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    El Pollo Norteno

    3.8 (180 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Order El Pollo Norteno Takeout or Delivery

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    EL POLLO NORTENO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - El Pollo Norteno

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    I was there yesterday and mi wife pick it up and it was good and on time definitely come back again and recommended to others

    Burrito bowl
    Emmanuel C.

    Local Legends in the Oxnard area. Pollo Norteño specializes in flame broiled chicken and tri tip. The family owned business has been serving up their specialty marinated meats since 1982. The chicken has great flavor, nicely marinated in a batter that is brushed onto the meat giving it a fire-orange color. The tri-tip has beautifully chard, grill lines and is served with meat juice from the grill. The cooking style is in it's name, paying homage to the ranching regions of northern Mexico, Monterrey and Sonora. All of their plates are served with whole pinto beans, fresh salsa (heavy tomato flavor) and warm tortillas. It's not my favorite salsa, but some people love it. I prefer a green tomatillo, jalapeño, and sereño salsa. You can substitute the salsa for rice, if you're not a fan of salsa. You can also purchase additional sides, such as marinated onions, rice, potato salad, chips and salsa, grilled jalapeños, and pickled jalapeños. The Norteño Bowl is perfect! Which is their version of a burrito bowl, with cheese and sour cream. It pairs nicely with pickled jalapeños and carrots. Looking for some nostalgia, order the Orange Whip drink! Delicious!

    Brandy O.

    Come on now! If you don't know, your going to learn today! This place hits different than all the other Mexican spots in town. There tri-tip and chicken are . There salsa is . The flavors are . Just like a family's backyard plate of food. Good! Thanks Anna for such great service! Clean, delicious, friendly, and affordable. Ill be back!

    Salsa
    Erica G.

    I had not been here in awhile but this was a fave growing up! I must say .. it tasted different to me. The tri tip def did :/ I enjoyed my burrito but it was not amazing . I remember the tri tip being juicy , I felt it was dry. Great prices . I got a burrito (tri tip) and large Jamaica for less than 15 bucks!!! Place looks the same as I remember. Super clean. Bright yellow and green ! Uff the memories! I had two tias that worked here when they were teens. I remember visiting them when I was a kid and looking up to them. I wanted to be a cashier when I grew up ! Oh kid memories! Great service! I love that this place is a great deal, spotless , has so much parking and great service ! I still come back for a quick /cheap meal! 3.4 /5 stars ! Nostalgia and great service will keep me coming back :)

    El pollo parece güilota la carne mas o menos, pero en lo k si se pasan la soda casi $5 dolares y miren la cantidad de hielo, sólo le di 3 sorbos y se acabo la soda, y cuando fui à decirles dijeron k si queria mas tenia k pagar $1.50 mas, y le dije pero es puro hielo, y me dijeron k así lo Servian, no vuelvo

    Different Angle same comment
    Rod M.

    I do not really know if this is at all related to the major El Pollo chain. Completely different menu and a one of a kind small restaurant. Very old school built in late 1940's my guess. Been here twice. They have Tri-Tip which i personally didn't care for. Dry, chewy and over salted. The chicken bowl was ok, dry chicken breast a drizzle of sour cream with rice and beans. Major complaint is they charge for chips, only have one salsa, red mild. No green avocado like the chain. My second visit ordered the #2 half chicken meal. Chicken wasn't freshly made but still decent. The price , decent quality as portions are the reason to go here. That and the service was good. Doubt I'll be going back real soon. Think I'll stick with the chain instead. 4 stars and I'm being generous. Cheap decent food, price of a McDonald's meal but lot healthier.

    The Mixto burrito is charbroiled tri-tip, chicken, rice and beans. Served with fresh salsa and chips.
    Jeff L.

