El Pollo Loco

3.6 (89 reviews)

ModerateMexican, Fast Food, Chicken Shop

Closed • 9:30 am - 11:00 pm

Updated a few days ago

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El Pollo Loco - Mexican Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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El Pollo Loco Catering

Build Your Own Bowls & Salads—now catering from El Pollo Loco. Order now.

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Moderate noise

Dogs allowed

Good for groups

Outdoor seating

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This half filled cup is expected to be shared by multiple people

Marlene T.

Food is consistent as far as quality goes. But the service is bumby. Recently I ordered an 8 pc meal for 3 people. This was $33. A bit pricey but the real kicker is when it comes to salsa. First off there used to be salsa bars for customers to get their own. But now that they don't they act very stingy about it. The salsa comes in small medicine cups, and when you ask for an amount of 9 salsas (because the cups are so small and multiple people are eating this meal) all of a sudden we have issues. They wanted to charge me for a large cup but like I said how is it fair when I just spent over $30 to charge me more. Wish you all could back to the way of before when the salsa bar existed and customers could get their own stuff. Another example of businesses being greedy for money and act cheap in return with the customers.

Mateo E.

Too Long; Did not Read El Pollo Promedio Nothing crazy here We decided to make the trek over to the latest SoCal staple to open in the Front Range. Their online ordering offers set pickup times, so we gave ourselves about 30 minutes. I walked in at 6:27 and took in the room. The massive array of chickens laid out cooking behind the counter blew my mind. The dining room was clean and our food was ready at exactly 6:30, as ordered. So far, so good. Now, on to the food. POZOLE was the clear winner tonight, offering a smidgeon of heat & plenty of chicken. It would be better with more pozole though. CHICKEN was marginal, mids. While the skin had some flavor, the white meat was dry and the leg in both our dinners was laughably Lilliputian (see photo below). Disappointing. MASHED POTATOES were instant SLAW was surprisingly tasty MAC & CHEESE has potential, but the cheese sauce lacks depth and thickness. CHURROS? We have no idea. They were ordered, but not in the bag. I'd hoped El Pollo Loco would level up above the average chain restaurant. Nope. Just look at that chicken leg... Generous three stars.

The best grilled chicken on the planet!!! The staff is very friendly every time I come in. I live over an hour away but if I'm ever in Denver I stop in EVERY time. I accidentally left my iPad here and thought it was gone for good but they found it and kept it safe. If you haven't had El Pollo Loco you are missing out!!! Get the grilled chicken you won't be sorry!! Again great staff would give 10 stars if I could!!!

Christian B.

I came here for lunch one day and everything went good. There was a little language barrier, but luckily employee at the front counter was able to understand my limited and broken Spanglish. The food was fresh and tasty and quickly prepared. It was interesting to see a grill that was the length of the whole kitchen filled full of chicken. Ill come back here when im craving one of their bowl lunches.

Michele S.

We have usually loved the chicken from El Pollo Loco. Our latest order from Doordash was substandard. The chicken was WAY over cooked and hard!! Not enjoyable at all. It was an early order and not late at night, so....what's up with that??

Christina S.

It pains me to write this review as a socal girl I grew up eating El Pollo Loco but this new location definitely has some growing pains. I ordered delivery as well I have a new baby and wasn't about to drive like an hour round trip with an infant that hates the car and what I got was lackluster to say the least. I ordered two meals to meet a minimum for a discount as anyone that has eaten El pollo loco knows it makes for great leftovers and there was a bit of a struggle in what was received. Each meal was supposed to come with its own bag of chips. There was one bag with a total of 6 chips in there lol (see photo for details) honestly I could care less about the chips but after the salsa debacle I feel like it should be mentioned. So for two 4 piece chicken meals and 6 chips* guess how many salsas came with the order....3...THREE tiny little salsas. What???? That is like an appropriate amount for literally only the 6 chips. Any El Pollo Loco pro knows that the salsa is literally what makes your meal from there any good. Eating El Pollo Loco without salsa is eating cereal without milk??? You just don't do it. And it wasn't for lack of trying. I requested 10 regular salsas and like 6 green salsas because I honestly feel like that is a totally appropriate amount to request for two 4 piece meals and literally got 0 Green and 3 regular. Just a damn shame. I am honestly hesitant to go back here which makes me incredibly sad as this was like THE main thing I was craving while pregnant. Like I really love El Pollo Loco, it reminds me of my childhood and is fairly healthy all things considered but there's just no point with the measly amount of salsa they give you. Maybe if I'm in the area I will stop in and ensure I get the proper amounts but no way would I ever order delivery from them again. Anyways there you have it. My Karen rant, but I think any Californian that knows el pollo Loco knows it's warranted. Sigh

16pc, classic tostada salad, double chicken bowl, sides & their yummy salsas with fresh serranos.

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Grisel N.

2 years ago

Food is great! Usually ready in minutes. Very clean place and staff is very friendly.

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Olivia R.

Thank you for your review, Grisel. We will share this with the store…

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Paola D.

3 years ago

I love pollo loco! They're chicken is so tasty and juicy and their green salsa is the perfect pairing.

