Great food. Healthy, quick, good variety, always hot. Fast drive-through service. Clean inside. Could use a couple of additional dessert items on the menu. They dropped their Door Dash delivery service, limits the times I buy their food.

For fast food, it's reasonably healthy. Chicken is baked or grilled, not deep fried, no batters, none of that. They include fresh veggies of some sort in most of their menu items.. If you drink water instead of soda pop with it, it's not a bad option. For fast food, you could do a lot worse.

This location is always fast and friendly! I didn't rate atmosphere since I always get drive through, but they have the quickest drive through I've ever seen.

Today a coworker and I are here. The service was amazing, the food was great and the atmosphere was spot on. Will definitely be returning and plan to let friends know as well.

If you're looking to get Mexican food This is the place to go, it's clean dining area. The food is delicious and prepared on the spot. Good customer serviRaul.

First of all, we really love El Pollo Loco. I usually get the Tostada Salad. This time we were picking up lunch for us to share with my daughter and her family. Very reasonable. 16 piece familia meal. We still had some left over. One caution. This didnt happen this time but it happens about 50% of the time for me. At any El Pollo Loco, if you order the extra tortillas, make sure you got them before you leave.Update, we still love El Pollo Loco just went there a week ago to get a couple Family meals. Love the Mac n cheese too.

I went through the drive through earlier and was having a hard time with my son he kept changing his mind on what he wanted, but the cashier camilla was sooo patient and helped us decide what to get. She got our food out fast and i was very happy with her service!

Raul was a great worker, very friendly. Food came out great. Order a special bowl and came out exactly like I ordered it.

Had an issue with coupon but Raul did not hesitate to honor the coupon. Customer service done right and the food is excellent.

This pollo loco restaurant in vista is very neat, food is so good! and we definitely appreciate Cashier Miguel he has such an amazing attitude and has excellent customer service! Keep up the good work man!

Had to buy lunch for 12 for a meeting. Staff was so helpful and courteous, and the food was perfect. Provided extra plates and plasticwear that was needed, and order was done quickly! Great people at this location who obviously like to help!

I haven’t gone to pollo loco in a long time and my experience there yesterday was amazing and a reminder to come more often the service was great especially Michelle she was efficient in taking my order and made sure that everything was correct and was smiling through the whole interaction everything was 10/10 definitely coming back especially for Michelle

Food is great! Free refills on drinks. Good service

Gilberto is a rockstar. Best service ever since I entered the door I was greeted with enthusiasm. Gil was extremely polite and provided an amazing service. We need more people like him in the world. Thank you!

I order corporate catering a lot and this El Pollo Loco has always been one of my top choices. Food is always perfect and they are always on time. I never have to worry about quality when it comes to this location. The staff is always kind and helpful! These guys are top notch!

My fav spot for quick & easy lunch. Plenty of options, also salads and such. Friendly employees Rarely a wait in line Pricing has gone up over time. Burritos range $8.99-11.99 but large portions. I only use drive thru so I have no opinion on Atmosphere inside the restaurant

Miguel greeted me at the window with a smile. He was friendly, confirmed my order, and quick. El Pollo Loco is my go-to for a quick healthy/high protein meal on the go.

Rey Suarez

Staff is really nice. Food is awesome and the place is really clean!

Christy Crenshaw

Quick service at the drive thru, and was actually able to understand the voice coming thru the drive thru box

Bekee

Miguel has exceptional customer service. He was very helpful, kind, and thoughtful. Will be coming back again! - E

Milton Hanson

Very fast well boxed and the chicken was very moist

Virginia Galindo

I visited this place yesterday. I was impressed how the chicken was perfectly cooked. It was juicy and tasty also customer service was great! For sure I will return. Thank you

Janelle Gilbert

Delicious food with good portions, served fast by friendly employees. Will be going back.

Andrew Caro

I frequent El Pollo Loco in Vista off of Melrose Dr. Miguel and Crystal are great representatives of El Pollo Loco. They always greet you with a smile. You always leave there with your complete meal. They double and triple check you got everything you need.

