Great place to eat in poway. Staff is always friendly, fast, and accommodating. Food is served hot all the time. Portions are filling and you can't beat the cleanliness of the restaurant. This review is for all of them because I see them at least 2 or 3 times a week. Our office is right down the street so location is ideal to get to. Thank you again for your kindness and I'm sure will see you soon. read more

I ordered a chicken taco. Simple. But there was no chicken! And it was so greasy that I feel nauseous it's hard enough to eat. Let alone people sabotaging me! read more

The food and service quality was truly exceptional, I can't wait to come back. The food is really outstanding! The meal I had was full of flavor and cooked to perfection if you don't know what to get ask the General Manager Aleida she made a great suggestion.. The ambience speechless. I highly recommend this restaurant... read more

El Pollo Loco - I highly recommend this restaurant... - Chicken Shop Near Me - Poway, California

Third times a charm right? It's 2022 so I gave this location another shot and ordered via the app then opted to pickup curbside. It was not busy inside or in their drive thru. So when I pulled up and indicated I arrived on the app they came out promptly with my order: - 12 piece family chicken meal with corn, salad and rice - chicken tostada salad The food was properly prepared though the Creamy Cilantro Dressing for my tostada was missing. And there were no napkins. This trip was better than my first two but still lacking when compared to the consistency of the Carmel Mountain location. read more

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They have delicious chicken and they're very fast and efficient. The inside of their dining room is very clean and tidy. Their drive through is usually empty when I go so that is always nice. The only thing is that their chopped chicken, the chicken they use for salads, tacos, tostadas, etc., is not the best. It does not taste as good and fresh as the legs, thighs, and the orders by the piece. Their chips were so stale too! But other than that they're a great place to eat. read more

Food tasted good and good service but this pollo bowl has me laughing every time I take a bite. I can not find any chicken in this thing... specially to label it as so.... They need to call it their beans and rice bowl. It's silly to pay that much for beans and rice... I unfortunately won't be back. read more

I grew up with El Pollo Loco and loved it ever since so I'm happy they opened up in Poway. This location was fast and easy, the food was hot and fresh, the chicken was juicy and yummy. The cashier made sure to check in the bag for all my food. The one thing I wouldn't get is the mashed potatoes, I'm just not a fan of them, they had a buttery flavor but other then that it's just boxed mashed potatoes. It's a nice new building but the drive Thur is a little tight and bumpy, I even thought I popped a tire. read more

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Coupon drama. I haven't been here in about a year. Decided to use a coupon for a classic fire grilled burrito combo that is $7.29. I asked if it worked on this combo and they said yes. It matched what the coupon said so I placed the order. I was surprised when my bill was $10.49. I asked and they charged me for the Guacamole burrito combo for $12.49. I questioned it, but they said that is the price and how I was being charged. I should have left, but grumbled and took it. When I got home I realized I got the smallest burrito ever. Taco Bell bean burritos are bigger. I feel like I got totally ripped off. Lesson learned! read more

El Pollo Loco - Miniature burrito - Chicken Shop Near Me - Poway, California

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This El Pollo Loco was amazing. The staff was friendly, the service was fast and the restaurant was spotless. I literally couldn't believe how fast my food was ready, and the speed didn't sacrifice quality or taste. This may be my new favorite El Pollo Loco! read more

El Pollo Loco - Double Chicken Avocado Salad - Chicken Shop Near Me - Poway, California

This is a solid 3.75. Never been an El Pollo Loco fan but came here after using the restroom while my dog was at the ER next door. It's super clean so decided to give it a try with my mom. Pretty good and happy tunes. Think this was a better and healthier choice than the Jack in the Box across the street. read more

+5 stars for the food. -3 stars for both forgetting the salsa (twice) and tortillas (once) during our last three visits and for not scanning our rewards on our phone before running our credit card (over $100 purchase). read more

I have had some bad nachos before but today's nachos were the worst I've ever had. Some kind of tasteless creamy stuff was poured all over it. The chips were equivalent to over cooked lasagna noodles. Terrible place. read more

Just picked up the chipotle chicken avocado burrito and the double protein chicken avocado bowl for dinner tonight. The salad was pretty good, no complaints there. The churros were not traditional (you didn't see them dusted with sugar cinnamon), but they had a pretty decent flavor. The chipotle chicken burrito was...horrific. I enjoy spicy food, in fact, I am able to tolerate a pretty decent level of anything 'spicy'. This burrito was not palatable. I literally had a five alarm fire in my mouth! The chicken was just bathed in this chipotle sauce that was too spicy to express any flavor. It was intolerable. What is going on here? I've been to El Pollo Loco before, but wow something must have changed. Not a fan. I'm so disappointed that now I have no burrito to have for dinner. read more

