Pollo Tropical in Sunny Isle, St. Croix. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS CONSORTIUM
ST. CROIX — Pollo Tropical — a Miami, Florida-based restaurant chain and franchise specializing in the cuisine of the Caribbean — has been building out its space in the Sunny Isle Shopping Center for months in the former Sam Goody location facing the road across from the old Caribe Home Center building. On Wednesday, company officials told the Consortium during a walkthrough that the projected opening date was set for the end of April.
WenVI, which owns the Wendy's operations in the U.S. Virgin Islands, owns the Pollo Tropical on St. Croix, said Jonas Kumpitch, who oversees construction of the new facility. Jonas's father, Peter Kumpitch, is an owner of WenVi.
"This is really just giving more options," said Jonas. He said the new restaurant lends itself to family gatherings along with providing Caribbean food through the drive-thru concept. "If you have a family event and on a Sunday afternoon you want to have a big platter with multiple chickens and stuff like that, it lends itself well to that," said Jonas.
Expect rice in three flavors, chicken, beans, tostones among a variety of other Caribbean offerings. Beer will be served as well, according to a copy of the menu viewed by the Consortium.
Contractors were busy at work Wednesday afternoon outside and inside the facility. The owners are expecting inspections to take place soon, as well as changes from the V.I. Water and Power Authority before the restaurant opens.
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