El Pollo Rico # 9 — Restaurant in Cedar Park

We love this family; at least, that's what we think runs it. 😀 When we first moved here, the truck and men ran behind. I have big kids, hangry battles were 25 minutes away. Saw their light on, told all the cars we were going there. It's been years, lol... We eat there at least 2 or 3 times a month. That first night, lol, my young daughter, mad at me as all get out! I made her move, leave her friends and now she's stuck in a restaurant, Not being rude, very polite, just sad. I felt bad for her. Back home she knew the family that owned the same such local favorite spot. We used to eat what we called, Carne Asada Fries. My daughter used to inhale that dish. When ordering, they didn't have anything like that. I had asked, checking to see if there was another local style of such, but there wasn't. When I asked the young man, he said, "I'll check with my Mom", sure enough, little bit later, here comes the boss, Mom. So kind, oh my goodness. She talked to my daughter, wipped up a plate that made my daughter smile, and made a real difference.

As we do, lol, we kept returning and asking to order those fries, and then my boys would show up and ask, and then, the Boss, she put Papas Ricas on the menu. We don't know if it was our nagging, but we like to think it was, lol.. They are so delicious it's not even funny. French fries with the meat you want, we do Carne, and they do the rest. Thanks for the carne fries! A life line, lol... When get busy, we drive through, get a bunch of chicken, family at the table, great food, doesn't get...

Have not been to this Mexican version of Fast Food since they occupied the old Jack in the Box building in Cedar Park! It was actually good then! Nice place, clean, set up relatively well, BUT..... I ordered the half chicken plate that comes with your choice of refried beans, sweet plantains, charro beans, or rice! I barely told her what I wanted and it was already on a tray in front of me, and she never even asked what sides I wanted, she just brought out the pre-portioned containerized rice and charro beans. There was something wrapped in white butcher paper, which turned out to be my half chicken! Went to get my DP... no CO²! They did fix that! Ok, here we go.... Unwrapped my "Pollo" package and it looked great! Honestly, the flavor was great, HOWEVER, it was very obvious that this bird has been cooked and packaged much earlier in the day or even from the day before. Not to mention the bird must have been a juvenile, because the drumstick was about the size of a Wingstop wing drum! The entire "1/2" chicken was about as much meat as a normal sized breast anywhere else! The beans were tasty, but undercooked, as some were still a bit hard! The rice was dry as a bone! I expressed my concern about the food NOT being fresh and was offered a refund, but I declined! I told her I came here for good fresh food and that I was very hungry and I was pretty much just disgusted with the whole deal and to keep your money! This is where American and Mexican culture collide! This is all normal to people from Mexico, but for $14, NOT...

I Love el pollo rico! I would pass it coming home from work and had never heard of it, so I stopped in. Holy smokes is it absolutely delicious! Everything is good, seriously. The chicken has a rich flavor and is charcoal grilled, it's always hot and tender! The rice and beans are savory, hot, and delectable. Tortillas are always served warm, wrapped, they are soft and fresh. Do not sleep on the sweet plantains they are cut in thick slices, coated in something, tender, and come with a yogurt dipping sauce. The quesadillas are great too. The staff are nice, restaurant is always clean, and don't let a line fool you they hustle and keep it moving. The prices are also really good, you get a lot of good food for the cost. They also have lunch specials! You definitely need to try the chicken here. It's one of my...