El Pollo Loco — Restaurant in Fresno

I was nearby and my friend spotted this El Pollo Loco. He said he liked the food so we decided to stop by for lunch. This was my very first time ever at an El Pollo Loco.

I looked around and noticed a small salsa bar and lots of open seating including booths and tables. Before I approached the counter I studied the menu. A traditional fast food menu organized by different types of entrees from burritos to salads to deserts. They also had several multi-course plate options which really adds to the restaurant experience. There was also a "value" section which included a few $5 options. Despite the many many options I chose a simple burrito.

After paying about 6 bucks for only a burrito and water cup, I went to a booth to wait for my meal. I only waited about 5 minutes before they called me up by name. The burrito was excellent. The chicken had a nice fire grilled flavor and the beans were cooked well. All of the flavors really came together for a nice, familiar mexican-style taste.

I see how El Pollo Loco is trying to lead the competition by offering a sit-down restaurant style experience. While I was completely satisfied with their service I think bringing the food directly to the customer rather than announcing a name would really 'up their game'. The employees all seemed to be working and getting along. But there was no friendliness towards the customers which is always nice and often times excellent customer service is what brings people back.

For a fast food restaurant I got what I expected and then some. I enjoyed my meal but I definitely wouldn't come here looking for an...

The staff member started off by asking to remind her of the soda order when I got to the window. I repeated twice that I would like our BRC’s to be grilled. Upon arriving at the window I reminded her of the soda choices as requested and she handed me the wrong sodas. I kindly asked her if these were one cherry coke and one diet? She asked for them back and stated she made a mistake. This was fine but it was clear they were having issues.

Then they almost forgot our salsa as requested, however asking if they were in the bag she corrected and handed me the two salsas for the order. After paying she thanked me and we drove off, only to realize they did not grill the BRC’s as requested. Also noted, one of the BRC was so small that I laughed out loud with my wife because out of ALL my visits in the past several years I never seen one SO small and petite. My wife’s BRC was smaller than normal but at least filled with beans and rice and just missing being grilled. Even though was smaller than seen at any of the other locations it was at least a significantly larger than mine, which was saying much! Mine was something I would wrap for a 4 year old so they wouldn’t make a mess! It was ridiculously small.

Then we opened up our chips and guacamole and the chips were incredibly stale and tasted horrible! The guacamole tasted great however I couldn’t even muscle down the chips to enjoy the great tasting guacamole. After spending nearly $17 in food, I couldn’t justify spending more on lunch and left there hungry! Extremely disappointed in this...

5/28/2022 ... Was wanting a burrito so we stopped here cause it was the closests place ... Got home and I'm really glad I looked in my burrito before eating it because it had two strands of hair in it ... Also was made incorrectly ... Went back to the shop and they remade it 3 times the first time they remade it wasn't the correct burrito remake then when they remade it again it had avacado no beans or rice completely different burrito again ... By the third remake I stood there and watched the cook make my burrito and they almost forgot my sour cream till I mentioned it again to them and they unwrapped and added my sour cream.

Honestly by the time I got the correct burrito I didn't even want a burrito anymore but they remade it 3 times so I felt bad ... I was hungry though so I just ate it.

A little annoyed though because it was a very simple burrito to make ... The birra burrito no onion or cabbage with extra sour cream ....

I appreciate that they offered for a refund or a remake but 3 times to make the correct burrito ... I won't be going back for a good while honestly Employees should definitely be wearing hairnets when...