El Pollo Loco

El Pollo Loco El Pollo Loco, located in Encinitas, CA, is a highly-rated chicken shop and Mexican restaurant that specializes in high-quality fire-grilled chicken. Using a special recipe of herbs, spices, fruit juices, and garlic, El Pollo Loco marinates whole chickens to perfection before expertly grilling them on their signature open-flame grills. They also offer handmade guacamole, salsas and dressings that are made fresh every day. With over 480 locations across six states, El Pollo Loco has been providing customers with innovative and fresh L.A. Mex for four decades and counting.

Recent social media posts

Happy Sidesgiving!!Whether you’re responsible for bringing a side or hosting yourself, we want to help! Now through the ...
11/10/2026

Happy Sidesgiving!!

Whether you’re responsible for bringing a side or hosting yourself, we want to help! Now through the holidays, buy 2 extra-large or jumbo catering sides and get one FREE in the Loco Rewards app! (must be signed in to redeem)

We’re also giving 5 lucky winners a $100 El Pollo Loco gift card each to help feed their favorite people this holiday season 🫶
 
How to enter:
 
• Follow El Pollo Loco
• Tag a some of your favorite people in the comments👇
• Share this post to your stories 
 
Giveaway ends November 15, 2026 at 8 PM PST.
 
 
 
Void where prohibited. No purchase necessary. Winners will be contacted via DM from the verified El Pollo Loco Instagram Account. See full terms in the link in our bio.
 

11/09/2026

these burritos aren’t going to wrap themselves 😮‍💨

I came. I saw. I conquered…
11/05/2026

I came. I saw. I conquered…

11/04/2026

but first… coffee

not gonna lie, I’m already in bed…
11/02/2026

not gonna lie, I’m already in bed…

time to snuggle up with my chicken tortilla soup 😌me every time good soup
10/30/2026

time to snuggle up with my chicken tortilla soup 😌

me every time

good soup

I swear, if someone brings me a 12pc family meal I’m going to scream
10/27/2026

I swear, if someone brings me a 12pc family meal I’m going to scream

10/22/2026

cheaper than therapy 🤷

10/21/2026

it’s nbd

what?
10/20/2026

what?

when you know, you know 🥲
10/19/2026

when you know, you know 🥲

🏈 Game Day Spread Giveaway 🏈Your team puts you through enough. Let us handle the food.We’re giving one winner a $250 El ...
10/16/2026

🏈 Game Day Spread Giveaway 🏈

Your team puts you through enough. Let us handle the food.

We’re giving one winner a $250 El Pollo Loco gift card for catering at their next game day watch party. We got you.
 
How to enter:
1️⃣ Follow El Pollo Loco
2️⃣ Tag your game day buddies in the comments👇 (more comments, the better your chances)
3️⃣ Share this post in your Stories (we will be checking)

🕒 Ends October 20, 2026 at 8 PM PST.
 
 
 
Void where prohibited. No purchase necessary. Winners will be contacted via DM from the verified El Pollo Loco Instagram Account. See full terms in the link in our bio.
 

!-Hour Left! Stop by El Pollo Loco Poway east of Pomerado for the Coke Music Studio Experience before 3 today for music,...
07/08/2022

!-Hour Left! Stop by El Pollo Loco Poway east of Pomerado for the Coke Music Studio Experience before 3 today for music, fun, and $5 2pc Combos. Today until 3pm only at El Pollo Loco 12427 Poway Rd.

Today only! Join us from 11am-3pm at El Pollo Loco on Poway east of Pomerado for the Coke Music Studio Experience and ge...
07/08/2022

Today only! Join us from 11am-3pm at El Pollo Loco on Poway east of Pomerado for the Coke Music Studio Experience and get a 2pc Fire-grilled Chicken Combo for only $5. Today only! El Pollo Loco 12427 Poway Rd.

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 1002 N El Camino Real...
12/11/2019

Traditions are best shared around the table. Enjoy our Holiday Family Dinner tonight, available at 1002 N El Camino Real.

Your favorite holiday tradition just got better. Stop by 1002 N El Camino Real and pick up one of our Holiday Tamale Bow...
12/09/2019

Your favorite holiday tradition just got better. Stop by 1002 N 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

Address

1002 N El Camino Real
Encinitas, CA
92024

Directions for N el Camino Real in Encinitas:

Option 1: Public Transport
- Take the bus or train to Encinitas Station
- Walk south on S Vulcan Ave towards E D St
- Turn left onto E D St
- Continue straight onto N El Camino Real

Option 2: Driving/Parking
- Take the I-5 and exit at Leucadia Blvd towards Encinitas
- Merge onto N Coast Hwy and continue straight
- Turn right onto La Costa Ave
- Turn left onto N El Camino Real
- Look for parking options along the street.

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 10pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 10pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 10pm
Thursday 9:30am - 10pm
Friday 9:30am - 10pm
Saturday 10am - 10pm
Sunday 10am - 10pm

Telephone

+1 760-943-1253

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when El Pollo Loco posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Share

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 in Encinitas, CA. This restaurant takes pride in delivering the best fire-grilled pollo in town, using a special recipe of herbs, spices, fruit juices and garlic to marinate whole chickens before expertly grilling them on their signature open-flame grills.

But it's not just the chicken that sets El Pollo Loco apart. 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.

At El Pollo Loco, they believe that real food meets real fire to create great taste that will keep you coming back again and again. So if you're looking for a delicious meal that's cooked slow and served fast, be sure to check out El Pollo Loco on N el Camino Real in Encinitas.

Nearby