This place was great. I went with a coworker, Jim, almost a year ago. He wanted to go to Wendy's in that same shopping center; he is a man of simple tastes i.e. burger is his lunch of choice. I had agreed Wendy's would be good, but when we parked in the center, and I said, 'Ooh, a Spanish chicken place; can we go here?' He said that he was kind of looking forward to Wendy's, but agreed. I told him; Wendy's is everywhere; I promise you'll like it. I got the chicken platter with two sides, and he got a sandwich. He agreed that his sandwich was good, but he said, 'I should've gotten you had; that looks excellent.' I agreed this is the kind of thing to get at a place like this. He was unfamiliar with this style. There was a place in Rockville that was even better, which I will give 5-stars.
(4)
Katrina L.
Portions are not as large as Sardi's but the taste is perfect. For me, Sardi's is not the end all of "Peruvian Chicken" because I've lived in Miami where offerings like Sardi's are a dime a dozen, a lot cheaper, andddd a lot better as well. For those reason, Pollo Cabana stacks up just as well--if not better--than Sardi's. The chicken, rice & peas, and plantains were all very fresh and well-cooked, the facility was clean, and the staff was extremely friendly. I know everyone in the DC area is obsessed with Sardi's so the lines can be outrageous, making wait time a little frustrating. This place is by no means as packed, but I was amazed at how quickly they had my meal ready. Only gripe is the price. Same exact price point as Sardi's with the $8 1/4 chicken meals. I miss Miami prices. :(
(4)
Frank G.
Very clean. Good music. However I have had better chicken. It was not quite as seasoned as I like it. Also I would rather not have the dry leftover from lunch fried rice make a new batch of those coming in so late lunches and dinner. The menu definitely is full of great salad and wrap ideas that would bring me back BUT, the first experience with is real important. If the menu wasn't loaded with at least 1 or 2 more things that I may be able to try I would not be back. You only get one chance to make a 1st impression. #Fail
(2)
Mary H.
This is the best Peruvian chicken place I've ever been. The chicken was flavorful without being too salty. The fried yucca was freshly fried which makes a big difference! Plantains and salad were so-so. The decor was nice and the place clean. Friendly staff. Four stars because the salad and plantains were so-so, but really compared to other Peruvian chicken places, this is probably the best.
(4)
Katherine G.
So I think everyone deserves a second chance, so I went back to Pollo Cabana today. I have to say it is much better than when I originally went there in 2012. The rice and beans were good -- not dry like last time -- and the chicken was moist as well. Its not earth shatteringly good, but good enough that I will go back again. The staff was very friendly and quick, and the place is very clean. My only complaint is the price. For Greenbelt, this place is very pricey, and that's the main reason that I may go back once every 3 months or so rather than once a week, which is how often I would ideally like to eat Peruvian chicken for lunch. Pollo Cabana -- drop the price to something more reasonable, and you will have a weekly customer.
(3)
J C.
This place is ok, you won't have to wait in line very long. I wouldn't dine-in because the place usually smells line pine sol or some type of cleaner. It's not the greatest Peruvian chicken place in the area, but it's convenient. Also, I got a side house salad and it did not come with any dressing, so maybe ask for it on the side. The guy who took my order was texting the whole time and barely looked up, but the other employees were great.
(3)
A B.
Just okay. The chicken has a great smokey flavor but its consistently dry. The fried yuca are great. Rum cake excellent. Overall the products are fresh and good quality. Prices are average, better with a groupon. Customer service is hugely lacking. Better as take out than eat in. Not a place I crave, but suits the purpose when I'm shopping in this location.
(3)
Jill M.
If you want really good Peruvian chicken, this is not the place to find it - go to Sardi's in Beltsville. However, this place is a convenient, quick, and healthy option in Greenbelt if you can't make it up to Sardi's. It's very clean inside, and the menu is easy to follow. I like that they have some options beyond the standard Peruvian chicken menu items such as salads, wraps, and bowls, with toppings that include roasted red peppers, olives, or nuts. The problem is that the chicken is dry and not particularly well-sasoned, and everything I've tried there has been extremely bland. Also, compared to most Peruvian chicken places in this area, I find their portion sizes to be small for the price.
(2)
Marie J.
What a gem! We were starving and driving on 295 when we turned off to find a place to eat... The name intrigued us so we stopped for dinner. The staff was super friendly and helped us order... The food was SUPURB, authentic, and all HOME MADE! My super picky classically trained gourmet chef husband was super happy and even wanted to go back and order a quesadilla while we were still in the parking lot! Don't waste your time in this shopping center going to any of the fast food chains... Give this place a try! You won't be disappointed!
