Food was really good. We got the tacos and torta. The lady taking our order was very friendly, nice and professional. Will definitely come back again. read more

We went to El Pollo Norteño in Lake Forest yesterday and had a mixed experience. We had a coupon for a 10-piece chicken meal, but when we got home and checked the order, there were only 9 pieces. That was disappointing because you expect the order to be correct, especially when you're getting a family meal. The chicken itself still tastes good -- it has that grilled flavor they're known for -- but we also noticed the side portions seem smaller than before. Not sure if it's a recent change, but it definitely stood out this time. Prices overall also feel like they've gone up quite a bit, which makes it more noticeable when portions feel a little reduced. Service was fine in person, nothing bad, but accuracy with the order is important when you're paying these prices. We've liked this place in the past, but this visit wasn't their best showing. Hopefully just an off day, but they need to pay closer attention to orders. read more

The prices here have become ridiculous. My family and I will no longer come. Good, well made food is no problem when it's expensive. Average food at sky high prices just is not ever going to be worth it. Sad to say. read more

Their bowl with chicken, beans, avocado, and pico de gallo and cheese (hold the rice) is divine and fully packed. Delicious. Love this place. One downfall is their mayo based salads - not good. But will come here again for sure. read more

In the the mood for some amazing fire grilled chicken look no further than El Pollo Norteno!!Delicious flavorfull chicken, they also have other meat options like carne asada and carnitas. Their potato salad is always a favorite, and they have a great lunch special that includes 2 pc chicken and 2 sides and a drink for $10 now that's a great deal! The service is awesome, the day I went the lady taking orders and working the register AND bringing out the food did such an amazing job and always with a smile on her face , she was so efficient..she deserves a raise! Small place but decent seating and love how they have a timeline on their wall of when all their stores opened and their locations. Cool place, cool people and great food! read more

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Stopped in for lunch. Great service. Didn't catch the server's name but she was very friendly. Food was very good. Been looking for grilled chicken, I dont fare well with the crazy chicken, so this was very refreshing. Will be back. Posted a Pic of our order 8 piece family meal and menu. read more

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Love their chicken, beans and tortillas. Been going to "Norteño" since the 1st and 2nd Locations. Back in the 80's most restaurant owners in the area knew one another and many ate at each other's restaurants. Crazy how much chicken and sides have gone up since then. $10 use to buy you a couple chickens and sides. Now we are at $11 for large sides. The issue isn't the food, but no point bullying anything but Chicken and sides. Typically my visit is around $100 and order online. The new policy at their locations is to show ID when you pickup food - which is understandable due to many drivers of food services and others probably ordering food and using other people's names to order. Being someone who has billed cards for years, what you have to prove is the persons CC and ID have to match. My wife owns the online account and orders - so it's logical if she uses her card they ask for her ID. Issue is when my card is used (my address matches), her name pops up and they ask for her ID - but it isn't her card. Flawed system since you can essentially use anyone's card and pickup food as long as your name is on the order. It doesn't protect anyone. ID and card has to match - but be logical if the last names match. So regardless if it's my card, or wife's card, my wife's name is on the online account and never fails they want my wife's ID. So unless I want food for my very large family, when it's late, and don't want to bother trying going somewhere else - my wife has to send her ID and show them her ID. They take a pic - which I'm sure violates CA law. That is because your identity, including address is now compromised. My wife wants to report this, but given my long history with the restaurant I do t want to. Just many need to understand when they go, maybe pay cash, not order online or make sure their IDs are not taken pics of. Hopefully they have enough sense to erase or have employees erase the images. I don't think most people are comfortable with anyone taking pics of their IDs. read more

Best Mexican chicken in town. Been here many times. Freshly grilled, nice char to the skin, huge portions. The staff is so nice and friendly. I asked for extra salsa and offered to pay for the extra salsa. The lady smiled and said don't worry about it, I just want you to come back. :) read more