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Olivia R.

We appreciate you, Paola. Thank you for your continued support!

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Silas M.

2 years ago

We come here all the time. Tonight we came to the window and meet Chris. He has a infectious personality and was so friendly. The chicken is crispy and delicious. 10 out 10 would come again. read more

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Olivia R.

We're so happy to hear you had a good experience at El Pollo Loco,…

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Arturo V.

3 years ago

The employees work hard and are very nice, I bought a whole chicken and it was pretty bland no flavor also the chicken pieces were so little. So if I was you I will spend my money somewhere else. The building it's nice since it's new. Regards read more

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Olivia R.

Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. At El Pollo Loco,…

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Coryn V.

2 years ago

Best chicken in the entire state of Colorado! Staff is great! Restaurant is always clean.

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Olivia R.

Thank you for your review, Coryn. We will share this with the store…

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Jane C.

3 years ago

Delicious chicken cooked fresh. Service is friendly and the restaurant is kept very clean. This is healthy, healthy chicken, and a spot for every keto or carnivore eater. Just order chicken only. Eight pieces for a fantastic price. If you're a card love her, you can't beat the sides. read more

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Olivia R.

Thank you so much for this great 5 star review. We really appreciate…

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Debbie M.

3 years ago

Don't bother. This location is franchised, it's gone downhill. Now I understand why there was a long line of cars at the mexican drive-thru next door; yet I was the only customer at El Pollo Loco. LA transplant, used to love El Pollo Loco. No mas. Pros Flour tortillas, cole slaw, mac-n-cheese were good Cons - Chicken breast - tiny, dried out, looked like roadkill - Avocado salsa - bad, not the same recipe - Cleanliness - leaky trash, employees placed a yellow cone near leak, made no attempt to clean up - No condiment bar read more

El Pollo Loco - Chicken breast - tiny, dry, looked like roadkill - Mexican Near Me - Denver, Colorado

El Pollo Loco - Liquid leaking from trash cans. No one attempted to clean it while I was there...and there was only one other customer. - Mexican Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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Roger K.

2 years ago

California native here and soooooo excited to have found these guys close by - same great chicken!

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Olivia R.

Thanks so much for the kind words, Roger! We hope to see you back…

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Antonia S.

3 years ago

I'll have to give this place a second try. First visit was underwhelming. Got there at opening time. Chicken was dry and tasteless (skin had some seasoning, though) as was the beans. I frequented EPL in LA during the 90's when I lived there and it was delicious! Went to one in Las Vegas area more recently and it was good. When I heard one was opening here I was excited. I was definitely disappointed m, but will return to see if my first opinion holds true. I hope so. If not, there's a couple of other spots with this tule chicken I'll go back to. read more

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Nadia F.

2 years ago

Food is delicious. Customer service is great. We were greeted as soon as we arrived to the register to order. Clean restaurant. All employees are friendly and knowledgeable. read more

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Olivia R.

Thank you so much for your 5 star review, Nadia! We will share this…

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Jose F.

2 years ago

Everything is great at this place, great food, awesome service, and the best, employees really care about delivering and outstanding experience. read more

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Olivia R.

We're so happy to hear you had a good experience at El Pollo Loco,…

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Mike M.

3 years ago

One of my Hispanic friends from California brought me here so IK could try out 1 of his favorites. The chicken meal was delicious! He showed me how he eats it by just tearing off a piece of tortilla and then using it to tear off a piece of chicken and the delicious crispy skin. He also poured a few of the salsas over the beans and rice and mixed them together to dip the tortilla and chicken in. Absolutely fantastic! I will be back soon El Pollo Loco! read more

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Olivia R.

We're so happy to hear you had a good experience at El Pollo Loco,…

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Joshua K.

166

3 years ago

Worst experience ever. Food was bland. Manager ripped a drink out of my hand that a employee gave and said I had not paid for it after I literally just paid almost $50 for dinner. read more

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Leslie S.

3 years ago

I begged El Pollo Loco to come to Colorado and I was not disappointed that they did. The chicken was perfectly cooked. The accompanying tortillas were warm and tasty. I love the Mac 'n' Cheese. I would recommend salsa's which were not offered. (I was not in the store so I don't know if the salsa bar was there.) The sides of shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes and avocado crema were the perfect topping for the chicken tacos I made. I hope they bring back the salsa bar I found in the California store. They were all good, with fire levels ranging from mild to blisteringly hot. Don't miss out on this delicious, citrus marinated grilled chicken restaurant. It was worth the 32 minute drive from Lakewood to the Peoria/1-70 store. read more

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Steve M.

4 years ago

Same quality now in the 303! Outstanding menu and reasonable prices. Fresh and delicious. This will save me lots of trips to California!

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K W.

146

4 years ago

Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas to us-we have our own Pollo Loco in Denver!!! woohoo! I drove all the way from Parker and I would do it again tomorrow-so good! Sweet gal at the window and food was perfection! read more

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Victor S.

