Some of the best food I've had in northern California (big claim, I know!). Simple, but perfectly executed Mexican fare with charcoal-grilled chicken and steak at the heart of each dish. Fully endorse El Pollo Rey as the king of chicken, but don't sleep on the carne asada either. Regardless of what you get - plate, burrito, quesadilla - expect a TON of flavorful, citrus-marinated meat and filling portions. They've got the meats! The sides and accompaniments are also exceptional. Love the salsas, which include a milder fresh tomato salsa and a spicier smoky salsa, some of the best I've had. Love the sweet, grilled onions that come with each dish. Love the fresh corn AND flour tortillas. And most of all, love the free chips! How good is it? After dining in and stuffing myself, I bought a few extra burritos to freeze for later. Sadly, I live two hours away in Oakland, and while we have great Mexican food here, there's something special about El Pollo Rey that makes it standout above all others. read more

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The chicken and salsas were so delicious, the smoky flavor! Yum! The size of the asada burrito was incredibly big and so good. Service was good and fast. read more

El Pollo Rey - whole chicken - Mexican Near Me - Seaside, California

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I was in town for a short while and wanted my favorite chicken. What a disappointment. Chicken was dry. No onion included. I asked for a thigh but they said no. I got a wing with little meat on it. The breast piece and leg was dried out and old, barely warm. This place used to be so much better. I should have gone somewhere else. read more

El Pollo Rey - 3 pieces of dry chicken. - Mexican Near Me - Seaside, California

No matter what day it is , they always cook your food to the fullest perfection and they give you free chips as you wait!!! Very friendly staff and they have a bunch of menu options to choose from the menu! Love the area, this place has many seats to sit from and relaxing to eat there! Gracis!! read more

El Pollo Rey - Chicken Super Burrito - Mexican Near Me - Seaside, California

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Food was fine but the staff was so rude, felt like they did not want me in there at all. Refusing to make eye contact, acting as if my presence was offensive. I wasn't cheap with my tip or a jerk, one of the guys working the grill with the Giants hat was giving me dirty looks when I was taking a picture of my food like I shouldn't be doing that? Don't you want free publicity for your business? Guess some people just hate their job and every costumer that comes in. It's right around the corner from my house so I'd like to come back hopefully someone else is there when I go. The Meatery around the corner also has good chicken without the bullying. read more

Food was outstanding! Half chicken combo with rice and beans. Tortillas and roasted peppers. Salsa was nice and spicy. Sooo yummy. Great service. Authentic read more

I won't be going anywhere else from now on. They have the best meat around. The super quesadillas are amazing. Their chicken is delicious, tried their carne asada tonight & it was also great. I always feel like my money is well spent here. read more

I had the 12 count grilled wings. I was some what skeptical at first... However, I was pleasantly surprised. Customer Service was great. Let's talk food. I had six barbecue and I had six natural. The natural didn't have any flavor to it, but it still had a nice flavorful taste. It reminded me that you don't have to overseas things for it to still carry out a wonderful flavor profile.. The barbecue chicken was wonderful as well . Overall, I would say that my experience was great and I definitely would come back and if I were recommending anyone who wanted some chicken or some flavorful food in the area, I would recommend them to this place . Overall rating :9/10 read more

A great place to get some grilled chicken on the Central Coast! This is local mom-and-pop shop that serves burritos and half and whole grilled chicken. I went to eat in during lunch. No one else sat in, but there were a flow of customers coming in and out. I had the half-chicken with charro beans and rice. The chips and salsa were on point. The chicken had a nice sear/char and it tasted like the brined the chicken for a while. Very juicy. The star of the show was the charro beans. This place gives you an option of refried beans or charro... get the charro. I definitely will be checking this place out again! Price: $18.02 read more

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It's very yummy. The chicken is moist and perfectly seasoned. Unlike many chicken places, this one has delicious sides. The rice is uniquely tasty as are the ranchero beans. Love it! A real gem. read more

