Asadero el Pollo
A humble, local gem serving up succulent, charcoal-grilled chicken with traditional sides at unbeatable prices.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Asadero el Pollo
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A humble, local gem serving up succulent, charcoal-grilled chicken with traditional sides at unbeatable prices.
Seek out the local gem
Venture off the main tourist strip to discover this authentic local favorite for grilled chicken.
Embrace the simple meal
Enjoy the whole or half chicken with traditional sides like tortillas, rice, salsa, and pickled onions.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Mexican Grill
Price
$
Phone
+52 981 816 7557
Address
20 Avenida Nte. 652, Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Signature Grilled Chicken
Juicy, well-flavored chicken grilled over charcoal to perfection, served with delicious sides.
Authentic Local Experience
A no-frills, humble eatery beloved by locals, offering a genuine taste of traditional Mexican cuisine.
Unbeatable Value
Generous portions of flavorful grilled chicken and sides at incredibly affordable prices.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Seek out the local gem
Venture off the main tourist strip to discover this authentic local favorite for grilled chicken.
Embrace the simple meal
Enjoy the whole or half chicken with traditional sides like tortillas, rice, salsa, and pickled onions.
Cash is king
Be prepared to pay with cash, as this spot does not accept card payments.
Portion size tip
A half chicken is typically generous enough for one person to enjoy.
Tips
from all over the internet
Seek out the local gem
Venture off the main tourist strip to discover this authentic local favorite for grilled chicken.
Embrace the simple meal
Enjoy the whole or half chicken with traditional sides like tortillas, rice, salsa, and pickled onions.
Cash is king
Be prepared to pay with cash, as this spot does not accept card payments.
Portion size tip
A half chicken is typically generous enough for one person to enjoy.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Asadero el Pollo is celebrated for its incredibly flavorful and juicy grilled chicken, often described as the best in Playa del Carmen. Diners consistently praise the generous portions and the excellent value for money, with meals being very affordable. While the food is a clear highlight, the restaurant is noted for its simple, no-frills atmosphere and service that can be quick but not always the friendliest.
"The grilled chicken is well-flavored. The pickled onion complemented the dish. Affordable price and great service. For 170 Mexican pesos we enjoyed one whole chicken with sides of rice, salsa and tortilla. We will definitely come back!"
Auryll Dimanlig
"Out on one of our adventures shopping and mingling. My wife got a whiff of something being open roasted and insisted we follow her nose about the neighborhood to find what she smelled. Sure enough, off the strip was this open roasted chicken joint that satisfied our hunger for delicious fresh made food. I’d go back anytime again as the chicken was juicy, hot and fresh along with pickled onions, rice, salsa and fresh tortillas. Thumbs up!"
TheBigBandWolf
"I’m like Toucan Sam — I follow my nose, and that’s exactly what led me here. You can literally catch the mouthwatering aroma of this place from blocks away, depending on where you’re standing. It’s one of those spots that calls you in before you even see the sign.
This is local food at its finest — no frills, just simple, honest cooking that focuses on doing one thing really well: broiled chicken. The menu is limited, but that’s part of the charm. They stick to what they know and execute it perfectly. The chicken was juicy, tender, and full of flavor, cooked to that perfect point where the skin has a nice crisp but the meat stays moist.
The sides are pretty straightforward, but a few stood out. While I wasn’t particularly impressed with the rice, the onions were a pleasant surprise — sweet, flavorful, and a great complement to the chicken. The potatoes with cheese sauce were another highlight — rich, creamy, and perfectly seasoned. And then there’s the house sauce — a serious warning here: it’s super spicy and not for the faint of heart. But if you enjoy a good kick, it’s an excellent addition that takes the flavors up a notch.
Pro tips before you go:
• Best time to visit is between 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM for quicker seating and a more relaxed experience.
• Parking is available behind the building, which makes things easier.
• They close early — 6 PM sharp, so make sure to plan your visit accordingly.
• Cash only — no cards accepted, so bring some cash and small bills.
The vibe here is very casual, more of a “come in, eat, and enjoy” kind of spot — no fancy atmosphere, just great food that locals have loved for years. If you’re looking for an authentic local experience with delicious broiled chicken and no unnecessary bells and whistles, this place is definitely worth a stop."
Christian Rodriguez
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The restaurant is famous for its charcoal-grilled chicken, known for being juicy, flavorful, and affordable. It's a local favorite.
Chicken orders typically include sides such as tortillas, rice, salsa, and pickled onions.
Yes, the restaurant is highly regarded for its excellent value, offering large portions of delicious chicken at very budget-friendly prices.
The restaurant has a very casual, no-frills atmosphere. It's more of a come-in, eat, and enjoy kind of spot rather than for a fancy dining experience.
No, Asadero el Pollo operates on a cash-only basis, so please bring cash with you.
The best time to visit for a more relaxed experience and quicker seating is typically between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM.
While the focus is on chicken, one mention indicates that vegetarian options are offered.
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Asadero el Pollo is on the corner of 2nd and 15th just north of the Collectivo (local bus) depot. Local food at it’s best, they serve one thing only – roasted chicken cooked over charcoal and it is truly delicious. Don’t be nervous of the chainlink fencing walls, walk into the open-air dining area, and sit at an empty patio table and a waiter will quickly approach.
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Asadero el Pollo (BBQ Chicken): Think succulent, juicy slow roasted comfort food – yep BBQ chicken. We started going to this place years ago as it’s a great take-out place for a large group. They specialize in BBQ chicken with special spices – included in your take out are sides of tortillas, salsa, rice, pickled onions, roast potatoes and re-fried beans.
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This restaurant is famous for their roast chicken which is done in the Mexican style of western Mexico in Sinaloa State. The whole chickens are seasoned and then roasted there. When you order they chop up the chicken and give you a package of tortillas, pickled onions, rice, tomato salsa, and green salsa to go with your chicken.
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Chicken barbecued on a grill exists in some form in most if not all countries, and Mexico is no exception. Asadero El Pollo is a no-frills restaurant that offers just one thing on their menu – Mexican roast chicken. You can get half or a whole chicken for just MXN 90 or MXN 140 respectively.
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Craving perfectly grilled chicken on your tour of restaurants in Playa del Carmen?. Asadero El Pollo is a local favorite known for its delicious and affordable rotisserie chicken, served with a variety of sides like rice, beans and tortillas. The chefs also offer vegetarian options.
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Freshly cooked rotisserie chicken and perfectly seasoned rice… what more can you ask for?. Asadero el Pollo is THE spot for chicken. You can order a quarter, half or full chicken, and each one comes with tortillas, rice, pickled onions, garnish, and salsa.
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La verdad fui porque siempre estaba lleno (de locales, no turistas) cuando pasaba delante y efectivamente estuvo rico y a precio excelente: sólo 90 pesos para un medio pollo o 140 pesos por un pollo entero, con tortilla, arroz, salsa y cebolla.
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This is probably one of the most popular pollerias in Playa. This is largely because it is located directly across from a school, and directly across from the Tulum/Cancun colectivo queue. But also because it’s delicious!
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