Life In China Food Restaurant Reviews: Kenny Rogers Roasters

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Kenny Rogers Roasters

With locations in Zhongguancun, Asian Games Village, Fuchengmen and the new Fullink Plaza opened on August 28th it seems that Kenny Rogers Roasters restaurants is becoming pretty popular in Beijing, lineups are common on weekends. The Fullink location will be the first that is relatively close to where most foreigners work and live.

Rogers Roasters is a typical country & western restaurant with a slightly different setup for ordering food. It is nicely decorated with a well thought out seating area yet there is no wait staff. You order from the menu in cafeteria style at the front of the restaurant and then carry your tray to a table. I didn't think this style went with the setting of the restaurant yet after a few trips back it seemed not to matter. Although on one occasion at the Zhongguancun location at night there was wait staff which was very slow, so I suppose ordering for yourself might be better.

The menu is where things shine. There are basically 3 main choices, chicken, ribs or meat loaf. A whole chicken is 80 rmb, meat loaf is 20 rmb. The chicken is cooked on skewers over a wood burning fire which adds a nice flavor to the meat. Each choice can be had in a 'set meal' which includes 2 side dishes. A family meal which can feed 4-5 runs 136.00 rmb.

The side dishes are fantastic and cheap. Possibly the best mashed potatoes for the price in Beijing with excellent gravy, all for 7 rmb. The serving is not that generous but not bad for 7 rmb. Anybody missing KD badly, Kraft Dinner - Macaroni & Cheese, can find a pretty good substitute along with garlic potatoes, baked beans and backed rice.

Drinks are reasonably priced with soft drinks, orange juice and a couple different choices for draft available. A definite plus is no service charge and a statement on the menu of no tipping.

Take out and delivery is available from all locations within a 1km area around the restaurant. It is recommend that foreigners ask for the store manager when ordering takeout as most of the staff speak little English.

The Zhongguancun location also hosts a mechanical bull for those frustrated cowboys in Beijing. Costing 10 yuan for 30 seconds it seems like a nice cheap way to cause some damage.

Upon my first visit I was a little surprised to see Micheal Jackson videos blasting away on the TV sets but interesting sights are what makes China fun. Since then the entertainment has usually been country and western with the occasional band. Kenny Rogers is a good family restaurant, the layout is nice and the food is quite good. If you plan on dinning on a weekend prepare to wait in line.