Hotshots Chicken & Ribs---Buffalo Grove

I felt the need to mention this fairly new spot in the strip mall at the NE corner of Arlington Heights Rd & Lake Cook, as I had some very impressive carry-out yesterday afternoon and will be back soon.

While the name implies more of a BBQ spot, to me it leans more towards a jazzed up dog joint with all of the classic Chicago standbys. But, like many of the other Greek owned places in the area (and unlike most dog stands), they also feature mediterranean or BBQ rotisserie chicken, ribs, and pork or chicken kabobs (along with pizza, good sounding salads, egg lemon soup daily, and smoothies).

Sampled the mediterranean rotisserie chicken and chicken kabobs, both of which were excellent. In addition to the perfectly cooked and seasoned meat, the sides were what really put them over the top. Slaw was perfectly creamy without being too rich, and the mediterranean potatoes were out of this world (perfectly cooked boats, crispy outside and soft in, with the lemon and seasoning penetrating the entire potato to give a great blast of flavor with each bite). Fries were average, but no need to order them when the greek potatoes are that good anyways.

All in all, I haven't seen any advertising and I'm not sure how they're doing. I do know that they are producing some great product with generous portions at very competitive pricing ($9.95 for a WHOLE rotisserie chicken including a large cole slaw, potatoes, and bread) and I'd hate for them to go unnoticed. I am hesitant to post this glowing review after only one visit, but I'd be stunned if it wasn't as good on my next try...no website that I could find, but here is the address:

Hotshots Chicken & Ribs
105 N Arlington Heights Rd
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
(847) 419-9191

I live right down the block from this place and have to disagree.

The portions are small, the place is always empty, and their menu is generic. They have hotdogs, gyros, burgers, kabobs, and rotisserie chicken. In the kabob market they are competing locally with Pita Inn and Dengeo's, both tons better. The kabobs at hotshots are tiny and not too good.

As far as burgers, dogs, and beef goes they are competing with Michael's, Wiener Take All, Flukey's, and Tore Lukes. There are many better choices in the area.

The only thing they have that is unique is their chicken. I asked them about how they spiced their Mediterranean chicken, and they told me that they stuff gorgonzola cheese under the skin of the chicken while it is cooking on the rotisserie as well as traditional greek spices (olive oil, green and red peppers, and oregano). Not wanting my rotisserie chicken stuffed with cheese (sorry, it just sounds disgusting), I asked about the BBQ chicken and was told it was prepared the same way, but just coated in BBQ. Yes... A BBQ joint opened up in a Jewish neighborhood and stuffs their Greek and BBQ chicken with cheese. What are they thinking?

Anyways, I know it is a catch-22, but as a rule I try to avoid restaurants that have no traffic. This place is pretty much dead empty most of the time, and when there are people there, it seems as if they are friends/family of the owners. After trying it on 3 different occasions, it is now squarely on my avoid list.

Michael's
340 Half Day Rd.
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089

Weiner Take All
1117 Weiland Rd.
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
847-634-2325

Dengeos
195 W. Dundee Rd.
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089

Pita Inn
122 S. Elmhurst Rd.
Wheeling, IL 60090
847-808-7733

Tore and Luke's
2083 Rand Rd.
Palatine, IL 60074
847-358-9333

Apparently I must have caught them on a good day...if you've had 3 bad experiences I won't get my hopes up.

I LOVE Dengeo's, their chicken kabob plate is an amazing value...my only complaint is that their chicken chunks are too small and often get overcooked on the grill. Hotshots used pieces twice the size and the Mediterannean potatoes I surprisingly found to be better than Dengeo's too (at least on that day). In the end, if it doesn't last I'm perfectly happy with Dengeo's, but in the meantime I'm already craving another order of that gorgonzola-assisted decadence.

Tortfeasor wrote:I live right down the block from this place and have to disagree.

The portions are small, the place is always empty, and their menu is generic. They have hotdogs, gyros, burgers, kabobs, and rotisserie chicken. In the kabob market they are competing locally with Pita Inn and Dengeo's, both tons better. The kabobs at hotshots are tiny and not too good.

As far as burgers, dogs, and beef goes they are competing with Michael's, Wiener Take All, Flukey's, and Tore Lukes. There are many better choices in the area.

The only thing they have that is unique is their chicken. I asked them about how they spiced their Mediterranean chicken, and they told me that they stuff gorgonzola cheese under the skin of the chicken while it is cooking on the rotisserie as well as traditional greek spices (olive oil, green and red peppers, and oregano). Not wanting my rotisserie chicken stuffed with cheese (sorry, it just sounds disgusting), I asked about the BBQ chicken and was told it was prepared the same way, but just coated in BBQ. Yes... A BBQ joint opened up in a Jewish neighborhood and stuffs their Greek and BBQ chicken with cheese. What are they thinking?

