Reviewing the Charcoal Chicken: Bee' Bee' Q (95 Upper Heidelberg Road Ivanhoe, VIC 3079)

Newly established chicken restaurant in the heart of Ivanhoe, curiosity shrouded my thoughts as peculiar name of: Bee Bee Q obviously trying to imitate the acronym and metonym of BBQ or barbecue respectively. It pops up down the road from the Ivanhoe Chicken Bar to introduce some fiery and fierce competitors in the Ivanhoe area, so how does it fare?

Well, as always lets start with the chicken: Overall the chicken was substantially overcooked. From flaky skin which seemed impossible to peel off and separate from the chicken to overcooked, dry and an un-tasty chicken wing which was overcooked excessively to render it uneatable. The stuffing was very obsidian and inky and seemed to be overdressed with oil and was too chunky; which seems to be a direct correlation and characteristic to overcooked chicken. In relation to the breast alone, strangely it was perfectly cooked and very appetizing, flavoursome and pungent. It seems the Bee Bee Q could not seem to consistently cook the chicken as they seem to use the breast as an indicator to when the chicken is ready to eat and not assessing the entire chock. (Pictures on right column to accompany)

Onto the chips; had too much crushed sea salt and an under portion of chicken salt however the chips seemed to be decent size in length and filled with luscious, succulent and extensive amounts of potato. The insignificant amount of chicken salt subjectively tasted like wholesale chicken salt as opposed to homemade or local spices which should accompany. Also the regular chips seems to be tiny portioned for its price.

Very small area inside to eat in with 3 tiny tables and another decently sized bar top by the window, there are also 3 tables outside

Couldn't judge the salads but they seemed to have an adequate range of salads in their arranged, specialized salad bar. Also the burgers which I saw them making looked like they put a lot more effort into making and garnishing as opposed to the overcooked chicken

Customer service was alright however needed a little bit of attention as both staff members seemed to be more focused on texting on their cell phones instead of making sure the chicken was consistently cooked all around.

Parking is a slight hassle as it is located on Upper Heidelberg Road and parking is usually maximum of an hour. Price was reasonable at 11 dollars per half chicken and chips.

Bee Bee Q has perfected the breast of the chicken however they seem to be lacking on the overall palatableness of their chicken and chips. Maybe if they spent more time on preparing, cooking and garnishing their chicken and chips instead of their burgers they could be able to pick up their game to compete with the likes of KOTA chicken's homemade oregano, Preston Chicken shack's perfectly seasoned chips or Croxton Roosters consistent quality and taste of their chickens.


Bee Bee Q charcoal chicken rating:


6.9/10


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