Oh my... is this place great! The meat is juicy, sauced and stuffed inside a bun. Make sure you have napkins! The sauce was a great combo of spicy and sweet. Slaw was excellent. Online order thru Yelp just made the experience better.
(5)
Aimee S.
YUM! Just ate here for the first time and it was SO GOOD! I love tiny chicken joints and this place really delivered. Four of us ate for less than 30 bucks. We had the fried chicken, fries, and cole slaw. Cole slaw was pretty standard and fries were good but not great, but the CHICKEN! I'm craving it again just thinking about it! I hate rating something 5 stars after one sitting, but the chicken was seriously that good. 5 stars for the fried chicken. Dunno about the other stuff on the menu!
(5)
Molly L.
Best fried chicken and beef ribs I have ever had. Not to mention the fries are delicious. I also love the BBQ grilled chicken. This place is awesome I love it!!!!!!!
(5)
Brian F.
I've been to this area hundreds of times and have never seen this place. What a loss. Oh, the suffering I feel for years of not coming here. Tonight my lady was craving fried chicken so we set out on a quest. She picked this place. It's a little dive place, AWESOME!!!! Come here. There's a review someplace here on yelp that says "avoid the ribs". That guy obviously caught them on a bad day or has no concept of good ribs. These ribs are excellent, succulent, thick, flavorful, simply beautiful. We ordered ribs and fried chicken, wow, what awesome chicken. I haven't had fried chicken this good anywhere. Go here. I know I will be back.
(5)
Caitlin W.
Best hole-in-the-wall place! My go to for fried chicken. Seriously cant get enough!
(5)
Wil G.
If you have not had Rooster's chicken yet then you are missing one of the best fried chickens EVER!!!
(5)
Taffany H.
Those freshly fried fried chicken are so addictive. I love the homemade pomegranate sweet chili sauce they have behind the counter as well. This place is such a hidden gem and I can't wait to return during my next visit to MN!! My favorite Hole in the Wall.
(5)
Nancy C.
Came here for the first time after searching for reasonably priced and good fried chicken in the tc. Didn't realize that they literally fry up the chicken after you place your order, so I guess we could have called ahead and saved ourselves 15 minutes. However, it was definitely worth the wait. I shared the 8 piece with my fiancee and we got 1 side. The phone was constantly ringing with orders, and there were a couple walk-ins while we were there too. Their menu is pretty extensive but I do wish the ribs and pork came in smaller sizes so that we could have tried those too. Guess we'll be going back... I will say that the chicken is on the salty side, but I didn't mind, as the beans were a good complement.
(5)
Ashlee C.
Love there chicken and coneys are second best in St. Paul. I would have gave them five but they don't have the most polite employees.
(4)
Mike J.
Best fried chicken in town... BBQ is great, and the haddock dinner is awesome too. Check this place out and you will be pleasantly surprised!
(4)
Keith M.
Best fried chicken I've had in a while and some of the best I've ever had. The sides are, whatever, but that chicken: hot and juicy on the inside, batter is zesty and crunchy. Goddamn. Upon walking in my brain took a minute to process that, yes, that is the "dining room". This is a true hole in the wall that is worth the effort to get there: we need more of these!
(5)
Peter B.
I grew up in Eastern North Carolina...so I'm always game for a barbecue joint. I had a large pulled pork sandwich and while it was good, the meat was undercooked (tough sinew left in) and the smoke flavor wasn't what I was hoping for. It was a step above going to Dickies or Famous Daves, but still below what I was hoping for. Also, plan on taking it to go - There were three booths and one was covered with papers when I was there.
(3)
Ryan G.
As a big fan of good "Que" I was really looking forward to tasting the hype around this place. I love obscure hole in the wall joints where they are happy to see you and ask you to come back by serving up a pile of delicious. I ordered a half rack of beef ribs and a half rack of pork ribs. For me, good Bbq starts with ribs. Anyone with a crock pot can make an ok pulled sandwich. Beef ribs: tough to the point of inedible. Picture my 6 foot frame with both feet up on that rib while my hands and teeth battle out who is giving up first(it wasn't the rib meat that lost) Flavor like they dragged them through my fire pit after a Friday night of drinking. Pork ribs: spoiler alert, make these ribs at home. Start by boiling your ribs for a couple hours. Then season them with lawrys. Put them on the grill and sauce them. Make sure you put enough liquid smoke in the sauce so that the non Bbq folks out there are like "damn that's some authentic que right there, yeep. Guys up front couldn't want me gone quick enough, both when I called in the order and when I showed up. Sad thing is, that chicken smelled good and it might be the bomb. For me, if you are willing to let me pay $40 for something of that quality on one side of the menu, you ain't getting me back for potentially foul fowl.
(1)
Joe S.
Nothing fancy here, just solid tasty BBQ and fried chicken. The 1/2 chicken dinner is a steal at $10 including a can of soda. The Memphis BBQ sandwich is also very delicious. Go hot sauce everytime! Plan on taking to go (they accept call aheads)
(4)
Mike L.
I love fried chicken and had tried many this place is legit, hands down best fried chicken I had in a while and definitely the best in Minnesota!!!!
(5)
Alexander V.
The service here was always a positive. I've made at least 4 trips to try out various items. I enjoyed the fried chicken. Just like everyone has said, it was moist and tender. It's definitely an upgrade over KFC and Popeyes in terms of quality and flavor. Unfortunately, I think as a whole, the fried chicken here is just average tasting once you get past how moist it is. The flavor just isn't there for me, especially in the breading. The Coney Island Dogs are ok. I know that some places use the minced chili, I prefer the un-minced variety. If you like minced chili, which in all honesty does make it easier to eat, this will be an above average item for you. The fries could use more seasoning and could stand to be a bit more crisp. I'll go here over the chain restaurants any day, but temper your expectations.
(3)
MALEAH A.
MMMMMMmmmmm!! Finger-lickin' good! It may look like a dirty little chicken shack, but don't appearances fool you! If you've got a fried chicken craving I must insist you dismiss any ideas of visiting the Colonel and treat yourself to some Rooster's! We tried the fried chicken (so moist, so juicy, so crispy!!) and the mashed potatoes and gravy (even better than mom makes). Now we can't wait to get back to try more! Ribs please! :)
(4)
Joe S.
SKIP THE RIBS, but the chicken was great! Seeing all the positive reviews, I was eager to try this place. I ordered the chicken and ribs combo, and was happy to see them dredging my chicken and frying it right then. Everything smelled great when I got it, but I immediately knew something was up when I took the first rib and saw no hint of a smoke-ring. Maybe I'm expecting too much of a place with BBQ in the name, but anyone can bake a rack at home and put on some grocery-store sauce. These were terrible. They were obviously just thrown in the oven, for too long, and then slathered in a mediocre suace that was way too heavy on the liquid smoke. For everyone saying how good these ribs are, please try real barbecue (smoked) and you'll never come back... And you'll be embarrassed about your reviews of this place The chicken was perfect. Juicy, well seasoned, perfect temp. I will definitely be going back for more. Skip the ribs, you'll thank me
(2)
Norman M.
Roosters is absolutely one of the top BBQ joints in town. Their ribs and chicken are really good. One thing puzzled me though. My ribs came sauced which surprised me because this is a Memphis style joint. The last time I came they were dry and I got sauce on the side.? Anyways I think they could use a bit more smoke on their ribs and keep them dry. My favorite in town is still Big Daddy's but I would totally go here. The girl at the register was kind of rude.....noting the comment below.
(4)
Jeni L.
Delicious!!! Great price!!! Fresh made!!! I just love their pressure fried chicken. I just only wish they delivered.
(5)
John A.
My wife and I ordered the half chicken for each of us. They were crunchy, tasty, hot and delicious . The place is small, 3 tables only. We were able to find a table luckily but soon as we sat down, we noticed the phone was ringing off the hook for take outs. The chicken is definitely the best we've had in the twin Cities. We will definitely go back and maybe try the ribs.
(5)
John N.
This place is a true gem. I can't believe I drove past roosters for years without ever stopping in. Don't let the small size fool you - the kitchen delivers! The fried chicken here is byfar the best in the metro. It reminds me of the good stuff I've had down in Georgia and Tennessee. I could seriously eat the food here all day. With so many things on the menu, you could come back and eat here many times... and I recommend that you do!
(5)
Jenny D.
Baboy was looking up fried chicken. We must stop here. It's actually in my old neighborhood and I never stopped here before. We are actually eating our way through the city on our last day here so we just ordered a little food to sample. Fried chicken and it comes with fries. The chicken is moist and and tasty. I'm not a super fried chicken fan freak like Baboy but it's good. I let him eat the rest of mine so I can continue saving room for the rest of the food we are going to ingest.
(3)
Sichen G.
