Worst Mexican food experience in a long while. I had just a bean, rice and cheese burrito. Some of the rice was not cooked. It was replaced with another burrito, and though the rice was cooked on the second burrito it was just ok flavor wise. The service was not great. First of all, I really hate that most fast food chains have gone to relying on a self-service kiosk. Trying to get someone's attention to fix the food issue took a while. The ambiance was part for the course. Seats and tables were dirty. Will not be going to another El Pllo Loco. read more

El Pollo Loco - Bean, rice and cheese burrito - Mexican Near Me - Cathedral City, California

We ordered a taco carbon and a taco chicken with avocado two small tacos $7.30 they were very bland As was the salsa I asked for to spice them up We had to wait 10 minutes for two little tacos and no other customers there You order at a kiosk There's no worker at the front for you to give your order too They are all in the back The place is very clean We flew in from sfo and went to Trader Joe's , then here before a date shake at Shields (Hadleys is better cause they use chunks of dates instead of grinding it all up, Shields is more charming and old school looking being by the palms and grapefruit orchards) read more

I have not been to this El Pollo Loco and quite a few years since my last few visits were pretty bad. I was in the area and then thought I'd give it another shot. As I walked in the staff was all talking and laughing and having a good time, I placed my order through the app and they promptly made it when I arrived. The food was actually very good and fresh and love their salsas. So happy that I was able to enjoy myself there once again! They still have some really good affordable value menu deals, which are hard to come by these days. read more

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First you have to order yourself, so I entered what I wanted. It was not what I got. Double chicken Tostata, no beans, extra cheese, came out with beans. Took it back, what I got was single chicken, hardly any cheese. How many times do you have to take something back? Ingredients didn't have the fresh flavors I remember. Not worth returning. read more

It's your typical EPL, nothing to write home over. It's somewhat expensive for what you get, like everything in CA. My mom got a salad and I a two piece meal. My chicken was hot and tasted good. The sides are just ok. Her slaid was big and served as two meal. The staff was nice but seemed somewhat clueless. read more

This is my local El Pollo. Management has decided to keep the indoor temperature freezing, and says it's a corporate decision. There are several good alternative restaurants nearby that really care about their customers, serving HOT food in a comfortable setting. Seriously, this place is FREEZING! read more

Good stop if in a hurry, great food and awesome workers, they're always happy. I ordered the 3 pc chicken with rice and beans, really hit the spot. read more

WELL, ALL THE NEGATIVE REVIEWS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES !!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Today I had the worst experience in my life from a restaurant, ever !!! In fact, never had any "negative" experience from a restaurant at all !!! I placed and paid for an order online today from El Pollo Loco website, order # 26349688922112000 - $35.87, to be ready by 8:15PM. When I went to pick up my order, the shift manager told me that my order has been picked up already!!! By who ??? How did they know my name, by whoever picked up my order ??? I DID NOT PICK UP MY ORDER !!! I order online all the time from different restaurant chains, and they always confirm the name and order #, BEFORE they release orders to customers !!! Also, I never received an email or text confirmation, advising that my order was ready !!! Somebody is stealing from customers at this location !!! The shift manager also told me that they do not have the items for my order !!! Which tells me that they did not have enough items for my order, and they claim that it was already picked up !!! Well, this is an "easy way" to "pass" an online order, by marking it as "picked up" !!! He could have just told me that they didn't have enough product for my order. I would understand. Customers would appreciate honesty and integrity from this El Pollo Loco location !!! I would like to request a refund because I placed an order, I PAID for it, and the item was not available for pick up !!! The shift manager also gave me an attitude, did not apologize, did not offer a refund, and was dismissive about the situation !!! This is beyond ridiculous!!! He just kept saying multiple times "it has been picked up", and that there's nothing they can do about it !!! At least I had the decency to say "have a good night" !!! They should not be stealing from customers at this location !!! I have contacted their corporate office already, with all details about the "stealing" from me, by this El Pollo Loco location !!! STAY AWAY FROM EL POLLO LOCO !!! read more

El Pollo Loco - ONLINE ORDER - Mexican Near Me - Cathedral City, California

This El Pollo Loco in Cathedral City is great. The manager, Salvador, is friendly and provides individual attention and service. He is easygoing about special requests too. I like that he's got a sign on the wall for employees that says, "Just Say Yes", and they actually follow it. Makes the whole experience really pleasant. The chicken was delicious, fresh and presented very well. I recommend this particular location with its new manager, Salvador. read more

