El Pollo Loco

Stopped here on the way to Vegas last month– tried their Ultimate Chicken Burrito — and it gets our thumbs up! Service was reasonably quick and the store + salsa station was spotless. Tables were NOT clean however making us move to another table TWICE before we got some water and napkins to clean the table ourselves and — the bathrooms looked a bit below average but decent.
I can offer 3 stars for a good experience at this fast food stop… adjusted for dirty./sticky tables.

El Pollo Loco is my go to during lunch ! Nothing like a BRC and a Tortilla roll :) Great people and I don’t mind the discount I get from working at the nearby mall.

I stopped here cause I figured it was the best/​most healthy choice out of all the fast food stops at Barstow on the way to Vegas.
Parking was easy, it wasn’t too busy. Restroom was clean and stocked. The girl helping me was very nice and attentive. I had some questions about the salads and she was able to answer them.
I ordered the under 500 calorie chicken avocado salad. I enjoyed it. Got it without sour cream and no dressing either. Would come back. Definitely a comfortable, clean place.

Great service, clean food area, cute little flower décor, super busy but everyone working hard! They had the best salsa I’ve ever tasted at an el pollo loco

Food quality is average, like your typical El Pollo Loco. I like their rotisserie chicken. Most of it moist, some dry parts, delicious skin… The under 500 calorie stuff is as expected (the unhealthier stuff come in smaller portions, the healthier stuff are not what I’d want to eat lol).
I love that it is a healthier alternative compared to all the other options available in the area.
We had our dog with us when going through drive through. We asked for a cup of water for our dog. The employee was nice enough to give us a bowl of water. That was so nice of her. Very thoughtful!

Fast food is big business in Barstow, California… and this EPL was very disappointing.
I ordered a 3 piece meal with two breasts and a wing and a side of guacamole from the drive-​thru. When I got home the guacamole was missing and the chicken breasts looked more like chicken backs, one of them had no skin. It was ugly… It’s sad because most the time, El Pollo Loco is outstanding and this is the only one around here for several miles.

THE WORST SERVICE!
Ate here earlier today. A few notes to consider: it was Memorial Day and there were a lot of tourists/​vacationers passing through. And it was busy!
I rate this place a one star because of the customer service. The cashier was great. But out good took 25 minutes to make. And when I asked the expediter how long it was going to take she just said «there’s nothing I can do.» I then asked another employee «she said it would be two more orders ahead of me.»
What bothered me the most was that a family who ordered after us, received their family pack order 10 minutes before us. And all I ordered was a quesadilla and tostada.
Never coming here again. Terrible wait.

Unfortunately, I have to write a poor review for this particular location. I have frequented El Pollo Loco, and have had great experiences until now.
I was driving through Barstow and decided to stop for dinner. My girlfriend and I ordered a Chicken Avocado Quesadilla, a Chicken Taco Salad and Chicken Mango something or other with Avocado. All of which tasted like plastic. So bad, that we turned around and went back. We spent $ 27 bucks on fast food that wasn’t even edible. My «taco salad» was a measly, sloppy portion of wilted lettuce on a bed on soggy tortilla chips. I thought it was a mistake.
I took both the «taco salad» and the quesadilla thing and walked back into the restaurant. The manager was right up at the counter. I proceeded to tell him that the quesadilla tasted a little funny and resembled a plastic taste, he took it, nodded and said «oh ya, I think I know why.» Then he asked me what was wrong with my salad. I told him that it wasn’t what I ordered as I ordered a «taco salad». Apparently this is their taco salad. He said sorry but that’s how we make it. He didn’t offer anything else, and said «…so you’re good with that, right?»
Obviously, unsatisfied with the product I just nodded as it was clear it wasn’t going to be replaced or re made. I nicely asked him if I could just have a regular chicken quesadilla instead of the other one. I told him this ATLEAST three times. When he gave me my new chicken quesadilla he opened it up and said… «Cheese quesadilla with extra cheese for you!»
At this point, I took my food and walked out. My girlfriend and I peeked at the new food, took a few bites and tossed it.
I understand it’s fast food. And we did not expect gourmet Mexican food. But it was pretty shocking not only how poorly the food was prepared and how bad it tasted… But even more so by the manager’s horrid attempt to fix the issue.
Maybe it’s our fault. I mean. We are in the middle of the desert?! Maybe they get deliveries. Not as often as most others… Yuck.