I tried the fried chicken and BBQ ribs last week. Really liked the fried chicken, juicy and crispy. And a lot flavour in it. But the BBQ ribs is ok. Not a lot smoking flavour in it. I will highly recommend fried chicken.
(5)
Anna G.
I have only ever had a pulled pork sandwich, blackened wings, fried chicken, and the hickory smoked bbq chicken. All of these were excellent. The pulled pork sandwich regular size was enormous and was covered in their house made bbq sauce. Some of the best sauce I have tasted. The blackened wings are dry smoked wings, so don't expect sauce covered we wings. They are great if you enjoy beef jerky. I cannot decide if I like the fried chicken or the hickory smoked bbq chicken better. They are so diffreent but amazing in their own way. The friend chicken is not heavy on the batter but it has a nice crunch. The chicken is juicy inside and sometimes you cannot stop eating it. The hickory smoke bbq chicken is not smothered in bbq sauce like most "bbq" chicken in the midwest is. It is smoked with a dry rub that will leave you smelling of hickory and spices for the remainder of the evening. The flavor is Spectacular. I always find it hard to decide between the fried or hickory smoked. Do take out. Eating in is just not right.
(5)
Dan P.
A fabulous little joint on Randolph. The place has been there ever since I was a kid, in one name or another. They have excellent Blackened chicken wings, and actually use seasonings! Not your typical bland MN sh*t. This is the real deal! Seasoned fries are good too, but they need to put a LOT more seasoning on the fries too; at least on MY fries! Costs are appropriate to value, and you'll like the food quality I believe. Similar to former Mpls.' Art Song's on 38th & Nicollet. Different, but very similar setup. A small local place, they have a couple booths, and maybe a table. It's tight. I find I go more than less. Good Service too! These guys hustle, and I hope they make do on their income. They are worth tipping! Great take out source ! Give 'em a try for yourself; see what ya think.
(4)
James I.
Came to Twin Cities for Thanksgiving. Asked and looked around for some good eats. Since I am very fond of chicken that is fried I looked for what was good in the hood. Rooster's BBQ Deli comes up for their fried chicken. This place is a hole in the wall. I love grimy places.There are two booths and two small tables to sit at. You will be close to your neighbors. It's more of a BBQ spot than a chicken joint. By looking at the BBQ awards on the wall, I got the impression that these guys get down when it comes to BBQ. My mind was set on chicken so that was what I only got. Next time I will definitely have to try everything on their BBQ menu. Back to the chicken...The chicken was made to order so that when you get it, it's piping hot. I can't complain. It was crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The batter was lightly seasoned and I found myself savoring the crispy skin. The chicken was not bad, but it wasn't to die for. I didn't find myself saying that I wanted to come back for the chicken. I would take Rooster's fried chicken over KFC any day though. The fried chicken was AIGHT, but I definitely NEED to try out their BBQ menu. 3.5 Stars
(3)
Nicholas G.
Stop By, I Say Stop By Rooster's Boy! Thank you Foghat Leghorn for all those years of great one liners, but your cousin just became one heck of a delicious meal and I say, I say it was delicious! Owner Richard G., a fellow South St. Paulite is cooking up some excellent BBQ fair along with some great broasted chicken and as I was told, is the very best fried chicken you'll find. Is it the best? I'm not so certain quite yet and I'll explain why in a moment... I'm leading off with their pulled pork and man was it good. Moist? Yep! Tender? Yep! Going back for more? YEP! I can't quite figure out how these chain places are staying in business, because they got nothing on places like Rooster's. The sauce alone is worth the trip; a little sweet, a little heat and a little smokey flavor makes this one of the top sauces I've ever had. At one point time I even told my wife I was going to drink it. "Just finish it off with your fries" she said, so I did! "The best fried chicken!" Something I heard by several people, but I'm not so sure about that quite yet... It's been a few years sense I've had the broasted fried chicken at the North St. Paul Pizza Factory, but at one point time I was having it every week or weekend because it was simply that good. So to make this a fair match, I plan on stopping back to visit owner and friend, Cal Ahlquist and having a piece of the family recipe and THAN deciding on who's the best. I've had BBQ all over the Twin Cities and all over the country and I can honestly say that Rooster's is a legit player and easily worth the stop. With only a couple tables available to eat at in house, I recommend just calling in your order and picking it up on your way home from work some weeknight. I'm looking forward to heading back for the ribs and wings, and stay tuned to find out who really has the best broasted fried chicken. :) Even if the North St. Paul Pizza Factory is exactly what I remember, Rooster's, I say Rooster's should be damn proud to take 2nd place! :) **Trip to Cal's completed and I have made my conclusion... In first place is the broasted chicken from Cal's Pizza Factory and in 1.1 place (yes that's a place) is Rooster's! They each bring something awesome to the table for their patrons and it was a close one. Basically, you won't go wrong with either one of these great options...
(4)
Heather M.
Delicious, savory and cheap!! Memphis style sandwich was spicy BBQ party in my mouth. The coleslaw was excellent, not too runny. I was lucky to score a booth with my friend...2 booths and 2 tables, most of the patrons were getting their food to go.
(4)
Jibs D.
Great BBQ here. I was blown away by the Memphis pork sandwich. Whoever says there is no great BBQ in Minnesota is dead wrong, and this place proves it. We received excellent, friendly service and could not be more pleased with the food. We shall return, even though it's way across town from us.
(5)
Hung N.
You had me at fried chicken and ribs... On the way to Wild game and wanted something cheap and greasy beforehand. We were lucky to get a seat, since there are only two tables...Ordered an 8 piece and a full rack of ribs. Fried chicken had a lighter batter and juicy as mother. It was definitely du bomb...Ribs were the shorter spareribs, cleaned, smoked and sauced with awesome hot bbq...I would prefer these ribs over any where else I've been in MN...smokey, spicy, and tender but enough texture to still have a little meatiness to it...fries were also pretty good...place is divey and kind out the way, but totally worth it.
(5)
Samuel W.
So I know everyone loves this place... but I really can't figure out why. We called in an order for pickup. Just your basic chicken dinner with mashed potatoes and gravy... nothing special. We usually frequent The Coop, but a couple of our friends told us this place was far superior so we had relatively high expectations. When I got there and walked in, there were three employees behind the counter... two guys and one woman. They all looked up, saw me, and instantly went back to what they were doing. The two guys started very loudly arguing with one another, flinging curses back and forth. It sounded like it had something to do with the fryer. The woman just sort of walked into the separate room. So I'm still standing there... no one has yet to acknowledge me at this point, but I'm still assuming they will, given that they all know I'm waiting. One of the guys threw up his hands and went off to the back mumbling. The other guy started complaining under his breath and headed after him. The woman poked her head out again, looked at me briefly and headed back where she was. I was quite irritated at this point and, quite frankly, grossed out after having had some time to look around the place. Nothing looked like it had been cleaned in ages and the vents over the fryers looked like they'd been partially dipped in tar. Finally, one of the guys came from the back. No apologies or anything... just, "Were you here for pickup?" in a flat tone. I said yes and he tossed the bag down on the counter and gave me the total. My friend had said she would pay, so I handed him the card. It wouldn't swipe for whatever reason. So I pulled out my credit card. He handed me the receipt to sign and (partly due to the crap service and partly due to me not having expected to have to use my card) I didn't tip. I'm pretty sure I heard him mumble some curses under his breath as I was leaving. I figured that was the worst part. Nope. The chicken was dry as a bone, extremely over-salted and the skin was somewhere between crisp and wilty. The mashed potatoes tasted straight out of a box and the gravy just tasted like a processed bag mix. Of the four of us that were eating, no one liked it. I'm not sure if I can give this place another shot, honestly.
(2)
Chris M.
Rooster's is a neighborhood darling; which I can understand, to a certain degree. Comfort food at a reasonable price is generally going to be popular, but it's somewhat ubiquitous and I haven't come across anything on their menu that is breaking any molds. They are popular for their broasted chicken, ribs and pulled pork sandwiches. The chicken is quite moist due to the pressurized frying, but it is also quite greasy as a result. The smoked ribs, while fairly flavorful and moderately tender, have a faint amount of smoke flavor, but no discernible smoke ring in the meat. The pulled pork sandwich is pretty good, though I would forgo getting it Memphis style since their coleslaw is pretty lackluster. All BBQ items come with your choice of a mild or hot bbq sauce; I definitely recommend the latter, it's quite good. Takeout is pretty much the name of the game here, though there are a couple of booths for dining in (if they're not already taken by people waiting for their orders). As you can assume, ambiance is minimal at best. They also have different daily specials, as well as the everyday special of a small pork sandwich and fries for about $7 (the 'small' is still pretty damn big).
(3)
Mike C.
