El Pollo Loco

Come back, you were the best!
Seriously…come back!

Is this place legit closed? If so, I’m so sad.
I first discovered El Pollo Loco out in Los Angeles, California. I thought it was a west coast thing, but I guess not. This mexican fast food chain is so good. It’s quick, easy, and simple. I was really happy when I stumbled upon the crazy chicken while roaming around Uptown. I’m going to miss it. The service was not too great, but the food made up for it. I mean grilled chicken served with warm tortillas, corn, and salsa… Obviously, it’s not real mexican food, but it’s a different spice compared to other fast food joint like Popeyes or KFC.

Towards the end of EPL, the quality dropped dramatically. The pollo bowls were almost always filled with scrap chicken, and service was just awful. My roommate had to give up when the cashier couldn’t understand why anyone would want to buy just a burrito without the meal.

We visited here on our last trip to Chicago in May. We were extremely excited to find one of my husband’s fave haunts from his California days so close to his fave team, the Cubs so after watching the game we swung by here.
The atmosphere was clean but nothing to write home about, they were not terribly friendly but they were accomodating to our requests so I don’t need overly perky.
We got an eight piece meal with rice and macaroni and cheese and paid for an extra side of beans for me, which was good as I was not really into the meh mac and cheese and only like the rice mixed into my taco creations (he liked them as is). My husband and I are perfect sharers on chicken so we got mixed pieces. I am a white meat fan and he prefers dark so it works perfectly. We got all the salsas and sat at a table to experiment.
I really liked the way they do the chicken, marinated in a citrus marinade then grilled whole, chopped after into appropriate pieces. It keeps it juicy and nice. I also liked the warm tortillas and making my own little creations with the tasty pinto beans, a little rice and pulled big long strips of the chicken with pico and some avocado salsa on top.
We had chicken left, they need to do a six piece option as my husband can eat four pieces but I really only needed two with the tortillas and beans and all, we knew that going in and planned accordingly. Luckily they were nice enough to divide our chicken into six dark and two white so the two pieces we took home were my husband’s fave and he had a nice snack at the hotel.
I wish we had one closer to home but when we next make the pilgrammage to see his beloved Cubs we will be back.

So before settling in the Windy City, I grew up in Cali and landed my first high school job at an El Pollo Loco out there. The food was decent, and I could vouch for the back of the house that they had decent standards in terms of cleanliness and hygiene. And the recipes were pretty clean– the company was fairly health conscious and were one of the first back then to start publishing their nutrition stats. But they were a small West-​coast chain at that time. Didn’t miss a lot once I moved.
So all grown up now and in the Windy City, I spotted one so I had to give it a shot. Impressive! Even tastier, a bigger menu, and even healthier options. I got my old fave, the pollo bowl, with some guac and a garden salad (sentimental thing– had to order enough for leftovers, ha!), and YUM!!! Juicy grilled chicken breast, clean pinto beans (fatty juices washed off), light rice, healthy doses of mexican sour cream and cheese, pico de gallo, and the guac was perfect. I’d totally go back now for the food, not the sentiment!

El Pollo Loco oh that crazy chicken!
Living in Uptown you really don’t get to many semi healthy fast food options. It’s either McDonald’s or Popeyes, which I’m not dissing because I do love myself a Quarter Pounder with Cheese or some extra crispy chicken. However, every once in a while you just want to get home from work and get something fast to eat that doesn’t make you feel guilty afterwards. That’s when El Pollo Loco comes into play.
I enjoy their 3 piece grilled chicken option with two sides. I usually get corn on the cob and steamed veggies as my sides.
The prices are little on the high side for fast food, but due to the fact that its a little healthier that’s okay. The service is quick and the workers are extremely friendly.

Too bad there are not more of these around. The grilled chicken is relatively lean, spiced and flavorful and and you can kick it up with add-​ons from the condiment bar: spicy avocado sauce, pico de gallo and more. El Pollo Loco is a much healthier and tastier option than fast food. I would come here for the soup alone. It’s light, with a few onions and cilantro, chicken, spices and perhaps some tomato in the broth. You get a side of grated Mexican cheese and tortilla strips to add in. A perfect, in expensive meal if you ask me!