4 years ago

Love this place I'm not a huge chicken fan but this chicken is done right good amount of seasoning and grilled.It's very tasty and healthier than KFC,Popeyes etc.Their sides are good as well I had corn and Mac and cheese very tasty,plus you get a couple of tortillas and pico or other salsas.Highly recommend read more

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Cynthia G.

4 years ago

New location to the state if you want to wait for over an hour to be told after you ordered that there out of chicken and the wait is an hour then this is your place if you want employees to be rude and apologetic then this is your place horrible service. read more

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Sam S.

4 years ago

It literally JUST opened, hasn't even been open a week, yet you have people on here b*tching already. Typical Denver bs! On the other hand, glad we have an El Pollo Loco, and the food is great! read more

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Ana C.

3 years ago

The chicken was dry. The rice and beans has no flavor. I would not recommend. The staff was nice.

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Olivia R.

Thank you for taking the time to give us a review. We sincerely…

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Ron L.

2 years ago

We ordered from the restaurant for the first time today. We had received coupons in the mail previously and kept forgetting to check them out. The newest mailer finally inspired us to try them. We ordered the "4-piece meal to share". We ordered the dark meat option which comes with 2 sides, 2 salads and 2 churros. The chicken was stupendous and would easily earn a 5 star review. Absolutely cooked perfectly. So crispy on the outside and moist (not soggy) and tender on the inside. The churros were also excellent: "cinnamony" and not too sweet. The other sides (Mac n' cheese and mashed potatoes) and the salads were just standard, cafeteria-like dishes. Nothing wrong; just not anything to write home about. The door-dash delivery was right on time; we can't comment on the ambiance of the restaurant. Will try other sides in the future (not necessarily expecting them to be more than okay) but cannot wait to enjoy the excellent chicken again. read more

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Olivia R.

We are grateful that you took the time out to leave us a review. Your…

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Andrew H.

4 years ago

HELL YEAH!!! Welcome to CO El Pollo Loco! I'm am so happy that they opened a location here. This was one of my go-to spots when I was stationed in San Diego. The taste is the same and the service was quick and efficient. I'll definitely be a regular here. read more

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Free B.

518

475

3 years ago

This is one of my favorite places in Mexico. But because of regulations by the US government, they overcooked their chickens. However, it's still a great option. read more

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Olivia R.

We are grateful that you took the time out to leave us a review. Your…

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David M.

3 years ago

I order family fest for to go and im pretty disappointed , th chicken was dry and look old , th rice is from instant pot , they forgot to add salsa to my order the smashed potatoes taste like a artificial flavor , i never come back. DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY. read more

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Dave S.

119

2 years ago

Very poor service. The chicken is just grilled chicken, no marinade, no seasoning just bland chicken. The corn also was just reheated frozen con, a scant pimentos and again NO seasoning. Very boring food. Didn't get the side salad or salsa until I was half thru my meal since they ran out and had to make more. This was at 12:30, having managed fast food this was poor management. It seems it can't decide between Mexican and KFC and chose a weak middle. Won't be returning. read more

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Olivia R.

We want to make this right. Please contact us at…

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Sean D.

3 years ago

We enjoyed the atmosphere love the food, service was great drink specials had the try thr house margaritas!!!

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Shelly G.

2 years ago

I used to love el pollo loco... great chicken - good service... hubs always stops for take out on his way home... well the last few times now, the Chicken is horribly dried up... hardly any meat on the bones... I get about 1 1/2 tacos out of 3 pcs of chicken. A few times the orders are wrong... I'm guessing cuz of language barrier. so now I order online hoping workers can read. This time the soda machine must not have been working cuz I got just a "water" as lemonade. (didn't know till Hubs got home) Sad cuz everything was good a while ago... something has happened :( read more

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Olivia R.

Thank you for taking the time to give us a review. We sincerely…

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Cal P.

257

3 years ago

Being from California and have lived in Colorado for 20 years. My family and I were very excited to see that El Pollo Loco restaurant finally opened up in Denver. We drove 1.5 hours from Northern Colorado to checkout the new El Pollo Loco in Denver for Dinner. As soon as we walked in and stood in line for just a few min, the staff who took our order was not friendly at all. She didn't greet us or thanked us after I placed the order. Ok, whatever. We all sat in the dining room area to wait for our food. After just 7-8 minutes, another staff was calling out the ticket number in Spanish. We don't speak Spanish so we were unsure if she was calling out my ticket number. I noticed no other customers were going up to the pickup counter so I decided to walk up to the counter and asked the staff what number she is calling. Again, she spoke Spanish to me. I told her i don't understand. She finally told me the number in English. Sure enough, it was my order. Wow! The good news is, all the food items we ordered were hot and fresh and delicious. 5 star for the food but 1 star for customer service. read more

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Jenn B.

2 years ago

Terrible customer service. The chicken is dry and over cooked. Orders are not complete and I felt cheated on. After buying a family dinner of 12 pieces, and the staff repeatedly asking me how many pieces I wanted, I got home with less pieces of chicken. The food wasn't good either. No stars from me. They are cheating on the orders even though one has paid $56 for a family order. read more

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Olivia R.

