I have been coming to this location for years and the workers have always been sweet. The food is great I love the chicken salad!

El servicio al cliente es excelente y Evelin es muy amable con los clientes y el restauran esta súper limpio se los recomendamos a todos

I just tried the Chicken Queso Crunch burrito here and it was excellent. Good quality chicken, jalapenos, cheese, pico de gallo, and those tortilla chip strips in every bite. The tortilla is grilled like the stuft burrito at Taco Smell/Hell. All comparisons to TB end there though.... The quality of the ingredients was impressive for a chain. While I am spoiled by the independent taquerias on International Blvd, if I am on a road trip and spot a El Pollo Loco, I will be stoked, not feeling like I'm settling for garbage. A superior option among fast-food competitors. read more

Just went through drive-thru and they blew my order. Asked for a chicken tostada salad and a taco only got a taco. And it wasn't a language barrier issue because we speak the same language. read more

Personal opinion I feel like this the only spot where you can have actually good Mexican food! By lake Merritt all those Taqueria's are trash! Unfortunately they didn't go up on prices but yeah definitely my go to spot until i can find better in Oakland. read more

El pollo loco is chicken mexican style, many ways. there's only one register and only one person dispensing the food. food seems to take longer this way buy it's cost efficient and minimizes labor cost for el pollo eats: -taco al carbon(1) bland chicken minichucks with some veggies. good value -fried chicken leg(1) very small leg, leg steamed cooked one, then crispy deep fried. meat tender and tasteless, bland, skin crispy frijoles refritos: -salsa bar.....pico da gallo wasn't so flavorful -ordering took awhile. quick when i got to register -2.5 stars for low taste satisfaction, 4 stars for value. read more

My coworkers and I just ordered from this location for delivery, and I've never had such a terrible experience. 1. My coworker ordered a Mexican Hot Chocolate, and never got it. 2. I got the quesadilla and it was FREEZING cold, the cheese was still cold and un-melted. There was also no avocado. When my coworker called, they told her that they forgot to give the delivery guy the hot chocolate, and then told her to drive down there to get it. When we told them about the quesadilla, they told us it's supposed to be cold, because the only thing hot in it is the chicken. No refund or anything. Never ordering from this location again. I shouldn't have to bake my quesadilla to melt the cheese when I get it. read more

it's only taking takeout and delivery like everybody else bc of the rona. I ordered a three piece chicken with 2 sides (both salads), and a diet coke meal. the chicken was 'okay'. no flavor but cooked good. the pieces were too small. they looked like the chickens they got them from were not fully grown chickens. the salad was a typical salad but they add corn chips shaped like ribbons in them. the diet soda is a med. it was clean, and the customer service was good. read more

El Pollo Loco - Mexican Near Me - Oakland, California

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I love El Pollo Loco, and there should be more locations around the Bay Area! I came here to grab lunch, and the service was great. I ordered a 2 piece (breast & wing) combo meal with fries and spanish rice. The meal was ready within minutes! The chicken was flame broiled, so it is very juicy and hot. The fries was very crispy. The spanish rice was very good, too! El Pollo Loco is better than grilled KFC! read more

So I still remember the very first time I went to El Pollo Loco it was back when I was about 6 or 7 in San Francisco. It was a treat for us because we only went twice a year at the most. Then we stopped going and I forgot about it for some years. To my my surprise I saw a coming soon sign "gasp" I went in shock, "I remember that place from when I was a kid" I told my friends. But enough with the story let's get to the good stuff. I had the 3 Tacos al Carbon with a side is Mac and Cheese, and mashed potatoes. The perfect combo in my eyes. I always get some hot red salsa and mild green to add to my tacos. The food was awesome as usual and tasted really fresh. The wait time is never bad and when it is it's usually the customers that can't make up their minds. Today went quick great customer service the food came out on time and I had a great lunch. I come here often for the food and the service just keeps me coming back. So yes yelpers try this place out and enjoy. read more

El Pollo Loco - Ice tea - Mexican Near Me - Oakland, California

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2 stars is probably being too generous, but 1 star seemed to severe since they did provide me with something that resembled nachos. "Double chicken nachos" is a great exaggeration, though. For a dollar more I could have got very good chicken nachos at my local taqueria, but I was in the neighborhood and I had seen these on a commercial. Have you ever noticed that items look bigger and better on a lot of commercials? They even looked like they had a moderate amount of cheese in the commercial. This was a one-time purchase, and not one that makes me want to return any time soon. And why did the lady ask me "medium or hot sauce" when she wasn't going to put either in the bag? read more

Great food, and great customer service. Workers are very kind and food is very tasty. Definitely recommend this location.

