El Pollo Loco: Crazy Like A Fox

Spanish for “the crazy chicken,” has more than 400 restaurants in California and nine other states. Founded in Guasave, on Mexico's Pacific Coast, in 1975, they opened their first restaurant across the border in 1980. The chain’s success stems from its signature chicken marinated in herbs, spices and citrus juices. The chicken is then flame-grilled and served with warm tortillas.

My first meal at an El Pollo Loco was in Los Angeles while working with corporate groups who were attending the 1984 Olympics. There was a location near LAX that I would visit frequently. The days were always busy, and my meals needed to be quick. This place was great—it was tasty and the drive-up window was speedy. But the best part was that I was eating almost-healthy fast food.

Years had gone by since my last visit, so I was looking forward to my lunchtime meal at the Lemon Grove location along the mile of meals on Broadway. This time my dining experience was a solo affair—so must make the order large. Luckily, I had a coupon to stretch the dollars.

I had the two-piece grilled chicken special-of-the-day: a leg and thigh, corn tortillas, plus two small sides for $3.99. My pick for the sides was pinto beans and a Loco salad. A taco al carbon for $1.09 put my total just over $5. This allowed me to use a coupon to snag one of their new menu items for free—a sweet corn cake.

The wait for the food was short, and I found the service efficient and friendly. My timing was good, as the lunch crowd soon filled the restaurant.

The grilled chicken was fine. It was moist, without an overpowering taste from the citrus marinade. The barely-warm tortillas served along side were substandard and lacked any corn flavor. This was my only complaint—everything else was quite good.

I really liked the small Loco salad of romaine lettuce with crunchy red, white, and purple tortilla strips in a tangy cilantro dressing. Then I checked the nutritional value and fell in love—only 132 calories. This gave room for a greater calorie count in the yummy, free sweet corn cake. The pinto beans were flavorful with a healthy feel. My taco al carbon was tasty and a great value.

This is good fast food because you can make healthier choices. The total calorie count for this huge meal was around 1,000, and at the bargain price of $5.52 including tax. Got to like it.

Personally, I still prefer the grilled chicken at local Grove favorite . My runner-up is El Pollo Loco. It is a much better choice than going across the street to KFC. I don’t want to “fowl” relations between the restaurants, but Loco uses chicken that is fresh and hormone-free, and the other place does not.

El Pollo Loco is located at 7087 Broadway, between Massachusetts Avenue and Federal Boulevard. They take cash and credit cards. You can order food to go, and they offer catering. You can call them at 619-668-0655. The restaurant is open seven days a week for lunch or dinner. The hours are 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 10:30 a.m.–10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with the drive-up window staying open to 11 p.m.

Go to their website for more information, menus, special offers, and even grilling tips.