Thank you for taking the time to give us a review. We sincerely…

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Todd B.

167

3 years ago

I am working in Denver this week and I have in the past always been getting a salad from El Polo Loco. Tonight was such a letdown, so much that I highly doubt I will be back again. I went through the drive through and ordered a double chicken avocado salad. Not just only the salad lettuce was wet, I drained around 1/4 cup of liquid from the bottom. In addition, I did not get anything to eat it with. No fork, knife, nothing. I ended up picking out the chicken from the salad. Very disappointed for sure read more

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Olivia R.

We're so sorry. Please message us at…

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Hugo G.

3 years ago

Restaurant was nice and clean! Food was cooked to perfection with no issues whatsoever. Will be making this my usual spot for lunch from now on. read more

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Olivia R.

We're so happy to hear you had a good experience at El Pollo Loco,…

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Bryan D.

2 years ago

First off Joanna was very disrespectful yelled at my face over salsa yea I'm Never coming back train your mployws to be respectful

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Olivia R.

Thank you for taking the time to give us a review. We sincerely…

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Kevin C.

3 years ago

Fresh grilled chicken with great spicy marinade. This is simply great chicken without all the deep-fried breading you find at other places. Lots of side orders to choose from with your meal, tortillas, and salads as well. A great fast-food meal that's healthy and tasty! Welcome to Colorado El Pollo Loco!! read more

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Olivia R.

Thank you so much for this great 5 star review, Kevin. We really…

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Pablo R.

3 years ago

Staff was great and friendly. The chicken was so dry it crumbled. Beans and rice were okay. Definitely not going back.

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Olivia R.

Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. At El Pollo Loco,…

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Aisha T.

3 years ago

I love this place for a fast order of Mexican food! Love it!!!! Service is fast and so is the food when I order I am usually in a hurry so this is a great spot to come for lunch or even on the go in the morning! Great way to start the day! Love it! read more

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Susanne N.

3 years ago

Service was great and ordering online was super easy. This was my very first time eating at El Pollo Loco. We ordered a 12 family meal. The chicken was flavorful, but the pieces were tiny. An added piece or two of chicken would be nice when the bird(s) is that small. The mac-n-cheese is mediocre, the rice and tortillas are good and the slaw was great. We might go back if in the area, but not worth the drive. read more

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Olivia R.

We are grateful that you took the time out to leave us a review. Your…

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Gerardo A.

3 years ago

Havent had el pollo loco since i went to california quite a few years back it was Good then and def this this time as well we got the family platter nice big portions & good service read more

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Olivia R.

We're so happy to hear you had a good experience at El Pollo Loco,…

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Junior Z.

3 years ago

So I came recently to pollo loco with my two sisters and we'll the food was great there was minimum issues and we got in a decent time frame around 5 minutes after we ordered despite there being a large amount of people inside the restaurant read more

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Olivia R.

We're so happy to hear you had a good experience at El Pollo Loco,…

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Bill L.

3 years ago

This is worth it the flavor is very good and the potions is good. I will be back. They also have breakfast burritos.

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Olivia R.

We're so happy to hear you had a good experience at El Pollo Loco,…

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Lexi L.

3 years ago

Delicious food and great kind service from Jair! After an awful travel day we needed delicious food, the drive-thru was easy and painless all thanks to Jair!!! Can't wait to come back again and again, we LOVE El Pollo Loco and this experience just confirmed our opinion:) read more

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Olivia R.

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4698 Peoria St
Denver, CO 80239
Northeast
Directions
(303) 997-9366
Call Now
Order Delivery
Start Order
Visit Website
https://www.elpolloloco.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does El Pollo Loco open?

El Pollo Loco opens at 9:30 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does El Pollo Loco close?

El Pollo Loco closes at 11:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Sun 9:30 AM - 11:00 PM

Payment methods

Does El Pollo Loco take credit cards?

Yes, El Pollo Loco takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does El Pollo Loco have catering options?

Yes, El Pollo Loco does have catering options.

Does El Pollo Loco have a drive thru?

Yes, El Pollo Loco has a drive thru.

Does El Pollo Loco serve alcohol?

No, El Pollo Loco does not serve alcohol.

Indoor Amenities

Does El Pollo Loco allow dogs?

Yes, El Pollo Loco allows dogs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does El Pollo Loco have outdoor seating?

Yes, El Pollo Loco has outdoor seating options.

Does El Pollo Loco have parking?

Yes, El Pollo Loco has parking options. Private Lot Parking, Validated Parking

Other Amenities

Does El Pollo Loco have free WiFi?

Yes, El Pollo Loco has free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

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 Denver, CO, we believe that when real food meets real fire the result is great taste that will keep you coming back again and again.

History

Established in 1980.

In 1980, the very first American El Pollo Loco opened on Alvarado Street in Los Angeles where El Pollo Loco quickly became a local favorite. Now with more than 480 company-owned and franchised restaurants in Arizona, California, Louisiana, Nevada, Texas and Utah, El Pollo Loco is expanding its presence in key markets through a combination of company and existing and new franchisee development. Visit us on our website!

