Pollo Royale restaurant cleared for Columbus Avenue transfer; outdoor seating approved with 11 p.m. closing

The Pawtucket Board of License Commissioners approved a transfer of a Class B victualing license to Pollo Royale (Ortez Corporation) for 214 Columbus Avenue, a location previously occupied by Galito restaurant. Attorney Nicholas Hemond presented the applicants, the Ortez family, who plan to operate a chicken restaurant and said they do not intend to operate a drive-through.

Hemond and family members described an established chain with several locations in North Carolina and Massachusetts; Rudy Ortez and Paula Ortez appeared with counsel. The applicants said they expect a takeout-oriented business with modest hours and existing delivery options. Hemond told the board the business would likely close by 11–12 p.m., though they prefer some flexibility; councilors proposed an initial 11 p.m. closing time (11 p.m. outside; midnight inside, with outside service restricted to 10 p.m. in the approved motion).

Councilor Gregor said he favored an 11 p.m. closing time to start and noted the neighborhood’s existing street-level restaurant history. The board approved the transfer and the associated victualing license petition; the motions included an 11 p.m. closing time with outdoor seating restricted to earlier hours and a requirement for staff to satisfy alcohol-service training requirements.

The board also approved the related victualling/first-class license petition for the same business in a later item.