El Pollo Sabroso

The place is pretty ugly, not the most pleasant. The chicken is good but the sides are disappointing. We had the fries and the plantains, but both didn’t really taste like much. It was nice to see that they had Sidral Mundet, which I hadn’t seen in a long while. I may give this place another try but my first impression wasn’t great.

I’ve only eaten here once, a lunch for the group of five contractors. We had the gyro, steak and cheese sandwich, and roasted chicken sandwich. All were absolutely excellent. If we’re in the neighborhood will definitely be coming back. Quality, price and portions where excellent.

I’ve stopped through El Pollo Sabroso the last few times I’ve been in Columbia Heights and will probably keep it in regular rotation.
This place is easy to overlook and has an unassuming interior. I have to agree with many others that the service has never been particularly friendly, but the cashier has never been rude, either. As far as cleanliness, it’s hit or miss. The last time I was here, they didn’t clean either of the dirty tables the whole time I was there (which was a while, as I was having a really leisurely lunch). And this will sound like a strange comment, but I’ve never been in a place with so many flies. It’s really kind of unnerving…
That said, the yucca fries are absolutely perfect and delicious, and if you don’t order them, you are all types of missing out. As a general rule, I have always found their chicken to be a bit on the dry side, but not so much as to turn my smile upside down. The sauces are EXCELLENT, especially the white one, which goes great with both chicken and yucca. The green sauce has a kick of peppercorn, but it isn’t overpowering. They also have Jarritos, which is the only kind of pop (or «soda,» if you must) that I not only find tolerable but actually like. Wherever Jarritos is found, so am I!
I would rate it four stars, but the cleanliness and service ding the restaurant for me. Regardless, j know I’ll be back again to snap up more yucca fries and figure out what’s in the white sauce and order a gallon of it to take home!

DRY is the secret ingredient to this place. Chicken was DRY and tasteless– the green sauce was the only thing that gave the chicken flavor, not the seasoning. Rice was also DRY and lacks of flavor– seemed like leftovers that they microwaved. Ingesting the Yuca was a struggle because of how DRY it is. I would not come back, ever.

Totally bad service! they served me burnt food. I wasted my money. This is one portion of my order (see picture of burnt plantain). Every time I come here, they also do not give me a fork, napkins when I order food for pick up. I’m not coming here again!

As much as I come here for lunch I will never be back ! The cashier is rude and had the nerve to question me if I paid for something I just purchased from her like you have to be kidding me AND asked to see my receipt !!! What I will not do is steal a 1.29 Gatorade and after she reviewed my receipt did not apologize for accusing me of stealing! Also, this place is filled with flys guess it’s the season for heat & flys but they need better management ! Flys are walking around like customers disgusting
It’s several establishments around Columbia heights whose food is just as good if not better along with better customer service.

This place has decent foods with descent price. One thing I am very unpleased about this cashier who works there. She has an awful attitude and does not know what she is doing. Last week, I was there with my sister for dinner, I noticed I got charged two different types of tax. One is FD tax and the other one is SODA tax. When I confronted the cashier, she said «I don’t know» and just stood there. Then what are you charging me for? I was so upset. I got to pay extra just to get a soda. This is upsetting.

Nice gentleman at the counter. Mediocre food. The chicken and yucca were both dry for my friends and I. Kind of wished I tried the Dominican place a few doors down or the multitude of other places nearby. It’s unlikely that I’ll return.

Surprisingly, much better than I was expected. It’s a small, inconspicuous place that you may easily walk past as you notice the Phở 14 and Mi Cuba Café on the same street. I ordered the half chicken and a side of yuca. Man. the chicken was something. it was super moist, steaming, and falling off the bone. The yucca fries were crispy and well fried. Both are great dipping into the tiny containers of green and crème colored sauces. The entire meal left me very satisfied and was under $ 10.

Hidden gem in Columbia Heights.
The chicken and green sauce is to die for. Always go for the yucca fries with the white sauce as well.
Simple, no frills place with authentic, delicious food.

The chicken (I got the dark ¼ chicken) was super moist and delicious. The skin was still crispy when I got it, and had really great flavors from the combination of spices they used. The pupusa was also really tasty. I figured this place was good (and probably authentic) as everyone else in there was a native spanish speaker.

Everythung was awesime. My husband and I had the steak and our friend had the steak and cheese sandwich. They came with really good sause. The rice was authentic. All really good food. The atmosphere is very casual.