Twice and last week we've showed up within their open hours. Twice, they were closed when we showed up. Tonight, the incredibly inappropriate lady, that immediately got in our face they were closed exhibited what's worse in employees in America. She didn't give a shit about her employment, except for her pay paycheck. Ready to run down with a nasty mouth. WOW. FU, who ever you are. No employer deserves you as an employee. Not only your filthy appearance, but your mouth will chase any customer away We are From the area. Count on it, we will never return to this location. What a trashy poorly managed business. read more

Only come here if you want it burnt black. They leave the chicken sitting on the grill burning for hours. If you order door dash or Uber eats. You'll get the worst they can serve you. And they reheat old chicken using a microwave to because I've had some chicken be so hot it's got that microwave nuclear temp. Staff are hit or miss. Some are just kids working. The manager is awful tho, just ur average desert hot springs fentanyl girl. Stay away, drive to Monterey ave. It's worth it read more

Review during Covid 19 "shelter-in-place": Placed our order online through PostMates and were advised of a 30-50 minute delivery time. Our order arrived in just under 30 minutes, touch-free delivery, with a sealed outer bag. We ordered a 12-piece Family Meal, including 3 large sides (mashed potato & gravy, corn, and mac-n-cheese), 6 tortillas, chips & salsa. The food was hot and tasty (chicken cooked well, chips light and crispy, sides very good) and a good value for the convenience of home delivery. read more

El Pollo Loco - 12-piece Family Meal, incld 3 lg sides (mashed potato & gravy, corn, and mac-n-cheese), 6 tortillas, chips & salsa. - Mexican Near Me - Cathedral City, California

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Asked for chicken shrimp bowl only Got shrimp and the shrimp did not taste right sadly to say we will not be goin to this el polo loco again they need new management read more

I love the chicken, but $17 for a single 4-piece chicken meal is ridiculous. Very small chicken pieces as well. The pricing of this fast food has gotten out of control! Even at lunchtime there were 3 customers - I wonder why? The value just isn't there at this place. read more

Do Not Go To This Location! Attached is a picture of the first order i received. completely wrong (I asked for wings and thighs) upon receipt of my order I got rushed from the drive through, when I checked the food it was old cold. I waited 20 mins to go back around and received much of the same plus incredible rudeness and attacking behavior from the employees. Do not go to this location, one of the worst experiences I have ever had at a fast food restraunt read more

El Pollo Loco - Old chicken - Mexican Near Me - Cathedral City, California

As a small business owner who's constantly working, this el pollo loco has been a real blessing for the past few years. I know practically the entire staff at this point who's always been professional and welcoming. Ive dedicated myself to a healthy lifestyle, but am unable to cook for myself often due to my working hours. El pollo loco is THE solution for this problem. Economic, healthy, yet always delicious. Now I've been to many different el pollo locations over the years, so let me assure you: this one simply does it better. For the past two 1/2 years, the staff at 67740 have delivered on every order, every time. The chicken is always perfect (I always get the 8 pc chicken for myself if you can believe that), the wait times are low even in a rush, and the staff always remembers me practically by the sound of my voice when I order. If you're ever short on time and need a cost effective, nutrient packed meal that doesn't compromise on quality, then 67740 cannot be beat. read more

Restaurant dirty! Food was awful! The chicken was super dry. Very disappointed! We threw our tacos away.

A few years ago, this place was so good that my cardiovascular surgeon recommended it. It's been going downhill and today it brought to life a book by Upton Sinclair called the "Muckrakers" that I read years ago when I was in high school. For a whopping $36 and change, I got two wilted green salads that looked, smelled and tasted like something from he garbage and had to be discarded. The dried chicken appeared to be partially uncooked. They were cold and the beans were mashed into the plastic bowl with a mushy brown avocado I had to scrape out. the attendant at the window told me that everything was in the bag. It wasn't. The only thing I got were two watered down salad dressings that tasted rancid and had to be thrown out. Customer Service was non existent. While the atmosphere in the drive up was the same and the beverages were passable, I can't imagine I will ever return to another El Polo Loco. I would have to be loco to do that! The only thing good was that it speeded up my diet, but at a high price. There is nothing "Yummy" about the food from this place. It was a total waste of money. The food was old... like it came right out of the 19th century before the 1906 Pure Food and Drug Act went into effect. read more

I can see why this place only earned 2 stars! Tonight the manager "Ray" with tye-dyed colored dreds in a bun refused service to us in the drive thru. All because of THEIR faulty intercom system placing orders. The kind gentleman taking the order could not hear my elderly aunt ordering from the passenger seat. She was yelling across me at the wheel and still he couldn't hear so I started repeating what she was saying from the driver's seat. Suddenly Ray began berating me for being 'rude' to his employees. I corrected him saying I was not being rude (he would certainly KNOW if I intended to be rude) that I was loudly repeating what she was saying due to the restaurant's poor speaker system. We pulled around to the pickup window and Ray was there continuing his rant that I was rude. I corrected him twice explaining what was the truth despite his perception of what was happening . He then handed back our payment saying he was denying service, I drove away. Ray was obviously having a bad bad day and they absolutely need to update/ repair their speaker system . I was NOT in any way rude. Three of us heard and saw was I was doing and Ray's reply was "three of us heard how rude you were." Their loss for a $6 sale. Here's to a new manager needed at the restaurant. read more

