I was very disappointed with my experience here. My first time here was over a year ago. The chicken was ok (I've tasted better) and at the time it wasn't many "charcoal cooking" style restaurants in this area.
I went a few days ago with my family for Gelato. We remembered that last time we were here the Gelato was very good. We get there and the place wasn't crowded at all. Now usually I don't go into race when giving my reviews but considering my experience I have no choice but to do so. Having said that if you offend easily I suggest you stop reading my review RIGHT NOW
Seated was a group of guys. I walk in with my family and immediately we kinda feel out of place but hey it's not the first (or last time) we will feel this way so we walk on over to the display where you can see all of the colorful Gelato. Behind the counter are 2 guys. My kids start to ask if they can taste certain types of Gelato. The guy quickly gives us a little spoon to taste and immediately turns around to the guys that were on the side who had just interrupted us from talking to him. He never say excuse me to us...i'll be right back NOTHING.
He than starts to fix cups of ice cream for other folks while we are clearly standing here waiting for him to finish helping us. My kids are saying excuse me to get his attention so we can try other flavors, FINALLY he turns back around looks at us like he has a attitude. I ask for a taste of another type of Gelato. He gives it to me....after that I was disturbed. It was very clear that he showed favoritism for the group of guys instead of me and my family.
SMH this is sad and I hated that my kids had to experience that but hey it taught them a lesson on how to NOT treat people. No matter the color we should all be treated with the same level of respect that is given.
***This is a restaurant where spanish people cook, serve and come to eat. I am black and felt completely unwelcome at this place***
I will NEVER go back again.
Why not Chicken del Rey?
First, the King (as I call it) is very convenient to my work. Â That being said, I can count on King Pollo for a filling meal at a very reasonable price. Â Most of the time I get half a chicken with fried yucca.... yum! Â I especially like to dip the yucca in the yellow sauce. Â I also enjoy the greetings from the staff, always friendly as if you were their old friend from childhood.
Yes, there are better Peruvian Chicken places. Â Yes, it is in an undesirable strip mall. Â Yes many of their sides are average (avoid the mac & cheese), Â However, the value and quality of food are excellent and I feel it is better than most Peruvian Chicken joints. Â Especially for the area, this place is great for a quick, filling, delicious, and inexpensive meal.
Although the inside of this place was very clean and nice, it did not make up for the dry chicken and bad sides. I ordered white meat which at other pollo a la brasa / rotisserie chicken places is still juicy, but here was not. For the side, I got fries with rice and beans. I had wanted to get at least one "healthy" side but other than the salad (which was mostly just lettuce), all of the options were fried. The french fries tasted like the frozen oven-cooked ones you can buy at the store. The rice and beans were fine. The best part of the meal was the salsas, so that I could make the food more interesting.
I feel bad giving a negative review because the cashiers were really nice and friendly (one was a little too friendly though - he asked for my number! muy coqueto, jaja). However, there are a lot of better chicken places out there, if you are willing to drive a little further away.