This is your typical hole in the wall BBQ and chicken place fortunately misplaced in the far nothern city of St. Paul, Minnesota. Immediately upon walking in one will notice the numerous plaques hanging from the wall from all their BBQ competitions that they have won...and not taking anything away from their BBQ because it is good. However, when I go to Rooster's my absolute favorite is the fried chicken (broasted(def.): deep fat fried in a pressure cooker in order to attain a higher temperature and quicker cook time) with a handful of their fries (be careful these are always fresh from the fryer and smoking hot, and have been known to strip the taste buds off any unsuspecting newbies, and a few other sides. BEST FRIED CHICKEN IN THE TWIN CITIES!!! If fried chicken is not your thing, their ribs, BBQ chicken or even brisket sandwiches are equally amazing. Support local shops, support Rooster's!
(5)
Grant T.
Hole-in-the-wall joints like Rooster's are what make the Twin Cities' dining scene so interesting. Sure, it's gritty around the edges, but such patina is indicative of a hell of a meal, which Rooster's delivers on. Last time I went to Rooster's, I had their large sandwich, which is the definitive pulled pork sandwich in the Twin Cities. This thing is beastly, and chock full of Memphis soul stew. The balance between the seasoning and BBQ sauce is struck just right, and the smokiness rolls on to your tongue before the sandwich hits your mouth. Though Rooster's fries are just formidable, their coleslaw is sublime, and meritorious of a side order pint alone. Heck, I stole my friend's coleslaw because it was so damn good. Minnesota sure as hell ain't Memphis, but with hideaways like Rooster's, we're certainly not lacking in the BBQ department.
(4)
Angela S.
Roosters has one of the best pulled pork sandwiches in the Twin Cities! Their ribs were a little dry and I wouldn't recommend them, but the pulled pork was amazing. This place looks like a shack and is easily overlooked, but the food is great. It's pretty small so plan on eating your food elsewhere. I will definitely be back to try their fried chicken!
(4)
kyle t.
Smackin good ribs in St. Paul you say? Sounds like a good place to start the summer of rib tasting around the city. This is the type of place that makes my mouth water a little when I walk in the door. Busy, little place that obviously spends more time paying attention to the food than some big fancy open area for people to mingle around or sit and eat for that matter. Only a couple of tables but anything like this should be as good on a nice summers day for takeout. The baby back ribs were very good. Tender, well cooked with a nice sauce on them. Finger licking good for sure. Had the coleslaw and it was OK, not bad but not great either, Ribs though were the reason for the visit and they were very well worth the trip. Long ways from Maple Grove, almost Canada far but damn good and worth the drive! KT
(4)
Karl H.
When it comes to BBQ people don't think MN but this place is great. Now I've heard Big Daddy's is right up there too but haven't actually had the chance to dine there yet. We did however have a BBQ-off at work between Rooster's, Big Daddy's and Pastor Hamiltons. The consensus was that Rooster's and Big Daddy's shared the top spot. I agreed. But, let's move on shall we. You can't really go wrong at Rooster's. The chicken, ribs and the pork sandwiches are all mouthwateringly good. (may have just made up that word) If I'm in the BBQ mood for lunch I usually swing over for the Memphis style sandwich. Pulled pork with coleslaw (add in some extra hot sauce) is something messy but magical. Definitely try it. I've also had the pleasure of Rooster's ribs passing by my taste buds and the taste buds likey a lot. I know there are lots of rib nazis out there but for me these are where "it" is at. You'll likely have to make multiple trips to try all the good stuff they have to offer but I say do it.
(5)
Tom P.
It's a small place but the service was pretty good and the food was really filling and delciious. I definitely recommend their fried chicken. I have nothing bad to say about this place. The atmosphere is okay but its more of a place for lunch or pickup then dinner. The logo is awesome!
(4)
Steve T.
Pulled pork sandwiches. So many ways to enjoy them and Rooster's does them well. While mine was warmed up on the grill vs the microwave, the meat had a nice taste to it and you could tell that it was slow cooked as every bite of my sandwich was excellent. The spicy sauce wasn't overwhelming and the amount of pork I received was more then fair compared to other sandwiches I've had at other establishments. The fries also are quite tasty with a unique seasoning salt that reminded me of the old King of Wings that used to be on Broadway and Washington in Mpls. Sigh.... My only two complaints? The coleslaw was ho hum and tasted premade and the Space Invaders II table top game was out of order. I will also be going back because the baby back ribs seem to be around $4-5 less expensive per rack then other places in town...which is in line with a true Texas roadside BBQ stand. Which brings me to question; with all these hog farms around the Midwest, why is our bbq so expensive?
(4)
Glenn L.
I'm not a fan of the ribs here, but the chicken is great. The skin is crispy and the meat is very juicy. It's everything that fried chicken should be and nothing that it should not be. The biggest appeal to Rooster's is that it is locally owned and not part of a chain. On a cold winter's evening, there's nothing like joined the queue and basking in the waves of heat coming off of the ovens. Help preserve the funky hole-in-the-wall joints that make America great!
(4)
Nate J.
This place is awesome. Best BBQ I've had so far sense moving to the twin cities. Love the hole in the wall atmosphere. I would give it 4.5 stars if I could for the service the 2nd time I went there. The 1st time I went was amazing service food and everything. The 2nd time the food was still good but the man working there was not good, he seamed very unhappy and overall rude like I was bothering him by taking my order. I told him we would be outside and my food was never brought to me even thought I asked if he could let us know when its done. Besides for one guy who isn't so happy that works there the food was great. Great fried chicken although not the best I've had (nothing compares to Hickory Hut in St Paul). Ribs were perfect very true smoker flavor and sauce was great too.
(5)
Scott M.
I'm not a fan of BBQ, mostly because in my experience, BBQ is overly sweet and sloppy. After repeatedly being told I *had* to try Rooster's, I yielded to peer pressure. I'm glad I did! I and a friend picked up an order of Texas beef ribs with hot sauce and a bucket of chicken. Wow! The chicken was delightful! It was moist and flavorful with just enough seasoning to give it a bit of kick. As good as the chicken was, the beef ribs totally blew me away. These ribs were nothing like the slimy, fatty, sweet crap I've eaten elsewhere. These dry-rub ribs were fiery, spicy, savory meaty morsels and were perfectly complimented by a cold, hoppy beer (such as Bell's Two-Hearted or Surly Furious.) Rooster's has almost no seating capacity, having a small table or two. As others have mentioned, it is a take-out joint. I recommend ordering a pile of ribs and chicken and having yourself a fun evening with friends on a comfortable deck or patio.
(5)
Raphael P.
The best BBQ pork sandwich in the twin cities!
(5)
Alec D.
I would work there just to eat their food. Dude knows how to smoke. Must try, again and again and again.
(5)
Mike K.
This is my favorite BBQ stop. I have only been there for lunch (many times) and I only order the lunch special. It is a huge pulled pork sandwich with a side order of fries. There are NO portion controls here, no perfectly weighed 4 oz. sandwiches like some of the touted "best" in MSP that the magazines and newspapers brag about. I guarantee you are leaving stuffed with the best pulled pork you can find in the MSP area. I prefer to eat it with a plastic fork, otherwise it is a real mess, in a good way! It is a joint, with very limited seating (2 booths and a couple of small tables). You can't find BBQ this good in the cities, I've tried, unless you make it yourself, but most readers don't have the time, experience and energy required to do real low and slow, smoked pork butt.
(5)
Matt K.
I drove all the way from western Wisconsin to get my foodie on at Roosters BBQ Deli tonight! We walk in and it's my favorite scenery. A hole in the wall place smelling of deep friers and smoked meat; bustling with customers waiting on their take out orders. It doesn't look like much on the outside or inside, but that's a great BBQ place, is it not? There are only two tables for dining in, so plan on take out unless you want to gamble with one of their tables being free. ==Fried Chicken== The chicken was fantastic. It had a nice fresh thin breading that locked in the juices of the fried chicken. The chicken was very very moist and full of flavor. My friend rated it well above KFC and other chicken places he's been to. He said it wasn't the best piece of chicken he's every had, but he said it was a solid 8 out of 10 for fried chicken. I concur. Juicy, easily pulled off the bone and tastily seasoned. The slaw was crunchy and fresh, but not spectacular. A solid slaw. Recommended! ==Pulled Pork Sandwich== Now onto the pork sandwich with hot sauce. Whew! This baby is smoking good, pun intended. I opened the thin silver-backed foil to see a heaping very healthy mound of slow smoked pork that was sent from heaven! You could definitely tell it was smoked low and slow, just like it should be! It was very moist and just oozing with goodness. Be sure to order extra hot sauce on your sandwich, without extra it's pretty dry, though the pork CAN stand on it's own, believe me! Their vinegar based hot barbecue sauce is very fragrant and spiced just right. It's not overpowering over the pork and not too hot. It is the PERFECT compliment to their smoked pork. Just a marriage from heaven! 8.5/9 out of 10 --- This is close to perfect for my taste buds... ==Sides== Baked beans -- Never had beans like this. Very spicy. I'd call them spicy pepper baked beans. I found them refreshingly different and tasty. Highly recommend trying these if you like spicy things. French fries -- Very standard, but also tasty because of their seasoned salt they put on. Recommend! Cole Slaw -- Crunchy and fresh, light and airy. Nothing spectacular but a solid side who love light and fresh slaw Roll --- Standard roll from package, nothing special, but hey, it's a damn roll! All of this and the prices are very very reasonable. My meal cost $8.50 with a soda and the chicken dinner (2 pc) ran $9. Very cheap. I will be returning to Roosters! Cock-a-doodle-doooooooooOOOO!
