Johnny N.
Google
The entire rotisserie chicken craze that is entrenched in American culture began with Boston Market (formerly Boston Chicken) in the early 90s. Before Boston Market’s popularity, no grocery store in the US sold a ready-to-eat rotisserie chicken.
So, as I sat in 1 of the only 15 remaining Boston Markets in the world, forcefully chewing rubbery chicken along with sides that felt more fit for a middle school cafeteria than a restaurant, I couldn’t help but ask myself, what happened to Boston Market?
Let’s turn the clock back to 1985, when they were founded in Newton, Massachusetts as “Boston Chicken.” Their focus was solely on quality rotisserie chicken and homestyle sides as an on the go convenience meal, a unique niche in an era where unhealthy fast food was dominating the market.
Consumers couldn’t get enough. Sales went nuclear.
In 1994, Costco and Kroger were the first grocery stores to ride the wave and began selling hot-and-ready rotisserie chickens as a loss leader.
In a tale seemingly older than time, they began to put profits over customers. The goal became one thing: Expand, expand, expand. They rebranded in 1995 to “Boston Market,” as they expanded their menu to include turkey, meatloaf, ham, etc.
Their original focus on quality food at affordable prices transformed into mediocre food at the highest price the customer was willing to pay. They used to make everything fresh in house, and hoped consumers wouldn’t notice when they switched to precooked frozen sides.
Being on the front lines for rotisserie chicken reviews in 2025, I felt I had to make the pilgrimage to pay my respects to a former titan and godfather of the chicken industry. I made the 1 hour 7 minute commute, taking 2 trains and a bus, to the only operating Boston Market left in New York City in Ozone Park.
When I reached the promised land that is in a strip mall alongside a A&B Laundromat and a run down CVS, a “now open” sign was floating in the wind.
I walked into an empty restaurant that felt like a time portal to 2007. A beat up tile floor, chairs with faux-leather seat cushions, and red tiled walls that had seen better days. It was me and only 2 other customers. I ordered a half chicken and 2 sides ($14.49), along with a side item sampler ($11.99) as I wanted to try everything. I got my beloved bird along with mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, corn, cilantro rice, cornbread, and plantains. Boston Market sells plantains???
As I tapped to pay, the employee handed me a coupon with a huge smile. I inspected it with a look of confusion on my face as I read it. “Buy 1 get 1 free, Individual meal & drink” and in small text “Only good Mon-Thursday, Good only at Ozone Park Location. Expires Aug 2025.” I couldn’t help but laugh. My first thought was “I need to frame this.”
The meal was exactly what I was expecting. The chicken was dry and rubbery, which is likely due to improper thawing and overcooking. The mac & cheese, once a beloved favorite of Boston Market consumers, tasted like it was straight out of the Kraft mac & cheese box. The plantains were atrocius… I was shocked when they even had plantains as an option. Boston Market was a shell of its former self.
As I walked out, I saw a sign on the door that was no bigger than a 3x5 notecard that read “Boston Market gift cards are not accepted at this location. We are now Ozone Rotisseries, sorry.” This sparked my passionate curiosity all over again. So is this not even a Boston Market? Is this legal? Did I completely waste my entire Saturday coming out here? So many questions…
The chicken titan was a shell of its former self, but I’m happy I went and paid my respects. Boston Market changed American culture forever. They made it so I have a cheap, convenient, high protein meal at my disposal damn near everywhere. We also need to put some respect on their name as they are pioneers of the fast casual restaurants that are so popular today. Boston Market and Panera walked so Chipotle, Shake Shack, and Sweetgreen could run. Respect the OGs.
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