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    El Pollo Fino

    3.8 (89 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 1 week ago

    El Pollo Fino Photos

    EL POLLO FINO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Dogs allowed
    Good for groups

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    Vu N.

    I been searching and trying to find a good charbroil chicken joint. After doing research el pollo fino got mentioned many times so here I am. Located next to Northgate is this joint. Place smelled great. Gentlemen grilling the chicken and smiling. I knew it would be good Got a full chicken. Comes with salsa and tortilla for 19.01 after tax. Great flavor. Not too dry on the white meat. Great salsas. Also I was informed Monday - Friday they will be offering one dollar tacos. This is a great place not only for good food. But to support local small businesses also.

    Steak torta
    Isabel A.

    Stopped in and ordered a steak torta to go. Ordered at the counter, and service was friendly. Waited about 10 mins for my order. The torta was good. Look forward to trying the chicken next time.

    Michael A.

    So good! El pastor is my favorite thing to eat lately. El Pollo Fini has delicious El Pastor, carnitas and flame grilled chicken. Staff is friendly and welcoming and restaurant is clean and has plenty of tables.

    Current menu and pricing as of Nov '24
    Angela B.

    Pollo Fino is located in Placentia Plaza off of Chapman and Placentia Ave. It is easy to access and parking is plentiful. My mom used to come here decades ago, way before the "Crazy Chicken" became popular. I stopped in today for the nostalgia ~ AND it was lunch time:) The inside of the restaurant is spacious and clean with plenty of seating. The grill and kitchen are open concept, so you can see how the food is prepared. The posted menu board looks new, but is void of pricing. Orders are placed at the counter. I had a to go order, so I collected my order there; not sure if food is delivered to the table if you're dining in. Three people were working today, all were friendly and accommodating. There was definitely a comfortable, family feeling going on. I ordered the 12 piece combo which came with 12 pieces of charbroiled chicken, corn tortillas, and a quart each of rice and beans. The chicken, while nicely seasoned, was not plump and the thinnest pieces were dry and almost overcooked. None of the pieces had good amounts of meat on them. The rice, tortillas, and salsas were good, but the refried beans lacked the typical Mexican spices like cumin, garlic, and onion. As much as I like to support small, family owned businesses, the food just left me and my family unsatisfied. And for almost $37, sadly, I don't think I'd come back.

    a table full of food

    Came in here on our way home from work to grab some dinner, was very happy with my experience. The staff is super friendly, the food was hot and tasty, unfortunately I was unable to take any decent pics since we grabbed our chicken and started munching. Recommend this little gem, they've been around for many years but it was my gfs first time and she loved it. We'll be back soon for some more amazing chicken. Thank you

    Ensalada de fajitas, steak.  Absolutely delicious!
    Wendy B.

    This place found us, we didn't find them. It was right next door to a Mexican market that we had just discovered. So what does one get at an obviously tiny, Pollo Loco wannabe? I say that with reverence, btw. Staring directly at the gorgeous, marinated then grilled chicken with fire licking their little splayed bodies, I ordered a beef fajitas salad. Yeah. Not only as it lovely to taste, it was set on what looked like a small turkey platter. But I needed no help devouring it. The marinated carne asada and sauteed vegetables on top of a very simple salad was very special, not at all what I expected. And Mr B? He left me in the dust once they place a large bowl of Caldo de Res in front of his nose. So much tender meat, a great broth, large chunks of still firm veggies, and a plate of cilantro, onion, and limes caused him to start moaning. Good thing...I had no intention of sharing. A very satisfying meal with absolutely no pretense. This should be on everyone's bookmarks when looking for good, homestyle cooking.

    Staff making it happen...
    George G.

    It's open and it's delicious. Chicken and Beef Soup is the real deal. Yum. Grilled chicken highly recommended. Rice, beans, tortillas all seem hand/home made. Bring your appetite.

    Receipt of purchase
    Grace H.

    We come here all the time. Price went up significantly. They don't have menu with price anymore. You'll be paying stiff price with covid price/ inflation. Allow yourself enough time to get your order because they move slow, slow as molasses kind of slow.

    I think they served this at that wedding Jesus went to.
    Tony A.

    I grew up in a house that was exactly 0.7 miles from this place (thanks Google maps!). I lived there from 1979 to 2005. Placentia is a quaint little town and has a heavy Mexican-American population. Put it to you like this, I order in Spanish every time I go. When you see velvet paintings of a bull and a rooster on the wall, well, you know it's authentic. I moved away from California in 2005 and I've spent the last 9 years of my life trying to clone this chicken recipe. I've failed every time. I've pleaded with the people who work there to tell me the secret of the recipe. What is the marinade? What makes it yellow? What is the core flavor!!!!??? I've even flashed my Virginia driver's license and swore a blood oath to never tell. I told them living 3,000 miles way your secret will be safe with me. They won't budge. My only recourse is to keep traveling back to California once a year to indulge in the greatest marinated grilled chicken ever created by human hands. "Here endeth the lesson" -Sean Connery

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    6 days ago

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    2 months ago

    Feels like a home meal. Great food and service. This place needs more people to try it!!

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    3 years ago

    I drive from Upland to get this chicken, the seasoning is phenomenal and the rice and beans that accompany it are superb.

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    3 years ago

    Quality is impeccable, food always at its best point. Service is always amiable. Recommended 100%

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    4 years ago

    The chicken here is great . The people there are very nice. I would highly recommend this place . Great value too .

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    6 years ago

    Ultra authentic, fair prices , and friendly staff. A go to in the quiver of excellent Mexican food!

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    6 years ago

    Their grilled chicken is SO GOOD. Comes with salsa and tortillas. We will definitely be back!

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    10 years ago

    I really like their chicken tacos here. It's super moist, and flavorful. It's a great value too. Plus the Mexican rice taste great.

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    Olive Seed Cafe

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    I came with a friend here for lunch. I think, by the name of the place, we were both expecting a…read moreMediterranean eatery but it's a small Korean breakfast/lunch spot. You order at a kiosk, take a number, and go sit at a table (indoors or out) where your food will be delivered. We initially attempted to order at the counter but were ignored so we did the kiosk routine. I went with a prosciutto panini and a hot vanilla latte. The latte was average but good. The same could be said of the panini which, aside from the prosciutto, included arugula, garlic aioli, tomato, and mozzarella (it usually comes with roasted bell pepper but I asked to leave that ingredient off). The sandwich came with a pedestrian house salad; some greens with four grape tomatoes and a balsamic dressing. There is a huge free parking structure across the street which makes coming here easy. I thought lunch was okay but I wouldn't make it a priority to return.

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    El Pollo Fino - mexican - Updated September 2026

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