El Pollote to open first bricks and mortar site

The Latino Fried Chicken brand, which operates a site at Seven Dials Market with KERB, will open a 40-cover site on Soho’s Carnaby Street on the site that was formerly Mamma Pastrama.

The restaurant will serve El Pollote’s the signature Latino fried chicken - with a choice of either wings or a boneless fried option - alongside a range of sauces that will include guava glaze, habanero mayo, buffanero, queso fresco, and papelon con Limon.

There will also be a selection of sandwiches and burgers alongside a selection of small plates and sides, such as arroz maria de noche (rice, plantain and fried egg); yuca fries; tequeños de jojoto and Aarepas de chicharrón.

Desserts will include cinco leches cake and classic churros.

The restaurant will have a 20-seat terrace and a downstairs cocktail bar.

"El Pollote is more than just a restaurant, it's a celebration of Latino culture. We are thrilled to extend our flavour-filled journey to Carnaby, in the form of our first ever bricks and mortar site, where we can introduce more foodie fans to the vibrant and bold cuisine offered at El Pollote,” say founders Katherine and Rotsen.

After moving from Venezuela to the UK, the duo launched Venezuelan arepa bar Petare in 2014. This was followed by the launch of separate concept El Pollote, with support from KERB’s inKERBator programme. The pair have traded with the concept across multiple KERB markets from 2016, including The Gherkin and West India Quay, before being granted a permanent spot with KERB at Seven Dials Market in 2019.

“We’re extremely proud of El Pollote and their journey. When we first met Rotsen and his food stall Petare slinging Venezuelan arepas, we knew we were onto something good,” says Simon Mitchell, CEO of KERB.

“A chance entry into KERB’s Bucket List competition saw them crowned king of the fried chicken two years in a row. It was a no brainer to have them as one of Seven Dials Market’s first traders when we opened the doors in 2019, and so El Pollote was born.

“We’ll be the first to order a platter of buffanero wings at their new bricks and mortar site, and raise a cold one to their incredible success.” 

The new opening is part of El Pollote’s plans for wider expansion across London.