[james]

The classic cheap and filling lunch. My first date with Anna was at Pollo Caribe on 10th between Juarez and 2nd. I remember in those days having a taste test where a few of us ate half chickens there and across the street at the other pollo place. I don't think there were any clear winners in that event...

Asado means roasted. Around here they are normally cooked over hardwood, so they aren't really roasted so much as grilled, but forget about the semantics.

There are several techniques to seasoning. Some asaderos marinate their birds in a red rub with achiote for a Yucatecan flavor. Others use a more traditional Mexican poultry seasoning, while some go for herbs not unlike a classic English Sunday dinner. It's very common to get them to go. Everything will be bagged up with a stack of tortillas placed on top keeping everything warm. Well, keeping things warm in Playa isn't usually that difficult.

Typically the choices are:
una orden - (an order) a quarter chicken, pick dark or light
un medio - (half) split down the middle. Cut or uncut.
un pollo entero - (the whole bird) Cut or uncut.

In typical Mexican tradition of economy of scale, usually all of the versions above come with the same amount of side dishes, usually a cabbage salad, rice, beans and tortillas with salsa. Most places serve cheap sodas and beers. If you want a whole bird for two people, definitely order two halfs (it's great to go) so you get twice the side dish stuff.

OK, in addition to the places already mentioned, there's:

Asadero El Pollo (estilo Sinaloa)
On 2nd and 20th Avenue, a little more expensive than the others, but the classic 70's furniture and good flavor is worth it. They're motto, If your chicken isn't hot and juicy, send it back. I've eaten a coop and a half there.

No name chickens
Formerly Star Pollos, this little hole in the wall battles for the lowest priced bird in town, and some people swear by them. I've found them to be a bit dry.

Dzibulchaltun
You must be lost. You've wandered up to 26th Street and 40th Avenue. Oh well, have a bird. This is a changarro. Bright green paint and lots of smoke from grilling birds. These are the Yucatecan flavored variety. Around this block are three other asaderos. Halves go for 30 pesos.

Louis y Erica
Hope I'm getting the name right here. On 4th Street between 20th and 25th, this place sells juicy rotisserie style birds and it's also a tortilleria, so if you bring an extra 5 pesos, you can go home with a kilo of fresh tortillas.

Pollo asado. A way of life.