion. The food definitely is many steps above what I expected. We were pleasantly surprised how deep and rich the flavors were. As we were sitting at our table, the thoughtful and kind person at the counter stopped by to see if we would like cups with ice for our water and later stopped by to see if he could close the blinds for us since he noticed that the sun was shining in my daughter's eyes. How sweet is that?! They have a salsa bar with a nice assortment of robust and delicious salsas to go along with their complimentary tortilla chips. Chips were warm and crispy and one of the best tortilla chips I've had at a restaurant. The combination of the food and the kind attentive service will have us coming back for another visit. As we were leaving, I noticed that almost all the tables were full. Others must know what delicious entrees they serve up! There is a small parking lot right outside their doors shared with a nail salon. It is directly across the street from Jack in the Box. Give them a try!

    Whole Chicken $19
    Annie L.

    Why didn't I find out about What a Chicken sooner! I have only heard about them for a few weeks from the Santa Rosa Farmers Market. I purchased a 2 piece meal with a side for $10. The chicken was delicious! It has a charcoal grilled taste, large pieces of juicy chicken! The skin was crispy and yummy! I was excited to find out they had an actual location in Petaluma so I made the drive down and ordered a whole chicken this time with 2 sides (Spanish rice & pinto beans). Shared it with my hubby for lunch and had 2 pieces with sides leftover for dinner. You can make two meals out of it. $19 for a whole chicken is a steal! They also serve burritos, tacos, wraps, salads and fajitas. You got something for everyone in the family! Will definitely make this a staple in the area!

    Menu, salsa bar and cash register.

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    2 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 months ago

    Love What-a-Chicken! The chicken cesar salad is I go to when I want a little bit healthier dinner or lunch option.

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    1 year ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    8 months ago

    Over cooked. Dry meat with greasy coated bbq. 1/2 chicken was back of chicken - hardly any meat and wings. Very very dissatisfied'

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    4 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    1 year ago

    Food is tasty and order was correct and on time. Easy to get to and the pickup went well.

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    What A Chicken Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - What A Chicken

    Are the ribs still Louis or baby back ribs and are they Sauced?

    Hi Still Louis and they are achiote sauced.

    What A chicken, Lombardi, or Roy's Chicago dog qt the yard? What Is the best bbq in town?

    I prefer What a Chicken tbh! I like that they also do seafood. Love their fish and shrimp!

    My lady doesn't like cilantro, can I get my order without it?

    Yes you can ask for no cilantro in your order. And just to give you heads up pico de gallo and guacamole had cilantro on it, thanks.

    Is it true they're closing down and sol food will be opening up at that location?

    No. Although, I've heard Sol Food was trying to open a spot on Keller.

    Happy New Year ! When are you reopening?

    If it is not obvious from other answers, What a Chicken is open and doing business. There are no tables in the building, and just one table available in the parking lot area. Food is still great!

    Are they opened today for Father's Day? Tried calling but no luck!

    I saw them grilling when I drove by today!

    Does What a Chicken do catering?

    Not for the moment. Thanks for your interest.

    What are the hours?

    Hello Audrey for now we are open Wednesday to Sunday from 11 am to 8pm.

    View All 12 Questions

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    FINALLY tried Quiote (took me long enough), and the experience was amazing!…read more Obviously, the best part of dining with someone is turning the meal into a full menu sampling. We started with the Guacamole (a generous serving), the Spicy Tuna Tostada, and Shrimp Tacos. ALL of which were absolutely amazing. You could easily make a full meal from their shareable plates, but we decided to sample broadly on our first visit. For our main course, we split the Ribeye entrée. I must stress how shareable this portion is (it's a lot of meat, but for my protein-focused people, this would be a great one). The steak was prepared perfectly and came with charred grilled avocado and fresh tortillas. Everything, down to the side accompaniments and the great cocktails, was top-tier. On a more critical note, I highly recommend planning ahead: we made our reservation a couple of weeks in advance, which seems necessary as the restaurant clearly gets very busy in the evenings. Will be back to sample the rest of the menu since now I'm obsessed.

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    What A Chicken - mexican - Updated May 2026

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