(5)
Becky L.
Picked this up to go twice now, and it was a good meal both times. The chicken is flavorful and moist. The beans and rice are delicious, and the yucca fries are excellent. What's not to like? The portions are large too. My 6 year old and I can share a platter (1/2 chicken) and end up with leftovers.
(4)
Joe Y.
10 bucks for a chicken sandwich and a small drink. DC prices in the burbs. The pulled chick was just like any other chicken cheese steak you would get in the area, no flavor except for the green peppers. I was disappointed. it would not be that bad except for the price
(2)
Raycal B.
Polla Cabana has some good chicken. I have only eaten the Chicken Club from there but it was very very tasty and i will definitely frequent here for Lunch and try different things. During Lunchtime though they are very slow getting people in and out. Knowing people have a limited amount of time for Lunch, I need them to do better. Other than that, i enjoy the food. Just do better on getting people in and out during their Lunchtimes.
(3)
Jerry S.
Tried it because of a rebate offer and I was in the neighborhood. Not impressed at all. The chicken skin was smokey, but tough and impervious to the plastic knife. The meat underneath was slightly overcooked and bland. I wound up tearing the meat apart caveman style. The black beans were quite good, but the rice they topped was dry and chewy. Mixed vegetables were fresh, but rubbery. 2 on my scale is "fuel", usually reserved for highway rest stops. My advice for Peruvian chicken: go two exits north and eat a Sardi's.
(2)
Chantel E.
I love southwest chicken wrap and fried plantains. The service is always friendly and the food is always quick. The ladies in my office love their salads.
(4)
Zeenat W.
They fell very short, the roasted chicken was ok, I've had better, the black beans lacked flavor it desperately needed and their mixed veggie side was completely bland. I wish I had chose another lunch option but I didn't...
(2)
Ki C.
I'm surprised at the reviews. I love this place. There aren't many take out places in the area, and I'm glad there is finally a good place! I've tried the chicken and the wraps and found both to be flavorful and good! The place is clean & the staff is friendly which is hard to come by.
(4)
Darren J.
Never have enough chicken
(1)
Danielle H.
I really and truly wanted to like the food at this place. It's a stone's throw from my home. Not many decent take out options in the area. I was hoping for the best. The place was pretty empty on a Saturday afternoon. Not a good sign. As others have said, the chicken is bland. I figured out that one of the main ingredients in the tastiest of Peruvian chicken is cumin. I didn't taste any. I guess this place wants to be different. Different ain't good in this case! I forget what sides I had because they weren't memorable either. On the bright side, service was much more pleasant than at my other fave spots. I guess they gotta have something going for them. I don't think this place will be around long unfortunately.
(2)
Julia B.
I went in around 4:30pm on a Tuesday, and the place was empty. On my first visit I had the 1/4 dark with plantains, rice and beans. The chicken was on the dry side, and I felt the spice mixture on the chicken was a bit overdone. The black beans were also on the dry side, not as moist as I am used to at other Peruvian places. The plantains were perfect, no complaints. I think this place is indicative of Greenbelt/College Park cuisine - it tries, but it doesn't make the grade. Perhaps it was the time of day I went, or time of the week, but the food was just ok.
(3)
HighStandard S.
Positive: Clean and new Friendly service (If not highly motivated or well trained.) Negative: The food just doesn't taste that good. The chicken skin was so unremarkable that I decided it wasn't worth the calories and didn't eat it. At a place like this, the skin should be the whole point! I got there at 6:15 PM on a weekday. The parking lot was full. There should have been a line, but I was the only one there---what does that tell ya'? I ordered a quarter dark. Instead of taking a chicken off the grill and chopping it in front of me, the guy just grabbed a chicken leg from somewhere beneath the counter, from a warmer drawer, presumably. (Ahem!) I ordered plantains and cole slaw, but none of the hot sides were ready. So my chicken leg sat in a styrofoam container on the counter for 10 minutes while the plantains were being fried. As a result, I ended up with plantains that were too hot to eat, chicken that was cold, and cole slaw that was so insipid and soupy, it wasn't worth eating. Nothing about this meal was satisfying. It's back to Sardi's for me!
(1)
Dia A.
My husband and I both really love this place. The chicken is great and I like their plantains. The service was friendly and fast.
(5)
Sina E.
3 and half stars for this place. As you enter, this place is very clean, and staff is friendly. The prices are comparable to other Peruvian food places. The reasons for deduction is because compared to other Peruvian restaurants, it just lacks in the portion size, and nothing really stands out to me. But overall, it's a decent place to go to if you are in greenbelt.
(3)
Maita D.
