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El Pollo Loco
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La Mesa

El Pollo Loco

★★★★ 4.2 · 0 reseñas

At El Pollo Loco, we're all about serving up delicious Mexican classics that are made with fire-grilled chicken. We've been a La Mesa staple for years, and our loyal customers rave about our fresh ingredients and flavorful dishes. From the moment you step in, you'll feel like par...

El Pollo Loco

Mexican · La Mesa

4.2 · 846 reviews Google
restaurants.elpolloloco.com
Yelp 3.0 (153) TripAdvisor 4.0 (9) Uber Eats 4.6 (800)

About El Pollo Loco

At El Pollo Loco, we're all about serving up delicious Mexican classics that are made with fire-grilled chicken. We've been a La Mesa staple for years, and our loyal customers rave about our fresh ingredients and flavorful dishes. From the moment you step in, you'll feel like part of the family - ou...

At El Pollo Loco, we're all about serving up delicious Mexican classics that are made with fire-grilled chicken. We've been a La Mesa staple for years, and our loyal customers rave about our fresh ingredients and flavorful dishes. From the moment you step in, you'll feel like part of the family - our vibrant atmosphere is designed to make you feel at home. Our friendly service team takes pride in making sure every guest leaves happy, whether it's with a full belly or a smile on their face. We're all about good food, good vibes, and great value - come taste the difference for yourself!

What Customers Say About El Pollo Loco

El Pollo Loco in La Mesa generally receives positive feedback, particularly for its friendly staff and delicious chicken. The street corn salad and cilantro dressing are also popular. Some customers have noted inconsistencies in portion sizes and occasional pricing issues.

Popular Dishes

shredded chicken crunchy tacos chicken bowl street corn salad cilantro salad dressing Pollo bowl churros double chicken tostada bowls

Best For

Families Solo Dining Quick Bite Locals Casual

Tip: If ordering churros, check if they have enough cinnamon and sugar. The original Pollo bowl with spicy chipotle salsa is recommended for a healthy meal.

Features

📶 WiFi 🌳 Outdoor 🅿️ Parking 🚗 Delivery Accessible 🍽️ Lunch 🌙 Dinner
🎯 Casual 🤫 Quiet 👨‍👩‍👧 Family 👥 Groups

What to see nearby

MacArthur Park
A 866m

MacArthur Park

parque

View details
MacArthur Park Recreation Center
A 890m

MacArthur Park Recreation Center

parque

View details
Porter Park
A 903m

Porter Park

parque

View details

Data from Wikidata

Explore the area around El Pollo Loco

El Pollo Loco is located in La Mesa, surrounded by cultural and historical points of interest. Here are some of the most notable places nearby.

Parks & Gardens

  • MacArthur Park (A 866m) — park in San Diego County, California, United States of America
  • MacArthur Park Recreation Center (A 890m) — park in San Diego County, California, United States of America
  • Porter Park (A 903m) — park in San Diego County, California, United States of America

Data from Wikidata

Frequently asked questions about El Pollo Loco

El Pollo Loco is located at 4990 Baltimore Dr, La Mesa, CA 91942, La Mesa.
Near El Pollo Loco you can find points of interest such as MacArthur Park, MacArthur Park Recreation Center, Porter Park.
El Pollo Loco offers mexican cuisine.
El Pollo Loco has regular opening hours. Check their profile for updated schedules.
El Pollo Loco offers the following services: dine-in, takeaway, delivery.
The most recommended dishes at El Pollo Loco based on customer reviews are: shredded chicken crunchy tacos, chicken bowl, street corn salad, cilantro salad dressing, Pollo bowl.
El Pollo Loco is ideal for families, solo dining, quick bites, locals, casual dining.
El Pollo Loco in La Mesa generally receives positive feedback, particularly for its friendly staff and delicious chicken. The street corn salad and cilantro dressing are also popular. Some customers have noted inconsistencies in portion sizes and occasional pricing issues.
If ordering churros, check if they have enough cinnamon and sugar. The original Pollo bowl with spicy chipotle salsa is recommended for a healthy meal.
846
Reviews