This place is healthier than normal compared to the other fast food joints in the area.
Prices are also a buck or two higher for your meal.
I love their house salsa, chopped onions, and cilantro thrown on top of whatever I order.
This place can get busy and the salsa /​drink stations could get a bit crowded.

Standard El Pollo Loco menu but the presentation here was a lot nicer. Actually looked like the photos that you see on the menus.
Great service! Cashier gave daughter a sticker set. I had no idea EPL had these! Made her happy while we ate. Same cashier came by with the tray of mints, toothpicks, wipes, etc.

Poblano is that burrito!!! And the chicken tacos al carbon are the bomb. For fast Mexican food very good.

Not like the chains in sd. Suprisingly great food and service. I had the chicken avo burrito, fresh avo was a hit with me. You know when you ate good when you don’t have to stop at the rest area 20miles later. Spend the extra two bucks your body will thank you later. Stay heathy no sodas pls.

Gets very trafficky outside this location near the outlet malls during those busy weekends. The chicken at El Pollo Loco is consistently good. This location is as good as any other that I’ve been to.
The restaurant is clean, service is good and quick. No complaints here. Good food at good prices.
It’s a good pit stop on the way to and from Vegas.

I ordered chicken with rice and beans. The food was good but the restaurant wasn’t clean despite having plenty of employees on hand.

One of the few stops in Barstow where;
1. It’s fast and it’s food
2. You can find something healthy, not feeling guilty
3. Cheap
4. No lines
5. Great Service and clean.
With Barstow, specifically the Lenwood exit, there’s more fast food than anything else. Barstow just happens to be my normal stop between CA and Vegas. Usually in the mood for In-​N-​Out, El Pollo Loco is a better choice for me.
Although the servings are small, the value is good. Their chicken always hits the spot. My last visit, which was 5 drumsticks, tied me over until I got a real meal in SoCal.

The Crazy Chicken’s citrus grill is better than the KFC «lean» offering, but if you get something other than straight chicken here the meal is usually just OK.

Awesome chicken! Okay salsa bar, and fast service :)
We got the ten piece meal with tortillas, flame grilled corn and BBQ beans for four people. It was really, really yummy. The loco met its expectations.
Make your own tacos. Yummmmmm

Pollo loco is the healthier alternative to fast food! High sodium content though. This pollo loco was like every other, very tasty chicken and all around good eats. I definitely prefer it to other fast food chains.

Lenwood Rd in Barstow… A Must Stop! Especially to Las Vegas, NV or back to Los Angeles, CA. You can find all the amenities (Gas, Shopping, Hotels, and Dining) Who knew there would be a Full Serving El Pollo Loco just hiding a couple blocks from the Chevron Gas Station.
I walked in and it smelled like a Los Angeles type El Pollo Loco and had the Salsa Station (which I was worried they didn’t have) My friend and I ordered a Pollo Bowl Combo ($ 6.49) and my friend ordered a Chicken Nachos Combo ($ 6.49). and the tax is 8.75%. My total was $ 14.12.
However, I have to give three stars at this time. I used my El Pollo Loco Gift Card and it took them 10 – 15 min to deduct my balance. I had $ 98 and change left in the card. I guess they didn’t expect me coming with a Gift Card. They had to call a manager and enter a bunch of codes and weren’t sure which receipt to give me. Even the cook in the back had to help figure it out. They did apologize to me and said, they never encountered this. So I give them a 3.5 for working with me.
They do have family meals. I think 12 or 14 Piece Meals with 3 sides for around $ 20. So, nothing different even though they are a little far from the main cities.
If you have a Gift Card, use it on your way to Vegas or Los Angeles. I know most Fast Food chains do accept it, unlike some places even in Vegas that don’t. Also, dont’ forget Chevron and Shell are not the only Gas Stations around. Near the El Pollo Loco, there is an Arco & Valero and will save you about .10 cents a gallon.
Have Fun here and Keep Unilocaling!

This location provides consistent El Pollo deliciousness. The burritos are usually filled to the gills, and they are willing to make things that aren’t on the menu anymore if you ask (e.g., the fiesta burrito). Usually not that many people in the drive through or inside, so it’s a great place to stop on the way to Vegas!