Apr. 7, 2008 at 7:02am

El Pollo Express Worth Braving

A.K.A. The Rapido Chicken

A couple years of passing by this place without ever having tried it. The urge for Mexican food just doesn't flow through my friends quite like my quesadilla and chips tendency. Sometimes places look just sketchy enough that an all out block goes up and a visit just never happens. They're no help. Well, last Wednesday was different for me. I had some time before a meeting and decided to take the El Pollo Express plunge.

The place is just off the corner of S. 15th and Tacoma [ map and info ] but you can't miss it with its brightly painted exterior and large, cooked chicken cutout on the window with the word "Tasty" scrawled across it. The old building looks to have been many a different burger joint before finally settling lately as a re-vamped spot for food from south of the border. Though a sign on the street touts that there's a drive thru, they don't use it so just head inside.

It's plenty clean and inviting in there and I was timidly welcomed though didn't know if I should sit down or order at the counter. The fellow moving toward the till helped me figure that one out. I ordered up a simple chips and refried beans, a plain cheese quesadilla, and a lime Jarritos. I was hoping for a side of chips and salsa but apparently the don't have any salsa. Didn't matter 'cause the refried beans were great but the chips were pretty standard and certainly not restaurant style. After a few minutes out came my quesadilla loaded with plenty of melted mozzarella and a nice side of guac, sour creme, tomatoes, and lettuce. I used a bit of my refried beans and some of the sauce on the table to add a bit more interest as well.

A half dozen or so folks came through to get lunch while I was there for about a half hour which is always a tacit endorsement of any small spot like this. There are plenty of options on the menu to add meat to items but I didn't go for any pollo or anything else today. The stop was well worth it and the quesadilla I had hit the spot. I always complain that we don't have a Baja Fresh down here but El Pollo Express makes a fine substitute.