El Pollo Loco La Mesa Reviews

4.2
846
5★
58%
4★
23%
3★
9%
2★
4%
1★
6%
Reviews (21)
C
Christa Membrere

I’ve been coming here for years, however there is a worker that I want to highlight that has really made my experience amazing within the last 9ish months and it’s finally time that I write a review about him. His name is Caston. I see him quite a bit because i’m at this location often, but every. single. time. he provides the most amazing customer service. Whether it’s in the drive through or in the lobby (most of the time drive through) it’s always good. He is always kind and friendly and always gives gets my order perfect. Honestly great customer service like this makes me keep coming back. I don’t know if he is a manager, and if he isnt, he gives manager quality service. It also isn’t just me that thinks this. I’ve talked to plenty of friends and they also talk about the service they get by him. Once again, I just wanted to highlight Caston (either a crew member or manager I don’t entirely know). The food is also always super good. So good job El Pollo Loco La Mesa!

Rosalie Garcia
Rosalie Garcia

Excellent street corn salad with cilantro dressing

Jerome Lesesne
Jerome Lesesne

Great restaurant and excellent friendly staff!

Nataly G
Nataly G

One of my favorite fast food restaurants. Always very clean, with good customer service. The food is always delicious. Thank you.

Kim Fregoe
Kim Fregoe

Thank you to the manager who responded to my questions about ordering from the catering menu (in-store the morning of 11/18), those who carefully packed the large order and had it ready right on time (5:15 p/u on 11/18) and the associate who kindly carried it to my car! Bonus: The group LOVED the food! I will definitely order again.

daveleslave
daveleslave

I love the chicken and always ask to hook it up with a big crispy one and they don't even hesitate and refuse to take tips I hate cause they deserve them and yeah todo muy bien

Michael Will
Michael Will

Had a chicken bowl with avocado and was pretty damn good to be honest the only thing I didnt like was the churros because they didnt have enough cinnamon and sugar on them other then that great meal

Angela Suazo
Angela Suazo

First time trying Pollo loco! I LOVE IT! the place was really clean and friendly staff🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Mila
Mila

We get takeout here about once a month. The chicken is amazing and so is the cilantro salad dressing.

Joe Garcia
Joe Garcia

I love El Pollo Loco for a quick and cheap meal that keeps me on track with my muscle building goals without being too high in calories. I have probably built most of my physique over the last 10 years through chicken, beans and rice. I recommend the original Pollo bowl with the spicy chipotle salsa roja. It's very hot but so good. I also like to come on Tuesdays and get the 2 for 5 tacos (tacos al carbon) but I usually take the meat out and just add it to my bowl. Or I eat the tacos with just 1 tortilla instead of 2 to save calories. If you're smart you can definitely get a healthy and high protein meal here without spending a ton of money. It's about half the price of my Chipotle order even with a bowl and 2 tacos on Tuesdays.

Shonn Deming
Shonn Deming

Great service here. And they actually wipe off the tables here unlike point Loma the filthiest El pollo to exist. The only negative is the grease traps smell so bad that's all you can smell when you walk in the door is funk.

Matt Jackson
Matt Jackson

I LOVE the shredded chicken crunchy tacos, and whenever I call home and ask if my family would like that for dinner it’s always an easy YES! Every time I’ve come here, the staff are in such a friendly mood and it makes me feel happy to come back.

Peter Heldreth (Peter Wayne)
Peter Heldreth (Peter Wayne)

I've been a regular at **El Pollo Loco** restaurants since they first opened. This particular location has seen its share of ups and downs. My recent visits had left much to be desired—both in terms of service and food quality. However, I'm pleased to report a noticeable turnaround on my latest visit. It appears there's been a change in management, and it's made a significant difference. The restaurant is now operating much more efficiently, and the food has returned to the high standard I've come to expect from this chain. The flavors are vibrant, and the meals are prepared with care, reflecting the quality that originally made me a fan of **El Pollo Loco**. For those who may have had subpar experiences here in the past, I recommend giving it another try. It seems they're back on track and better than ever!

