It’s Friday morning and the dining room of the new Pollo Campero restaurant in Victorville is packed with customers.
After the company hosted the grand opening of its 150th U.S. location in Victorville on Wednesday, Feb. 4, the restaurant on Mariposa Road continues to attract customers.
“I heard a lot about Pollo Campero, and their fried and roasted chicken, but I’ve never eaten here before,” Monica Espinoza told the Daily Press. “After a few bites, I understand why people love this chicken.”
Espinoza, a resident of Hesperia, described the chicken as “flavorful,” “not greasy” and “extremely fresh.”
Foodies Freddie Marcos and his wife, Priscilla, both from Apple Valley, claimed that Pollo Campero could be the “Latino version of Chick-fil-A.”
“We’ve had all kinds of chicken, but the taste of Pollo Campero has a unique taste and we like it,” Priscilla said. “We’ll definitely be back.”
Freddie and Priscilla shared their hope that Pollo Campero would come to Apple Valley.
The Guatemalan-born Pollo Campero restaurant boasts family recipes passed down from generation to generation, including chicken wings, thighs and breasts.
Also on the menu are chicken sandwiches and nuggets, dinner rolls, corn tortillas, beans, rice, french fries, coleslaw, yucca fries and sweet plantains.
This reporter found the chicken delicious and the plantains addictive. By noon, a line of 20 people was inside the restaurant, while employees attempted to direct over 25 cars attempting to enter the store’s drive-through as the brand’s giant inflatable chicken mascot “Pollito” sat on the roof of the store.
Pollo Campero officials said the brand is known for its uniquely flavorful chicken that is considered “a national treasure of Guatemala.”
“Reaching 150 U.S. locations represents a significant milestone in our mission to bring authentic, flavorful chicken to communities across the country,” said Luis Javier Rodas, Pollo Campero USA COO.
Rodas added that the company’s expansion into Victorville represents an exciting opportunity to connect with longtime fans of the brand and new guests, “while honoring the heritage and quality that defines Pollo Campero.”
In July 2025, and for the second year in a row, Pollo Campero was voted No. 2 in USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Fast Food Fried Chicken.
Some of the countries that host Pollo Campero include El Salvador, Honduras, Spain, Belize, Brazil, Italy and the U.S. The restaurant chain aims to reach 250 locations by 2027.
The Victorville Pollo Campero will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. at 12373 Mariposa Road in Victorville.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Victorville’s new Pollo Campero is a hit, drawing long lines and praise
Reporting by Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