El Pollo Loco Reviews in Other Languages

Spanish
2 Reviews

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Savina's

Savina's was a great choice while we were in town for a convention. We made reservations ahead of…read moretime, and it came highly recommended by a local friend--which always feels like a good sign. It's a solid Mexican spot with a lively atmosphere. The place was very busy, and the bar was packed, so it took a little while to get our drinks--but once we did, it was worth the wait. We ordered margaritas, and they were delicious and clearly made with fresh ingredients. I had the jalapeño margarita, and it definitely had a kick--in a good way. Just a heads-up for anyone who isn't great with spice. The food overall was good, and our waiter was super friendly, attentive, and helpful despite how busy it was. I'd absolutely dine here again the next time I'm in the area.

Savina's was great spot to check out in the downtown Denver area. The upscale vibes make this the…read moreperfect spot to grab dinner or margaritas with a group. The food was amazing as my wife and I got the fajitas to split. The warm handmade tortillas were delicious! The fajitas came with a spicy verde sauce that we couldn't get over. The restaurant overall was clean, inviting, but a little loud. I'm not too old so it didn't bother me, but just a note. Service was amazing and had no complaints there.

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(280 reviews)

8.9 mi

Ever since moving to Denver, Alma Fonda Fina has been at the top of my restaurant bucket list. I…read morefinally managed to get a reservation (booked exactly 60 days in advance when they opened), and it was absolutely worth the wait. Having that much time before our reservation also meant I got to thoroughly research the menu, which definitely paid off. The restaurant itself is beautiful. It's small, intimate, and has a modern aesthetic. There isn't a ton of seating, but that's part of the charm. There's patio seating along the railing outside, bar seating where you can watch the chefs work their magic in the open kitchen, and just a handful of tables inside. Parking is street parking in the surrounding neighborhood, and from what it looked like, most of it is paid. It was just me and a friend, and we shared four dishes, which ended up being the perfect amount of food. We started with the Callo de Hacha al Horno, and these were hands down the best scallops I've ever had. The presentation alone was gorgeous, with the scallops served in their shell, but the flavor completely stole the show. I'm a huge seafood fan, and this dish absolutely delivered. My friend isn't even much of a seafood person, and it was his first time trying scallops and he loved them too. I joked that he may have ruined scallops for himself because it's hard to imagine finding a better version. Next, we each ordered a Taco Campechano, and wow. This was either the best or second-best taco I've ever had. The taco features two different meats with a green salsa on one half and a red salsa on the other, making every bite a little different. Both sides were fantastic, but the green salsa was next level. At around $11, this feels like one of the best values on the menu and is an absolute must-order. Our third dish was the Birria de Borrego, and it was incredible. The lamb shank was so tender that the bone slid right out with almost no effort. It comes with beans, salsa, and house-made blue corn tortillas so you can build your own tacos. Speaking of the tortillas--they deserve their own praise. They were phenomenal, and we honestly joked about asking for an order to take home. Our final dish was the Camote Asado, which I'd seen recommended all over the internet. Maybe I built it up too much in my head because it ended up being the only dish that didn't blow me away. Don't get me wrong, it was still very good. The sweet potato was perfectly cooked, and the fennel whipped requesón was delicious. My only heads-up for future diners is that some bites pack a surprising amount of heat, so if you're sensitive to spice, keep that in mind. I enjoy spicy food, but it's worth mentioning for those who don't! The service was excellent as well. They take your entire order at the beginning of the meal and then thoughtfully pace each course, which made the whole dining experience feel relaxed and intentional. One thing that really surprised me was the value. For a Michelin-starred restaurant, this was incredibly affordable. We ordered four courses between the two of us, and even after tip, our total was only around $120 (we didn't order cocktails). That's an exceptional value for the quality of food and overall experience! Overall, Alma Fonda Fina completely lived up to the hype. Between the incredible execution, creative flavors, intimate atmosphere, and surprisingly reasonable pricing, this has quickly become one of my all-time favorite restaurants. It's easy to see why reservations are so hard to get, and I'll absolutely be back. Next time, I'm hoping to grab a seat at the chef's counter to watch the team in action while working my way through even more of the menu.

2nd time and still my current #1 restaurant in denver. Food…read moreand service are both just fantastic. Took my parents this time for lunch. We shared 6 plates and we all loved it. The sweet potato still my favorite dish, but I hand to day the queso funfido from the happy hour menu was a close 2nd. If you go 2-5pm, I can't recommend this enough. You have to get it. Same as my 1st time going, I love this restaurant for their great dishes and flavor profiles. I absolutely feel like I'm paying for the food, and not any atmosphere or showsmenship, which for me is an important factor when recommending a restaurant. Only small detail, we got the ceviche as our 4th dish. Given that is sweet due to the coconut milk, I feel this should have been last as a kind-of desert-like dish. Either way, still an absolute gem and must in town

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Mexican clay mugs

Birria De Borrego

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Bar seating where we could enjoy seeing the chefs working hard to make our dishes

Taqueria La Familia

Smothered breakfast burrito with chorizo was so good! Fast and friendly service. Beautiful day to…read moresit outside. Inexpensive and so tasty. We would all come back.