Anyways, I know it is a catch-22, but as a rule I try to avoid restaurants that have no traffic. This place is pretty much dead empty most of the time, and when there are people there, it seems as if they are friends/family of the owners. After trying it on 3 different occasions, it is now squarely on my avoid list.

Michael's
340 Half Day Rd.
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089

Weiner Take All
1117 Weiland Rd.
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
847-634-2325

Dengeos
195 W. Dundee Rd.
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089

Pita Inn
122 S. Elmhurst Rd.
Wheeling, IL 60090
847-808-7733

Tore and Luke's
2083 Rand Rd.
Palatine, IL 60074
847-358-9333

Never heard of Greek Chickens stuffed with gorgonzola..does not sound good and I have never eaten anything close to that growing up in 100 % Greek household
I have heard of Greek Lamb with cheese stuff into small slits in the lamb but thats a whole different thing.
I could see the guy trying to do something differnt for the lunch crowd with a little twist on traditional Greek Chicken but why use gorgonzola?? a little Feta might work. I know ive sprinkled crumble feta on the greek style boneless skinless chicken breast while grillling them and its pretty tasty

Actually, Hotshots Chicken and Ribs is great. I'll have to agree with Tony. Their rotisserie chicken is amazing. So are their ribs! The chicken is actually only sprinkled with asiago cheese, olive oil, and seasoning for added flavor, not STUFFED with GORGONZOLA. I agree that would be a bit gross! Their signature seasoned chicken is delicious!

I cater lunches for clients in the area on a weekly basis from Hotshots Chicken and Ribs, and everyone LOVES the chicken! The sides are great as well. Their potatoes and coleslaw always get rave reviews. Also, their soups and salads are to die for!

The only reason that it seems empty inside is because they are so busy delivering. The inside is very nice to "dine in", but it is winter and they mostly have been carrying out. So, don't let it scare you that it is not busy inside. They don't serve alcohol, so it isn't exactly a bar/restaurant atmosphere. This is a very friend/family type of environment. The people who run this place are friendly and it is a cozy, fun place.

I'm sorry, but just couldn't help but write back to let you guys know that the "gorgonzola stuffing" comment is TOTALLY false! I love this restaurant, and so do many other residents around the area.

glad to hear there is NO gorgonzola..why would they tell Tortfeasor
thats what they were using though?
guess ill shoot up there for lunch one day and find out for myself as there seems to be conflicting info on this
plus it sounds like raves all around in either case

He must have just gotten his cheeses mixed up. Big difference between sprinkling a little Asiago cheese for flavor and STUFFING with Gorgonzola. Funny how rumors get started and details get exaggerated. Yes, definitely give them another shot. I do know that their meat and produce is always very, very fresh....NEVER frozen. There is something to be said for that.

I tired this place and have to agree with Tortfeasor. Ok, so it was only one visit, but I was not impressed. I had the egg lemon soup and the gyros pita sandwich.

The good: I really liked the yogurt sauce I thought it was very good. The meat was only ok.

The bad: The french fries were cold and soggy and the pita bread did not taste very good either. As far as the egg lemon soup is concerned I have never had it before so I was very interested in trying it. They told me it was homemade, whatever that means today. Anyway, it was lukewarm and I didn’t like it at all. So I don’t know if it was the soup or me not liking egg lemon if it was the best ever.

I didn't care for their service attitude.

Not worth a trip for average gyros meat and very good yogurt sauce. I don’t think I will be back.

D.

dodger wrote:
The bad: The french fries were cold and soggy

southerngirl wrote: I do know that their meat and produce is always very, very fresh....NEVER frozen.

So I would asssume that they hand cut their own french fries and don't use the frozen fries. Is this the case?

Have to agree with Tortfeasor. I've tried them twice. Once carry out. Once delivery. The carry out was the chicken which was OK, but a bit over priced for the portion size. They got the order wrong and charged me for slaw which they forgot to include. The bag was stapled when given to me. The second time we had burgers delivered. They had to be the singularly worst burgers I've ever had. Unbelievably dry with totally stale buns. I don't understand how the guy that made the sandwich couldn't tell the buns were hard. And, they got the condiments wrong on both as well. There are many other better spots for chicken and sandwiches in this area.

Hey GP60004, it doesn’t look like southerngirl ever answered your question. I wonder if she had a connection to this place.

Anyway, no matter because I drove by it last night and it looks closed.

D.