While some things have changed over the last few decades, El Pollo Loco’s delivery of fresh, authentic food has not. Everything starts with whole chickens that are slowly marinated in a special recipe of herbs, spices, fruit juices and garlic. The chicken is then expertly fire-grilled to perfection the authentic way – on our signature open-flame grills – then hand cut into your favorite Mexican entrees. We put that same dedication and care into our handmade guacamole, salsas and dressings every day. At El Pollo Loco in San Diego,CA, we believe that when real food meets real fire the result is great taste that will keep you coming back again and again.
Fast-food chain outpost known for Mexican classics made with fire-grilled chicken. Based on 817 reviews, the restaurant has received a rating of 3.9 stars. Price $
✔️ Dine-in ✔️ Drive-through ✔️ No-contact delivery

Address:
1535 Palm Ave, San Diego, CA 92154
Phone: (619) 423-6912
Website:
Hours
| Friday |
10 AM–10 PM |
| Saturday |
10 AM–10 PM |
| Sunday |
10 AM–10 PM |
| Monday
(Labor Day)
|
10 AM–10 PM
Hours might differ
|
| Tuesday |
10 AM–10 PM |
| Wednesday |
10 AM–10 PM |
| Thursday |
10 AM–10 PM |
Menu
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Photo Gallery
Reviews
MJ Hermoso
I just moved here from Washington DC. Back there, we have Pollo Campero and Nandos PeriPeri. Coming to California, I thought it would be cool to try this place. We ordered online and got the 12 piece family meal. Then we head to the store after 15 minutes of ordering. I came to pick it up and waited for another 20 minutes! The cashier was friendly and asked me if I wanted salsa when I got my order. I came home and little did I know, we only got 10 pieces of chicken instead of 12, and the drumsticks were so tiny.
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E Ski
Big rat salad. Time to shut this location down. Used to be good before Covid. Now, they are always out of everything. Never any cilantro sauce anymore. Tried the new burrito grillers and one of them was uncooked chicken and the second one was burnt fat and some bones. Also the last tostada salads were like 3 day old chicken all dry and hard, and they were out of cheese and sour cream…and cilantro dressing.
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Bill Hall
They were painfully slow, and closed 2 hours early. They said they are out of everything. They didn’t know what I ordered at the speaker so I had to tell them my order again because they lost my order. The person at the window didn’t know how to use the order screen. I was in line waiting from 7:55pm and didn’t get my food until 8:33pm and there were only 3 cars in front of me when I arrived. After arriving home, found out the chicken skin was burnt and the chicken was overcooked. I ordered two 2-piece meals, but one was a 3-piece meal. They also didn’t give us and utensils or napkins.
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PJ M (Patsy)
I had the double shredded beef tostada bowl and it was delicious! Shredded beef was nicely flavored, nice portions of beef, rice and beans. Light portions on cheese, sour cream and sliced avocado. Nice mix of lettuce and tomatoes. It came with cilantro dressing. You may want to order 2 dressings. The crispy flour tornado bowl was yummy too. Fresh. I absolutely love all their sides which are perfectly spiced and salted: pinto beans, side salad, fresh veggies, Mac & cheese, Cole slaw. Also, if you ask, their is a 10% senior discount.
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Pablo Amezcua
Pollo loco really has gone down hill. Please if you value eating decent food don’t go here.
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Jazmin Robles
I order on line, when they said my food was ready I got there and my order was not complete I told them to cancel and they didn’t they made me way 20 minutes more! I got home with less chicken that what I pay for and the cole slaw was damage!!! And the chicken pieces were so small
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Zelii Iokia
Just bought 2 double chicken tostadas, normally this location is very good but tonight the chicken wasn’t seasoned maybe a tablespoon rice on the bottom. It was terrible. To bad people don’t just follow the recipe in place
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Humberto Gonzalez
Food really dry , I have to wait 25 minutes on the drive-through Just for a 2 pieces meal They are so slow all the time , they don’t have a good customer service. You guys need to improve!
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Eddie Torres
I wish I recorded how long I sat at the order window of the drive-thru without being acknowledged! There was ABSOLUTELY NO ONE eating inside and only one car in front of me which they took forever on them as well. I started realizing why they built a Popeye’s Chicken right next door. I got fed up waiting on a measley 2-piece combo that I just ended up driving off since nobody noticed I was even there! Went to Rally’s instead, was in and out in a matter of minutes!
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Michael Knackerson
Good food, cheap prices, especially if you use a coupon and quite a filling meal option.
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