I love this place! Food is always good and the price is right. The staff are very friendly and always attentive. I work close nearby and this is the go to place for lunch and take out. I recommend the half-chicken dinner with plantains and rice/beans for lunch. I love me some Pollo Fiesta!
(5)
J. R. H.
There a precious few eats around the Riverdale Rd area, but these folks have created a local gem. Authentic entrees and appetizers--try the chicharones and yucca. Great service--practice your latent Spanish. Great value for luncheon speceials--lower prices, larger portions (take away boxes are easy here). Pollo Fiesta is there to show that BM on south down the road what can be done with chicken and more. You see not only many locals, but also lots of office staff and law enforcement there--best to behave. Added plus, they usually keep the futbol on and telenovelas off during the lunch hour. Consistently first-rate eats for the lunch and dinner hours. Always fresh and they keep the complimentary chips and salsa coming with never a flinch.
(5)
Kate C.
This is one of those awesome places that has gotten better each time I have eaten at it. It was a chinese perma buffet forever........then it became what I like to call "The Party Chicken". Watching the place change from a chinese perma buffet to what it is now was great. It has slowly gotten better and better. This is what a neighborhood place should be. I recommend: The Pupsa's The Roasted Chicken - give the fries a go so you can try the yummy sauce. The Plantanos and Fritos - or fried bannana, beans and rice - get them to give you the sour cream with it...
(5)
Craig R.
What an amazing find! As an earlier reviewer said, "...glad to discover that authenticity can exist along this monotonous stretch of suburban fast-food purgatory." How right he is! I have only eaten two items off this menu. Why five stars then? Shouldn't I taste more of the menu before I get all gung-ho about it? No way! Taste the burritos and you'll never eat anything else on the menu again. Their Peruvian style burritos are to die for. The steak burrito is enormous (much bigger than Chipotle). The amount of steak that you get in this burrito is great considering the price you're paying (around 7 dollars). It comes topped with an enchilada sauce. Also, the twins burritos are a good choice for lunch. It's two burritos (one with chicken, one with beef) that together are about the same size as the steak burrito. The staff is very friendly even though they're semi-fluent in English. The owner is present on many occasions and he recognizes you if you're a regular and makes a point to come talk to you. Just a great laid back place to come and have some lunch.
(5)
Bruce K.
Differentiating themselves from the pack of quasi-Mexican restaurants in the area, this place char-grills the chicken rather that cooking it on a regular grill. This gives it a different flavor that makes the chicken really "pop". I chose a simple chicken burrito and it was massive. Well stuffed with the char-grilled chicken, beans and rice then topped with melted cheese and some guacamole on the side, there was enough that it more than a single meal. Tips: Be hungry. Have something with chicken.
(4)
Doris C.
When it first opened my family and I would go there every Saturday. After 5 years i was in the neighborhood so decided to get lunch the chicken was not cold but it wasn't the right temperature. Decently will not go back at all and the portions where so small.
(1)
Carlucci L.
Great food!
(5)
Lynn F.
Yum yum yum. I especially enjoyed the chicken Monterey! Everything was soo flavorful. Guacamole is better than chipotle to me. A definite must!
(5)
Tiffany H.
Somebody please tell me what I am missing. I work down the street and couldn't figure out what I wanted for lunch, so I went to Pollo Fiesta. And then it dawned on me, why I haven't been back in over a year....... The meal was forgettable with it's dried out, to the bone chicken. A quarter chicken with 2 sides was $7.75! Why? For what? And, the service is slow.
(1)
Joe C.
I've noticed that recent reviews haven't been as favorable as in the past. The place does seem to have changed, but I think it's *almost* as good as it ever was. However, we always get the same things (not the rotisserie chicken). The pollo encebollado is as good as ever. One thing that's changed, is the salsa that comes with the pupusas. They used to have a salsa roja, just your basic (but very good) red salsa, there was always more than enough and I'd save the rest to put on eggs, beans etc. Now it's more of an orange-colored sauce, not bad but not that good, either. One thing that has not changed is that the place is slow. I didn't mention this in my first review, but it's always been the case. As my neighbor joked, "call them today if you want it tomorrow."
(3)
B W.
On one of those "who knows what I'll have for lunch today", I searched the web for something new. And I wound up here. For a half chicken (half today, the remaining for tomorrow) with two sides (rice & beans and cole slaw) and two pupusas $ 11. Not starting off well. On my way back to work, I tried the pupusas. I know, distracted driving, but I was so excited! Oh, the salsa and the cabbage was delightful, but the actual pupusa; I wished I could have returned it. The cheese and the masa was flavorless... so disappointing. Then there was the cole slaw, which was mostly mayo, not lots of veggies. The chicken was just heavily seasoned, not Peruvian-style. The rice and beans were OK. Not going back.
