YKO Chicken BBQ in Ottawa

Delicious food. One of the few spots in the city that season their food down to the bone! Been here several times food is always hot when I go to eat it and portion sizes are price appropriate. Bravo!

Last 2 times I have tried to go for an earlier lunch only to be told food wouldnt actually be ready for 45+ minutes. If food isnt ready to be served by 11 perhaps you should adjust your hours of operation to reflect when you can actually serve food. I had the spicy quarter chicken with the plantains and rice and it was all soo delicious! Chicken was very well cooked, a nice char on the outside and plenty juicy. Spice was great, and the flavour on the rice and plantains was awesome. Ill definitely be back!

Value for money at vrmt much lower it was better last year

Great bbq chicken. The lowest spice is hot enough I wouldnt recommend going higher Great value not overpriced Food : 5/5

Probably the best chicken, rice and plantain plate you can get in Ottawa. Truly excellent food.

The food is ok simply ok

Best chicken I ve had, West African food is amazing and underrated !!!!

Best bbq chicken ever.

The best grilled chicken in Ottawa

Ordered on Uber Eats. Restaurant confirmed my order. Waited an hour and a half only for them to cancel what was supposed to be my dinner at 10 pm! If you cannot accommodate an order why would you confirm it in the first place? That was unprofessional.

Yummy spicy charcoal grilled chicken

I am sooooooo loving the BBQ chicken all the way in Calgary Alberta.....I had it flown to me...Keep it up pipl

Do not walk RUN!! ordered ahead by call. Got to the restaurant to pick the order. No communication whatsoever, kept for my order and tells to stay on the side. Too many people frustatrated and staff were fighting with customers. Just very unprofessional overall.

Madoussou offered us impeccable service thank you and the food was very good

They don t Answer the phone yet complain about customers not calling and when they do answer, they are rude. What kind of nonsense is that?!

Place never disappoints. Top quality chicken, marination and cook. Tried there beignets and they are mehhh. Stick with the mains and you will be extremely happy

The meal is good but the welcome is mediocre

There is a black girl with a veil she treated me like a dog I dont know why I think she didnt even do things on purpose she delayed me for an hour

I like to eat, try new things but unfortunately the zero service lacks behavior And lack of politeness

Lack of respect

Great chicken. Please moderate your expectations on service though and if theres a line up, your patience cause its going to be long. Well worth it for good chicken

Food is actually not too bad it s lives up the hype. But service is terrible like really terrible. I order a half chicken meal, and the guy over counter did not understand English at all. I had couple of questions which I asked and he rudely replied with something else answer. And gave me what he wanted not what I asked for. Not only that they asked me to wait 15 mins which turns out to be 40 mins, people order food after me got their order first and I was waiting for very long. Never going here again not recommended at all

If I could give 0 stars for customer service I would have. You place your order over the phone and you will still wait 1 hour

There food is good

This restaurant makes barbecued chicken, spicy and very popular. In addition to aloco or atiéké. But a little expensive around $42

SO DAMN JUICY AND FULL OF FLAVOR! Chef was friendly, chicken was so good we had to order the second one. Worth the price!

The chicken was juicy, delicious, seasoned to perfection.Fireworks in the mouth. The service can be improved cuz the wait time isnt explained and can be a bit long

Been a customer since they opened YKO on MacArthur. Hands down the best African BBQ chicken!

Nice decor, super tasty - tried only chicken so far West African bbq.

It is a very clean, good and affordable place. The chicken is awesome. The sides are a bit expensive for the quantity you receive but still good. It is not really made for you to dine in so I recommend you just pick up and eat at home or somewhere else. Parking: On the side of the building, they have 4 reserved free parking spots BUT only for 10min otherwise you might get a ticket

CloseDown

Very good

Now I tried this location but their chicken is too dry compared to the one located at Mcarthur. The best place to buy YKO chicken is at Mcarthur location cause it s saucy and the chicken is good. This place is mehhhh

The cuisine is succulent, reminiscent of the flavors of West Africa. Simple and authentic place!!

