Ojai Rotie
Restaurant · Ojai ·
Flavorful rotisserie chicken, Mediterranean fare, wine & beer
Flavorful rotisserie chicken, Mediterranean fare, wine & beer
"A vibey rotisserie chicken restaurant with strong Lebanese and French influences, there’s no better patio to picnic on than the expansive one out front, and it has solidified itself as an anchor in the main vein of town — an ideal start or end to any day in Ojai. Between sky-high sandwiches, a strong list of locally sourced wines, and snacky dips like Lebanese muhammara, I come most for the shareable chicken meals (whole $35, half $25, quarter $18) with sides like purslane tabbouleh, cabbage and fennel slaw, and schmaltzy pommes rotisseries; the meal also brings beet-stained lift (pickled turnips), garlicky whipped toum, and za’atar-rubbed manouche bread, and I especially liked the pommes and the caramelized cauliflower. The Mezza Mezza meze platter rounds out the table with dolma, tuma cheese, olives, Persian cucumbers, lift, and more grilled manouche, and all the dips hit; if you’re choosing, make it the charred eggplant dip and the classic Lebanese muhammara, a can’t-put-it-down blend of roasted red pepper, walnuts, pomegranate, and toasted breadcrumbs. On the wine side, choose something juicy and bold — “The Optimist” Grenache blend from Sanguis Wines in Santa Barbara or a local syrah from Chief Peak Vineyard in Ojai both fit — and know the “wine box” is the center vestibule on the patio for ordering by the glass or bottle (inside is for food and non-alcoholic drinks); you might have to flag someone down there, but it never takes too long. Best for lunches as soon as you land in town and no-fuss, wine-soaked group dinners with friends or family." - Nicole Fellah
"Ojai Rotie is a fantastic place to eat outside in downtown Ojai. If you walk up to the massive front patio, most people will probably be eating the Lebanese rotisserie chicken platters. You should do the same, but also know that Ojai Rotie makes some great sides to go along with your meat. Focus on the tabbouleh salad and the rotisserie potatoes, which are like whole fingerling French fries. And if you’re not interested in tearing apart a roast chicken at dinner, the sandwiches are great, too, especially the grilled eggplant with cabrillo cheese. Grab a glass of wine from the bar, soak in the views of the mountains, and brainstorm ways to convince your boss to let you work part-time from Ojai." - nikko duren
"Rising as one of Southern California’s most compelling food events, Ojai Food & Wine announced a star-studded chef lineup — including Nyesha Arrington, Alice Waters, Grant Achatz, Eunji Lee (Lysee), and Jeremiah Tower, with local chefs such as Jon Yao of Kato, Michael Cimarusti of Providence, and Mei Lin of Daybird — and is scheduled to take place from March 13 to 16, 2025 in Ojai." - Matthew Kang
"As an alternate and equally tasty route I visit Ojai Rotie, Larry Nicola and Claud Mann’s French-Lebanese rotisserie where spice-laden roast chickens are the main event and should be paired with an array of veggies, dips, salads, and grilled manouch (flatbread); there’s no indoor seating, and eating outside at one of the many picnic tables is part of the appeal." - ByEmily Wilson
"A shaded, idyllic Ojai rotisserie offering Lebanese-style rotisserie chicken with a deeply developed, crusted skin, accompanied by excellent roasted potatoes and roughly chopped tabouleh; the quality justifies a premium price point, though diners should expect higher per-person costs for modest portions." - Eater Staff