Oscar Salinas

Crystal, the manager was helpful. Props to her for recommending me what to eat. I got a 4 piece leg and thigh with a rice for a side. The chicken was juicy and the rice was cooked to perfection.

N M

Came inside to place an order for my family. The employees were very nice and were fast with my order too. If you are looking for good grilled chicken this is the place to be and anything on that menu. I have had their tosatadas, bowls and chicken quesadillas too! Thanks everyone for your service.

Greg J

2 days in a row! Yesterday a bowl, today a tostada. Know what wasn’t different? The superb customer service. Raul and gang actually seem to enjoy their work. And this little gem of a location has lush landscaping and is alone in a quiet corner away from other businesses and traffic. Want to relax with good food, nice atmosphere, and wonderful people? This particular location is your spot. I’m disappointed I’m only visiting because it’s the people that make the difference and this location shines. Thanks for being a cut above!

Jorge Marin

I realized my takeout order was missing an item so I drove back to the restaurant to see if they forgot to bag it for me. Raul quickly helped me out and it turned out that it wasn't added to my bill. He upgraded my meal and gave me a drink without me asking for the inconvenience and I was truly thankful for it all. Great service and he resolved my problem in no time. The other staff in the drive thru were also helpful and professional. Great experience overall!

Jared Bender

First time there and the double chicken tostada is AMAZING! Definitely gonna be coming back again🙌🏼

Kitchen noise not blocked from customer. Chicken was dry and over cooked. Sides if corn and beans were good.

Been coming here for the last two weeks. Got coupons for the street corn chicken tostada and bowls. It's only $5.41 with the coupon. It's perfect for me.

When it comes to eating fast food with spot. What's the best for any type of fast food. Cilantro dressing here is it really good. And I like the idea of serving serrano peppers. Not that I eat here lots I'm just saying it's fast food

Food it's really good, I love my chicken!! But the drive thru gets too dark at night, it makes it seem like they are closed when the restaurant is open. Other than that fast, good and friendly service.

I use the drive-thru here quite a bit. Service is fast, and the $5 pollo bowl combo is my favorite go to when I am watching my calories. Good stuff!

Quality fast food! Good health options.

It's good! Totally predictable. A bit of a wait but that means it's freshly prepared. Last time in drive thru the server was very pleasant.

Quick and relatively fresh above average fast food. And the employees are always nice. Drive through is quick and easy. Love coming here in a pinch.

This was OK. Since moving to Cali, we've had to get used to the style of food here as its really different from what we're used to. We've tried several different places ... some we liked and some we won't go back for; but the food was good here, and we will probably be back now and again.

They've taken some of the new things on the menu off already and have a few more newer ones. This time the chicken was better than other times at others in the chain. I wish they would get a vinigerett dressing. The"glop" they offer you or put on is gross! I always have to remember to ask to leave it off.

Great El Pollo Loco quality food. Staff is friendly and professional. The dining room is always clean and inviting. This location will remember to give you all your ordered items, which is a problem at other locations. The only negative thing that I've noticed is that the drive through is slow. It's not amazingly terrible, but you will find yourself wondering if you should have just gone in and ordered.

Ordered the weekend special for $10 which consisted of 8 legs and thighs. I ordered 2 extra breast. Service was fast and food was hot. However, when I got home I noticed it was a mixed batch of chicken. I was completely fine with it as it worked out in my favor but wondered if it was a mistake? If I called a probably couldnt bring it back due to covid-19. All and all it was a blessing!!!

I live up the street from this El Pollo Loco so its convenient for my family to grab and go. The customer service is ok, the food is always fresh but sometimes done so quickly the food falls apart ( burritos/ stuffed quesadillas etc) they dont have horchata at this Location, the drive through goes quickly. We have never had our order messed up or anything in that nature.

Usually when I get there late, like tonight, they still have black beans. Tonight they didn't, and the pinto beans and the broccoli w're under done. I hope next time is better, as is more their usual.

