El Pollote - Carnaby — Restaurant in London

Nestled in the heart of London's vibrant Carnaby Street, El Pollote stands as a beacon of authentic Mexican flavor, inviting patrons on a culinary journey that transcends borders. With its lively atmosphere, bold colors, and an irresistible aroma wafting through the air, this hidden gem promises an unforgettable experience for lovers of Mexican cuisine.

From the moment you step through the door, El Pollote immerses you in a festive ambiance that perfectly complements the spirit of its menu. The vibrant decor, adorned with traditional Mexican motifs and warm earthy tones, creates a welcoming setting that instantly transports you to the bustling streets of Mexico. Whether you're seated at a cozy booth or the communal tables, the restaurant's vibrant energy is contagious.

Now, let's talk about the star of the show – the food. El Pollote takes pride in offering an extensive menu that caters to both seasoned enthusiasts of Mexican cuisine and newcomers eager to explore its rich tapestry of flavors. From street-style tacos to sizzling fajitas, each dish is a masterpiece crafted with care and authenticity.

Start your culinary adventure with the Guacamole Fresco, a zesty blend of creamy avocados, tomatoes, onions, and cilantro, served with crispy tortilla chips. The freshness of the ingredients is a testament to El Pollote's commitment to quality. As you indulge in the guacamole, you'll quickly realize that this is just the beginning of a taste bud tantalizing experience.

For the main course, the Pollo Asado Tacos are a must-try. Succulent grilled chicken, marinated to perfection, is nestled in soft corn tortillas and topped with a medley of onions, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime. The flavors dance on your palate, creating a harmonious symphony of smokiness, tanginess, and a touch of spice. Each bite is a celebration of the authenticity that El Pollote brings to Carnaby Street.

If you're in the mood for a heartier dish, the Carne Asada Fajitas are a carnivore's dream. Juicy strips of marinated steak sizzle on a hot skillet, accompanied by colorful bell peppers and onions. The aroma alone is enough to make your mouth water, and the taste surpasses expectations. The DIY aspect of fajitas adds a fun element to the dining experience, allowing you to tailor each bite to your liking.

To complement your meal, El Pollote boasts an impressive selection of cocktails and beverages. The Margaritas are a crowd favorite, perfectly balancing the sweetness of agave with the tartness of fresh lime juice. For those looking to explore beyond the classics, the restaurant's mixologists have crafted inventive concoctions that showcase Mexican spirits in unexpected ways.

The service at El Pollote is as delightful as the cuisine. The staff members are friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate about sharing the essence of Mexican culture through their food. Their recommendations are spot-on, and they create an atmosphere that makes you feel like part of the extended El Pollote family.

In conclusion, El Pollote on Carnaby Street is a treasure trove for anyone seeking an authentic Mexican dining experience in the heart of London. The vibrant atmosphere, coupled with a menu that pays homage to the diverse flavors of Mexico, makes this restaurant a standout gem. So, gather your friends, bring your appetite, and get ready for a fiesta of flavors at El Pollote. Your taste buds will thank you for...

Planned to visit here for dinner since eating here takes a lot of the stress out of eating out for a coeliac. However, a few things let the experience down.

We did not reserve a table because we were having a day out in the West End and wanted to be able to go with the flow. When we arrived, we were offered a table outside next to a table of smokers. I asked if there was any chance a table indoors would become available, but she just kept saying that only tables outside were available. I didn't really want to sit next to smokers but she was not empathetic at all, simply saying that outside was the smoking area, and giving us no option but to sit outside. Having planned to eat here since it caters for coeliacs, we succumbed to a table outside a little bit away from the smokers but outside of the canopy (it wasn't raining at the time but was misting/spitting a bit). Annoyingly, during our entire stay, there were 2 empty tables for 2 inside. One was given to a reservation that was booked for 18:45 and turned up early, but we left at 18:41 so we could have easily used their table if we were told we had to vacate it by a certain time.

It was a bit annoying as the table of smokers just seemed to be hanging out with drinks, smoking away. All the while, they were turning away other walk-ins that genuinely wanted to eat. They also let another family of four sit outside for drinks only. Given it was dinner time, and they have a limited number of tables, I personally would have turned anyone away for drinks only since it was so busy. Had they done this and prioritised people that wanted to eat, it would have improved my experience as I would have felt like they valued themselves as a restaurant that offers gluten-free options to people that wanted to genuinely eat. There are plenty of pubs and bars nearby that can do drinks without taking up a table at a small chicken restaurant.

The food was great though, apart from the corn on the plate which looked a bit discoloured and sad. It was pretty obvious it came from a can, which isn't the end of the world if it looks a bit less grey and sad.

Finally, as I'd rather be safe than sorry, when I ordered I let my server know that I was coeliac and double checked that everything would be safe. She simply replied yes without much enthusiasm or reassurance. It would have improved my experience if she'd said anything like 100%, don't worry, we've got you, I will let the kitchen know, etc etc.

Life is hard as it is as a coeliac and if a restaurant can safely cater for us, it would be nice if they showed a bit of appreciation that we've chosen to dine with them.

A little bit more empathy, enthusiasm, and better planning with the tables would have made our experience go from...

I had reserved a table for my birthday and made an extra comment of whether I could sing happy birthday with my friends. Long story short, I didn’t get to :(

They failed to reply to my query. Due to really bad traffic, me and some friends asked if it was okay for them to keep securing our table for maximum 15 minutes until one of us arrived. However, they were extremely rude on the phone, and hung up mid conversation. They detailed the restaurant was busy and packed, though it was half empty when we arrived.

Once seated, we asked for some tap water, and they failed to give us some for our whole stay. Likewise, I have a gluten intolerance, and though it was my fault I forgot to mention when I ordered my burger with a gluten bun, they made us pay for both burgers instead of kindly switching them out, due to an understandable and common mistake - especially in customer service.

Additionally, they gave us around three portions of extra fries despite us not asking for them, and they made us pay for food we hadn’t asked for. Also, whilst we were eating, they told us we had 90 minutes to eat, seeing as there was another reservation, even though when I made the reservation, the 90 minutes was never disclosed when booking.

Furthermore, halfway through us eating, the staff kept giving us glares from across the room multiple times. We had only been eating for around 20 minutes, and a waiter came over saying, with a lot of unnecessary attitude and hostility, we had to leave in 5 minutes, around 5 minutes after my new gluten free burger had arrived. We packed our stuff and I asked for a take away box, and they gave me a box the size of my palm with around 1 inch depth. Only after did another woman come with a reasonably bigger one, once I asked if there were more.

We were waiting for the bill, since they kept insisting for us to leave, but they failed to bring it to us, despite consistently asking us to leave. After we payed, they told us we could stay as it was just one of the four tables we were using, despite ever clarifying that during the many they were insisting us to leave.

Very VERY HORRIBLE experience. I will...