El Pollo Rico #1

The best Pollo Rico in Austin. Chicken always has smokey, citris flavor and tender. Ri e and beans on point. No complaints here! I drive from NB pazsing several because this is the best one!

Pros: Great tasting food. Good service. Price is ok. Cons: Difficult parking. Very busy street. High traffic area. Tiny dine in area. Score: OK

Good atmosphere, great service, and food is filling. Not my top choice for Mexican food.

Rico Bowl is Delicious! The tostadas are really good and the chicken is Amazing 🤩

Really good authentic food. Seasoned to perfection.

Fire chicken quesadillas for a decent price. Quick and served hot and fresh every time.

My wife and I came here and had the worst experience with Angela. We had the worst service. We asked for red sauce, she said it was in the bag and it wasn’t. I asked and paid for 2 rice. Only places 1. I couldn’t even eat rice with no utensils or napkins. She was rude and not helpful. The burrito was horrible. Didn’t have any chicken for being a “chicken burrito”. Highly don’t recommend anyone to come here.

Service needs to be better. I never heard of a place put restrictions on the parts of chicken they can sell to a customer. Lol.. funny to even hear

I was really craving some yard bird. I decided to head over to little Mexico on Lamar because of this place. They grill on charcoal which is freaking awesome. I was delighted to learn they have a drive thru. It's quirky as fuck because you have to drive in the opposite direction and make a U turn to get in the drive thru. I ordered the 1B which is the grilled 1/2 chicken with two sides. I got charro beans and plantain and also asked for extra onion. I love onions so got to have them with grilled chicken. The service was friendly and quick. They have a sign at the pick up window telling you to check your order before you leave for accuracy. I did just that. My chicken for the most part was really tasty and good. Some of the breast was overdone, but, overall a good score. Love the charcoal flavor! My charros were just meh. I didn't finish them. Very plain and boring. The plantain was sweet and delicious as you'd expect. They only gave me a little bit of onion with my chicken so I was damn glad that I ordered extra. They gave me the whole onion head!! YES!! I ate every damn bite!! Kiss me anyone? Overall I really enjoyed my protein. Four stars may be a bit generous, but, this will be one of my go to places for grilled chicken. That is for sure.

The chicken and salsa were great, customer service not so much. The atmosphere is ok, it's in a bit so good area. The overall cleanliness of the restaurant was 6/10.

When I say this chicken is OFF DA HOOK...I mean just that. I ordered some from DoorDash a couple of times. The sides are tasty, the mexican rice was fluffy and full of flavor...the salsa was tangy and spicy...just the way I like it. The main star was that chicken...LAWD! it comes wrapped in butcher paper...greasy juicy...I dont know and dont care...100% flavor...tender and SEASONED...from the skin on down. I grab the rice...the beans the tortilla... a piece of chicken and salsa and in my mouth it goes! Just writing this review has me thinking about how good it is and may go pick myself up some tomorrow...Ill add pictures later.

Ordered the whole chicken and sides (french fries and Spanish rice) The chicken was so flavorful, but dry unfortunately. I also hope they would at least fix the packaging. Napkins were just stuck in there like they were in a hurry. The green sauce was a bit bitter. Rice and salsa were good.

Skip to the third paragraph for the main points. I wanted to give this place the benefit of the doubt, but what happened after I ate was what changed my mind. I ordered the carne asada meal (probably my first mistake ordering this from a place with the word, pollo, in it) online and initially was told my order would take more than an hour. Called the place, confirmed with someone that I could get it in ~30 min, cool. After waiting in line and bringing my food home, I opened to find that all of my sides were wrong. Ok, I'd rather not have that happen but I guess I'll always check my order before I leave, fine. What really bothered me: - The carne asada was burned to the point that it was really hard to eat since I had to bite hard - My stomach hurt a lot and I ended up throwing up early the next morning, likely from food poisoning The chicken is hopefully better, and it seems like others have had a better experience, but after the stomach pain and puking I'm not taking any chances!

Chicken was good and well seasoned. I think I could have been given a warmer piece. Mine was lukewarm. Sides were good. Staff was friendly. Plus is that they have a pandaria inside!

The best chicken on planet earth. I've been smelling the chicken at this place for 4 years due to me delivering across the street but often times I'm unable to go grab some food. It always smells absolutely amazing but again no time. Well today was the day and the chicken is spectacular. It's seasoned and coated with an amazing wet/dry rub that makes your mouth dance and water. I will now plan my trips around visiting this place because the chicken really is that good. No exaggeration needed. It's really just that good. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful meal with the city of Austin. If your passing by Austin on I-35 you won't be let down getting the food. And lastly they give you so much food.....I got a half of a whole chicken, beans, rice, corn tortillas and even a drink for $10 bucks even! I'm telling everyone about this place! See ya many more times in the future.

