El Pollote

From Markets to Carnaby Street

El Pollote arrived in Soho with the confidence of a business that has already tested its ideas in public. On its own site, the team describes a 15-year London journey that began as Petare and later became El Pollote, led by founders Rotsen and Katherine. Before settling into a permanent space, it built momentum through market trading and the kind of word of mouth that only happens when people come back with friends. In June 2023, the brand opened its first brick-and-mortar restaurant on Carnaby Street, and it has operated in Soho since then. Trade coverage around the launch underlined what locals had already worked out: this is not a novelty, it is a focused concept with staying power. In a neighbourhood known for fashion, music and late nights, the restaurant offers a welcoming pause, bright, informal and unmistakably London.

Crisp Chicken and Careful Hospitality

What customers can expect is focus and flavour. The kitchen centres on Latino fried chicken, from crisp pieces and saucy chicken wings to burgers and sharing plates, with house sauces that run from guava sweetness to proper chilli heat. Fans of the signature buffalo and habanero style wings come for intensity, others lean towards sweeter glazes and tangy pickles, and both leave with the same satisfying crunch. There is also a full drinks offer, including cocktails, plus beer and wine, so the visit can move easily from lunch to an early evening stop, with counter seating and tables that suit both quick bites and longer conversations. The business highlights gluten-free options and lists vegan choices too, plus takeaway and delivery for those who want the same hit of flavour at home. Trust is reinforced by its presence on major booking and review platforms, where guests often single out the sauces, the energy and the room’s easygoing buzz. It also presents itself as a Wingfest winner, a simple marker of standing in London’s competitive fried chicken scene