Roasters Sandy Springs

This particular Roasters has gained quite a following among my coworkers since I introduced it to them about three years ago. The menu has evolved quite a bit from what it was a decade ago. Although Roasters used to be synonymous with rotisserie chicken, I always thought the stand-out dish was the full rack of pork ribs. These ribs aren't the smoky variety you find at typical BBQ places; instead, they’re the fall-off-the-bone type. Back in the day, you could grab a full rack for around $13, which was an incredible deal, but those days are long gone. Today, the menu still offers reasonable prices, a wide variety of options, plenty of vegetarian choices, and generous portions. People also flock to Roasters for the bread—the cornbread muffins are exceptional, in my opinion, and the yeasty rolls are quite tasty as well. The heart of their menu revolves around their chicken, which is succulent rotisserie chicken available on or off the bone (I recommend asking for it off the bone) and served with two sides. You can choose between light, dark, or mixed meat in quarter or half portions. My favorite is the combo plate with a quarter white chicken and the pork ribs. While I love BBQ, I wouldn’t classify these as traditional BBQ ribs; they are tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs with a hint of smoke. Their BBQ sauce complements both the chicken and the ribs beautifully, offering a sweet, sour, and savory flavor with just the right amount of kick. Roasters features an impressive veggie menu as well, ensuring that even my vegan friends are satisfied. They mark items cooked with pork with little pig icons, while most of the rest are vegetarian-friendly. With over 20 options primarily made from fresh vegetables, it’s definitely worth asking about them if you’re unsure. I can’t recommend the green beans, broccoli and cauliflower casserole, and collard greens enough. These are prepared Southern-style and might be a bit overcooked for some, but they’re still delicious—just add a drizzle of pepper vinegar or Tabasco for an extra kick. I’m also a big fan of the turkey plate, which offers a bit of Thanksgiving any time of year, complete with dressing, gravy, cranberry sauce, a baked sweet potato, and a vegetable. Lastly, Roasters offers some of the best chicken fingers I’ve ever had. These crunchy tenders are fantastic even when added to a salad. Sometimes, I swap the chicken fingers for rotisserie chicken on my combo plate. And I must mention the bread! You’ll enjoy fresh, yeast rolls and slightly sweet cornbread muffins that are some of my all-time favorites. Be sure to try them, and I highly recommend sprinkling some cornbread over your black-eyed peas. A four-vegetable plate with some bread makes for a satisfying and affordable lunch. I can’t finish this review without mentioning the desserts. Though I’m not usually a sweets person and typically choose carrot cake over chocolate, I’m a huge fan of ice cream and gelato. That said, I really enjoy the cobblers they serve here, especially the peach cobbler. It’s essentially a bowl of fruit filling topped with warm, baked dough and finished with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream—the perfect way to conclude a great meal. This location is within a busy shopping center, but you can usually find parking towards the edges. Exiting can be tricky because of the one-way street on the south side, but you can cross over through the alley to reach the opposite one-way street if you need to head east. I try to avoid Roswell Rd whenever possible, as it tends to get congested; even locals know to use the side streets due to heavy traffic. Lunchtime can be particularly packed, so arriving early is advisable, as the wait can become lengthy during peak hours.

The menu has changed quite a bit from 10 years ago. Initially, Roasters focused mainly on rotisserie chicken, but I ironically found the full rack of pork ribs to be the standout item on the menu. Unlike the smoky ribs typically found at BBQ joints, these were the "fall-off-the-bone" type. When I first visited, a full rack cost around $13, which was a great deal, but those days are long gone. The current menu still offers reasonable prices along with a lot of variety, plenty of vegetarian options, and generous portions. You also go to Roasters for the bread; in my opinion, their cornbread muffins are exceptional, and the yeasty rolls are pretty good too! I covered most of my favorite dishes in my original Yelp post (see below), so I won't elaborate on those here. Unfortunately, we were so hungry that I didn't get any photos of our food once it arrived at the table. Our selections included the Fried Chicken Finger Platter, Turkey and Dressing, a Salad with Rotisserie Chicken, and a Veggie Plate. Please check out my original comments below for more details. The only thing missing…

Fantastic food at great prices! I absolutely love this restaurant. The chicken is so tender it practically melts in your mouth. I highly recommend the Santa Fe Chicken Salad and the pulled BBQ chicken plate. The fried green tomatoes are incredible as well. Don't forget to try the spicy ranch dressing; it's delicious!

Never had a bad meal here. Great people and very attentative. Sandy Springs tradition.

Roasted Chicken and More. Great place to grab a quick dinner to go or sit down with family. Located in Sandy Springs Plaza, their chicken is amazing. Every time I go, I have to get their sweet potato casserole as well not to be missed.