I would give this store a 5 star if it wasn't busy all the time. They need a line organizer for real, because people just do not know how to line up in a way that is respectful for others. The line goes to the door really quick because people line up in an unorganized fashion here ALL THE TIME. The people who are ordering stuff to go just kind of stand there and take up space in an inefficient manner that wastes space for new customers coming in. There are lots of families in this place, and if you don't like kids then this could bother you. I give this a 4 star purely because I love the food, and the price is pretty much fair. I never left here feeling hungry let's just say that. Plus the food is delicious, and I love avocado. The parking situation kind of sucks, because no matter what time of day I go this place is always crowded and busy, so it's hard to find spots sometimes, and people will fight you for spaces (not literally, but maybe if you cut them off knowing they were there first?). The drive through line always seems long, but it's not too bad? Expect a 20-30 minute wait to be finished with your drive through order? Not as long as In N Out lines. El Pollo Loco needs to bring back their flan pudding and some other desserts, but they do deserve respect for being one of the last stores that sell good old fashioned Churros. Jack in the Box is the only other place I know of to go to get Churros if you are craving them. Taco bell I wish you would bring back Churros, because your cinamon twists are trash tier desserts in my opinion. El Pollo Loco has great food, and the prices are fair, but if you aren't a smart shopper you will end up spending around $15-20 for just yourself. Drinks, sides, and everything you like is not sold with the entree usually. Most items hover at a false price of $6.XX but if you want to add a drink, or avocado, bump that up by like $1.50-$2.00 and add tax at the end, your $6.XX burrito now costs $8.XX, plus drink and side? $12~13-ish? read more

Didn't want to start the New Year with dirty dishes .So we decided to eat pollo-loco which was a real let down. The chicken tasted like some kind of kitchen or floor cleaner,AWFUL!!My pit bull didn't even want to eat it.The cilantro in the sauce was long & stringy,not fresh.Plus they always run out of mac&cheese.This is the 3rd time.But the first for strange tasting chicken?? read more

I work kind of close to this El Pollo Loco and I don't know...I guess I don't really like their food, and the crowd was scaring me. I tried the new carne asada crunch burrito or something. They wrapped it up in a way where the first 1/4 of my burrito was just sticky tortilla and tortilla strips. Way too dry and all of the meat and cheese was on the bottom. There were also a few disturbing people that I've run across. Like patrons who sit across from you and look like their eyes are boring into you while you eat. There are other places to look... As for characters, there was this crazy obese lady eating with this really well dressed younger man. She was wearing really inappropriately short/small clothing, one of which was a dingy washed out shirt that illustrated the different ways that one could choose to procreate. I was trying to decide if she was crazy, a working woman, or homeless. Um yeah, I don't like the chicken at all. The saving grace is the macaroni and cheese. The burrito I had was okay once I got to the bottom. Maybe one day when I feel a little more risky, I'll take a gander and try it again. read more

Good location, Drive thru open late for late night chicken runs. New corn side is good. Usually very busy inside, salsa bar, lots of parking in the back. read more

Mission Boulevard traffic is terrible. Misery inducing, even. My stomach was growling, I needed to pee, and no taco truck stop was gonna let me accomplish both these things. The Pollo Loco sign was a fantastic beacon of hope. In less than a few minutes, I was able to order, use the bathroom, pick up my al carbon chicken tacos, load them up with that fantastic green salsa, inhale them, swig some water, and go on my way peacefully. Man, I love that chicken. read more

Since I've moved from Oakland, my late-night life has come to an uncertain halt over here in the Hayward hills-- nothing with the exception of skeevie dive bars ( and I mean toothless scary skankness) are open past 10 pm. So I call in the Yelpster to help us in the hour of need but the foodie gods are not so kind as every single Chinese and well EVERY restaurant closes at 9:30...why, why??? Enter the crazy chicken a few blocks down-- yes, it's fast-food, but they are open until 10 and the drive-thru closes at 11. Honestly if you want something that won't immediately corrode your tender arteries-- Pollo Loco rocks. The good ol' stand-by is the 2 piece combo rotisserie with a side of veggies and pinto beans which adds up to around $7. The chicken is always juicy, the veggies aren't soggy, and the pintos are really flavorful. It doesn't have all of the goopy crapola that most fast-food places use, so I never feel even slightly ill after eating their food; this is why I have avoided fast-food-- period. So if want a late- night healthier alternative than just a drive-thru salad, this is your best bet around these parts. read more

