We live about 40 minutes away and this is one of the places in Gainesville my wife and I like to stop if we are in town. Before covid this was a nice place. So when we think of eating here and driving all the way here to eat, that is the way we remember it. Well it's not that way anymore! The previous time we went we found that the dining room was still closed and ate in our car in the filthy parking lot. Last night we tried it again. This time the dinning room was open but probably should have been left closed. There used to be a nice condiment bar and drink machine and a clean organized dining area. Now the condiment station is completely gone, no drink machine, the tables were very loosely organized and not one table was clean, all were covered in a sticky messy glaze. And the floor was even worse. The food we ordered was OK but they had no plantains and I felt like I was burdening them when I asked for condiments. When we were leaving, the parking area was empty and I noticed that it was a complete mess, with trash everywhere. What a total and complete disappointment! I don't know how they are able to pass any kind of health dept. Inspection. Who ever the franchise owner is better get with it, because your place has turned into a dump!
Ashley T.
Was trying to get a nice, relatively healthy, and quick meal for dinner and it said they closed in 30 mins. Pulled up to the drive thru and heard nothing. Decided to pull around to the window only to be told they were closed with no other explanation. They weren't, since there were people eating inside. I think they just didn't want to deal with anymore customers and the employees wanted to keep talking to each other instead. Poor etiquette. I would rather give them no stars but that's not an option.
Sybil R.
To start this off, the workers were very nice. They were playing and joking around with the baby. They are the only reason why I give them why I gave them a two star. However, the food was not that good. My chicken was tough and dry (overcooked) and my mashed potatoes were soggy. The restaurant was hot and sticky with no clean areas to sit. All of the tables looked disgusting even if they were wiped down. I suggest to cook the chicken for a little less time and to clean the restaurant.
FSUfaninWA
Went for dinner at 7 pm. When I order the half chicken, was told it would be a 30 minute wait. Another staff member pointed out three racks of chicken. The person behind the register appologized by saying she didn't see them. Got our food but had to go back for the sauces. Three of the staff went out to use their cell phones and came in and closed the dining area and register. Orders only by the app or drive thru, this was before 7:30 pm. My chicken was raw. Parts of it had blood. Showed my wife and we left. The AC was not working in the dining area either. Will not be back.
U7675NKchrisr
Manager was exceptionally rude. Waited 30 minutes to find out they could not make a meal. Told to go online to get refund, delivered only 1 meal without attempting to solve problem. Will NEVER return to this place again
Todd H.
Like the other reviews incredibly slow and inept. No toilet paper or paper towels in bathroom.disgusting.
Mira C.
I've never had a dining experience like I did at this establishment. Not in a good way. I would highly recommend going anywhere else. I've been to several Pollo Tropicals and this one is in major need of corporate help. Poor management, they were missing half the menu, and i don't think it's ever been cleaned. There's absolutely no sense of control going on here.
Yves S. Dorvil
Obviously, something is wrong with this restaurant. There's a need for the corporate office to intervene and fix this place. It's nowhere near to the name "Pollo Tropical".That's not the Pollo Tropical I'm used to in South Florida. Too many inconsistencies!
Jennifer G.
I have loved PT starting with when they first opened 25+ years ago when I lived in Orlando. I have since moved to Ga but always make a point to get my PT fix when in Florida. Sadly all the reviews I have seen when looking for one during my recent visit were so negative. Rude employees, inaccurate orders, being out of stock, etc. what I did NOT find at this location was rude employees. Allison who took our order was sunshine . But unfortunately she had to tell me they were out of my favorite, the mango iced tea, and French fries and that they no longer offer another favorite, the wings. It did take a long while to get our meals and even then there were inaccuracies. But what we did get was delicious and Allison made all the difference. Seems that PT management has taken their hands off the wheel at a corporate level. I'm really afraid their days are numbered unless they make some changes at the TOP.
Kassie H.
Went inside and it was alright, I haven't had it in ages and they didn't disappoint. The staff did take a while but I understand being busy. They were friendly and helped when I needed. However the hours listed for opening and closing may not be accurate.
I can't even put one star. That's how bad it was. I am visiting from North Carolina. My daughter lives in Newberry, and knew I love Pollo Tropical. We went to the one by Publix in Gainesville. It was HORRIBLE. I asked and paid for a quarter chicken white meal and got home after driving 30 minutes to get there and 30 minutes back, and it was a dried out leg and a thigh cut in half with the bloody bone sticking out. Shame on you for trying to pass that off as a meal. I will NEVER go to that restaurant again. Not to mention there were no sauces. The place needs to be shut down. They are lucky I didn't live closer, I would have gone back in there and told somebody off.
Phyllis G.
There are used to be a Pollo Tropicale here in Ocala, but there isn't one anymore. I really wish there was, they had good food.
Eric W.
What the hell? I love this place from living in ATL. But this one needs the reset button. iT SUCKS!!! Service is beyond terrible. I order grill chicken and got French fries. Bad experience
Shay S.
This was the absolute worst place in Gainesville to eat. They close early to avoid the customers. When I tried to call corporate they didn't answer. I have had the worst experience at the Gainesville location for pollo tropical. I used to eat they're weekly, but now I will never eat there again. Only because of the Gainesville location. The worst possible. Never again.
Gabe Nonken
We waited 30 minutes for this food and asked for the family meal; however, we were told we would need to wait an hour for the chicken breast to cook. We decided to get bowls instead and somehow they were out of black beans. We payed the extra $4 for avocado slices in our bowls which they just did not put in either of our bowls. $36 for two bowls and wraps was just not all worth the wait and ultimately I found scammed. Never coming back to this pollo tropical sadly as it one of my favorite places to eat.
