Jose’s Pollos, a family-run business serving authentic Acapulco-style chicken, is preparing to open its first brick-and-mortar store at 549 25th Street in San Diego’s Sherman Heights neighborhood.
Owner Jose Sotelo tells What Now San Diego that the new restaurant will move into the former home of El Barbeque and that he expects to open Jose’s Pollos at the beginning of the year. El Barbeque opened on the corner of 25th and Market in Summer 2020 and closed last month after its lease had ended and the owners welcomed their first son. Before this, Jose’s Pollos operated as a pop-up at 3501 National Avenue near Barrio Logan before the pandemic.
For those unfamiliar with Acapulco-style chicken, the poultry is sauteed with a variety of tomato, onion, bell pepper, jalapeños and hot pepper sauce. The restaurant will offer a variety of chicken options, including marinated or charcoal, served with various other sides, including rice, beans, onions, tortillas, and salsa. Previously, Jose’s Pollos offered 1/2 orders of their meals for $15 and 3 orders for $75.
The restaurant will move into an excellent location next to Express Pawn Shop, across from Otto Square Shopping Center. In addition to being located right off of two major freeways, Jose’s Pollos will only have to compete with Giant Pizza King and El Taco Rico as the only other nearby eateries. National chains, such as KFC, Chuch’s Texas Chicken, and El Pollo Loco, will be its main competitors.