Loooved the unique Peruvian taste of the chicken. The sides were delicious especially the fried Yuca, a bit oily but delectable. The place is squeaky clean and staff were friendly. Will definitely go back. A must-try restaurant!
(4)
Christina O.
First visit here. Had the chicken (dark) with plantains and rice. The chicken was ok, not the best but good. The rice (arroz chofa) was ok, too much ginger for me. That is not a flavor I'm used to having in my peruvian style rice. Plantains where on the money! Eehh
(3)
Robert L.
Exactly what you expect from this increasingly common genre of restaurant--solid but not anything spectacular.
(4)
Chimaobi A.
I had the 1/2 chicken (dark), rice & beans, and fried plantain. It was excellent. Chicken was juicy and well-seasoned, fried plantain was plump, and the rice and beans were hearty. Also had some yuca fries with the yellow sauce and that was also very hearty and delicious. Prices are also very good. You will be full and then some with a date/partner for under $25.
(5)
Ashley P.
The only thing I thoroughly enjoyed was the rice and beans. The chicken was just ok, the wrap was not very good. Service was mediocre !
(2)
Tom S.
Roasted chicken, rice and fried plantains were delicious. Good place to go in the Greenbelt area.
(4)
MS K.
i have had better. my order consisted of fried yuca, quarter white chicken, & mixed vege - the chicken seemed too mushy and so was the mixed vege with some broccoli stem that was hard on the outside and too soft in the inside, the fried yuca was a bit dry and hard not crispy.
(2)
Scott R.
Pollo Cabana offers the best pollo in Greenbelt. The chicken is fresh and the flavor penetrates the skin into the meat. Not just in the skin. We like the spicy green sauce a lot. It has a nice flavor. The sides are always good. The plantains and the Yuca. are tasty. We hear the wraps are good, but we haven't tried them yet. The owners are always very friendly. We wish them the best.
(4)
Ryan M.
Good Peruvian chicken place. We had a whole chicken, beans and rice, and a Greek salad. All were very good. Attractive modern interior.
(4)
Jamie K.
The roasted chicken is tasty and quick to be served up. The sides are fresh and not too salty or oily tasting. There is a tidy dining room if you want to eat there, but I've always ordered the food to go. Super convenient and a good value for dinner to bring home to the family!
(4)
Jo G.
First time experience eating Peruvian food and it was a good one. Had the Half Chicken with rice and peas, and fried plantains. Very tasty meal, JUICY chicken especially the breast which is generally the toughest part of the chicken to keep moist. Went well with there secret sauce. It was green and held great heat to it. The rice and peas had a different taste to it, almost reminded me of spinach with rice but was good as well. Finally the fried plantains..........yes the were just that good. Fried to perfection in my opinion great crust and texture, the right amount of oil, and retained the taste of plantain. I can't wait to try their wraps heard all great things about them. Definitely worth checking out. Only wishes there were some wet-naps to wipe hand with for those who like to get all the flavor off the bone and better location for the drink fountain to a central location. Great Job on your new business.
(4)
Saeed D.
I went to PolloCabana for lunch today. It's kind of out of my way but I was in the neighborhood and in the mood of trying something new. They serve a a good tasty Peruvian chicken in a nice and clean environment. It was my first time trying yucca, it was really good!
(5)
Jennifer G.
I stopped by this past weekend with my daughter for lunch. We shared the Ranchero Salad and a small fry. The salad was delicious. My two year old couldn't get enough of it. The fact she ate the salad over the fries says it all! The fries were very good too though. The chicken that was in the salad was very good and I look forward to trying the rotisserie chicken on its own at a future visit. The rest of the ingredients in the salad were fresh and delicious. The place was clean and not extremely busy, though it was Memorial Day. Service was fast and friendly. I absolutely plan to come back and I think my daughter as well is looking forward to sharing that salad with me again!
(4)
Chuq Y.
I've been to quite a few pollo places, and this is one of my new favorites. We got a whole chicken to go, and it was super tasty. Since we're doing a lower carb diet when we can, we decided to just get a side of beans. The beans were good, but a little watered down. The chicken was tender and flavorful. It was noticeably less salty than most other chicken that I've had, which is nice. We didn't try anything else, but from the flavors of the foods that we did try, I'm willing to give the other dishes a go. The green sauce was good, but I could have used a little more spice. The staff was super nice, service was quick and with a smile. I will say that it was pretty empty in there when we went, but it was also like 8PM when we went in there. It is super close to home, and in the Greenway plaza, which also has a Safeway, Radio Shack, Petsmart, Ross, Hair Cuttery, Old Navy, etc. Typical strip mall stores. I'd like to see this place stick around for a bit.
