El Pollo Loco Menu Prices 2026
Quick answer
El Pollo Loco is a fire-grilled chicken chain with Mexican flavors, selling citrus-marinated bone-in chicken meals, Pollo Bowls, burritos, tacos and family meals with tortillas and salsa. A 2-piece chicken meal typically costs about $9.99, the Original Pollo Bowl about $7.99 and the BRC Burrito about $4.29. Most items run from about $2.99 to $58.99.
El Pollo Loco quick facts
| Founded | Mid-1970s in Guasave, Sinaloa, Mexico (the company says 'since 1975'); first U.S. restaurant in Los Angeles in 1980 |
|---|---|
| Founders | Juan Francisco "Pancho" Ochoa |
| Headquarters | Costa Mesa, California |
| Parent company | El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: LOCO) |
| U.S. locations | About 500 in 10 states (company, 2026) |
| Countries | 2 (United States, plus 8 licensed restaurants in the Philippines) |
| Known for | Citrus-marinated, fire-grilled chicken |
| Estimated price range | $2.99–$58.99 (est.) |
| Menu items listed | 20 |
| Menu last checked | October 2026 |
The El Pollo Loco menu at a glance
Juan Francisco "Pancho" Ochoa grilled the first El Pollo Loco chicken in Guasave, Sinaloa, in the mid-1970s, using a family citrus marinade, then opened in Los Angeles in 1980. That first U.S. restaurant still operates. The U.S. company is now public on Nasdaq, based in Costa Mesa, California, and runs about 500 company and franchise restaurants across ten states in the West and South, plus licensed locations in the Philippines.
Every piece of chicken is marinated in citrus and spices and grilled over an open flame for about an hour, so it tastes smoky rather than fried. Prices on this page are estimated typical U.S. prices. Calories come from El Pollo Loco's May 2026 nutrition guide, and a meal's total depends on your sides and whether you pick corn or flour tortillas, so add items up individually.
El Pollo Loco orders that give you the most for the money
- BRC Burrito$4.29 est. · 410 calAt about $4.29, the bean, rice and cheese burrito is the cheapest full item on the menu.
- Chicken Taco al Carbon$3.49 est. · 170 calAbout $3.49 and 170 calories makes it an easy add-on or light lunch.
- Original Pollo Bowl$7.99 est. · 580 calAbout $7.99 for a 580-calorie bowl of chicken, rice and beans is a lot of food for the price.
- 8-Piece Family Meal$34.99 est.About $34.99 for three to four people comes to roughly $9 to $12 a person with sides included.
Most popular El Pollo Loco orders
- 2-Piece Chicken Meal (leg & thigh)$9.99 est.The leg-and-thigh meal with sides and tortillas is the classic way to taste the grilled chicken.
- Original Pollo Bowl$7.99 est. · 580 calChopped chicken over rice and beans is the everyday lunch order for regulars.
- Chicken Avocado Burrito$10.49 est.Grilled chicken and avocado make it the burrito people order most.
- 8-Piece Family Meal$34.99 est.Eight pieces with large sides and tortillas is the standard family dinner here.
El Pollo Loco nutrition and menu highlights
Calories and protein on this page come only from El Pollo Loco's official nutrition information; the lowest-calorie pick leaves out drinks, sauces and add-ons. Items without an official figure show a dash. Where the official guide names an item a little differently, the note says which item the figures are for.
Allergens at El Pollo Loco
El Pollo Loco's nutrition guide, linked from elpolloloco.com/nutrition, includes allergen information based on standard recipes. Flour tortillas, cheese, queso and some sauces bring in wheat and milk, and the company says it cannot claim any food is free of allergens, including gluten, because of possible cross-contact. For questions, it lists 1-800-EPL-4YOU.
El Pollo Loco hours
- Typical hours
- Hours vary by restaurant, so check your store on elpolloloco.com or in the El Pollo Loco app.
- Breakfast hours
- Not served
- Holiday hours
- Each restaurant sets its own holiday hours, and some close or shorten hours on major holidays; confirm in the store locator or app before you go.
Ordering at El Pollo Loco and rewards
- Official app
- El Pollo Loco app (Loco Rewards)
- Rewards program
- Loco Rewards: earn 100 points per $1 in the app, online or in restaurants and redeem for free food or up to $10 off; higher status tiers earn points faster and add birthday rewards.
- Delivery
- You can order pickup or delivery through the El Pollo Loco app and website at many locations, and the chain also appears on third-party delivery apps; fees and prices vary.
Tips for ordering at El Pollo Loco
- Pick corn tortillas over flour if you are watching calories; El Pollo Loco lists the corn version of the 2-piece breast and wing meal 80 calories lower.
- Order a side of corn tortillas with a Pollo Bowl if you want to turn it into a few soft tacos at the table.
- Order a family meal even for two if you want leftovers; grilled chicken reheats better than fried.
- Scan the Loco Rewards app at the register, since points do not post after the fact.
- Choose rice and beans as your two sides if you want the plate to feel like a full meal without extra cheese.
Common questions about the El Pollo Loco menu
Is El Pollo Loco chicken grilled or fried?
El Pollo Loco chicken is grilled, not fried. The company says every piece is marinated in citrus and spices, then fire-grilled over a low flame for about 60 minutes in every restaurant. That is why the menu centers on bone-in chicken meals, bowls and burritos rather than breaded pieces.
What is the cheapest item at El Pollo Loco?
The BRC Burrito, filled with beans, rice and cheese, is typically the cheapest full item at about $4.29. The Chicken Taco al Carbón runs about $3.49, and churros cost about $2.99. Prices vary by location, and Loco Rewards members can redeem points for free food.
What are the healthiest options at El Pollo Loco?
Lighter choices include the Chicken Taco al Carbón at 170 calories, the chicken tortilla soup at 240 and a single grilled chicken breast at 200, according to the May 2026 nutrition guide. The Original Pollo Bowl is 580 calories but high in sodium, so check the guide if that matters to you.
How does Loco Rewards work?
Loco Rewards is El Pollo Loco's free loyalty program. You earn 100 points per dollar in the app, online or in restaurants by scanning your QR code, then redeem for items like churros, sides, chicken meals or up to $10 off. Higher status tiers earn points faster.
How much is an El Pollo Loco family meal?
An 8-piece family meal typically costs about $34.99 and usually includes two large sides, tortillas and salsa for three or four people. A 12-piece meal runs about $46.99 and a 16-piece about $58.99. Prices vary by location and are often higher on delivery apps.
Where is El Pollo Loco located?
El Pollo Loco operates in ten U.S. states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Utah and Washington, according to the company's 2026 filings. It also has eight licensed restaurants in the Philippines. Use the store locator on elpolloloco.com to find the nearest one.
Compare El Pollo Loco with
Sources
Price note: Prices are estimated typical U.S. prices (October 2026) and vary by location. Official prices, where shown, are labeled with where they came from.
- El Pollo Loco nutrition guide (May 2026) — used for calories, item names, allergen statement
- El Pollo Loco Loco Rewards — used for earn rate, redemption tiers, status tiers
- El Pollo Loco Our Story — used for Pancho Ochoa, 1980 Los Angeles opening, 60-minute flame grilling
- El Pollo Loco homepage — used for 'since 1975', nearly 500 locations, menu categories
- El Pollo Loco Q2 2026 results (SEC 8-K Exhibit 99) — used for Costa Mesa headquarters, 500+ restaurants in ten states, Philippines licensees, Nasdaq listing
- Wikipedia: El Pollo Loco — used for Guasave origin
- El Pollo Loco official nutrition information — used for calories and protein (official figures only)