A welcome alternative in chain city

Located in one of the plazas skirting Town Center Mall, the Rotisserie Shop provides an uncommon independent alternative to the usual outcropping of chain restaurants hovering near the busy shopping center. Wife-and-husband team Carla Geniso and Chris Malfitano recently revamped the takeout restaurant in response to customer demand, shifting to a full-service restaurant with a small wine and beer menu.

The casual atmosphere paired with an approachable menu built around simple rotisserie chicken and roasted pork gives the restaurant broad appeal. Add a decent children’s menu and a few craft beer options and you have the trappings of a family haunt.

The house specialty here is the 24-hour-brined rotisserie chicken, which derives much of its flavor from the array of accompanying dipping sauces. The rest of the menu is built around the chicken and rotisserie pork with items like pork poutine, a get-your-hands-dirty plate of fries slathered in gravy and topped with a melty mess of cheese curds and that pulled pork.