Pollo Express is a family owned Latin American and Mexican restaurant that has been on my list for years. It is known for its adobo-marinated grilled chicken. Immediately upon entering you can smell the chicken blended with Mexican spices. There is an open grill along the back wall with spatchcocked chickens laid out flat . We were greeted and seated and served chips with three varieties of salsa. I had the half chicken with two sides and my husband had the steak burrito. The chicken was excellent. It was so flavorful. The spices were blended so well and the chicken was tender and juicy. The burrito was massive stuffed with tender steak. The food was tasty and delicious. I definately will be back. Cash only is accepted. read more

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Randomly walked in over the weekend and honestly we were blown away. Restaurant is huge and clean, service was attentive, and there's always chicken on the grill. We ordered the chicken bowl (without onion & cilantro) along with the chicken burrito. The food was so fresh but what stands out is how clean and light the food was. Neither meal was heavy or greasy, and still enough for two meals per person. If you're looking for something tasty but healthy in the area, this is the place for it. read more

Pollo Express - Chicken bowl - Chicken Shop Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I love chicken cooked over charcoal, so I was really excited to try this new spot in the neighborhood. I ordered the half chicken combo, which came with four pieces of chicken, tortillas, rice, and beans. Unfortunately, on the day I visited the meal was disappointing. The chicken tasted reheated and overcooked, with a stringy texture, and the rice and beans were bland. For $20+, it felt a little ridiculous for the execution. Truly, you could walk a few blocks, pick up a better grilled whole chicken for $7.99 at Mariano's, grab a pack of tortillas for less than a dollar, and have a much better meal than the one we had on this day. We won't be returning. My husband was also looking forward to trying this place, but it just wasn't good, and definitely not worth the price. The idea of this spot is great, but the execution or perhaps just the consistency in the experience they provide needs work. read more

Pollo Express - Half chicken combo - Chicken Shop Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Forget Chipotle or Qdoba! This place is the real deal. I've walked past this place so many times and finally decided to give it a try. It is such a hidden gem. The portion for the steak bowl was generous and it was priced appropriately. Not only was the food good, but the employees provided great service. I will be back for sure! read more

We've eaten here a few times since they've come to the area. We've been happy with everything we've tried. The bowls are massive and a great deal for the price. The food is made quickly and the staff are friendly. Lots of areas to sit and eat read more

Pollo Express is one of those spots you keep coming back to--and for good reason. The service is always friendly and efficient, and they treat you like a regular even if it's your first visit. The food? Absolutely delicious. The quality of the chicken is consistently amazing--juicy, flavorful, and perfectly cooked every time. You can tell they take pride in what they're serving. The seasoning and char from the grill give it that authentic taste that's hard to find elsewhere. The moment you step in, the aroma hits you--in the best way. It's like a backyard BBQ, with that smoky, savory smell of fresh chicken on the grill. It instantly makes you hungry and adds to the whole experience. If you're craving well-made, flavorful grilled chicken with solid service and a no-frills, authentic vibe, Pollo Express delivers every time. read more

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Phew! So happy to have another location around here. Pollo Express is the real deal and the charcoal chicken with all the balanced seasonings just can't be beat. The amount of food you get on a Monday or Wednesday is incredible. If you order a whole chicken these days, you get another half for free along with two sides and tortillas. There are a great amount of sides to choose from as well. I go with the rice and refried beans. You can feed quite a few people for about $35 before tax and tip. It's always a quick time between placing my order and picking up my food. Everyone I've interacted with has always been incredibly kind and welcoming. Street parking is easy enough right out front and around the adjacent streets. I am looking forward to this location becoming a staple in Ravenswood! read more

Pollo Express - Chicken - Chicken Shop Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Wow. We were blown away with how great this place was! It seems like a good portion of their business is to-go, but we dined in recently and would happily go again. The portions are large (my burrito was giant!), the prices are competitive enough, the food is delicious, and the employees were all very nice. The space was very bright and clean. When you eat in, you're given chips and salsas for the table to start, which was a nice touch. Our meals (the aforementioned burrito and my husband's half chicken combo meal) took about 15 minutes to come out as everything is made to order. The chicken combo meal came with two sides (he went with the Mexican rice and beans), and also arrived with some grilled spring onions, a roasted jalapeño, and a full pack of locally made corn tortillas. Thankfully, it's 'help yourself' to-go containers because we definitely both ended up with leftovers. Afterwards, we were meeting up with some friends and immediately started recommending they check this spot out since they live nearby. We already can't wait to go again sometime soon! read more

Pollo Express - Chicken burrito - Chicken Shop Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Pollo Express serves excellent juicy, flavorful chicken that was hot and fresh right off the charcoal grill! The black beans and rice sides that came with the combo were also well seasoned and flavorful. I got the Monday/Wednesday 1.5 chicken combo for just under $34 and last me 4 meals which is a steal in my opinion. Next time I'll going to try the cilantro rice and other type of beans with the combo. Tortillas were super dry, so I didn't care for those. The girl taking my order and packing it was super nice and she said I can call ahead to place the order next time so I don't need to wait. It wasn't a long wait ... about 10 minutes after placing the order. read more