While these tacos aren't the best tasting in Denver, they were still pretty good. I ordered Al…read morePastor which I give a 4/5 & the Chorizo a 5/5 on flavor & seasoning. Both were cooked perfectly & were tender. The portions and amount of meat in each one were quite a lot and the added quac dollop on top of each taco was a nice a surprise. The hot sauce was flavorful but nothing special. As for the ambience the Taqueria is very laid back with a small dining area. They have a nice patio and you can bring your dog. Staff was attentive & quickly serving despite being busy and the phone constantly ringing. Food wasn't instant but rather fast. You can see them cook the meat fresh on the grill. Overall I enjoyed my experience and loved the value. I will be back again to try the other options. Would give them a 4.5 out of 5.

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Pancho Poncho

4.6

(83 reviews)

8.1 mi

Great place to meet up with friends, bring out of towners or even take the edge off at the end of…read morethe day. Weekends (including Fridays) get busy so I would recommend reservations. Service is top notch and our Friday night here was met with explanations of menu items, drink recommendations and even food recommendations. Our waitress kept an eye on our table even when the happy hour and evening crew started filling the place. My ground beef enchiladas were really good but the leftovers really shined! The flavors set in nicely and reminded me of the wonderful time the previous night. I would certainly return!

Came in for happy hour. The patio is really nice to sit at when the weather is good but doesn't…read moreoffer too much shade in the afternoon so just be aware. They have a nice happy hour and we sampled just about 1 of each thing on the HH menu. The highlight was the loaded fries and the Elote while the worst item was the beef tostada which was just super basic and boring and I wouldn't order it ever again. Drinks were good and I enjoyed their happy hour deals on house margaritas, beer and shot on a good deal. Service was nice but a little slow on the patio. Overall would come back and try their other items and go for those fries again.

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Elote skillet

Shrimp tacos - the rice is super yummy too! Not a soggy after thought

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Dining room

Adelitas Cocina Y Cantina

A friend recommended this spot, and I'm so glad! We went on…read moretaco Tuesday and had no problem getting bar seating (or there were a few tables available) around 5pm but I noticed after 6pm people were waiting for seating. The food was delicious! We got $2 chips and salsa off the happy hour menu and the queso con soyrizo (not on HH menu) which was served with warm tortillas. Honestly we probably didn't need all that because the tacos were so good I could've just filled up on more of the tacos, but still was a great meal! I ordered the lengua, pastor, and taco special (breaded shrimp). They were all so good. Think taco quality of a good street taco spot but with the ambiance of a cute tex mex bar. The bartender was great and made a solid marg ($8 on happy hour). You get a great deal on taco Tuesday but I'm sure you'd get great service and quality any day of the week!

Good meal but a lot of work and hassle!…read more Very limited parking. Left side of the building are a few parking spots shared by several businesses. Good luck getting a spot. Then you are driving the neighborhood hoping to find a spot. Finally parked and walked to the restaurant. Host told me it would be 30 minutes but the actual wait was 50 minutes. Spend so much time parking and then waiting, at what point do you give up and leave empty handed? Restaurant is VERY LOUD. Finally got a table and ordered OFF MENU. Server agreed to substitute shrimp for my enchiladas and they were good! Fresh corn tortillas were the highlight. Ordered tres leches cake and enjoyed it too. Was a nice meal but just not worth all the hassle.

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Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant

The most delicious refried beans I have ever eaten!!!! I…read morenever eat refried beans because they are usually tasteless. These were so flavorful! I had the chile rellano both ways. Fried and regular. Both excellent!!! My husband had a wet burrito . He's Hispanic and he said very authentic! We will be back!!!

A little hot a little loud l, but the food was delicious…read more Salsa had a bit ok a kick. The menu was a little hard to read if you don't know any Spanish, but the waitress was happy to translate. More Mexican seafood options than anywhere around here.

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Carbon tacos plate

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Carnitas tacos plate

Ni Tuyo

An excellent spot! My favorite molcajetes and the service is always great! Highly recommend!read more

This is such a nice place to get drinks and dinner with friends. The vibe is warm and cozy…read more There is a small parking lot next to the restaurant but it can fill up but there is a good amount of street parking in the area. Happy hour is from 4-6 every day and the deals are great. The quesabirria and the camarones al aljillo were delicious. I have been here before for their molcajetes and those were excellent as well, and good for sharing. They do have a small covered patio area which is adjacent a busy street. Service is consistently good. One of my favorite places for a drink and a bite in the area!

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D'Corazon

Food was delicious and fast! Service was friendly and attentive! Restaurant is loud (not a…read morecomplaint).

Great Food and Service laid back,good Ambiance. Best…read moreEnchiladas, love there queso Cant wait to scatch up enough cash for another trip there

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Host desk

Grilled steak especial tacos

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Mango frozen Rita and House Rita.