Some of the best chicken I’ve had in a long time. El Pollo Sabroso might not grab your attention from the street and there’s nothing special about its atmosphere, but that’s not why you go here. The portions are large, cheap, and tasty. Get the half chicken with yucca or rice. I would say more, but I’m getting hungry.

Having lived in Northern Virginia for ages, I was absolutely spoiled for choice in polla a la brasa restaurants. However, I’ve been seriously disappointed with the options in D.C. It’s hard to find, and the options — especially downtown — are overpriced and mediocre.
Enter Pollo Sabroso. It’s cheap, it’s authentic, and it’s delicious. You can walk out of the restaurant satiated for under $ 10. The chicken is tender and oh-​so flavorful, and the yucca is perfectly cooked.
Everything else on the menu is pretty outstanding, too. Try the sandwiches if you want something a little different, but still delicious and filling.
Pollo Sabroso’s one failing? The horchata. However, I’ve yet to have good horchata anywhere in D.C.

La comida siempre es deliciosa. Mi novio y yo habitualmente compramos de pollo sabroso cuando salemos del trabajo tarde. La comida siempre es excepcional y es baratisimo por la calidad. Pido el pollo y papa frita, tambien yucca frita y platano. La salsa verde es mi favorita por que es picoso y riquisimo.

Their food got me sick! TWICE. I wouldnt recommend going there.
Sure the food is affordbale but at what expense! I’m a generally positive person (take a look at my other reviews) but I cannot stand for the food quality at this place. TWO of my other friends who tried out thise place got sick as well!
You’ve been warned!

The food is great if you looking for the taste with the flavor of the rice they have. Small and quaint location: been eating here since: 2001

Went to this place today, it was utterly delicious! The yucca that they served was the best I ever tasted! The green and white sauce was awesome! I ordered a chicken sandwich and it was huge! When I first purchased the meal, I was surprised at the price; when I received the food, it was well worth the money. The reason I have it ⁴⁄₅ stars is because the chicken was dry. Other than that, the food was great and would definitely go back.
Ps: The waiter was a cutie! Lol

I walked past Chipotle, which had a line winding all the way through the restaurant, to get here. On my way back home I saw the line again and thought, «suckers!!»
I got the quarter chicken dark with fried yuca, it also comes with a little salad. Don’t chose between yuca and fried plantains! I got an order of fried plantains as well and my total, with tax and the plastic bag, was $ 8.05.
The chicken was delicious, perfectly seasoned and juicy, though the fried yuca was hit or miss. Some pieces were dry and tough, others were moist and exactly what I expected from the rave reviews. It was later in the evening and the place wasn’t crowded, so I wouldn’t be surprised if these had sat around a while. The plantains on the other hand were amazing. I’ll be going back just for those as a snack.
Get extra green sauce, you’ll need it!

**3.50 stars**
Been here twice now, and have been pretty happy with both visits minus a few details…
I can’t give El Pollo Sabroso many stars based on the price ($ 12.00 for a few medium grilled shrimp, fried yucca, and iceberg salad). I miss being able to use the ScoutMob deal. Without it this place is almost not worth it when there are other, much less pricy, places within walking distance; Adam Express being one of them.
I have been happy with the seasoning used here. They’re pretty well balanced and don’t overpower the meats. The sauces for great too, but appear to vary in heat intensity each day. The green sauce is awesome but the first time I had it it pack a little bit of a punch, while the second time it almost knocked me out in the first bite. Not that big of a deal. Just something to be aware of!
The first time I had the fried yucca it was so very tender on the inside and perfectly crisp on the outside. The second time it was a little underdone. This was pretty disappointing after the first experience. If they could get some consistency I would go back for just the yucca on a regular basis.

Came here with the GF to grab a quick lunch since we were in the neighborhood looking at some apartments. Lunch time was quite busy as there were not enough seats available for all the people coming in. I ordered a half chicken with a side of yucca whereas the gf ordered a pupusa entrée. The chicken was a bit dryer than compared to El Pollo Rico or Super Chicken, however it was still good. The skin was also crispy as well. I will say the yucca here was much better than Super Chicken. The pupusas were also quite good and better than I’ve had elsewhere. Total was about $ 10 with the Scoutmob deal! Otherwise the total would’ve been about $ 15. El Pollo Sabroso is a solid cheap spot and easily found right in Columbia Heights.