Pollo Popular

It’s nice to have a place like Pollo Popular in the midst of all the Indian restaurants and Crown/​Kennedy Fried Chickens that flood this part of Queens. It’s a small restaurant that has an unexpected cozy seating area up a narrow staircase. There’s even a balcony for warmer months.
The food is simply delicioso! Compared to places like Pio Pio or Tu Casa, Pollo Popular is a front runner because of their prices. When you have a craving for rotisserie chicken, green sauce, and the warm flavors of rice and beans, Pollo Popular packs the same punch like any of these other chains across NYC.
I’ve never had any dessert from being too full from the meal, but I imagine they give the same attention to it as they do any of their entrees.
The décor is really authentic and modern too… for Hillside Avenue anyway.

The food here was awesome! I live in this neighborhood and have tried almost every food spot on hillside (at least bet parsons & 179) and i have to say that this is one of my favorites so far. I had the chicken w/​rice and beans and the chicken w/​fries (i dont remember what the name of that is). Aside from the food, the staff was also quite nice and the service excellent. Oh and how can i forget… the apple pie was off the hook! Crazy! Mad! Best of all i don’t have to drive over to Pio Pio anymore.

Today is Tuesday. Wait a minute, it is Tuesday, right?
I knew I had an after work meeting, so being the avid Unilocaler that I am, I scoped out my dinner spot prior to. My meeting was at 4 and I knew that Pollo opened at 3, so I said let me get my food before so by the time I’m finished my meeting, head straight home to chow down. I get to Pollo at 3:47, gates down, place closed down tight. Okay, maybe they are opening a little late. Because the reviews already had me hooked, I decided to go for round two. Went to my meeting came back, guess what? Still closed. I called the # and they are closed on Mondays. I saw some other people walking by wondering the same thing I was. Did they forget to open today?
PP lost a great customer. I definitely won’t be making that troop again. Holla at me Pollo reviewers cause your place is a total dud!

I got delivery from this place last night!
I ordered a Combo Popular which included one chicken, a huge portion of yellow rice, side of beans, plate of mixed salad (with arugula, tomato and cucumbers) and a plate or fries and slices of hot dog. It was a great indoor meal with friends. We were all stuffed with a lot of leftovers. I also ordered some sweet plantains. Oh yea, they even included 2 cans of soda for us. That was nice because I didn’t expect it!
The chicken was delicious but I wished the chicken was just a bit bigger. I want more meat! That was the most delicious part of the meal. The flavor of the chicken skin was yummy. Their green sauce is spicy. So beware! I love spicy food but that was a kick in the mouth. Overall I was very satisfied with the meal. They do delivery and I didn’t have to wait too long, maybe 25 min.

Normally, I just like to eat my chicken fried. But i’m an open minded guy, and years ago, I had gone to Pio Pio which is well known in this area and I’m not sure frankly, why it is so popular? Anyhow, my friend works in the neighborhood, and I allowed him to drag me over to this small but clean location to try out this chicken he was raving about.
While the location isn’t great, the food and the service is. Manned by very nice people, they answered all our questions and were attentive.
The chicken here is very tasty and juicy. Each bite was memorable, but finally, I was willing to embrace and try the hot sauce here that the owner was insisting I use. Wow, so very tasty and it really helped to enhance the overall flavor of the chicken.
I’ve become a fan of this place, stopping in at various times to take out so I could relax, watch some tv and eat. Every time, i’ve been awed by how moist and tender and deliciouis the food is here. Even was impressed by their salads!
Good desserts, relatively inexpensive costs, good hosts and service.
This place is a winner and I strongly recommend you all check it out if you’re in mind for some chicken that is unique and certainly much tastier than all the other places i’ve eaten chicken, that isn’t fried up.
Go there! Enjoy and tell them, the Guro recommended it.

Defiantly a no-​no for me!
I did take out one night, from reading all the reviews I was hoping to like (wait no scratch that LOVE) this place! But it completely failed. I order a whole chicken (to obviously share with the hubby) and yellow rice/​beans. The chicken was so dry and had no flavor to it. The rice and beans were yummy… ii will not be trying again.
Left a sour taste in my mouth =/

Oh WOW! I live in Soho, NYC and this restaurant is about a 45min train ride but IT’S SOOOOO WORTH the trip. I’ve been here for lunch & dinner now approx. 5 times. (I have close friends & relatives who live in Queens) and I TRULY Love their chicken & garlic shrimps (Camarones Al Ajillo). Trust me… I’m a FOODIE and Pollo Popular is very comforting and the spices used on the chicken are amazing (side green sauce is like crack… that addictive good). Really wished they would open another location closer to Manhattan or in Manhattan (family owned & operated business).
Looking forward to going back… like right NOW!
Ry

Went in for the lunch special which runs about $ 5.95 and includes rice, beans, ¼ chicken, salad an either a choice of soup or soda. I opted for soup but on that day they didn’t have any so I asked for some platano maduros (yellow plantains) instead and they were able to substitute that for me. The food portion was just right and it was very yummy. The green sauce was spicy and very tasty as well. It’s a small place but I can see it getting packed on the weekends or at night. The waiters were very pleasant and provided good service. Parking may be difficult but it’s right off of the F line at the 169^th St. stop. Overall I give it 5 stars and 2 thumbs up!