I know my review looks like 5 stars, but imagine there was a 4-1/2 star option. That's what i would give El Pollo Rey. The food here is great and reasonably priced. The chicken reminds me a lot of El Pollo Loco chicken - which is a good thing. I had the carne asada plate tonight and it did not disappoint. Good portions and great flavor. You kind of feel like you are in Mexico while in the restaurant. The ONLY reason I would not give 5 stars is that every time we have been there, it is soooo cold inside. Then again, I haven't' been there in the summer. Maybe it warms up then. I will have to let you know. read more

El Pollo Rey in Seaside is a hidden gem! The service is fast and genuinely friendly, making you feel right at home. Their menu offers a great selection, but the real star is the flame-broiled chicken--perfectly seasoned, incredibly fresh, and bursting with smoky, mouthwatering flavor. Every bite proves they know what they're doing. Highly recommended! read more

This place is a true hidden gem! Idk why this place never showed up when searching Yelp in the past! Thankfully, a friend had told me this place is a must. Simple, fresh, flavorful! Ordered carne asada and chicken plates, quesadilla, burritos, burrito bowls! Love the plates, great to share! But it takes work! Large cuts of steak, half onions, pieces of chicken with bone. I was starving and was struggling with all the work just to eat! So I wouldn't order that unless we had large group over! Burrito bowl was perfect for me! Everything cut and ready! My husband ordered the burrito, claims it's one of the best he's ever had..... so good my young daughter, not a fan of burritos, stole his!!! Hands down, best guacamole ever! And I am very picky!!! read more

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It's was alright chicken - alright service - mid Ambiance The beans could be cooked more and the tortillas were all dry. read more

This was a pleasant surprise! We ordered the whole chicken combo, a beef super quesadilla, cheesecake and a horchata. The chicken steals the show! It was grilled to perfection and super flavorful. The meal came with rice an and beans and we got the style of beans that were like soup (very good and full of flavor). I wish we lived closer as this is a spot that I would go to often. It is on my list of go to spots for Laguna Seca racetrack! read more

El Pollo Rey - Rice, beans, two salsas, and pickled onions - Mexican Near Me - Seaside, California

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So I've been here a few times in the past. The service was good and the food was outstanding. Unfortunately, yesterday was a different story. After not having been here in several month I saw that the service went downhill. I walked in and there were three employees working. No one was on the register taking orders. I was not greeted or acknowledged by any of them. I stood there for at least a minute and a half and all I got was a glance from the grill guy. Who, by the way, was eating and grilling chicken all at the same time with no gloves. Nor, did he once wash his hand in between bites. I exited stage right immediately. Love the chicken but hated the "non service" and the germs. I was extremely disappointed considering I am a native Seaside resident and I try to suppose our local businesses. TIGHTEN UP EL POLLO REY! Cleanliness is next to Godliness. read more

Saw this place here on yelp and since it has good reviews, we decided to give it a try and we did not regret it. We enjoyed our meal. The place was nice, clean and had a nice vibe. The staffs were energetic and lively. The chicken was tender and well cooked. I specifically liked their spicy sauce. It's good to pair with their chicken and nachos. read more

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Awesome charcoal grilled chicken! With char grilled onions and jalapeños. The rice was delicious and the charro beans were good but did lack some flavor. Quesadilla with Asada and all the deliciousness was great. Asada burrito needed more meat but was good. Chips and salsa are bomb. And buy yourself a paletta to top everything off at then end. read more

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Great food. Friendly people. The chicken is grilled as you are ordering so it's always fresh.

El Pollo Rey isn't just the king of chicken (it's the king of service and nostalgic Mexican decor). The stay took me back to my days growing up on a Texas ranch and walking into my Nanas kitchen (less the chicken feathers in the sink). We ALWAYS have the chicken combo (half or whole, never disappoints. Even the next day). I added a regular quesadilla (nothing regular about this...mind blowing quesadilla). Take your time and enjoy a Jarrito while you wait for your fresh meal. Because this chicken isn't just king...it's FRESH. Don't forget..."Great CUSTOMERS get great CUSTOMER SERVICE." - Carlo read more