(4)
Alex C.
The fried chicken is why I came and it lived up to the reputation. The pork sandwich was awesome but I should have gotten the spiciest sauce because the medium was pretty mild. The place itself is a little run down and I don't think I would ever eat in. The service was a bit slow so call a head so you don't have to wait. Price is cheap While not the norm, while we were their, another patron kept going through all of the meals waiting to be picked up and taking food. The wait stuff asked that he not do so and replace the stolen pieces versus redoing the meal even though the guy rifled through the food. So perhaps waiting helps to ensure quality...
(3)
Adam W.
A Saint Paul institution. I go for the BBQ. St. Louis style ribs are tender and flavorful. The BBQ pork sandwich and fries makes a great lunch. I'm not a "chicken on the bone" type person, but they do move a lot of fried chicken through here as well--the last time I was here the guy in front of me ordered a 40 piece box! I figure if you're buying 40 pieces of chicken you must think the said chicken takes good...Lots of sides too, from the usual beans/coleslaw to lots of fried stuff. There's only two booths for eating in, so your best bet is probably to take out. That's ok--next time you're stopping by your friend's house for the big game, or bringing lunch to work, swing by Roosters on the way!
(4)
Vanessa P.
Omg! I found this restaurant through Yelp and I'm so glad we gave it a try. It has a very 'hole in the wall' feeling. Only two booths and a couple chairs, I recommend take out. We both ordered the Memphis Style Pulled Pork Sandwich. They make the food right away and even toasted the buns. It only took a couple minutes and our food was ready. In the car the smell of the food made my mouth water, IT SMELLED SO GOOD! At home we opened up the food and how glorious it was. A messy, delectable bunch of food. The sandwich was perfect! Better than any I've had in MN. The fries had a perfect amount of seasoning on them. It was by far one of the best meals I've ordered in a long time. We will be returning there soon for sure.
(4)
Jason Y.
Loved the baked chicken! The baby back ribs are delicious. The ribs are low priced and very meaty-best value at $12 I have seen for a rack of ribs. I got some of the potato salad and I ate the whole 1/2 pint in one sitting! Bottom line, check this place out. Great food. No place to sit really to dine in. Get your meal to go or take out. The service is OK. The employees seem like they are up to no good (or were up to no good in the past). I can't wait to get more of the chicken!!!
(4)
Jason D.
Nice work Yelp! A colleague and I were interested in getting some BBQ for lunch on Friday. I went to Yelp for guidance, and Roosters fit the bill. We both had the daily special of small pulled pork sandwich with fries for $6.99. The guy behind the counter recommended the hot verses the regular. That sandwich was fantastic. Even though it was the small it was plenty big for lunch. The heat mixed well with the flavor of the meat. The bun was nothing special but let's be honest, the star of the show is the pork BBQ. The fries were just regular fries you get anywhere but they made them to order so when we got them they were perfectly hot. If you decide to go for lunch, plan to take it out. There are only 8 seats in there. Don't let that discourage you. We will be back for sure. Thanks again Yelpers, your reviews made for an excellent lunch.
(4)
Houssam A.
The place is set for take out. Very limited space to dine in. We had pork ribs, beef ribs and BBQ chicken. The pork ribs were ok. The beef ribs tasted more like they were cooked in an oven rather than being smoked. The chicken was great. In a future visit I would definitely order the BBQ chicken.
(3)
robert k.
Rooster's is primarily a bbq take-out joint - and an exceptional one at that! You simply can't beat the pulled pork sandwich / basket combo (sauce on the side). I agree with Adam W. - the chicken is not my thing, but it has legions of fans. Again - this place is about BBQ, not overhead/ambiance. So if that's what you're looking for this is not your place. All in all I'd call it one of the hidden gems & best values in the Cities.
(5)
Colin T.
Best BBQ I've found in the North. Rib dinner with Beans and Potatoe salad blew me away and the owner was even nice enough to toss in a few delicious wings.
(5)
susan c.
When looking at the outside of Roosters I was not sure if it was a place I wanted to eat. It is a small hole in the wall feeling, with a little more than two booths and a serve counter. I decided to take my chances and was thrilled I did. It is the BEST BBQ I have ever eatten in my life. I felt like I had died and gone to heaven. The BBQ sandwich with fries and hot BBQ sauce is my favorite.
(5)
Norman C.
This place is absolutely awesome! I was in Minneapolis on a business trip and was in the mood for ribs. The baby back ribs with the hot BBQ sauce did not disappoint! I would even go on a limb and say they were the best ribs I've ever had!
(5)
Nora P.
Delicious ribs, very tender. And the sauce was amazing! I had some of the fried chicken as well (which is free range), it is the best I've had in MN ever. Eating it took me back to sitting in my Grandmother's kitchen in rural Mississippi and drinking sweet tea when I would visit for the summer as a kid. If you like good food, you have GOT to try this place (which means everybody, who doesn't like good food?)
(5)
Katrina B.
As someone who cares more about food for what it is, and not what people want it to be (.ie. "Memphis style." I couldn't care less), and someone who likes greasy food on occasion, I love Rooster's. I used to live a block away, which was the best. I usually get a burger, sometimes one of the pork sandwiches, and I've never been disappointed. The fries aren't the greatest, but they're good. Haters to the left --- this girl's a lifetime Rooster's fan.
(5)
Bill H.
The pork is as though the pig died, went to heaven and was thus cast back down by god for being too tender and delicious. The people are friendly and the prices are right, theres not much seating inside so don't bring a mob, instead order ahead. I ordered the everyday special pork sandwich and ended up with a huge sandwich and a large basket of fries, the fries have a pretty awesome seasoning on them, and the pork sandwich was as delicious as previously mentioned!!
(5)
Gennifer J.
My first time eating here, not impressed in the least. I had the 1/4 chicken meal, onion rings and my husband had the hamburger. Not very happy with the food at all. I'm a big fan of chicken but not the chicken here. Two small tiny pieces of chicken, the fries were ordinary and too many, the roll was small and hard as a hockey puck. The slaw was too ground up and lacking in sauce and flavor, I have to honestly say the Chicken Coop in South Saint Paul is way way better. Although my husband did say the burger was good. We will not be returning. I had thought after all the rave reviews it would be good. It wasn't. It was just plain BLAH. The banana cream pie was the only thing that was good for me, but of course that was premade.
(1)
Nathan L.
I went here for lunch today and it was good stuff. The people working there were great, one of which I was told was the owner. But they were very helpful for us first timers with what to order and even gave us a sample rib to try while we waited. I had the pulled pork sandwich and fries and the fries were really really good, and the sandwich was also pretty tasty... But I would agree with Adam's review and say it seems to mostly be a take out kind of place because of a lack of seating. We had to get ours to go and then just ate in my car because the 3 tables were taken.
(4)
Terry M.
If you like Memphis style BBQ, this is absolutely the best in town. Memphis is a dryer, more peppery style. Roosters understands. Condiments like bread and cole slaw is always old and generally bad, but who goes to a BBQ for bread.
(5)
Val B.
I went to Rooster's for dinner on a recommendation. It's surely not much to look at - just a couple of booths and a menu on the wall. But the barbeque was great! I tried the regular BBQ pork sandwich (hot) which was plenty of food. I'd suggest ordering extra sauce on it. The fries were great - with that delicious seasoning salt on them. I also tried the baked beans (alright) and cheese curds, which were stellar (then again, so are all cheese curds). I'd definitely go back more often if I ever went to St. Paul, but I can definitely see this becoming a weekend destination. If you're in the neighborhood - or even if you're not - you should try to get into Roosters.
(4)
Marguerite S.
Yum, dry BBQ with the sauce on the side, juicy chicken, yummy potato salad, DELISH sauce. Should've gone here for dinner tonight as they have a fish special on Fridays.
(5)
Kevin J.
