Red Rooster Portuguese BBQ

Reviews

• Amanda S.

  star star star star star 10 June 2026

  Was on our way to York Region Pride, when we happened across Red Rooster.  We just so happened to be making a stop at the local Party City to deck out our Jeep for the parade and decided we needed a quick lunch. Oddly enough, the two of us just so happen to be having a conversation about Portuguese chicken in the car and it was as if the Portuguese chicken gods placed this at our feet. We just could not resist and slide in.
  
  The restaurant itself was clean and modern, with some nods to Portugal and a television with the World Cup game on (if memory serves). The menu had some great offerings, which were cheap in price. I went for the 1/2 Chicken with potatoes and caesar salad for $13.50 and got a large peri-peri sauce for an additional $5.00
  
  The serving sizes are HUGE, let me tell you that. The chicken itself is juicy, tender and delicious. I felt like the salad itself was kind of an afterthought, however, I could have had more potatoes and on second thought, I should have had potatoes on potatoes. But oh well, that's on me. The peri-peri sauce I got was medium but tasted more like a mild. I got a large size and it was literally served in a bowl. I would have liked a head's up from my server that it was that big, as I likely didn't need a size that big and would have ordered a small or medium.  
  
  Overall, I loved the vibe and experience here. 10/10, would come back.

• Joanne C.

  star star star star_border star_border 9 June 2026

  We finally got around checking this place out and the verdict is meh, I've had better.
  
  Let's start with the positives, good prices and portion size. The dinning area is clean and modern.  We came here on a Monday evening and there was only one other patron dinning which means our food came out quickly after we placed our order however, it also means we are getting dry chicken.  Between the two of us, we ordered half chicken combo with rice and potatoes as well as a medium garden salad on the side.  The salad was quit refreshing but the chicken was just as suspected, dry. I asked our waitress for more sauce as there was barely any on our chicken, to my surprise, you have to pay for additional sauce! It's just sauce man, how much can it possibly cost you to charge customers?!?! Regardless, we paid for a medium size sauce as there's no way we would have been able to swallow the chicken without it.  The rice was also a bit on the al dente size, I would prefer it to be softer.

• Kris U.

  star star star star star 6 June 2026

  My family used to drive all the way to Maple from Richmond Hill to get takeaway from the original Red Rooster location on Major Mackenzie. It was always a great treat for our family and certainly something I haven't had in years.
  
  So ironically, my Friend and I were on our way to Newmarket for an event and had actually been talking about best Portuguese chicken we'd had before. Then while stopping for an errand at nearby Party City we noticed the Red Rooster was a few doors away. What luck!
  
  We took this as a sign and made tracks to get in there ASAP for a quick lunch. There are two doors once you enter, right is strictly for take out or pre orders and straight is for dining room service.
  
  Decor wise, it's very simple, with a nod to Portuguese culture with a few simple frames posters and images. Just enough to set the scene but let the food be the star.
  
  The menu is diverse for sure but most popular was the half chicken dinner with 2 sides (I went with the round potatoes and salad) and a large Piri piri sauce. Special note, a large was not explain to me that it would be enough for a family, I think when dining solo a small Or medium would be more than enough.
  
  Food came quickly and for the modest price the portion size was quite generous. The chicken was cooked very well and unlike other chicken spots it wasn't a boney bird, in fact it was quite meaty. The potato's were also awesome, like soft little pillows surrounded with a lightly crunchy outer shell.
  
  Total bill for two half chicken lunches, two large piri piri, tax and tip was under $50.
  
  Loved it! Will be back next time when in Newmarket
  
  Eatcrest Out

• Yulia L.

  star star star star_border star_border 5 June 2026

  Chicken wings are overpriced but super delicious.
  1/2 chicken dinner plate nothing to rave about - chicken was dry, not your classic Portuguese chicken which is juicy and tender . Too bad , I love Portuguese food .

• Jenn C.

  star star star star_border star_border 27 May 2026

  Having been to the location in Vaughan, I was excited to try the Newmarket location. It was extremely clean, and had a spacious feel. There is two options, to either take away or sit down. However, I remember food taking fairly long to make regardless of which route you chose at the other locations, so we just sat down.
  
  there was one waitress for four occupied tables, and I had ordered hot water but she actually forgot and gave me cold water...I just let it slide. I ordered the chicken wings with salad, and my friend ordered the ribs. When the waitress asked us if we wanted hot sauce, even though it was extra, I was glad I ordered it.
  
  The food came at a fairly reasonable time, but still seemed a bit slow (similar to the Vaughan location). The chicken wings were very dry, which is hard to accomplish since chicken wings are all dark meat. Good thing I had the creamy hot sauce, which I ordered mild, to moisten the meat a bit. I was very disappointed in the quality of the meat as the Vaughan location's meat was extremely moist and tender, and I had ordered the exact same dish.
  
  The hot sauce should not be a cover up for dry meat, they need to go back to the drawing board on getting the meat succulent. Maybe they should ask the Vaughan location for meat cooking tips.
  
  I finished off with a Portuguese custard tart, which was tasty.