I'll keep it short..... El pollo Norteno ALWAYS gets me right. Never had a dry piece of meat ever, from the tacos to the chicken. So much better than El pollo loco. Just wish they had later hours and wish we had one in Irvine, I'd be there on a weekly basis! Staff is great, food comes out promptly, super fresh, great salsa and sides. I don't have any complaints. I wish them success so we can have them in Lake forest for many years! read more

El Pollo Norteno - Sometimes I just need one taco and their crack wings - Mexican Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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To management: Sitting here at 12noon for lunch and lady you have working on the counter is EXCELLENT! Her service is amazing and consistent. Shout out to her! read more

Very friendly staff. The chicken is delicious. The Charro beans are a great side. The rice is a little bland but everything else is great. I have been back twice and I will continue to make this a frequent stop. read more

Amazingly good!!! If you like El Pollo Loco, you will love this chicken! The chicken is moist and so flavorful. The beans and rice are also very well done. The prices are also very reasonable. read more

3 stars food is good, went a lot when it was new In town and weekends for tailgating at OC fair grounds for speedway. But they offer coupons that NEVER work! I and I just stopped going had given them enough cash! and never a single apology or maybe free dessert to make up for the inconvenience, today I feel like giving them a try new coupon from AARP 25% , again it refuses the coupon And again no apology when I tell them read more

El Pollo Norteno - coupon you refused online - Mexican Near Me - Lake Forest, California

El Pollo Norteño in Lake Forest is hands down one of the top five delicious food spots around! The experience here is consistently quick and easy, making it a go-to for anyone looking for healthy meals. What I particularly love about this location is the freshness; every single time I visit, the food is perfectly prepared. The customer service is absolutely excellent, too. Every staff member I've encountered has been kind and helpful, always greeting me with a smile. They genuinely go out of their way to accommodate, making the dining experience even more enjoyable. Plus, this place is a fantastic way to get my protein fix without breaking the bank. The pricing is very affordable, which is a huge bonus. If you haven't tried El Pollo Norteño yet, you absolutely must! It's a hidden gem that never disappoints! read more

El Pollo Norteno - 3 piece-individual chicken plate - Mexican Near Me - Lake Forest, California

El Pollo Norteno is LEGIT! Born/raised in SoCal, authentic Mexican food is readily available just about anywhere i go & they absolutely NAIL IT! read more

$29.00 for dry, burnt whole chicken. It seems like every time I go (once every other month), the price goes up. 23, 25. 27,29. I realize the cost of labor in California is a huge burden, but it gets to the point where it is not worth 30 bucks for a chicken. And after paying the $29.04, you end up with dried-up chicken because there aren't enough customers willing to pay 30 bucks for a chicken. This visit, 3/2//26, was my last; the whole chicken was smaller, dry, and burnt. read more

El Pollo Norteno - dry chicken - Mexican Near Me - Lake Forest, California

I was in need of a whole chicken and this was convenient and a restaurant I always wanted to try. I walked in with all intentions of getting my chicken and going home and enjoying it. I asked the cashier how much for a chicken. I have to tell you, I got major sticker shock. So much so, that I did not buy my chicken. They have an extensive menu and prices overall were reasonable for other items. Therefore, I cannot comment on the food, but I can comment on the location. The restaurant has plenty of seating. Parking area is a bit small so there may be congestion during rush hour, but I went off peak and it was fine. Great branding and restaurant was clean and inviting. It is located on a convenient retail strip and ingress/egress was easy. Please come and visit the restaurant and create your own experience. read more

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I had the chicken torta and it was absolutely delicious. The torta bread was warm and toasty. It was filled with chicken, refried beans, lettuce and tomatoes. It was served with chips and a fried jalapeños. The jalapeño was spicy and I loved it How good was it? Well, I went in two days in a row. I may go back again next week! read more

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Our company had a catering event with El Pollo Norteno. The chicken bowl I had was light on flavor but with some provided condiments, it was nice. For a late morning meal, it was pleasant! Thank you so much! read more

Came back again this time to try the family meal deal... Got the number 4 which is an entire chicken and 1 pound of carne asada with 2 sides (We got rice and beans) tortillas, sauces and spiced carrots... this is the way to go if you want to grab a meal everyone will enjoy on your way home E from work. Service was again great and the smell of the barbecue makes you so hungry.. read more

El Pollo Norteno - 4 piece chicken plate - Mexican Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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Great nachos and tortas! You get free chips and salsa by signing up for their loyalty program.

