Hover over a dot to read about what makes our No. 1 bird great

Tap on a dot to read about what makes our No. 1 bird great

 
 
 
 
 
 

Wing Texture

High marks to Fresh Thyme for juiciness and tenderness. Minor quibble: The tips were a bit burned.

Skin

A blast of intense heat at the end of cooking crisps the skin so well it retains its crackle even after you get home.

Juiceness

Hands down, this was the juiciest bird we tried. The meat, even the prone-to-dryness breast, fell right off the bone, and eating the wings and drums was a multinapkin affair.

Appearance

The exterior was golden brown all over, with appealing speckles of char.

Flavor

The “original” (pictured) is heavy on the black pepper, which adds a kick and homemade taste. (Other flavors: lemon-pepper, Cajun, and barbecue.)

Freshness

No dried-out meat, no gaminess, plenty of deep flavor — this bird had all the hallmarks of a farm-fresh product straight off the rotisserie.

1

Fresh Thyme

Multiple locations
$4.99 | 2 lb., 6 oz. | $0.13/oz.
Skin 9 | Flavor 10 | Wing Texture 8 | Juiciness 10 | Appearance 9 | Freshness 10

2

Cermak Fresh Market

Multiple locations
$5.99 | 2 lb., 7 oz. | $0.15/oz.
Skin 8 | Flavor 9 | Wing Texture 8 | Juiciness 10 | Appearance 9 | Freshness 10

3

Caputo's

Multiple locations
$5.99 | 2 lb. | $0.19/oz.
Skin 8 | Flavor 10 | Wing Texture 9 | Juiciness 9 | Appearance 8 | Freshness 8

4

Plum Market

1233 N. Wells St., Old Town
$9.99 | 2 lb., 3 oz. | $0.29/oz.
Skin 10 | Flavor 9 | Wing Texture 6 | Juiciness 8 | Appearance 9 | Freshness 9

5

Gene's Sausage Shop

4750 N. Lincoln Ave., Lincoln Square
$5.99 | 1 lb., 14 oz. | $0.20/oz.
Skin 6 | Flavor 5 | Wing Texture 7 | Juiciness 9 | Appearance 9 | Freshness 9

6

Costco

Multiple locations
$4.99 | 3 lb., 13 oz. | $0.08/oz.
Skin 6 | Flavor 5 | Wing Texture 7 | Juiciness 8 | Appearance 9 | Freshness 9

7

Mariano’s

Multiple locations
$6.99 | 2 lb., 15 oz. | $0.15/oz.
Skin 5 | Flavor 5 | Wing Texture 6 | Juiciness 7 | Appearance 9 | Freshness 10

8

Jewel-Osco

Multiple locations
$6.99 | 2 lb., 4 oz. | $0.20/oz.
Skin 9 | Flavor 8 | Wing Texture 4 | Juiciness 6 | Appearance 8 | Freshness 7

9

Whole Foods

Multiple locations
$7.99 | 2 lb., 14 oz. | $0.17/oz.
Skin 4 | Flavor 5 | Wing Texture 4 | Juiciness 10 | Appearance 7 | Freshness 7

10

Tony's Fresh Market

Multiple locations
$6.99 | 1 lb., 11 oz. | $0.26/oz.
Skin 4 | Flavor 5 | Wing Texture 4 | Juiciness 6 | Appearance 8 | Freshness 7