How could these employees send out such disgusting tacos??? we ordered six of these crispy chicken tacos and the shells were so burnt they disintegrated when we opened the foil wrap. The meat was burnt jerky, completely burned and dry . Unfortunately we bought six of them. We were not in the mood to take them back. This just shows how little pride the employees have! You have lost a customer! read more

El Pollo Loco - Mexican Near Me - Thousand Oaks, California

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Double avocado salad. This is the avocado. This is my 3rd time getting g this salad and the avocado today is just rotten. I would pass on this location. The service is mid and they serve old food. read more

El Pollo Loco - Double Chicken Avocado Salad - Mexican Near Me - Thousand Oaks, California

Just as good as I remember. We got the 8 piece with all leg meat, flour tortillas, rice, and beans. So fresh and delicious.

Got the pollo tacos Al carbon and Stephanie was very friendly and was A+ with customer service will be coming back tacos were also delicious

Came in late at night after I had just gotten off work because I was craving a chicken burrito and el polo loco does it best at 10pm! I used the drive thru and Iliana was so sweet!! Thank you for the amazing burrito and the amazing hospitality!!! read more

As you asked, I went to the your link and left this reply... Someone needs to monitor this location for the poor quality of their chicken. I have to go out of my way to get chicken that's not dried out and tough like beef jerky. This El Pollo Loco never fails to disappoint. This last visit I decided to go inside a request fresh chicken and specified not the chicken that been sitting out and dried out. I waited an extra 20 minutes and and the result was the same, dried out dehydrated over cooked chicken. This has been going on for years. You can check my account. Friday 5/9 I purchased chicken from the Moorpark location and the chicken was perfect and what I expect from an El Pollo Loco store. It's a shame since the TO location is much closer to my house. read more

Didn't feel like dining out or cooking so we opted for the 8pc family meal with two siides, rice & beans. This location is the best because they have so many people coming through that the chicken is juicy and hot. Other locations like the one off Kanan consistency gives us burnt or dry pieces so we only like to come to this location. The drive thru was packed but they got us through this evening and the girls inside gave us a lot of sauces without asking for it. The prices have gone up at least $5 but I'm glad they still offer this combination when we're in a pinch. read more

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Don't even know where to begin with this Review! So much went wrong. One of my Pet-Peeves is when Restaurant Run out of Product, especially when this company have so many locations though out So Cal. Managers do a walk though and check your product and all your paper goods and so on. No reason to run out. You need to have enough inventory to cover your sales, plus a little bit extra in case of an emergency. This usually means about 5-7 days worth if Inventory. To Management, Set your employees up for Success and not Failure. Utilize your resources to be able to get and receive Product from other locations. Also the Beans were also missing. Now to my Order!!!!!!! As I entered was not greeted or even Acknowledged as I stood there in line, the Cashier walked away to help the drive-though, He could have said, I'll right with you, Cashier's name Everardo#46. Basic Standards, just recognize and Acknowledge your customers, very simple. A simple Hello and in Closing a Simple Thank you, how hard is that. Train your employees the basic's principles. The order,OMG. 2PC chicken combo and a 3 chicken Taco combo and a side of pinto beans, along with 2 different types of Salsa's. I also stated to the Cashier the order was togo, Drive-thu line was to long. As I got to my car, I said to myself I better check the order. No Salsa's and No spoon for the pinto beans, So I went back in. Asked the same Cashier could I have a spoon for the beans and he stated, Where out of them,however he did give me the Salsa's. This a Franchise location. read more

El Pollo Loco - Mexican Near Me - Thousand Oaks, California

Worst pollo location I've been to. Cashier guy at drive thru was rude. No utensils or not one napkin for salad and a meal, asked him for extra sauce because he only gave me one. Insisted he gave me 3, when there was only one in the bag. Showed a $10 meal coupon from the app, he scanned yet he charged the same amount he had said at the speaker so obviously no coupon went thru. So annoyed with this location read more

El Pollo Loco - Mexican Near Me - Thousand Oaks, California

This is THE ABSOLUTE WORST EL POLLO LOCO IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA!!!! I love el pollo loco normally. I've written many complaints/reviews even to corporate. No one has gotten back to me. Guess we gotta make it go viral. I will be going to the Newbury park or any other from now on. This location their service is horrible and the chicken is dry and they get your order wrong every single time. Wake the f up corporate el pollo loco . Pretty sure they will ignore this post too. I hope they close . I only drove there becuz I was sick and needed soup and that's what they forgot to put in the order. How hard is it to??? Really tho. Also this locations chicken is so dry you literally choke on it and the attitude from employees to order is crazy like you are inconveniencing them. read more

