Pollo Tropical

Whhhhaaaatttt?! Pollo Tropical in CT?! Until I started going to school in Hartford, I thought the only Pollo’s were back in Puerto Rico! I haven’t been to this location since last semester (Fall 2010) but after reading a previous review I’m sad to hear they they are apparently closed. This was probably the only Spanish fast food place, anywhere around here. Don’t expect to get a burger, but instead they have awesome pernil (pork shoulder) and chicken sandwiches/​wraps and meals. Their platanos maduros, yuca frita, Caribbean soup and the rest of their sides are all great. I’ve tried their wraps, sandwiches and chicken meals and have never been disappointed! Their cilantro/​garlic sauce tastes amazing on anything and the guava BBQ sauce is one of a kind. Seriously, Pollo does everything right. There guava cheesecake is also quite delicioso! I’m biased about my flan, but theirs comes in a close second place.
Also at this location there was always a survey at the bottom of the receipt that if you called and answered the questions, at the end you would get a code for a FREE ¼ chicken with rice and beans with any purchase of equal or greater value ($ 4.99…I think). So pretty much, two people could eat a delicious meal for about $ 6…you can’t get that anywhere else!
Seriously, if you find a Pollo Tropical… you have to try it!

Drove to on 12÷23÷10, store was closed, signage gone. I was heartbroken! If you have a Pollo Tropical around you, take advantage! Delicious fast food for great prices. I will def miss this place!

This is the only Pollo Tropical in CT. There are franchises in NJ, FL, and Carribean islands. If I was going to open a franchise in CT I would open another Pollo Tropical. Fast food at its finest.
I got the guava BBQ pulled pork sandwich. I went to the condiment bar to get extra guava bbq because it was delicious! For my side I got yellow rice and red beans. I mixed both together along with the cilantro garlic creamy sauce from the condiment bar making a hearty filling meal. 7 hours later I am still full from this meal!
My boyfriend chowed down on the Cuban wrap and grilled chicken sandwich with curly fries on the side. He loved the cuban wrap so much he got one to go.
Resonable prices and great service also. The lady at the register was very helpful since I told her this was my first time at Pollo Tropical. They also played really great ska and reggae from the 60s which was very pleasurable to my ears.
I live 45 minutes away from this place but its worth the drive. My mouth is watering just thinking about Pollo Tropical.
You must visit if you are a fan of Carribean food or just a fan of BBQ in general!

I know it’s not supposed to be «fast food», but a half-​hour wait in an empty store for average food… c’mon.

I used to live in both Miami and Puerto Rico– the only two other places where you can find Pollo Tropical fast food restaurants. Whenever I go back to visit these places, Pollo is one of my first stops after the baggage claim. The chain is actually owned by Burger King, and it’s a wonder they haven’t expanded more. It’s technically a fast food place, but you go up to the counter and see them take the chicken off the grill for you (they have other meat too, I just never order it). It’s not fast like Burger King, but it isn’t much of a wait either. You can get different portions of chicken with whatever sides you want. The chicken is well seasoned and whether you request white or dark meat, it’s never dried out. The standard black beans & rice is good, but the yucca and platanos maduros (fried sweet banana) are my favorites. I’ve had soups too that are great too, but I didn’t notice any at the Hfd location the one time I went. The Tropichiller milkshakes would be even better with a nice pour of spiced rum ;o). They also have AWESOME catering. haven’t had it in CT, but in Mia my company would frequently order enough for 80 for our development days.
I was really sad to leave the sunshine for New Haven, but having Pollo 40 min away makes it more bearable.

Just got back from here. After seeing a bunch of billboards advertising a special with chicken, beans, and rice for a $ 4.19 I knew I needed to stop in.
The rice was tasty but typical, what you would expect from yellow rice at a place like this, with some veggies thrown in. Black beans were tasty, but my eating partner got the red beans and we both agreed we liked the red beans a little bit more. Food also came with a roll which was a bit dry but good for dipping into all of the condiments you can get.
After you order at the counter behind you there is a bar with lots of condiments. I got one which was creamy with garlic and cilantro, which was ok, but too mild, I wanted more cilantro taste but I’m a cilantro fiend. Curry mustard was also creamy but too mild. The Mojo was insane, it tasted almost like straight up pureed garlic. If you are a garlic fan you will love this — it’s pretty much one step away from taking a needle and injecting garlic juice right into your arm. My favorite was probably the one I think was just labeled «Sweet and Hot» (if I remember right). It was sweet, and mildly spicy but also nice and tangy — little bit reminiscent of the dipping sauce you get at Thai places for spring rolls and the like. There’s actually quite a few more I didn’t try but I will next time — I bet the guava barbecue sauce (!) is quite good.
Overall this place was quite good but the affordable prices put it right in the 4-​star range for me. The location is also quite convenient for me and I can’t wait to try other proteins besides the chicken, the pictures of the roasted pork looks really good.