El Pollo Loco - Chicken Shop Near Me - Poway, California

Always have a great experience with my family Great costumer service Great quality of food ! read more

Great food! The chicken was seasoned to perfection, great people, and a clean establishment.I ordered a 8 piece grilled chicken, but make sure you order them fresh, trust me it's way better that way, and I recommend the hot avocado sauce. It says hot but it's actually not. read more

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This review is a little different from the others, because as we know the chicken is good here . The family meals are decently priced and the portions are very well balanced . But what I enjoy above all else and what my review is about are the sides . I always order large Mac and cheese and mashed potatoes and honestly not only is it steamy hot by the time you get home. It's so filling if you have children big or small. I think we undervalue how amazing the sides are here . If you plan ahead on what you get , you can even cut some costs - one large Mac and cheese side , can feed two kids. read more

BAD EXPERIENCE at the El Pollo Loco location in Poway especially with the on-site manager (Johnny). After paying for the order at the counter we asked for the drinking cup that comes with a fire grilled combo. The employee (Catalina) gave us a dirty look but never mentioned she charged us for an individual bowl and not a combo. After checking the receipt that turned out to be the case. She disappeared for the next few minutes and then I tried to get the attention of the drive-thru employee and the manager (Johnny) so that I could rectify the situation. When Johnny finally brought the order. I tried to point out the issue, but he angrily yelled "What's your problem" and "What do you want"? At that point I had enough and yelled back in response. Another customer approached us stating that we did nothing wrong and voiced her support. She was so upset over the circumstances she and her kids left immediately. Even after Johnny passed off dining area duties to Catalina then he returned about ten minutes later only to solely antagonize us by trying to clean area he never bothered doing before opening to monitor us during our lunch. Never returning to this location. read more

Foods delicious, the customer service is stank. I placed a $175 togo order. There is a hurricane warning and it's pouring outside. There is not ONE car in the drive thru so I figured the staff could hand me the bags through the window. I was wrong. The manager (who seemed like she was in charge) had to personally come over to the window to inform me that I needed to come inside to get my order next time. I was extremely apologetic but she didn't even crack a smile. I love the chicken so I basically get catering orders for every event I hold, I always used the drive thru to pick them up at the Carmel Mtn. Store. I won't be patronizing Poway anymore even though it's closer to a majority of my events. Good riddance. read more

Not bad,food is good. Service was fast and good. Tried one of there new beef boules ( pretty good ) .

This Poway El Pollo Loco is the best one ever!! The food was fresh and delicious and the customer service was excellent. We will definitely be back soon! Thank you! read more

Don't understand the bad reviews. Ordered a family meal a couple of weeks ago. It was delicious and everything as expected. Ordered lunch today due to a house renovation, and again everything was delicious and the people were friendly. ‍ I had the chicken avocado tacos. Hubby a burrito. Yum. read more

I must update my review from 2021. I'm happy to say that this location has clearly solved their issues! I have been going for a few months now and my orders are always accurate and complete with the usual delicious El Pollo food! I'm so happy that we have an outstanding El Pollo in Poway now! read more

Service is fast and the people who work there are very friendly. The food is always very fresh! The restaurant is very clean. Love going there! read more

Tried twice for them to make it right. Go to Carmel mtn for better service. Food was good. Manager was awful.

I was having issues with my coupons and the manager explained to me how it all works and honored the discount anyways. They're always extremely respectful, super fast service and amazing taste. I love this location. I use mobile order a lot here and there have never been any mistakes. read more

I thought I would stop and pick up the 8 piece mixed chicken box. I'm sorry but $15.00 for 8 pieces of dried out chicken just doesn't cut it. read more

Whenever my husband and I are in a mood for healthy food but don't want to cook we will come to El Pollo loco. Although it's sort of fast food it's somewhat healthy because of the grilled chicken and all the fresh fixings on the side. I've always enjoyed El Pollo loco because it's delicious and you don't feel so guilty after the meal. The price point here is also very affordable whether you're feeding a whole family or a single person. I've been coming here ever since I was single and even now that I'm married with two kids. My kids absolutely love the chicken here and I feel so much better feeding them this then the typical fast food hamburger. Our favorite is the family meal combo which is more than enough to feed the two of us and are two small children. We'll usually go to the drive-thru and bring home food but once in awhile we eat dine-in. The staff here is always nice to us and always willing to help. The restaurant is always clean and there's plenty of parking here so that's a great thing. read more

