El Pollo Loco

Open daily 10am - 10pm

El Pollo Loco's chosen motto is "Flame-Grilled Mexican Chicken." I'm not certain what's so special about Mexican chickens, but they sure are tasty! El Pollo Loco sets itself apart from other fast-food restaurants with its flame-grilled chicken, marinated in a combination of garlic, citrus and other spices. This flavorful and juicy chicken is the staple of basically the entire menu. Granted, I've never seen so many delicious options for poultry dishes. Perhaps that's what sets the Mexican chicken apart!

Before I begin reviewing main menu items, may I suggest that you save room for the flan. It is incredibly creamy and sweet with a deep-roasted caramel syrup on the bottom. I choose to remain happily oblivious to the nutritional information of this delectible dessert. (In case you desire more knowledge, El Pollo Loco has a helpful program on their website designed to give you the nutritional information for whatever meal combinations you choose.)

Two of my favorite menu items are the Loco Salad (on the $1 Loco Value Menu) and the Classic Chicken burrito. The loco salad, at first glance, appears to be nothing but a simple pile of iceberg lettuce, but it astounds me with flavor every time. The lettuce is enhanced with fresh cilantro, cheese, fried tortilla strips and a pleasantly spicy creamy cilantro dressing. It is a refreshingly crisp and cool side with a kick. The classic chicken burrito is a flour tortilla filled with delicious shredded chicken, pinto beans, spanish rice, and cheese. I'm sure the other burritos are tasty, but I'm not yet willing to part with my classic chicken in order to find out.

If you are still uncertain as to the joy one can possibly find from being forced to choose between chicken or, say, chicken, allow me to sumarize the menu items for you. El Pollo Loco offers chicken meals, complete with tortillas and your choice of sides (and just wait until you see the sides!), as well as chicken bowls, salads, burritos, taquitos, quesadillas, nachos, and soups. Here is the list of sides you were waiting for: spanish rice, mashed potatoes, salad, mac 'n cheese, corn cobbette, pinto beans, BBQ black beans, refried beans, french fries, and fresh vegetables. Add to that the fresh salsa bar with four varied salsas, cilantro, lemon slices, and jalapeno peppers, and you're on your way to a tasty meal.

El Pollo Loco's kids' meals are a great value at $3.29 and include a side and drink. Kids can choose from popcorn chicken, quesadilla, or a chicken drumstick (sides are the same as listed above). They also have a delicious bean, rice and cheese burrito for $1. I've managed to occasionally share my flan with my kids, but if you are not so inclined, churros are available for $.79 or 2/$1. In general, the regular menu items range in price from the $1 Loco Value Menu to $7.89 for a twice-grilled burrito combo including chips, side and drink. (They also have family-size orders of chicken dinners - 8, 10, or 12 pieces with large sides and tortillas for $15.99-$21.99.)

I have been pleasantly surprised by the kindness of the employees at the El Pollo Loco in Paso Robles. Also, the Mexican music played in the restaurant is wonderfully appropriate and enhances the "dining" experience.

Kids' Opinion: "I love the popcorn chicken. I really like the flan because it has caramel under it and it wobbles around kind of like jello. The taquitos are really good too because they're crunchy on the edges but really soft in the middle."

El Pollo Loco is located at 2351 Theatre Drive in Paso Robles (near Target).