This was a shockingly bad experience for me. I am almost impressed by how many things they were able to mess up for me. We ordered a family meal, and when we got to the window and they told us the total, we asked why it was so much, the woman said you got a family meal, and then there is tax so that's why. Lo and behold when we get the receipt, we see she charged us for a chicken bowl, yet did not inform us of this when we asked. Suspicious behavior - not to mention unprofessional. It gets worse though, we got home and discovered that they had given us 0 chicken. 0 chicken...in a family meal from el pollo loco! They only serve chicken so how they messed that up I'll never know. Oh and they also gave us the wrong tortillas, told us they were out of all salsas, and forgot one of our sides. It gets worse though, we go back there and tell them we were not given the chicken, didn't even bother with the other items. They give us our food and when we tell them we were charged for an item we did not order, they just shrug and do not offer to reimburse us or give us a credit, or any other sensical option for restoring faith in their customer. Oh and it gets worse. I emailed them and filed a complaint, and explained that if they resolved the issue within 1 week, I would not write a bad review on YELP. I have yet to hear back. Will I recover, yes. Will I revisit el pollo loco? Not today satan. read more

The best family meal! The chicken is hot, fresh and delicious. I always go for the rice and beans as sides so I can make little soft tacos. . I went through the drive through and the female staffer was so friendly and helpful. I have lots of leftovers for lunch tomorrow ! EPL is a great healthy choice read more

I placed an online order today and when I went in to pick it up, they refused to accept a coupon that I had been sent earlier in the day. Manager refused to discuss this situation with me. Maybe it had to do with the street fair going on, but I suggest you stay away from this location. read more

What does a customer say to the employees the moment the customer becomes witness to an employee standing with his shoes ONTOP of the grill next to the chicken they are about to serve? plus they are rinsing the dirty grills with water and spraying the chicken right next to it. I have NO words!! Is this common practice at all El Pollo Loco restaurants? read more

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I've been a resident of Thousand Oaks for two years now, and during that time I've dined at this local El Pollo Loco on several occasions. Unfortunately, each visit has been consistently disappointing. My most recent experience was particularly unpleasant, from the unfriendly cashier to the disappointing chicken bowl which contained only a few small pieces of dry chicken that seemed like it might have been leftover from the previous day. Based on my experiences, I would strongly recommend dining elsewhere. I know I won't be returning to this El Pollo Loco location. read more

Hardly any chicken in the chicken tostada salad. Very dry and hard, just shavings. It's not even a full ounce of chicken. Looks like left overs from the afternoon? Also a burnt shell. read more

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Came here for dinner since I hadn't much of an appetite. Wanted to eat something fresh so I ordered the 2 piece combo and 2 sides. My food was hot and fresh even when I arrived home. The lady in the drive thru window was very nice and pleasant. I'll come back to this location and dine in next time when I'm not on the go. read more

Why did the Rooster break up with his girlfriend? Because that Chick was CRAZY!! How crazy was she you ask?? So. CRAZY. GOOD!! If you have ever been to any EPL and have had their famous marinated chicken, you know exactly what I'm talkin' about. Their marinade recipe has my head spinning and is making me Loco for more. For years I have been going to El Pollo Loco's throughout Southern California and they have all continued to maintain their high standards of flavor, freshness and that fire-grilled chicken that we have all grown to love. I think what I enjoy most about eating here is the familiarity of their original menu, but the fact that they continue to try new things and keep up with the current food trends. Their newest venture (2020) is their take on street tacos Including the Worlds 1st Keto Taco, their 'chickenless' chicken taco which is plant based and their Baja shrimp taco. So the next time you find yourself clucking to yourself when nobody is around, come self admit yourself to your closest El Pollo Loco restaurant for some self needed help. read more

El Pollo Loco - There's an app for that! - Mexican Near Me - Thousand Oaks, California

Ordered a double chicken salad to take home. When I got home the chicken pieces were similar to chicken jerky!!! It was tough, overcooked to an unbelievable degree. I called to speak to a manager or to ANYONE to answer. NO answer twice. Yes, I am returning this most disappointing meal. read more

Ordered the enchiladas suisa on the mild side. Got just what I asked for and it was outstanding. My husband ordered enchiladas mole which he thought it was very good. The lemonade was nice and lemony. Service was superior as well. read more

El Pollo Loco - Enchiladas suisa on the mild side. You can request heat level!! - Mexican Near Me - Thousand Oaks, California

Today when I went to El Pollo Loco. I ordered 2 Original Pollo Bowls. One with everything one with just rice no beans. When I got up to the window I paid got my ordered. I came home to discover I was charged for and received a creamy avocado salad. It was already aftee 6:30 I did not want to drive back. Very disappointed. I never received the wrong order before. It makes me wonder if the orders were off when two drivers were going thru the drive thur route wheb they did not order anything. I don't know if I can trust going back there for a while. read more