Jay Mac
Jay Mac

Good food, and little bit salty but good flavor.

Jon Minton
Jon Minton

Everything has always been great here, except the coleslaw, It's been a strikeout three times in a row.

Paul Martin
Paul Martin

The chicken is always better than KFC or Boston Market. I'm not much into the burrito menu as I like the bone in chicken better. The sides were hot and fresh. They also carried food to the table. No more pagers! Thanks guys!

Carl Fishberg
Carl Fishberg

Clean restaurant, good looking property, well run from what I can tell. Maybe this is nitpicky, but for some reason this location tends to BLAST the speaker volume in the drive thru. I come here often, and it’s jarring to be greeted by such a loud PA system on my way home from work. I’ve seen other customers mention this, too. Please take it down a few notches! Other than that issue, I love coming here.

John Scott
John Scott

Worst prices of any location in San Diego. Cost 2x more to eat at this location than other locations. I can go eat way better tacos at City Tacos 2 blocks away for a better price. Done with the LOCO pricing of El Pollo loco

D Don
D Don

This location is trash. Every single time I've come here they've messed up my order. One time I called to complain and they said they were going to write my name down, the next time I went for my replacement order they claimed they had no record of me calling. I go to El Pollo Loco's 7-8 times a month and it's disappointing that this location can't seem to get it together. ------ Update: El Pollo Loco corporate office reached out and offered me a free meal. I went back to this location and they messed up my order again. I can't eat dairy so I asked for this items and the side. They have me an entirely deconstructed meal with EVERYTHING on the side. The beans spilled out into the bag. I had to go back so they could make it correctly AGAIN.

Johonnattan Prieto
Johonnattan Prieto

I’ve been getting double chicken tostada bowls for years and this el pollo loco is by far the worst notice there is no avocado hardly any chicken and not even full this is the worst El pollo loco I’ve ever been to and the skimpiest no double chicken and no avocado but yet charged me like it did stay away these people clearly hate they’re job.

Soft Plaza
Soft Plaza

The dude with brekits in the teeth and the girl at the checkout stand and laugh as stoned. Then they forgot to put five avocados and avocado leaves and lettuce. Avocados were brought, but no leaves. Portions are small. My last trip to this institution.

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About El Pollo Loco

How to get there

4990 Baltimore Dr, La Mesa, CA 91942

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El Pollo Loco
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Highlights

Good Rating
4.2/5 stars
💬
Many Reviews
846 reviews
💰
Budget Friendly
Price level
👨‍🍳
mexican
Cuisine type

Services

🍽️ Lunch
🍾 Dinner
🍰 Desserts
🥡 Takeout
🚚 Delivery
🍴 Dine-in

Dining Options

🍽️ Dine In
🥡 Takeout
🚚 Delivery

Restaurant Info

Status
Verified by owner
🕐 Hours Today
10AM-10PM
Rating
4.2/5
💬 Reviews
846
💰 Price Level
$
⏱️ Typical Visit
People typically spend 10 min here
📞 Phone
+1 619-797-1956
🌐 Website
restaurants.elpolloloco.com
📋 Menu
View Menu

Amenities

📶 Free WiFi
🅿️ Parking
🌿 Outdoor Seating
Wheelchair Accessible
🚻 Restroom
💳 Credit Cards
📱 Mobile Payments
🏘️

The Neighborhood

Location

4990 Baltimore Dr, La Mesa, CA 91942

📍 Explore the Neighborhood

Weather
16°
Weather updated hourly · Jobs and events refreshed daily
MacArthur Park

park in San Diego County, California, United States of America

A 866m
MacArthur Park Recreation Center

park in San Diego County, California, United States of America

A 890m
Porter Park

park in San Diego County, California, United States of America

A 903m
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