Los Pollos Hermanos

Aw man, this place is the BOMB! Best place to get fried chicken and fries in ABQ. Period.

Get anything on the menu. Seriously, anything. Their secret ingredient must be meth or something, it's so ADDICTIVE. I would eat here every day if I didn't have to watch my waistline.

I have seen everyone here: grandmothers, dog trainers, athletes, seriously, anyone and everyone. Even ran into my high school chemistry teacher here once. Tried to say hi to him but he looked sickly, agitated, and blew me off; looked like he was waiting pretty intently for something or someone. Maybe they were taking a long time to make his food. I haven't had that problem of waiting a long time for food, even when they're busy.

I had to dock a star because there was an incident when I was here a few weeks ago in which two thugs came in looking for Gus Fring, the owner. Must've been something really personal because they took to intimidating me and the rest of the customers and staff. It was a scary, almost hostage situation, but thank God the customers were eventually allowed to leave.

Mr. Fring personally contacted me, and I'm sure the other customers, with a sincere apology, offer to pay for PTSD counseling if I want to talk to someone about it, and vouchers for free food for a year. Goodbye, waistline! I thought he handled the situation so professionally, but shame on those men for disrupting his business! Plus he is a huge sponsor of local charitable organizations, like programs to keep kids off drugs. I really like this man's spirit of generosity and his business model!

Hey, this is the one thing that even APD and local criminals can come together to agree on: KILLER fried chicken and fries TO DIE FOR!

Walter White's favorite joint.

RIP Sr. Gustavo Fring.

God bless the chicken game.

"Better call Saul."

Gus Fring was a dear friend who worked behind the counter at Los Pollos Hermanos.  There was a time I stopped by with my buddy Jesse Pinkman and we ordered the regular double breast, double mash.  The three of us got to talking about things going on in our lives.  Gus was calm, cool and collected and seemed to know the answer to everything.  Jesse on the other hand was a little more intense and was trying to convince me that I was a blowfish or something.

I was bitching and complaining about how hard we work for those we love but they don't seem to appreciate all those hours we spend cooking in the lab.  Gus gave me some very sage advice: "When you have children, you always have family. They will always be your priority, your responsibility. And a man, a man provides. And he does it even when he's not appreciated or respected or even loved. He simply bears up and he does it. Because he's a man."

I was waiting to hear more but Jesse got a call from some guy named Walter that seemed to agitate him so we had to bounce.  That was the last time I saw Gus.  Sadly he was a victim of terrorism during a visit to his friend Tio Salamanca at the old folks home.  I don't believe all those stories about him being a crystal methamphetamine distributor.

Los Pollos Hermanos - come for the chicken, stay for the company!

I was always pretty sure this place was a mob front... But in Albuquerque!? That guy Gus who blew himself up was always at the Isleta location smiling like an idiot... Like he had a personal joke going on.. And low and behold.. The joke was on the Feds...
I'm not sure how good the chicken was but I understand that the junk they were producing ruined a lot of lives.... Turns out that he secret recipe had nothing to do with chicken... And that is just plain false advertising... This is an issue I intend to take up with the BBB. Id give them one star.. But I fear the ramifications.

Ah Los Pollos Hermanos how back in the day you ruled the ABQ fried chicken scene.
I used to be a loyal customer here but the new ownership has really led this place down the tubes.
yelp.com/biz_photos/los-…

Many a day I'd come in here to get a bite to eat. The food was always top notch.
yelp.com/biz_photos/los-…
KFC didn't have anything over LPH's seasoning. 11 herbs and spices ha, they must use 13 here. The chicken was always crispy moist and tender. I miss the great lunch specials too. yelp.com/biz_photos/los-…

Now days its hit & miss the new ownership just doesn't know how to maintain the consistency that the previous owner did. Often overcooking or undercooking the chicken. I recently got sick after eating some undercooked chicken from this location. When I called and complained the next day all I got was attitude and excuses. Also there is an unsavory element that has begun to consolidate around this location. Beware! yelp.com/biz_photos/los-…
yelp.com/biz_photos/los-…

I was personal friends with the old owned Gus and while we had our differences he was always cordial and professional in his restaurant business. A self made man with a vision of being a national chain like McDonalds. He always made sure your meal was to your liking or he'd make it right not like the current ownership.

