I know my review looks like 5 stars, but imagine there was a 4-1/2 star option. That's what i would give El Pollo Rey. The food here is great and reasonably priced. The chicken reminds me a lot of El Pollo Loco chicken - which is a good thing. I had the carne asada plate tonight and it did not disappoint. Good portions and great flavor. You kind of feel like you are in Mexico while in the restaurant. The ONLY reason I would not give 5 stars is that every time we have been there, it is soooo cold inside. Then again, I haven't' been there in the summer. Maybe it warms up then. I will have to let you know. read more

El Pollo Rey in Seaside is a hidden gem! The service is fast and genuinely friendly, making you feel right at home. Their menu offers a great selection, but the real star is the flame-broiled chicken--perfectly seasoned, incredibly fresh, and bursting with smoky, mouthwatering flavor. Every bite proves they know what they're doing. Highly recommended! read more

It's was alright chicken - alright service - mid Ambiance The beans could be cooked more and the tortillas were all dry. read more

So I've been here a few times in the past. The service was good and the food was outstanding. Unfortunately, yesterday was a different story. After not having been here in several month I saw that the service went downhill. I walked in and there were three employees working. No one was on the register taking orders. I was not greeted or acknowledged by any of them. I stood there for at least a minute and a half and all I got was a glance from the grill guy. Who, by the way, was eating and grilling chicken all at the same time with no gloves. Nor, did he once wash his hand in between bites. I exited stage right immediately. Love the chicken but hated the "non service" and the germs. I was extremely disappointed considering I am a native Seaside resident and I try to suppose our local businesses. TIGHTEN UP EL POLLO REY! Cleanliness is next to Godliness. read more

This was a pleasant surprise! We ordered the whole chicken combo, a beef super quesadilla, cheesecake and a horchata. The chicken steals the show! It was grilled to perfection and super flavorful. The meal came with rice an and beans and we got the style of beans that were like soup (very good and full of flavor). I wish we lived closer as this is a spot that I would go to often. It is on my list of go to spots for Laguna Seca racetrack! read more

El Pollo Rey - Rice, beans, two salsas, and pickled onions - Mexican Near Me - Seaside, California

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A great place to get some grilled chicken on the Central Coast! This is local mom-and-pop shop that serves burritos and half and whole grilled chicken. I went to eat in during lunch. No one else sat in, but there were a flow of customers coming in and out. I had the half-chicken with charro beans and rice. The chips and salsa were on point. The chicken had a nice sear/char and it tasted like the brined the chicken for a while. Very juicy. The star of the show was the charro beans. This place gives you an option of refried beans or charro... get the charro. I definitely will be checking this place out again! Price: $18.02 read more

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Great food. Friendly people. The chicken is grilled as you are ordering so it's always fresh.

Delicious food, always prepared to perfection. Love this place so much. If you ever want to sell your amazing carne asada rub, it would fly off the shelves. You have a great restaurant, we love to come by multiple times when we're in the area. read more

Fast, affordable, and yummo. I had the chicken plate. Will be back. My first visit. Nice it included chips and salsa.

Saw this place here on yelp and since it has good reviews, we decided to give it a try and we did not regret it. We enjoyed our meal. The place was nice, clean and had a nice vibe. The staffs were energetic and lively. The chicken was tender and well cooked. I specifically liked their spicy sauce. It's good to pair with their chicken and nachos. read more

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This place is a true hidden gem! Idk why this place never showed up when searching Yelp in the past! Thankfully, a friend had told me this place is a must. Simple, fresh, flavorful! Ordered carne asada and chicken plates, quesadilla, burritos, burrito bowls! Love the plates, great to share! But it takes work! Large cuts of steak, half onions, pieces of chicken with bone. I was starving and was struggling with all the work just to eat! So I wouldn't order that unless we had large group over! Burrito bowl was perfect for me! Everything cut and ready! My husband ordered the burrito, claims it's one of the best he's ever had..... so good my young daughter, not a fan of burritos, stole his!!! Hands down, best guacamole ever! And I am very picky!!! read more