The toilet should be better and hand soap given. No hand soap available for cleaning

Very disgusting customer service. I pay this establishment to buy food, they make me feel like they are doing me a favor, so much attitude. Never come back here. I called earlier today and specifically told them I would be there at 3pm because I was in a rush, wanted the food ready by a certain time. Just like the location on McAurther Street...as I showed up, they made me wait another 35 minutes! And when I spoke to the employee and showed my frustration, I almost got kicked out of the restaurant. Dont waste your money here

I dont even have the words to describe the wait time and customer experience. The chicken is excellent. However, there is no point in ordering in advance because you will wait more than thirty minutes for your dishes to arrive. Very poor order management

I love their chicken. It tastes properly seasoned and very smoky. It sometimes tastes a bit too smoky but frankly I don t care; I may already be addicted. The chicken is usually properly cooked, sometimes slightly undercooked, but I usually finish it over several meals and re-heat leftovers in the oven, so not a big problem for me.

Very good chicken

Best bbq chicken in the city hands down(2024). Besides mine of course

The restaurant is bad the staff is poorly educated

Alida very good service

Very beautiful setting, excellent service and above all great service received by Alida, I highly recommend

Alida very good service

Very good service Alida

Very good service Alida

Great service overall... and good performance from Alida

Alida very good service

Alida best service

Alida best service

Dear waitress, Alida, I wanted to thank you for your warm welcome to the restaurant. Your kindness and professionalism made my experience truly pleasant. Thanks again and I hope to see you again soon!

ALIDA VERY GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE

Alida best customer service I love her good humor!!!

Alida good service

Alida very good service

Great work by Miss Alida Customer Service

I really liked my food Chicken & Attiéké And very good service by Mrs. Alida Amenan

Alida very good service I really loved it.

Alida best employee!

Alida does her service well

Alida frankly I love her services she is very courteous and polite I like it

Alida very good performance And also very good restaurant

Alida gave me excellent service

Alida very good service

So no service

Junior and Alida I loved your warm welcome. Helpful, smiling and attentive to customers. Thanks to you I recommend the restaurant wherever I go

First time trying and went off reviews so I had high hopes. The chicken was undercooked and barely seasoned. The dressing was watery and bland. The 3 stars is specifically for the plantain as they were delicious. The potential is there but just need to focus on cooking chicken more.

Well received by Junior Good food too

I ate braised whole chicken with plantain, it was excellent, the chicken was tasty super well cooked and then the plantain the best I have ever eaten wow

I ordered on Uber eats & I didn t even get my rice Uber eats couldn t even help me smh

Best chicken Ive ever had. Just $15.50 for a lunch combo of chicken quarter, plantain and rice. Definitely going back!!

Really great food. Really slow service. Dont expect expedited service. Call your order in and head over a bit later than what they tell you. Gets especially busy at peak times. Expect delays

The service offered by Junior was impeccable

Convenient express service! Good hygiene Stephane best employee!

Never doubt this place one of the most flavourful, barbecue chicken, in town if you never had this food hey sis, just to try it it will change your mind about BBQ Spicy Chiken BBQ is fire And regular BBQ is the bom

My family love the spicy chicken. We at least do once a month takeout from here. Make sure to ask for spicy powder from them it make the food even better.

I really like the welcome, the employees are very nice

Alida best service

Aka very good service

I was really satisfied with Alidas service. She was really friendly and polite.

Alida good service

Alida helped me ! Thank you

I was well served by Alida I like the way she welcomes customers

Very good service from Alida and the food is very good!

Amazing charcoal barbecue. Loads of flavour, good kick of spice. We ate in on a community style table, which you dont see often in Canada. Best BBQ Chicken in Ottawa, hands down Parking: Parking on street and right beside yhe restaurant Kid-friendliness: Kids were eating at the restaurant when we arrived. Ate with them. Great atmosphere.

Great food. Unique. Commercial/industrial decor. The food speaks for itself.

Most amazing food in ottawa hands down. Im starting to eat it everyday, never gets old. Hogh recomend. Thank u Alida/YKO!

