Bowled over! The Chilean provides a delicious surprise in Sanford

Sweet Chicken Rice Bowl with avocado spread and grilled onions. (Rochester Voice photo)

SANFORD - Everyone remembers Field of Dreams when the voice from the cornfield cries out, "If you build it they will come."

Well if anyone takes a ride to Sanford they can build a Rice Bowl at The Chilean, and I guarantee you will be coming back, again and again.

The Chilean is tucked unobtrusively inside the Shaw's plaza on Main Street, between Bull Moose Music and a used clothing store at the site of the former Standish Denture Center, which is ironic because you'll love sinking your teeth - or dentures - into their food.

They also make empanadas, which are Chilean-style meat turnovers, and Chilean hot dogs, but we decided on a Sweet Chicken Rice Bowl since it was gluten free.

It came with either teriyaki or sweet honey sauce, and again, we chose the honey sauce; teriyaki can often have gluten or gluten additives.

Once you've selected the basic Sweet Rice Bowl at $8.49, the real fun begins, since they will add up to 12 additional ingredients that run from 60 cents to $2.25 each, from tomatoes to chorizo.

We chose grilled onions (60 cents) and avocado ($1.75).

Other popular additions include peas and carrots (60 cents), fried egg (75 cents) and Havarti cheese (99 cents).

When the cashier who took our order brought the plate outside to our table less than 10 minutes later we were amazed at the quickness with which we were served and the enormity of the serving, plenty for two.

Laid across most of the top was a generous supply of delicious, flavor-filled tender chicken. First thing we did was enjoy a bite with a little scrape of the avocado spread, which was delicately seasoned.

Absolutely delicious.

But what surprised us the most was the rice beneath the chicken, avocado and grilled onions, which was wonderfully flavored and somewhat sticky, which I like.

Diners can substitute steak for chicken for an extra $2.

Along with a 16 oz. Moxie, the total bill was just $14.14.

I ordered another Gary Moore CD at Bull Moose Music specifically so I can look forward to my next trip to The Chilean.

Food ☆☆☆☆☆

Service ☆☆☆☆

For more info go to https://www.thechileanme.com/