Coco Rico has been spinning birds on the Main since 1970, claiming the title of Montreal’s first Portuguese rotisserie. Whether or not that’s strictly true, what’s undeniable is that it’s one of the longest-running, most reliable spots for a quick hit of roast chicken, ribs, or home-style roast pork. Their signature potatoes, soaking up every last drop of rendered fat from the spits above, are the essential side.

Unlike its charcoal-grilled counterparts, Coco Rico slow-roasts its chickens in full rotation, letting the skin crisp to deep amber while the meat stays impossibly tender. The takeout counter is as straightforward as it gets—step inside, point to what you want, and walk out with a bag heavy with comfort. For many in a city obsessed with Portuguese chicken, this is where it all started.