Pollo Tropical - Bartram Park - #PolloTropical #Giveaway

Disclosure:  I received a press kit including free meal passes to facilitate this review.  All opinions are 100% my own.

Don't worry...Be Happy

...that's a life lesson I can live by.  

Bob Marley was on to something.  Lifes too short - find things that make you happy and ride them like a wave.

Neil and I went to the grand opening of Pollo Tropical in Bartram Park last Friday.  Just walking inside you get the feeling that your troubles stay outside the door.  The restaurant has that relaxed Caribbean vibe that leaves you happy!  It sort of reminds me of a theme restaurant at Disney World.  A mini vacation of sorts.

There was a Calypso band to get you in the mood and a prize wheel to spin, because who doesn't get in a party mood when prizes are involved.

Those citrus flavors make the food like a bite of sunshine and sea! There are so many fresh choices like citrus-marinated chicken along with Caribbean-inspired soups, salads, wraps, fried yuca, sweet plantains and slow-cooked black beans. Oh' and the Mango tea is my new obsession!

Pollo Tropical is different than any other restaurant I've been too.  The main reason of course is the delicious tropical inspired food but it's also a mix of fast/casual.  In-other-words, the hostess seats you with a number at your table, then you proceed to the counter to order.  You're given a cup to get the drink of your choice and they bring the meal to your table when it's ready. You eat on real plates with real utensils and they clean up when you're finished, just like a casual - not fast food restaurant should.

Another big plus - No Tipping!

See what I mean a mix of casual dining and fast food.  The decor features planked walls, ceiling fans, bamboo & wicker styled furniture, tiled floors plus fun colorful artwork.  It's a decidedly Miami or Caribbean feel.

I love the freshness of the food. Especially the bold and tangy flavors that come from the savory island spices, mixed herbs and citrus that are blended into rubs and marinades to season their chicken, pork and beef dishes.

Speaking of chicken, Pollo Tropical's chicken is hormone free, steroid free and never frozen.  A variety of vegetarian dishes make this restaurant a good choice for everyone. They feature made from scratch cooking, fresh salsa bars, drive-thru service and catering. In other words they've got you covered.

We choose the "Create Your Own Family Meal" which includes 1 whole chicken, 4 rolls & sweet plantains.  We also added 2 Caesar salads. It feeds 3-4 easily.  We were so full and seeing that we had another meal left for us to eat at home, we thought that was a great deal for around $21.  The only advice for Pollo Tropical is: Please warm the rolls.  Other than that is was wonderful.

If you live in Jacksonville I encourage you to stop by the new location in Bartram Park or any of the other 3 locations here.  We received great service along with our delicious food. If you're not in Jacksonville you can look for a location near you on their website here: http://pollotropical.com/locator/

Lucky for you, I'm giving away 1 FREE Create Your Own Family Meal with 2 sides and 1 Be Our Guest cards thanks to Pollo Tropical. But you'll have to hurry the #giveaway ends Wed 6/25 at 11:59 p.m. You can enter here: 

**Update - Giveaway has ended.  But I still enjoy comment love!!

Pollo Tropical Giveaway

Life's short, eat the good stuff now y'all...

The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.

~Proverbs 22:9

Grand Opening for new Pollo Tropical in #Jacksonville

Disclosure:  I received a press kit including a meal pass to facilitate this post. All opinions are 100% my own. 

Pollo Tropical is opening it's fourth (4th) location in the Jacksonville area on Friday, June 20th. The newest location will be in Bartram Park at 13776 Old St. Augustine Road. Lucky for you there is a giveaway involved, you just have to keep reading to find out more.

You know the grand opening is going to be a great party just from the fun press package I received!

I can't believe I haven't been to one yet! Shocking since I love trying new foods, and Caribbean-inspired food sounds so tantalizing!  But never fear, I'm fixin' to get my jerk on. Just look how appetizing their dishes look.

What is Pollo Tropical

Pollo Tropical is a Caribbean-inspired fast-casual concept known for its fresh, flame-grilled chicken marinated int a proprietary blend of tropical fruit juices and spices, as well as authentic, made-from-scratch side dishes, soups, salads and wraps.  My mouth's watering just thinking about it, what about yours?  These aren't your average fast food restaurants. We're talking made-from-scratch y'all, yet ready quick enough for drive thru service.

More on the grand opening

You know anything to do with Pollo Tropical is going to be fun right?  I mean that's what the Caribbean is all about.  This won't be any stodgy, boring old grand opening, there's going to be plenty of fun with Calypso music, robosurfers and local officials who will herald in the opening.

The opening celebration kicks off at 10am with a presentation by company leaders and local officials before the music starts and doors open to the public at 10:30.  A robosurfer contest on a simulated surfing machine will take place at 12:30pm, in which media personalities will compete for first, second and third place prizes in the amounts of $1,000, $500 and $250, to benefit their charity of choice.  See, what did I tell you!  And that's not all. The first 100 guests will receive a coupon for a free Create Your Own Family Meal redeemable on a future visit.  One guest will win Free Chicken for a Year, which includes 52 Be Our Guest cards redeemable for any sandwich or wrap combo, small TropiChop or quarter chicken with two sides. Plus there will be spin-and-win prizes. The grand opening festivities will continue through 9 p.m.

The new Bartram Park location will help better serve the Jacksonville community with their uniquely tropical twist on fresh, healthy, hand-prepared foods.  The new 3,800-square-foot restaurant will seat 90 guests and be open daily from 10:20 a.m. to midnight.

The grand opening sounds like it's going to be a whole lot of fun, so if you're in the Jacksonville area, I hope to see you there.  If you can't make it to the grand opening you can also receive a coupon for either a buy one, get one free quarter chicken with two sides or a $3 off a family meal by signing up for the Pollo Reward$ loyalty program.   I can't wait to come back with pictures to share with y'all.

Win a meal

And you know we're not done yet right.  Thanks to the wonderful folks at Pollo Tropical I'm giving away 1 FREE Create Your Own Family Meal with 2 sides and 1 Be Our Guest cards.  Que the confetti drop, now it's a real celebration.  Enter by following the simple instructions on the Giveaway Tools form below.  Be sure to do the mandatory entry or the others won't count.  Giveaway ends 6/27/14 @ 11:59 p.m. EST.

Entry-Form

Life's Better Under The Palm - See y'all there...

Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.

~ Ecclesiastes 9:7