I love coming here to El pollo Loco, very friendly staff, especially Stephanie she always makes sure I got my order right. I always get fresh and juicy chicken read more

I just placed a 44 dollar order. I even asked to check if I left my mashed potatoes in the counter at 10:30 pm today 2/13/25 . He said immediately he put in the bag once I search my car like a crazy maniac making sure It was in the bag. For 5 dollars I will not be coming back because this kind of service and spending a lot of money is bad for business read more

My rate is ZERO ! I was so disappointed with my recent order. 1. Quesadilla tasted like it wasn't cooked/ or toasted. 2. No spoon for the chicken tortilla SOUP. 3. No napkins. 4. No salsa, even though we had 2 order of chips . 5. The vitamin water drink tasted horrible like the filtration is due for some maintenance. I want El Pollo Loco to provide a refund. This location takes NOOO pride is their work or service. Will never come to this location. read more

I decided to give a second chance and try the tostada salad from here once more. Truthfully, the chicken and other ingredients tasted much better than the last time I remember. The chicken with the pinto beans and Spanish rice tasted very comforting and the tostada shell was delicious. Unfortunately, there was a piece of chicken bone in the meal and I was lucky enough to have caught it. The service as usual was friendly and efficient but it's unfortunate that something always seems to be neglected when I visit here. Hope for it to improve in the future. read more

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As with most locations of El Polo Loco, you can get the meal you want, but, as a customer, I recommend you strictly follow several rules. I always order takeout. If you eat in, adjust accordingly. First, write down your order on a piece of paper in clear English and put it in the hand of the cashier. Make it as plain as possible. Most of the workers there aren't going to be able to read it; the note is to support your complaint once they screw up your order. Despite the note, you're still going to have to announce your order to the cashier verbally. In fact, you're going to be asked all the things already listed on your note. Be patient because you already know it's going to happen that way. Once your order is assembled and presented to you, take the order to a table, open the bag, and take inventory. If you are expecting tortillas, that will be the first thing to look for. You can see from the other Yelp reviews that forgotten tortillas are common. Make sure the sides are in the size you ordered. If you ordered ranch dressing on your salad, look to be sure you didn't get cilantro. You get the idea. Finally, don't expect anything approximating skilled customer service interactions from the team members. Once they realize they're going to have to work with you in English, they keep their heads down, quietly mumble their words, and minimize eye contact. You might get a "Thank you", but don't expect it. These people are making AT LEAST $20 an hour. That used to be considered unthinkable for fast food workers. For many, I'm sure, this is their first experience in drawing a paycheck, so going forward, they're going to expect this much or more. However, whatever minimal performance expectations are placed upon them by management, they are not going to cut it once - if ever - they graduate to more complex and demanding work opportunities. The performance lapses you're bound to experience as a customer at El Polo Loco are only going to be satisfactory at places like the U.S. Postal Service. Get used to it. I like the food and the convenience enough to keep coming back and you will too. I just urge you to lower your expectations and keep a lid on your frustration in the process. Welcome to the future. Harsh perhaps, but true. See for yourself. read more

El Employee Loco is the new suggested name, if someone comes through the drive-through and orders, a salad, give them a fork and please give them napkins. I will never go back to this place. They lost a customer tonight. The owner must be oblivious because the reviews for this restaurant are horrible. it must be nice to own a franchise and be so wealthy that you really don't care how the restaurant runs. The tostada was a joke also it look like something from a hospital cafeteria. read more

I know I am fairly late, but I went in using drive-through service on the 23rd of August. And I wish treated very well, but he's a young lady at the drive thru register named Stephanie. She was very kind and sweet and gave me my water. Just how I asked for it to be. Here is five stars for you Stephanie! Keep up the good work! read more

This is the last time they get my order wrong never going back. Trash service. The cashier read it back forgot my soda said she didn't charge me. Consistently inconsistent for years. I'm not the review type and I had to say something, unbelievable read more

This has been my primary el pollo loco for the last year since I moved to the area. I've gotten the wrong order a few times but the quality of food has always been acceptable. However, the overall quality and comprehension of the service has bordered on being considered the worst I've experience at a restaurant. I don't know what the manager is telling their employees, but I'm sure it's along the lines of "who cares about the customer" because If I gave the service they did I'd worry about getting fired from any competent branch of a franchise. I'd strongly suggest someone from corporate come down and do some retraining. Or at the very least send a "customer" to experience this service and report back. Food is not bad though. Good cooks. read more

