Monteiro Express is a Montreal export known for its Portuguese-style chicken at affordable prices.

Though the franchise began in 2013, its history spans several decades. Cheikh, the franchise's founder, first visited Portugal while attending college in the 1990s.

While staying there, Cheikh worked part-time at his host family's restaurant. It was there that he developed a passion for Portuguese cooking.

Over the next decade, Cheikh developed his skills, eventually working under Chef Helena Loureiro at Portus, one of Montreal's most famous Portuguese restaurants.

Eventually, Cheikh chose to leave Portus and strike out on his own. Monteiro Express was established not long thereafter.

A mural on the wall tells a truncated version of this story, which culminates in the company's expansion into Ontario.

Monteiro Express on Lawrence Avenue East in Scarborough is the franchise's first location in the province, as well as their first location outside of Quebec.

The restaurant shares space with Lokma, a Turkish-inspired dessert chain. The dining area is small but colourful, thanks to the aforementioned mural and some fun decorations on the ceiling.

Monteiro Express's menu is fairly simple, consisting of five main items and a few tasty extras. All five dishes feature churrasco chicken, made using Cheikh's secret recipe.

Each one costs $10 and can be customized with one of four different sauces. I opted for the 'medium' sauce, but mild, spicy and barbecue flavours are also available.The Chicken Combo ($10) gives you a taste of everything Monteiro has to offer: grilled chicken thighs, fresh cut fries, seasoned rice and crisp salad.

Though each component is tasty enough on its own, the dish is marketed as a combo for a reason. Not only do the varied textures and tastes balance one another, they also prevent the meal from feeling too repetitive.

The Monteiro Sandwich ($10) pairs a massive piece of chicken with a crusty, Portuguese-style bun. Lettuce, corn, onions and tomatoes are piled on top, giving the dish a more balanced flavour.

Be sure to keep some napkins at the ready: with so many toppings, spills are all but guaranteed.

Wings and Fries ($10) make for a simple but satisfying meal, especially when served with Sumol, a popular Portuguese soft drink.The Monteiro Poutine ($10) combines Portuguese chicken with a Canadian classic. Chunks of saucy chicken are spread over a bed of fries, gravy and squeaky cheese curds.The Piri Bowl ($10) is my personal favourite item on the menu. This dish can be compared to a taco salad or a burrito bowl, made with chicken instead of ground beef.

Corn, cucumbers, beans and tomatoes are just some of the vegetables that make up this colourful dish.If you still have room for dessert, consider bringing some pastel de natas ($2 each) home.

These bite-sized custard tarts contain a multitude of different textures: flaky crust, fluffy filling and a crispy, caramelized top.Though far from the only Portuguese restaurant in the city, Monteiro Express distinguishes itself with its low prices and large portions. Monteiro Express Scarborough is located at 1950 Lawrence Avenue East.