Roosty's Chicken Worth The Drive To Minooka: Ferak

MINOOKA — Last Friday, I was driving along Route 6 when I realized I had to make a visit to the first and only Roosty's Chicken restaurant here in Illinois — at 454 Mondamin Street in Minooka.

Due to a scheduling conflict, I was not able to cover the Roosty's Chicken grand opening on March 23. For the opening, hundreds of people lined up around the Parker Square shopping plaza as they waited for their chance to take a giant bite out of their Roosty's Chicken sandwich.

When I rode my bicycle back through Minooka the following day, March 24, Roosty's was still a crazy madhouse. The crowd that Sunday afternoon was enormous, too, making it impossible to do an interview with the new owner of Roosty's, Kerem Kok, whose brother, Emre, owns and operates the Tasty Bite restaurant a few doors down in the same plaza.

To my pleasant surprise, when I stepped inside Roosty's last Friday during the lunch hour, the fast-food restaurant was busy, but the crowd was not overwhelming.

At the front counter, I ordered the No. 1 combo, the Roosty's Chicken signature sandwich for $11.99. The meal includes a 5-ounce hand-breaded chicken fillet, dill pickles and Roosty’s Sauce on a toasted brioche bun. It comes with a regular drink and Roosty's french fries.

It was a delicious sandwich, and I would definitely order it again in the future. There's something about the Roosty's sauce. I don't know what it is, and they want to hold that close to the vest and keep it a secret. But the Roosty's sauce is what makes their signature sandwich a winner in my book. It certainly adds to the flavor.

As I worked on this column, I went to Google Reviews, curious what other people are saying about the new Roosty's Chicken. In less than one month, Minooka's new restaurant already has amassed 66 Google Reviews. The reviews are giving Roosty's an average of 4.7 stars out of 5.

On Wednesday, Phil posted a review, declaring, "Great local place from people who know their business. High quality food at reasonable prices, and a great example of keep your menu limited and execute it well."

Unlike me, Phil recommended the Roosty's Hot Chicken Sandwich as well as their chicken wings. I have yet to try those. Roosty's offers seven different flavors of chicken wings: Buffalo, BBQ, Lemon Pepper (Dry Rub), Garlic Parmesan, Jamaican Jerk Sauce, Mango Habanero and Teriyaki.

As for its sauces, there's the Roosty’s sauce, ranch, BBQ, honey mustard and blue cheese.

On Monday, Brian posted a review for Roosty's.

"First time here, got the signature chicken sandwich. It was delicious, crispy, juicy, good size piece of chicken. The roosty sauce was delicious and the fries were fantastic. I can't wait to eat there again."

Five days ago, Rocky also shared a review, boasting of the chicken wings. "Very fresh and juicy chicken tenders and huge too. The hot chicken sandwich was the bomb! The mango habanero wings also amazing. This was my 1st time here but won't be my last. Highly recommended if your in the area."

Naturally, not every customer who has eaten at Roosty's during the past month has had a perfect experience. However, the owner of Roosty's seems in touch with his customers' feedback.

On Tuesday, Roosty's posted on its Facebook page: "You talk, we listen! Last week we turned up the HEAT a little on our hot chicken!! Try it today!"

The menu at Roosty's is simple. There's the signature chicken sandwich, the hot chicken sandwich, the messy chicken sandwich, wings and tenders, a chicken wings dinner, chicken tenders, three or five pieces, and kids meals, and that's it.

As for its shakes, there are five flavors, and so far the salted caramel has been the preferred choice of customers, according to the owner.

The other shake flavors include chocolate, vanilla, Oreo lovers and strawberry. I did not order a shake during last week's visit, but I'll be sure to give one a try sometime this summer. Roosty's is open seven days a week, noon to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday.

According to its website, Roosty's Chicken is the newest fast-casual chicken restaurant in Illinois. "From hand-breaded chicken sandwiches and tenders to jumbo chicken wings marinated in our signature seasonings, we strive to serve you quality, cluckin’ good chicken and shakes!"

So far, there's only one in the entire state of Illinois, and it's here in Minooka, at the corner of Mondamin Street and Ridge Road. If you live in Plainfield, Shorewood or Joliet, it's definitely worth making the drive to Minooka, to check out Roosty's.