The half chicken at Pollo Express is the core offering. Charcoal heat creates a deeply browned, crispy exterior while the meat inside stays incredibly juicy. The char bits are flavorful without being bitter. Service includes soft warm tortillas, pickled onions, and salsa for building tacos.
Tips from diners
Order a half chicken and build tacos at your table with the tortillas, pickled onions, and salsa. That's the intended way to eat it.
Come Tuesday or Thursday for buy-one-get-one-free half-chicken deals—you get a whole chicken for $14.99.
A half chicken is a full meal. Don't add anything else unless you're incredibly hungry.
The burrito features charcoal-grilled chicken, rice, and beans wrapped in a large flour tortilla. It's a portable option for takeout.
Tips from diners
The burrito is convenient for on-the-go eating, but try the half chicken at least once—it's the true signature.
The pollo bowl takes the charcoal-grilled chicken and builds it into a composed dish with rice, beans, fresh vegetables, cheese, and sour cream. It's a complete meal in a bowl format.
Tips from diners
The bowl is good if you prefer one-handed eating or want everything mixed together. But a half chicken with tortillas is more authentic.
For those who want beef instead of chicken, the steak asada bowl features grilled steak (charcoal-cooked but not rotisserie like the chicken). It's built the same as the chicken bowl with rice, beans, fresh vegetables, and toppings.
Tips from diners
The steak option is available but secondary—chicken is the restaurant's strength and focus.
The whole chicken feeds two people easily. It arrives hot off the charcoal grill with the same crispy, deeply charred skin as the half, but more meat. Sides of rice, beans, and warm tortillas complement the chicken.
Tips from diners
Order two whole chickens for a group of four with rice, beans, and tortillas—it's enough for everyone and costs only $45.
Pollo Express is a no-frills chicken specialist on 18th Street in Pilsen with roughly eight tables, a short menu, and pure focus: charcoal-grilled chicken. The meat arrives hot off the grill with deep char on the outside and succulent juice inside, served with soft tortillas, pickled onions, and salsa. The restaurant is cash-only and mostly a takeout operation on weekends when the line stretches around the block. Tuesday and Thursday feature special pricing—buy-one-get-one-free half-chicken deals.
This is cash-only—bring bills or use the ATM. No cards accepted. Arrive with cash ready.
Weekends are busy with lines wrapping around the block. Come Tuesday-Thursday for instant service, or arrive at opening (10am) on Saturday.
There are roughly eight tables—space is tight. Takeout is the norm on weekends, and even dine-in is quick.
Tuesday and Thursday are special-pricing days: buy-one-get-one-free on half chicken. Come those days for the best value.
Similar picks in Chicago
Page last updated: