Stoney Creek’s best-kept secret — Rony’s
The minute you walk into the shop you’re greeted by the intoxicating aroma of chicken being cooked over charcoal
If you’re looking for some delicious charcoal chicken and homemade yogurt, then you should check out Rony’s, tucked away in a nondescript Stoney Creek strip mall.
The restaurant is owned and run by Rony Shamoun, who grew up in an Assyrian household and inherited his family’s love for cooking. It might come as a surprise to you that Rony has no previous restaurant experience besides working as a delivery driver for KFC and his dad’s pizza shop.
Rony attributes his success to being raised in the Middle East, which shaped his understanding and appreciation of food. Like many cultures around the world, food is a huge component that builds family and culture, and Rony’s Assyrian upbringing shines through in his hospitality and delicious food today.
Rony’s Restaurant was opened in July 2016. Having lived in Stoney Creek for a few years, Rony told us, “I found that there was a lack of options for Middle Eastern food, especially one that specializes in charcoal grilled chicken.”
So, with that gap in the market, Rony decided to open his own restaurant. Today, Rony’s is known for its mouth-watering charcoal chicken, which is cooked to perfection on a charcoal grill. Rony told us, “Using charcoal to cook is by far one of the most challenging fuel sources — it demands a lot of attention and experience but the aroma it produces is second to none. The minute you walk into the shop, you’re greeted by the intoxicating aroma of chicken being cooked over charcoal.”
If you have a charcoal barbecue at home, you know what Rony is referring to. The smell of food cooking on a charcoal grill is life-changing. Once you tried this, you will never go back to a propane grill.
Along with the charcoal flavours, Rony’s chicken is juicy, tender and full of flavour, making it a favourite among locals and visitors alike.
Their “menu is small and hyperfocused on amazing chicken and addictive fries. Our fries have become a huge hit. It took us over a year to discover the ideal potato, Russet Burbank. The process of making great fries is simply a lot of labour and time,” Rony passionately told us.
Speaking with Rony, you really feel his love of simple but delicious food. He focuses on high-quality ingredients, and dedication to the correct cooking methods to ensure everyone leaves Rony’s with a smile and a full belly.
In addition to their delicious chicken, Rony’s also makes their own homemade yogurt. This yogurt is made with fresh ingredients and has a creamy texture that pairs perfectly with the chicken. It’s a great way to cool down your taste buds after enjoying the spiciness of the chicken.
Rony shares, “Yogurt is a staple ingredient in Assyrian culture, so much so that we don’t typically buy it but rather make it at home. The recipe we’ve adopted at the shop is a variation of the one I grew up eating.
“When we first opened, we used to make it in 60-litre batches several times a week but once we got busy, we had to adapt and innovate. Four years ago, we built a custom yogurt machine that can produce 600-litre batches that only last us about four weeks. The difference between our yogurt and most other commercially available products is that we ferment it for longer, which results in a tangier flavour and thicker texture without additives. The higher acidity helps balance out the savoury and smoky flavours of the chicken.
“Three years ago, we started mak
ing froyo in small batches and it became a huge hit. We only use natural ingredients; the mango is by far the most popular flavour. Mango is usually always available, and we have a second flavour based on staff and customer requests.”
My go-to order is always their falafel wrap — for only $9.99, you get chickpea fritters which are deep fried, plus parsley, tomato, and yogurt. This is fully vegetarian too. I also love the chicken plate ($14.79) which comes with seasoned basmati rice, chicken, yogurt sauce,
and two sides. Their sides include hummus, tabouli, house salad, coleslaw, and fries.
A quick note about spiciness! With many of their dishes, you can select how spicy you like it. They make their own sauces, and they use fresh Scotch Bonnet peppers, and these can change from batch to batch. Just remember, their medium sauce is spicier than Frank’s Red Hot. If you are unsure how spicy you like to go, you can request sauce on the side. Their hot sauce is full of flavour and spicy!
Rony’s Chicken Restaurant is a great place to go if you are looking for some delicious chicken. The restaurant has a warm and wel
coming atmosphere, and the staff is always friendly and helpful. They also offer takeout and have a small dining room too. Rony’s is located at 312 Gray Rd. in Stoney Creek. They are open from Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. You can see their full menu and order online at ronystogo.ca.