Reviewing the Charcoal Chicken: HotRock Grill (19/224 Plenty Rd Bundoora VIC 3083)

Is this a chicken store or a charcoal chicken style chips store? Because those fries taste like heaven!


Everyone knows the difference between charcoal chicken style chips, fish & chips style chips and kebab style chips but it looks like HotRock Grill have definitely mastered the charcoal chicken style chips and they don't plan on letting it slip up.


Consistency is key in serving quality and those chips are swimming in chicken salt and they never miss a grain of salt.


The HotRock have clearly won the battle for the best "charcoal chicken style" chips in Melbourne but how do the rest serve up?


Chicken is clearly above average and is on par with the likes of Croxton Roosters but what makes it even better is their homemade stuffing which is an added benefit to their chicken and increases the titillating aura. In regards to the chicken breast it is not optimal but passable and will be amplified by the insane stuffing and the awesome mouth-watering chips but by itself: average.


That is why on my regular trips to the HotRock Grill I have a plan: Quarter chicken and chips or half chicken and chips and I shred all the chicken off the bone and stuffing out of its little sublime areas. I use a takeaway box and discard the bones. I close the takeaway box which it holds inside the gratifying chips smothered with chicken salt, average chicken breast and scrumptious homemade charcoal chicken filling. Then I secure the lid shake it for approximately 15 seconds like a cocktail martini and when I'm done I open up the lid and smothered altogether is a heavenly mix of enjoyable and pleasant beauty which you can eat with a measly plastic fork and not have to worry about getting your hands dirty.


The service is usually friendly and there are about 15 seats inside and 10 seats outside and provided are plates but measly plastic knife and forks. The worst part is they give you only one napkin per meal and you have to ask for more (which are under the counter) and gets annoying after several visits.


The price is decent and ranges similar to the Preston Chicken Shack and Croxton Roosters at approximately $10 per half chicken and chips and $8 per quarter chicken and chips. There is usually decent parking spots all around the shopping centre and close to the store which are minimal 1 hour.


In conclusion: Chips and chicken stuffing make up for the average/above average chicken and equate to lifting the overall score.
HotRock Grill rating:
8.2/10


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