The first Northern California restaurant of Guatemalan fried chicken chain Pollo Campero will open in San Francisco this fall, at 2740 Mission Street, within walking distance of the 24th Street BART station.

Pollo Campero has more than 300 restaurants worldwide, including 50 U.S. stores spread among 15 states. LA residents have long been able to enjoy this Latin spiced fried chicken, with more than a dozen locations in Southern California. The food is extremely popular among Guatemalan, Salvadoran and all Central American expats, who claim that it is better tasting than KFC, Popeye’s and Church’s.

As with many new developments in the city, this has been a year long battle for the Pollo Campero franchise owners, while trying to obtain permits and negotiating with stubborn neighbors who distrust new businesses. Construction is expected to be completed by this fall, and ready to open in September 2012.

Photo Credit: Luis Chong

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