Pollo Campero on Buford Highway: What to Know Before You Go in Atlanta

If you’re craving fried chicken with a Latin twist in Atlanta, Pollo Campero on Buford Highway is one of the most recognizable options. While it’s not “traditional” Southern soul food, many locals treat it the same way they would a go-to fried chicken spot—especially if they live, work, or shop along Buford Highway’s international corridor.

Here’s how Pollo Campero (Buford Hwy) fits into Atlanta’s food scene, what to expect on your first visit, and practical tips for locals and visitors.

Where Pollo Campero (Buford Hwy) Fits in Atlanta’s Food Scene

Buford Highway is known across metro Atlanta for its global food strip—Mexican taquerias, Korean BBQ, Chinese bakeries, Vietnamese pho, and more. Pollo Campero fits in as a Central American–style chicken restaurant that often overlaps with what Atlantans think of as:

• Comfort food
• Fried chicken joints
• Family-friendly casual spots

While it isn’t classic Georgia soul food (like collard greens, mac and cheese, and cornbread), the menu often includes:

• Bone-in fried chicken
• Grilled chicken with Latin-inspired marinades
• Sides like yuca fries, plantains, rice, and beans

For many Atlanta families, especially those in Brookhaven, Doraville, and Chamblee, Pollo Campero serves a similar role to a neighborhood soul food or chicken-and-sides restaurant: filling, familiar, and shared around the table.

Location, Access, and Parking

Pollo Campero on Buford Highway is situated on a busy commercial stretch that many Atlantans already frequent for groceries, international markets, and quick meals.

What locals usually care about most:

• 🚗 Driving: Buford Highway can be busy, especially during lunch and evening rush hours. Build in a few extra minutes if you’re coming from I-85, Peachtree Road, or Lenox/Buckhead.
• 🅿️ Parking: Locations along Buford Highway typically have surface lot parking shared with other businesses. Spaces can fill up quickly at peak times, especially weekends.
• 🚍 Transit: Depending on where you’re coming from, MARTA buses that run along Buford Highway are a common option. Riders often connect from nearby MARTA rail stations like Brookhaven/Oglethorpe or Doraville.
• 🏙️ Nearby areas: Convenient if you live or are staying in Brookhaven, Chamblee, Doraville, North Druid Hills, or Buckhead and want a quick, casual meal.

If you’re visiting from Downtown or Midtown Atlanta, expect a 15–30 minute drive depending on traffic.

What’s on the Menu at Pollo Campero (Buford Hwy)

While menus can change over time, guests at the Buford Highway location can generally expect a mix of:

Core Chicken Options

• Fried chicken (bone-in)
  Crispy, seasoned, and usually available in individual meals or family packs.

• Grilled chicken
  Often marinated with Latin-inspired spices; a common pick for people wanting something lighter than fried.

• Chicken tenders / boneless options
  Popular with kids and anyone who prefers boneless chicken.

Classic “Comfort” Sides

These sides are where Pollo Campero edges closer to Atlanta’s soul and comfort food category:

• Mashed potatoes
• French fries
• Coleslaw
• Corn-based sides (varies by season and location)

Latin-Inspired Sides and Add-Ons

These reflect the brand’s Central American roots and are part of what makes this spot distinct on Buford Highway:

• Yuca fries
• Sweet plantains
• Rice and beans
• Tortillas (often corn or flour, depending on the meal)
• Pico de gallo or salsas, depending on the combo

Drinks and Desserts

You’ll typically find:

• Fountain drinks
• Fresh-style juices or specialty beverages (varies by location)
• Simple desserts like flan-style items or sweet pastries (availability may change)

Quick Snapshot: What to Expect at Pollo Campero (Buford Hwy)

How It Compares to Traditional Atlanta Southern & Soul Food

If you’re specifically searching within “Southern and Soul Food” in Atlanta, it helps to understand how Pollo Campero is similar and different:

What Feels Similar

• Hearty, comforting meals: Plates built around fried chicken and starchy sides are a staple of both soul food and Pollo Campero.
• Family-friendly portions: Family meals, buckets, and shareable combos are common.
• Takeout culture: Like many soul food spots in Southwest, West, and South Atlanta, this is a popular grab-and-go option for busy families.

What’s Different

• Flavor profile:
  • Soul food tends to center on Southern seasoning traditions—buttermilk, black pepper, paprika, and slow-cooked sides like greens and mac and cheese.
  • Pollo Campero leans into Latin marinated flavors, citrus notes, and sides like yuca and plantains.
• Side dishes:
  You’re more likely to see rice, beans, and plantains than collard greens, cornbread, or fried okra.
• Cultural background:
  It reflects Central American home-style cooking more than African American Southern traditions, even though both can feel like “home cooking” to many diners.

If you’re visiting Atlanta and want a soul food tour, Pollo Campero can be one stop for chicken-focused comfort food, but you may also want to explore local soul food restaurants in neighborhoods like West End, Cascade, and East Point for more traditional dishes.

Ordering Tips for Atlantans and Visitors

For First-Time Visitors

If you’re trying Pollo Campero (Buford Hwy) for the first time:

1. Start with a mixed chicken meal
   • Get both fried and grilled pieces to see which style you prefer.
2. Try at least one Latin side
   • Yuca fries or sweet plantains are common local favorites for something different from standard fries.
3. Consider a family pack if you’re in a group
   • Many Atlanta families pick up larger boxes for game days, gatherings, or church events.

For Locals Grabbing a Quick Bite

If you live or work near Buford Highway:

• ⏱️ Lunch strategy:
  • Go slightly earlier (11:15–11:45 a.m.) or later (after 1:15 p.m.) to avoid the heaviest rush.
• 📦 Takeout vs. dine-in:
  • Takeout is popular for those commuting between Brookhaven, Doraville, and Buckhead.
  • If you’re eating in, expect a fast-casual setup—order at the counter and wait for your food.

When Pollo Campero on Buford Highway Makes Sense

Pollo Campero (Buford Hwy) can be a strong fit if:

• You’re exploring Buford Highway’s international food scene and want something familiar-but-different.
• You love fried chicken and comfort food, but want to try Central American–style sides and seasonings.
• You’re with a mixed group where some people want classic fried chicken and others want flavors closer to Latin American home cooking.
• You’re staying in or around Brookhaven, Chamblee, Doraville, or Buckhead and don’t want to drive far for a hearty, casual meal.

If your priority is a classic Atlanta soul food plate—with baked chicken, smothered pork chops, collard greens, mac and cheese, and cornbread—you may want to pair this visit with a stop at a traditional soul food restaurant elsewhere in the city. Many locals enjoy both styles, depending on the day.

Practical Tips Before You Go

• 🔍 Check current hours and menu
  Hours and specific menu items can change, so it’s wise to confirm same-day details using the phone number or online listing for the Buford Highway location.
• 📞 Call ahead for large orders
  If you’re picking up a big family meal for an office, church, or team event, calling ahead can help avoid long waits.
• 🚗 Plan for Buford Highway traffic
  This corridor is busy most of the day. If you’re on a tight schedule, avoid peak rush hours when possible.
• 🌯 Know your preferences
  • If you like crispy and rich, lean toward the fried options.
  • If you prefer lighter and smoky, try the grilled meals with rice and beans.

Pollo Campero on Buford Highway is one of those spots that many Atlantans fold into their regular rotation of comfort food and chicken places, especially if they live along the Buford Highway corridor. It blends fast-casual convenience with Central American flavors, offering an alternative to typical Southern fried chicken while still delivering that familiar, satisfying “plate of chicken and sides” many people in Atlanta look for.