The food: let's just say , don't order that thing other than chicken... that Birria box is something they shouldn't be servicing. Gross, greasy, and the consommé they give you with it taste nothing like a Birria Broth. The gentleman that helped at the counter was very sweet and helpful, but the rest of the time I was there several of the staff members were going on and on about random personal stuff loudly, if there is time to chat... there is time to clean the tables and clear the overflowing trash cans. read more

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15 minutes wait time standing waiting for an eat in order is NOT reasonable. On top of that when delivered it was practically thrown at me because I complained that those with a higher number had already been served. Recommend avoiding! read more

DO NOT EAT THE FOOD. DO NOT TRY TO REACH CORPORATE. THEY DO NOT ALLOW AND WONT TAKE YOUR CALL . HERE IS T/Number TO CEO LARRY ROBERTS 714-599-5000. I have a family member in this industry who gave me Larry Roberts direct line. Select dial by name in the Auto Attendant. Type in in Rob. It will give you 3 choices, 55033 is one. Wait for Larry Roberts voice mail and leave him a message and ask him to call you please. That is what I did.. Chicken shit Roberts sicked his lawyer Stephanie Espinosa on me . MY ORDER WAS WRONG and the CHICKEN WAS RANCID. EARLY IN THE DAY I ordered wings and thighs for $8 and was given legs. Overcharged $6.00 no refund. Their overcharging is going to be a Class Action Lawsuit, based on the social media this occurs daily, read down all the complaints below. I had to return the wrong order waiting back in the line losing one hour from my work. The so called Manager who I cannot spell her name, Miss Corteez , Red hair, Glasses... told me off in the drive and again at the window... and gave me another wrong order to replace the first wrong order. The second order was burned, rubbery, slimy and smelled. I took videos and washed it off and called the Health Department. They told me to freeze it. I have to take it to RC Health Dept, by appointment due to Covid. I also have more videos . I sent the video proof in email to their lawyer . She wrote me back and is fishing. Being I have read hundreds of complaints for the same location, same rotten food, overcharging ,wrong orders and nasty verbal abuse by the employee's I am on a mission. Bad enough we wear masks to prevent Covid, people are dying around the World, and we trust a drive through famous name El Pollo for fresh food and then possibly get food poisoning. SHOWTIME.. read more

El Pollo Loco - Burned OLD Cold Rubbery smelled and NO WINGS ...and no I am sorry and overcharged double and no refund.. - Mexican Near Me - Cathedral City, California

When your order is right and everyone is friendly that's always a good thing for me. Ordered chick nachos and they were well made, hot and tasty! read more

El Pollo Loco - Chicken Nachos - Mexican Near Me - Cathedral City, California

D*mb sh**ts never put the chips in the bag!! & there's bones in the chicken bowl inflation as* prices read more

The front counter lady named Grace had excellent customer service. She assisted with the kiosk, was super friendly, and had exceptional attentiveness. My double chicken tostada salad was yummy!!! My fav is the cilantro dressing! read more

It was NOT clean. There were napkins and food all over the floors. It was like a whirlwind came in just before I arrived.

This place has consistently poor service and is disorganized. I thought I would give it another try. I waited over 25 minutes for one taco. I won't be back. read more

Instead of feeding us, I think they need to feed the chickens! I was expecting 4 pieces to last a meal and a half...but this was more like an appetizer. read more

El Pollo Loco - 4 piece chicken meal. - Mexican Near Me - Cathedral City, California

I ordered a Double chicken bowl. It was terrible, the pinto beans were cold, barely any cabbage. It honestly looked like and tasted like leftovers from the fridge. You all should be ashamed to put this out there. read more

The new self order kiosk made today my last visit. Very slow ordering system especially with only one kiosk working. I ordered the breast and wing meal. The wing was the size of a pigeons wing. Very shallow tray for the sides. I believe I got about 2 TBS of beans. Today was my last time at these establishments. Corporate greed comes to mind. read more

