Hey there, foodies! Recently, I ventured out to visit El Pollo Loco, and today, I'm excited to share my experience. For those unfamiliar, let me give you a quick backstory—El Pollo Loco traces back to Gustavo, Sinaloa, Mexico, in 1974 when Juan Francisco Ochoa decided to open the first location. By 1980, he expanded the restaurant into the United States before selling his stake in the company. These days, El Pollo Loco operates as two distinct restaurant chains - one catering to the cravings of Mexican food lovers in Mexico and another serving up delicious fire-grilled chicken across the Southwestern United States, with around 500 locations!
More info is available at El Pollo Loco’s website https://www.elpolloloco.com/.
Where can I find an El Pollo Loco restaurant?
Well, good news if you're in the Southwestern states of Arizona, California, Nevada, Texas, Utah, or even Louisiana—you'll find an El Pollo Loco outlet nearby! Sadly, the company's previous branches in the Middle East, Asia, and Eastern states have since shut down. But not to worry—with their helpful restaurant finder, you can easily find the nearest El Pollo Loco restaurant on their company’s website.
What about the food served at El Pollo Loco?
Food is the main attraction, right? Flavorsome fire-grilled and marinated Mexican-style chicken is the star here. You can either order chicken meals with your choice of sides—or indulge in individual pieces of fire-grilled chicken breast, chicken wings, chicken thigh, or even a chicken leg. They also serve an impressive range of nachos, tostadas, tacos, burritos, and salads. And let's not forget, there is an assortment of traditional Mexican sides such as rice, pinto beans, and corn.
If you're feeding a large crowd, look no further than their Family Dinners with multiple servings of their signature chicken. The largest dinner dish boasts a whopping 16 pieces of chicken!
Does El Pollo Loco deliver?
Yep! With delivery options varying between different stores, you can enjoy El Pollo Loco's mouth-watering meals from the comfort of your home.
Absolutely! Children can also savor El Pollo Loco’s flavors with 2 signature fire-grilled chicken legs, tortilla, mac & cheese, and a small fountain drink. Besides, the Family Dinners are perfect for sharing with your little ones.
What are El Pollo Loco's hours of operation?
Most El Pollo Loco restaurants are open from 10am to 10pm, 7 days a week. However, hours may vary among restaurants, so it's best to check with your local branch on their website.
What about vegetarian options at El Pollo Loco?
Vegetarian options may look a smidge slim at a glance, but delicious bites like the BRC Burrito—with beans, rice, and cheese—are sure to satisfy your veggie cravings. Plus, there are vegetarian options on the kids’ menu too. You can find full nutritional details on their website or at your local store.
Have any vegan food at El Pollo Loco?
Vegan options are limited, but you can work around it. For instance, order the beans, rice, and cheese burrito but ask for the cheese to be removed. Don’t be discouraged—El Pollo Loco loves all food adventurers!
Are El Pollo Loco meals healthy?
Surprisingly yes! They do offer a good range of healthy options—including the World’s First Keto-certified Burrito! Plus, their primary cooking method is flame-grilling—which is better health-wise.
El Pollo Loco drive-thrus - yes or no?
Some El Pollo Loco restaurants do have drive-thrus! This means you can grab delicious bites without leaving your car—talk about convenience! Check with the restaurant or their website to learn more.
El Pollo Loco gift cards - yay or nay?
Absolutely yes! If you're looking for a tasteful gift, an El Pollo gift card might just be it! Purchase these online or at your nearest El Pollo Loco store.
What about catering options at El Pollo Loco?
You bet! They can cater your party or business event, serving large portions of their incredible food. Trust me; you and your guests will love it!
And finally, a rewards scheme?
Yup! Loco Rewards is El Pollo Loco's way of giving back to loyal customers. You earn 1 point for every $1 spent. Once you hit 50 points, $5 can be redeemed against anything on the El Pollo Loco menu. Sounds like a deal you can’t resist, right?
Pros
- Delicious fire-grilled and marinated Mexican-style chicken
- Large variety of meals and sides
- Have options for kids
- Offers convenient delivery options
- Healthy options available
Cons
- Limited vegetarian and vegan options
- Presence restricted to only a few states
- No stores outside the United States
- Varying delivery options among stores
That's it for now, dear foodies! Keep exploring the culinary world, and happy eating!