Tag Archives: Pollo Tropical

Dallas #BoozeNews: October 5, 2015

NEW OPENINGS

Everyone was stoked about Austin transplant, Uchi … so it’s time to get revved-up again.  The owners of Uchi will open a new concept in Dallas, Top Knot, early 2016 just above the current location. “Executive Chef Tyson Cole’s new concept marries a playful Asian-inspired menu with a full bar and a relaxed atmosphere.”

Pollo Tropicals are just popping’ up everywhere.  In less than a month the’ve opened FOUR new ones … check them out in Lewisville (9/18), Cedar Hill (11/6) and in Dallas on Greenville (10/2).  Each location has a grand opening party … so check ‘em out!

Rusty Taco will open in the space previously occupied by Snookie’s on Oak Lawn.  I’m not sure how I feel about this … but I know that I miss Snookie’s.

OTHER NEWS …

Ivy Kitchen’s Patio

Ivy Kitchen’s Patio

Ivy Kitchen is getting on the patio weather bandwagon in a big way.  They’ve secured Goga (he’s seriously worth going to see) to play and they’ve revved-up their happy hour.  Gaga will play the next few Tuesdays (6, 13, & 20) from 6-9pm and their happy hour will include $5 house wines and well drinks, $3 domestic bottles, $5 imports, and $5-12 food items Monday-Friday, 4-7pm.

Football makes all things better.  Upscale bowling alley Pinstack knows this … so they’ve started offering “Bowl + Bite Night” during Monday Night Football!  Mondays (except holidays), 4pm-close, they’ll offer guests (who are bowling) 1/2 price appetizers and $3 select draft beers. 

If you joined me at Le Taco last week for my SDD Happy Hour, then you got a sneak preview of the awesomeness that is Le Taco’s new happy hour.  They’ll have daily specials and drink discounts from 3-7pm.  All of this is good.  Specials will be as follows:

DAILY, 3-7pm: $3 margaritas, sangria, “Mexi-canned” beers, Exotico tequila shots, and wells … 1/2 price sangria pitchers, $1 off all tacos
Sunday: happy hour all day, 1/2 price champagne by the bottle, live music 12-5pm
Tuesday: $2 margaritas
Wednesday: 1/2 price wine by the bottle and pitchers of sangria

Tuesdays needed some excitement.  (Actually … I’m not sure if they did or not, but Paul Martin’s American Grill thought so.)  So, each Tuesday, all day, you can order a three-course fried chicken special for $22.  Salad (because green things have to happen … whatever), buttermilk fried chicken with mashed potatoes, and homemade ice cream.

Speaking of chicken … late-night pizza spot Greenville Avenue Pizza Company (a.k.a. GAPCo) has been serving lunch as of late.  To up the ante on their lunch offerings, they’ll now serve their (really fucking delicious) chicken wings as a combo deal–$10 for wings, fries, and a drink–from 11am-4pm week days.  Now, here’s some chicken porn …

Wings from GAPCo

LIMITED TIME OFFERINGS

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Flowers for Tiffany at Knife

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Knife at The Highland will offer a cocktail that will benefit breast cancer research, Flowers For Tiffany (gin, Herbsaint, lemon, elderflower, orange blossom water, and hibiscus).
Available: through October 31
Cost: $14

Hopdoddy’s shake-ing it up again this month … their Raspberry White Chocolate Shake Special (handmade vanilla ice cream, raspberry puree, raspberry chunks, white chocolate syrup whipped cream, and raspberry sauce) is now available at the Preston Center location.
Available: until October 11 at the Preston Center location only
Cost: $6

It’s gettin’ spooky at Snuffer’s thanks to their October BOTM, the Ghost Pepper Cheeseburger (100% Fresh Ground Chuck Burger topped with two slices of ghost pepper cheese, fresh grilled jalapeños, grilled diced red onions and yellow mustard).
Available: through October 31
Cost: $8.99

Everyone loves October because people have a(n even better) reason to drink beer.  Hard Rock Cafe is pairing a burger with beer … because they’re awesome.  Stop in for a Samuel Adams OctoberFest Schnitzel Burger paired with their OctoberFest beer.
Available: through October 31

Octoberfest Burger at Hard Rock Cafe

Octoberfest Burger at Hard Rock Cafe

Life’s Better Under the Palm at Pollo Tropical

 

I may have pasty white skin and an absurd fear of sharks, but Florida runs in my blood and the beach will always be my home. That being said, the expansion of Pollo Tropical, a Florida chicken chain, to Addison sends a rush of pure bliss from my heart to my stomach.

This Floridian concept prides itself in fresh, bold island flavor using savory Caribbean spices, mixed herbs and citrus. They combine these for rubs and marinades that are the secret behind the tangy kick of Pollo Tropical’s vegetables and meats. Don’t mistake this place for another casual Mexican or Tex-Mex pit stop and miss out on items such as Refresca juices, Rum Punch, and Calypso Beef. If the bright, distinct colors and beach house facade don’t slap Caribbean across your face then go back to that bowl of melted Velveeta and put on your cone of shame.

Pollo Tropical’s menu represents the islands’ melting pot of culinary culture far different than the Mexican flavors Texans are used to. Naturally, all Texans love their meat and this joint does not disappoint. The grilled bone-in chicken is marinated in a blend of tropical fruit juices and spices and flame grilled with much TLC.  Clearly, the chicken is the star of this show (as POLLO means chicken in Spanish), but it’s so hard to choose a favorite—that’s why I order them all. One of my personal favorite is the Mojo Pork, a dish slow-roasted for four hours in a Mojo marinade of citrus juices, crushed garlic, onion, wine, and island spices that combine to create tender, juicy meat unlike anything you commonly find around town.

But one does not simply transcend to the island of Caribbean flavors without ordering sweet plantains and yuca fries. Sweet plantains are a cousin to the banana, most often baked or fried Pollo Tropical style to caramelized perfection. Yuca or cassava is the potato of the tropics that comes boiled or fried. I like mine fried and generously lathered in the cilantro garlic sauce.

Speaking of sauce…you thought Cane’s Chicken had the recipe to liquid gold? Pollo Tropical packs a punch of spice and zest with 10 unique signature sauces, including Curry Mustard, Guava BBQ, Pineapple Rum and Cilantro Garlic. Prepare yourself to make several trips, piling your table high with at least five cups of each, and smuggling out bags full of samples (it may feel dangerous, but everyone else does the same thing every visit).

Pollo Tropical provides all the island necessities to create your own TropiChop, sandwiches, salads, wraps, and even drinks. (This is Susie Drink Dallas, so clearly we speak of alcohol here.)  Choose a Caribbean beer or add Bacardi rum to one of the popular Refresca beverages, such as tropical breeze, mango peach or superfruit punch.

Dallas may be a landlocked city, but Pollo Tropical makes your beach fantasy come to life. This is their first Texas location, but expect about 20 more to pop up around Texas as diners quickly realize “Life’s better under the palm.”