Los Pollos Hermanos: Inside NYC's 'Breaking Bad' Pop-Up Chicken Joint

NEW YORK, NY — An hour before closing time on its second day of temporary residence, New York City’s pop-up restaurant, Los Pollos Hermanos, was bathed in the frenetic flash of cameras and the wide-eyed gawking of curious passers-by as a life-size, poncho-clad chicken whirled spiritedly just beyond the eatery doors.

Based on the infamous chicken joint featured in AMC’s “Breaking Bad” and the spin-off series “Better Call Saul,” the Los Pollos Hermanos pop-up opened its doors Saturday, April 9 through Sunday, April 10 in what was a publicity stunt to promote the third season of “Better Call Saul.”

The line moved with steady rhythm. Attendees and onlookers alike were treated to a number of props harking back to the days of Heisenberg and certain misadventures with Gustavo Fring, from Saul Goodman’s iconic, yellow hooptie to the towering neon of the Los Pollos Hermanos sign. Inside the restaurant, AMC crews were in the middle of filming a promotional commercial for “Better Call Saul,” as indicated by a sequence of disclaimers and caveats that littered the meandering waiting line.

The experience, concocted within a Financial District parking lot, was wholly immersive wish fulfillment, but the popularized pop-up chicken spot, which debuted at Austin’s SXSW, was missing one main ingredient — chicken!

The bill of fare instead incorporated a tray of sizzling, hot curly fries and a paper cup of cold water, and “customers” dined amid a precarious — but otherwise comprehensive — replica of the fictional luncheonette.

Still, there was no shortage of enthusiasm for the restaurant’s emergence, and after enduring a near-hour-long wait, guests were invited to explore the Los Pollos Hermanos interior, which comprised a colorful and wide-ranging menu stretching overhead at the register.

Teasers for the third season of “Better Call Saul,” which premiered Monday, April 10, decorated the walls of the pop-up, offering glimpses of what lies ahead for fans of the “Breaking Bad” spin-off.

In the meantime, you can catch up on the season three premier of “Better Call Saul” on the AMC website and find out whether Slippin’ Jimmy with a law degree really is like a chimp with a machine gun. Either way, s’all good, man.

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Photo credit: Jose Araujo