Place. Is. Great. Nice. Clean. Bathrooms. Are. Clean. Sale. Coupons. Price. All. Great. But. From. Store. To. Store. Staff. And. Things. Are. Way. Off. Food. It. Time. Is. Over. Cooked. Dry. Or. Under. Cooked. Bad. That. Is. Why. 3. Stars. Only

Food is ok, so bad service, there were 4 people , the one on drive thru and the one in the kitchen working but the other 2 were talking like there was no one waiting, ( assistant manager I believe)one of them saw me waiting and acted like there was no one and kept talking to the other worker (some girl) it had to be the one on drive thru who came and helped me because the other two were too busy talking, is this what they get paid for??? To chat?? And leave the costumers waiting until they are done???? Poor costumer service

This place is definitely a fast food option that offers healthy entrees. The lines are fast, if there are any, and the food comes out quickly. But like many fast foods, the food here is not usually fresh nor do they hold a taste similar to that of fresh and healthy foods.

Service is good. Late night cooks aren't really on top of it like they should be. My chicken was pink. So make sure you check your chicken in the late evening hours

Food is always good. The service was terrible. Manager began to answer a question then walked away and never came back. Other staff tried to help but likewise were slow and generally not polite or eager to help.

The food is OK always is yes it's fresh but but the workers when they're busy don't get the order right I asked for 2 dressings I got 0 I paid for the extra one and this isn't the 1st time this has happened

My food is always hot and good The problem is every time I go through the drive-thru they forget something so just make sure to always double check your order at the drive-thru no matter who's impatient behind you!

The food's good, but the customer service needs improvement. 90% of the time I find myself asking them to correct my order.

We absolutely love Pollo Loco! They are one of the healthier options for drive thru but they lack attention to detail at times. Overall their food is always great! Manager is extremely sweet and professional.

I have been eating at El Pollo Loco about 6 to 8 times a year since they opened their location in Vista, California. This location has never really impressed me - it just is. The food is usually adequate as I want something healthier than fried chicken. The service at this location has always been lacking. The employees usually never smile and they seem to, many times, act as if you are bothering them with your patronage. I was not happy at all the last time I went through the drive-thru and got food for the entire family. Upon arrival home I found that both orders of large mashed potatoes were overcooked, obviously burnt and all- around nasty looking. When I drove back to the store and showed them to the "supposed" manager (who was not wearing a name badge,) she did not offer an apology, or anything for that matter, and just said flatly that she could replace them. I expressed my dissatisfaction with having been sent home with that obvious mess - she just looked at me and asked if I wanted her to throw them away. This is terrible customer service and terrible management training on the part of El Pollo Loco.

The cashier had no idea of the promotion sent to me on social media. The chicken was DRY and tasted not very fresh. Tasted like yesterday's leftovers. The sides were great and very tasty. It'll be a while before i think about going back. Better grilled chicken elsewhere.

I feel like this place is gone downhill a bit. On busy days we order from here for convenience. But it never fails they always forget something from our order. So I've gotten in the habit of always checking before I leave the pickup window. I always get the family meal. A rack of points through the El Pollo loco app and earn 5 10 $15 off. But I feel as though everything else on the menu is pretty pricey.

Lauri Harrison

Ordered the birria tacos for the first and last time. The meat (birria) was so dried out, it was black, crunchy, and hard. Yuck! The tortilla shells seemed double fried, thin, and broke apart down the center and every time you try to take a bite, like chips??? Good thing I bought a container of pinto beans. Can't go wrong with those!

Used to be my favorite place until the took Classic Chicken Burrito off the menu... if they still had that, would definitely be 5 star. BRING BACK IT BACK!!!

Great taste I expect but the portion size was very bad. I got a 2 piece meal with a breast. The beast was almost cometely stripped of meat.

Food Safety issue, unfortunately i went in today for some nachos and asked for no pico, and they accidentally added pico to my nachos, and the guy who helped me was fine with fixing it, but the lady cashier working suggested just to take it out. I’m not sure why she wouldn't just remake the order off the bat since that is just unsafe and as far as she knew i could be allergic. They gave me the order and i asked if they just took it out and the guy just told me he’d remake it himself, which was fine. Not sure why this wasn't the course of action initially. I’m not mad, but you shouldnt just take something out of a meal because you accidentally added it, for Food Safety reasons you need to remake the item. Please try to care about people’s food since We payed for it. This occurred around 2:45pm.