Thanks to my friend Danny, i found my favorite restaurent. Fast QUALITY food. Can only find in ottawa. They need more of these nationwide

The food is amazing and of quality every time I have ordered or eaten there I have been satisfied and eaten like a king.

Quality of food is perfect and amazing full of flavour food :)

Best charcoal BBQ chicken in town. Period.

Excellent

I asked for well done chicken I got it pink. I m highly disappointed because I had great experience in the past but after this time I won t be visiting again due to this circumstance. Until this issue is fixed. This was not the first time I get my chicken uncooked at this place.

Great Chicken, nice and spicy. I had their chicken, rice and plantain and it was Absolutely delicious.

Hands down the best chicken in Ottawa. The family recipe has been passed down for generations. Ask anyone who grew up in Ottawa, especially in proximity to downtown and the eastern part of town and they will guide you to YKO for the best grilled chicken! The secret is in the seasoning ;)

Best chicken spot in the city Hands down And the service always fast !!!!!!

A Magnificent Experience What a warm welcome Thanks for the excellent food I highly recommend this place

Love the rice with their attieke sauce(tomatoes+onions ) e.ve.ry.time the flavor & juiciness of this Ivorian (Côte dIvoire) mixed spices cuisine wether you eat meat or prefer veggies is where its @t Food : 5/5

The best African restaurant in Canada, I have never eaten such good choukouya, I highly recommend it. I was won over by the quality and taste of my dish! Tasty the comfortable place and the excellent welcome! Parking: Parking is easier they have 5 parking spaces available for customers

Best chicken. Love it !

I HAVE BEEN FREQUENTING YKO FOR AWHILE NOW BECAUSE OF THE QUALITY OF FOOD, BUT THE CONSISTENCY. THE CHICKEN IS SPICED TO PERFECTION AND IT IS ALWAYS EXTREMELY CLEAN. HIGHLY RECOMMEND FOR BOTH TAKE-OUT AND DINE IN. THERE IS NOTHING LIKE IT IN THE MARKET.

Very good taste and good service. Welcoming employees Vegetarian options: Salad, fries, rice, plantin Parking: Free parking

Exquisite food, stunning decor, amazingly kind staff and such a must try. I was obsessed and loved. Definitely going back ! Vegetarian options: Very accommodating

Great authentic West African food and the best chicken in the city hands down! They ve had that title for over 20 years and this new location does not disappoint!

The menu is confusing because a lot on it sounds delicious (plus the food you can smell when inside. my mouth is watering just typing this). I am usually sure of what to eat and must admit it was hard to pick between the chicken and the fish, which I have to go back for. I ordered the chicken with the attiéké sauce and plantain. P.S: On a random the note the bathroom décor gets a 10. Honestly!

Literally the best BBQ chicken in the city hands down!! Such amazing food with great prices too. I always come here for takeout and it NEVER disappoints!! I highly recommend!

The chicken and goat are incredible, just like in Ivory Coast! Yko is a must in Ottawa

Love this place! Chicken is always on point, and service is friendly. I absolutely recommend!

Saw all the good reviews and decided to try it, wait time too long and chicken was dry and cold

Best chicken place in the world always worth my time

The food was amazing and tasty. The customer service was amazing you should give it a try

Food was amazing and customer service couldn t be better.comeback

Super food verses very excellent

Amazing

Very good experience! Great service

Trees Good, fast and friendly service

Alida was amazing, she is super and the food is the best in town. Thanks Alida for your amazing service

Alida did an amazing job serving me and they provide the quickest service. Biggest fan and definitely coming back. Best chicken in Ottawa and Canada

Alida good customer service as well as good food

Alida and junior amazing

Stephanie the employee is the best

Slow

Very good junior service.

Very clean and professional

Always has absolutely amazing food with welcoming and friendly service. The plantains are always perfect and the chicken is the best of anywhere in Ottawa! 5 stars honestly isn t a high enough rating for this place!

Very tasty chicken.

Great team, great service, great meal. In short, a reference in terms of catering. Thank you

I really liked the fact that the team members were focused on their work! Ive only seen them use an electronic device to take Uber orders! Stéphane is a kitchen magician! It made the chicken delicious to eat with the attiéké and alloco! Stay united, YKO team, to do great things.

