Pollos Poncho

Our friend group made it out of the group chat and all flew from different parts of the US to meet in Mexico City, with the trip being centered around UFC Mexico. This is probably the most trite male activity we could have done, but is something corny if you genuinely love it? Probably. After eating primarily pork tacos on our first few nights, I needed a meal to bring me back to homeostasis. I seen about 20 chickens slowly rotating in the rotisserie oven from the street, and that may as well be a bat signal for me. We sat down at a 4-top on the street and all ordered different things, but I ran a half chicken and with a side of spanish rice and black beans. It came with tortillas too, but the last thing I needed at this point was more carbs. My big homie said the tortillas were gas tho. This chicken was decent, falling in my B-tier rankings for rotisserie chicken spots. It was just a little dry, but I’m a snob with my rotisserie chicken. Being an expert on something is truly a blessing and a curse. I probably should have done more diligence on finding the best possible chicken spot, but sometimes I prefer to just go by feel. It’s nice to just let the spirits guide you every now and then. I’ll tell you what though, sitting there in Mexico City with my friends who I’ve known since high school, ripping into some B-tier chicken was truly a moment. We don’t see each other as much as we used to, but it’s fun reconnecting a few times a year and watching everyone’s growth. One just got engaged. Another homie who used to be a little slut is now fully cuffed up, in a committed relationship. I never thought I’d see the day. I have some of the best friends in the world, and am so grateful for that. I’m also grateful for some B-tier chicken, as it is still a solid meal. IG @jnov_ Tiktok @jnov__

Tucked in the heart of Roma Norte, Pollos Ponchos is a no-frills spot that delivers big on flavor. Open early and running late, it became my go-to during a recent weekend in Mexico City. The service is friendly and fast, and the food never missed. My favorites were the pastor de pollo and the pollo rostizado—both packed with flavor and perfect whether you’re grabbing a quick bite or sitting down for a casual meal. It’s the kind of place you come back to again and again, not for the ambiance, but because it just hits the spot every time.

Food-wise, this place was solid. The chicken burrito was pretty good—no complaints there. However, I had an unpleasant experience when it came time to pay. The male server handed me the card reader to select a tip, and I chose the 10% option. After he took the machine back and I paid with my card, I noticed on my receipt that the server had changed the tip to 20% and had quickly walked away. While the extra amount wasn’t significant, the way it was handled felt dishonest and left a sour impression—especially concerning for visitors. In hindsight, I wish I had spoken up in the moment, but I’m sharing this here to bring awareness and caution future customers.

Love this spot - been to Mexico City 2x and went both times! The pastor de pollo taco and campencho taco are great as well as the callo de pollo. The red salsa is seriously addicting!

I can't recommend it enough! That burrito was one of the best I’ve ever had, so juicy, filling, and packed with flavor. And those spicy lollipops they gave us? Absolutely delicious!

Pollos Poncho visually entices you from the sidewalk with a squeaky clean kitchen, happy employees, and dozens of roasting chickens. Because of the open design, you can see the chef from any seat in the house plus the sidewalk. If you prefer a front row seat of the food preparation, grab a seat at the counter if it isn't rainy season. We ordered chilaquiles, taco de pastor de pollo, taco nacho, papitas cambray, and guacamole. Salsas came out complimentary. Our favorite was definitely the taco nacho. The jalapeños on it seemed to be roasted and deep fried which gave it a nice little kick. The rest of the food was well cooked and seasoned, but lacked the spiciness my family prefers. If you like bitters and enjoy vinegar based sauces, I recommend Papitas Cambray. Service was quick and friendly. Menus are offered in English and Spanish. I've never had the pleasure of eating at a cleaner taco spot. We enjoyed our food; it was good, but not great. Although I personally didn't find anything special about their tacos, it's definitely worth a try if you find yourself hungry in Roma Norte and prefer milder spice. After I paid the bill we were given pollo rostadito lollipop pops; it was a nice touch.

Pollos poncho was a nice surprise. It’s on a busy street where some options are hit or miss. The best was that it offered a non pork option for al pastor which is great for my travel companion who doesn’t eat pork. The waitress was very kind and recommended both the costra and arabe options. We also ordered a taco nacho which had some yellow cheese and these crispy roasted jalapeños. The taco nacho was our favorite. Followed by the costra. The arabe option came with a lot of meat and was very tasty. It is a good option if you’re hungry and like the tzatziki sauce flavors. Overall…Great food. Attentive service. Clean location. Would recommend !

Cute, clean, and delicious chicken! Was so easy and felt great after eating here. Fun little hole in the wall that is still very clean and easy to navigate. Saw locals eating here also. Highly recommend as a quick and easy meal that is super inexpensive yet big portions.