Great bar-b-q; get the daily special with hot sauce. You'll ruin your shirt but it is worth it. Great fries.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Divey Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Scott T.
Oh my... is this place great! The meat is juicy, sauced and stuffed inside a bun. Make sure you have napkins! The sauce was a great combo of spicy and sweet. Slaw was excellent. Online order thru Yelp just made the experience better.
(5)Aimee S.
YUM! Just ate here for the first time and it was SO GOOD! I love tiny chicken joints and this place really delivered. Four of us ate for less than 30 bucks. We had the fried chicken, fries, and cole slaw. Cole slaw was pretty standard and fries were good but not great, but the CHICKEN! I'm craving it again just thinking about it! I hate rating something 5 stars after one sitting, but the chicken was seriously that good. 5 stars for the fried chicken. Dunno about the other stuff on the menu!
(5)Molly L.
Best fried chicken and beef ribs I have ever had. Not to mention the fries are delicious. I also love the BBQ grilled chicken. This place is awesome I love it!!!!!!!
(5)Brian F.
I've been to this area hundreds of times and have never seen this place. What a loss. Oh, the suffering I feel for years of not coming here. Tonight my lady was craving fried chicken so we set out on a quest. She picked this place. It's a little dive place, AWESOME!!!! Come here. There's a review someplace here on yelp that says "avoid the ribs". That guy obviously caught them on a bad day or has no concept of good ribs. These ribs are excellent, succulent, thick, flavorful, simply beautiful. We ordered ribs and fried chicken, wow, what awesome chicken. I haven't had fried chicken this good anywhere. Go here. I know I will be back.
(5)Caitlin W.
Best hole-in-the-wall place! My go to for fried chicken. Seriously cant get enough!
(5)Wil G.
If you have not had Rooster's chicken yet then you are missing one of the best fried chickens EVER!!!
(5)Taffany H.
Those freshly fried fried chicken are so addictive. I love the homemade pomegranate sweet chili sauce they have behind the counter as well. This place is such a hidden gem and I can't wait to return during my next visit to MN!! My favorite Hole in the Wall.
(5)Nancy C.
Came here for the first time after searching for reasonably priced and good fried chicken in the tc. Didn't realize that they literally fry up the chicken after you place your order, so I guess we could have called ahead and saved ourselves 15 minutes. However, it was definitely worth the wait. I shared the 8 piece with my fiancee and we got 1 side. The phone was constantly ringing with orders, and there were a couple walk-ins while we were there too. Their menu is pretty extensive but I do wish the ribs and pork came in smaller sizes so that we could have tried those too. Guess we'll be going back... I will say that the chicken is on the salty side, but I didn't mind, as the beans were a good complement.
(5)Ashlee C.
Love there chicken and coneys are second best in St. Paul. I would have gave them five but they don't have the most polite employees.
(4)Mike J.
Best fried chicken in town... BBQ is great, and the haddock dinner is awesome too. Check this place out and you will be pleasantly surprised!
(4)Keith M.
Best fried chicken I've had in a while and some of the best I've ever had. The sides are, whatever, but that chicken: hot and juicy on the inside, batter is zesty and crunchy. Goddamn. Upon walking in my brain took a minute to process that, yes, that is the "dining room". This is a true hole in the wall that is worth the effort to get there: we need more of these!
(5)Peter B.
I grew up in Eastern North Carolina...so I'm always game for a barbecue joint. I had a large pulled pork sandwich and while it was good, the meat was undercooked (tough sinew left in) and the smoke flavor wasn't what I was hoping for. It was a step above going to Dickies or Famous Daves, but still below what I was hoping for. Also, plan on taking it to go - There were three booths and one was covered with papers when I was there.
(3)Ryan G.
As a big fan of good "Que" I was really looking forward to tasting the hype around this place. I love obscure hole in the wall joints where they are happy to see you and ask you to come back by serving up a pile of delicious. I ordered a half rack of beef ribs and a half rack of pork ribs. For me, good Bbq starts with ribs. Anyone with a crock pot can make an ok pulled sandwich. Beef ribs: tough to the point of inedible. Picture my 6 foot frame with both feet up on that rib while my hands and teeth battle out who is giving up first(it wasn't the rib meat that lost) Flavor like they dragged them through my fire pit after a Friday night of drinking. Pork ribs: spoiler alert, make these ribs at home. Start by boiling your ribs for a couple hours. Then season them with lawrys. Put them on the grill and sauce them. Make sure you put enough liquid smoke in the sauce so that the non Bbq folks out there are like "damn that's some authentic que right there, yeep. Guys up front couldn't want me gone quick enough, both when I called in the order and when I showed up. Sad thing is, that chicken smelled good and it might be the bomb. For me, if you are willing to let me pay $40 for something of that quality on one side of the menu, you ain't getting me back for potentially foul fowl.
(1)Joe S.
Nothing fancy here, just solid tasty BBQ and fried chicken. The 1/2 chicken dinner is a steal at $10 including a can of soda. The Memphis BBQ sandwich is also very delicious. Go hot sauce everytime! Plan on taking to go (they accept call aheads)
(4)Mike L.
I love fried chicken and had tried many this place is legit, hands down best fried chicken I had in a while and definitely the best in Minnesota!!!!
(5)Alexander V.
The service here was always a positive. I've made at least 4 trips to try out various items. I enjoyed the fried chicken. Just like everyone has said, it was moist and tender. It's definitely an upgrade over KFC and Popeyes in terms of quality and flavor. Unfortunately, I think as a whole, the fried chicken here is just average tasting once you get past how moist it is. The flavor just isn't there for me, especially in the breading. The Coney Island Dogs are ok. I know that some places use the minced chili, I prefer the un-minced variety. If you like minced chili, which in all honesty does make it easier to eat, this will be an above average item for you. The fries could use more seasoning and could stand to be a bit more crisp. I'll go here over the chain restaurants any day, but temper your expectations.
(3)MALEAH A.
MMMMMMmmmmm!! Finger-lickin' good! It may look like a dirty little chicken shack, but don't appearances fool you! If you've got a fried chicken craving I must insist you dismiss any ideas of visiting the Colonel and treat yourself to some Rooster's! We tried the fried chicken (so moist, so juicy, so crispy!!) and the mashed potatoes and gravy (even better than mom makes). Now we can't wait to get back to try more! Ribs please! :)
(4)Joe S.
SKIP THE RIBS, but the chicken was great! Seeing all the positive reviews, I was eager to try this place. I ordered the chicken and ribs combo, and was happy to see them dredging my chicken and frying it right then. Everything smelled great when I got it, but I immediately knew something was up when I took the first rib and saw no hint of a smoke-ring. Maybe I'm expecting too much of a place with BBQ in the name, but anyone can bake a rack at home and put on some grocery-store sauce. These were terrible. They were obviously just thrown in the oven, for too long, and then slathered in a mediocre suace that was way too heavy on the liquid smoke. For everyone saying how good these ribs are, please try real barbecue (smoked) and you'll never come back... And you'll be embarrassed about your reviews of this place The chicken was perfect. Juicy, well seasoned, perfect temp. I will definitely be going back for more. Skip the ribs, you'll thank me
(2)Norman M.
Roosters is absolutely one of the top BBQ joints in town. Their ribs and chicken are really good. One thing puzzled me though. My ribs came sauced which surprised me because this is a Memphis style joint. The last time I came they were dry and I got sauce on the side.? Anyways I think they could use a bit more smoke on their ribs and keep them dry. My favorite in town is still Big Daddy's but I would totally go here. The girl at the register was kind of rude.....noting the comment below.
(4)Jeni L.
Delicious!!! Great price!!! Fresh made!!! I just love their pressure fried chicken. I just only wish they delivered.
(5)John A.
My wife and I ordered the half chicken for each of us. They were crunchy, tasty, hot and delicious . The place is small, 3 tables only. We were able to find a table luckily but soon as we sat down, we noticed the phone was ringing off the hook for take outs. The chicken is definitely the best we've had in the twin Cities. We will definitely go back and maybe try the ribs.
(5)John N.
This place is a true gem. I can't believe I drove past roosters for years without ever stopping in. Don't let the small size fool you - the kitchen delivers! The fried chicken here is byfar the best in the metro. It reminds me of the good stuff I've had down in Georgia and Tennessee. I could seriously eat the food here all day. With so many things on the menu, you could come back and eat here many times... and I recommend that you do!
(5)Jenny D.
Baboy was looking up fried chicken. We must stop here. It's actually in my old neighborhood and I never stopped here before. We are actually eating our way through the city on our last day here so we just ordered a little food to sample. Fried chicken and it comes with fries. The chicken is moist and and tasty. I'm not a super fried chicken fan freak like Baboy but it's good. I let him eat the rest of mine so I can continue saving room for the rest of the food we are going to ingest.