Man this place is amazing! I have to have it at least once a week! The medio pollo is my favorite! It has never disappointed! Rice is always moist, beans always flavorful and chicken is always made to perfection! Not to forget that green salsa and roasted onion! I could go on and on... I tried their torta and mini tAcos too... which were also good.... but nothing like that medio pollo. I also appreciate that they allow you to call in the order and hAve a walk up window. I've never been inside but through the wiNdow I noticed they haVe pan de dulce which makes my mouth water as I type this lol! Good stuff! This is definitely one of my top Austin favorites!!!

Terrible customer service. Especially if you're not a Spanish speaker. The food isn't good as the location off Riverside. Don't recommend this location to anyone. Fried rice wasn't good. My taco was 80% onions and vegetables. barely any meat. mostly fatty or gristle part. gave this location two chances and each time was more disappointing than the last

I was very disappointed in the food I received. The refried beans were old, dry and had a strange smell and taste. Something rancid. The cashier asked me more than once if I wanted refried beans and I see why. The rest of the food was fine, but I'm sure no one working there would've paid for or eaten those old, rancid beans I got.

This place has become a favorite of mine over the past few years. They occasionally will be a little slow but their food makes up for it!

Gross! Food is not good. I would give it zero if I could. Do not eat here. My 3 yr old can make better food out of mud pies.

I am from Houston and I'm visiting. So I was looking for a good chicken place. Chicken and salsa were good but I feel like cheaped out on the rice and beans. When you order half a chicken they give you a small rice and beans but you would think that if you ordered a whole chicken, you would get a bigger portion of rice and beans.... well you don't. They actually charge you more for it.

The location is questionable but turn your car alarm on and head in. Omg idk what they do to their chicken but its so good that I forget how scary the crack heads and hookers are and just brave it. Yum!! Sometimes you get a live episode of cops happening right in front of you. Hot damn dinner and a show for under $20.00. Hahaha

I love the burger and the chicken and beans are heavenly. Fast and friendly. Very busy!!!!

Don't be scared of this place. You may have to walk past a couple of crackheads, but it's absolutely worth it. Best grilled chicken on earth. Best beans on earth. And best salsa verde ever created. It's cheap as hell. You can eat an entire chicken, beans, rice, tortillas, and a grilled onion for like 10 bucks. Most of the other stuff on the menu is not that memorable, but seriously, go get some chicken!!

Love the chicken at these places and the awesome green sauce! But beware the heat varies from spicy to blazing hot.

You have to compare this place to El Pollo Regio because they're basically identical. They're both windows that sell grilled chicken with rice and beans. They both charge $8.99 for a half-chicken combo and the both have delicious green sauce. That being said, Regio is much better. In addition to being in a less shady location, Regio's beans are way, way better than Pollo Rico's. These beans were just sad-looking. Additionally, some of my chicken pieces were a bit burned and, all-in-all, the chicken was just less appetizing here. If you're in the market for this type of food, I'd recommend going to Regio instead.

I have not had chicken like this, since I was in my hometown. This reminds me a lot of Pollo Loco, but the good one from Mexico. It feels awesome knowing a restaurant like this is in Austin. If you like Pollo Loco or just pollo a la brasa I definitely recommends this place.

Such great tasting chicken , every bite you take has great flavor. The rice and beans are delicious. Several sauces are given to you to choose. I love the green one. The lemonade is awesome.

They don't wash their hands so we left. Seen em walk straight back there after lolly gagging in the front then went straight to the grill. Just nasty!

El Pollo Rico (Formerly El Regio Pollo) is probably some of, if not the best grilled chicken in TEXAS. Yes, i said it. in ALL OF TEXAS. The standouts are the cebollas asados (onion wrapped in foil and grilled to yummy transclucent, slightly caramelized goodness.) The green sauce. The "salsa verde". You do not ask what is in the sauce, you just eat the sauce, with everything or by itself. If you're into heat like i am, roll up one of the fresh hot tortillas de maiz(corn tortillas) that your order comes with, dip it in the green sauce and disfrute, that's my favorite part of the entire meal. El Pollo Rico is for you. My fiance wants them to cater our wedding, ha!

Mst of the Pollo shops have great chicken ranging from 10-14 bucks for a whole chicken half a lime, an onion, and corn torillas with sals, rice, and beans. This place has great chicken, other stuff is Blah. Pick up only no inside dining. It's hood, but it's good! Eat there? You should!

Excellent chicken dishes! Tried the chicken quesadilla and was amazed that they used fresh chicken! Bet chicken quesadilla I've ever had. Good size. My friend got the chicken and loved it! This is not the most enticing place to eat, but the food is outstanding!