Sometimes the chicken is burnt or a bit raw but otherwise the foods flavor is amazing.

Evelyn es muy amable y sabe como tratar a un cliente! Muy profesional, yo regresaria.

The floor , chairs , window everything need deep clean all restaurant is nasty , wen I get there one person was clean the tables and the trash can with the same towel read more

Delicious, fresh food and excellent customer service. There aren't too many restaurants in the bay area but I don't mind driving far for this location. The manager, Evelyn (may not be spelled correctly) is super sweet and always concerned about giving a positive customer experience. Unusual for fast food. Thank you all so much!!!! read more

I went yesterday and I ordered the new burrito grillers and they are delicious. I love their chips and guac that they always offer me and I think you should give it a try! The costumer service is also 10/10 making sure my order is right and ready as fast. Will be coming back! read more

Terrible Service!!! There has been bad service lately at this restaurant, but this Friday December 29, 2023 around 8pm was the worst service! After a long day of work I was simply tired and went to El Pollo Loco for two meals for my children through the drive thru, it was raining hard and the lady who served constantly put my order on hold apparently she wasn't listening because of the rain, A lot of water was entering into my car and I told her that I would go to the window to give her my order and she replied that SHE WOULD NOT TAKE MY ORDER AT THE WINDOW. Already at the window, the cashier BRENDA refused to take my order with a very rude attitude and without any respect. I asked her to please call a manager (MARICELA) which she was just as rude and laughing with the cashier, saying that she had timer at the window and wouldn't take my order by closing the window in my face. I was the only person at the drive-thru and they still refused. They did not have any name tags on it; I don't know if they give me the correct names when I asked them. We are clients who come at least 3 times a week. I don't know what training is given to them at this location, but simply this is neither correct nor respectful. read more

Great food great customer service , i went there and tried something looks like a big taco shell full of chixken rice and beans and salad where yumny I liked it read more

Me and my husband love pollo loco we always get our chicken chipotle burrito from dam road location they made it super good but today we get same burrito omg so terrible experience burrito was all cold and super dry no taste such a bad experience I give u no star watch over your quality please how comes Costomer pay 12 $ and get cold food sad read more

Love the food but they give you what they want, there is always something changed or missing on my orders

Wow...I was surprised how everything has changed at el pollo loco...I ordered the 3pcs meal..if you want a combo it's $2.50 extra ( Wich it's ok) my chicken (1pc) was under cook...the kid cashier at the counter wasn't very helpful to the couple ahead of me...El pollo loco it's NOT what used to be. read more

Ordered almost 100 dollars of food for a party to get delivered from el pollo loco website. I waited for the food that never arrived. Apparently they get DoorDash to deliver their food for them and although I entered the address the food was picked up but not delivered to my address on the confirmation receipt. When I clicked the text link it said the food arrived but never got the food. I had to order from a restaurant last minute for the party which cost way more for my budgeted el pollo loco. After being on the phone with them for almost two hours I got my full refund. They also said they would deliver the food the next day for free for my trouble. Since it was a lot of complimentary food I invited my family over the next day for lunch that el pollo loco said that would deliver. I got a confirmation text saying my order had been placed and it would arrive at 12:15. At 12:15 I looked at my phone and then there was a text that my order had been canceled and to call the vendor. I then call el pollo loco and then they said that I would have to call the customer service line. I then did that and was waiting with my hungry family lol and then spent another addition of money for a unexpected meal for them since my el pollo loco wasn't received. I was on the phone with customer service for almost 45 min to say they couldn't help me with the food they said they would deliver complimentary. I would NEVER order from here again! It was such a disaster and the customer service was so apathetic and did not care at all. I did this so it could be convenient but rather enjoy my weekend after working overtime as a teacher I had to spend it on the phone resolving this conflict.I would not ever order any food from them again to say the least because their system is unreliable and faulty. read more

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This shit was ass man I asked for a quesadilla and they gave me a litteral burrito and when I checked my recipt he put quesadilla like how do you confuse that and the service was litterly so bad our whole team came to eat and of my girls asked for a quesadilla and she got a bowl and when she showed her recipt that she got a quesadilla they said they would fix it and get it out for her and gave her the exact same bowl she returned smh never coming here again not to mention they don't even cook their cheese, lame asf, do better also their sauce is litterly jus water with food coloring read more

I love the creamy cilantro dressing! Can't eat it without it! Always a fresh& really good!

