El Pollo Loco

El Pollo Loco El Pollo Loco is a popular restaurant in San Diego, CA that serves fresh and authentic Mexican cuisine. They specialize in fire-grilled chicken that is slow-marinated in a special recipe of herbs, spices, fruit juices and garlic. In addition to their famous chicken dishes, they also make handmade guacamole, salsas and dressings every day. El Pollo Loco has over 480 restaurants across 6 states and has been serving delicious food since 1980.

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.
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Let’s goooooo!Ā  Ā 
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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/

Address

11895 Carmel Mountain Road
San Diego, CA
92128

To reach the location at Carmel Mountain Road in San Diego, you can take the public transport by using either Bus No. 56 or 921, which will stop at Camino Del Norte & Carmel Mountain Rd bus station. From there, it's a short walk to reach the destination.

Alternatively, if you are driving, follow these directions:

- From the north: Take the I-15 S and exit at Carmel Mountain Road. Turn left onto Carmel Mountain Rd and continue straight until you see the destination on your right.
- From the south: Take the I-15 N and exit at Rancho Penasquitos Blvd/Carmel Mountain Rd. Turn right onto Rancho Penasquitos Blvd, then left onto Carmel Mountain Rd. Continue on this road until you see the destination on your left.

There is a parking lot available for customers to park their cars free of charge.

Opening Hours

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

Telephone

+18584511884

Alerts

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What people say

When it comes to Mexican restaurants, there's nothing quite like the taste of fresh, authentic food. And that's exactly what you'll find at El Pollo Loco on Carmel Mountain Road in San Diego. This restaurant is a true gem for those who love delicious, fire-grilled chicken and other Mexican entrees.

At El Pollo Loco, everything starts with whole chickens that are marinated in a special recipe of herbs, spices, fruit juices and garlic. The chicken is then expertly fire-grilled to perfection on their signature open-flame grills. Each order is hand-cut into your favorite Mexican entrees, ensuring that every bite is bursting with flavor.

But it's not just the chicken that makes El Pollo Loco stand out. They also put the same dedication and care into their handmade guacamole, salsas and dressings every day. And with over 480 locations across 6 states, this restaurant has become a cultural benchmark for L.A. Mex cuisine.

Whether you're looking for a quick lunch or a family dinner, El Pollo Loco has something for everyone. Their famous fire-grilled chicken is cooked slow and served fast - always cut-to-order. So if you're in the mood for some delicious Mexican food that will keep you coming back again and again, head over to El Pollo Loco on Carmel Mountain Road in San Diego. You won't be disappointed!