El Pollo Loco

I’ve come here several times for lunch and the service has always been courteous and quick. My order has always been fresh and accurate. The one time they forgot the side they replaced my whole meal! I was shocked because I was honestly just expecting my side. That was a nice surprise. I come on my lunch break and my order always comes out within 5 – 7 minutes. That’s awesome if you don’t want the food prep to eat up all your mealtime. The restaurant has always been clean and all the salsas are available without being messy. They seem really good about keeping this place clean because when I’ve eaten there I always see people cleaning the table and salsa area. I’m glad the restaurant is clean and gives good customer service because you do pay a premium for what you get. I don’t believe El Pollo Loco is a good value unless you have a coupon, but this location is a solid 5 stars.

Came here on a random Tuesday for lunch and to my surprise at the time it wasn’t extremely crowded. However, I figured why after I tried the food. The service was good and the cashiers were nice, but the food wasn’t the best. It was our first time trying El Pollo Loco. We ordered the Enchiladas (with rice and beans) and the 2 Piece Chicken Combo (with Mashed Potatoes and Corn). The cool thing about El Pollo Loco is that you can scoop as much salsa and pico de gallo as you want into little containers, which we took FULL advantage of. Also, it seemed that the drinks were free refill or either customers were refilling them at their own discretion. Shady.
As for the Enchiladas and Chicken Combo meal? They were ehhhh ok. None of that fast food blew us away. The chicken was seasoned, but it was average. I did like the Mashed Potatoes and Corn though, however I would much rather prefer them from KFC or Popeyes. From looking at the pictures on the website, I was looking forward to trying El Pollo Loco because the food looked good, but never judge a book by its cover. At least we can say we’ve tried it now.

As far as fast food goes, this place ain’t too bad. I usually get the same thing every time: two piece dark with mashed potatoes and black or pinto beans. The beans are pretty solid and the taters are okay, probably as okay as instant potatoes can be. The chicken is hit or miss. For you come in during the lunch rush, it’s likely to be really fresh and juicy. Other times, not so much. I’ve gotten it pretty dry before. Overall, not a bad meal for $ 8. It’ll definitely fill you up.

Good food and convenient location. It’s in the main hub of DTLA by the Grand Central Market. Special shout out to Yesenia who made sure the guacamole I had was freshly made — yummy! Got the free chips and guacamole with their new rewards deals.

This location can be hit or miss. Sometimes their service is incredibly fast and other times painfully slow. Came in recently around 2pm and there was a long line but they had 3 cashiers so I didn’t have to wait very long. Other times I have come in around 4 or 5 and there is a short line that moves painfully slow.
El pollo loco is still fast food but for whatever reason I’ve managed to convince myself it’s on the healthier side. Maybe because it’s chicken? Nonetheless, I know it’s a false illusion.
I usually just get the classic chicken burrito without beans which is pretty good and also quite filling and runs about $ 5. Love the selection at the salsa bar with the house salsa and the cilantro salsa being my favorite.
Although they provide napkins with your meal, there aren’t any dispensers in the dining area which can make it inconvenient to ask the cashier.
My main issue is that cleanliness can be questionable, particularly around the salsa bar which occasionally looks toxic and neglected. Often times the salsas look like they have been sitting out for quite some time and it can be off putting. They need to occasionally replace the salsas instead of just refilling it.
Parking can be an issue like all places downtown but there is bike parking right out front.
Great for a quick bite or family meal.

Came to this pollo loco before work ordered a pollo bowl not really impressed why
1. Ask with no beans no cilantro and no onion
2. Got it with with beans and no onion and cilantro
3. Got it back with no beans but with cilantro and onion
I was really extremely disappointed

My review is based solely on the sweet sweet chocolate churro dessert that I enjoyed very much. Not too sweet and not too sugary and priced appropriately. I highly recommend these delectable treats!

My go-​to lunch spot! Place is always clean or in the process of being cleaned. The chicken is always freshly grilled and the sides are always tasty and fresh as well.

Consideration: location and environment… cleaning the place in and out is a tedious work. So don’t be surprised since this is the downtown Los Angeles area.
This is one of the El Pollo Loco franchise location that has the best tasting chicken. In my opinion, not all franchise locations are the same. Let’s just say there are some El Pollo Loco locations that differs in cooking the chicken and somehow the taste is different.
The place is small considering and parking is limited and metered. For those who work in the area, this would be one of the great place to buy your breakfast/​lunch/​dinner.
THIS LOCATION DOES HAVE A DELIVERY SERVICE!!! I just don’t know if there is an added charge since I don’t use that service.
THE EMPLOYEES ARE KIND AND POLITE!!!

Nice ladies working inside. Great food (for the money). Really glad this is just blocks from my house.

i’m a sucker for what my auntie joy calls «chicken pollo»
what can i say? it’s juicy chicken, great sides like corn or beans or cole slaw, a tortilla, and a drink. that’s how we roll!

Terrible. Go to other EPL locations several times a week. This one is the worst. The bad smell of the street lingers inside. They charge more for the same food than other locations and give you less. Lastly, the food is not even good unless you like hard tortillas!

This is our Pollo Loco connection when we need the pollito fix!
Wait time is average when you are in downtown, I am sure it would be faster if we picked it up but why bother with parking and all that good stuff.
Just bring me the pollo!

I was starving and was downtown and ventured into this location. Despite it being naturally bigger/​busier then small locations the servers were very nice and the food was good (well good as fast food can get). I thought it was cool to sit and people watch from a booth facing the busy street.

Great customer service, big location, quick service!
The place was dirty though. Should I not be surprised because its in downtown LA?
I came here for lunch and it was crowded but the line moved quickly.
There is a small number of metered parking spaces outside and there is a small lot next door that is $ 6…not ok.
Try the new spicy chipotle chicken burrito, its amazing!

Good clean restaurant with good food. Staff was pleasant.

Love Pollo Loco. Started a new eating plan lately … 3 meals a day, zero snacks, 1 day at a time. I try to eat Pollo Loco two-​piece meal twice a day. I lost 11 lbs in my first month! I love that it’s consistent. Inexpensive. Quick. Never observe anything unsanitary in the kitchen. I wish the salsa bar were located in view of the staff because they get lotsa druggies and homeless in this area. Other than that I wouldn’t change a thing. The managers are always nice to me at this one.

Place is great. Good, quick food in a convenient location. On par with the quality of other El Pollo Locos

THE WORST EL POLLO LOCO IN CALIFORNIA!
Where is the salsa bar?
Certainly not one in this store!
You don’t even have the full selection of salsas most el pollo loco’s do?
Seriously, you don’t even have pico freaking de gallo???
Yet you have the nerve to charge more than the rest of the franchise stores for these disservices?
I would give this location zero stars if possible. Other el pollo locos are decent but this one slammed into the fashion district is a hell hole… oh and has lots of bums to harass you while you eat too!
I propose a new field under «good for» as this store is…
GOOD FOR NOTHING

This location is a life-​saver for me when I have department meetings and need to order a healthy catered lunch. They take orders the morning of the meeting (so if I forget I had to order lunch for a meeting, I’m not panicking).
They are also one of the most inexpensive meals to order for catering that is delivered in the downtown area.