This place is so great and under rated , very affordable for the cost, very authentic and tasty, I recommend Pollo loco to anyone.

El Pollo Loco has so many diverse menu choices, but my favorite menu item from El Pollo Loco is the double chicken avocado salad because it has a very good portion and it has everything I like in it. It includes chicken, avocado, and the bowl is made of tortilla chip. Their chicken isn't too dry and their vegetables taste fresh as well. I also enjoy their cole slaw as well not too much, but enough to enjoy. When I do go back to El Pollo Loco I will have to try other menu items like their mango habanero and the BBQ bacon avocado. read more

everything was great, great service towrds us their customers. The food was perfect looked nice and delicious.

Service was fast, food was delicious just what i needed quick and scrumptious thats what they provided me with Thanks Raven read more

There was a conspiracy yesterday that drew me to El Pollo Loco. . . 1) They keep advertising those grilled chicken NACHOS (NACHOS are the tip on my personal food pyramid) 2) The Freddy Fender-esque jingle was stuck in my head. . ."Ellllll Pooooollo Loco" 3) I was chatting with my cool ass neighbor who smokes more pot than any human being I have ever met and the resultant contact high gave me the munchies something fierce I had never gone to El Pollo Loco mainly 'cause I didn't know until recently that there was one in Oakland and I never understood why, in the land of the ultimate taco trucks anyone in their right mind would go to El Pollo Loco. . .but there I was, passing righteous ass taco trucks to get fast food "Mexican" food. I felt dirty. Also I'd never gone because the dude in the commercials creeps me out but NACHOS trump creepy guy any day. I was going to go into the restaurant but there was a crack-head on crack-head domestic event going. "Bitch, bring yo' bony ass over here." slurs drunk AND crack addled man. "Ah nah, you got to respeck me, you can't be talking to me with such disrespeck." says toothless crack-head woman. "I tole you I respeck you, bitch!" "You don' respeck me you done ate all my damn food while I was in the toilet - you stole my NACHOS." Suddenly, I was totally and completely on her side. . .that BASTARD! "I was hongry. I tole you I was hongry and you was being all greedy . . I axed you for some food and you was all like I don mean nuthin' to you! COME HERE RIGHT NOW, bitch." He screams at the top of his lungs. They are standing between me and the drive thru. .. I am a captive audience (and yes, I could have backed up and left. . .but really? Would you?) "NO! I hate you!" She screams. "COME HERE!" "NO!" Well this goes on for a good five minutes so I decide to try to drive around them . . .big mistake. . . "Ah, hell nah, that bitch just tried to run me down with her car." she says. "Baby, I will kick her ass," he says as he shuffles towards my car. LouLou the wonder dog then decides to pop up from her nap to see what's going on. . . "AHHHHH!!!!!! She got a pitbull! Pitbulls is crazy! Ahhhh, that dog goin' to attack me!!!!" he says as he dramitcally jumps away from my car. "Oh MY GOD, pitbulls is evil!!! Get away from the car, baby, before she let that crazy dog get at you." She says as she staggers towards him. LouLou is furiously wagging her tail. . .crack-heads are people too and she loves people. They stare in terror at my car and my "evil" pit bull. They shuffle away, hand in hand. All is well in the world. I pull up to the menu. El Pollo Loco specializes in pollo asado with some americanized sides. . .mac n cheese, cole slaw, as well as pinto beans, refried beans, salsa, guacamole, etc. But I was there for the NACHOS. They also have tortilla soup which is a favorite. So I ordered the Grilled Chicken Nachos and a small tortilla soup. As I pulled up to the order window, my friends came strolling around the corner and were walking across the drive-thru lane when this went down: "Bitch, I know you ain't walking in public with MY MAN!" a voice coming from someone I can't see. "AWWW man!" crackman stomps his foot and stumbles a little. A rather tall, rather large lady comes around the corner. . . "You strangy white bitch, get the hell away from my man." she yells. She has the longest, reddest acrylic nails I have ever seen. "Fuck YOU!!!!" screams the stringy white bitch. "Ah, hell to the no I am sick of your nasty white ass trying to steal my man." as she comes barreling towards this other woman who is half her size and has no lethal weapons attached to her finger tips. They start fighting and for the briefest moment the man pauses to take in the fact that two women are fighting over him. Then he tries to break them up. The girls at the drive thru window look out the window, look at each other and roll their eyes as though this is a daily occurrence. I am worried for the scrawny crack-head lady but she seems to be holding her own. My food is ready but I am being blocked by my friends. I sigh. I want to go home and get my grub on. I roll down LouLou's window slightly and meow at LouLou under my breath. LouLou starts barking as the sound of meowing drives her bat shit. The minute the three of them hear her, they all three scream and jump out of the way. The nachos? Eh, they were only okay. Too much other stuff, not enough cheese which is just wrong. The tortilla soup? Fucking ROCKED. I couldn't believe how good it was. They pack the tortilla strips, fresh cilantro and queso separately and you add them when you're ready to eat. The broth is rich and there is lots of chicken in it. They have this salsa tomatillo with avocado in it that is just insanely good and nice and spicy - liquid crack. I'll be back. Crack is whack! read more