(2)
Hass L.
Don't let the trashy exterior and limiting titular signage fool you - there's more to this place than an experience at one of the many one-trick pony "roasted pollo" places in the DC metro area would lead you to expect. I had the seafood enchillada which was superb and put the one I had at Chevy's during a team lunch to shame. Large portions, quick service, plenty of lobster and shrimp inside - compared to Chevy's bland and stingy seafood enchilada. Great homemade-tasting salsa and tortilla chips, my coworkers' all enjoyed their meals thoroughly (to the point of rave review) here as well.
(4)
Brian B.
The Peruvian Chicken here is as good as I have had and the chicken tacos are amazing.
Really? 4.5 stars? Methinks not, as Yelp says. I wrote a review about this in the past, and several co-workers have roundly panned it as well. Sorry, I pull for the independent owners, but they are clearly in the wrong business. To begin, as we parked in the lot, near the corner of the building, one of their delivery people raced through to get to the back at 20 miles an hour, a foot from the car door. Had I opened it...well, you can surmise. I informed the manager, who did not seem too interested, THEN advised that the next time, I would see his tail in jail. Obviously, there will not be a next time, as I am pretty much through with this place. Again, as in the past. Went on a hot day. A/C turned up to 95 degrees? Hot as the hinges of Hades. Chips to start. Flavorless pieces of card board. Salsa-Water, with some tomato thrown in. ZERO flavor. Yuca-Somewhat decent. Chicken enchilada-ZERO flavor. Rice served with meal-Less than ZERO flavor Regurgitated beans-Some type of brown, runny sauce, with, 6..yes, I counted, and yes, 6 beans. Service-Pleasant, really tired of asking for the check. Again, last time. Avoid, Avoid, Avoid. Alamo down the street is at least a bit better. A pity, since this could be a decent establishment.
(1)
Bianca F.
I used to come here all of the time for lunch and would even pick up a late dinner there. The lunch specials are cheap! I would usually order the 1/4 chicken white with plantains and vegetables. They have a pretty decent sized menu to offer variety for you. It's good for large groups or solo dining. I went to this place before I even knew about other Peruvian chicken places. The chicken here is always tender and well seasoned. Definitely check it out if you are nearby.
(3)
Eddie G.
Wonderful. I had something called a "Honduran Baleada," which was kind of like a large soft taco. Very unique and generous in portions. The prices in general are reasonable and the place is family-friendly.
(4)
Geo A.
Food was okay the pupusas tomato sauce and Lettuce was disgusting food was under cooked and drinks where not good. Establishment has lost ALOT of quality.
(1)
Ethan S.
As a man with no car working on soul-less Kenilworth Avenue in Riverdale, I have very few options for lunch. A few months ago I discovered Pollo Fiesta, a surprisingly authentic and tasty mexican joint a few doors down from work. Don't let it's boxy warehouse meets McDonalds exterior fool you, the inside is clean and more upscale than would be expected. They offer large lunch specials for $6.25 from 11-3pm. I can endorse the Chicken Enchiladas. Spring for a Horchata - a rice and almond drink that are especially good here. The staff is friendly, though knowing a little Spanish goes a long way. Me and my stomach were definitely glad to discover that authenticity can exist along this monotonous stretch of suburban fast-food purgatory.
(4)
Marcus D.
Myself and my coworkers regularly grab lunch from this place..almost on a weekly, if not biweekly basis. We'll usually get a whole or half chicken with the sides and it'll definitely be enough to feed us all. The fiesta fajitas is definitely my favorite dish, but their steaks and chicken are great too. The staff is friendly, the service is always timely and the food is always well prepared.
(5)
Carol H.
Doesn't look like much from the outside but the food is delicious. Generous portions and lots of options. And very reasonable prices. If you want to watch soccer - several TVs have games going on all the time - but its not loud if you aren't interested in the game.
(4)
Su K.