Best chicken in town Mc Arthur needs improvement on wait time Food

We had heard good things about YKO so walked in on a weekday evening for an early dinner. We asked for recommendations and ended up getting the half chicken (spicy) with Atieke (couscous made from cassava) and plantain. It was our first time trying Atieke and it was delicious, we mixed in the salsa and the mayo as per our servers recommendation and it was really good. The chicken was juicy, the spices were amazing.. we really enjoyed our meal. The portion was big enough for 2 people. We will definitely be coming back to try the other dishes.

Bad service, if you want to eat and you havent called expect to wait 1-2 hours. Also a long wait if you pre-ordered. Very poor management Does not respect the order of people waiting in line. The chicken is excellent but the wait and management are not worth it unfortunately.

Whatever yall got going in this location, pls keep it up. The other location is a complete fiasco. This location on the other hand is here to stay and absolutely incredible. Food, portion and service is everything. Im quite impressed.

If dine in was available Id give it a 5. Its only a matter of time because it looks like they are building that area. This was a whim after reading an article on CTV news, and I dont regret it one bit. Ordered an entire chicken, veggies, plantains, and BBQ goat mostly as a test. Oh and because my spice tolerance is quite feeble the request was for a normal level (non-spicy). Lets say I got what I expected and more. Everything is on wood charcoal, thats a flavor that cant be beat. All the meats were tender and tasty as could be. What impressed me the most is the plantain. Plantain I tasted before were nowhere that tasty, or tender. The flavour they chose is a little sweet and it cools down other spices quite well. The staff obviously cares more on quality than having a huge menu. The service was done with a huge smile too. This will be a great little hangout when the dining space is ready.

I have probably told all my friends about this place since their McArthur location. I ve been nordering from the other place since 2017. Never fails to be on point in the quality and the taste of their food except the wait time and the lil disorganization and delay in orders. I absolutely love to see such a small business thriving and I hope this turns into a whole big franchise!! Because people deserve to taste you food!!

I tried this place for the first time, choosing to visit this location as I herd the other one was super busy. Amazing food, possibly the best seasoned chicken Ive ever had. I ordered the quarter chicken combo which for me was a fair value.

Third visit, cold chicken, floor was not clean and slippy. Take when you will be there.

Its Saturday. Jun 3 2023.i arrived at the restaurant at 9h17 placed orders 2 combos and 2 drinks..i talked to the casher 3 times.after 1h and 4 minutes (10h9min) i asked him for refund and quit.i never see any biz like that.thats crazy there is huge needs for employees. Basically 3 people runs the whole restaurant. They needs at least 7 or 8 employees. Washroom is garbage. No napkins No one clean it or clean tables. Staff over tired no casher to answer phone.too bad how people runs their biz in 2023.never ever go back even for free .i have this biz I will make a gold miner but honestly I feel bad for the employees and the own also because they missed opportunities.

I went in a few days ago to get a couple of half chicken combos. Ramata recommended I try mine with atiéké and salsa and mayo. It was simply outstanding. Absolutely delicious. I ve never had anything like it and I m obsessed. Haven t been able to stop thinking about it and will be going back very soon. Allow me to suggest a sorrel juice as well. These ladies know that they re doing.

Its extraordinary!!!

Great chicken and fries

Best Charcoal chicken I ve ever had.

Best chicken you ll ever have but very slow and disorganized service. Worth the wait in my opinion, the chicken is that good

Hidden Gem! WOW! Cooked & seasoned perfectly. Highly recommend.

The food was excellent and service was quick Parking: There s three parking available Food : 5/5 |

The food is good without question. The service and atmosphere could be better though. It s best for take out, not to eat out there.

Was 2nd in line, about 15 people behind me. All of them got their food before me lol. A hour later? My order was wrong. Rip

Best BBQ chicken in the city! Their plantains are strongly suggested.

Best BBQ chicken .