I can't tell you how many times I've visited this location and have had issues with employees, food, and quality control. 4/5 orders are always wrong, overpriced, or over cooked. I have to check my entire order in the drive through and that is so incredibly frustrating. I'll ask for 4 salsas and get 2, the wrong size of an order, forgotten sides, chicken, plates, you name it. Attn management, get it together. When done right, I absolutely love your establishment, but tired of the lack of quality control. Most people don't like confrontation, myself included, but enough is enough. Get it together people. read more

El Pollo Loco - This is how my chicken thigh was given to me. Overcooked and missing parts? So sad. - Mexican Near Me - Cathedral City, California

I ordered chicken breast and they gave me the tiniest piece of chicken. They must be doing Shrinkflation at el pollo loco read more

El Pollo Loco - Mexican Near Me - Cathedral City, California

I bought the cheapest Classic Tostada, no rice for $11.19 plus tax. Give me a break! It had about 10 cubes of chicken on top of it, about 10 whole beans at the bottom of it, I had to dig for the beans and there was a smear, I tell you. A SMEAR of beans on the bottom. The rest was iceberg lettuce and a dollop of the pico de gallon. Listen, chickens come from CA, so no tariffs, and beans grow in the U.S.A., so no tariffs. I paid $11.19 for a tortilla bowl of iceberg lettuce. The menu at the drive up said "3 tacos al carbon" for $5.99 but when I get my receipt it said $8.97 for the three. The kid at the window says, oh, it's $5.99 if you get the combo which means you get a drink. You're gonna give me a drink and knock $3.00 of the price. Is this some kind of Enron creative accounting? See ya Pollo Loco. Never again will I go thru your drive thru. Sounds like DOGE has been thru Pollo Loco and took your chickens and beans. read more

great experience! service and environment were very friendly and helpful. the food was good too. one of the best el pollos i've been too. read more

This is the worst fast food restaurant in the entire Coachella Valley and I'm surprised it's still in business. Every time I go there, the order is wrong or there is a problem. I'm done going here though. I ordered 2 tostada salads recently, and when I looked in the bag, there was no salad dressing like there normally is. I asked the worker, "Did you put the dressing in the bag, because I don't see it." He said, "We're out." I said, "You don't have the dressing that goes with the salad?" Again, he said no. So I said, "Well you really should've told me there was no dressing when I placed the order because I would've just left." Then, very rudely, he said, "Hold on," and walked away. He came back and literally THREW in my bag 2 very small dressings, one of which didn't have the top on, so it basically exploded inside the bag all over. What the &%$#? I'm not going back. Please avoid this place, and I totally understand why it's so poorly rated on Yelp. It's an awful restaurant. read more

Wonderful experiences here and plenty more to come. I've been coming here for years and am always greeted with a warm smile and friendly spirits! Their chicken is always juicy especially the leg and things. Cozzette, has always been super kind when taking my orders, Devin is always making sure we have everything we need and everyone else is also great! They have Mexican music in the lobby. El pollo loco should be proud of this business! read more

It is currently 9:30pm, my husband and I go through the drive through and all we hear once we approach the speaker is " WE ARE CLOSED " . When it is advertised it's closes at 10p. We pull out and see that there is a car behind us pulling in. They proceed to turn if their lights, park at the window, and sit there to chit chat with the drive through employee. Maybe I'm wrong and the location closes at 9pm, but that should be updated to display that. read more

What can I say but HORRIBLE service.....or lack of. They open at 10am*we arrive at 10:30* Dude at the counter is looking at us like he's confused. As I go to order I was told by him that it would be a minute. I wait.....several minutes until someone from the back comes out and tells the guy to take our order. He proceeds in the slowest manner to open up his till. He kept going back and forth from getting the keys to open the till to counting the money in the till. Once again someone from the back came to tell him to step it up. That's when I said forget it.....we are going somewhere else. We left. Bad way to do business guys. read more

Gross. I ordered 2 sodas and when I got home I saw there were dead ants in the lids crevices. A real turn off. I called and spoke with Jason who said he would check into it. But from the way he was sounding I doubt he would even look into it. Regardless to say i tossed the sodas. Makes me wonder what other dead pest may be in the food. read more

Double Chicken Avocado Salad. No avocado after o asked the girl if there was any. She said "uh I think so." I had to come back and ask. It says double chicken but had hardly any chicken and was shredded up. Most of this was lettuce and hardly any beans or rice. The creamy cilantro dressing was so watery and runny. Used to be great service but the girl has an attitude and is rude. She spoke to other people nicely though. Not me. The wait in line was long. The food came out fast (I used drive thru) but you can tell there was no care put into the food. I use to love coming here but they food quality and Custer service has deteriorated. read more

El Pollo Loco - Double Chicken avocado salad. Hardly any chicken. No avocado. Mostly lettuce. - Mexican Near Me - Cathedral City, California