El Pollo Loco — Restaurant in Fullerton

As a pollo loco consummate connoisseur of sorts, I'm compelled to give credit where credit is due . the staff is very friendly and welcomes you with a genuine smile, ready to take on your order which is great in my book. food is consistently fresh and cooked to perfection, as if your name was on it and awaiting for ones arrival. the lounge music of choice for this place is rather pleasant as they play traditional 50's music which is my cup of tea. I've often wondered, how many times the poor bell by the exit door has been replaced as patrons frequently ring it off with a smile on their way out expressing their delectation and gratitude, I can see the wheels turning in their head as they plan and schedule their next visit as they leave, I've been guilty of doing so myself. As a chicken Afficionado I must admit, For decades I've freely traveled this great land of ours, from the south border of san Ysidro to the northern western region of the US /Canada border including, but not limited to the Main/Quebec border. I've stumbled into other fine pollo loco establishments and altho the menu's are typically the same, the building paint color, chairs and dining tables share similarities, is not quite as inordinate as the fine establishment in in fullerton Ca, imperial Hwy- Route 90 to be precise. the highlight of my day, consist of drinking a cup of coffee at 7:15 (light hazelnut) with my cat Penny, watching the local news, sending emails, getting ready for work and prepare for my visit to the second happiest place on earth. el pollo loco.

PS. the drive-thru is fairly...

This location has the cleanest rest rooms anywhere that should serve as the Model for the Industry.

That said, it's an El Pollo Loco that despite a wonderful staff & tasty recipes, suffers from the same glaring symptom of shock as others in its chain.

The Universe's Absolute Worst Menu lives here. Menus in many joints are becoming hard to fathom, but here is the example of how ridiculously bad they can get.

Want soup? They have it...but it's not on the menu. Want only the entree part of a Combo Meal ala carte? Sure...but its price is nowhere to be found.

It's tragic that they don't realize how there is a depth of clientele who enjoy their food but specifically avoid coming here because of the stupidity of the corporate menu model they are apparently forced to embrace.

In fact, they lose money on me alone at least a dozen days per month because of this; now imagine how many others quietly also spend their meal money elsewhere due to such an easily...

I have been a customer of this location for over 15 years, but I am done with this place. Countless times I have been cheated and given less pcs than what I paid for family meals (16pcs got 15, 12 pcs got 11, etc) they assume people don't count and just give you whatever, also if you don't check you buy mixed and they give you legs & tighs.

Last night was the last straw, I always loved creamy cilantro and always ask for ONE to add to my family meal, and lady said "we have to charge you for that" well, I am not buying a value item, I just spend $40 on your family meal and you can't give me a 25 cents item? Also if you don't ask for salsa they do not give you any, and if you ask they give you 3 tiny cups, really? For a family meal?

I will take my business elsewhere from now on, save your money and hassle, there are better chicken places...