I never actually ate here, but there was an incident that happened in 2008. and I never got to thank the man who helped me... To be honest, I do not remember what he looked like, or what his name was. I do recall he was kind of young, drove some kind of "drifting" car? And that he was an employee at El Pollo Loco. But he went OUT OF HIS WAY and provided the best customer service EVER. I had ran into El Pollo Loco after a guy came up to me on the street "forewarning" me that his friend was going to attempt to "rob" me. Panicked, I started walking in a hurried pace, in which the attempted "robber" followed me making threats. As soon as I caught sight of El Pollo Loco, I ran into the dwelling as fast as I could. Thinking I was safe, I turned around to see the robber coming in to the El Pollo Loco establishment. I walked as fast as I could to the cashier and told them to call the police, and that a man was following me and that I needed help. The lady who was at the cashier, had her male co-workers approach the robber and ask him to leave the establishment, in which they did in a very professional manner as to not disturb the other customers. The cashier came up to me and handed me her personal cellphone with the police on the line, and I informed the police of my situation and the robber's description. I was afraid to walk outside (I was not driving at the time), and one of the workers (the male) approached me to see if I was okay. I told him I was afraid to walk outside, and he talked to his manager, and offered me a ride to wherever my destination was. We took careful precautions to walk out the side door to avoid being seen or followed by the robber, and I got in his vehicle, and he took me straight to my destination. Three years later, when I think about it now, this guy saved my life. There's no telling what could've happened that day had he not offered to help! Thank you, and thank you El Pollo Loco staff! read more

To understand my love for El Pollo Loco, you kinda have to understand my mother. Nothing you do is good enough for her. Everytime you show her something, she's just thinking about all the ways in which she can improve it. Oh, and by "you", I mean every person, place, or thing she's come within a three foot radius of. If she loves you enough she'll tell you to your face how you can improve yourself. Otherwise, El Pollo Loco, she'll just come to your store, order your take out like it's the best thing ever, smile and thank you for selling her your wonderful chicken - you know so your feelings don't get hurt, then go home and dress up your chicken her way. Evil? Not really. Genius? Definitely. Like all that salsa everyone raves about? She makes it better. (From scratch? No. That would be sooo inefficient.) She actually takes EPL's salsa home, and turns it into Sweet'N'Sour Fish Sauce-sa. You know that sweet and sour fish sauce you get with those Vietnamese noodle bowls and such? She makes that, but with El Pollo Loco's salsa in place of some of the vinegar and sugar. YUM! We would make "burritos" with steamed rice, shredded EPL chicken, lettuce (thanks for always squeezing in the veggies, Mom!), and her most amazing Sweet'N'Sour Fish Sauce-sa for dipping. It's amazing! Don't be afraid - you should try it! So, in a way, this is a review of the awesomeness that is my Mom, but it's really also about El Pollo Loco, because she doesn't do this for any other salsa or any other chicken. El Pollo Loco salsa and chicken is the *only* salsa and chicken worthy enough to even be in her kitchen. And that's saying a *lot*. Also, even though my Mom lives in Southern Cali, with El Pollo Loco down the street, I can get a little bit of Mom and a little bit of home anytime. A place that can do that - even unintentionally - always gets five stars from me. read more

