The top 25 BBQ chicken in Toronto by neighbourhood

BBQ chicken is a suppertime staple that Torontonians are practically weaned on. Our love for this succulent, crispy skinned poultry has endured decades just like many of the churrasqueiras on this list, and while other food crazes come and go, a properly cooked chicken continues to be as popular as ever.

Here are my picks for the top places to get BBQ chicken in Toronto by neighbourhood.

See also: The Best BBQ Chicken (Churrasqueiras) in Toronto

ANNEX
Find plump chickens on rotation in the window of The Queen of Chicken. Fire-roasted quarter-chicken meals sell for $6.25 with a single side; half-chicken dinners start at $8.25, while a whole bird with two large sides goes for $21.95.

BEACHES
The tequila and lime brined chicken at Hogtown Smoke is just one of many pit-smoked delicious offerings on the menu. It's dry rubbed then smoked low and slow for tender, juicy results. A quarter chicken sells for $16, while a half costs $22.

BLOORCOURT
The Rooster Rotisserie and Grill (formerly Sardinha O Rei Dos Frangos) is home to Portuguese chicken and above average sides including lemon roasted potatoes and roasted artichokes. Choose between whole rotisserie-cooked or butterflied grilled chicken for $9.73 or opt for a quarter chicken combo with two sides for just under $8.

BLOORDALE
The wafting scent of grilled meats from O Bairradino is a seductive force at the corner of Lansdowne and Wallace. Half chicken dinners sell for $10 here and are served with parisienne potatoes, rice and black olives.

CASTLEFIELD DESIGN DISTRICT
Find sports fans yelling at the TVs at Darosa, a casual family-owned churrasqueira that serves up finger-licking delicious rotisserie chickens and selections from the hot table including rice, potatoes and more. Whole chickens sell for $10.50, while a quarter chicken combo costs $7.50.

CABBAGETOWN
Rotisserie chicken dinners are the big draw at the Cabbage Town Kitchen. Available for dine-in, take-out, or delivery, this place dishes out complete meals starting at $7 for a quarter of dark meat complete with hickory or chipotle BBQ sauce, basmati rice, and a choice of Greek or caesar salad.

CLUB DISTRICT
Flock is a take-away counter specializing in chicken and salad for the on-the-go set craving a boost of protein and veg. The chicken here can be had with Caribbean pepper sauce or chimichurri, and is most often purchased a leg ($5) or breast ($6) at a time with a la carte sides like steamed squash or roasted sweet potatoes.

EGLINTON WEST
Churrasqueira Portugal is a grill house where piri piri flavoured frango asado (roasted) and frango no churrasco (charcoal grilled) are the specialties. Quarter chicken dinners start at $6.50, while a half chicken dinner comes in a $9.50 accompanied by starches like rice, fries, or potatoes.

ETOBICOKE
Best Portuguese Chicken on The Queensway serves up moist, juicy rotisserie chicken encased in a crispy golden skin. Order a whole chicken for $12, or quarter chicken dinners starting at $8.50 with two sides of rice, potatoes, or salad.

THE JUNCTION
Marky's BBQ Smokehouse deals in pit smoked poultry sold whole ($19) or halved ($13). Expect juicy, smoke-infused meat customized with house sauces like the Carolina gold or sweet cherry chili.

JUNCTION TRIANGLE
Dupont BBQ Grill House formerly Eduarda's BBQ Poultry & Food is part lunch counter, part grocery store. It's a no frills joint where Portuguese chicken is ably prepared and offered for great value. A quarter chicken combo will return change on a tenner.

KENSINGTON MARKET
St. Andrew Poultry has been a Market stalwart since 1962, but since recent renovations, the butcher counter has never looked better. Among the selection of prepare foods are Montreal spiced BBQ chicken. Buy whole chickens for take home, or enjoy a quarter chicken with fries for $7 between noon and 5pm.

