If you think rotisserie chicken is best served from a plastic grocery store container, think again.
Admittedly, the packaging isn’t too different at Rotisseria, but the chicken is a world apart. The marinated, Peruvian-style chickens slowly cook on the rotisserie over natural hardwood charcoal in the back of Rotisseria’s open kitchen. With only a counter separating them from their dinner, the customers waiting for carryout have the look of those cartoon dogs drooling in front of a shop window.
The current Lake and Bloomington location is pretty hard to find—that is, unless you know to look for a little storefront posted with a small sign and window full of newspaper clippings with enthusiastic reviews (this enthusiastic review is the next to go up).
Rotisseria has only four booths and a bench to wait for carryout orders, with much of the small, comfortable space dedicated to those spinning chickens. It’s not big and the décor is a bit strange (contemporary fabric on the booths with a suspicious camouflage wallpaper that may have been repurposed from a deer hunting stand), but it is a monster upgrade from the dive status of the former Uptown location.
The whole chicken dinner is one of the best deals in the city at only $13.99. Enough to feed four very hungry people, the complete dinner comes with two side dishes from a long list of options like rice, refried beans, tossed salads, garlic dill roasted potatoes and French fries. The crispy yucca is fantastic and sweet fried plantains are a bit greasy, but still tasty. Both are standouts on the menu, but don’t overlook the green beans, which taste fresh and are served perfectly cooked with a slight crunch.
When a customer orders this meal, Owner and Chef Saleh Hamshari, cuts the large chicken into pieces and pan-sears each one to give it a deliciously crispy exterior and seal in the flavorful juices. Those with smaller appetites can order a half or quarter chicken and also have options like grilled fish, steak sandwiches and chicken soup.
Aside from the savory chicken, side dishes and sandwiches, the hot sauce alone is enough to keep customers addicted to Rotisseria—this green sauce is a tangy, spicy godsend. When asked about the ingredients, Hamshari says, “It has roasted jalapenos…” Then he trails off without giving away any more of the magic.
Even with the Uptown location closed, and even if Hamshari won’t spill his secrets, he better keep making his hot sauce and spinning his chickens forever.
Annie D'Souza is the brains (and brauns) behind Metromix's 24 Hrs Notice. She is also the editor of local culture blog, The Suggestion Boxer. She lives in Minneapolis, works on the Internet and usually picks "What Would You Do?" by City High for karaoke.