This review is dedicated to my hubby. When we have a hankering for cheap, good grilled chicken we drive to O-town (Oakland) and get some grub on at El Pollo Loco. Yes, it's in an urban area (aka ghetto), but it's so damn good. I always opt for the wing lover's special, which comes with two sides (I like the rice, mac & cheese, or corn). There's also a salsa bar to die for (make sure to try all the salsas, particularly the guac salsa!). And don't forget to squeeze some lemon on your chicken. The chicken is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. I go loco for the el pollo loco, baby, says my husband. Although it is a chain, I'd go here anytime over McDonald's or some other crappy establishment. At $5/each, it's a bargain! I love this place. Thanks, honey, for showing me good food. read more

Hmm mm mmm.... my mouth starts watering just thinking about that chicken .....as soon as you enter the place you have the smell of fresh grilled chicken drawing you to the counter. Great selection of Salsas (my favorite is the green one *wink) and since I always have some space for something sweet I can't come by without ordering their flan that is so smooth and melts on your tongue Staff at this location is very friendly and eventhough it's considered more or less as a fast food place - it is clean as a restaurant should be :) read more

I usually wouldn't bother writing a review for a fast food chain, what's the point they're all the same right? In this case the answer is NO!!!! I don't know if this particular franchise uses a different marinade or if their cooks on the grill are certified geniuses, but somehow the chicken at this El Pollo Loco on International is juicier, tastier, and just all around more amazing than any other El Pollo Loco I've ever been to. I actually like El Pollo Loco's chicken and have been to franchises in Richmond, Santa Clara, and Southern California but none have ever had chicken as stunning as the one in Oakland. And I'm not the only one who thinks this, I've consulted with other friends who've been to other EPL's and they say the same. Whatever the reason let me just tell you that the chicken here is above and beyond the chicken that you will get at any other location. And for that it deserves to get reviewed on Yelp. This is no ordinary El Pollo Loco!!! read more

It is almost never that I give a fast food joint a five star rating but El Pollo Loco deserves it! I'm not a huge fan of chicken, but I am a huge fan of chicken done right! My chicken is never dry and is always moist, juicy and flavorful. And I can't forget about that delicious grilled chicken skin! YES, chicken skin! (The spices hit the skin first so it's only right that it should taste amazing after it's grilled.) My food is always hot and they always get my order right. There is a sweet lady who takes my order every time and she has the warmest personality I've ever encountered at a fast food restaurant. Now the only thing I am waiting for is the Horchata machine... read more

Chicken done right, so damn good. That Cilantro sauce is killer. I'm simply a Pollo Loco fan. I wish they had more location like they do in L.A. at every 3 blocks. Service is great, fast in and out. Watch for street potholes and live zombies in the area. read more

Yes, I am reviewing El Pollo Loco with five stars. It is the best fast food in the whole entire world. If I were a poet, I'd write a tome to the crazy chicken himself. An epic. I believe that there is a Crazy Chicken that oversees the entire operation. How else could the genuis be explained? He leads the troops to battle. He salutes his fallen compatriots as they sizzle and pop over the special flame broilers, he makes sure the consistency of the salsa is such that it penetrates the rice and beans to succulent perfection. I could go on...and on...and on. Suffice to say: I drive from the most westerly limits of San Francisco to International Boulevard, deep in the heart of East Oakland to get my fix. And while the journey has almost certainly been made before in the name of getting a fix, I'm not looking for there to be just one more. Like a moth to a flame (broiler), I shall return. read more

El Pollo Loco always brings back happy memories. We won't get into those memories but I will say that they happily include their green salsa and that little self-serve bar where you can help yourself to as much of the lemons, cilantro, onions, and salsa that you want. Stuff like that warms my heart. The vertically unchallenged youth and I were starting our taco crawl and I had to go to the bathroom badly. We ordered a few chicken al carbon tacos and I got a little token to let me into the bathroom. Once relieved and thoroughly hand-washed we tore through our first round of tacos for the day. They were fantastic with the green salsa. read more

Grilled chicken burrito, with avocado and salsa on the side. I LOVE that they toast the tortillas, as opposed to "steaming" their burritos. Try one! I just wish they had better chips! read more