The best part of a chicken is the skin! Then it’s the fat, then it’s the dark meat (I’m not the most healthy person out there)…
When you walk in, you, it’s a counter and a small table to your left. You order at the counter and tell the guy if you want it to go or to eat upstairs. When you go upstairs, there’s a clean bathroom, a flat-​screen TV with Latino sitcoms on (are there only sitcoms in the afternoon??), and a small amount of seating. I got the lunch special which is the quarter chicken, salad, two sides and a soda.
— Pollo Popular’s chcken is amazing! I have to say it’s better than Pio Pio.
— Beans are super yummy, I dunno what kind of sauce it’s soaked in.
— Maduras are so sweet and crispy, it’s the best maduras I’ve had so far! (I haven’t had much)
Oh, and the logo is a silhouette of a chicken for Pollo Popular! (Have you notice there’s a silhouette of a human in restrooms o_​O?)

Chicken is very yummy and the hot sauce is slamin. But I really wish they had more sides to choose from. Aside from the salad all the sides are pretty much fried. Sad to say each time I go no apple pie– it must be good bc they are always out.

i can write a long review of how great their food is… but honestly, YOU need to go and check it out for yourself… if you’re a fan of juicy/​flavorful chicken… and friendly staff (which we sometimes do not get at fancy restaurants)… then just hop on the F train or your latest ride, because it is worth the trip…
the lomo saltado… the shrimp/​camarones aljillo… the sauce… will keep you coming back for more…
«it’s home a way from home»

HANDS DOWN BEST PERUVIAN CHICKEN IN NY!!!
Pio Pio, Golden Chicken, etc. have NOTHING on this place!!! The chicken is extra juicy and well seasoned… not like these other wannabees that just add salt. Everything is awesome from the food to the reasonable prices to the ambiance of what home cooked food should be.
Take my advice fellow Unilocalers and GO HERE!!! You won’t be disappointed! I guarantee you’ll visit the next day for more… because that’s what I did!
Oh and George… the apple pie was crack!!! Thanks bro!

Omg, let me preface this by saying yes I do know the owner George and kinda have met his parents when I was a child… BUT I haven’t seen him in over 10 Years! I went there this past Saturday 9÷18÷10 and I had the most spectacular dinner! I went with my future mother In law and bf and we had a lomo saltado (2) and a pop burger and it was finger licking delicious!!! And not to mention the home made apple pie!!! I definitely will be coming back! Yummy!!!

If you are craving wonderful Peruvian fare, this is the best spot in town. This charming family-​run establishment is truly a favorite of mine. Everything from the rotisserie chicken, to the Pollo Saltado and the Camarones al Ajillo is absolutely delicious and seasoned to perfection. The tasty and flavorful homemade sauces add just the right kick. Be sure to order the special fish – a yummy dish that’s off the menu. The highlight of my meal was dessert. Ask for the homemade apple pie a la mode. It’s amazing!
Whether it’s lunch, dinner, an event or a party, the staff is truly attentive and friendly and will go out of their way to ensure an enjoyable experience. Guaranteed a great spot for family and friends, the atmosphere is quaint, cozy and intimate. The ambiance of the outdoor garden area is relaxing. Always a great dining experience! This brilliant Peruvian restaurant has a fantastic menu that never disappoints. A definite treasure in my neighborhood.

I went to this cute little place for their lunch special. The lunch special was ¼ chicken (a huge piece of breast meat & wing), small salad, two sides and a can of soda for $ 5.95. It would have been a great deal even if the food had just been good but the food was phenomenal.
The chicken was cooked all the way through but with still extremely tender and juicy meat. The skin was about as crispy as I have gotten from a Peruvian chicken place and it was excellently spiced. The salad had a tangy citrus type dressing and the lettuce was a mesclun & romaine mix made even better with the addition of some tangy baby beet greens that really stood out. There were also carrots, cucumbers and tomatoes.
I got the beans and maduros as a side. The beans were absolutely amazing… they were not refried beans and I think they were made with navy beans a bit spicy but had a hint of curry & cumin-​y flavor to them. The sauce was more yellow than red. They actually reminded me of this spiced bean dish that my mom used to make when I was little… only better (shhh, please don’t tell her). The maduros were easily the best I’ve had. They were obviously at the peak of ripeness and the outside was crispy fried while the insides of each piece were soft, gooey and warm.
The only thing I didn’t completely love was the green sauce but only since I am addicted to the Pio Pio «crack» green sauce. If I had never had Pio Pio sauce, I would have really loved this. It was very good just not comparable. It was very spicy and had a strong cilantro and lime taste to it.
I will definitely return and recommend this to anyone in the area. I now want to try the apple pie mentioned by another reviewer.

Quaint and cozy… they have outdoor seating which is a + during these nice summer nights. Everything on the menu is worth trying. I suggest you frequent this establishment as much as possible. It’s a neighborhood gem!
The chicken is juicy and full of flavor! The green sauce it the best I’ve had so far. I highly recommend ordering the apple pie for the finale. The apple pie is made fresh everyday, so sometimes they run out. That’s how amazing it is.
It’s a great family run restaurant with delicious Peruvian cuisine. The staff and owner are wonderful people. You will enjoy your time and your meal, so go visit!