One of the best chicken places! The flavor isn't just on top of the chicken but through out each piece. Prices are affordable and quality is consistent. Sometimes I daydream about how good it is. Service is quick and straight forward. There is seating inside and parking can be limited so I recommend parking in the next lot to the bowling alley. read more

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Great food and step above el pollo loco, which is good as well. A little more expensive but only a couple dollars more. I like the burritos and 2 piece chicken plate. No complaints other than I would not consider this healthy food. Service is nice but parking can be tough during lunch time. read more

El Pollo Norteno - 2Pcs (2 Sides) - Mexican Near Me - Lake Forest, California

I want to preface by saying that the staff are generally nice and I come here once a week because I like their food. However, with how stingy they are, I will not be coming anymore. I purchase a family meal that should be enough for 3-4 people and every time, I have to mentally prepare myself for the opposition that I will face when I ask for salsa or onions/carrots. The lady in the front will only ever give me 1 bag of onions and carrots. If I ask for 1 more, I get opposition. 1 bag is good for 1 person, see picture. If I ask for salsa, she gives me 2 and if I ask for 1 more, I get opposition. I get that times are tough and I am all for purchasing things if I need. But when purchasing a family chicken meal that has "salsa" written as part of the combo meal, you would think they would at least give enough for 1/person. Also, the salsa is only ever filled halfway so it's barely enough for 1 person, see picture. I started purchasing salsa for $1.50 because I got tired of getting so much opposition for 1 extra salsa but now I am tired of the stinginess. God forbid I ask for some green salsa or pico or limes; I will never get it. With all other Mexican places giving unlimited salsa or at least not being stingy, I will take my business elsewhere. *This doesn't apply to the young guy who works the cashier. He is awesome and will give us enough. It is only the lady who is there 90% of the time. read more

El Pollo Norteno - Half filled, tiny salsas apparently enough for 4 people - Mexican Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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The burritos here were really good especially the pastor burrito. Great service and clean restaurant.

Everything needs to improve! Chicken was dry and old tasting ! A disappointment !!! Honest opinion terrible!!! read more

Went here based on the reviews and wasn't disappointed. The only thing I would say is that the chicken didn't seem like it was freshly grilled, but maybe reheated. We did go when it wasn't super busy yet, so maybe that's why. Ordered the carne asada burrito - the meat had a good grilled flavor to it. Only downside is the amount of rice to meat - personally wish there was more meat than rice. Again, the chicken was pretty good, and overall, it tasted more authentic, like a meal you'd enjoy in Mexico. Even the white meat wasn't dried out, and that's a hard thing to find these days! If you're in the mood for some good chicken, check this place out! Service was great as well! read more

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The chicken is very similar to El Pollo Loco. It was really juicy and tasty. The price is cheaper. They have different sauces. No salsa here. The service was fast and extremely friendly. Would recommend. read more

BEST chicken burritos & Horchata. Quick with orders & friendly staff. Highly recommend El Pollo Norteno!