We live about 40 minutes away and this is one of the places in Gainesville my wife and I like to stop if we are in town. Before covid this was a nice place. So when we think of eating here and driving all the way here to eat, that is the way we remember it. Well it's not that way anymore! The previous time we went we found that the dining room was still closed and ate in our car in the filthy parking lot. Last night we tried it again. This time the dinning room was open but probably should have been left closed. There used to be a nice condiment bar and drink machine and a clean organized dining area. Now the condiment station is completely gone, no drink machine, the tables were very loosely organized and not one table was clean, all were covered in a sticky messy glaze. And the floor was even worse. The food we ordered was OK but they had no plantains and I felt like I was burdening them when I asked for condiments. When we were leaving, the parking area was empty and I noticed that it was a complete mess, with trash everywhere. What a total and complete disappointment! I don't know how they are able to pass any kind of health dept. Inspection. Who ever the franchise owner is better get with it, because your place has turned into a dump!
Was trying to get a nice, relatively healthy, and quick meal for dinner and it said they closed in 30 mins. Pulled up to the drive thru and heard nothing. Decided to pull around to the window only to be told they were closed with no other explanation. They weren't, since there were people eating inside. I think they just didn't want to deal with anymore customers and the employees wanted to keep talking to each other instead. Poor etiquette. I would rather give them no stars but that's not an option.
To start this off, the workers were very nice. They were playing and joking around with the baby. They are the only reason why I give them why I gave them a two star. However, the food was not that good. My chicken was tough and dry (overcooked) and my mashed potatoes were soggy. The restaurant was hot and sticky with no clean areas to sit. All of the tables looked disgusting even if they were wiped down. I suggest to cook the chicken for a little less time and to clean the restaurant.
Went for dinner at 7 pm. When I order the half chicken, was told it would be a 30 minute wait. Another staff member pointed out three racks of chicken. The person behind the register appologized by saying she didn't see them. Got our food but had to go back for the sauces. Three of the staff went out to use their cell phones and came in and closed the dining area and register. Orders only by the app or drive thru, this was before 7:30 pm. My chicken was raw. Parts of it had blood. Showed my wife and we left. The AC was not working in the dining area either. Will not be back.
Manager was exceptionally rude. Waited 30 minutes to find out they could not make a meal. Told to go online to get refund, delivered only 1 meal without attempting to solve problem. Will NEVER return to this place again
Like the other reviews incredibly slow and inept. No toilet paper or paper towels in bathroom.disgusting.
I've never had a dining experience like I did at this establishment. Not in a good way. I would highly recommend going anywhere else. I've been to several Pollo Tropicals and this one is in major need of corporate help. Poor management, they were missing half the menu, and i don't think it's ever been cleaned. There's absolutely no sense of control going on here.
Obviously, something is wrong with this restaurant. There's a need for the corporate office to intervene and fix this place. It's nowhere near to the name "Pollo Tropical".That's not the Pollo Tropical I'm used to in South Florida. Too many inconsistencies!
I have loved PT starting with when they first opened 25+ years ago when I lived in Orlando. I have since moved to Ga but always make a point to get my PT fix when in Florida. Sadly all the reviews I have seen when looking for one during my recent visit were so negative. Rude employees, inaccurate orders, being out of stock, etc. what I did NOT find at this location was rude employees. Allison who took our order was sunshine . But unfortunately she had to tell me they were out of my favorite, the mango iced tea, and French fries and that they no longer offer another favorite, the wings. It did take a long while to get our meals and even then there were inaccuracies. But what we did get was delicious and Allison made all the difference. Seems that PT management has taken their hands off the wheel at a corporate level. I'm really afraid their days are numbered unless they make some changes at the TOP.
Went inside and it was alright, I haven't had it in ages and they didn't disappoint. The staff did take a while but I understand being busy. They were friendly and helped when I needed. However the hours listed for opening and closing may not be accurate.
Restaurantji Recommends
I can't even put one star. That's how bad it was. I am visiting from North Carolina. My daughter lives in Newberry, and knew I love Pollo Tropical. We went to the one by Publix in Gainesville. It was HORRIBLE. I asked and paid for a quarter chicken white meal and got home after driving 30 minutes to get there and 30 minutes back, and it was a dried out leg and a thigh cut in half with the bloody bone sticking out. Shame on you for trying to pass that off as a meal. I will NEVER go to that restaurant again. Not to mention there were no sauces. The place needs to be shut down. They are lucky I didn't live closer, I would have gone back in there and told somebody off.
There are used to be a Pollo Tropicale here in Ocala, but there isn't one anymore. I really wish there was, they had good food.
What the hell? I love this place from living in ATL. But this one needs the reset button. iT SUCKS!!! Service is beyond terrible. I order grill chicken and got French fries. Bad experience
This was the absolute worst place in Gainesville to eat. They close early to avoid the customers. When I tried to call corporate they didn't answer. I have had the worst experience at the Gainesville location for pollo tropical. I used to eat they're weekly, but now I will never eat there again. Only because of the Gainesville location. The worst possible. Never again.
We waited 30 minutes for this food and asked for the family meal; however, we were told we would need to wait an hour for the chicken breast to cook. We decided to get bowls instead and somehow they were out of black beans. We payed the extra $4 for avocado slices in our bowls which they just did not put in either of our bowls. $36 for two bowls and wraps was just not all worth the wait and ultimately I found scammed. Never coming back to this pollo tropical sadly as it one of my favorite places to eat.