My rating has nothing to do with the chicken. El Pollo Loco chicken is delicious. I feel about El Pollo like Adam Sandler did about Popeye's Chicken in "Little Nicky" ; it's the schitznitz. But I went to this location recently and waited almost an hour to get my order. Did I order food for 50 people you're wondering? No. It was an 8 piece meal!! The problem appeared to be that they prioritize the drive-thru. I made the mistake of parking and going in since there were 5 cars when I got there, but only a couple of people inside. Little did I know they were incompetent or incapable of handling either queue and that they would waste my time to keep the parking lot line manageable. Imagine if Chick-fil-A worked this way. Inside diners would have a 2 hour wait time. Hey, El Pollo Loco. Bit of advice. Either close the stupid drive thru or lock the doors and just be a drive thru. You sure as hell can't do both. read more

I really dig the crazy chicken, especially in taco form. Seriously, it's not really Mexican, but their crunchy tacos are delicious. The service is pretty slow though, every time I've been here it's been super busy and taken quite a while for our order to come out. Maybe it's because I always order TONS of tacos... Try the BRC Burrito from the value menu...cheap and yummy! Even the dog liked it (he ate an entire half of one accidently left sitting on the table with no tummy aches!) Bottom line: This chicken is crazy...Crazy Delicious! Go here! read more

El Pollo Loco is another one of the business that followed me here from L.A. and I couldn't be happier about it. While this one in particular is not as good as most of the ones down south or the one in Oakland, it is close to home and way better than any other franchises around here. Don't get me wrong I love Popeye's. I get often get cravings for churches and even K.F.C. sometimes, but in the end El pollo Loco is just bad ass! The super succulent and moist flame broiled chicken is awesome. The Sauces are decent or super duper fly. In fact the cilantro green salsa is so damned good I will steal like ten of those little cups for my house! I am not above admitting my addictions and that sauce is goood! The tortillas are ok, but I love most of the sides and I just can't get enough El pollo loco. I seriously encourage anyone unfamiliar with this place to go to the one in Oakland, but if you can't get there, (or if you are one of those people who is scared of Oakland) you can come here and get an idea of the chicken goodness that is El Pollo Loco. CHAD read more

A great place to go to lunch if you only have $4.00 in your wallet. You can get 3 items off their dollar menu (chicken taco, cheese quesadilla, flauta, salad, bean burrito, or churros) and still have $0.74 cents left over to splurge elsewhere. And since I am a balla and always have at least $6 in my wallet, I opt for the grilled chicken nachos. Oh snap! I just checked out the website and an order of the nachos has 1,141 calories and 97 grams of carbs. Ah whatever... when fat pants bump skinny pants off the fashion do's, I'll be ahead of the trend curve. read more

I have passed this place hundreds of times and then I went in. To my surprise the restaurant was full. Line had three. I looked into the kitchen and saw 50 half chickens on a grill of fire. I did not know this would be here. I looked at the prices and determined that I was getting a deal as far as getting chicken off a grill like this. I got the leg and thigh with a side of broccoli plus mash potatoes. The food came to me hotter in temperature than any meal I have ever been served. That is no BS. Let's break it down. Keep in mind that this is a chain restaurant and my expectations are never real high going in. I popped the lid off the potatoes and they were steaming hot. Broccoli was the same. Granted all they had to do was scoop and serve but the best was last. They placed the sides on the tray and a grill guy handed the chicken he just took off the grill. It was in my hands in seconds and I had to blow on it all to cool it off before I put it in my mouth hole! The taste was good. The chicken? I could eat this every day for a while. Cooked perfectly! I can not wait to go back and really get into it! Yummy and an easy five stars! read more

I think the food here is good. This review is strictly for the service. Everytime I go through the drive through to order they always mess up my order. I just don't get it. I ordered a shrimp and chicken tostada and I get home and it's just chicken. What's funny is the lady repeated my order to me yet the order is wrong. I just don't get it read more

El Pollo Loco - Where's the shrimp? - Mexican Near Me - Hayward, California

Got wrong order again. I guess I shouldn't go here when it's busy day. I like your food but it's frustrating when you drive all the way home to realize you got ripped off. read more

El Pollo Loco - Got wrong order again, paid for 3 white meat, got 2 dark meat. Guess I shouldn't go here when it is busy. - Mexican Near Me - Hayward, California

Greasy greasy. Individual chicken legs on the value menu - yuck. If you look at the nurtrition facts - VERY little is healthy. Dont' deceive yourself, look at that calorie and fat content before you order! At least the chicken ceaser salad is good with the dressing on the side. read more

I was introduced to El Pollo Loco when I visited my aunt in SoCal years ago. They're crazy for this fast food chain down there. It's been a long while since I've had it, so my husband and I were pleasantly surprised to find that they had a franchise in Hayward. Delicious, juicy grilled chicken. They have an extensive $1 menu, off of which we got a cheese quesadilla (yummy and cheesy!) and churros (stale). I'm sure we'll be back whenever we get a craving. NOTE: Drive-thru opens at 9:30am and closes at 11:00pm. read more

