Kenny Rogers Roasters: Deliciously Healthy

Kenny Rogers Roasters has been a staple dining spot for many Filipino families, and for my parents, it holds sentimental value. They used to date in the old Quezon City branch. For us, it’s a place filled with fond memories. It’s a reminder that sometimes, it’s not just about the food but the shared moments around the table.

It took me a long time before I finally decided on making a blog about Kenny Rogers Roasters because my mom used to say, “Ang tagal na niyan, bakit pa?” But I wanted to see for myself how the food holds up today.

Kenny Rogers Roasters delivers comfort food that reminds us of home. Looking at the menu, I can see that there’s something for everyone, whether you’re craving chicken, ribs, pasta, or even a burger.

Roasted Chicken Solo B

I was kinda perplexed with Kenny Rogers Roasters’ list of chicken dishes because they have a lot of them in their menu. Customers will never ran out of chicken options. I think this one is their original roasted chicken. The chicken was big, so there was plenty of meat. The skin was salty and flavorful. The breast part was a bit bland, but that’s understandable. The gravy had a soy-based taste, which paired well.  I remember ordering a fillet that is flavored with rosemary and thyme. That one is incredible. My palate could not forget it.

Ribs Solo B

You wouldn’t believe that this decent-sized serving of baby back ribs, with two sides, costs only 365 pesos! The meat was tender and flavorful. It’s definitely worth the price, compared to other mid-range restaurants. And let’s not forget to mention that corn muffin on the side. It’s a Kenny Rogers Roasters’ classic that keeps us coming back. It’s soft inside, has a slight crunch on top, and is loaded with corn bits. In fact, I used to order a box of these muffins for takeout and finish them in one sitting while watching Netflix.

Premium Steak

My husband and I ordered two steaks at a time and tried two different doneness — one medium well and one medium rare. The distinction between the two was clear, which was nice. The meat wasn’t an A-grade steak but that’s kinda expected given the price. The texture wasn’t tender and the fats didn’t have the melt-in-the-mouth feels. The flavor still taste like an ordinary beef. The saving grace was the smoky and umami-packed sauce that added depth to the otherwise ordinary beef flavor. Generally, it was still an affordable option for a decent steak.

Grilled Fish

Visually, the grilled fish looked underwhelming. It was pale and it didn’t have those nice grill marks I expected. It wasn’t in their healthy options but it looked as boring as a heathy dish. But taste-wise, it delivered. The fish had a clean, fresh flavor and a hint of charcoal smokiness. The seasoning inside was a bit lacking, though. They paired it with garlic rice, which was tasty, but it overpowered the fish. And with that, choosing spinach mashed potato as a side was a mistake as well. It was good but plain mashed potato would be better for this.

Hungarian Sausage

As a kid, the grilled Hungarian Sausage was my go-to Kenny Rogers Roasters meal because I wasn’t into big chicken portions or ribs back then. Although a serving only has a piece of sausage, it was long ang big. The sausage is still as juicy and flavorful as I remember. Its skin still bursts some juices when poked with fork. Unlike the Grilled Fish I mentioned earlier, the Hungarian Sausage complemented the restaurant’s garlic rice. It also went well with the Sour Cream & Chives Potato, which was as addicting as French fries.

Cheeseburger

The patty was thick, juicy, and seasoned well, with a good balance of tangy and savory flavors from the dressing. I was wondering though if the cook who made my burger was a former Jolibee employee because the dressing was just on one side of the burger like a Yum Burger. This burger had fresh veggies. The wheat bun was a thoughtful touch. However, the cheese didn’t really stand out, so it felt like it was missing a little something. The potato chips on the side reminded me of Calbee. Overall, it’s a solid burger for its size and price.

Spaghetti with Meatballs

I love that their Spaghetti leaned more on Italian flavors, which is tangy, than Filipino flavors, which is sweet. There were only two meatballs but they were generously-sized and enough to make the dish filling. Aside from the meatballs, the sauce also have ground beef. Who am I to complain? And speaking of pasta, we always choose Mac & Cheese as a side dish for Kenny Rogers Roasters solo and grilled plates as you can see from the other photos. It’s creamy, cheesy, savory and super comforting. It’s a no-fail option every time!

Quesadilla

The quesadilla was loaded with a flavorful mix of chicken and cheese. The tortilla was still floury and soft for my liking since I prefer a crispier quesadillas. But other than that, I have no complaints. I also had an a la carte order of the Chicken Macaroni Soup. Although the soup was just served in a small bowl, it was packed with various ingredients and flavors. It’s nothing extraordinary, but it hits the spot if you’re looking for a warm starter. On the other hand, The Macaroni Salad side dish is sweet, creamy side dish stood out for its unique and addicting flavor. It’s a nostalgic treat that pairs well with most entrees.