Tamayo by Chef Richard Sandoval

Visited Tamayo with some coworkers when I was in town the interior decoration was very warm and…read moreinviting for groups of people. I ordered the beef fajitas the sizzling plate presentation smelled great. The salsa that paired with the dish was not as spicy as I liked. The meat was cooked to a good medium rare. The churros were a bit hard and doughy compared to other ones I have as before. Our server was friendly and helpful in explaining the menu and the available daily special.

Brunch has been done to death. I agree, and if I have to eat one more mass produced eggs Benedict I…read morewill lose my mind. But, low and behold there is this great brunch in Denver. It's full of mole enchiladas with egg, mahi ceviche and bottomless bloody Maria's... say less. Tamayo is has gone the test of time in Denver for a reason and they do not hold back and jump head first into the brunch pool. There is an al a cart option but I went full send and tasted almost the whole menu with my party. There are some things for the masses (taquitos) which I agree are good and hit the mark for people a little less food experiences, but there are risk that are worth the reward with the jack fruit tacos (pairs great with a margarita, also included with drinks). Jordan our server and Brien the manager were bringing the A game of service to the Sunday morning. Was I out of place in my pre-baseball game day jersey? Not at all. But I also would have fit in had I picked a sport coat instead. Pound for pound the best premium brunch I have had in a long long time. Grab a drink and get your brunch on!!!!

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Perdida - Mexican Kitchen

4.0

(412 reviews)

8.5 mi

Four of us went to Perdida Kitchen for an early Father's Day dinner and we were very glad we did!…read moreIt is on the very busy strip near Washington Park which we don't often frequent because it is indeed very busy. But this was Monday evening and we were seated immediately. Our server said that we had 5 minutes left for Happy Hours--thank you!!--so ordered Caliente Margaritas and appetizers. The nachos were delicious--and messy! The Margaritas were as well. I had a nonalcoholic Athletic Brewing Company Cerveza Atletica (Mexican style copper). There were several other NA cocktails and beers available as well. We were all very pleased with our entrees. They were all luscious. Two of us are vegetarian and there were plenty of choices. I had Crispy Avocado Tacos, which came with black beans, and a side of Street Corn--both great choices. My friend had quesadillas and Potato Flautas , which I tasted and almost wish I had ordered as well. Our carnivore gentleman partners were also very happy, with one of them choosing a sampler, "Perdida's 'Best Of' Plate." Perdida is a great new addition to the Wash Park area.

Stopped in for a quick drink before another event in the neighborhood. Cute decor abounds as you…read moreenter Perdida.We sat at the bar and were immediately greeted by the very nice bartender. We had arrived just in time for Happy Hour- Monday-Friday, 3-5pm . Perdida has a worthwhile Happy Hour as several main menu appetizers as well as cocktails are discounted. I selected the classic marg to sip on. It was a good, standard margarita for $6. We also had to try the mini chile rellenos. These were tasty and the dipping sauce paired well with the chilies and cheese. Perdida was good. I think I'll revisit to try some main dishes. The fajitas smelled amazing!

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Special of the day: Steak tacos - excellent!

Sam's No 3

As far as "diners" go, this place was the bomb! Amazing biscuits and gravy and breakfast over all!…read more I lived the pork chops! Good coffee! Great atmosphere and a HUGE menu. Glad we were here on a Thursday night- the line was hella long Saturday morning!

If you're looking for a true Denver diner experience, I highly recommend Sam's No 3. This place…read moreabsolutely lived up to the hype! A family oriented spot that is a must stop. What stood out most was the staff. Every interaction was warm, welcoming, and attentive, making us feel right at home from the moment we walked in. Great service can make a meal memorable, and they definitely delivered. The food was equally impressive. One visit, I had the smothered pork chops, which were flavorful, comforting, and cooked perfectly. The next time, I went for one of their massive burritos, and "huge" doesn't even begin to describe it. Packed with flavor and enough for more than one meal, it was everything you want from a classic diner experience. Their menu is known for oversized burritos and green chili favorites, and it definitely did not disappoint. Between the incredible staff, generous portions, and delicious comfort food, Sam's No. 3 has earned a spot on my list of must-visit Denver restaurants. I can't wait to come back and work my way through more of the menu!

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Above Check In Window

Signage on Front Door

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Door Next to Check In Window

Snooze, an A.M. Eatery

Locally sourced ingredients

Gluten-free friendly

Kind host, and warm atmosphere. Would go again if I'm in the area. Busy location, but the wait was…read morenot long

We stopped into Snooze during our Denver trip and absolutely loved it. The place is chic, the menu…read moreis fun, and the prices are surprisingly great for the area. We shared a pancake flight and the pork belly fried rice, and both dishes were outstanding. Service was friendly and on top of it, and the whole Union Station area is just beautiful, the perfect spot to enjoy a relaxed breakfast.

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El Five

Great service. Instagram-worthy, you get a great view, the decor is artistic, and the food has a…read morebeautiful presentation. Food is something to enjoy for its flavor, but it is not a place to get a big plate for your money; it's more of an experience for you and your date night. Recommended if you want know about food more a taste experience.