Needs new management! Not sure if I will ever come back to this location. The food quality has gone way down. Anything with chopped chicken is bound to have skin, fat and the parts they should throw out. I requested my burrito to be re-made and got attitude from the worker. She acted like she has stock in the company or that her pay check is decreasing by making my order over. Bad service and bad food. read more

El Pollo Loco - Mexican Near Me - Hayward, California

I've tried everything on the menu except the combo meals numbered 1-10 and their desserts. So that leaves mostly the grilled chicken, tortillas, side dishes and bottomless salsa bar with all you can steal, i mean eat, salsa, cilantro and onions. My match made in "The Crazy Chicken" restaurant consists of: Any mixture/combo of the Grilled Chicken, Tortillas, a side salad, corn on the cob, fries and a drink. I dont think I'll ever get sick of this combination...ever! p.s. El Pollo Loco is the real grilled chicken restaurant. KFC needs to stick to frying their birds. Viva el pollo asado! read more

Food is tasty but always out of chicken breast. Couple days ago I have to wait 30 minutes to get chicken breast on my meal... love the chicken read more

Great Place to eat never Disappointed. Yeah it's long wait times . Let's see you make 7 orders within 15 minutes. Anyways Great Place , Great Staff . You can always improve but this place is great read more

Re: the drive thru window - The parking lot has indigents loitering outside, pounding on drivers side window, then any number of derelicts begging for money, cigarettes, etc. If you have neither, their attitude gets turned up a notch to screaming obscenities to screaming vivid descriptions of places to kiss. The employees follow this up with blank stares & the comment, 'There's nothing we can do.' REALLY?? NOTHING?? Hayward has so many great Mexican eateries I would think the employees/management would try a little harder. Additionally, I've eaten there twice - once 2 years ago & last week. Got sick the next day BOTH times. read more

Best chicken tacos ever! And for a good price! Make sure you get the guacamole or else its nasty lol. read more

If you haven't tried this place, you are in for a treat! The place is always packed and also has a drive thru with a long line. Once you have their chicken, you'll never go back to eatting KFC or jollie bee because this place is 10x better! Their food is fresh and grilled to perfection. You also have choices of different sides. I personally didn't like the mashed potatoes but the Mac and cheese was awesome! This place is a must try!! read more

El Pollo Loco - Amazing chicken!!!! - Mexican Near Me - Hayward, California

Went today and piss poor attitude from the cashier. Me: hey Cashier: cash only M: oh, I've paid with my card before though. C: yeah before, today cash only. M: how come? C:just are, there's a sign on the door. M:fine bye I had cash but her attitude was a turn off and I'm pretty sure person before me paid with a card that she swiped. read more

I can't believe I haven't reviewed this place. Anyway, I love the crispy chicken tacos, chicken tortilla soup and their loco salad. I like that this is a great alternative to fried chicken and their salsa is super yummy too! Drive through can be super slow, especially during lunch hour. read more

Off the charts fabulous people. Go here immediately. Can't believe I only just found this clean, well-lit place with its succulent grilled chicken and homemade salsas. Don't be dissuaded by this chain's cookie-cutter exterior: this is not McDonalds or KFC. N.B. Cilantro dressing on the side salad is very good. read more

Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..... They have hella good grilled chicken here. I also enjoy their rice and beans. One day I wanted the chicken and some rice, but without bones and wouldn't ya know...they had a chicken rice bowl. Today I tried the steak quesadilla. YES. HAHA, fat ass. Also, for some reason they seem pricey to me for being a fast food joint. read more

i love hhow they cooked the chicken..and the salad seem fresh read more

El Pollo Loco - Mexican Near Me - Hayward, California

Never did I think I'd write a review on El Pollo Loco. But it's so effin' good! I just have to sing its praises. My love for this place first started in L.A. eons ago. The chicken (grilled) is really good, moist and flavorful. There are a variety of sides, but our favorites are the BBQ Black Beans, Spanish Rice and Macaroni & Cheese. The corn doesn't have much flavor, but it's SO good as a mix-in. The salsas... mmm. They come in varying heats. The Spicy Avocado salsa is the ish. No joke. I've never actually eaten in the restaurant, but the tables are always full. The service is nice and they have a quick turn-around. There's even a Dollar Menu, where you can enjoy anything from salad to a churro. This is a good place if you're looking to try something new, change things up, or just want some mouth-watering crazy chicken! LOL. Think of it as the healthier, quasi-Mexican food alternative. :D read more

Great location and customer service. This location I visited the drive thru. The flow of service was decent waiting in drive thru line. Staff was courteous and order was exact. If in the area check it out. I'll be back again for more! read more

