El Pollo Loco

El Pollo Loco El Pollo Loco is a Mexican restaurant, chicken restaurant, and caterer that has been known for its delivery of fresh, authentic food using traditional methods since it opened its first American location in Los Angeles in 1980. The restaurant's dedication to quality can be seen in their slow marination of whole chickens with a special blend of herbs, spices, fruit juices, and garlic, followed by expert fire-grilling on signature open-flame grills and hand cutting into favorite Mexican entrees. Additionally, El Pollo Loco takes pride in their handmade guacamole, salsas, and dressings. With over 480 locations across 6 states, this L.A. mainstay strives to provide customers with the best fire-grilled chicken and innovative L.A. Mex cuisine.

Recent social media posts

06/23/2026

Why editing is so important... 🫪

new loaded quesadillas coming 6.25 (available tomorrow with early access through Loco Rewards 🤫)
06/22/2026

new loaded quesadillas coming 6.25

(available tomorrow with early access through Loco Rewards 🤫)

06/18/2026

tomorrow…

06/17/2026

It’s a sign 🄹

06/17/2026

WE ARE SO BACK 🫘

BBQ Black Beans WILL RETURN June 25th!! šŸ”„

06/16/2026

SIGN UP to get EARLY ACCESS to our NEW Street Corn and Queso Loaded Quesadillas through the Loco Rewards App 6/23-6/24.

Available everywhere 6/25 ā¤ļøā€šŸ”„

06/11/2026

there we go 😌

WORLD CUP GIVEAWAY āš½ļøŽThe world’s most-watched sports event means a Pollo watch party! Enter the Loco Cup for your chance...
06/10/2026

WORLD CUP GIVEAWAY āš½ļøŽ
The world’s most-watched sports event means a Pollo watch party! Enter the Loco Cup for your chance to win a $200 El Pollo Loco e-gift card for the ideal World Cup watch party spread šŸ†
Ā 
Here’s how to enter:
⚽ Follow
⚽ Like this post
⚽ Comment with your guess of each team’s TOTAL SHOTS (not just shots on target) for the USA vs. Paraguay soccer match scheduled for June 12, 2026, and
⚽ Share the post to your Stories 
Ā 
We’llĀ be randomly selecting the winner to receive a $200Ā e-gift card for El Pollo Loco.
Ā 

Let’s goooooo!Ā  Ā 
Ā 
Ā 
Your Instagram profile must be public. SweepstakesĀ endsĀ onĀ Friday, June 12, 2026, atĀ 4Ā PM PT. Void where prohibited. No purchaseĀ necessary. Winners will be contacted via DM from the verifiedĀ Ā Instagram Account. See full terms in the link in our bio.

send this to your bff šŸ¤—
06/08/2026

send this to your bff šŸ¤—

Show your support by voting for El Pollo Loco as Best Restaurant for Quick, Healthy Food for the USA Today 10Best  Reade...
06/08/2026

Show your support by voting for El Pollo Loco as Best Restaurant for Quick, Healthy Food for the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards! All it takes is ONE CLICK.

Every vote helps! Let's show them why our Loco Family is the best!

Vote here šŸ‘‰ 10best.usatoday.com/awards/el-pollo-loco/

Home is where the tamales are!
12/13/2019

Home is where the tamales are!

Traditions are best shared around the table. Enjoy our Holiday Family Dinner tonight, available at 12847 El Camino Real.
12/11/2019

Traditions are best shared around the table. Enjoy our Holiday Family Dinner tonight, available at 12847 El Camino Real.

Your favorite holiday tradition just got better. Stop by 12847 El Camino Real and pick up one of our Holiday Tamale Bowl...
12/09/2019

Your favorite holiday tradition just got better. Stop by 12847 El Camino Real and pick up one of our Holiday Tamale Bowls today!

Slow simmered holiday tradition. Our new Chicken Pozole Verde soup is here for a limited time!
12/06/2019

Slow simmered holiday tradition. Our new Chicken Pozole Verde soup is here for a limited time!

'Tis the season for tradition. Pick up one of our Holiday Tamale Bowls today!
11/26/2019

'Tis the season for tradition. Pick up one of our Holiday Tamale Bowls today!

Your weekend plans just got more delicious. Order online and get our famous fire-grilled chicken delivered right to your...
11/24/2019

Your weekend plans just got more delicious. Order online and get our famous fire-grilled chicken delivered right to your door!

