El Pollito Loco Crazy Little Chicken — Restaurant in Point Pleasant Beach

This restaurant is really over-rated. 1 person in our party wanted to go there, but there were 8 of us. My friend called to ask to make sure the place could take a party of 8. They said "yes" and offered a time. We came at the time recommended; 7:30pm

Tables are moves, we sat, 10 minutes later we received a basket of tortilla chips. They tasted like they could be any low-end store brand chips. There were two squeeze bottles of salsa on the table; one orange and one green. We were given no bowls, no silverware, no water. Just chips and squeeze bottles. Very strange. A few in my group were taking a chip, strategically placing a drop or two of salsa on the chip and navigating it to their mouth. It was a far more complicated maneuver than just dipping a chip into salsa. I tried each salsa on a chip this way. The orange salsa had some sort of creamy product in it; maybe sour cream, or mayonnaise. It was spicy and not bad, but no where near as satisfying or refreshing as salsa fresca or just a plain tomato based salsa would be. Again, I reiterate; that was a weird way to serve chips and salsa. A weird, BAD way to serve chips and salsa.

Another 10 minutes-- a party of 2 came in and they were loud. They got service. They even got Mexican cokes. We had to flag down the ONE waiter in the restaurant the size of a master bathroom. He then brought us menus and we ordered some beverages. Each Coke "hecho en Mexico" that was delivered to the table was great. Highlight of the visit right there. The one waiter is constantly answering the phone and taking down take-out orders.

Then more ignoring for another 10 minutes, until we had to flag the ONE PERSON WORKING IN A 600 square foot restaurant down again to order! We order. More time sink. People finish their cokes. No water was offered. Still no bowls for salsa. When the waiter is once again directed back to the table he takes our order. We ask for more cokes. They never come, I go to the refrigerator and make a hand gesture to the waiter that I am taking more coca colas. He nods like he understands and I take 4 and return to the table.

People have been shuffling in and out with take out orders. Sometimes, our waiter brings a bag outside to someone waiting in an illegal parking spot. But, of course, they require an opener. One in my group has one on his key-chain. Wait. Talk. Reminisce . Catch-up. Oh God where is our food? The restaurant empties out. Our waiter is cleaning. We can hear a bunch of things being prepared in the kitchen. It smells good. Glaciers move in the north, stars are born in constellations far far away, Thousands of people are born and die all over the world.

Then our food comes. But no silverware or napkins. We almost get as many settings as there are people; 6 sets of silverware for the 8 of us. No side plates either. We try to flag the waiter down again for a couple more sets of silverware. Not happening. Half the group has tacos or some type of burrito/wrap. There are some fajitas and one spicy shrimp dish. So it was possible to make due without all the settings. The entrees are good. Just good. The grayish-blue black beans are cold and the Mexican rice is room temperature. The entrees were tasty, the side accoutrements were cold. We all eat pretty fast because we probably missed deadlines, important birthdays, or some religious holiday... Yes, I am kidding about that with my literary device of hyperbole. But the entire experience was just shy of a couple of hours.

To sum this place up- it's a cute SMALL restaurant that probably does mostly take-out for business. The place is painfully understaffed for when it is full inside and outside. Their is a laissez faire attitude of the one person wait staff that borders on "I just don't give one #$@% about you!"

It might have been okay as a take out meal. The sides would have been just as cold anyway. This place is way over-rated on Google. Don't go there with a party greater than four (or not at all is my suggestion). Take out, if you must try...

I am a Gringo, but kind of an expert with Mexican Food. And my Spouse is from Mexico.

We ate here today, Monday,10/21/24,around 5:00 p.m., it was our second visit. We have not visited in over a year but returned and met the same owner.

I would NOT recommend this place for Authentic Mexican Food!!!

The food is not as good as the first time.

Pros: Owner is nice. Small place, good decor BYOB Additional al fresco, sidewalk dining ( if you like ).

Cons: Burrito: chicken and entire Burrito contents were skimpy (Burrito was Small) and bland! Lacking not only spice but flavor, pricey at $14. with chips that I told them I do not eat or want. Very little Guacamole and Pico de Gallo inside it. It is more like Tex Mex food and the server agreed. (?) A taco bell Burrito grande is larger and more tasty. Huarache: Just okay, mediocre size, pricey at $15.50 . Salsas Roja y Verde not that pica (spicy). Plastic cups with ice for BYOB.(?) I guess no glasses.(?) 3.5 % fee added for credit card purchases, common these days.

Paid check first then complained, but no apologies from server or owner.

As with most places, bathroom could have been cleaner and back area near kitchen could be much cleaner.

We were very disappointed and will not be returning!!! I would NOT recommend this restaurant to family or friends!!!

See...

After we left Point Pleasant Beach, we looked for a place with vegetarian options and decided to try El Pollito Loco. When we walked in and and sat down, we were told they would need that table for a customer that had called in and were told to sit outside on the sidewalk. We sat and the server took our order and brought our drinks. After that another couple arrived and they were seated at the bar and then the other customers arrived for the table. We waited for awhile and the people at the bar got served before us. When the server finally brought out one of our plates it was a plain burrito with some chips on the side. It didn't have the guacamole, pico de gallo, crema, or cheese that was mentioned on the menu. The server didn't give us utensils or napkins and when we tried to ask her where the toppings were for the burrito she just ran away from us while we were still talking. She later brought the other plate we had ordered. The service was horrible and the food was mediocre at best. We will never return to this restaurant and don't recommend it all. Save yourself the headache and try any of the many restaurants...