El Pollo Loco - Chicken and shrimp tostada limited time only! - Mexican Near Me - Hayward, California

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This place if for sure my go to place! The food is flavorful and definitely worth the price. I usually get the bowl which I eat half of and have half left for lunch the next day! #winning I'm just surprised they don't have more locations. This is the only one in hayward, union city, Castro Valley area and is ALWAYS packed ( drive-thru and inside ) read more

Food is pretty good, but, it's over-priced, You can get a way bigger burrito for the same $ all over this town. Service here is sketchy -- a few times they screwed up my order -- wrong items, and one time, we were in drive-thru near closing time -- we got up to the order station, and they played a recording, "thanks for coming to El Pollo Loco, we are closing now, please come back tomorrow". I was trapped -- there were 7 cars behind me. I had to get out of my car and go the the cars behind me and tell them we were screwed. There must be a better way to handle closing time. If I had been hurt, run over, or anything like that, I would have sued the sh*t out of that franchise. Two more complaints: PLEASE, El Pollo -- make sure the people who take the orders can speak ENGLISH. Many can't, and that's probably why my order has been wrong 3 times. Stop changing the menu! Leave it alone! read more

Some people in this location are racist towards Asian American. My Latina girlfriend overheard someone from the inside taking orders say "es chino?!" Just because I made a mistake choosing something different other than what's on the mobile app offer and so they had to make some slight changes. What does that have to with the order?' Everyone makes mistakes. For the record, I'm not Chinese. I'm Filipino from the islands of the Philippines and NOT from mainland China. The only reason I gave this rating two stars was because of the tapatio fries. read more

I ordered in the mobile app at 1:50, i should be ready at 2:15pm i got there at 2:10 and they said that they need 10 more mins i wait, and wait they gave me my order at 2:40pm and i was a lot of people in line to order there, but all i can see in the kitchen it was everybody in their own business, not working as a team, it was crazy read more

Got #16, dbl chkn bowl or something..not bad...pretty much exactly like burrito minus tortilla haha..but guess that the point..still kewl flavor read more

Hooray for El Pollo Loco! I really never eat fast food but if I ever want to indulge I always say I am up for that crazy chicken! its a bit of a stretch to have to drive all the way there from CV but worth it each time. Oh How I love El Pollo Loco and their moist tender delish chicken. So yummy in my tummy.. so yummy so yummy! it brings out my inner preschooler as I rock out to yo gabba gabba just thinking about it. read more

One of my favorite fast food places of all time, this place rocks, I only wish they had more locations. I have never tried their grilled chicken, but I heard its very very good, will definitely try it next time. I usually get the fish tacos or the chicken burrito, they are very very good. This place is really affordable and open late, great for college students or folks like me that want mexican food in the middle of night, highly recommended. read more

Chickens from the land down under, no not Australia, but from Mexico, well maybe not from Mexico exactly, but more like from So Cal. I was introduced to this place by my good friend Jubee from Los Angeles. She was in her third trimester and I was visiting on a business trip. She wanted to eat at El Pollo Loco so we went. Ordered the family meal as my friend was eating for 2. The first time I was completely hooked. The chicken is not like typical backyard grilled chicken. The chicken is moist and flavor full. Take a bite of Jalapeno, chicken and some tortilla and you have yourself a wonderful meal. The chicken is marinated in citrus (some variation of OJ and Lime) which makes the chicken tender and fragrant. I usually don't like to recommend chains like Taco Bell, McD or BK since they are really bad for you, but El Pollo Loco is fairly healthy if you stay away from the side. If you never had El Pollo Loco, you should visit one here in the bay area or when you are in So Cal (they are like on every other block in So Cal). You will not regret it with your wallet and your health. read more

this place sucks now!!!!! the side dishes taste like they use water from the toilet in them. i have complained before but it still taste the same. the beans i got to night looked like they had magots in them. i not sure if it was rice or worms. but be assured i will never eat a your crazy chicken place again !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i wish i had remembered to take a pic of it. the bosssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss read more

I haven't eaten here for probably a year. Several years ago (correct me if I'm wrong), they had a better variety of items. But recently (within the past few years), they simplified their menu to the fullest (lack of variety). This is the only complaint I have toward loco. On the other hand, the food is fantastic, even though this is a chain store, its quality is better than many other (non-chain) mexican restaurants. Everything is prepared fresh, you can actually see the cooks bbq the chicken while your ordering, It doesn't get fresher than that. Great food Fresh food Quality food Overall, probably the best chain restaurant (fast food) in America (excluding full service chain restaurants). read more

Food was good, drive through was a good experience and it was open till a good time. I ordered one of their chicken bowls and that was pretty good. read more