(5)
Amy C.
I bought discount coupons through groupon so I took a chance and was very surprised. We both got the steak sandwich and were pleasantly surprised how good they were. I would say best steak sub I've had in Maryland and it even beat jersey mikies cheesesteaks, decent price too. The seating is casual much like a McDs or elsewhere so you can eat in. Next coupon we're trying the chicken so will update that too.
(4)
Obi M.
This place has spicier green sauce compared to Sardi's but what this eatery has in spice it lacks in flavor. The chicken was so-so! I would pick sardi's hands down. The yucca were quite large in individual size and the plantains were alright. The employee who waited on my order was quite friendly.
(3)
Jerk C.
Ignored the other reviews and tried this place. I agree with the others saying the food was bland. I had the half chicken and it was below average. It was also dry and overcooked. Vegetables were also overcooked and dark brown. Does this merit one star? Not necessarily, but when I went to use the bathroom to wash up a ROACH ran across the floor in front of me. Not much else will make me lose my appetite faster....
(1)
Josef B.
Really happy with the chicken and the veggies that I just ate. If you're in the area and looking for a great meal at a reasonable price, check them out. The owner is very nice, and will take great care of you.
(5)
Jenny T.
I mean, I have zero complaints! This place has legit Peruvian rotisserie chicken, and the rice and beans and fried plantains that I had were pretty delicious, the plaintains weren't overly oily like some places make it. The chicken was cooked well, nice and juicy, but could be a little crisipier, though. The flavor was pretty good. They have a wide selection for those who want more than just rotisserie chicken, I saw wraps, salads, pulled chicken?! cool. They also have a huge drink selection--not really on the Peruvian side, but there was a lot to choose from. Their alfajor that I had was also amazing, super fresh, and the dulce de leche was sooo creamyyy mmmm... The service was friendly, fast, and there's ample seating for anyone who wanted to hang out to eat Definitely would come back if I'm in the area to try some of the other sides.
(5)
Jennifer W.
The chicken! Really not sure why you'd ever want to eat anything else. Ever. The flavor! The texture! The plantains were pretty great too. The half chicken meal for $10 was more than two of us could comfortably eat. Had to save the rum cake for later. Service is speedy and friendly. There are a whole lot of reasons this place is so busy.
(5)
Missy M.
Chicken was well seasoned. Plantains were fried just right. Blacks beans and rice was average but good. Portions were very generous. The facilities were very clean! Bathrooms well maintained and I peeped into the kitchen which was also clean. No complaints. Good food. Will be back.
(4)
John A.
I will cut to the point. Food was hot, service was fast and polite. Hence the 4th star. I ordered a whole chicken without sides but I will say that although the chicken was fresh and hot I believe it could have been seasoned just a tad bit better. Bottom line, I will visit again if leaving the gym and needing a protein snack on the way home
(4)
Tianna W.
Ok so I tried the chicken again thanks to my coworkers and it tastes a lot better than the first time I had it. Seems like it is seasoned better now, maybe because I tried them around the time they first opened? They have good fries and yuca too - so, I'll up my rating.
(4)
Chelsea P.
The chicken Cobb salad is the BOMB
(4)
Adelyn P.
I have been looking for a Peruvian chicken place closer to home for a while now. I'm excited to say I've found it. Did take out twice so far and have been very pleased. The small resturant is clean and the staff is so nice and polite. I ordered 1/2 chicken white with platanos accompanied by tasty yellow sauce. Very good. I will go again. They have a varied menu and I may actually try something else soon. In the meantime I am happy I found this little gem.
(4)
Nathan O.
i used a groupon here and i've been here a total of about 4 times. If you have been to Sardis in College Park, you will probably be disappointed, but for the sake of pollo let me explain. I think the biggest down fall here is the lack of traffic compared to Sardis , whether that's due to location or due to quality. With little traffic , in the 4 times i've been (around dinner time) , Pollo Cabana's chickens are not as 'fresh' nor are the sides. Things seem to have far less turn over compared to Sardis where sides and chickens are constantly being refreshed because of the demand. The chicken itself is good i think but a little dry(er) if comparing to Sardis. I've had their beans+ rice, coleslaw, plantains, and yuca. Yuca at Cabana is quite nice and on the level of Sardis! I think they do them well here whatever that means. Sauces: Yellow sauce is good, but a little more mayo based and thick. Their green sauce is super hot in comparison to Sardis too. They do not provide enough sauce here in my opinion. Price: it's cheaper than Sardis , who i think as of 11/12/14 (today) raised their prices. Personally if i have a choice, i wouldn't go to Cabana over Sardis, but with a groupon and if im in a tight schedule and need something super close to where i live, Cabana isn't bad.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : No
Leigh D.