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El Pollo Rey has easily become my new favorite neighborhood spot. Perfectly charbroiled chicken, insanely flavorful carne asada, fresh and delicious salsas, tortillas, and sides. Service is quick, friendly, and the plates and meals are an insane deal, especially for how good everything ALWAYS tastes! I love their chicken family meals, mixto bowl, CHARRO BEANS, burritos, EVERYTHING!!! 10/10 recommend! read more

El Pollo Rey isn't just the king of chicken (it's the king of service and nostalgic Mexican decor). The stay took me back to my days growing up on a Texas ranch and walking into my Nanas kitchen (less the chicken feathers in the sink). We ALWAYS have the chicken combo (half or whole, never disappoints. Even the next day). I added a regular quesadilla (nothing regular about this...mind blowing quesadilla). Take your time and enjoy a Jarrito while you wait for your fresh meal. Because this chicken isn't just king...it's FRESH. Don't forget..."Great CUSTOMERS get great CUSTOMER SERVICE." - Carlo read more

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This is that type of little, off the beaten path type of place that is so satisfying to find. The chicken is deliciously moist and tender, and the beans are fantastic. Great family business you just feel good supporting . . . and it has great food too! read more

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It taste like real Mexican food, it feels like a real Mexican place, overall very satisfied with the authenticity of this establishment.

Awesome charcoal grilled chicken! With char grilled onions and jalapeños. The rice was delicious and the charro beans were good but did lack some flavor. Quesadilla with Asada and all the deliciousness was great. Asada burrito needed more meat but was good. Chips and salsa are bomb. And buy yourself a paletta to top everything off at then end. read more

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The carne asada was perfect and the chicken was sooo good. Everything was fresh. Definitely recommend this place. It's also very affordable

Just a little friendly tip to check your takeout before you leave. My "Super Bowl" with chicken ONLY, turned out to have carne asada as well. I'm sure this would've maybe been a win for some people but I don't eat beef. read more

El Pollo Rey - Current menu! - Mexican Near Me - Seaside, California

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I called to place a big order for my team and the girl who answered said it might be too late to place a big order. She put me on hold to check and after a mins, she said could. Several of my team members never had El Pollo Rey and they couldn't stop raving about how good it was. I've eaten there multiple times and they never disappoint! read more

Food tasted good but man the customer service is terrible and slow. Wait time is long for a simple order.

Small family business that does a great job of grilling chicken! Friendly service, fair prices and good food.

This place was bomb. Great flavor. Really kind staff. Thanks for an incredible meal and great service.

Muy bueno Al 100 las alitas de barbiquejo muy buenas nada que ver con las del búfalo o cual quier otro lado muy deliciosas

The chicken was moist and had a great smoky taste. The Salsas were really good and the Quesadilla of Carne Asada was excellent and really big . I would come here again read more

They use charcoal to grill the meat, that's why it tastes so good. We had a chicken super quesadilla and it was delicious. Tasty grilled meat, plenty of cheese, guacamole. They garnish the plate with a grilled, blackened whole onion and a pepper, so tasty. Next time I'll try a chicken plate. Friendly counter service. A few tables for dining in, lots of takeout business. Wr. read more

Ordered a 1/2 chicken and a vegetarian burrito. Pulled out pieces of hot dog from the veggie burrito. Tried calling several times to discuss with the manager, but first no one allegedly spoke English, so when I spoke Spanish asking who is manager, they hung up on me- twice. Enough said. Lost my biz UPDATE: i received a very apologetic primate msg from Alexandra, the Owner, and that she would address this issue w her employees. 45 min later, i see a very public comment from her, making a point that I ordered charro beans. I can't see how I can respond to her rather brusk public comment, quite different in tone, comment, so I'm editing my original comment to respond. Alexandra, please know there is nothing in the description of side orders, nor anywhere else about charro beans having hotdogs / meat in them. That is the complaint. The VEGGIE burrito had MEAT in it. read more