Food is as good or even better than the original location, which is saying a lot. The suicide spice level is truly a culinary delight - that chicken is absolutely LOADED with flavour. Rice and plantains are delicious. Ginger juice is unreal. Unbelievable stuff all around.

I think they precook the chicken, even though they cook/warm it when the customer comes in. We bought the chicken which was warm from outside but not from inside, chicken taste good, price was like 20.9 which is good. The rice were not good. I also did not like the decorations much. The girl who brought the food to table was not friendly at all. I feel like their dine in area is not nice. I might try their chicken again but will definitely tell them to cook fresh or warm it properly.

Good food

Amazing food that is fresh and well seasoned. Chicken is juicy and yummy. Highly recommend. Staff were super friendly.

This food was so amazing that I went back twice during my trip. Love the quarter chicken combo and the price was reasonable

I loved it

YKO Chicken BBQ truly excels in grilling chicken to perfection - the taste was next level and utterly delightful. However, I found the rice flavour to be a mismatch for my palate, not quite aligning with my taste preferences. If youre a fan of superbly grilled chicken, this place is a must-visit!

Having been a frequent customer at their original location, we were eager to try this new location, and it did not disappoint! It s nice to see that they ve embraced their hole in the wall origins and incorporated it into their aesthetic, but most importantly, the food is consistently as good as we ve always come to expect! Some reviewers here have indicated that the service can be slow, but that is actually also consistent with their original location and, honestly, the wait is worth it for the value and quality of the food.

Slow slow

Simply amazing. 1000% satisfied.

My boss treated me to what he said was the best African food in town. WoW was that an understatement. 10/10 would do it again. This blew my mind and taste buds

Lately the chickens are undercooked

Very low attention to detail at this location. Called in to place my order. They wasted my time, gave me the wrong order. I blame myself for not checking SMH. I won t be back here.

Well seasoned and juicy chicken. Ordered a whole chicken with a side of rice and plantains, everything was delicious. The bag for the chicken had a liner that kept it hot too.

From the moment I entered YKO and saw how busy it was, I knew I would enjoy every bite of my meal .and boy, was I right! So far, I have gone 3 times and the charcoaled chicken is always cooked to perfection and juicy. I ve had the sides of plantain, legumes and rice and I always just want more because they are just so tasty compliment the BBQ so well! I live in Toronto and always make sure to stop by YKO when I m on a business trip to Ottawa. The staff is very friendly and professional and the quality of the food is unmatched! Wish I could add 10 more

I called to ask about the other location which I was waiting for to open and they would not give me a clear answer. Seems like it s owned by different people I guess. The chicken seasoning was good but unfortunately the chicken was very dry. Not juicy at all. It was over cooked. The plantains were decent and I liked how they were in small prices too. I will try the other location in the east next time

Terrible customer service!! Rude staff!! It s a shame .

A serious effort is being made to improve customer service. The key word here is order in advance or patience. Otherwise the chicken is succulent. This is the main thing some would say.

Just the best chiken in town

The first positive point is that the food is very good (10/10). Then, if patience is your friend you can go there for sure you will find it in the restaurant. (note: if they tell you to come in 30 minutes, come in 1 hour instead. So you will wait between 10-15 minutes)

We get takeout every Friday night and stumbled upon this place while searching through google maps. It was so good, we came back later that week!! The staff are incredibly friendly and the food is amazing. Really good portions too. Would highly recommend. We had the chicken with rice and plantains.

Please don t order from here. The customer service is terrible. They frown at you and give you timelines they cannot meet

Ottawa best chicken hands down

Very good food and an amazing taste with great customer service

Very good but the service remains to be desired. The little one at the checkout is unpleasant.

Amazing Chicken BBQ spot. The rice is great, the chicken itself is 9/10, and juicy. Wish they could improve their seating. This really fills you up definitely worth it. Couldnt finish it in one go.

Place is clean, but the politeness of the people who work there and the quality of the food is just insane. The rice is to die for, and the tenderness of the chicken is amazing. Get ready for a nap if you finish your plate.

DO NOT ORDER HERE, or atleast order a year ahead

I wait so long time. I wait one hour. So trash!!!