Original Pollo

Original Pollo

Original Pollo is a down-to-earth casual restaurant with a cozy, old-fashioned feel. Walking in from the suburban streets of Berkeley, you begin to feel as if you have traveled to a different time and place, one that is peaceful and old-fashioned in all the best of ways.

The restaurant design exudes old-fashioned simplicity. The color scheme emphasizes red, maroon, and brown, giving off comforting vibes. Nothing looks new, but everything is comfortable. As you sit in the restaurant, you can hear the sounds of the other patrons talking, the kitchen utensils clinking, and sometimes the news playing on their one television.

The first thing you’ll notice when you walk in is that they have an extensive menu mounted on the wall, chock-full of meals at prices you would be hard-pressed to find elsewhere in the Bay Area. I almost did a double-take, wondering why the prices, like the attractive interior design, seemed to be from a different decade.

Original Pollo serves a variety of tasty meals, including breakfast classics, barbecue chicken, steak, salad, gyro, sandwiches, and burgers. They also serve a selection of sides, like French Fries. For the most part, you will find the items are ridiculously inexpensive.

They make your meal in the kitchen behind the counter where you pay. You can really see the love that this family business pours into each meal this way. That type of pride in what you do is classic and timeless, just like the style of the cafe and the menu.

When I first tried this place, the menu was full of interesting, affordable options, but I went for a simple classic, which was one of the low-price items that surprised me on the menu: the cheeseburger. I was completely impressed! It was made with a soft and slightly sweet bun, crispy and fresh onions, lettuce, and tomatoes, melty, slightly gooey and savory cheese, and a perfectly salted and cooked patty. I savored every bite. I had it with some perfectly crispy wavy fries, which I enjoyed as well. And best of all, the bill came out to be under $15!

When I came back, I wanted an even more affordable option, so I opted for the hot dog. I was so glad I did! I ordered mine with everything on it—tomatoes, pickles, mayonnaise, the works. It was messy but satisfying to eat, giving the dog character and a unique appeal. You won’t find another hot dog quite like it anywhere in Berkeley! The frank was soft, salty, meaty, and charred in places, and it melted in my mouth with the mayo. The pickles added zing, and the tomatoes added some sweetness. To top it off, the bun was just slightly chewy. It was hard not to inhale. I left satisfied, having paid less than $7 for that incredible hot dog!

The service was very good. The man who took my order was friendly, as was the man who brought me my food and showed me where the water and cups were. When I was done, they bused my messy place setting for me.

I ate at a leisurely pace because there was no rush in this cute cafe. I took my time to enjoy my meal, catch up on the news, and even work on my computer a little. Although most of the customers come in groups to enjoy the food together, the restaurant has free wifi, making it a great place to stay for awhile.

They are open Monday through Saturday, 7:00 to 4:00 pm.

100 A Berkeley Square, Berkeley, CA, 94710