    One of the things I appreciate about El Pollo Norteno is its consistency. Our meals have always been fresh and prepared to order. They used to have a location in Santa Maria and in downtown Oxnard. Not sure they're still open. The menu is simple. The chicken is flame broiled as is the tri tip. If you want sides besides pinto beans you have to tell them. I always get the potato salad because though not homemade, it adds a touch of sweetness to my meal. Average Mexican rice without any added ingredients is a side. You can get onions and fired chilis. I find it odd that they consider salsa a side. I order the $2 bag of freshly made chips which comes with salsa. The salsa is made fresh and generally mild. You order at the counter and your order always arrives within 5 minutes. The servers are friendly and prompt. Soda in can, bottle or fountain is higher in price than I like paying but I do because I want to do my small part to keep the restaurant open. I sometimes get a slice of decent cheesecake for $4 for a nice dessert. The cheesecake reminds me of the Jon Donaire Costco sold. They also offer bowls and burritos with chicken, tri tip or Mixto which combines both. I still wish they would offer fresh grilled corn on the cob seasonally when it's locally available. $2 an ear would be great or $3 Mexican style. I also wish they would reduce their fountain/can sodas to $2 from the $3.75 they charge. McDonald's used to offer $1 soda any size! We live far from El Pollo Norteno near LAX and before the fires that have recently closed PCH 1-2/2025 we'd drive the 90 minutes along the coast and dine. Now it's the same time but on the ugly freeway. The ambiance is that of a friendly family restaurant. The interior is always spotless because I always see the servers cleaning tables and windows and floors. Restrooms are inside and the bright yellow and green always cheers me up. During seasonal celebrations a table toward the front is always festively decorated as is the ceiling and windows. Parking is free and easy with entrances at the side and front. They do offer catering if you live in the area.

    Burrito where's the rest of the Tri-tip  ??

    They forgot the tri-tip in the tri-tip burrito I ordered. Well I did get a couple of pieces in half of it. The other half was beans and rice.

    Chicken, beans, salsa and orange drink.
    Big Al H.

    Prices have gone up, quality is the same if not better. Chicken pieces are smaller. Will I go back.....hell yes!!

    Love my lady!

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    1 day ago

    Haven't been to this place in forever but growing up this was our favorite spot. The orange drink there is one of a kind!

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    3 months ago

    Pollo norteño, for as basic as it is ... hits the spot. Go to is the mixto burrito with an extra side of salsa . Their Salsa is addicting

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    6 months ago

    Quick tri tip and chicken nd rice spot. Family loves coming here for catering. Located right off oxnard blvd.

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Can't go wrong with tri tip and chicken. Fresh salsa chips are ok but overall food is legit.

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    1 year ago

    Always delicious. All the time . A good selection and real efficient team getting things together.

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    1 year ago

    One of the best places to eat great service Love going to grab a bite I would recommend

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    2 years ago

    The food was good, it was warm by the time we got home also packed well. Really like the salsa had a kick to it.

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    1 year ago

    Food here always hits the spot. Their chicken is always so tasty and their sides are solid. The service was also very fast.

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    5 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Delicious, amazing food. I love their tri-tip and chicken. The tomato salsa is pretty bomb!

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    3 years ago

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    Page 1 of 5

    El Pollo Norteno Reviews in Other Languages

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    New Chicken - Patties and fried rice

    New Chicken

    4.2(37 reviews)
    0.6 mi

    Came here late at night around 1030 PM. First time ever. Read about how this is one of the old…read morebuildings in Downton Oxnard, so decided to check it out since it was the only place open at that time. Very friendly waitress greeted us upon entrance upstairs. We ordered to go as we had our little one with us. Food came quickly while only one other customer was present. We ordered Honey Walnut Shrimp, egg drop soup, and the shrimp corn dumplings. We liked the soup the best. Will have to return earlier in the day to and give it another chance.

    Overall 3.5 - is that the rule for good Chinese?Once Golden Chicken Inn NOW New Chicken .. still…read moreoldest restaurant in Ventura County in downtown Oxnard. New owners. Authentic Chinese food, Beijing pies, dumplings and more ! It's an old building ... est since 1929 I believe. So old decor , nothing fancy and there are stairs to climb. We had red Mongolian Beef and General tso. Mongolian beef had a lot of veggies but beef was tender. Tso was crunchy. The restaurant was pretty empty . I think a lot of people grab to go because we were the only guests for the longest. The chef came out and didn't speak much English but was so excited to let us know he was happy to cook for us. Free soda if you pay with cash. We had cash and our dishes were about $16 . We left tip. Parking can be difficult.

    Photos
    New Chicken - Kung Pao Shrimp  Came with steamed rice  Egg flower soup not pictured

    Kung Pao Shrimp Came with steamed rice Egg flower soup not pictured

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    New Chicken - The booths are still there, hasn't changed much since Golden Chicken Inn.

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    The booths are still there, hasn't changed much since Golden Chicken Inn.

    El Pollo Norteno - mexican - Updated May 2026

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