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    El Pollo Unico

    4.1 (381 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

    El Pollo Unico Photos

    Business Info

    EL POLLO UNICO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - El Pollo Unico

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    Coleslaw and Potato Salad
    Will M.

    This is one of my go-to spots for grilled chicken way better than the big chains. Since it's close to my work, we come here pretty often for lunch. The best move is to order online for pickup because it does get pretty crowded during the lunch rush. The chicken here is delicious with that perfect charred flavor, and the sides are solid too. Portions are generous for the price, so you definitely leave full. We've also used them for catering work lunches, and everything came nicely packed and labeled, which made it super easy to serve. Overall, a reliable spot for delicious grilled chicken, whether it's just lunch for yourself or food for a group.

    Breanna C.

    Hands-down the best grilled chicken that I've ever had. It's always so flavorful and moist. The sides are also delicious and let's not forget about their stand out salsa. Just the right amount of spice and it complements the chicken so well. I always opt for flour tortillas. Their prices are also great. They have wonderful lunch specials and family meals. The restaurant itself is pretty small. Parking is limited as well as seating. It doesn't appear to be the cleanest place and is quite outdated, but the food definitely makes me overlook that. The ladies working the register are always friendly and welcoming.

    Always a line- they are that good!
    Diane T.

    Truly authentic & delicious; never have had anything less than cooked to perfection chicken and sides! Here are 2 downsides to be aware of: 1. Even if you order online and have a set pick up time, expect 10-15 longer to wait. 2. Never attempt to park in their parking lot, it's an accident waiting to happen and I've seen approximately 7 over the past few years! Otherwise, enjoy this most scrumptious restaurant you've ever tasted!

    So worth the $10
    Vicente G.

    This place is so good. It's amazing. I've eaten here before the chicken is so delicious. I got a single lunch, which is a leg and thigh with rice beans and tortillas with a drink. For under $10.. I love when I'm in Pasadena. I always stop by here.

    8 Piece Combo (Whole Chicken)
    Shawn S.

    When a restaurant does one thing and really hones in and masters their craft, the result speaks for itself. This place does chicken supremely well because that is all they do. The value of the meals is great. You can choose between quarter, half, or whole chicken with tortillas and sides. The chicken is very tasty and juicy, packed with flavor and perfectly made. The sides are also nice. There are some tables but they mainly do takeout. The staff are very friendly and treat you like family.

    8 Piece Combo, large rice, medium beans
    Maggie C.

    I ordered via Uber Eats and delivery was as quick. Also food was still pipin hot so that's a plus 8 piece combo - I'm a drumstick girlie and it was juicy and delish even the chicken breast!! Love this place and would come back here to dine in person again

    Additional charges for things that used to be complementary. The filth it has become for not maintaining its cleanliness.

    My husband and I have been coming to this restaurant for over 15 years because it used to have the best chicken anywhere. We would even drive 50 miles one way (100 miles round trip) just for it. Sadly, things have really gone downhill. The chicken pieces are much smaller, the restaurant itself was filthy (you can see from the pictures just walking up to it), and now they charge for everything--plates, to-go containers, ice, chili, and even an extra "internet charge" if you order online. I don't know if ownership has changed since I didn't see the same lady who used to run it, but it's clear the quality and care are gone. Greed will kill any business, and I'm not sure how long they'll last operating this way. Unfortunately, I can no longer recommend this place and won't be coming back.

    2 Piece Breast and Wing Combo
    Lee B.

    I almost don't want to give a review so that I can keep this place all to myself, it's so freaking good! & even better reasonably priced. El Pollo loco is good, but it's more expensive. Unico is of a higher quality and cheaper. Plus the staff is nice. Keep the prices low, & keep up the great work! Your citrus marinaded chicken is the TRUTH!

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    3 months ago

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    2 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    3 months ago

    It's good. I appreciate the consistency. It's the perfect meal to grab on the way home.

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    5 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    4 months ago

    Best chicken meal around for cost and quality been going there for years parking can be hit or miss

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    6 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Great place for lunch or dinner, the food is always on point and upon received your food you are always grated with a smile.

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    3 years ago

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    7 months ago

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    3 years ago

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    10 months ago

    Great chicken. Takes too long for an order and parking is a mess. Order in advance. .

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    2 years ago

    Got two 24 piece for a gathering with sides. Food was good! Chicken a bit salty for my taste but everyone enjoyed it.