One thing that really drives me crazy at a drive thru is being talked over. Unfortunately, the person manning the drive thru this evening kept doing this exact thing. PLEASE wait for customers to finish speaking, it's just common courtesy. As far as my nachos, I don't favor having to redistribute the cheese sauce with chips because it was plopped in one blob rather than poured over the whole thing.

They always ALWAYS forget the utensils when you go thorough the drive thru. Employees too busy talking to each other to care

I don’t know if it’s just me but the chickens at this el pollo loco are tiny. I’m not from these parts and I’ve been a Popeyes girl all my life...but those are hard to come by in this region so I’ve been exploring my options. Also hmm...it seems that you have to repeat your self fifty-hundred times to place your order, can y’all check that out please and thank you.

I usually do not give 1 star because it's hardly ever a true view of the place but in this case I was really close. My company made an online order and it was all set for pick up but some how there was glitch in the system and the ticket didn't come up on their end. They asked for my name and was handed some food right away and then they realized it wasn't the right order. Then they wanted confirmation of the order so I gave it to them. They were very nice and told me that there was an issue and that they would have my order right out and offered me a complementary drink while I waited. No joke, 25 minutes later I still didn't have my food. Althought, I provided the order, showed them that it was already paid for and then after my frustrated (and yes hangryness coming upon me) I offered to pay so that I can get my order started. They told me to wait because they almost had it figured out. Another 15 minutes later the young lady finally came out of the office with a print out of the exact same thing I showed her earlier. So, after close to an hour of waiting, I finally got my food, yes it was good and yes the staff was nice but the incompetence and sheer lack of respect for my time was unacceptable and left me so irritated that I didn't even enjoy my food.

Didn't fill up my mac and cheese, weird! Disappointed!

This is my first time going to El Pollo Loco in years. I ordered a chicken nachos for 9.99. It was okay but very small for the price and barely any toppings. For a couple more dollars I could have gotten a huge order of carne asada nachos from Vallarta's in Carlsbad...or any Mexican restaurant. So I was really disappointed in the cost of such a small amount of food.

I love the food at El Pollo Loco. But the one in Vista never gets my order right. I probably go there once or twice a month and take it home. When I get home, I always discover something is wrong or missing. Last night I ordered two meals, one with flour tortillas and one with corn tortillas. And when I get home all I had was all corn tortillas. Maybe their speaker box is bad. I don't know. I don't get it. It's very frustrating and it makes me not want to go there.

The restaurant was dirty and my order was made in a careless way. I ordered the double chicken and street corn salad. It had a very small portion of dry chicken It looked like it was fried and very little corn and they forgot to add the chili powder. The atmosphere was annoying because I had to listen to a lady from the kitchen talking very loudly on her phone and then laughing while she was at the registers. Hopefully someone tells them that when we go to a restaurant we don't go to listen to an employee's conversation or pay to get food that is made in a careless way.

Jazmen Green

Poor customer service. Anna who works the front took my order. She was upset with me because she doesn’t speak English. I simply ordered a tostado bowl with chicken well done add avocado. She didn’t understand what I was saying so walked off mid order and started speaking Spanish to her coworkers. A gentleman who came to take my order apologized and placed the order with ease. However Anna refused to make the chicken well done because she didn’t want to have to clean the grill after 🤦🏽‍♀️ I order the same thing at every el pollo loco I’ve never received this form of treatment or was told no I couldn’t get my chicken well done! I’ll never return to this el pollo loco

We went to this location on Thursday at 6:15 pm. We ordered the family meal with an additional 5 tamales. This morning my daughter went to eat one of the tamales and found a pink circle ring in the middle of her tamale !! If she would not of noticed it she could of swallowed and choked. Waiting for their corporate office to respond so I can send them the picture.