This place was great. I went with a coworker, Jim, almost a year ago. He wanted to go to Wendy's in that same shopping center; he is a man of simple tastes i.e. burger is his lunch of choice. I had agreed Wendy's would be good, but when we parked in the center, and I said, 'Ooh, a Spanish chicken place; can we go here?' He said that he was kind of looking forward to Wendy's, but agreed. I told him; Wendy's is everywhere; I promise you'll like it. I got the chicken platter with two sides, and he got a sandwich. He agreed that his sandwich was good, but he said, 'I should've gotten you had; that looks excellent.' I agreed this is the kind of thing to get at a place like this. He was unfamiliar with this style. There was a place in Rockville that was even better, which I will give 5-stars.
(4)Katrina L.
Portions are not as large as Sardi's but the taste is perfect. For me, Sardi's is not the end all of "Peruvian Chicken" because I've lived in Miami where offerings like Sardi's are a dime a dozen, a lot cheaper, andddd a lot better as well. For those reason, Pollo Cabana stacks up just as well--if not better--than Sardi's. The chicken, rice & peas, and plantains were all very fresh and well-cooked, the facility was clean, and the staff was extremely friendly. I know everyone in the DC area is obsessed with Sardi's so the lines can be outrageous, making wait time a little frustrating. This place is by no means as packed, but I was amazed at how quickly they had my meal ready. Only gripe is the price. Same exact price point as Sardi's with the $8 1/4 chicken meals. I miss Miami prices. :(
(4)Frank G.
Very clean. Good music. However I have had better chicken. It was not quite as seasoned as I like it. Also I would rather not have the dry leftover from lunch fried rice make a new batch of those coming in so late lunches and dinner. The menu definitely is full of great salad and wrap ideas that would bring me back BUT, the first experience with is real important. If the menu wasn't loaded with at least 1 or 2 more things that I may be able to try I would not be back. You only get one chance to make a 1st impression. #Fail
(2)Mary H.
This is the best Peruvian chicken place I've ever been. The chicken was flavorful without being too salty. The fried yucca was freshly fried which makes a big difference! Plantains and salad were so-so. The decor was nice and the place clean. Friendly staff. Four stars because the salad and plantains were so-so, but really compared to other Peruvian chicken places, this is probably the best.
(4)Katherine G.
So I think everyone deserves a second chance, so I went back to Pollo Cabana today. I have to say it is much better than when I originally went there in 2012. The rice and beans were good -- not dry like last time -- and the chicken was moist as well. Its not earth shatteringly good, but good enough that I will go back again. The staff was very friendly and quick, and the place is very clean. My only complaint is the price. For Greenbelt, this place is very pricey, and that's the main reason that I may go back once every 3 months or so rather than once a week, which is how often I would ideally like to eat Peruvian chicken for lunch. Pollo Cabana -- drop the price to something more reasonable, and you will have a weekly customer.
(3)J C.
This place is ok, you won't have to wait in line very long. I wouldn't dine-in because the place usually smells line pine sol or some type of cleaner. It's not the greatest Peruvian chicken place in the area, but it's convenient. Also, I got a side house salad and it did not come with any dressing, so maybe ask for it on the side. The guy who took my order was texting the whole time and barely looked up, but the other employees were great.
(3)A B.
Just okay. The chicken has a great smokey flavor but its consistently dry. The fried yuca are great. Rum cake excellent. Overall the products are fresh and good quality. Prices are average, better with a groupon. Customer service is hugely lacking. Better as take out than eat in. Not a place I crave, but suits the purpose when I'm shopping in this location.
(3)Jill M.
If you want really good Peruvian chicken, this is not the place to find it - go to Sardi's in Beltsville. However, this place is a convenient, quick, and healthy option in Greenbelt if you can't make it up to Sardi's. It's very clean inside, and the menu is easy to follow. I like that they have some options beyond the standard Peruvian chicken menu items such as salads, wraps, and bowls, with toppings that include roasted red peppers, olives, or nuts. The problem is that the chicken is dry and not particularly well-sasoned, and everything I've tried there has been extremely bland. Also, compared to most Peruvian chicken places in this area, I find their portion sizes to be small for the price.
(2)Marie J.
What a gem! We were starving and driving on 295 when we turned off to find a place to eat... The name intrigued us so we stopped for dinner. The staff was super friendly and helped us order... The food was SUPURB, authentic, and all HOME MADE! My super picky classically trained gourmet chef husband was super happy and even wanted to go back and order a quesadilla while we were still in the parking lot! Don't waste your time in this shopping center going to any of the fast food chains... Give this place a try! You won't be disappointed!
