Tasty Rooster (Charcoal Chicken)

Smith Street’s undisputed heavyweight champion of poultry. Forget the sad supermarket birds and corporate fast-food giants. Fitzroy purists will quietly direct you toward this spot for a poulet rôti—or just a proper Aussie chook—that genuinely shifts the paradigm. Crispy, deeply savory skin. Absurdly juicy meat. The fried chicken? Equally phenomenal. But the absolute chef-d'œuvre? The chippies. Serious fry-fiends across Melbourne whisper about these golden beauties. Never left dying under a heat lamp—fried fresh to order, dusted heavily with the holy grail of chicken salt, and nailing that elusive crunch-to-fluff ratio. Drench them in rich, savory gravy for a transcendent fix. Spotless space with indoor-outdoor seating, massive portions, crisp coleslaw, and a relentlessly cheerful crew. A masterclass in unpretentious, flawless comfort.