GUATEMALAN CHICKEN PULLS MAYOR TO CORONA
By James DeWeese

Queens' Central American residents got a little closer to home last week when the popular Guatemalan chicken chain Pollo Campero opened its first New York franchise on Corona Plaza, just off Roosevelt Avenue.

Fans of the long-awaited franchise lined up around the block, waiting in some cases for hours just to get a taste of the lightly breaded, juicy chicken cuts dusted with special Latin seasonings that have become the restaurant's hallmark.

"My uncle's been telling me (about the restaurant) since they opened in Los Angeles," said 22-year-old Jamaica resident Alex Rosales.

George Ramos, 21, also of Jamaica, stood right next to Rosales, braving the line that began queuing up more than three hours before the 1 p.m. opening last Thursday. Asked why there was all the fuss, Ramos said simply: "The spices on the chicken are different. It's a very unique taste to it."

The event - complete with street performers, giveaways and a moon bounce - drew Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who has made headlines before for his particular gastronomic pleasures.

"Who would of thought it for chicken," Bloomberg said, surveying the assembled crowd.

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