A bunch of you kept telling me that Pizza Boli’s in Ellicott City had the best chicken and rice in Maryland, and, I mean, how could I not go check that out? You already know I love a good platter, but I’ll be honest, I did not expect a Pizza Boli’s to be the spot people were hyping, lol. Turns out this location’s chicken over rice is the real deal. It’s their dad’s special recipe, most of the meat’s halal, the sauces are all made in house, and platters even come with a free drink. So, is it the single best platter I’ve ever had? Not quite, but it’s easily top 5 in Maryland for me, and the chicken alone is worth the trip. If you’re anywhere near Howard County and you want an affordable, seriously satisfying plate, here’s the full scoop on what to order.
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What Makes Pizza Boli’s Ellicott City a Standout for Chicken Over Rice
Here’s the lore, because it’s a good one. According to the team, this was the first Pizza Boli’s location to offer chicken over rice, and it’s built on their dad’s special recipe, one they’ve straight-up refused to share even when people begged, lol. They’ve been at it for around 20 years, and the majority of their meat is halal, which makes this a solid option if you’re looking for halal platters in the area.
All their sauces are made in house too, so this isn’t some generic add-on to a pizza menu, it’s a genuine specialty they’ve dialed in over two decades. Ellicott City has a genuinely solid food scene (see my Ellicott City restaurant guide for more), and this spot’s a worthy addition to the list.
What to Order at Pizza Boli’s
I came for the platters, obviously, but I got a little bonus too. Here’s everything I got.
Chicken Over Rice ($11.99)
This is the star, Nomsters. The chicken comes over basmati rice with lettuce, onions, and tomato, and what impressed me most was the texture, so many places get chicken over rice wrong and it comes out dry, but theirs was legit and definitely not dry. That’s the whole ballgame with a platter like this, and they nailed it. Load it up with their house sauces (they’ve got a white tangy, a red fiery, and a green herb one), and don’t sleep on the fact that it comes with a free drink. At $11.99, it’s a genuinely great deal.
Lamb Over Rice ($12.99)
The lamb was yummy too, no complaints, but if I’m being real, I enjoyed the chicken more. If you can’t decide, they offer a mixed combo ($13.99) so you can get both chicken and lamb on one platter and taste the difference yourself.
Cheesesteak Pizza
Since they make their pizzas from scratch, I had to try one, and the cheesesteak pie was very tasty, loaded with sirloin steak, mushrooms, peppers, and onions. It’s a nice bonus if you want both, because here you don’t have to choose.
A couple quick ordering notes:
- The green sauce sells out, they were out the day I went, so I’ve gotta go back for it (grab it if it’s available).
- They offer a gluten-free crust if you’re going the pizza route.
What Is Chicken Over Rice?
If you haven’t had it before, chicken over rice is that classic halal-cart-style platter, seasoned grilled or chopped chicken piled over rice with a little lettuce, onion, and tomato, then finished with sauces (usually a creamy white sauce and a spicy hot sauce). It’s comfort food, plain and simple, and when the chicken’s juicy and the sauces are on point, it hits every time. It’s the kind of plate that’s affordable, filling, and endlessly crave-able, which is exactly why so many of you put me on to this one.
The Vibe and My Honest Take
This is mainly a carry-out and delivery operation, it’s a Pizza Boli’s in a plaza, so don’t come expecting a sit-down date-night atmosphere. What you’re here for is the food, and on that front it delivers. I went in with high expectations because so many of you hyped it, and while I wouldn’t crown it the number one chicken and rice in the state, it absolutely earns a top-5 spot for me, largely on the strength of that chicken texture. Ellicott City and the surrounding area have quietly become great for halal eats (another fun one is Bebop over in Catonsville), and this platter’s a worthy addition to the rotation.
Good to Know
- Location: 📍 9065 Frederick Rd, Ellicott City, MD
- Hours: Sunday to Thursday 11AM to 11PM, Friday and Saturday 11AM to 12AM, so it’s a solid late-night option too
- Halal: the majority of the meat is halal; note the chain states its halal proteins are not formally certified and shares kitchen equipment, so strict diners should be aware. More on their halal options here
- Ordering: mainly carry-out and delivery (order online or via delivery apps)
- Platters: come with a free drink; sauces are white tangy, red fiery, and green herb (green sells out fast)
- Pricing: budget-friendly, platters run $11.99 to $13.99
- Parking: located in a plaza with ample parking
- Location page: Pizza Boli’s Ellicott City
If you’re big on chicken over rice platters and want serious bang for your buck, give this Pizza Boli’s a shot. Don’t let the pizza-chain sign fool you, this location’s platters are actually pretty legit. It’s best for an affordable weeknight dinner, a late-night craving, or anyone hunting for halal platters in Howard County. I’ll definitely be back for that green sauce I missed.
So there you have it, Nomsters. Have you guys tried the chicken over rice here yet, and where does it rank for you? Let me know in the comments, and send this to your platter-loving friend who needs to know a Pizza Boli’s is secretly holding it down.