* Don’t miss the details below on Pollo Tropical’s Grand Opening this Saturday, September 20.
After attending a media preview of the just-opened Pollo Tropical (located at 6819 N. Loop 1604 W., across from UTSA) and sampling their wide menu of enticing Caribbean flavors, I’m sold. Their concept of providing fresh, hand-prepared-on-site foods is sure to be a hit in San Antonio where parents are always on the hunt for healthy, delicious, quick options for their busy families.
Pollo Tropical first opened in Miami in 1988. Their claim to fame is marinating meats in citrus juices and flame-grilling them, sealing in flavor. In addition to their traditional grilled chicken-on-the-bone, chicken breast, and pork offerings (which are natural and hormone-free), Texas locations also include beef on the menu (selections of prime rib that’s been marinated, seared, cut into strips, and topped with pickled onions).
A wide variety of interesting side dishes, many not found on other local restaurant menus, includes white, brown, or yellow rice (with veggies), red or black beans, fried yuca root (which tastes similar to potatoes and pairs awesomely with Pollo Tropical’s garlic cilantro sauce), mashed potatoes and gravy, Caribbean corn soufflé (this was one of my favorites!), green beans, corn, mac and cheese, and salads.
The salads, which can be ordered as a side or a meal (topped with grilled or bone-in chicken), also feature prominently on the menu, as do wraps and sandwiches. Or you can create your own TropiChop: choose your meat, add rice or veggies, choose from a variety of toppings (including beans, corn, tomatoes, peppers, onions), and add your sauce at the Saucing Island which boasts 10 signature sauces that range from sweet to savory to spicy. A vegetarian version of the TropiChop is available too.
Family Meals you can pick up at the drive through (or enjoy while dining in) make busy weeknight dinners a cinch and they start at just $12.29 for a family of four.
Pollo Tropical opens its second San Antonio restaurant at 281 and Bitters next month. In the meantime, visit their 1604 West location for a fresh taste of prepared-in-house Caribbean cuisine.
This Saturday, September 20, at 10:30 a.m. at Pollo Tropical’s Grand Opening (which coincides with the unveiling of next door sister restaurant Taco Cabana’s new prototype restaurant design):
- Pollo Tropical chief operating officer goes head-to-head against Taco Cabana’s chief operating officer in a robosurfing contest on a simulated surfing machine. The winner will donate to Meals on Wheels of San Antonio.
- Guests at the grand opening can also ride on the robosurfer and enter to win prizes including free chicken for a year from Pollo Tropical, Free Taco Cabana for a year, an iPad mini, T-shirts, spin-and-win prizes, and more.
Now, here’s your first look at Pollo Tropical’s sister restaurant Taco Cabana’s newest design, created to emulate the look and feel of the architecture, color palette, music, and design elements found in modern Mexico. Elements you may recognize throughout this new design: the windows and color from San Antonio’s main library downtown (the same architect worked on both projects) and photographs of street scenes from Mexico, produced by the incredibly talented San Antonio photographer, the late Rick Hunter.
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A drive-thru Caribbean place? If I ever pass through San Antonio, I’ll have to give this a try – that marinated chicken looks amazing! Thanks for sharing.