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Amazing food and reliable service. The chicken meal is really out of this world. Rice, beans, meat, tortilla everything is a perfect! Just order the whole chicken meal and thank me later read more

The best bbq chicken on the Monterey peninsula! Authentic, and delicious.Very clean and updated restaurant Staff was amazing, very helpful and fast to prepare our food. read more

I discovered this place three months ago and my wife and I can't stop coming now! The carne bowl is absolutely to die for. The meat is so flavorful. The chicken offering are a solid choice also. You really can't go wrong. read more

First time coming to El Pollo Rey & let me say this place hit the spot. I ordered the Half Chicken Combo and it did not miss. My husband ordered the Mixto Bowl and he loved it. The portions were just the right amount. I will be back again . read more

El Pollo Rey - Half Chicken Combo & Mixto Bowl - Mexican Near Me - Seaside, California

The best chicken in seaside! Great staff , great food!!! I order from them almost every week!! Keep it up

Excellent food. We got half chicken and half carne asada, and both were delicious. The rice and beans tasted great too.

Good is fresh and very tasty!!! It's a small restaurant but there was plenty of seating when we went there in the evening. I think they do a lot of take out. But eating it fresh there was definitely worth it. The service was great !!! read more

El Pollo Rey - Pollo Chicken Plate - Mexican Near Me - Seaside, California

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Got this place right before they closed for delivery when visiting the area -- TOTAL WIN! Really delicious food, hot, fresh, and exciting flavors. I recommend that you check it out when you're looking for Mexican yum yum hot freshness! read more

Incredible food, fairly priced, and convenient location. This place is a hidden gem (to me) and definitely worth a stop. (Park on the street and not in an adjacent lot or risk towing.) read more

This place is a gem! We were there on 07/21/23 and the staff were very friendly and food tasted amazing! Chicken, Asada, Rice, Beans were great. They even served it with grilled onions and Serrano peppers- which is always a plus. My kids had the quesadillas (1 with cheese and 1 with asada) and they were only able to eat half of it. We didn't know they were that big but we also didn't ask. We wanted to order more to go but we were camping in Big Sur, so "we had food at home" haha Overall, this place rocks and it's a 10 out of 10. Ambiance, Food and Service were great!! Highly recommend! We got the Carne Asada plate (no rice & beans), Chicken leg meat plate with Rice & Beans (1 charros and 1 fried), 2 quesadillas (1 plain and 1 with Asada) and Chips & Salsa. read more

I'm so glad Yelp reviews led me to this place. Their chicken is great! I got the half chicken with rice, charro beans, salsa, onion, and torillas. Such tasty spicy goodness def give it a try! read more

El Pollo Rey - half chicken, rice, charro beans, onion, salsa, tortillas - Mexican Near Me - Seaside, California

Had the half chicken combo on 11.21.21. It was pretty good. Food was fresh, hot, not too salty or spicy, pretty much right on target. Mild hot sauce was really good. I'll be back. read more

El Pollo Rey - The menu on 11.21.21 - Mexican Near Me - Seaside, California

I was craving chicken. So, what do I do? I look up a chicken place on my trusty YELP app. It led me here for a deliciously priced grilled chicken meal. I orderded half a chicken meal to go. The chicken at first looked a bit overdone, but once I started eating I was very happy. The grilled jalapeno was HOT! Watch out, but very yummy when mixed in with rice, beans, chicken and wrapped in a tortilla. The service was fast and friendly. The beans and rice servings were small, but they were generous with the a few grilled veggies and the chicken...very good. Street parking right outside made it very convenient. Mission chicken craving...success. read more

El Pollo Rey - Menu - Mexican Near Me - Seaside, California

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There's not a lot of seatings, but great takeout service. We were so hyped waiting for the food to grill in the open space kitchen. It has good charred and the meat quality is really fresh! It just lacks flavoring. Other than the charred, the meat doesn't have much to stand out. Great portion size!! read more