I was not expecting to like this place, but I was pleasantly surprised at how juicy the chicken is here. Whether it is a wrap, bowl or a 3 piece meal, their marinated chicken is tasty.
Also, they have plenty of items on the menu that are reasonably priced. Must warn you that all they carry is chicken, so don’t be disappointed.
My biggest plus is the salsa bar, horchata and the churros. Good healthy family food.

So I first had this on the west coast (san diego), my aunt brought it home and said «Hey i have el pollo loco». And I thought.. . huh.. . tacos? Then i looked at the chicken and containers of side orders and thought.. . the west coast must have come up with a way to combine KFC and Taco Bell better than Chicago has.
But it is an awesome alternative to KFC, Popeyes, and any mexican fast food. I get their chicken and load up on the sauces and selection of free side stuff (spicy avacado, pica de gallo, cilantro, onions) to make an awesome chicken taco with the tortillas they give you. I think the one in uptown is the only one thus far, but I was so excited to see it I screamed and my bf got mad cuz I scared him.
I know, I know, it’s a fast food place (it has a drive –thru) and is not real mexican food. But for the price and considering our other options — McDonalds, Burger King, KFC, Popeye’s, Taco Bell — it IS a VERY nice change.
(So when will another west coast fast food establichment be coming our way? — ummmmmmmmmmm you know like In-​N-​Out!!!)

I’m just happy something finally went into that space that used to be so depressing, the marquee said something like «free chiledo» for at least 3 years, of course they meant «chilidog», but the «g» had fallen off, it took me awhile to decipher that. And you know there were squatters in the empty fast food restaurant. Really, everytime I rode the 151 bus by there, my heart sank.
Now its bright and pretty clean and the staff smiles and they serve pollo that was probably factory farmed. Still a step up. I know a couple of people that like it.
What distinguishes this place from Taco Bell? You can get a whole chicken (I think), with some tortillas. More salsa variety. They even have some avocado kind of salsa. Crappy, but still, its avocado. And, obviously, the focus is pollo.
If you are tempted by the horchata machine, just to see what it would taste like out of machine… I don’t know why anyone would do that. If you need to gain 5 pounds right quick order the churros.

El Pollo Loco. I wouldn’t say it was Loco, but it definitely was Muy Beuno! My first thought is that it would be a Taco Bell knock off, but it’s not. The interior is of a festive décor, which nearly brought me to my feet to do the Pollo Loco in the dining room. OK, I just made that up… it wasn’t that exciting.
I ordered 2 Burrito wraps, 2 taquitos, 2 churros, a soda and a small Horchata all for around $ 9.75, which ain’t too shabby for 2 people. However, my friend takes only nibbles at food and then tells me to finish it, so I ended up eating 2 lunches. The burrito wraps were made with chicken, and decent. It could use some pepper, but a mess to unwrap it and then wrap back up. I don’t know about the taquitos. She gave me two small tacos instead, which I ate anyway and didn’t complain. I’ll pick up taquitos on my next visit and report back to you. The churros made an excellent treat to top off the meal… hot and chewy inside. Neither of us thought that the Horchata was muy bueno. I’m not a fan of rice milk to begin with and adding cinnamon doesn’t make it any better.
It really is a good place to go. If you are seeking a small lunch or dinner, there are a few things on the value menu for $ 1.00 that will fill you up.
El Pollo Loco, you receive 4 Loud Olé’s outta 5.

THE SOLUTION TO THE FINANCIAL CRISIS?
Much like ramen and mac ‘n cheese, EPL has always been a great way to save some cash whether you’re a college student, unemployed, or just trying to survive the economic bubble del dia. Just think about it… an 8-​piece leg and thigh (breast? puh-​lease. dark meat any day) meal, warm tortillas, and crappy-out-of-a-blender-but-hey-I’m-not-going-to-bitch-about-it-because-all-this-food-only-cost-me-$ 5.99 salsa? That is a bargain my friend. Or at least it used to be.
With an economic crisis upon us, I’ve been cutting costs and decided to head to EPL for some bargain-​priced chicken and a dose of Cali nostalgia. Yeah… that didn’t work out so well.
First of all the costs have gone way up. Not such a great recession meal plan anymore. Second, are the chickens fatter here because the pieces I got were much greasier than normal. Finally, did someone lose the recipe crossing the Rockies or the Mississippi? EPL chicken is usually bursting with flavor… that day… not so much.
Oh well. Anyone know where I can get some ramen on sale?

