Versailles, the best chicken restaurant in Los Angeles

Everyone loves a good roast chicken but finding one that can excite your taste buds time and time again can be a challenge. Chicken must be juicy and tender with not too much fat or grease. The spices need to be just right and it should come with the accompaniments that are just as tasty. And it shouldn’t break your wallet.

Sure, you can pick one up at Ralph’s or even at Costco, you can even drive through an El Pollo Loco and get one in record time. But in a city like Los Angeles, California where there are thousands of restaurants to chose from every night, there is only one place I go when I’m craving chicken. Time and time again I find myself at Versailles.

Located on Washington Boulevard just east of Overland, Versailles doesn’t look too impressive from the outside. The old building is painted a bright blue and a used car dealer or repair is its neighbor. The parking lot is small and compared to many LA establishments, there just isn’t anything inviting about Versailles. But don’t let that fool you, park your car and get in already.

Inside, Versailles interior feels something like a Cuban version of Denny’s diner with Cuban music blaring out of the speakers. Most if not all of the wait staff are male and most come to your table impatiently when they take your order. Authentically Cuban indeed.

This Cuban establishment serves up traditional Cuban dishes and has quite an extensive menu with everything from seafood platters to salads and more. But I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who keeps coming here solely for the roast chicken. In fact, most people order the famous chicken which keeps the Versailles’ spit going non-stop throughout most of the day. The prices are very cheap also which keeps people coming back.

You can order a half or whole chicken which is good for sharing, although once you have your first bite you might reconsider. The chicken is slow-roasted in Versailles’ rotating spit and covered in their signature garlic-citrus sauce then served smothered with white onions. All dishes are served with a side of Cuban black beans, fluffy white rice and fried sweet plantains which compliment the tangy juiciness of the chicken and will fill you up quick. You can order wine and beer to wash it all down and occasionally house sangria is offered.

This little dig is so popular that lines are known to form outside this establishment during peak hours and everyone knows it’s well worth the wait. I’ve waited many times outside waiting for a free table and no one waiting ever seemed to mind. After all, the chicken is the most succulent you will find in LA, the alcohol runs plenty, and the bill is low—what more could you ask for?

Versailles Cuban restaurant
10319 Venice Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90034

Photo of street art chicken originally posted by stefanie says

Topic:  Restaurants & Food | 1 Comment
Tags:  budget

About the author

C. O. Gumela is a graduate in English Literature from the University of California Santa Barbara and holds a Le Cordon Bleu diploma in Culinary Arts. She loves taking naps, makes a crème brûlée to die for and always reads before going to bed.