This place is great, I work nearby and often come in for lunch. All the staff is friendly and attentive. Candy served us in our last visit and really made sure we had a great dining experience . I will continue to come here for the guest service and for the great food always served fresh, hot and in a timely manner. read more

You know what makes el pollo loco good? The hot sauce. While placing my order the lady taking my order was nice and asked which sauce I would like, which I requested for the avocado one. Then mid sentence, I kid you not, it changed to a different worker, who completed my order who I let know also to add the mild red sauce. Needless to say, I'm home with no hot sauce for my food. Also I was one of maybe three cars in the drive through. No excuse for not completing this order. I'd also add a picture of the hot sauce because it's usually good, but oh wait... I don't have any hot sauce. That is all. I came out of retirement to post this. read more

They have good food and prices are reasonable, but unlike other Pollo Loco branches, they consistently do not give a receipt. They will only give a receipt if you ask for it explicitly. Getting a receipt is important. First, they may be evading taxes. Second, you cannot collect rewards for purchase. Third, they may charge a zillion bucks to your credit card and you cannot prove this is wrong. read more

This new location is terrible. Don't waste your time, go to the scripps ranch location instead. Incompetent employees, trash food, filthy restrooms. At lunchtime they consistently stick newbies at the register who don't know what they are doing, sometimes not even knowing what's on their menu. I imagine that's done so the drive thru will run more efficiently but with limited indoor dining I think people are looking to dine in... A typical order for us includes nachos, quesadilla combo, a la cart tacos and tostada bowls... this location can't put your food together if their lives depended on it. Tacos that fall apart, quesadillas that seem to lack any kind of cheese to keep them together. Modest toppings on the nachos and tostadas. With the poorest construction I've seen. The restroom has sticky floors filthy toilets, think human waste everywhere... go elsewhere read more

Ordered a large meal online for 10 people for pick up the next day. When I arrived to pick it up, I was greeted with friendly smiles and eager employees ready to help. My order was ready to go, looked fresh and had everything organized perfectly. They even took the time to make sure everything was included and correct. I was very impressed and will definitely come back for the great service!! read more

Probably the worst Tacos Al Carbon. I ordered two at the drive thru and after I paid for them and parked to eat them (I was starving), I pulled them out of the bag. They were both cold and upon further inspection, a cold ball of white cheese fell out of them. These weren't the usual Tacos Al Carbon I've ordered before. These had the worst parts of cabbage in it (hard and woody), diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, a few pieces of chicken, and the aforementioned ball of white cheese (about the size of a ping pong ball). Also, they were drowning in a sauce that tasted like mayonnaise (?). But they were cold, cold, cold. So gross. read more

This restaurant was great. I was in and out with my food in almost no time, and the food was fresh! The staff member went above and beyond by checking my order for me. Azucena was their name. read more

This place will burn the chicken skin every time. Total idiot cooks at this location. Every time I request chunky salsa, they give me the runny sauce kind. The entire staff at this Poway location are in a dazed state. Ordered a classic chicken burrito. Only a few shreds of chicken. It was nothing but cheese rice and beans.The shift managers should oversee the staff, but they don't because they too are totally inept. read more

Have always been a big fan of the original pollo bowl. They still taste great. This location has a very efficient drive thru which is great as it gets backed up during normal meal hours. read more

Food is good, service is relatively friendly and fast. I wish they would update their menu board because they recently raised prices but the menu board still shows some old prices. read more

We used to go to the el pollo loco all the time in Carmel mountain. We love their chicken. It's always hot and fresh! We were so excited when this location in Poway opened! They always smile and order was always accurate. We were very happy. However, recently they've lost their step. The last 4 times we've been there they always leave items out. My husband goes back. They forgot tortillas. He went back to get them and they handed him five or six individual bags of tortillas. They were very hot and he had nothing else to put them in. The second time was the same thing we got home to enjoy our meal and had no tortillas My husband went back. The fourth time it was we asked only for a green salsa but they give us the red salsa anyway. We didn't go back that time. We just don't care for their red pico de gallo or salsa fresca or whatever it is. It tastes like grass and chemicals and it's not good. The green is best. Today when we went we ordered a meal for our youngest son and they forgot his entire meal. I know we can always check it before we leave the drive-thru but sometimes you don't always have that option. Their food is still always very hot and delicious and still service with a smile. read more