I go here about once a week for some good cheap food — for about 4 dollars and some change I can get a grilled chicken burrito and a bean, rice and cheese burrito which definitely does not break the bank! Plus they have a great salsa bar and some pretty decent horchata.
On a side note, a friend of mine is absolutely CRAZY about their churros!

This place really is A-​OK! If you want fast food, but something different then give this place a try.
Just moved to the neighborhood and this will definitely be a place I go back to. I had a coupon for a buy one get one on the two piece chicken meal. The chicken was tasty and so were the four different sides (think KFC i.e. mac & cheese and mashed potatos, but better!) There was also a salsa bar to choose from as you exit (think Taco Bell sauces, but with real and varying flavor).
The only negative thing I can say is that service was a little slow, but I was there on a Sunday night around 8:30, so I’m willing to chalk that up to a skeleton evening crew.

FINALLY, a healthy place in the hood from which to get takeout. First I have to give props to Pollo Loco for opening opening up in not the greatest neighborhood. There’s a lot of crime around there. This restaurant is a welcome addition to a neighborhood that could use more businesses. The landscaping looks wonderful. It’s a vast improvement over the empty BK that sat there for years.
Onto the food… mmmm, the food. It’s nothing fancy. It’s nothing out of the ordinary. It is, however, healthy good food. I always order the breast with two sides. The garden salad is rather plain but filing. The pinto beans are spicy and flavorful. The chicken is moist and delicious goodness. When I wasn’t weight watching, I would order the churros. TWO CHURROS FOR A DOLLAR! Fresh out the fryer?! No, I never wonder why I’m at WW every Sunday. I’m a churro addict, and El Pollo Loco has the goods.

A poor man’s version of Chicken Hut in East Lakeview, but with some other really good offerings on the menu. The chicken is great, but try the CRB burrito, the chicken tacos, and the quesadillas. I hope they stay in the ‘hood for a long time. The wife loves the place.

I used to love this place, and am excited that it’s now in Chicago. There’s one on Milwaukee Ave., also.
Went to the Uptown branch for lunch today. It seemed like they were tyring very hard to make service festive and friendly. There was a woman going around to the tables giving free samples of something, which the gruff locals accepted with a thank-​you grunt.
The chicken is always very very good, and some of the sides are excellent. I think their french fries are some of the best fast-​food fries around. Love the salsa bar, which they take care to keep clean and well-​stocked.
What I wouldn’t order are the chicken quesadillas (just kind of blah) or the burritos (which seem too expensive for what they are). Stick with chicken and fries.

I was expecting a lot more. The grilled chicken is just ok, not very flavorful. The dollar menu is nice, but so far, the taco and bean burrito are very average. In terms of ingredients, the rice and pinto beans are bland and undercooked.
The average meal deal is 5.50 and up, which is a little much for a fast food place. I guess they are healthier than McD’s or BK, but the food quality is below what I would have expected.
I’m also a little wary of the salsa. You serve yourself, and with only a glass sneeze guard to protect the salsa, I’m a little cautious of just what falls into the containers on a daily basis. I pray they come up with a better system in the future.

This food is high quality for fast food and it tastes excellent. I had the two piece meal with mac and cheese and a salad.
I loved the chicken as it reminded me of the Peruvian chicken I used to eat in at El Pollo Rico in Arlington, VA. The sides were higher quality than you would expect from a fast food joint but not gourmet, somewhere between your typical fare and Chipotle.
There were two negatives which I imagine will be corrected soon. Although extremely polite, the folks behind the counter are a bit slow getting you your food, even though they are moving fast. I have no idea what took so long, but this place is brand new, so I’m sure they’ll figure it out.
The other negative was that a man popped out from the darkness behind the area where you order. He asked for change, but didn’t get that close to the car, so it wasn’t a big deal.

2 piece chicken is the best! :D YUM, i love el pollo loco and I love uptown for bringing it here: D YES!!!
Doesn’t hurt to try this place, all you lose is $ 6 – 7!