(5)Becky L.
Picked this up to go twice now, and it was a good meal both times. The chicken is flavorful and moist. The beans and rice are delicious, and the yucca fries are excellent. What's not to like? The portions are large too. My 6 year old and I can share a platter (1/2 chicken) and end up with leftovers.
(4)Joe Y.
10 bucks for a chicken sandwich and a small drink. DC prices in the burbs. The pulled chick was just like any other chicken cheese steak you would get in the area, no flavor except for the green peppers. I was disappointed. it would not be that bad except for the price
(2)Raycal B.
Polla Cabana has some good chicken. I have only eaten the Chicken Club from there but it was very very tasty and i will definitely frequent here for Lunch and try different things. During Lunchtime though they are very slow getting people in and out. Knowing people have a limited amount of time for Lunch, I need them to do better. Other than that, i enjoy the food. Just do better on getting people in and out during their Lunchtimes.
(3)Jerry S.
Tried it because of a rebate offer and I was in the neighborhood. Not impressed at all. The chicken skin was smokey, but tough and impervious to the plastic knife. The meat underneath was slightly overcooked and bland. I wound up tearing the meat apart caveman style. The black beans were quite good, but the rice they topped was dry and chewy. Mixed vegetables were fresh, but rubbery. 2 on my scale is "fuel", usually reserved for highway rest stops. My advice for Peruvian chicken: go two exits north and eat a Sardi's.
(2)Chantel E.
I love southwest chicken wrap and fried plantains. The service is always friendly and the food is always quick. The ladies in my office love their salads.
(4)Zeenat W.
They fell very short, the roasted chicken was ok, I've had better, the black beans lacked flavor it desperately needed and their mixed veggie side was completely bland. I wish I had chose another lunch option but I didn't...
(2)Ki C.
I'm surprised at the reviews. I love this place. There aren't many take out places in the area, and I'm glad there is finally a good place! I've tried the chicken and the wraps and found both to be flavorful and good! The place is clean & the staff is friendly which is hard to come by.
(4)Darren J.
Never have enough chicken
(1)Danielle H.
I really and truly wanted to like the food at this place. It's a stone's throw from my home. Not many decent take out options in the area. I was hoping for the best. The place was pretty empty on a Saturday afternoon. Not a good sign. As others have said, the chicken is bland. I figured out that one of the main ingredients in the tastiest of Peruvian chicken is cumin. I didn't taste any. I guess this place wants to be different. Different ain't good in this case! I forget what sides I had because they weren't memorable either. On the bright side, service was much more pleasant than at my other fave spots. I guess they gotta have something going for them. I don't think this place will be around long unfortunately.
(2)Julia B.
I went in around 4:30pm on a Tuesday, and the place was empty. On my first visit I had the 1/4 dark with plantains, rice and beans. The chicken was on the dry side, and I felt the spice mixture on the chicken was a bit overdone. The black beans were also on the dry side, not as moist as I am used to at other Peruvian places. The plantains were perfect, no complaints. I think this place is indicative of Greenbelt/College Park cuisine - it tries, but it doesn't make the grade. Perhaps it was the time of day I went, or time of the week, but the food was just ok.
(3)HighStandard S.
Positive: Clean and new Friendly service (If not highly motivated or well trained.) Negative: The food just doesn't taste that good. The chicken skin was so unremarkable that I decided it wasn't worth the calories and didn't eat it. At a place like this, the skin should be the whole point! I got there at 6:15 PM on a weekday. The parking lot was full. There should have been a line, but I was the only one there---what does that tell ya'? I ordered a quarter dark. Instead of taking a chicken off the grill and chopping it in front of me, the guy just grabbed a chicken leg from somewhere beneath the counter, from a warmer drawer, presumably. (Ahem!) I ordered plantains and cole slaw, but none of the hot sides were ready. So my chicken leg sat in a styrofoam container on the counter for 10 minutes while the plantains were being fried. As a result, I ended up with plantains that were too hot to eat, chicken that was cold, and cole slaw that was so insipid and soupy, it wasn't worth eating. Nothing about this meal was satisfying. It's back to Sardi's for me!
(1)Dia A.
My husband and I both really love this place. The chicken is great and I like their plantains. The service was friendly and fast.
(5)Sina E.
3 and half stars for this place. As you enter, this place is very clean, and staff is friendly. The prices are comparable to other Peruvian food places. The reasons for deduction is because compared to other Peruvian restaurants, it just lacks in the portion size, and nothing really stands out to me. But overall, it's a decent place to go to if you are in greenbelt.
(3)Maita D.
