Pollo Tropical

We stopped here trying to find a relatively cheaper place to eat in Miami Beach area with a group of four. We were welcomed by a low lighting condition and a weird smell in the air. Maybe they were trying to create a Cuban atmosphere, but I’m not sure. There was a long line for ordering food, not typical of a fast food place. But the food was definitely delicious. I ordered the Grilled Chicken and it was worth it. You should try the fried plantains, they are amazing.

Stopped by in the late afternoon on a Sunday. The line moved slow and it was very hot and stuffy inside; not very pleasant. I ordered the whole chicken with 4 biscuits. The chicken was very tender and flavorful. The biscuits look like they are King Hawaiian rolls, but clearly are not as they were dry.
Given that I live a few blocks away, I will most likely return to pick up chicken to-​go.

ONE OF THE WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE EXPERIENCES I HAVE EVER HAD.
I’ve been in Miami over 6 years and this was easily one of the worst restaurant experiences I’ve ever encountered. When I walked in one of the employees (an older woman) began screaming at me in Spanish. When I stopped she continued to make a scene and continue yelling despite informing her that I did not understand what she was saying (not only because it was another language but because she was so worked up). Regardless of the language barrier, all she had to do was simply remain calm and get someone to explain the issue. I’ve been to many primarily Spanish speaking businesses in Miami where if there is a communication issue, they calmly handle the situation and get another employee to help. Apparently the store was closing, even though I was still within the hours of operation. The door was open and since I was within the hours of operation, I don’t know how she expected me to assume they were closing, especially when she was unintelligibly screaming like a child having a temper tantrum. I’ve never seen anyone treat a paying customer like that and I will certainly not be returning. AVOID AT ALL COSTS.
Instead, I simply chose to go a block down the street to La Granja where they were more than accommodating despite being busy and helped me to simply order a meal.

So, I thought I couldn’t leave Miami without going to Pollo Tropical at least once. I was wrong. Maybe not *all* PTs are hot messes, but this was the perfect storm of Downtown wtwhatness, Miami rudeness, tourist cluelessness, and no one caring in the least.
To start with, I came on a Saturday afternoon. Perhaps that was my bad. Perhaps it’s best to come to PT during the week when you can get in and out relatively quickly. The line extended past the door and was very slow moving. I thought this was a sign of people clamoring for the product. I was wrong. It was a sign of location (for the tourists) and of the staff wanting to do anything but work. I ordered the chicken quesadilla wrap. I thought I received the wrong thing. The language barrier at this location was purposeful. Depending on the customer, the cashier spoke English or Spanish. For my order, the cashier decided she didn’t speak English. Charming. Initially, I received the wrong order. I was first told to get back in line and wait… but you can imagine how that went over. Even for Miami, these folks were rude rude rude. So, I wound up staying up front, exchanging side eyes (the language we both spoke fluently) with the workers and waiting for my food. I shouldn’t have waited. My wrap was laughably small. I took a picture. It was slightly smaller than the notepad in my hotel room. The wrap was majority tortilla and a nauseating pink sauce. My rice was mealy. My black beans had no seasoning. The best part of my meal was my fountain drink.
At this point, you just have to laugh. It’s like the city was *trying* to make my life miserable. Ugh. Only one day more…

This location is pretty hit and miss. Most of the time, the lines are huge, unless you come around 11:30 a.m. or earlier. Although the service is friendly, it is somewhat unprofessional — they will stop to greet and chit chat with an acquaintance while you wait patiently in line for them to end their conversation and take your order. This is a no-​no in customer service.
My co-​workers, who come here on occasion, and I, have noticed that if you eat in, you get better servings than if you do takeout. Let me explain: I don’t know why, but either that’s done on purpose (though again, why, is the better question), or it just so happens that every time we have come here for takeout, the chicken quarter in the styrofoam container is small and dry. Strangely enough, when we have chosen to eat in, we were given a larger, juicier and fresher portion. The food is otherwise the tasty, cheap Pollo Tropical we Miamians have come to love.
Since this is downtown Miami, the crowds are very varied, from the sweaty construction worker, to the stinky homeless guy, to the casual college student with earphones, to the professional lawyer or investment banker dressed to the nines. Unlike other locations, being that it is downtown, they close early (Mon — Fri: 10:00 A — 8:00 P, Sat — Sun: 10:00 A — 6:00 P) so keep that in mind if you’re pulling an all-​nighter.