Not sure about a fiesta. Granted, the neon yellow paint (see pic) is festive but the interior is rather gloomy as far as fiestas go. Maybe this is what an emo party looks like. Anywho, the food here is very good and it's a solid lunch bet if you're in the area. Food - I generally get the 1/2 chicken ($7.75) w/ fries and rice + beans. The chicken is always moist but the skin is not nearly as flavorful as Crisp & Juicy or Super Chicken. The yuca isn't very crisp but the fries are good. I've tried the steak burrito ($10) and it's unlike Chipotle's. For one, it is bigger, albeit w/ a bigger price tag, but it comes w/ rice and a side salad. It's also covered with cheese and a sauce, so it's not a grab-with-your-hands type of food. Personally, I like the chimichanga's, which is a burrito that is grilled rather than covered in sauce/cheese. Tapatio hot sauce is available on the tables for you to spice up your meal. They also have several interesting sodas including Inca Cola in glass bottles as well as cans of coconut juice. Service - As Craig R. notes, they are friendly but aren't completely fluent in English. Today, the server was so cute, constantly stopping by our table and asking, "Everything ok?" I can't imagine what she would have done if I said, "No." Location - Near Little Mexico that Patrick H. seems to enjoy visiting. There's not really much to do nearby and you'd probably only drive by this place if you stopped off onto Kenilworth Ave from 495 to get gas, as the closest gas station is @ the intersection of 410. The interior is a little dark at all hours of the day. Good food with good service. Not too bad for Little Mexico.
(3)
Justin D.
A great little place for unexpectedly good central American food! They have all of your Mexican basics along with some specialties from El Salvador and Honduras. The seafood soup is delicious and loaded with seafood. The pupusas - a Salvadorean original - tortillas loaded with cheese, pork (chiccarone), and/or beans - are absolutely amazing and a hard to find item. The chicken is juicy and delicious. The chimichangas are the best I've ever had...grilled instead of fried and loaded with meat. Give this place a try. You won't be disappointed!
(5)
Eva M.
Overall good not great. Definitely going back though. Great prices and very clean. Try the platanos Fritos - best I've ever had. The chicken is tender and flavorful, but those who had steak and other meats were underwhelmed. Id stick with the pollo. Variety of salsas and huge portions. Overall delicious !
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
Al S.
I love this place! Food is always good and the price is right. The staff are very friendly and always attentive. I work close nearby and this is the go to place for lunch and take out. I recommend the half-chicken dinner with plantains and rice/beans for lunch. I love me some Pollo Fiesta!
(5)J. R. H.
There a precious few eats around the Riverdale Rd area, but these folks have created a local gem. Authentic entrees and appetizers--try the chicharones and yucca. Great service--practice your latent Spanish. Great value for luncheon speceials--lower prices, larger portions (take away boxes are easy here). Pollo Fiesta is there to show that BM on south down the road what can be done with chicken and more. You see not only many locals, but also lots of office staff and law enforcement there--best to behave. Added plus, they usually keep the futbol on and telenovelas off during the lunch hour. Consistently first-rate eats for the lunch and dinner hours. Always fresh and they keep the complimentary chips and salsa coming with never a flinch.
(5)Kate C.
This is one of those awesome places that has gotten better each time I have eaten at it. It was a chinese perma buffet forever........then it became what I like to call "The Party Chicken". Watching the place change from a chinese perma buffet to what it is now was great. It has slowly gotten better and better. This is what a neighborhood place should be. I recommend: The Pupsa's The Roasted Chicken - give the fries a go so you can try the yummy sauce. The Plantanos and Fritos - or fried bannana, beans and rice - get them to give you the sour cream with it...
(5)Craig R.
What an amazing find! As an earlier reviewer said, "...glad to discover that authenticity can exist along this monotonous stretch of suburban fast-food purgatory." How right he is! I have only eaten two items off this menu. Why five stars then? Shouldn't I taste more of the menu before I get all gung-ho about it? No way! Taste the burritos and you'll never eat anything else on the menu again. Their Peruvian style burritos are to die for. The steak burrito is enormous (much bigger than Chipotle). The amount of steak that you get in this burrito is great considering the price you're paying (around 7 dollars). It comes topped with an enchilada sauce. Also, the twins burritos are a good choice for lunch. It's two burritos (one with chicken, one with beef) that together are about the same size as the steak burrito. The staff is very friendly even though they're semi-fluent in English. The owner is present on many occasions and he recognizes you if you're a regular and makes a point to come talk to you. Just a great laid back place to come and have some lunch.
(5)Bruce K.
Differentiating themselves from the pack of quasi-Mexican restaurants in the area, this place char-grills the chicken rather that cooking it on a regular grill. This gives it a different flavor that makes the chicken really "pop". I chose a simple chicken burrito and it was massive. Well stuffed with the char-grilled chicken, beans and rice then topped with melted cheese and some guacamole on the side, there was enough that it more than a single meal. Tips: Be hungry. Have something with chicken.