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    Page 1 of 10

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    Howlin' Ray's

    Howlin' Ray's

    4.8
    (1.4k reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    From the first time I had The Sando at The Hundreds Family Style Food Festival VIP area back in…read more2019, I have loved their food. No matter how long the lines were in Chinatown and the rush to order online as we waited for a time slot to open just to be able to have their food delivered during the store closures of COVID, we have never been able to find a hot chicken that can match their quality and flavors. We happened to be at Stone Brewing Tap Room in Pasadena and were getting hungry as we were enjoying the brews there and didn't want to leave. Enter Postmates! We ordered and received our food in approximately 20 minutes. All the food arrived hot, fresh and delicious! If you want to skip the line as they can be long at times, consider Postmates as it's super convenient and you'll receive your order with the same quality you would expect from eating at the restaurant. Also, this was the first time we ordered their banana pudding and it was delicious! Don't forget to order a couple of sides of their Comeback Sauce. It's to die for! It's the perfect dipping sauce for their crispy fries!

    The food, service, and ambiance were absolutely delicious, and would give this 4.7 if I could…read more The food sooo good best fried chicken I have ever tasted. I got the mild and it was perfectly seasoned and went great with their ranch (pretty sure is also homemade). The reason for the 4.7 instead of a straight five is because my husband had some complaints about his food. He spoke about the chicken being great nothing wrong with it. However, the seasoning was just too much. He got the ch sicken in medium. He said that the seasoning felt like biting into sand. There was just too much. He ate our sons regularly chicken and said this was the best. So I recommend getting the mild and adding hot sauce on the side. There fries were fine nothing wrong but nothing to rave about either. The service was sooo nice. The guy helped us out so much. He found us a table inside to sit and he helped me take the food out and gave me a ranch because I could not go back in line to order (line was out the door). Great service. The ambiance were chill vibes great background music and super cute bathrooms. The whole place is a straight vibe.

    Photos
    Interior seating
    Interior seating
    The Sando   @dangit.all
    The Sando @dangit.all
    The Sando with mild plus hot chicken

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    The Sando with mild plus hot chicken
    The Original Tops

    The Original Tops

    4.0
    (1.6k reviews)
    3.7 mi
    $$

    We stopped by The Original Tops after reading they were known for their breakfast burritos... it…read moredefinitely lived up to the hype. We ordered the chorizo potato burritos, and they were excellent. They were packed with flavor, generously sized, and my wife couldn't even finish hers. The salsas they served with them were delicious and really tied everything together. We ended up coming back another day to try the burgers, and they were just as impressive. Everything tasted fresh, the burgers were juicy, and the fries were perfectly crispy. This has easily become my new burger spot whenever I'm in the Pasadena area. The drive thru can get pretty busy during peak hours, but the staff works quickly, so the wait wasn't that bad. I love old school burger joints and the vibe from the outside. It has that classic local spot feel that makes the food taste even better. Definitely would come back!

    Ambience - 6/10 It's honestly just your typical diner/fast…read morefood joint. My biggest complaint is the cleanliness, since there were quite a few flies flying around, with some even landing on the booths that I sat in. The booths also looked fairly dirty, which isn't really appetizing if you're planning to eat inside. Service - 10/10 The staff were friendly, and the service was quick. No complaints. Food - 7/10 Tops Special Burger - 6.5/10 Honestly, the burger was just okay. The presentation was nice, but everything else was pretty average. The pastrami had good flavor, although some pieces were oddly chewy. The beef patty also tasted like it had been frozen, which kind of just took away from the burger. Chili Cheese Tots - 7.5/10 The tater tots themselves were great, they were perfectly crisp and cooked well, but, the chili cheese was a bit underwhelming, since I could barely taste the chili. Overall - 7.6/10 (for dining in) the food is decent and id say that its an okay spot if you're looking for a quick bite, and they give fairly large portions. Other then that, I'd recommend using the drive-thru instead of dining in. It's way faster, and you won't have to deal with the cleanliness and long waits inside.

    Photos
    The Original Tops
    The Original Tops
    Breakfast Burrito

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    Breakfast Burrito
    Lucky Boy

    Lucky Boy

    3.9
    (2.9k reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Family-owned & operated

    Love Lucky Boy! It's an old standby for work meetings and classes and, when it comes to breakfast…read moreburritos, they are the best!! Custom prefer however you want but just know that if you ask for additions, they don't skimp! They're already loaded and added features just make it bigger! I have tried many of their dishes and they are all large sized! I live that they make sure you have enough of whatever you order! Fast and friendly mom n pop takes the cake for this area of the SGV!!