Alternative to mcd, BK, KFC and such and better I think, they got a variety of self serve sauces for ur chicken and stuff
Also has free wifi… bathroom is shared tho in the plaza.

My family and I went on a cruise in december of 2013 and visiting place for dinner the night before the chicken, waffle fries and corn was good. I wasn’t familiar with these restuarant before visiting Miami, try it if your in Miami.

para mi es un sitio de comida rápida Cubana. El pollo esta demasiado seco y la verdad que aunque el precio es economico no me gusto

Exactly what you expect from pollo tropical, cheap way to eat but still tasty and delicius.

The line is always really long. But I have to just because of a «fried yuca». I think they are the only place makes «fried yuca». Thank you so much… so delicious ! I am going to stop by a few times a week just for ur «fried yuca» !!!

If you’re starving and in a hurry… I guess this is the place to go to. I’m know the food is not the highest quality but hey it’s better than McDonalds right? The line moves fast and they prepare everything in a few minutes. 30 min lunch break? I’d say go for it!

The mojo pork tropi chop is very good. I find myself craving it. For less than $ 6, it’s a very good deal. I also like the grilled chicken & the different sauces. I like the curry mustard with the tropi chop but I like the grilled chicken with just the salsa. The fried yuca is delicious. I heard that the soups & the ribs are good too. I hadn’t been here in a while & now I want to go all the time!

Pollo Tropical overcomes all odds to be incredible. I moved away from Southern Florida six years ago, and PT is a must-​have whenever I come back. They do something to the chicken and beans here that makes Los Angeles’ «El Pollo Loco» taste like a cheap Mexican ripoff, and that place is pretty good.
While I was waiting for my food this afternoon, I got a token from the cashier, and went into the shared public bathroom to wash my hands. As I washed my hands, a stall door swung open, and a strange man started walking out while furiously pleasuring himself. I yelled at the guy, and he retreated back to his stall. He’s probably still there as you read this.
Here’s the thing: despite the troll in the bathroom, I STILL stand by my decision to have lunch at Pollo Tropical. I’d deal with that weirdness again if that was the cost of entry for a tropi-​chop. That’s how good PT’s beans, chickens and salsas are. An easy five stars.

Love the Pollo! Fast, inexpensive, professional service. Big giant plus in South Florida. Yummy Cuban food and as close to home cooking as you can get. All the traditional items like rice and beans, tostonas, plantains, moros and chop-​chops.
I usually get a grilled, boneless chicken breast with a side «salad». That’s basically lettuce and croutons, but I couple that with the balsamic tomatoes. Topped with Polo’s amazingly delicious Caesar dressing (best I ever had) and it’s a great meal.
I also love the chicken wings. The hearty «Caribbean soup» with chicken and veggies is yummy. I’ve also splurged for a mango milkshake.
Only two complaints. They have the most delicious spare ribs, but take too long when you only have an hour for lunch. But if you have any extra 15 – 20 minutes, it’s worth it.
Second complaint is their delivery service stinks. I’ve waited almost two hours, no matter when you call. But they’re so quick when you get there, pickup is not a problem.

