El Gran Pollo Towson — Restaurant in Maryland

El Gran Pollo is not a Peruvian Chicken spot. It's a place for the seasoned Hispanic food eater with an extensive palette for fast casual cuisine. There is plenty of choices to make in the menu such as Tacos, Quesadillas, Fajitas, Pollo (Chicken), Pescado (Fish), Mariscos (Seafood) and even some Carne Asada (Beef) plates.

I definitely had some great tasting half chicken with fried rice, and plantains (pollo con arroz y platanos) for those who dare to eat a half at a sitting. It's not too much for the discerning, hungry or even wandering foodies who like a little bit more than they can chew for their money. I just wanted something for myself that was quick, tangy and some umami since I didnt have an appetite earlier for breakfast.

Beware, it will melt in your mouth. The chicken is fall-off-the-bone tender, holds flavor juices well, and there's a kick when you add the wasabi (green), or the guacamole (yellow) sauce with your dish.

Even as mouth watering as it is, there's only a few other dishes and brands that can compete. This chicken combo paltter is better than your run of the mill Walmart rotisserie chicken. Plus it's very personal when you can enjoy food cooked with pride, watched over throughly and still tastes better than it should.

I, particularly, liked the crispiness, burnt edges/skin with hints of lime, pepper & salt. It has the savouriness of a Peruvian Chicken, yet I think it has a twist of better marination and spices. There was no cold spots, or undercooked sides from their texture/heat/smell.

The restaurant prices right around what you expect for a full meal with a drink ($14-17); however, I have experienced better meals for less like Peruvian chicken near Rosedale ($11-12) and Bowie Walmarts ($13-15) just saying that if you feel like traveling ask if they have a happy hour/lunch specials if you want to have food for later......

I ordered the mixed grill with white meat chicken for the first time and overall had an enjoyable experience. The staff was kind, professional, and attentive. I went during the lunch hour so the line went out to the door but seemed to pick up the pace. I didn’t have to wait too long. If you’ve never ordered in the store before, where to order may be a bit confusing but I figured it out. My table was a bit messy but didn’t let that bother me since I was hungry and ready to eat. Food service was quick, the cashier, and server each had a kind and welcoming attitude, my order was complete. I asked for pinto beans to be added to my chaufa rice but received black beans, which was ok, they were enjoyable. The steak was tender, juicy, and flavorful. But the grilled shrimp was easily my favorite item on the plate. They were big, succulent with a slight sweetness. Each tender bite had a delicious chargrilled, well seasoned flavor. The main event, rotisserie chicken was absolutely divine. The seasoned skin was crispy and white meat was savory, juicy, and flavorful. The mild and medium sauces paired perfectly, though wasn’t needed but decadent nonetheless. The salad added a nice coolness. This is my new favorite dish and I...

The service is not always great... The staff struggles with understanding English. They can be very combative and dismissing when they make a mistake on your order. I usually call in my order to save time waiting for them to prepare my food. However, there has been multiple occasions where they will tell me I didn't call. Even after I show them their phone number in my call log. Instead of apologizing and asking the cook to make my order, they argue with me about how I usually call but I didn't call them that day. I was a regular customer at one point and the staff knows my face, but they made me feel like "me patronizing their establishment did not matter". I've seen and also heard the manager/ owner say to multiple customers, "If they dont like the service they can leave". I've also noticed that flies will occasionally fly over the kitchen and food service area... Don't be surprised if you see them arguing with angry customers about their orders when you walk in the restaurant. I dont know if the food is worth the sometimes unwelcoming atmosphere and the bad vibes some of the staff has. I've decided not to patronize...