Two more fast food restaurants on the Kyle horizon

It appears Kyle will be adding a pair of fast food restaurants — a Taco Cabana and a Pollo Tropical — on the northeast corner of I-35 and Kyle Parkway. The Planning and Zoning Commission will be considering parking variances for both restaurants at its 6:30 p.m. Tuesday meeting at City Hall.

I have never eaten at a Taco Cabana — it’s a personal thing, I’m not that big a fan of fast food — but I am certainly familiar with the outfit. It has always come across to me as a step up from Taco Bell, a fast food joint serving mediocre Americanized Mexican food where patrons might be more inclined to eat inside the restaurant than to simply pickup something from the drive-through window, as is the case with Taco Bell.

I was not that familiar, however, with Pollo Tropical. Begun in Miami as a joint serving chicken with a citrus marinade, it has expanded somewhat to include pork and beef entries as well. In Texas, Pollo Tropicals are primarily located in Houston, Dallas and San Antonio. Of course, they are located all over Florida and as well as in Georgia and Tennessee, but more interestingly they have a host of outlets in Puerto Rico, Central America and Venezuela.

This is directly from a Pollo Tropical news release announcing the opening of restaurants in Dallas and San Antonio:

"Pollo Tropical’s menu centers on its signature flame-grilled chicken and also includes Mojo Roast Pork, Grilled Tropical Wings and made-from-scratch sides like rice, beans, Caribbean corn souffle and balsamic tomatoes. The Tropical Lite menu offers tasty, lighter options that range from 340 to 510 calories and are built around the core Caribbean flavors of the Pollo Tropical menu. At Pollo Tropical, savory island spices, herbs and citrus juices are blended into rubs and marinades that enhance the flavors of its fresh dishes. The famous Saucing Island® brings on the flavor — and a little heat — with 10 signature sauces including Curry Mustard, Guava BBQ, Pineapple Rum, Cilantro Garlic and Spicy Poyo-Poyo. To complement its menu, Pollo Tropical also offers a variety of island-inspired beverages, ranging from Caribbean beers to coconut water."

The restaurant has hired calypso bands to play at its grand openings, which also feature charity raffles and other goodies. No word yet on when either restaurant plans to open in Kyle.

Both the Pollo Tropical and the Taco Cabana are seeking more parking spaces than the city requires and the city’s staff is recommending that both variances be approved.