    Established in 1961, Lucky Boy has received numerous accolades for Best Breakfast Burrito in…read morePasadena. It's huge and can easily be two meals. They have an extensive menu featuring breakfast dishes, Mexican specialties, burgers, sandwiches, salads, tasty sides, and even Vegan & Vegetarian items. The food is hearty & the prices are reasonable. I mainly come here for the onion rings & fried zucchini. It's been years since my last visit, so I stopped in for onion rings. You order at the counter outside and pick up inside. (There is indoor & outdoor seating.) The onion rings are prepared fresh daily, made from their own recipe, and come with house made ranch that is bomb! The serving size was generous (even for a small $8.05) and they were hot, crispy, & not greasy. Dipping them in the ranch was the extra special added touch. *Private parking lot or street parking.

    Photos
    Homemade thousand island on the Lucky boy burger
    Homemade thousand island on the Lucky boy burger
    Lucky Boy
    Lucky boy burgers the best

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    Lucky boy burgers the best
    The Hat

    The Hat

    4.0
    (1.2k reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$
    Family-owned & operated
    Large group friendly

    The hat always hits the spot. Old school feel, old school menu. It's nostalgic as they come…read more Service is always an A+! Was in LA for a quick trip and had to make a stop for my pastrami fix. Nothing like it in the Central Valley. I went classic with the pastrami dip. Thinly sliced, tender, and moist pastrami nestled within a soft roll that soaks up every bit of that pastrami juice goodness. Dressed with classic yellow mustard and pickles. Helping cut through the richness of the pastrami. My wife ordered her go to. Wet fries with gravy, topped with the glorious pastrami. Crisp and fluffy fries, drenched in a rich beef gravy. Gluttony at its best, but oh so good! All washed down with an ice cold Coke.

    Ok pastrami sandwich here. The staff was very nice. I took the metro A line all the way from long…read morebeach and exit lake stop on the freeway. Come up the elevators, make a right and walk one block pass maple street and you'll will see it from the train station. Easy access, anyways this place is pretty big with seating everywhere. They do a good job keeping this place clean and i appreciate that. They have two bathrooms available for customes which is nice and both clean. I got the original pastrami no pickles and onion rings. The value is great at $13 bucks for pastrami sandwiches here while other places are charging double that. There is no combo's deals so you have to order what you want serparate. Food rating Pastrami Sandwich 7.5\10 Onion rings 7.0\10

    Photos
    The Hat
    The Hat
    The Hat

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    Sandwiches by Connal

    Sandwiches by Connal

    4.0
    (723 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    Sandwiches by Connal is a Pasadena institution and an essential stop whenever I am back in my…read morehometown. I have such fond childhood memories of going there with my parents and grandparents and receiving what seemed like foot-tall soft-serve cones. They also make the best malts, terrific burgers, and excellent deli sandwiches. The pastrami on rye and grilled cheese are dependable favorites--or you can splurge on a classic banana split. Add fries, with or without chili, and you have the perfect old-school meal. When I was growing up, they called what most people know as a chocolate-and-vanilla twist a "ripple." That is still what I order--and what I call it--wherever I am in the world, even when people look at me funny. Whenever I am in Pasadena visiting family and friends, a stop at Connal's for a ripple, shake, burger, and fries is practically mandatory. Some places serve food; others hold generations of memories. Connal's does both.

    I ordered a typical salami grinder. I have had done this for 30+ years+…read more Today there was no menu to-go, no menu inside the restaurant, and no available menu online. The salami was processed, not dry. It came with a major portion of yellow mustard (not requested), tons of finely chopped wet lettuce, no cheese. Horrible and soggy. I would have requested my money back, but it was a to-go order. The quality of the entire restaurant has gone, and it seems no one cares, as this has been going on for over a year. Inside the restaurant, the tables were empty and unclean. The wall decor sign for the restaurant, was broken and meant nothing as it was missing the store name. It was an icon restaurant, but now broken, and terribl.

    Photos
    Inside seating / 50's decor
    Inside seating / 50's decor
    Chili-Cheese Burger (no lettuce) - Excellent.
    Chili-Cheese Burger (no lettuce) - Excellent.
    To-go packaging

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    To-go packaging

    El Pollo Unico - mexican - Updated August 2026

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