El Pollo Loco — Restaurant in Modesto

When the call went out my best friend signed up. The pamphlet said they needed the best and she was. I did try to warn her but you know how that is. They offered others like her and to be a part of something bigger and all I offered in return is doom and gloom. She signed up and I haven't heard from her since. After not hearing from her for a while I began to get suspicious and after no communication from my friend for this long I decided to investigate the underbelly of this organization. I drove up to the window. "Welcome to El Pollo Loco. Can I take your order?" I sat at the menu board in stunned silence. "Take your time and order when you're ready," they said after a moment. I wrenched myself back into the moment and tried not to blow my my cover. I ordered, "I'll have a Chipotle Chicken Avacado Burrito please." "Can I get you anything else?" "Um... no," my voice only quavering slightly from grief. "That'll be $10.24 at the window please." I pulled forward and to be absolutely sure I asked while paying, "Can you tell me exactly what's in this burrito?" "We use only the best chicken," he said handing back my card. My worst fears confirmed, I burst into tears as I drove away. Sitting at home I debated fiercely in my head what to do. In the end I couldn't let her sacrifice go to waste. It was delicious. She really...

I used to love El Pollo Loco. I always get their original pollo bowl, but it was hard to find on the menu screen. They have expanded their menu items exponentially! Some people may like their new options, but the party I was with were not satisfied with their meals. They seemed to be envious of my simple chicken bowl & tortillas. The only complaint I have about my food was the chicken was very, very dry. It was probably sitting under a warming lamp way to long. I added 4 more salsa cups to add moisture, but it was so dry I had a hard time eating it. I had to pick most of it out. Thankfully the rest of the bowl was satisfying. I kinda wished El Pollo Loco would go back to their simple menu of family dinners and chicken bowls. Focus on what they do best and leave the rest. Still love me some EPL, and very happy to see the cost of the original bowl stay at $5. I still recommend EPL to my friends, but tell them to keep it simple, always go for the Original...

The last time I visited to El Pollo Loco was abysmal. (See my review El Polo Loco on Countryside Dr Turlock)

Tonight was redemption.

There street tacos were delicious and the service was excellent.

We used a coupon to try their new street tacos plate. Two tacos with rice and beans. We got the Elote Taco and the Avocado taco. They were bomb! The rice and beans were a tasty side dish, after we doctored them with cilantro, lime, and salsa.

Originally the rice was a skimpy amount (See picture) and as I was finishing at the salsa bar the young lady at the counter gave me an additional cup of rice. She identified the short coming and took the initiative to correct it. Great Job!

There were several employees on shift (11) the facilities were as clean as to be expected.

Negative: There was a dried piece of chicken under out table that appeared to have been there for some...