Charcoal chicken is one of Australia’s favourite takeaway foods. According to Concrete Playground , Australian chefs are bringing back charcoal chicken as a serious culinary offering. In Upper Ferntree Gully, that tradition lives at Gully Slice & Grill Kebab House.
If you live in Upper Ferntree Gully, Boronia, Ferntree Gully, or the Knox area, you want charcoal chicken that tastes the way it should: smoky, juicy, and cooked fresh. This post covers what makes good charcoal chicken, where to find it locally, and why Gully Slice & Grill is worth your visit.
What Makes Charcoal Chicken Different From Regular Roast Chicken?
Charcoal chicken is cooked on a rotisserie over real charcoal or open flame. This method originated in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cooking traditions. According to Best Spots Australia, charcoal chicken has been a fixture of Australian takeaway since the 1950s, when post-war migrants introduced rotisserie cooking to suburban Australia.
The charcoal gives the skin a distinct smokiness you do not get from a standard oven-roasted bird. The rotisserie keeps the meat rotating slowly, so the juices stay inside the chicken instead of dripping out. The result: crispy skin on the outside, moist and tender meat on the inside.
Regular roast chicken from a supermarket is cooked in a convection oven. It works, but it lacks the smoky depth and the caramelised skin that a charcoal rotisserie delivers.
Charcoal Chicken in Melbourne’s Eastern Suburbs
Melbourne has a long history of quality charcoal chicken shops. The Urban List Melbourne rates charcoal chicken as one of the city’s essential takeaway foods. The eastern suburbs, including Boronia, Ferntree Gully, and Upper Ferntree Gully, have a strong demand for affordable, family-friendly takeaway.
The Knox area alone has a catchment of over 50,000 people. Many families in this part of Melbourne value quick, filling meals at fair prices. Charcoal chicken fits that need. A quarter chicken with chips and salad feeds one person for under $15. A whole chicken with sides feeds a family of four.
Why Gully Slice & Grill for Charcoal Chicken
Gully Slice & Grill Kebab House operates from Shop 5, Ferntree Plaza, 1202 Burwood Highway, Upper Ferntree Gully. The premises were fully renovated in early 2026 with new equipment and a new charcoal grill setup.
Here is what sets Gully Slice & Grill apart:
Halal certified. All chicken is halal certified. For families and individuals who require halal food, this removes the guesswork. You do not need to call ahead and ask.
Cooked fresh daily. Chickens go on the grill throughout the day. You are not getting a bird that has been sitting under a heat lamp for hours.
Full menu beyond chicken. Shawarma, kebabs, burgers, pizza, and halal snack packs (HSP) are all on the menu. One stop covers the whole family.
Convenient location. Ferntree Plaza sits right on Burwood Highway with ample parking. Dine in or grab takeaway. Uber Eats and DoorDash delivery are also available.
What to Order at Gully Slice & Grill
If charcoal chicken is your priority, start with a quarter chicken and chips. Add garlic sauce. For a bigger meal, go whole chicken with coleslaw, chips, and garlic bread.
If you want variety, the chicken shawarma wrap is a popular choice. It combines rotisserie-style chicken with fresh salad, pickles, and garlic sauce in a soft wrap. For late-night cravings, the HSP (halal snack pack) stacks kebab meat, chips, and cheese with your choice of sauces.
How to Get Charcoal Chicken Delivered in Upper Ferntree Gully
Gully Slice & Grill offers delivery through Uber Eats and DoorDash. Enter your address, search for Gully Slice & Grill, and order directly through the app. Pickup is also available by calling (03) 9758 7688.
FAQs: Charcoal Chicken in Upper Ferntree Gully
Q. Is charcoal chicken healthier than fried chicken?
A. Charcoal chicken is generally lower in fat than deep-fried chicken. The rotisserie method allows excess fat to drip off during cooking. Remove the skin for an even leaner option.
Q. What makes charcoal chicken taste smoky?
A. The smoky flavour comes from cooking over real charcoal or wood. As fat drips onto the coals, it creates smoke that infuses into the meat. This process does not happen in a standard electric or gas oven.
Q. Is Gully Slice & Grill halal certified?
A. Yes. All meat products at Gully Slice & Grill are halal certified. This applies to chicken, lamb, and beef across the full menu.
Q. Does Gully Slice & Grill do delivery?
A. Yes. Delivery is available through Uber Eats and DoorDash. You also have the option of calling ahead for pickup at (03) 9758 7688.
Q. Where is Gully Slice & Grill located?
A. Shop 5 Ferntree Plaza, 1202 Burwood Highway, Upper Ferntree Gully VIC 3156. The plaza has ample street-level parking.
Q. How much does a charcoal chicken cost?
A. Prices vary by portion size. A quarter chicken starts from around $8-10. A whole chicken with sides is typically $20-30. According to Broadsheet Melbourne, Melbourne charcoal chicken shops remain one of the most affordable takeaway options in the city.
Visit Gully Slice & Grill Today
If you are searching for charcoal chicken in Upper Ferntree Gully, Boronia, or Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, Gully Slice & Grill delivers on taste, quality, and value. Drop in to Ferntree Plaza on Burwood Highway or order online for delivery.
Find us on Google Maps or call (03) 9758 7688.