(4)Doris C.
When it first opened my family and I would go there every Saturday. After 5 years i was in the neighborhood so decided to get lunch the chicken was not cold but it wasn't the right temperature. Decently will not go back at all and the portions where so small.
(1)Carlucci L.
Great food!
(5)Lynn F.
Yum yum yum. I especially enjoyed the chicken Monterey! Everything was soo flavorful. Guacamole is better than chipotle to me. A definite must!
(5)Tiffany H.
Somebody please tell me what I am missing. I work down the street and couldn't figure out what I wanted for lunch, so I went to Pollo Fiesta. And then it dawned on me, why I haven't been back in over a year....... The meal was forgettable with it's dried out, to the bone chicken. A quarter chicken with 2 sides was $7.75! Why? For what? And, the service is slow.
(1)Joe C.
I've noticed that recent reviews haven't been as favorable as in the past. The place does seem to have changed, but I think it's *almost* as good as it ever was. However, we always get the same things (not the rotisserie chicken). The pollo encebollado is as good as ever. One thing that's changed, is the salsa that comes with the pupusas. They used to have a salsa roja, just your basic (but very good) red salsa, there was always more than enough and I'd save the rest to put on eggs, beans etc. Now it's more of an orange-colored sauce, not bad but not that good, either. One thing that has not changed is that the place is slow. I didn't mention this in my first review, but it's always been the case. As my neighbor joked, "call them today if you want it tomorrow."
(3)B W.
On one of those "who knows what I'll have for lunch today", I searched the web for something new. And I wound up here. For a half chicken (half today, the remaining for tomorrow) with two sides (rice & beans and cole slaw) and two pupusas $ 11. Not starting off well. On my way back to work, I tried the pupusas. I know, distracted driving, but I was so excited! Oh, the salsa and the cabbage was delightful, but the actual pupusa; I wished I could have returned it. The cheese and the masa was flavorless... so disappointing. Then there was the cole slaw, which was mostly mayo, not lots of veggies. The chicken was just heavily seasoned, not Peruvian-style. The rice and beans were OK. Not going back.
(2)Hass L.
Don't let the trashy exterior and limiting titular signage fool you - there's more to this place than an experience at one of the many one-trick pony "roasted pollo" places in the DC metro area would lead you to expect. I had the seafood enchillada which was superb and put the one I had at Chevy's during a team lunch to shame. Large portions, quick service, plenty of lobster and shrimp inside - compared to Chevy's bland and stingy seafood enchilada. Great homemade-tasting salsa and tortilla chips, my coworkers' all enjoyed their meals thoroughly (to the point of rave review) here as well.
(4)Brian B.
The Peruvian Chicken here is as good as I have had and the chicken tacos are amazing.
(4)Toya J.
Sure it's your run of the mill Latin chicken spot, but I'm learning all of them are not created equal. I came to Fiesta years ago and forgot what the food taste like. Looking for something different, I got the steak burrito, filled with cheese, black beans, steak, and a few sautéed peppers, accompanied with gauc and sour cream. It was AWE-SOME, if I never try anything else from this place, they've already made a friend. I will definitely come back, but when I get a burrito I will probably add a side of pico de gallo and green creamy habanero sauce to the order. The prices here are reasonable, the burrito was $8 and some change. Just walking in, the order took about 10 minutes. The place is super clean and the staff is pretty nice. Burritos are also available in chicken and ground beef.
(4)Mr. F.
Really? 4.5 stars? Methinks not, as Yelp says. I wrote a review about this in the past, and several co-workers have roundly panned it as well. Sorry, I pull for the independent owners, but they are clearly in the wrong business. To begin, as we parked in the lot, near the corner of the building, one of their delivery people raced through to get to the back at 20 miles an hour, a foot from the car door. Had I opened it...well, you can surmise. I informed the manager, who did not seem too interested, THEN advised that the next time, I would see his tail in jail. Obviously, there will not be a next time, as I am pretty much through with this place. Again, as in the past. Went on a hot day. A/C turned up to 95 degrees? Hot as the hinges of Hades. Chips to start. Flavorless pieces of card board. Salsa-Water, with some tomato thrown in. ZERO flavor. Yuca-Somewhat decent. Chicken enchilada-ZERO flavor. Rice served with meal-Less than ZERO flavor Regurgitated beans-Some type of brown, runny sauce, with, 6..yes, I counted, and yes, 6 beans. Service-Pleasant, really tired of asking for the check. Again, last time. Avoid, Avoid, Avoid. Alamo down the street is at least a bit better. A pity, since this could be a decent establishment.
