El Pollo Loco — Restaurant in Irvine

Recently remodeled their inside dining as well as the outdoor seating. It's not a drastic change, but the newer décor helps. They could have addressed their main problem which is flow, but I believe their seatcount stays the same.

As with so much of Irvine this place is a haven for surrounding business folks come to get lunch which means form 11:45-1:30 this place is pretty much off limits. Be prepared for a 10 minute wait to order and a 10 minute wait for food and the pace is not slow, there are just that many people in front and behind you. The worst part of this is that once you order, get your drink, get your salsa there is nowhere to go, just stand in the common area basically hovering over and lingering around everyone which can be uncomfortable for people other than myself.

They also recently expanded their supremely popular chicken bowls menu which have beans, rice, chicken, pico, cilantro and chicken, but in a more substantial portion than most of the burrito's. It's the go to for many looking for value at that price. Now they offer a much bigger variety.

It's actually a pretty clean location, aside from the super grungy parking lot. In fact the entire parking lot is a trash heap of terrible parking and bad drivers, one way entrances all sharing space with McDonalds, Arby's, Chevron and other non rush business'. With the upgrade they now call your name for to go orders and have a waitress bring the dine in orders to you which is great. Service used to be mediocre, but has gotten better.

With chicken in the name it's still their signature item, well marinated, juicy, cheap and fast, constantly on the grill. The rice is pretty light and not heavy like many Spanish styles, beans are a little bland as is their salsa's, but I do like how they chop onions and cilantro for you. It's a go to place outside of the typical rush at lunch for value, but it's still...

Terrible experience, horrid service. I’ve never left a food review in my life but this time I feel compelled to do so. I ordered a 16 piece family dinner with 3 large sides, 2 of which were black beans and corn. I ordered these specifically because a family member has diabetes; but instead, they gave me rice and pinto beans. Which is terrible for someone with diabetes. What’s worse, this meal is supposed to be for 8 people but they only provided 3 tiny salsa containers, and most people eating didn’t even get any salsa. I asked the cashier to get some more as we have 8 people but she pretty much just brushed me off and rudely dismissed my request. I understand things are rough with COVID; but that shouldn’t mean the most basic standards aren’t kept. I love El Pollo Loco and we used to get it all the time but until they get their act together and properly run and handle a business, I think I might have to stay away for a while. Not to mention the drive through took...

I love el pollo loco but this location was the worst store ive ever been to. I ordered 2 breast and wing and 2 sides , and 2 leg and thighs and sides. They asked if its to go, and i told them we are eating here. When the food was ready instead of leg and thigh and breast and wing, they gave us 2 helpings of leg and thigh instead of 1 breast and wing and 1 leg and thigh. I told them the order was wrong , and they didn’t apologize and seemed like work to them to get it right. Then I noticed that i had 2 to go containers , and no plates with meal and sides . When i asked her for a plate, she just gave me a small plate. Then i told her i need the plate that el pollo loco gives you that has place for 2 sides and meal. That seemed to make her angrier and she only gave me 1 plate , but i told her i needed another plate because i ordered 2 meals. Anyway she never apologized or said sorry. I think her name was alix. I definitely won’t be going to that el pollo...