Pollo Campero

Pollo Campero Chicken

POLLO CAMPERO-SAN BERNARDINO 835 Harriman Place San Bernardino, CA 92408909-890-1207www.pollocampero.com
Food
This little Chicken Chain started in 1971 in Guatemala City, Guatemala. I first discovered it in early 2001 on my first trip to that beautiful country while sourcing some great coffees from one of the best coffee farmers in the world (finca Santa Isabel) and to this day I still buy from and support! Now back to the Chicken! Pollo Campero first open in the Los Angeles area in 2002 to lines that were 6 blocks long and I heard that store did four million (yes MILLION) their first 12 months in business. Well now they have close to twenty-five locations across Southern California and many more planned. Since I have been there many times before (just not on U.S. soil) I was anxious to see if they were just like the ones in the motherland.First I ordered a 2 piece meal (fried) with Campero beans and Campero rice.The Chicken here has a very light flour coating, but what makes it great is that its injection marinated (yes the chicken is shot up) so every bite has a fantastic citrus flavor. The Campero beans were large pinto beans with some cilantro and other seasonings and the Campero rice was good too with the light tangy spices blend and chopped carrots but unlike most fast food rice it was actually edible. If I closed my eyes, this could have been the store in Guatemala City.I then tried the one-half grilled chicken plate…WOW nice addition, same marinated chicken but char grilled so you get bits of char (burnt specs) and a nice lemon pepper on the top… I think I have a new favorite dish! For a few bucks you can try the huge chicken buritto which was not bad. I like their salsa bar; it was clean and stocked with a great pico and really kickin chipotle sauce. All in all it’s a nice change in the chicken scene.
Service
Nice and pleasant, they did what they were there to do and even smiled while doing it.
Value
Hey from two to seven bucks, you can’t go wrong here.
Decor and AtmosphereNothing flashy! It was clean and the music level was good. Its fast food chicken so don’t go in expecting any more than that.
Rating 3out of 5 stars C.B.Young – The Minister of Culinary AwarenessAbout Me:I have been in the restaurant business myself for over 30 years. I started my culinary career washing dishes at a truck stop while in high school and now have designed/built many restaurants for myself. My last 15 years have been spent here Southern California and I have been thoroughly enjoying the rich food culture and amazing choice we have for restaurants in the beautiful Inland Empire, the "restaurant and culinary capital of Southern California". I wanted to share my personal experiences, and best recommendations. Each restaurant reviewed here I have been to personally. I don't go to many overpriced restaurants and I don't think there is any need in a region that has so much to offer with terrific value if you know where to look. In the Inland Empire we are spoiled for choice. I do have my favorite cuisines and culinary tastes, but I try not to let them affect my reviews. My general system is that if it rates 3 stars or more, it is worthy of a return visit. Enjoy! You can hear me on the radio every Saturday afternoon from 3 to 6 as the co-host of the Lets Dine Out Show on www.KTIE590.com or send me an email to iecoffee@gmail.com .