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8 reviews for El Pollo Loco
I keep on hearing my friends on the West Coast rave about this place. Given that Pollo Campero is a little closer to my house, and serves up chicken that is orgasm-inducing, I was a little skeptical about trying out another chicken place.
Reluctantly, I trekked there on a Tuesday to grab some dinner. I got their two-piece dark meat combo, which came with two sides (I got rice and beans), and a soda. The chicken is rubbed with TONS of spices and was very flavorful. My drumstick was a tad dry, but it was slow and a Tuesday, so I wasn't too surprised. The sides lacked flavor. The rice was bland and kinda salty. The beans were just BLAH. The chicken was not as good as Pollo Campero, but it was decent.
The best part of my meal was the price: $3.14. I actually re-iterated my order to the employee, because it was listed as like $6 on the menu board, and I wanted to make sure I would get everything I ordered. She told me that they have a special on Tuesdays where their value meals are only $2.99 + tax. Seriously, you couldn't beat that with a stick!!! I'm not sure how long this promotion is going on, but it is an amazing deal for all that food!
I will probably be stopping back in to try more things -- their menu was extensive and overwhelming. They had SO many things to choose from that I got dizzy trying to figure it out. But, the chicken is very good, so start with that, and then work your way onto other things on the menu!
Fast, Delicious, and CHEAP.
All ingredients are freshly made, no pre packaged crap. You can see the staff preparing all of the ingredients right behind the counter. Including grilling FRESH chicken right before your eyes.
They have an awesome condiment bar where you can package as many sauces and toppings as youd like!
Recommend: Tortilla Soup. They give you tortilla strips on the side! :)
3 STARS: "A-OK"
Well the location is less than stellar.
Originally I, K, paid a visit to a fellow drug dealer (duh it is Chelsea) who works in the revamped plaza where the restaurant is located and saw that there was a snazzy new golden arches and an el pollo loco! I definitely like fake Mexican (taco hell, mighty taco) and thought this would be pretty similar except that only chicken is served, not grade z government beef. I have to say i was pleasantly surprised!
R and I, K, took a look at the nutrition guide ahead of time upon our return trip to actually eat there (we are getting fat) and ordered the crunchy chicken taco, some chips and guac, a garden salad with the light cilantro dressing (def get the light dressing. very flavorful and very tasty. calorie difference is night and day) and we shared an original pollo bowl (doing a great job of not being fat kids, right?).
Definitely like the crunchy taco, had a lot of flavor and crunch. The shell is slightly greasy though, so we'd like to go back and try the soft taco next time. R liked the pollo bowl better than me and i think it's because I, K, not a big fan of rice.
I had heard of this legendary place called, El Pollo Loco. And it was not until that fateful day that this Shangrilah of grilled chicken showed up in Chelsea, of all places, that I was able to try the wonderful offerings of chicken done up in so many ways. The simple pollo is probably the best as far as healthy goes. The ultimate burrito is great
I got to Sav A Lot in Chelsea to grocery shop once a month and this place is in the same plaza. You should not shop on an empty stomach so I always go here and eat before I go. I love their roasted chicken, chicken tacos, and the salsa bar. I have loved everything I got here besides their mac and cheese which was WAAAAYYYYYY too watery and tasteless.
Nostalgic Californians, tear not. El Pollo Loco is here and it's your consolation prize! Consoled? I apologize for being unable to tell you it's Arizmendi or In-N-Out Burger.
For the New Englanders in the Yelp reading room, El Pollo Loco is "Mexican" fast food. It's like Taco Bell but fresher. The chicken is fire grilled on location. The salsa is real. The guacamole is smooth and green. The employees are flown in from CA. Kidding. However, they're so calm and accommodating that it's plausible.
So, what's on the menu? Grilled burritos, taco salads, quesadillas, a salsa bar (dine in), chicken tortilla soup, flan, and churros. I'm not a fast foodie, but if I were I'd eat here before heading for Mickey D's, BK's, or the border.
Perhaps this place isn't a 5-star restaurant, but it has a lot more going for it than some "better" places I've been to. First of all, the staff is really nice. They smile! You don't get that at too many fast food establishments these days. (though this is technically not a fast food joint.) The chicken is seasoned and grilled fresh in the restaurant! You can't beat fresh. You can get a combo meal with chicken and two sides and tortillas, or a burrito, or tacos or churros...mmmmm. And you're not eating off of some tray and your tacos aren't wrapped in paper. The staff brings it to your table and you get a plate! An actual plate with silverware and everything! And it's bright and clean and really not bad. Especially for Chelsea. I don't think it's worth taking a trip out of the city for, but if you happen to be on Rt.16 in Chelsea and find yourself a little peckish, check it out.
i don't know if my belly is upset because it's a psycosomatic response, or if the food really isn't that good.
it's a weird place - a recovered brownfield in chelsea where bradlees and martingetti liquors used to be. to get there, you have to drive on rte 16 through everett and chelsea, like you're playing crazy taxi (because everyone is trying to get you to hit them with your car). i really can't comprehend the restaurant. i get the vibe of a long john silvers. it is pretty cool to actually see someone make the chicken that you're about to engorge yourself on, but everything just misses the mark. unflavored chicken, paste-like guacamole, unsatisfying salsa... there has got to be a better burrito place in chelsea or everett. now, if you'll excuse me, i need to make a trip to the mens room.
:( :(