Waited 25 minutes for my food today along with 4 other people waiting for there orders as well. They got my order wrong as well. Poor customer service and the manager wasn’t available to speak to me. I for sure called the customer feedback phone number requesting for a full refund! Won’t be going back there again unless management changes!!

Went to get a burrito & drink the other night. Though there is no sign, was asked if I have a mask even though I was in my car by female employee. Then was given my burrito by the male employee in the back who wasn’t even wearing a mask himself. The lady handed me the drink without looking at us or saying anything and then shuts the window ..service here is a joke.

I was there yesterday, 12/14/23 I ordered a Tipia/Tapia burrito, not sure how it's spelled. I was very very DISAPPOINTED 😞 ALL it had was rice, beans, tons of cheese 🧀 BARELY ANY CHICKEN!! Where's the CHICKEN?? I got on drive through, so when I got home!! Bummed out!! I was so hungry I tried to eat it, even the tortilla was gross!! What a waste of $9.30. I should get my money back or a burrito with CHICKEN IN IT!!! YOU KNOW I'LL NEVER GO BACK!! Burrito ROBBERY!! Put CHICKEN IN YOUR 🌯 🌯 🌯 🌯 That's what you advertise to sell, not rice, beans and cheese alone!! UNBELIEVABLE!! S.V.

I asked for extra hot sauce got one hot sauce. It looked like he ate some of my food. I had chips in the single digits so management's a joke at this location.

Attempted to get food at 8pm on a Thursday and they're completely closed maybe you should update your hours or I guess you just don't care about having customers

Been coming to this pollo loco for a long time and the staff is allways angry maybe they need to get a different job. Last time I was in the drive true I ask for any specials in chicken only and the leady at the window was so rude. I'm not coming back to this place. + the chicken is the size of a little bird..

I ordered a 12 pc family meal with no wings and I still got small pieces. The rice was over cooked and dry but the beans and corn were tasty. My point is the family meals are not cheap so stop ripping the customer off with reject chicken......give me the steroid chicken pieces please!

Quality of meal and service was definitely terrible. I stopped @ drive thru. I ordered leg and thigh 2 piece meal with rice and beans. I received a wing and skimpy thigh instead. The meat was dry and tough like it was sitting for hours before being served to me. The beans were bland and rice had no flavor. I wouldn't recommend this crazy chicken to anyone. What a waste of money.

I just bought two items for $16. If I could give a half of a star rating I would. The salad I ordered for my mom looked amazing on the website. The reality was so gross! The avocados were brown and disgusting. The entire salad looked completely different than from the website menu where we looked before we ordered. I will NOT be eating here again.

Cold chicken, They over charged us I asked for 1 tortilla. They charged me $3.50 when I asked for a refund they gave me .70cents. My family & I like El polo Restraunts for many years. But had a bad experience Today with Cold Food, Service & being overcharged.

Not happy at all not only did I get the wrong side orders but got flour instead or the corn tortillas I ordered. I asked for utensils I was told they were in bag again when I got home there were none. I guess it was on me I should haved checked and double checked my order but that means I would have had to open each container

They must have been short-staffed today because the place was a mess. We could not find a clean table (I had to clean one myself after waiting a long period for someone to come clean it). The sauce/salsa bar was in shambles. The saving grace was that the cashier was very nice and efficient.

The gal that helped me at the counter didn't even smile, didn't even say thank you, I'll never go back I think it's ridiculous the portions for the price, prices up quantity/quality less..