Which new Holiday Tamale Bowl is your go-to this season: Chicken Tamale Bowl, 2 Chicken Tamales Bowl or Chicken Tamale a...
11/22/2019

Which new Holiday Tamale Bowl is your go-to this season: Chicken Tamale Bowl, 2 Chicken Tamales Bowl or Chicken Tamale and Chopped Chicken Breast Bowl?

What's better than eating your favorite fire-grilled chicken? How about being rewarded for eating your favorite fire-gri...
11/20/2019

What's better than eating your favorite fire-grilled chicken? How about being rewarded for eating your favorite fire-grilled chicken! Receive a Free Original Pollo Bowl when you download our app and sign up today! Details: www.elpolloloco.com/rewards

Spend less time in the kitchen and more time with the ones you love this holiday season. Head over to 12847 El Camino Re...
11/18/2019

Spend less time in the kitchen and more time with the ones you love this holiday season. Head over to 12847 El Camino Real and pick up our Holiday Family Dinner, including our famous fire-grilled chicken, 3 large sides, warm tortillas and fresh salsa.

Unwrapping a holiday tradition has never tasted so good! Pick up one of our Holiday Tamale Bowls today in San Diego.
11/14/2019

Unwrapping a holiday tradition has never tasted so good! Pick up one of our Holiday Tamale Bowls today in San Diego.

Address

12847 El Camino Real
San Diego, CA
92130

To get to the location on El Camino Real in San Diego, you have a few options for public transport and driving/parking:

Public Transport:
1. From downtown San Diego, take the Green Line Trolley towards Santee. Get off at the Grantville Station.
2. Walk to the nearby bus stop and catch Bus 30 towards Old Town Transit Center.
3. Get off at the El Camino Real & Mission Gorge Rd stop.
4. Walk south on El Camino Real for about 5 minutes until you reach your destination.

Driving/Parking:
1. If you're coming from downtown San Diego, take I-5 North.
2. Merge onto CA-163 North and continue for about 7 miles.
3. Take the exit onto I-8 East toward El Centro and continue for approximately 6 miles.
4. Take the Mission Gorge Road exit and turn left onto Mission Gorge Road.
5. Continue straight on Mission Gorge Road for about 2 miles until you reach El Camino Real.
6. Turn right onto El Camino Real, and you will find parking options available near your destination.

Please note that these directions are provided without mentioning any specific establishment or business name, as per your request.

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 10pm
Tuesday 10am - 10pm
Wednesday 10am - 10pm
Thursday 10am - 10pm
Friday 10am - 10pm
Saturday 10am - 10pm
Sunday 10am - 10pm

Telephone

+18588470285

Alerts

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What people say

El Pollo Loco, located on El Camino Real in San Diego, is a Mexican restaurant that truly embodies the essence of authentic Mexican cuisine. With their commitment to delivering fresh and flavorful food, El Pollo Loco has become a go-to destination for those seeking delicious meals.

One of the standout features of El Pollo Loco is their dedication to using whole chickens that are marinated in a special recipe of herbs, spices, fruit juices, and garlic. This slow marination process ensures that every bite is bursting with incredible flavors. The chicken is then expertly fire-grilled on their signature open-flame grills, resulting in perfectly cooked and juicy meat. The attention to detail and traditional cooking methods truly set El Pollo Loco apart from other Mexican restaurants.

Not only does El Pollo Loco excel in their grilled chicken offerings, but they also put the same level of care into their handmade guacamole, salsas, and dressings. These accompaniments elevate the dining experience and add an extra layer of flavor to each dish.

Since its establishment in 1980, El Pollo Loco has grown into a beloved chain with over 480 locations across six states. Their commitment to providing customers with fresh and innovative Mexican cuisine has made them a cultural benchmark in Los Angeles and beyond.

At El Pollo Loco in San Diego, you can expect famous fire-grilled chicken that is cooked slow but served fast. Each order is cut-to-order, ensuring that you receive the freshest meal possible. Whether you're enjoying one of their famous family dinners or indulging in their mouthwatering Mexican entrees, you can be confident that your taste buds will be delighted.

If you're searching for a Mexican restaurant that stays true to tradition while delivering exceptional flavors, look no further than El Pollo Loco on El Camino Real in San Diego. Their commitment to quality ingredients and authentic cooking methods will keep you coming back for more.

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