LITTLE ITALY
I happen to like the piri piri sauce at Churrasqueira Do Sardhina, but it's hard to deny the lovely patio and ambience at Bairrada. Bairrada is a best bet to simultaneously enjoy chicken dinners ($6-$12) outdoors alongside a pitcher of sangria and futebol in view from almost any angle.

MOUNT PLEASANT
Churrasco Villa butterflies its chickens and roasts them over hot coals - the results are truly mouthwatering. Quarter chicken (dark meat) dinners start at $9 with a choice of two sides, and best of all this place doesn't skimp on the piri piri sauce.

NORTH YORK
Butterflied and slowly basted as it turns over hot coals, the chicken at O Patio Churrasqueira is a standout on the menu. Chicken dinners start at $8.50 and come with generous portions of rice and potatoes on the side.

OSSINGTON
Alex Rei doe Leitoes has been in business on Ossington for almost four decades, and the secret to its longevity might just be the charcoal grilled chicken slathered in fiery chili oil. Along with the usual rice and potatoes, find side dishes like spicy rapini that are well worthwhile.

QUEEN WEST
David Adjey's fast food joint, The Chickery, does chicken fried or roasted. When going roasted, expect juicy, spice-rubbed meat served in quarters ($10-$11.50), or halves ($14-$15.50) with a choice of sides (including mac and cheese, slaw, or creamy potato salad), and complimented by dipping sauces in flavours like buttermilk ranch and smokey ancho barbecue.

ROGERS ROAD
Spit cooked chicken is a sensation at St Matthew's BBQ Chicken and for $8 expect to leave extremely satisfied after devouring a quarter chicken on a plate packed with rice.

SCARBOROUGH
Churrasco Portugril on Eglinton Ave. East is one fine looking dining room decked out with patterned tiles, bright colours, and contemporary furnishings. The menu is true to authentic Portuguese flavours and stars quarter chicken entrees ($9.25) served with rice pilaf, roasted vegetables and parisienne potatoes.

ST. CLAIR WEST
Churrasco of St. Clair is a local favourite for its crispy-skinned chicken dinners. Whole chickens go for just $11, while the selection of sides is always heaping to the point of ridiculousness. A little more hot sauce would be nice, but the prices and portions are fantastic.

ST. LAWRENCE MARKET
You can't miss Churrasco of St. Lawrence - if the blue and white checkered facade doesn't draw you in, the scent of chickens roasting will. Whole chickens for $10.50 are a great value, but if you're dining solo, try the stellar churrasco sandwich ($6.50) - the handheld version is loaded with pulled meat and the Portuguese bun sops up all the spicy sauce.

WEST QUEEN WEST
Cumbrae's isn't your average butcher counter, but rather a temple of meat. Past the display cases stocked with raw cuts, find the lunch counter bustling as patrons stop in for expertly cooked, ready-to-eat fare including rotisserie cooked chickens, available for takeaway ($7.99 half/$14.99 whole), or for immediate consumption in sandwich form ($10).

WESTON-MOUNT DENNIS
Churrasqueira Beira Mar prides themselves on doing things the old fashioned way. That means roasting chickens over hot coals then painting poultry with fiery piri piri sauce. A whole succulent chicken costs ($12.75), while quarter chicken dinners inclusive of rice, roasted potatoes, and salad costs the same.

YONGE & DUNDAS
George's BBQ is one of those whole in the wall joints where the eclectic menu can be hit or miss. Skip the spaghetti and stick to the chicken to play it safe. These birds come in quarter chicken dinners ($9.35) served with rice or fries, a dinner roll, slaw, and gravy.

YONGE & EGLINTON
The Butcher's Son is meat mongers run by chefs, so while you can buy restaurant-quality cuts, the prepared foods are equally top notch. Chickens here are grain-fed, hormone- and antibiotic-free, and are available whole ($10.99) seasoned with salt, cumin and paprika for pick-up anytime. For ultimate freshness call in your order with 45 minutes notice.

What did I miss? Disagree with my selections in the comments. Top photo from Cumbrae's.

by Liora Ipsum via blogTO