Best Prepared Grocery Store Chicken to Go?

[Clinton]

Seems every supermarket chain has their own version of already prepared rotisserie or fried chicken ready to go. My personal favorite fried chicken (if it's just made then) is from Ralph's Market. Best rotisserie chicken is from Costco. I've tried other store brands but these are the ones I like. I've heard Stater Bros. is pretty good? Any thoughts?

[JPomer]

if you're in the neighborhood (Western and 8th, I think it is) Pollo a la Brasa is worth a try.

[ipsedixit]

Rotisserie chicken = Costco or Boston Market

Fried Chicken = Albertsons

[krick]

Whole Foods Venice SMOKED chicken. This is not the rotisserie chicken that can be found by the rest of the prepared foods, but rather whole smoked chicken that's across from the butcher section. You have to get it in the morning however (before 10am) otherwise it dries out from being under the heat lamps.

[Melvin Surdin]

Bristol Farms .... very good!

[schrutefarms]

I like the fried chicken from Whole Foods, along with their mashed potatoes. Be careful, though, since their hot food bar is around $8/lb. It adds up quick!! Second Albertsons for fried, and Gelsons lemon herb rotisserie is very nice. And while we're on the subject, I love the chicken tenders from Gelsons hot food deli, they're really really good.

[mollygirl]

I'm partial to Albertson's fried chicken. Something about the coating/crust to me, is better than the others. I found Ralphs and State Bros fried chicken to be very similar. However, for good rotisserie, I go to my butcher's. Their's is the BEST.

[SeaCook]

Ditto Albertson's fried chicken. Their rotisserie chicken isn't bad either. But Costco is the best deat. Zankou is good too. I love thier garlic paste and always get a large to go. It's great with french fries.

[silverlakebodhisattva]

They've been way variable in the past, in part because their deli operation has apparently changed hands several times, but I believe SuperKing Markets in-house roti chicken is consistently the the least expensive; when they throw a special they're TWO for $10 or $11
(that's TWO WHOLE CHICKENS!)

[Sam D.]

Lately the rotisserie chickens at SK have been very good, based on my experience. Their take-out food business is never very busy compared to all the rest of that market.

[Hackenbush]

Ralph's has the best I've found. If you're going shopping there, stop on your way in and ask when the next batch of chickens is coming out of the rotisserie. If you get lucky and it'll be while you're there, grab one of them. So much better than the ones that have been sitting under the heat lamps for hours.

I like Zankou and its clone, Al Wazir in Hollywood. But I find that their chickens don't reheat well.

I've never gotten a good chicken at Whole Foods and have stopped trying.

I tried Grillmasters, which takes a truck to various Farmers Markets. Too much Rosemary on the chicken.

Costco I find quite variable. When you get a good one, they're terrific.

[Clinton]

I've tried the rotisserie chicken at Top Value Markets which is sort of like "Mexican" chicken. The kids didn't care for it. They said it had a different taste to it? They do love El Pollo Loco though.

[trolley]

while costco is a good deal i always seem to have bad luck and get the one that's done a bit on the medium rare side. not what i want in a rotisserie chicken. i love the Bristol Farms chicken. it's about $8.99 for a whole rocky chicken. And not a grocery store but love the chicken from the grill masters at the farmers market. Not cheap at $11 but delicious.
http://www.grillmasters-chicken.com/i...

-----
Bristol Farms
606 Fair Oaks Avenue South, Pasadena, CA

[Melvin Surdin]

Zankou whole chicken .... highly recommended .... Costoco is too fatty and often undercooked.

[OC Mutt]

Costco. It's not only good, it's great! But enduring the lines at the checkout is a pain.

[jay 1]

Gelson's (Century City) had great roti chicken for $8.99. I just had a Costco chicken this weekend, and while it is a better deal, it is not nearly as tasty...hot or reheated.

[annalulu]

I'm a fan of the Gelson's Lemon Herb chicken myself. Fantastic, and perfect every time.

[EclecticEater]

If you're near Henrys, they have a very fine rotisserie chicken, as good as Costco. They move fast and taste luscious. Great for a quick meal. Reasonable priced. You can make stock from the bones afterwards.

[Heidi]

Whole Foods' cooked chickens used to be one of my frequent weekday dinners, but I don't like them as much since they changed suppliers from Rocky. We like Vallarta's a lot...totally different and smaller, but pretty tasty $10 or so dinner (whole chicken, rice, beans, tortillas, salsa). We do think they vary from store to store somewhat.

[OCEllen]

I like the rotisserie chickens at Whole Foods - several seasoning options available and they keep them coming all day.

[wienermobile]

Costco is both the best chicken and the best price.