The food here is delicious! Service is always friendly and quick. I want to recognize one employee in particular. I went there yesterday and I had a problem using a coupon from "Clipp". Not at all the restaurant's fault - Like an idiot I accidentally redeemed the coupon on the Clipp site before I even got to the restaurant. No biggie - I figured I learned from my mistake. But Ana went above and beyond to try to resolve it for me, and she called me later to let me know that she had gotten the coupon redemption reversed, saving me $15.00. Thanks Ana! Your boss is lucky to have you working there! read more

Great customer service and great food. This was my first time here but I will definitely be back

I really like their chicken here. They use mesquite or some type of charcoal that gives the chicken a good flavor. I also like the seasoning on their chicken. Admittedly, I have only tried their chicken plates but I'm willing to bet that their burritos and tacos are good. The dining area is nothing special but it's clean. The only gripe I have is that they're kinda stingy with their salsas. I almost always get the 10 piece legs and thighs and they only give me four little green sauce cups (and they're little). I usually finagle an extra one or two but I hate having to beg for sauces. As a customer who loves salsas, when I order a ten piece combo, they shouldn't make it seem like I'm freeloading when I ask for an appropriate number of sauces. read more

Just had an amazing meal at El Pollo Norteno!!My boyfriend had been there before and we happen to be close by today and he said "You have to try this place!!" From the moment I walked in I knew it was super authentic... Karen greeted us with a sweet smile and was super helpful answering all my questions. And now about the food, OMG!! My boyfriend got a chicken burrito and I got the chicken quesadilla which both were huge and filled with perfectly seasoned juicy chicken!! We also had chips, a few different types of salsa and guacamole all very very yummy!! Will DEFINITELY be back soon!! read more

Seasoned okay, tender however it was a tad dry for me and my liking. I love the pollo in Guadalajara and was looking for a spot in the OC. Again this is my review so please give them a try for yourself read more

El Pollo Norteno - Dinner...let us see how this will go down. First-time customer hubby pick up after work. At first impression does not look appealing. - Mexican Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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This place is fantastic Karen goes above and beyond for service answering all my questions and making sure everything is correct. Highly recommend this place to anyone. read more

Not going to lie, the delicious bbq smell had me drawn to this place. You can smell it driving along the street. I knew I had to stop by. I had no idea what to expect. This specific location has had a lot of turn over with businesses but I think this one will definitely stay! I came on a weekday to pick up lunch and it was almost impossible to get parking. You could park at the bowling alley or along the street. Huge dining area. TVs for sports. Clean establisment. Grilled chicken over mesquite charcoal. Chicken bowls, plates, family meals, by the piece, and sides. The chicken is so flavorful and juicy. I love that they give bags of pickled carrots and pickled onions. The salsas are great. The family meal is a great deal since you get chicken, 2 sides, tortillas, and salsas. The birria tacos were excellent. We got the 2 chicken plate. Comes with beans, Mexican rice, tortillas, salsas, & a grilled chile. Amazing service. Great flavors. Reasonable pricing. Generous portions. This our new El Pollo Loco. Side note: if you eat with your hands, the seasoning turns your hands orange. LOL. read more

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ABSOLUTELY THE WORST TACO I'VE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE PERIOD. I got carne asada tacos and the meat was dry/hard like it was a month old and even the tortilla was hard! Seriously...how do they even sell this kinda food??? huh??? read more

Family pack 1 which was 62 is now $75. Done ordering here. Outrageous. I get it. Things are going up. But it's essentially 25% more. read more

Heard a lot about this place and how good it is from my co workers. They have a great lunch special 4 piece chicken 2 sides and a drink. I also got some tacos to go for the wife. The food was excellent, moist tender chicken the al pastor tacos are so flavorable and the carne asada tacos were awesome. We tried both there refried beans and charro beans and rice and they tasted great as well. The young lady working the front was so sweet and gave some great suggestions. Since than i have been back a few times and they never let me down. Great to find a place that has such great food. read more

We came about 15 minutes before closing so they said we couldn't dine in and could only order to go (but it's crazy that all the restaurants in this area close by 8pm even on a Saturday night!). We ordered tacos and burritos, but everything was just okay. I was hopeful for the chicken, but that was also dry. It's also expensive at $3.25/taco. This place just doesn't compare to all the good taco places a little further north in Santa Ana. read more