El Pollo Dorado

The chicken and enchiladas are delicious! I have no complaints about the food! However, the older lady in the back needs to refine her customer service skills. I witnessed how awfully she responded to a guy who was simply inquiring about his food. She really needs to learn how to treat people. Does she not know her attitude reflects on the rest? Customer service training needs to happen for this employee. I find it pretty unprofessional that the employees/​cooks are playing in the back, bringing tires into the kitchen area; and to top it of get upset at a client who inquires about his food after a 25 minute wait. If she would’ve spoken to me this way, she’d definitely loose her job! No one deserves to be treated this way! From what I’ve heard from others, this is very common. Business owner needs to put his/​her employees on check! It didn’t happen to me, but I found it extremely disappointing and upsetting!

Este lugar tiene muy buen servicio al ordenar. La comida estaaaa. RIQUISIMA! El restaurante esta muy limpio. No te desepcionaran! Lo recomiendo!

This is my favorite charbroiled chicken place, period. I just can’t get here very often because I don’t live nearby, but whenever I am in Salinas, this is where I go first. I discovered it by happenstance one day back in 1989, when I was working in the area, and I’ve been coming back ever since.
The chicken is always moist and tender, and lightly seasoned. Perhaps they put a little sugar on it, because it’s slightly sweet. You can get a basic half chicken, no fuss over white v. dark meat. I usually get rice for a side; it’s good, better than the beans. And a big tall cup of the best pina soda anywhere.

Still using styrofoam containers. The food is ok.

Can’t beat their chicken! Simply delicious! Easy to find, along a busy street right near Winchell’s!

I get out to eat chicken here on a pretty regular basis. I have tried other dishes, and they have been good, but the chicken is really the best. The service at the counter is friendly and helpful. The setting is very casual. Overall, it’s very much worth the trek to the East side of Salinas to eat here.

Good tortas. the chicken was very tasty, a bit on the dry side though. They had a green salsa that was out of this world delicious.

Great food I had the milanesa torta was bomb bread could be better my girlfriend had fried fish it was huge it tasted very good.

great authentic Mexican food!

This please really has some of the best food in salinas and soooo many choices the torta cubana out of this world the chiken its great too also the salsas very very good.

Wow, the Carne Asada sope was delicious, I was actually surprised at good it was. The homemade corn sope’s really make this, but the carne asada was cooked to perfection to top if off perfectly. Yeah the East Alisal neighborhood is not that great, and the building looks like it has seen better days, but the the food… oh man it was good. I’ll definitely be going back there! I guess the adage «Don’t judge a book by it’s cover is true for El Pollo Dorado» Thanks for the delicious meal!

This place is located in East Salinas where I wouldn’t usually venture out to. However, recently we had to drop off some stuff to my aunt-​in-​law who lived on the East side for 50 plus years, so we decided to stop by here for lunch.
The chicken is very juicy and flavorful! Our friend who recommended this place said that it’s better than el pollo loco, but I don’t think you can compare the two since they are different kinds of flavor. I like that the chicken is piping hot and dripping with juice when they serve it! I took a star off because I had indigestion after eating here. If I’m ever in that part of the town again, I would stop by to get some good chicken.

The only reason why I’m giving this place a 4 stars is cuz the food has changed ever since the original owner passed away.
Yes, the food is good, but the quality in taste has gone down; especially the pollo and refried beans. It used to so much better tasting than it is now.
Even the salsas don’t taste the same anymore, especially the green guacamole one and the tomato one. Very sad indeed to those of us who’ve been coming here since forever and remember how it used to be back in the day.
I also want to add, that I see a lot of people comment on how this place is in «a bad part of town». However, to those of us that grew up around this area, it is just home and there is nothing to fear. I have never had a bad experience at or around this joint. People are usually friendly or otherwise keep to themselves, so don’t believe the hype.
Trust me, this chicken beats the regular KFC routine any time.

Hidden Gem!
Yes I agree, the neighborhood seems bad, but really its not. Its just full of Mexicans, it really looks like a street in any Mexican town. If you think Mexicans are dangerous then stay away from here. I can assure you after years of eating here its safe and they know chicken!
Let me say it again they know chicken!
My mom used to take me to this place as a kid. And it hasn’t changed. Order half a chicken, beans and some tortilla’s and have fun!
This is a must eat at authentic place to eat and very well priced!

This place is worth the trek into the ghetto. Luckily my grandma has lived in said ghetto for like 45 years and I have no problem venturing here. Screw El Pollo Loco and Pollo Campero, this place has the best grilled chicken ever. In fact you can’t even compare them. I am so here next major holiday that forces me to drive home to Salinas.
Between this place and Smalley’s I will be dying a meat related death.

This place is definitely located in the hood on E. Alisal. The flavors at this place are definitely worth dodging a bullet for. They usually have a couple of Taco de Oho’s working if you know what i mean. And that is always nice!