I'm mad. Not at them... at myself…read more I lived in Denver for over five years and just now made it to El Five, and now I understand why it's such a staple. The menu was recently refreshed and it shows. The mushroom paella was loaded and perfectly cooked, the burrata was a solid start, and the Turkish pizza with halloumi was a surprise standout. The poached cod was also great, especially the sauce. The drinks were just as strong. The L5 margarita with salt foam was really good, and even the frosé, which I usually skip, worked perfectly here. The vibe is a big part of it. The downtown views are hard to beat and the patio is easily one of the better ones in the city. Inside also feels intentional and well designed. Service was excellent. Avery was our server and it was her first day, which you wouldn't have guessed. Carl and Mark also made the experience feel smooth and welcoming. For dessert, the Lisbon chocolate cake and Turkish kunefe were both great. The Basque cheesecake and lobster salad also stood out and had those memorable bites that stick with you. Overall, a really strong experience and definitely a place worth making a reservation for.

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Dining Room

Turkish Kunefe

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Juniper Jones cocktail. Don't be a fool and pour in the tonic. Enjoy the infused flavors of the rosemary with the gin.

Tamayo by Chef Richard Sandoval

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Trattoria Stella

Reliable and welcoming, this place is delightful. Their airplane chicken is worth the wait, the…read morebread pudding dessert is almost sinful it's so good. Brunch is awesome, as well. Servers are helpful and knowledgeable about the menu.

Wasn't bad, just not as fresh or homemade tasting as we were hoping. Probably would try somewhere…read moreelse next time. Liked their outdoor seating though!

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Angelo’s Taverna

Easily Denver's best pizza and salads. I don't order the Italian food, but I suspect it's great…read more The restaurant is always busy and fun. I even used Angelo's for Christmas Eve party. My daughter loves vegan, I love the beach salad and everybody loves the meat pizza.

So perfect! Yummy for the tummy! I would put anything on the menu in my tummy. Tummy was full…read more Cocktails so yummy

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The Church of Pasta?

Happy hour oysters

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19 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Monica G.

3 years ago

As a person traveling to a convention in another state, I decided to grab a quick bite to eat at El Pollo Loco. Little did I know that this visit would turn out to be a memorable experience, thanks to the exceptional service provided by Maria Gomez. Upon entering the restaurant, I was immediately greeted by Maria with a warm smile and a friendly welcome. Her positive energy and enthusiasm were contagious, instantly making me feel at ease. She guided me to a clean and comfortable table, ensuring that I had everything I needed to enjoy my meal. Maria's knowledge of the menu was impressive. She patiently answered all my questions and provided insightful recommendations based on my preferences. Her genuine passion for the food at El Pollo Loco was evident, and it made me even more excited to try their dishes. read more

Darel K.

3 years ago

The Quality of food is great! the store is very clean I am from nevada and I have eaten el pollo loco in nevada and california and I can tell you that this store and their quality of chicken is absolutely perfect and so fresh and juicy all the employees are super friendly and greet everyone who comes in thank you guys so much I had a wonderful time. read more

Ivan R.

3 years ago

so glad that a el pollo loco decided to open up in denver. i couldn't wait for this day. the food was delicious the service was incredible. they are super nice and welcoming. definitely will be coming back over and over again just you wait. you should definitely open more locations. read more

Sarah R.

3 years ago

Omg El Pollo Loco finally opened up in Colorado. Since they opened I've been so many times and omg the weekends are absolutely scary but it's okay they do their best to make it work. they are fast and efficient. the food is very good. the chicken is great very juicy and delicious. read more

Maria M.

1 year ago

I am grateful to Iris who showed me the menu and was patient with me as it was the first time I went to the restaurant, everything was very good and super delicious, the atmosphere was very good The way I ask between the tables, is something very good, the service of 10 read more

Simon D.

2 years ago

Friday, January 26 lunchtime the manager of this place (Hispanic dude) scolded me because I didn't want lettuce on my chicken bowl I never encounter anyone so rude because I chose not to put something on my dish. He needs some anger management classes or something. read more

Eiglys S.

3 years ago

El pollo esta muy sabroso y de buena calidad, la tienda esta muy limpia y presentable y el servicio y la attencion de todos los empleados es muy buena se esfuerzan en su trabajo muchas gracias por esta bonita experiencia. read more

Mitzi S.

10 months ago

The Aurora Chamber had El Pollo Loco cater a luncheon meeting for 30+ people - and the food was delicious, and the service was outstanding. Highly recommend El Pollo Loco on Peoria St. Yum! read more

Juan R.

3 years ago

Muy buena calidad de comida, el lugar es muy limpio y la gente bien amable. Servicio esta muy bueno se esfuerzan mucho en sacan las ordenes y se mira que son muy buenos trabajadores. read more

Arely H.

3 years ago

Great Management very friendly employees and great customer service. Food was mouth watering for the first pollo loco in denver they are doing a wonderful job. read more

Johm H.

1 month ago

So much better than Chipotle or the other chains. Not as good as local places, but that goes without saying. I love the don't mess with tip-flation. read more

Josue G.

3 years ago

Great customer service, the food is incredibly tasty and it is very clean and organized and the staff is super friendly will 100% come again. read more