YKO Chicken BBQ

I liked the flavor of the chicken, the service, and how quickly it was served. The chicken has a charcoal flavor that makes it special. The only thing I would recommend is that this restaurant change its ambiance and exterior signage, as I had trouble finding it even when I was standing in front of it; it doesn’t look like a restaurant but more like a mechanic’s workshop.

Listen this place is chaotic as hell but the chicken is so damn good!. It has the same energy as a very busy gas station or coffee shop except the wait times can be from 30 min – 45 min. I cant speak on the other location but this one has a parking lot next door that makes the wait a bit more easier. Is it worth the wait? Yes!!! best chicken in town.

I went to YKO Chicken on weekend trip to Ottawa, and given the short amount of time spent, it was definitely one of the highlights of the trip. I got a half chicken dinner with rice and fries. The very friendly staff snuck us in a bit of cabbage and fried plantains. No stretch it was some of the best chicken I’ve ever had, the unique seasoning and smoky flavour really made an impression on me. I was tasting it the rest of the evening. A definite hole in the wall. Easy to mistake it for not being open, but a true Ottawa gem representing the Ivory Coast.

September 2023 update: always delicious!! Glad to see this place busy on a Friday night. The plantain were PERFECT!!!

Original review:
Enjoy the famous YKO chicken without the lineups of McArthur. Lovely service and without a doubt the best grilled chicken in Ottawa. Super well-priced for quality food. We had a whole chicken, plantain, and salad which will easily feed 2 for more than one meal. Called ahead to order, quick pickup. Get your fix 🐔

YKO is charcoal roasted BBQ chicken perfection.👌

I’ve been a long time customer at their other location and once I saw them opening near me in byward I was ecstatic, and this order may have been the best yet!

Whole roasted chicken (5/5) – Firstly, the quality of the chicken surpasses the competition and it’s not one of those enormous nasty GMO chickens. It’s not as fatty as others and has incredible texture. The smokiness from the charcoal BBQ is the canvas on which their incredible seasonings paint an explosively flavorful masterpiece!🍗 The chicken comes butterflied for easy eating!

Attiéké with salsa (4.9/5) – though it may look like rice, it’s actually cassava. Similar to rice it is light flavored but has some fermented tang and goes so incredibly well with the included salsa!😋 I would recommend buying an extra salsa if you’re getting Attiéké, you won’t regret it!

Plantains (4.4/5) – good sized portion of very tasty plantain chunks, could have used a tiny bit more caramelization but was still incredibly good, tastes great dipped into the salsa!

Super friendly service, looking forward to my next order 😃