I dont understand how this place has so many good reviews. The chicken was stringy and had a overall weird texture. I only had the drumstick and wing then threw away the breast and thigh because it was just so disgusting. The cilantro rice had zero flavor. I dont think it was even salted. I thought maybe it was a bad day but saw other reviews about the stringy chicken and lack of flavor for rice and beans. The carro beans were okay but the way the meat looked made it seemed like the whole thing came from a can. And I dont understand why I was given so many tortillas for a half chicken. Ill stick with Chicken Hut. read more

Pollo Express - Half chicken meal with cilantro lime rice and carro beans. - Chicken Shop Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Best chicken I've had in years. 5 stars, I will be back. Service was great as well, I ordered online and had no wait. Establishment was very clean as well read more

Pollo Express - Chicken Shop Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We are thrilled Pollo Express has opened a second location on the North side. We have been driving down to Pilsen from Rogers Park specifically for this chicken for over 10 years. It is our favorite restaurant in the entire city without question. There's nothing like the experience of ripping into a perfectly charbroiled chicken and building the most delicious tacos from a hot stack of tortillas, fresh salsa, and grilled jalapenos and onions. We always pair with fresh guacamole, Mexican rice and Mexican cokes. We can't wait to become regulars at the new location. read more

Pollo Express - Half Chicken Adobado with side of Mexican rice - Chicken Shop Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Quick and friendly service. On Monday and Wednesday they offer a takeout special of buy a whole chicken and get a half included. This includes two sides of your choice and about a dozen corn tortillas. The food is incredible! This deal cannot be beat anywhere. Don't walk, run. Seriously. read more

Pollo Express - Whole Chicken and a half. Refried beans and Mexican rice as sides. - Chicken Shop Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I was walking past this place when I was hit by the most intoxicating smell, the adobado, and I had to stop in. I got a chicken bowl and an agua de jamaica and it was one of the best meals I've had in a while. Not only was the food amazing but the service was also impeccable. I will definitely be back!! read more

Best Mexican food in the city. I was thrilled when they moved north. Really friendly staff.

I just want to say that it's my first time passing by this restaurant and I want to congratulate you. It's the tastiest marinated chicken I've ever eaten in all of Chicago. I definitely have to try the other food on the menu . Well done read more

Wow, what a treat to have in the neighborhood. Ordered for dinner tonight two half chicken dinners with rice, beans, and warm tortillas. With each order you get a ton of food and all of it was delicious. From the rice to the pickled red onions and salsa on the side. Chicken was tender and delicious. They also agreed to make me a delicious bean and cheese burrito for me upon request. Will definitely be ordering regularly. Ate it all too quickly to take pictures. read more

Solid. It's not fancy and it's very basic. BUT, the ingredients are fresh and well prepared. It's got a fast-casual vibe and the folks are pleasant. I got a chicken bowl and was perfectly happy with it. I'll be back! read more

Everything was great. The chicken. Rice. Pineapple juice. And the service was excellent also. Definitely would be back

Mixed burrito and chicken bowl were great! Salsas were really good, and all the ingredients were fresh. Will definitely be back. read more

Pollo Express - Mixed Burrito - Chicken Shop Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My favorite Pilsen-based charcoal grilled chicken restaurant just opened a location in Uptown! In fact, scratch that. Not MY favorite Pilsen-based charcoal grilled chicken restauran, the BEST charcoal grilled chicken restauran to in the Universe. Seriously, this place is an absolute sensation. Read that again - the chicken is charcoal grilled. Very few places cook with charcoal in town, and it's a shame. It just tastes better than gas every time. Their sides are all really well made, with personal favorites the refried beans, and the guacamole they make to order right in front of you. The main man is constantly flipping the chicken on the grill, smacking tasty greasy goodness on top of them every few minutes. The whole place smells godly. They have a 1.5 chicken for the price of one deal on Mondays and Wednesdays. This review is already too long. You get the point. read more

Best chicken ever (char broil). Friends from all around the U.S. can attest. Great guacamole, wonderful everything, special people. For credibility: We travel, we are very picky. Corky Siegel read more

Very flavorful chicken! Great to add to any recipe, I wish they had some pre-shredded options. The salsa was spicy but so good!

Here's an excellent take-out chicken meal --includes sides of, corn tortillas, rice with beans --black or refried, your choice-- and condiments of roasted pepper sauce, mildly spicey tomato salsa & pickled red onions-- A great value --especially on Mondays & Wednesdays (Holidays not included) when you will get an extra half chicken with your carry-out order of the chicken meal!! Highly Recommended!!! $$ read more

I never review places, but this is a great place. Staff is friendly and awesome, place is sparkling clean and the chicken tastes great. Got the adobo whole chicken with charros beans and rice. Definately going to recommend to friends and neighbors and will be back. Don't expect it fast, you want chicken you wait but in and out in less than 10 minutes. read more

Delish food, love the buy one get one on certain days. The rice is different, but really nice! Happy to have a different option in the neighborhood read more