(1)Bianca F.
I used to come here all of the time for lunch and would even pick up a late dinner there. The lunch specials are cheap! I would usually order the 1/4 chicken white with plantains and vegetables. They have a pretty decent sized menu to offer variety for you. It's good for large groups or solo dining. I went to this place before I even knew about other Peruvian chicken places. The chicken here is always tender and well seasoned. Definitely check it out if you are nearby.
(3)Eddie G.
Wonderful. I had something called a "Honduran Baleada," which was kind of like a large soft taco. Very unique and generous in portions. The prices in general are reasonable and the place is family-friendly.
(4)Geo A.
Food was okay the pupusas tomato sauce and Lettuce was disgusting food was under cooked and drinks where not good. Establishment has lost ALOT of quality.
(1)Ethan S.
As a man with no car working on soul-less Kenilworth Avenue in Riverdale, I have very few options for lunch. A few months ago I discovered Pollo Fiesta, a surprisingly authentic and tasty mexican joint a few doors down from work. Don't let it's boxy warehouse meets McDonalds exterior fool you, the inside is clean and more upscale than would be expected. They offer large lunch specials for $6.25 from 11-3pm. I can endorse the Chicken Enchiladas. Spring for a Horchata - a rice and almond drink that are especially good here. The staff is friendly, though knowing a little Spanish goes a long way. Me and my stomach were definitely glad to discover that authenticity can exist along this monotonous stretch of suburban fast-food purgatory.
(4)Marcus D.
Myself and my coworkers regularly grab lunch from this place..almost on a weekly, if not biweekly basis. We'll usually get a whole or half chicken with the sides and it'll definitely be enough to feed us all. The fiesta fajitas is definitely my favorite dish, but their steaks and chicken are great too. The staff is friendly, the service is always timely and the food is always well prepared.
(5)Carol H.
Doesn't look like much from the outside but the food is delicious. Generous portions and lots of options. And very reasonable prices. If you want to watch soccer - several TVs have games going on all the time - but its not loud if you aren't interested in the game.
(4)Su K.
Not sure about a fiesta. Granted, the neon yellow paint (see pic) is festive but the interior is rather gloomy as far as fiestas go. Maybe this is what an emo party looks like. Anywho, the food here is very good and it's a solid lunch bet if you're in the area. Food - I generally get the 1/2 chicken ($7.75) w/ fries and rice + beans. The chicken is always moist but the skin is not nearly as flavorful as Crisp & Juicy or Super Chicken. The yuca isn't very crisp but the fries are good. I've tried the steak burrito ($10) and it's unlike Chipotle's. For one, it is bigger, albeit w/ a bigger price tag, but it comes w/ rice and a side salad. It's also covered with cheese and a sauce, so it's not a grab-with-your-hands type of food. Personally, I like the chimichanga's, which is a burrito that is grilled rather than covered in sauce/cheese. Tapatio hot sauce is available on the tables for you to spice up your meal. They also have several interesting sodas including Inca Cola in glass bottles as well as cans of coconut juice. Service - As Craig R. notes, they are friendly but aren't completely fluent in English. Today, the server was so cute, constantly stopping by our table and asking, "Everything ok?" I can't imagine what she would have done if I said, "No." Location - Near Little Mexico that Patrick H. seems to enjoy visiting. There's not really much to do nearby and you'd probably only drive by this place if you stopped off onto Kenilworth Ave from 495 to get gas, as the closest gas station is @ the intersection of 410. The interior is a little dark at all hours of the day. Good food with good service. Not too bad for Little Mexico.
(3)Justin D.
A great little place for unexpectedly good central American food! They have all of your Mexican basics along with some specialties from El Salvador and Honduras. The seafood soup is delicious and loaded with seafood. The pupusas - a Salvadorean original - tortillas loaded with cheese, pork (chiccarone), and/or beans - are absolutely amazing and a hard to find item. The chicken is juicy and delicious. The chimichangas are the best I've ever had...grilled instead of fried and loaded with meat. Give this place a try. You won't be disappointed!
(5)Eva M.
Overall good not great. Definitely going back though. Great prices and very clean. Try the platanos Fritos - best I've ever had. The chicken is tender and flavorful, but those who had steak and other meats were underwhelmed. Id stick with the pollo. Variety of salsas and huge portions. Overall delicious !
(3)