Pollo Campero

 

17

86

Sameer M.

Dallas, TX

I've been to the NW HWY location many times, but hate driving out there.  Today I went to the Plano location.  I order the 16 piece plus three sides, French fries, cole slaw and plantains.  After feeding several people at my office, only 1 piece was left.  It's a great alternative from KFC or Church's.  Not exactly diet food, but who cares.

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Elite '08

78

218

Jennifer C.

Dallas, TX

Aimee and I checked out Pollo Campero last night (since Glenn gave it such a glowing review) and we were glad we did. I ordered a 2 pc fried chicken meal with plantains and black beans and rice with corn tortillas. I also ordered a piece of the grilled chicken for us to share so we could try both kinds of chicken.

My fried chicken was awesome - yummy flavor and juicy.  The grilled chicken did have a lot of spice on it (not heat, but spice) but if you got past the skin the chicken on the inside had a really nice flavor and is WAY MORE diet friendly than its delcious sibling. Yum. The plantains were also delicious. The black beans and rice were alright, but didn't wow me - next time I'll get the campero beans that Aimee got - they were awesome! The cashier steered me wrong by advising me to get the corn tortillas. They were pretty boring and I would have been happier with a roll or biscuit I think.

Another surprising deliciousness - Aimee ordered the Horchata to drink (milky drink with a sweet vanilla cinnamon taste) it was fantastic. Reminded me of a milky sweet boba tea, but MUCH cheaper (and of course no bubbles).

You can't beat the price. Neither of us paid more than $10 for our meal (with a drink).

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Elite '08

63

146

Glenn S.

Dallas, TX

What a diamond in the rough!!! I had read in the DMN that the MW Hwy location had the best fast food fried chicken in town but I wasn't going to drive half-way across town for what might turn out to be a Latin version of KFC ( and oh do I hate the Colonel's 11 herbs and spices, especially when 9 of them are black pepper , one is salt and the last is some mystery stomach-churning ingredient, which I'm guessing is tobacky but I digress). When I saw that Pollo Campero opened on Preston just north of Obzeet, I knew that I would have to take myself there one drunken adventurous evening.

The building is brand new but it already doesn't look like much. The dining room could have been bussed but I came during break time so perhaps that explained the dishes everywhere. Nonetheless, to-go might be the best option. Ready to head on down right now based on that description? Hold your horses I haven't reached the good part.

The chicken was delicious. Not in that Southern fried, thick-battered, smother me in gravy way but it a very lightly breaded and seasoned, juicy in every bite way. Usually I end up dipping this type of chicken in some sauce due to dryness but this stuff had the flavor to stand on its own......and then came the sides. Since this is a latin-centric chain, the sides including black beans/white rice, yucca fries, tostones, and fried plantain with the regulars. I opted for the beans/rice & plantains (like fried banana for the uninitiated)

The plantains were arguably the most surprisingly delicious bit of food I have tasted since moving to Dallas. I love a Cuban restaurant in L.A called Versailles which offers these with every meal and I have missed them over the last 3 years. Campero's were almost as good: soft flavorful, with just a prefect buttery sweetness.......AND THIS IS FAST FOOD?!? Aye caramba! The beans and rice were also well cooked. If they had some garlic mixed it, it would have made my quasi-Versailles moment complete.

Prices are very reasonable, although the non-breast pieces run a bit small, Also there is a non-fried option that is too heavily seasoned. Load up the car. Heck, grab the neighbors kids (tell them first, of course as there is no reason to get arrested while enjoying your plantains) and head past every KFC you can find to get to Pollo Campero. You'll be glad you did.

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Elite '08

48

196

Aimee Z.

Dallas, TX

Fast Food?  Seriously?

Ok, as Jen said.  We checked out Pollo Campero last night.  I ordered the two piece dark meat fried dinner that came with one side.  I opted for the Campero Beans and also took the $1 for an extra side option and tried the tostones.

I was not at all impressed with the tostones.  They were extremely dry, but that didn't stop me from getting all the salty goodness off of them.  The Campero Beans were awesome.  This my friends is what beans are supposed to be like.  Full of tomatoes, onions, and pork FAT!  They did have a slight kick to them.

I loved both the grilled chicken that Jen ordered and the Fried Leg and Thigh that were on my plate.  Although, as Glenn said... the pieces were very small, but for $7.34 for dinner, I can't really argue.

My biggest surprise was my Horchata drink.  All I can say is yummy milky vanillay cinnamony goodness.  I took my drink home and had it finished off before I got home.

They also gave us coupons.  Buy One Get One Free type coupons.  They expire on May 23rd, so I'm sure I will be back there in the next 9 days.

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2

21

Tony M.

Dallas, TX

Seems like I had seen this chain on TV a year ago and the name stuck in my head.  When I drove by, I remembered and decided to give them a try.  

The drive-thru clerk was very patient as I studied the menu and told her it was my first visit.  I ordered a 2-piece meal (both breasts), tostones and flan.

The chicken was moist, flavorful, and had an "accent" that flirted with my palate the whole meal through.  It was a taste unlike any other fried chicken but it will become a welcome regular flavor as I plan to go back again for repeat visits.

The tostones (which are fried medallions of green plantains) were horrible.  The only ones worse were the ones I talked a chef into making for me who had never made them before and he used ripe plantains by mistake and in dirty grease.  These were my 2nd worst tostones ever.  Dark, brittle, and funny-smelling, I didn't even want to feed them to the black crow sitting on the parking lot curb as I ate.

The flan, sold in a plastic cup with branded "Pollo Campero" on the foil seal had too much egg in it and not enough cream cheese.  I would skip the flan and try another dessert.  The flan must not be their hottest item on the dessert menu.

I will be going back for the chicken and to sample the rest of their menu.  They struck out with me on the side dish and dessert this time, but the chicken was so appealing, I can't give them anything lower than a "3" this time.  After all, their name is Pollo Campero, not Tostones Campero or Flan Campero.

Enjoy!

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