Loooved the unique Peruvian taste of the chicken. The sides were delicious especially the fried Yuca, a bit oily but delectable. The place is squeaky clean and staff were friendly. Will definitely go back. A must-try restaurant!
(4)Christina O.
First visit here. Had the chicken (dark) with plantains and rice. The chicken was ok, not the best but good. The rice (arroz chofa) was ok, too much ginger for me. That is not a flavor I'm used to having in my peruvian style rice. Plantains where on the money! Eehh
(3)Robert L.
Exactly what you expect from this increasingly common genre of restaurant--solid but not anything spectacular.
(4)Chimaobi A.
I had the 1/2 chicken (dark), rice & beans, and fried plantain. It was excellent. Chicken was juicy and well-seasoned, fried plantain was plump, and the rice and beans were hearty. Also had some yuca fries with the yellow sauce and that was also very hearty and delicious. Prices are also very good. You will be full and then some with a date/partner for under $25.
(5)Ashley P.
The only thing I thoroughly enjoyed was the rice and beans. The chicken was just ok, the wrap was not very good. Service was mediocre !
(2)Tom S.
Roasted chicken, rice and fried plantains were delicious. Good place to go in the Greenbelt area.
(4)MS K.
i have had better. my order consisted of fried yuca, quarter white chicken, & mixed vege - the chicken seemed too mushy and so was the mixed vege with some broccoli stem that was hard on the outside and too soft in the inside, the fried yuca was a bit dry and hard not crispy.
(2)Scott R.
Pollo Cabana offers the best pollo in Greenbelt. The chicken is fresh and the flavor penetrates the skin into the meat. Not just in the skin. We like the spicy green sauce a lot. It has a nice flavor. The sides are always good. The plantains and the Yuca. are tasty. We hear the wraps are good, but we haven't tried them yet. The owners are always very friendly. We wish them the best.
(4)Ryan M.
Good Peruvian chicken place. We had a whole chicken, beans and rice, and a Greek salad. All were very good. Attractive modern interior.
(4)Jamie K.
The roasted chicken is tasty and quick to be served up. The sides are fresh and not too salty or oily tasting. There is a tidy dining room if you want to eat there, but I've always ordered the food to go. Super convenient and a good value for dinner to bring home to the family!
(4)Jo G.
First time experience eating Peruvian food and it was a good one. Had the Half Chicken with rice and peas, and fried plantains. Very tasty meal, JUICY chicken especially the breast which is generally the toughest part of the chicken to keep moist. Went well with there secret sauce. It was green and held great heat to it. The rice and peas had a different taste to it, almost reminded me of spinach with rice but was good as well. Finally the fried plantains..........yes the were just that good. Fried to perfection in my opinion great crust and texture, the right amount of oil, and retained the taste of plantain. I can't wait to try their wraps heard all great things about them. Definitely worth checking out. Only wishes there were some wet-naps to wipe hand with for those who like to get all the flavor off the bone and better location for the drink fountain to a central location. Great Job on your new business.
(4)Saeed D.
I went to PolloCabana for lunch today. It's kind of out of my way but I was in the neighborhood and in the mood of trying something new. They serve a a good tasty Peruvian chicken in a nice and clean environment. It was my first time trying yucca, it was really good!
(5)Jennifer G.
I stopped by this past weekend with my daughter for lunch. We shared the Ranchero Salad and a small fry. The salad was delicious. My two year old couldn't get enough of it. The fact she ate the salad over the fries says it all! The fries were very good too though. The chicken that was in the salad was very good and I look forward to trying the rotisserie chicken on its own at a future visit. The rest of the ingredients in the salad were fresh and delicious. The place was clean and not extremely busy, though it was Memorial Day. Service was fast and friendly. I absolutely plan to come back and I think my daughter as well is looking forward to sharing that salad with me again!
(4)Chuq Y.
I've been to quite a few pollo places, and this is one of my new favorites. We got a whole chicken to go, and it was super tasty. Since we're doing a lower carb diet when we can, we decided to just get a side of beans. The beans were good, but a little watered down. The chicken was tender and flavorful. It was noticeably less salty than most other chicken that I've had, which is nice. We didn't try anything else, but from the flavors of the foods that we did try, I'm willing to give the other dishes a go. The green sauce was good, but I could have used a little more spice. The staff was super nice, service was quick and with a smile. I will say that it was pretty empty in there when we went, but it was also like 8PM when we went in there. It is super close to home, and in the Greenway plaza, which also has a Safeway, Radio Shack, Petsmart, Ross, Hair Cuttery, Old Navy, etc. Typical strip mall stores. I'd like to see this place stick around for a bit.
(5)Amy C.