(3)Sichen G.
I tried the fried chicken and BBQ ribs last week. Really liked the fried chicken, juicy and crispy. And a lot flavour in it. But the BBQ ribs is ok. Not a lot smoking flavour in it. I will highly recommend fried chicken.
(5)Anna G.
I have only ever had a pulled pork sandwich, blackened wings, fried chicken, and the hickory smoked bbq chicken. All of these were excellent. The pulled pork sandwich regular size was enormous and was covered in their house made bbq sauce. Some of the best sauce I have tasted. The blackened wings are dry smoked wings, so don't expect sauce covered we wings. They are great if you enjoy beef jerky. I cannot decide if I like the fried chicken or the hickory smoked bbq chicken better. They are so diffreent but amazing in their own way. The friend chicken is not heavy on the batter but it has a nice crunch. The chicken is juicy inside and sometimes you cannot stop eating it. The hickory smoke bbq chicken is not smothered in bbq sauce like most "bbq" chicken in the midwest is. It is smoked with a dry rub that will leave you smelling of hickory and spices for the remainder of the evening. The flavor is Spectacular. I always find it hard to decide between the fried or hickory smoked. Do take out. Eating in is just not right.
(5)Dan P.
A fabulous little joint on Randolph. The place has been there ever since I was a kid, in one name or another. They have excellent Blackened chicken wings, and actually use seasonings! Not your typical bland MN sh*t. This is the real deal! Seasoned fries are good too, but they need to put a LOT more seasoning on the fries too; at least on MY fries! Costs are appropriate to value, and you'll like the food quality I believe. Similar to former Mpls.' Art Song's on 38th & Nicollet. Different, but very similar setup. A small local place, they have a couple booths, and maybe a table. It's tight. I find I go more than less. Good Service too! These guys hustle, and I hope they make do on their income. They are worth tipping! Great take out source ! Give 'em a try for yourself; see what ya think.
(4)James I.
Came to Twin Cities for Thanksgiving. Asked and looked around for some good eats. Since I am very fond of chicken that is fried I looked for what was good in the hood. Rooster's BBQ Deli comes up for their fried chicken. This place is a hole in the wall. I love grimy places.There are two booths and two small tables to sit at. You will be close to your neighbors. It's more of a BBQ spot than a chicken joint. By looking at the BBQ awards on the wall, I got the impression that these guys get down when it comes to BBQ. My mind was set on chicken so that was what I only got. Next time I will definitely have to try everything on their BBQ menu. Back to the chicken...The chicken was made to order so that when you get it, it's piping hot. I can't complain. It was crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The batter was lightly seasoned and I found myself savoring the crispy skin. The chicken was not bad, but it wasn't to die for. I didn't find myself saying that I wanted to come back for the chicken. I would take Rooster's fried chicken over KFC any day though. The fried chicken was AIGHT, but I definitely NEED to try out their BBQ menu. 3.5 Stars
(3)Nicholas G.
Stop By, I Say Stop By Rooster's Boy! Thank you Foghat Leghorn for all those years of great one liners, but your cousin just became one heck of a delicious meal and I say, I say it was delicious! Owner Richard G., a fellow South St. Paulite is cooking up some excellent BBQ fair along with some great broasted chicken and as I was told, is the very best fried chicken you'll find. Is it the best? I'm not so certain quite yet and I'll explain why in a moment... I'm leading off with their pulled pork and man was it good. Moist? Yep! Tender? Yep! Going back for more? YEP! I can't quite figure out how these chain places are staying in business, because they got nothing on places like Rooster's. The sauce alone is worth the trip; a little sweet, a little heat and a little smokey flavor makes this one of the top sauces I've ever had. At one point time I even told my wife I was going to drink it. "Just finish it off with your fries" she said, so I did! "The best fried chicken!" Something I heard by several people, but I'm not so sure about that quite yet... It's been a few years sense I've had the broasted fried chicken at the North St. Paul Pizza Factory, but at one point time I was having it every week or weekend because it was simply that good. So to make this a fair match, I plan on stopping back to visit owner and friend, Cal Ahlquist and having a piece of the family recipe and THAN deciding on who's the best. I've had BBQ all over the Twin Cities and all over the country and I can honestly say that Rooster's is a legit player and easily worth the stop. With only a couple tables available to eat at in house, I recommend just calling in your order and picking it up on your way home from work some weeknight. I'm looking forward to heading back for the ribs and wings, and stay tuned to find out who really has the best broasted fried chicken. :) Even if the North St. Paul Pizza Factory is exactly what I remember, Rooster's, I say Rooster's should be damn proud to take 2nd place! :) **Trip to Cal's completed and I have made my conclusion... In first place is the broasted chicken from Cal's Pizza Factory and in 1.1 place (yes that's a place) is Rooster's! They each bring something awesome to the table for their patrons and it was a close one. Basically, you won't go wrong with either one of these great options...
(4)Heather M.
Delicious, savory and cheap!! Memphis style sandwich was spicy BBQ party in my mouth. The coleslaw was excellent, not too runny. I was lucky to score a booth with my friend...2 booths and 2 tables, most of the patrons were getting their food to go.
(4)Jibs D.
Great BBQ here. I was blown away by the Memphis pork sandwich. Whoever says there is no great BBQ in Minnesota is dead wrong, and this place proves it. We received excellent, friendly service and could not be more pleased with the food. We shall return, even though it's way across town from us.
(5)Hung N.
You had me at fried chicken and ribs... On the way to Wild game and wanted something cheap and greasy beforehand. We were lucky to get a seat, since there are only two tables...Ordered an 8 piece and a full rack of ribs. Fried chicken had a lighter batter and juicy as mother. It was definitely du bomb...Ribs were the shorter spareribs, cleaned, smoked and sauced with awesome hot bbq...I would prefer these ribs over any where else I've been in MN...smokey, spicy, and tender but enough texture to still have a little meatiness to it...fries were also pretty good...place is divey and kind out the way, but totally worth it.
(5)Samuel W.
So I know everyone loves this place... but I really can't figure out why. We called in an order for pickup. Just your basic chicken dinner with mashed potatoes and gravy... nothing special. We usually frequent The Coop, but a couple of our friends told us this place was far superior so we had relatively high expectations. When I got there and walked in, there were three employees behind the counter... two guys and one woman. They all looked up, saw me, and instantly went back to what they were doing. The two guys started very loudly arguing with one another, flinging curses back and forth. It sounded like it had something to do with the fryer. The woman just sort of walked into the separate room. So I'm still standing there... no one has yet to acknowledge me at this point, but I'm still assuming they will, given that they all know I'm waiting. One of the guys threw up his hands and went off to the back mumbling. The other guy started complaining under his breath and headed after him. The woman poked her head out again, looked at me briefly and headed back where she was. I was quite irritated at this point and, quite frankly, grossed out after having had some time to look around the place. Nothing looked like it had been cleaned in ages and the vents over the fryers looked like they'd been partially dipped in tar. Finally, one of the guys came from the back. No apologies or anything... just, "Were you here for pickup?" in a flat tone. I said yes and he tossed the bag down on the counter and gave me the total. My friend had said she would pay, so I handed him the card. It wouldn't swipe for whatever reason. So I pulled out my credit card. He handed me the receipt to sign and (partly due to the crap service and partly due to me not having expected to have to use my card) I didn't tip. I'm pretty sure I heard him mumble some curses under his breath as I was leaving. I figured that was the worst part. Nope. The chicken was dry as a bone, extremely over-salted and the skin was somewhere between crisp and wilty. The mashed potatoes tasted straight out of a box and the gravy just tasted like a processed bag mix. Of the four of us that were eating, no one liked it. I'm not sure if I can give this place another shot, honestly.
(2)Chris M.
Rooster's is a neighborhood darling; which I can understand, to a certain degree. Comfort food at a reasonable price is generally going to be popular, but it's somewhat ubiquitous and I haven't come across anything on their menu that is breaking any molds. They are popular for their broasted chicken, ribs and pulled pork sandwiches. The chicken is quite moist due to the pressurized frying, but it is also quite greasy as a result. The smoked ribs, while fairly flavorful and moderately tender, have a faint amount of smoke flavor, but no discernible smoke ring in the meat. The pulled pork sandwich is pretty good, though I would forgo getting it Memphis style since their coleslaw is pretty lackluster. All BBQ items come with your choice of a mild or hot bbq sauce; I definitely recommend the latter, it's quite good. Takeout is pretty much the name of the game here, though there are a couple of booths for dining in (if they're not already taken by people waiting for their orders). As you can assume, ambiance is minimal at best. They also have different daily specials, as well as the everyday special of a small pork sandwich and fries for about $7 (the 'small' is still pretty damn big).
(3)Mike C.
