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    El Pollo Norteno

    3.8 (188 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Order El Pollo Norteno Takeout or Delivery

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    Business Info

    EL POLLO NORTENO ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - El Pollo Norteno

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    Betty M.

    A friend recommended this to try the roasted chicken and Tri Tip. As simple as it can get but the flavors are so wonderful. On their sign pollo and Tri tip are their specialty and That's what we ordered. The combo plate cakes with baked beans and tortillas. 1/4 chicken white or dark meat and 4-5 pieces of Tri tip. Beef was tendered and chicken was moist and flavorful. Ordered at the counter and they will bring it out to your table. Cheese cake and flan are good as well. It was very affordable. Check this place out when you're in this area.

    Happened to be in the area and decided to stop in. I ordered a basic chicken burrito for $10, and it was packed with chicken, rice, and beans. Definitely filling and a great value. The salsa tasted a little different than what I'm used to, but it was still decent. The staff was friendly, and the restaurant was very clean. I'd definitely come back if I was in the area and wanted a quick, satisfying burrito.

    Rice and Beans Burrito
    Jaz M.

    THIS PLACE IS FIRE. Do yourself a favor and come grab some delicious food that they are serving up here. Each time I have came they are fast and the food is so good. Very good quality food. For starters the chicken here is incredibly flavorful and juicy. You can get half a chicken with a side of beans and salads with tortillas for $11 bucks. Most recently I ordered the bean and rice burrito and I added cheese and sour cream and it came out to $9 bucks. THAT BURRITO WAS MASSIVE. So much flavor in something so simple and I can appreciate that. Great prices, great food, great service, what more can you ask for. Make sure to check out pollo Norte next time you are in the are. You will not regret it, till next time!

    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!

    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

    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.

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    8 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    6 years ago

    Not what it used to be, tri-tip was super dry. Chicken was blah. This place used to be good.

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    7 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    7 years ago

    The chicken is super juicy! And the tri tip is always cooked to perfection. I recommend a mixed burrito, best of both worlds!

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    7 years ago

    Im not sure why this place is not on the "Oxnard tops" lol this is literally the best place .. definitely bomb chicken !!!

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    9 years ago

    Juicy Tri Tip great beans and rice. Super clean. Get busy around 12 pm.. Awesome customer service.. Give it a try..

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    9 years ago

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    10 years ago

    The best place to go to get some tri-tip and chicken. They have family or individual meals. Fast and friendly service

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    9 years ago

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    13 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    13 years ago

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    12 years ago

    Great place to eat at , the staff was great , the tri tip was fabulous I would definitely recommend this place .

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    11 years ago

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    12 years ago

    Good food reasonable prices I love the new northeno bowl! Nice and relaxing place with awesome orchatas!

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    9 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    18 years ago

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    11 years ago

    Always good! We love the tritip and the chicken you can't go wrong with either choice! Staff always friendly at both locations !

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    11 years ago

    Great service, great food, building could be renovated but other than that, for lunch or dinner this place hit the spot on the budget...

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    10 years ago

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    Page 4 of 5

    El Pollo Norteno Reviews in Other Languages

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    Is there a closer one to the valley ? I used to go to the Simi Valley one years ago

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    New Chicken

    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
    Kung Pao Shrimp  Came with steamed rice  Egg flower soup not pictured
    Kung Pao Shrimp Came with steamed rice Egg flower soup not pictured
    Sizzling Beef and Kung Pao Chicken
    Sizzling Beef and Kung Pao 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.
    Smokin Jays

    Smokin Jays

    4.3
    (277 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    Overdue review. Came here a couple weeks ago for my husband's birthday and it's genuinely some of…read morethe best bbq I've had in a long time. Fun atmosphere. It's counter service, so keep that in mind, but it's very fast and everything we tried was great. The brisket was a standout but the tri-tip was also fantastic. Beans were excellent and I definitely recommend.

    BBQ Worth Fighting Over at Smokin Jay's BBQ & Coffee from Potheads Coffee…read more My wife and I recently stopped by Smokin Jay's BBQ and paired it with a visit to Potheads Coffee, and it turned into one of those meals you end up talking about long after you leave. From the first bite, it was clear this spot takes their BBQ seriously. Entrées: We started by ordering a brisket plate, which came with about 1/4 lb of brisket, roughly six solid pieces, along with macaroni salad and baked beans. Our original plan was to share, but that quickly changed after the first few bites. The brisket was tender, flavorful, and cooked just right with that perfect balance of smoke and juiciness. It didn't take long before we realized sharing wasn't going to cut it. So my wife went back up and ordered a brisket sando with fries, and it absolutely delivered. The sandwich came loaded with brisket, pickles, slaw, and sauce, all working together perfectly. The fries were a great side, crispy and a solid pairing with the sandwich. Sides: The macaroni salad and baked beans that came with the plate were both on point. The mac salad was creamy and complemented the richness of the brisket, while the baked beans added that sweet and savory depth you want with BBQ. Sandwich Details: The sando really stood out, especially with the addition of the slaw. My wife usually isn't a fan of coleslaw, but this one changed things a bit. It wasn't overpowering and added a nice crunch and balance to the sandwich, tying everything together without taking away from the brisket. Drinks and Service: Grabbing coffee from Potheads Coffee alongside the meal was the perfect move. What really stood out, though, was the service. Jay, the owner, was walking around checking in on customers and genuinely engaging with everyone. He even helped my wife decide on a coffee based on what she usually orders at Starbucks, which was a great personal touch. He later stopped by our table, chatted with us for a bit, and made the whole experience feel welcoming and personal. Ambience: The atmosphere strikes a great balance between laid back and lively. It has that casual, welcoming BBQ spot feel where you can relax, enjoy your food, and not feel rushed. Pairing it with Potheads Coffee adds to the experience, making it feel like more than just a meal but a spot you can hang out and enjoy. Overall: Smokin Jay's BBQ is hands down the best BBQ spot I've had in Ventura County so far. Between the quality brisket, well put together sides, standout sandwiches, and the personal touch from the owner, it's an easy recommendation. Pair it with Potheads Coffee, and you've got yourself a top tier Ventura food stop that's definitely worth coming back to.

    Photos
    View from outside the restroom on the parking lot side in back. Great place.
    View from outside the restroom on the parking lot side in back. Great place.
    Brisket Burnt Ends & Tri tip plate (take out)
    Brisket Burnt Ends & Tri tip plate (take out)
    Strips again no sauce

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    Strips again no sauce

    El Pollo Norteno - mexican - Updated June 2026

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