I bought discount coupons through groupon so I took a chance and was very surprised. We both got the steak sandwich and were pleasantly surprised how good they were. I would say best steak sub I've had in Maryland and it even beat jersey mikies cheesesteaks, decent price too. The seating is casual much like a McDs or elsewhere so you can eat in. Next coupon we're trying the chicken so will update that too.
(4)Obi M.
This place has spicier green sauce compared to Sardi's but what this eatery has in spice it lacks in flavor. The chicken was so-so! I would pick sardi's hands down. The yucca were quite large in individual size and the plantains were alright. The employee who waited on my order was quite friendly.
(3)Jerk C.
Ignored the other reviews and tried this place. I agree with the others saying the food was bland. I had the half chicken and it was below average. It was also dry and overcooked. Vegetables were also overcooked and dark brown. Does this merit one star? Not necessarily, but when I went to use the bathroom to wash up a ROACH ran across the floor in front of me. Not much else will make me lose my appetite faster....
(1)Josef B.
Really happy with the chicken and the veggies that I just ate. If you're in the area and looking for a great meal at a reasonable price, check them out. The owner is very nice, and will take great care of you.
(5)Jenny T.
I mean, I have zero complaints! This place has legit Peruvian rotisserie chicken, and the rice and beans and fried plantains that I had were pretty delicious, the plaintains weren't overly oily like some places make it. The chicken was cooked well, nice and juicy, but could be a little crisipier, though. The flavor was pretty good. They have a wide selection for those who want more than just rotisserie chicken, I saw wraps, salads, pulled chicken?! cool. They also have a huge drink selection--not really on the Peruvian side, but there was a lot to choose from. Their alfajor that I had was also amazing, super fresh, and the dulce de leche was sooo creamyyy mmmm... The service was friendly, fast, and there's ample seating for anyone who wanted to hang out to eat Definitely would come back if I'm in the area to try some of the other sides.
(5)Jennifer W.
The chicken! Really not sure why you'd ever want to eat anything else. Ever. The flavor! The texture! The plantains were pretty great too. The half chicken meal for $10 was more than two of us could comfortably eat. Had to save the rum cake for later. Service is speedy and friendly. There are a whole lot of reasons this place is so busy.
(5)Missy M.
Chicken was well seasoned. Plantains were fried just right. Blacks beans and rice was average but good. Portions were very generous. The facilities were very clean! Bathrooms well maintained and I peeped into the kitchen which was also clean. No complaints. Good food. Will be back.
(4)John A.
I will cut to the point. Food was hot, service was fast and polite. Hence the 4th star. I ordered a whole chicken without sides but I will say that although the chicken was fresh and hot I believe it could have been seasoned just a tad bit better. Bottom line, I will visit again if leaving the gym and needing a protein snack on the way home
(4)Tianna W.
Ok so I tried the chicken again thanks to my coworkers and it tastes a lot better than the first time I had it. Seems like it is seasoned better now, maybe because I tried them around the time they first opened? They have good fries and yuca too - so, I'll up my rating.
(4)Chelsea P.
The chicken Cobb salad is the BOMB
(4)Adelyn P.
I have been looking for a Peruvian chicken place closer to home for a while now. I'm excited to say I've found it. Did take out twice so far and have been very pleased. The small resturant is clean and the staff is so nice and polite. I ordered 1/2 chicken white with platanos accompanied by tasty yellow sauce. Very good. I will go again. They have a varied menu and I may actually try something else soon. In the meantime I am happy I found this little gem.
(4)Nathan O.
i used a groupon here and i've been here a total of about 4 times. If you have been to Sardis in College Park, you will probably be disappointed, but for the sake of pollo let me explain. I think the biggest down fall here is the lack of traffic compared to Sardis , whether that's due to location or due to quality. With little traffic , in the 4 times i've been (around dinner time) , Pollo Cabana's chickens are not as 'fresh' nor are the sides. Things seem to have far less turn over compared to Sardis where sides and chickens are constantly being refreshed because of the demand. The chicken itself is good i think but a little dry(er) if comparing to Sardis. I've had their beans+ rice, coleslaw, plantains, and yuca. Yuca at Cabana is quite nice and on the level of Sardis! I think they do them well here whatever that means. Sauces: Yellow sauce is good, but a little more mayo based and thick. Their green sauce is super hot in comparison to Sardis too. They do not provide enough sauce here in my opinion. Price: it's cheaper than Sardis , who i think as of 11/12/14 (today) raised their prices. Personally if i have a choice, i wouldn't go to Cabana over Sardis, but with a groupon and if im in a tight schedule and need something super close to where i live, Cabana isn't bad.
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