This is your typical hole in the wall BBQ and chicken place fortunately misplaced in the far nothern city of St. Paul, Minnesota. Immediately upon walking in one will notice the numerous plaques hanging from the wall from all their BBQ competitions that they have won...and not taking anything away from their BBQ because it is good. However, when I go to Rooster's my absolute favorite is the fried chicken (broasted(def.): deep fat fried in a pressure cooker in order to attain a higher temperature and quicker cook time) with a handful of their fries (be careful these are always fresh from the fryer and smoking hot, and have been known to strip the taste buds off any unsuspecting newbies, and a few other sides. BEST FRIED CHICKEN IN THE TWIN CITIES!!! If fried chicken is not your thing, their ribs, BBQ chicken or even brisket sandwiches are equally amazing. Support local shops, support Rooster's!
(5)Grant T.
Hole-in-the-wall joints like Rooster's are what make the Twin Cities' dining scene so interesting. Sure, it's gritty around the edges, but such patina is indicative of a hell of a meal, which Rooster's delivers on. Last time I went to Rooster's, I had their large sandwich, which is the definitive pulled pork sandwich in the Twin Cities. This thing is beastly, and chock full of Memphis soul stew. The balance between the seasoning and BBQ sauce is struck just right, and the smokiness rolls on to your tongue before the sandwich hits your mouth. Though Rooster's fries are just formidable, their coleslaw is sublime, and meritorious of a side order pint alone. Heck, I stole my friend's coleslaw because it was so damn good. Minnesota sure as hell ain't Memphis, but with hideaways like Rooster's, we're certainly not lacking in the BBQ department.
(4)Angela S.
Roosters has one of the best pulled pork sandwiches in the Twin Cities! Their ribs were a little dry and I wouldn't recommend them, but the pulled pork was amazing. This place looks like a shack and is easily overlooked, but the food is great. It's pretty small so plan on eating your food elsewhere. I will definitely be back to try their fried chicken!
(4)kyle t.
Smackin good ribs in St. Paul you say? Sounds like a good place to start the summer of rib tasting around the city. This is the type of place that makes my mouth water a little when I walk in the door. Busy, little place that obviously spends more time paying attention to the food than some big fancy open area for people to mingle around or sit and eat for that matter. Only a couple of tables but anything like this should be as good on a nice summers day for takeout. The baby back ribs were very good. Tender, well cooked with a nice sauce on them. Finger licking good for sure. Had the coleslaw and it was OK, not bad but not great either, Ribs though were the reason for the visit and they were very well worth the trip. Long ways from Maple Grove, almost Canada far but damn good and worth the drive! KT
(4)Karl H.
When it comes to BBQ people don't think MN but this place is great. Now I've heard Big Daddy's is right up there too but haven't actually had the chance to dine there yet. We did however have a BBQ-off at work between Rooster's, Big Daddy's and Pastor Hamiltons. The consensus was that Rooster's and Big Daddy's shared the top spot. I agreed. But, let's move on shall we. You can't really go wrong at Rooster's. The chicken, ribs and the pork sandwiches are all mouthwateringly good. (may have just made up that word) If I'm in the BBQ mood for lunch I usually swing over for the Memphis style sandwich. Pulled pork with coleslaw (add in some extra hot sauce) is something messy but magical. Definitely try it. I've also had the pleasure of Rooster's ribs passing by my taste buds and the taste buds likey a lot. I know there are lots of rib nazis out there but for me these are where "it" is at. You'll likely have to make multiple trips to try all the good stuff they have to offer but I say do it.
(5)Tom P.
It's a small place but the service was pretty good and the food was really filling and delciious. I definitely recommend their fried chicken. I have nothing bad to say about this place. The atmosphere is okay but its more of a place for lunch or pickup then dinner. The logo is awesome!
(4)Steve T.
Pulled pork sandwiches. So many ways to enjoy them and Rooster's does them well. While mine was warmed up on the grill vs the microwave, the meat had a nice taste to it and you could tell that it was slow cooked as every bite of my sandwich was excellent. The spicy sauce wasn't overwhelming and the amount of pork I received was more then fair compared to other sandwiches I've had at other establishments. The fries also are quite tasty with a unique seasoning salt that reminded me of the old King of Wings that used to be on Broadway and Washington in Mpls. Sigh.... My only two complaints? The coleslaw was ho hum and tasted premade and the Space Invaders II table top game was out of order. I will also be going back because the baby back ribs seem to be around $4-5 less expensive per rack then other places in town...which is in line with a true Texas roadside BBQ stand. Which brings me to question; with all these hog farms around the Midwest, why is our bbq so expensive?
(4)Glenn L.
I'm not a fan of the ribs here, but the chicken is great. The skin is crispy and the meat is very juicy. It's everything that fried chicken should be and nothing that it should not be. The biggest appeal to Rooster's is that it is locally owned and not part of a chain. On a cold winter's evening, there's nothing like joined the queue and basking in the waves of heat coming off of the ovens. Help preserve the funky hole-in-the-wall joints that make America great!
(4)Nate J.
This place is awesome. Best BBQ I've had so far sense moving to the twin cities. Love the hole in the wall atmosphere. I would give it 4.5 stars if I could for the service the 2nd time I went there. The 1st time I went was amazing service food and everything. The 2nd time the food was still good but the man working there was not good, he seamed very unhappy and overall rude like I was bothering him by taking my order. I told him we would be outside and my food was never brought to me even thought I asked if he could let us know when its done. Besides for one guy who isn't so happy that works there the food was great. Great fried chicken although not the best I've had (nothing compares to Hickory Hut in St Paul). Ribs were perfect very true smoker flavor and sauce was great too.
(5)Scott M.
I'm not a fan of BBQ, mostly because in my experience, BBQ is overly sweet and sloppy. After repeatedly being told I *had* to try Rooster's, I yielded to peer pressure. I'm glad I did! I and a friend picked up an order of Texas beef ribs with hot sauce and a bucket of chicken. Wow! The chicken was delightful! It was moist and flavorful with just enough seasoning to give it a bit of kick. As good as the chicken was, the beef ribs totally blew me away. These ribs were nothing like the slimy, fatty, sweet crap I've eaten elsewhere. These dry-rub ribs were fiery, spicy, savory meaty morsels and were perfectly complimented by a cold, hoppy beer (such as Bell's Two-Hearted or Surly Furious.) Rooster's has almost no seating capacity, having a small table or two. As others have mentioned, it is a take-out joint. I recommend ordering a pile of ribs and chicken and having yourself a fun evening with friends on a comfortable deck or patio.
(5)Raphael P.
The best BBQ pork sandwich in the twin cities!
(5)Alec D.
I would work there just to eat their food. Dude knows how to smoke. Must try, again and again and again.
(5)Mike K.
This is my favorite BBQ stop. I have only been there for lunch (many times) and I only order the lunch special. It is a huge pulled pork sandwich with a side order of fries. There are NO portion controls here, no perfectly weighed 4 oz. sandwiches like some of the touted "best" in MSP that the magazines and newspapers brag about. I guarantee you are leaving stuffed with the best pulled pork you can find in the MSP area. I prefer to eat it with a plastic fork, otherwise it is a real mess, in a good way! It is a joint, with very limited seating (2 booths and a couple of small tables). You can't find BBQ this good in the cities, I've tried, unless you make it yourself, but most readers don't have the time, experience and energy required to do real low and slow, smoked pork butt.
(5)Matt K.
I drove all the way from western Wisconsin to get my foodie on at Roosters BBQ Deli tonight! We walk in and it's my favorite scenery. A hole in the wall place smelling of deep friers and smoked meat; bustling with customers waiting on their take out orders. It doesn't look like much on the outside or inside, but that's a great BBQ place, is it not? There are only two tables for dining in, so plan on take out unless you want to gamble with one of their tables being free. ==Fried Chicken== The chicken was fantastic. It had a nice fresh thin breading that locked in the juices of the fried chicken. The chicken was very very moist and full of flavor. My friend rated it well above KFC and other chicken places he's been to. He said it wasn't the best piece of chicken he's every had, but he said it was a solid 8 out of 10 for fried chicken. I concur. Juicy, easily pulled off the bone and tastily seasoned. The slaw was crunchy and fresh, but not spectacular. A solid slaw. Recommended! ==Pulled Pork Sandwich== Now onto the pork sandwich with hot sauce. Whew! This baby is smoking good, pun intended. I opened the thin silver-backed foil to see a heaping very healthy mound of slow smoked pork that was sent from heaven! You could definitely tell it was smoked low and slow, just like it should be! It was very moist and just oozing with goodness. Be sure to order extra hot sauce on your sandwich, without extra it's pretty dry, though the pork CAN stand on it's own, believe me! Their vinegar based hot barbecue sauce is very fragrant and spiced just right. It's not overpowering over the pork and not too hot. It is the PERFECT compliment to their smoked pork. Just a marriage from heaven! 8.5/9 out of 10 --- This is close to perfect for my taste buds... ==Sides== Baked beans -- Never had beans like this. Very spicy. I'd call them spicy pepper baked beans. I found them refreshingly different and tasty. Highly recommend trying these if you like spicy things. French fries -- Very standard, but also tasty because of their seasoned salt they put on. Recommend! Cole Slaw -- Crunchy and fresh, light and airy. Nothing spectacular but a solid side who love light and fresh slaw Roll --- Standard roll from package, nothing special, but hey, it's a damn roll! All of this and the prices are very very reasonable. My meal cost $8.50 with a soda and the chicken dinner (2 pc) ran $9. Very cheap. I will be returning to Roosters! Cock-a-doodle-doooooooooOOOO!