Let’s slum it for a second so I can tell you all about how Pollo Tropical is man’s best asset besides opposable thumbs. One could pose a strong argument for La Granja being superior, but allow me to explain why Pollo Tropical would be one of those three things I take with me to a deserted island besides my girlfriend and two cyanide pills.
If all food were free, Pollo Tropical would be considered garbage. Since in a world where all food is free you probably don’t require gainful employment, I would make it my career to stand around mocking those who ate Pollo Tropical. But we don’t live in that world. We live in a world where goods cost something, and to me the cost of things mitigates some of the enjoyment I get from it. It’s why Jewish people tend to complain all the time. When I eat an expensive steak, it’s usually very delicious, but imagine how much more delicious it would be if it were free. That same concept applies to all foods in all price ranges, albeit to a lesser extent in the cheaper foods.
However, Pollo Tropical is at that sweet spot where it’s very cheap and delicious for its price. Take the Tropichop, for example. The Tropichop is like a spic’s version of the KFC Famous Bowl. It’s a plastic tray filled with things. The variety of things you can pack into that tray is limited only by your imagination (and their offerings, so there’s a legitimate limit) and a «small», which is really a regular size for a typical adult, costs $ 3.99. With $ 3.99 you can fill a bowl with rice, beans, chicken, corn, tomatoes, and onions. Many people claim that putting a man on the Moon was a challenging endeavor and man’s greatest achievement. I submit that either building a massive supercollider and finding the Higgs Boson, or Pollo Tropical’s $ 3.99 Tropichop edge out slingshotting a couple of upright apes to a rock.
As you start moving up on the menu you’ll start paying a bit more, but the lower-​end items use the same damn chicken or pork, so any of those lower combo items you buy will fill you up and leave you with extra marijuana/​cocaine/​bath salts cash.
Remember, this is all based on the premise that food costs money. Even so, let’s mention La Granja once again. La Granja too has pretty cheap meals at hand, and pound-​for-​pound tastes better than Pollo Tropical. Peruvians may not know how to breed attractive people or not eat pets, but they know how to make chicken. The problem with La Granja is availability. There are, like, 4 locations in Miami-​Dade and they’re mostly in shitty areas like Kendall, Cutler Bay, and Hialeah. The downtown location is good, but there’s a guy who works there who has a stupid face and it pisses me off.
Speaking of downtown, the only Pollo Tropical I go to is the one downtown usually during lunch, and I love seeing all the tourists ordering, especially the ones completely unfamiliar with sweet plantains or yuca.
So that puts us back to Pollo Tropical. Sure, Subway has $ 5 footlongs and good combos, but there’s just something about rice and beans that makes me want to speak to my white boss in Spanish.
PEOPLE WHO WOULD ENJOY IT: Everyone. They even have shit for vegans!
PEOPLE WHO WOULD NOT ENJOY IT: Probably anyone with an abuela on call.

I’m addicted to this place! I didn’t even know such places existed. We don’t have chicken chop places in Manhattan to my knowledge and why I don’t know!!! Every single time I’m in Miami I’m craving this stuff daily. Simple. Chicken, rice, and different sauces to mix in. Delicious!!!

Great service, yummy food… You can never go wrong with this chain. Food is delicious and fresh.

Convenient but the location is not so attractive. Best to order it take-​out and walk to nearby Bayfront Park for the real Miami dining experience.
We came here on Mother’s Day for the «2 Can Dine for $ 9.99» deal. Which, if you add it up, is like ordering at regular price but getting the drinks for free. They happened to run out of corn on the Tropi Chops order and so they gave us a free side. Sweet, mo’ for me!

After my Una Completa experience, I decided that the Pollo Tropical really wasn’t THAT bad. It is to the Hispanic community what McDonald’s is to the American community — a fast food chain that peddles mediocre food and stereotypes.
With that being said, I do find that I like the chicken and ribs as well as the black beans and rice. I do have to dress it all up a bit with some hot sauce and guava BBQ sauce, but it is quick and close. I do wish that the location was a tad cleaner, but it is no worse than any other fast food joint I have patronized. Come for a quick meal, just be careful since there are a lot of tourists that turn up here due to the proximity to the park.

I’m from Cali, and we don’t have this chain out West, but I wish we did. Fast Food Grilled Chicken… I love it!
Chicken was cooked well, still very moist and not dry like it has been sitting all day. The sides were ok; I had the black beans and rice. Although I would prefer Popeye’s red beans and rice, it was still pretty good.
The service and cleanliness at this location is a little to be desired but, ahhh what do you expect… it’s FAST FOOD!

Delivery took three times as long as agreed (30 minutes turned into an hour and a half)
The chicken was good, but that’s like saying McDonald’s has good hamburgers.