It's fast food and you get what you pay for. Pollo Bowls are good most days. Sometimes the chicken can be dry. Love the churros. Customer service is always good at the drive thru. read more

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Messed up my order I had to go back because they forgot my tortillas, and once I was home, I come to realize that they also gave me a completely different bowl that I ordered, but charged me for the more expensive bowl that I ordered. Staff was rude and rushing me . And gave me brown rotten corn in a bowl I didn't even order . read more

We love El Pollo Loco but this one is always dirty. Flies everywhere. Half the staff doesn't speak English. Nice folks but difficult to communicate with. Want a clean table? Clean it yourself. Ceiling leaks when it rains. Bottom line - get your act together loco people! read more

New to the area and decided to stop at this El Pollo Loco for lunch. I ordered a three piece combo with two chicken breast, a wing, mashed potatoes and pinto beans and decided to eat there. The service was good and at first glance, the place appeared to be fairly well kept. I received my order pretty fast and sat at a table approximately fifteen feet from the register. After sitting, I noticed a table across from mine was a mess. There was an abandoned cup on it with food waste all over the floor. Seeing this, I thought the staff would be on it fast and it would be cleaned for future guests. I then concentrated on my lunch and wasn't very pleased at what I was seeing. The chicken was way over cooked to a point it shrank very think and was very rubbery. When I pulled it apart, no juices were present and there was actually a tough skin type substance under the regular skin (indicating it was cooked way too long). I, however, was way too hungry. I ate one of the breasts, pulled a piece of meat from the other for a photo and threw the rest away. What a waste! I will not be back to this El Pollo Loco. Oh and by the way, the table/floor was not cleaned while I was there and as far as I could tell, was not cleaned while I was typing this review in the parking lot. read more

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Unbelievably incompetent, I was the only one at this location and my order was messed up twice and I wasn't given utensils. I'm a very simple eater and my order only had 3 ingredients. Chicken, corn and cheese. Also, I ordered a soft beverage and when I tasted it before leaving, it was completely flat. I then told the cashier who has no clue what they were doing, that the drink was flat and she said yea the machines have been the down the last day. I then said, why on earth didn't you inform me of this instead of staying silent, proceeding to charge me and giving me a warm flat beverage? The cashier responded saying, I'm sorry I don't know with a shrug. To stay on brand and continue providing the worlds most invaluable and backwards service, the cashier then refunds me for the drink and gives me the 99cts in all change, instead of asking if I had a penny to just give me back 3 single bills. Then the last phase of incompetence and audacity, was when I wasn't provided utensils for a bowl and then given an attitude, as if I was the drama when I reminded this person to put a fork in the bag... Complete circus and no excuse why this is the new standard of service. read more

I am not sure how El Polllo Loco seasons it's chicken but it has the best flavor. The gal at the drive through window is the best. I can't remember her name but she is nice, kind, and takes care of her customers. I don't know why your ratings are so low. The food is fresh and yummy! Now there are three chicken fast foods in a row and I think El Pollo Loco is the greatest! It's not such a fast food kind of restaurant. Thier salads ar good lots of chicken and avacado. Keep up the good work! read more

There was an issue with my order. Upon my return the manager Christian was able to rectify this issue for me! I am extremely pleased. Great customer service, awesome food and very helpful staff. I appreciate you all! Interactions like these make me grateful to be a pollo loco customer. Thanks again Christian!!!l read more

Had a lovely person named Iliana take my order, she was so nice and friendly! The food is always delicious!

One star and should really be worse . When it's a 102 degrees outside, you turn on the air, not set it 85! There are children and elderly who've walked to your establishment and not everyone is a drive thru customer. I'm sure they were not looking forward to getting their food handed to them by sweaty, ill-tempered employees who have to deal with the heat as well as the customers. The chicken was dry as was the rice and cole slaw was a heaping warm mess. I'm sure there are other reasons why this particular location hovers around 1-2 stars year in, year out but this was one of my main reasons. I'll have to come back here, when it's raining or snowing....but probably never again. read more

El Pollo Loco - Mexican Near Me - Thousand Oaks, California

Horrible experience once again!! Corporate should really look into educating their rude employees and manager. Look at all the horrible reviews. If i could put a negative star i would. This is very sad as my family and i used to love el pollo loco but the quality of food has def hit rock bottom as well as customer service . I work in customer service and would never treat a customer or any person as rudely as the employees there did to me. They must teach you at this location to fight with your customers. Not to mention the chicken was so dry we almost choked. Shame on you el pollo loco at the Thousand Oaks location on Moorpark i will def be taking this to corporate. Francia #141 should be fired for her horrible attitude. read more