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El Pollo Rey has easily become my new favorite neighborhood spot. Perfectly charbroiled chicken, insanely flavorful carne asada, fresh and delicious salsas, tortillas, and sides. Service is quick, friendly, and the plates and meals are an insane deal, especially for how good everything ALWAYS tastes! I love their chicken family meals, mixto bowl, CHARRO BEANS, burritos, EVERYTHING!!! 10/10 recommend! read more

Delicious food, always prepared to perfection. Love this place so much. If you ever want to sell your amazing carne asada rub, it would fly off the shelves. You have a great restaurant, we love to come by multiple times when we're in the area. read more

This is that type of little, off the beaten path type of place that is so satisfying to find. The chicken is deliciously moist and tender, and the beans are fantastic. Great family business you just feel good supporting . . . and it has great food too! read more

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Fast, affordable, and yummo. I had the chicken plate. Will be back. My first visit. Nice it included chips and salsa.

Incredible food, fairly priced, and convenient location. This place is a hidden gem (to me) and definitely worth a stop. (Park on the street and not in an adjacent lot or risk towing.) read more

The carne asada was perfect and the chicken was sooo good. Everything was fresh. Definitely recommend this place. It's also very affordable

Just a little friendly tip to check your takeout before you leave. My "Super Bowl" with chicken ONLY, turned out to have carne asada as well. I'm sure this would've maybe been a win for some people but I don't eat beef. read more

El Pollo Rey - Current menu! - Mexican Near Me - Seaside, California

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It taste like real Mexican food, it feels like a real Mexican place, overall very satisfied with the authenticity of this establishment.

This place was bomb. Great flavor. Really kind staff. Thanks for an incredible meal and great service.

I called to place a big order for my team and the girl who answered said it might be too late to place a big order. She put me on hold to check and after a mins, she said could. Several of my team members never had El Pollo Rey and they couldn't stop raving about how good it was. I've eaten there multiple times and they never disappoint! read more

Small family business that does a great job of grilling chicken! Friendly service, fair prices and good food.

First time coming to El Pollo Rey & let me say this place hit the spot. I ordered the Half Chicken Combo and it did not miss. My husband ordered the Mixto Bowl and he loved it. The portions were just the right amount. I will be back again . read more

El Pollo Rey - Half Chicken Combo & Mixto Bowl - Mexican Near Me - Seaside, California

Food tasted good but man the customer service is terrible and slow. Wait time is long for a simple order.

The chicken was moist and had a great smoky taste. The Salsas were really good and the Quesadilla of Carne Asada was excellent and really big . I would come here again read more

The best bbq chicken on the Monterey peninsula! Authentic, and delicious.Very clean and updated restaurant Staff was amazing, very helpful and fast to prepare our food. read more

Ordered a 1/2 chicken and a vegetarian burrito. Pulled out pieces of hot dog from the veggie burrito. Tried calling several times to discuss with the manager, but first no one allegedly spoke English, so when I spoke Spanish asking who is manager, they hung up on me- twice. Enough said. Lost my biz UPDATE: i received a very apologetic primate msg from Alexandra, the Owner, and that she would address this issue w her employees. 45 min later, i see a very public comment from her, making a point that I ordered charro beans. I can't see how I can respond to her rather brusk public comment, quite different in tone, comment, so I'm editing my original comment to respond. Alexandra, please know there is nothing in the description of side orders, nor anywhere else about charro beans having hotdogs / meat in them. That is the complaint. The VEGGIE burrito had MEAT in it. read more

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Muy bueno Al 100 las alitas de barbiquejo muy buenas nada que ver con las del búfalo o cual quier otro lado muy deliciosas

The best chicken in seaside! Great staff , great food!!! I order from them almost every week!! Keep it up

Good is fresh and very tasty!!! It's a small restaurant but there was plenty of seating when we went there in the evening. I think they do a lot of take out. But eating it fresh there was definitely worth it. The service was great !!! read more

El Pollo Rey - Pollo Chicken Plate - Mexican Near Me - Seaside, California

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Excellent food. We got half chicken and half carne asada, and both were delicious. The rice and beans tasted great too.