I’m a HUGE Pollo Loco supporter .. but last nights experience was 1 for the books. I placed an order drive through around 7:15pm. The gentleman who was helping me take the order sounded like he was going 10000 miles per hour, I had to repeat my order 3 times. I understand restaurants get busy so I had no problem repeating my order and keeping calm. I was placing my order like I said .. 3 times by the 2nd time the gentleman read back the order and read it wrong .. so I corrected him and said no .. I repeated my whole order again for the 3rd time and he was apologetic. I pulled up to the window and everything was fine .. the gentleman said sorry again. I said it was ok. He steps away from the window after he takes my money and I don’t see him again. I grabbed my food and head home… I get home and im missing a side… GREAT… checked what else is wrong … looked at the receipt and the gentleman put me down for the wrong sides and was 1 side short .. GREAT. I drove back .. I don’t live that far.. so I drove back with my receipt on hand … pulled up to the drive through window because no one was there .. I guess it was a bad idea. I was left unattended for about 5 + min.. … I know the employees had seen me but chose not to address me. I made contact with 2 employees in the kitchen .. because the drive through window was closed.. mind you .. they had no other cars in the drive through lane nor customers in the lobby. I mean at this point i was just mad/FRUSTRATED but made no big deal.. so I waited and waited. FINALLY I just decided to call them FROM THE DRIVETHROUGH so I can be helped. Ridiculous. The did not pick up the phone.. im guessing they knew it was me because after the 4th ring they finally took notice and opened the window to talk to me. By this time going home to have dinner with my family it was almost 8pm. POINT BEING… Check Your Food/Order. It will be worth it, and it will save you time.

“It’s Memorial Day weekend” is not a valid excuse for putting everything away an hour before closing time. If you’re going to leave all of the lights on, and the sign on, and collect hourly pay, you should intend on keeping all of the ingredients out of the refrigerator and ready to make food for customers. I can’t believe this even needs to be said.

Visiting here in Vista, I was looking forward to some . Pollo, which I hadnt had for a long time, and was very disappointed. The chicken they gave me was so dried up, I couldn't eat it. The rice tasted like it came out of a box. The only good thing was the side salad, which I could get anywhere. Don't waste your money!

Ellis Pembroke

Ordered a chicken bowl and crunchy chicken tacos. Let me tell you I couldn’t even eat the chicken it was harder than a rock and tasted old. Do not come here you will be very disappointed like I was.

Cecilia Rojas

On Friday, 11/7/2025 I ordered a Classic Tostada to take home. 20 minutes later I felt sick with stomach problems that continued throughout the night and the next few days. I called location 3 times and phone was never answered. I wanted to report my symptoms and ask if they had received any other customers reports of illness and that my suspicion that the food was tainted and they should make sure that food was fresh and at correct temperature. I choose to leave a message since no answer and left my phone number and a request to please return my call. As of today no one has called. Please take caution at this location. I think I will contact health department to check on this. Yvonne R.

esmeralda

I placed an order last night Thursday May 22nd. and what I received was completely unacceptable. I understand that mistakes can happen, but the quality of the order I received reflects a serious lapse in standards. I attempted to reach someone by phone to address this directly, but unfortunately, no one answered. This lack of responsiveness only adds to the frustration. It is both disappointing and concerning that this level of service is being delivered. I strongly encourage you to review your training protocols and ensure your team understands the importance of quality and customer care.

Amanda Brodd

Just went into this establishment to grab two large Mac and Cheeses. The portion size has gotten very smaller. Besides the point, the lady at the window was extremely rude and short. I received my food and proceeded to put my debit card back into my purse. She forcefully opened the window while I was putting my card back in my purse saying” what else do you need” I responded nothing just putting my debit card in my purse. She than proceeded to tell I needed to move out of the line right away. I told her no one was behind me. She still continued on to to rude. As I was getting my stuff together to move. As I got my debit card back into my purse I drove off and will never be back. The girl with the old rosary chain and fake big eyelashes needs some customer service training.

Naomi Acuna

Hello 😃 my friends and I recently went to get food here… after starving all morning. I was so exited to eat my Bean rice CHICKEN and CHEESE burrito only to find out there was no chicken or cheese. My friends also found a chicken bone in his burrito 😄😄 love u so much el pollo loco and the lady at the window who was being so damn much for no reason 🫶 @Ana I hope ur trembling

Jose González

My wife went to the drive thru to get the family pack, she asked for rice and slaw, but she got beans instead of rice. The chicken was extremely burnt, really dry and hard, and we found a plastic glove stuck to the box where the chicken was. It wasn't the dinner we had planned on having.