(4)Alex C.
The fried chicken is why I came and it lived up to the reputation. The pork sandwich was awesome but I should have gotten the spiciest sauce because the medium was pretty mild. The place itself is a little run down and I don't think I would ever eat in. The service was a bit slow so call a head so you don't have to wait. Price is cheap While not the norm, while we were their, another patron kept going through all of the meals waiting to be picked up and taking food. The wait stuff asked that he not do so and replace the stolen pieces versus redoing the meal even though the guy rifled through the food. So perhaps waiting helps to ensure quality...
(3)Adam W.
A Saint Paul institution. I go for the BBQ. St. Louis style ribs are tender and flavorful. The BBQ pork sandwich and fries makes a great lunch. I'm not a "chicken on the bone" type person, but they do move a lot of fried chicken through here as well--the last time I was here the guy in front of me ordered a 40 piece box! I figure if you're buying 40 pieces of chicken you must think the said chicken takes good...Lots of sides too, from the usual beans/coleslaw to lots of fried stuff. There's only two booths for eating in, so your best bet is probably to take out. That's ok--next time you're stopping by your friend's house for the big game, or bringing lunch to work, swing by Roosters on the way!
(4)Vanessa P.
Omg! I found this restaurant through Yelp and I'm so glad we gave it a try. It has a very 'hole in the wall' feeling. Only two booths and a couple chairs, I recommend take out. We both ordered the Memphis Style Pulled Pork Sandwich. They make the food right away and even toasted the buns. It only took a couple minutes and our food was ready. In the car the smell of the food made my mouth water, IT SMELLED SO GOOD! At home we opened up the food and how glorious it was. A messy, delectable bunch of food. The sandwich was perfect! Better than any I've had in MN. The fries had a perfect amount of seasoning on them. It was by far one of the best meals I've ordered in a long time. We will be returning there soon for sure.
(4)Jason Y.
Loved the baked chicken! The baby back ribs are delicious. The ribs are low priced and very meaty-best value at $12 I have seen for a rack of ribs. I got some of the potato salad and I ate the whole 1/2 pint in one sitting! Bottom line, check this place out. Great food. No place to sit really to dine in. Get your meal to go or take out. The service is OK. The employees seem like they are up to no good (or were up to no good in the past). I can't wait to get more of the chicken!!!
(4)Jason D.
Nice work Yelp! A colleague and I were interested in getting some BBQ for lunch on Friday. I went to Yelp for guidance, and Roosters fit the bill. We both had the daily special of small pulled pork sandwich with fries for $6.99. The guy behind the counter recommended the hot verses the regular. That sandwich was fantastic. Even though it was the small it was plenty big for lunch. The heat mixed well with the flavor of the meat. The bun was nothing special but let's be honest, the star of the show is the pork BBQ. The fries were just regular fries you get anywhere but they made them to order so when we got them they were perfectly hot. If you decide to go for lunch, plan to take it out. There are only 8 seats in there. Don't let that discourage you. We will be back for sure. Thanks again Yelpers, your reviews made for an excellent lunch.
(4)Houssam A.
The place is set for take out. Very limited space to dine in. We had pork ribs, beef ribs and BBQ chicken. The pork ribs were ok. The beef ribs tasted more like they were cooked in an oven rather than being smoked. The chicken was great. In a future visit I would definitely order the BBQ chicken.
(3)robert k.
Rooster's is primarily a bbq take-out joint - and an exceptional one at that! You simply can't beat the pulled pork sandwich / basket combo (sauce on the side). I agree with Adam W. - the chicken is not my thing, but it has legions of fans. Again - this place is about BBQ, not overhead/ambiance. So if that's what you're looking for this is not your place. All in all I'd call it one of the hidden gems & best values in the Cities.
(5)Colin T.
Best BBQ I've found in the North. Rib dinner with Beans and Potatoe salad blew me away and the owner was even nice enough to toss in a few delicious wings.
(5)susan c.
When looking at the outside of Roosters I was not sure if it was a place I wanted to eat. It is a small hole in the wall feeling, with a little more than two booths and a serve counter. I decided to take my chances and was thrilled I did. It is the BEST BBQ I have ever eatten in my life. I felt like I had died and gone to heaven. The BBQ sandwich with fries and hot BBQ sauce is my favorite.
(5)Norman C.
This place is absolutely awesome! I was in Minneapolis on a business trip and was in the mood for ribs. The baby back ribs with the hot BBQ sauce did not disappoint! I would even go on a limb and say they were the best ribs I've ever had!
(5)Nora P.
Delicious ribs, very tender. And the sauce was amazing! I had some of the fried chicken as well (which is free range), it is the best I've had in MN ever. Eating it took me back to sitting in my Grandmother's kitchen in rural Mississippi and drinking sweet tea when I would visit for the summer as a kid. If you like good food, you have GOT to try this place (which means everybody, who doesn't like good food?)
(5)Katrina B.
As someone who cares more about food for what it is, and not what people want it to be (.ie. "Memphis style." I couldn't care less), and someone who likes greasy food on occasion, I love Rooster's. I used to live a block away, which was the best. I usually get a burger, sometimes one of the pork sandwiches, and I've never been disappointed. The fries aren't the greatest, but they're good. Haters to the left --- this girl's a lifetime Rooster's fan.
(5)Bill H.
The pork is as though the pig died, went to heaven and was thus cast back down by god for being too tender and delicious. The people are friendly and the prices are right, theres not much seating inside so don't bring a mob, instead order ahead. I ordered the everyday special pork sandwich and ended up with a huge sandwich and a large basket of fries, the fries have a pretty awesome seasoning on them, and the pork sandwich was as delicious as previously mentioned!!
(5)Gennifer J.
My first time eating here, not impressed in the least. I had the 1/4 chicken meal, onion rings and my husband had the hamburger. Not very happy with the food at all. I'm a big fan of chicken but not the chicken here. Two small tiny pieces of chicken, the fries were ordinary and too many, the roll was small and hard as a hockey puck. The slaw was too ground up and lacking in sauce and flavor, I have to honestly say the Chicken Coop in South Saint Paul is way way better. Although my husband did say the burger was good. We will not be returning. I had thought after all the rave reviews it would be good. It wasn't. It was just plain BLAH. The banana cream pie was the only thing that was good for me, but of course that was premade.
(1)Nathan L.
I went here for lunch today and it was good stuff. The people working there were great, one of which I was told was the owner. But they were very helpful for us first timers with what to order and even gave us a sample rib to try while we waited. I had the pulled pork sandwich and fries and the fries were really really good, and the sandwich was also pretty tasty... But I would agree with Adam's review and say it seems to mostly be a take out kind of place because of a lack of seating. We had to get ours to go and then just ate in my car because the 3 tables were taken.
(4)Terry M.
If you like Memphis style BBQ, this is absolutely the best in town. Memphis is a dryer, more peppery style. Roosters understands. Condiments like bread and cole slaw is always old and generally bad, but who goes to a BBQ for bread.
(5)Val B.
I went to Rooster's for dinner on a recommendation. It's surely not much to look at - just a couple of booths and a menu on the wall. But the barbeque was great! I tried the regular BBQ pork sandwich (hot) which was plenty of food. I'd suggest ordering extra sauce on it. The fries were great - with that delicious seasoning salt on them. I also tried the baked beans (alright) and cheese curds, which were stellar (then again, so are all cheese curds). I'd definitely go back more often if I ever went to St. Paul, but I can definitely see this becoming a weekend destination. If you're in the neighborhood - or even if you're not - you should try to get into Roosters.
(4)Marguerite S.
Yum, dry BBQ with the sauce on the side, juicy chicken, yummy potato salad, DELISH sauce. Should've gone here for dinner tonight as they have a fish special on Fridays.
(5)Kevin J.
Great bar-b-q; get the daily special with hot sauce. You'll ruin your shirt but it is worth it. Great fries.
(4)