Universal BBQ Chicken - Brampton

These guys are specialized in two flavors: Burnt and Dry. We made the mistake of ordering Universal BBQ Chicken only because they were one of the only Portuguese chicken places open on Sunday of May long weekend that was close to us. We have the Family Room #2 for Takeout, which came with 2 whole chickens, 1 large order of roasted potatoes and 1 large rice for $41. Portions were undersized and cooked either over (chicken or seriously undercooked (potatoes and rice). The chicken itself looked like an anaemic pigeon and was dry and well cooked. The “roasted” potatoes looked more like they were cooked and had no sauce and were almost tasteless and the rice was just as bad and did not seem to be cooked long enough. It was dry and hard and also tasteless. Looked and tasted like Uncle Bens, where every single rice grain just came out of a box, boiled for 30 seconds and then thrown under a heat lamp for the duration of the day. If this has ever been served in a Portuguese household, they would be destroyed and their Portuguese heritage would be withdrawn. For something more authentic, try Mario’s in Mississauga or even Brasa’s or Sizzlo’s. Maybe we just came to the wrong time of the day (3 o'clock on Sunday afternoon) and we had the tail end of the things sitting on their hot table that they just wanted to get rid of? Obviously, our decision was not made to order. Definitely not worth our money and we will not order from here anytime in the near future. Save your money and order some Swiss chalet when you are closed a stalling for red ice cream series cooked chicken and all other Portuguese chickens in Brampton, or better yet, you are probably better on the way to the grocery store or even the Deli counter at your local Walmart and grab a pre-cooked whole chicken for $8.99 at least it will be juicier and probably taste better!

I love this chicken. Cooked over an open fire, moist and delicious. Potato salads are also fantastic.

In addition to their spit-fired chicken, they also offer a BBQ option and a full hot plate table featuring various authentic Portuguese delicacies for those who prefer something other than chicken. Their menu includes options for fish, steak, ribs, veggies, salads, croquettes, and more. I have dined here on several occasions and I found their food to be very unique in terms of flavor compared to other Portuguese BBQ restaurants. I give their food a 5/5 rating. During my visit, I ordered the BBQ half chicken dinner with rice and potatoes. The chicken was cooked perfectly and I opted for the spicy hot version which was generously slathered on the chicken before serving. The hot sauce, a unique type of peri-peri, was not like the typical Frank's Hot Sauce-based sauce and had a medium level of spiciness that I found to be enjoyable and highly recommended. The potatoes were the highlight of the meal - crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, and marinated with amazing flavors. The rice was also perfectly cooked and flavorful, with a slightly oily texture that added to its tastiness. The service was typical Portuguese fashion - super nice, very friendly, and fast. I received my food quickly and was out the door in no time. I will definitely be returning to try more items on their menu, and I encourage anyone in the area to stop by and support this fantastic Portuguese takeout spot. I assure you, you will not be disappointed.

I highly recommend this family-owned restaurant. The Portuguese chicken was delicious and the sides were also very tasty. Olivia and her family are lovely people who run a top-notch operation. It's a hidden gem located at the back of the plaza next to The Rocket Academy. I give it 5 stars!

I tried the traditional Portuguese chicken and it was deliciously flavorful. I ordered the BBQ combo and I am already looking forward to returning. I also picked up a few items for my own cooking, which was a nice extra bonus.