I found this at the grocery store and cant wait to try it.  yelp.com/biz_photos/los-…  Also saw this greatfaceandbody.com/bre…  So Screw this place its DIY Chicken from here on out because cooking is fun and rewarding.

NEVER to return!

Dear Gus,

As much as I hated you and really wanted to see you go, when you finally got half your face blown off (literally), it actually saddened me a little.  Although, my first response when you walked out of the room was "WTF?!" and then I saw half your face was missing and my next response was "YES!"  But then you were gone and it kinda hurt a little.  So yea, you were missed...  at least somewhat.  And with the end of you, we got to say goodbye to Los Pollos Hermanos.  I can almost hear Jesse now, "Yo Bitch, Chicken!"  

RIP Gus & Los Pollos Hermanos

~Amy

Los Pollos Hermanos cooks the BEST chicken ever! I am saddened to hear that it has been almost 3 years since the owner, Gus, has passed away. I remember his spectacular service every time I visited this establishment. Regardless, LPH will continue to carry on as a top notch chicken restaurant!

Food Quality, Service, Location, Ambiance, Prices: A

During my visit, I was craving chicken, so I came to Los Pollos Hermanos!  For the portion and amount of chicken you get, it is definitely a reasonable price! Plus there was something special about this fried chicken, always a kickin' pizzazz to the flavors and spices! ;) The batter on the fried chicken was crispy perfection. The chicken meat itself was very tender, juicy, and savory! The side dishes of coleslaw, mac 'n cheese, biscuits, etc. were also delicious and slightly salty but it was tolerable.

My friends, Walter and Jessie, recommended this place and boy were they spot on! They were definitely regulars here because they always head directly to the back store for friendly business exchanges :)

Service is always a great hit, especially the smiley female employees. I appreciate that Mr. Fring hires employees of all different backgrounds, even if they look like hitmans or ex-convicts, yikes! Mad respects, brother! This restaurant is insanely, immaculately spotless. No specks of dirt, shoe marks, or filthy tables at all. I don't even see flies or bugs inside- ever. Definitely recommend LPH if you are in the ABQ area!

For a guy who doesn't even like fried chicken, Los Pollos Hermanos has won me over.

On a recent trip to Albuquerque for work, a buddy and I needed lunch. He works in the area and knew the owner from some of his charity work. The owner, Gus, treated us like royalty. He gave us the grand tour of the cooking area which was quite modern for a fast food establishment. What was really impressive about the owner was how down to earth he was. That guy owns numerous restaurant locations, and makes a fortune, but still drives an old Volvo. It's nice meeting such nice upstanding citizens.

Besides the great owner, the chicken was absolutely amazing. I don't know how they cook or season that chicken, but it was tender, juicy and amazingly flavorful. The sides weren't really anything special, but that chicken. Yum. I am seriously considering flying in just to eat this chicken again.

I am quite hopeful that my request to open a franchise in Louisiana is successful. If you find yourself in the Albuquerque area, check out Los Pollos Hermanos. You will not be disappointed.

I like Los Pollos Hermanos because it's convenient and fast, even for a fast food restaurant.  First off, there is plenty of parking out front. The staff is extremely well managed and even stop by tables to ensure that your soda is refilled.

The chicken is nice and tender with a great blend of spices. The fries are maybe not the greatest though, so minus one star. However, if you are looking for some excellent fried chicken, you can do a lot worse than this place!

My only complaint is that there are sometimes people who just seem to be sitting in the restaurant, not really eating or anything. I mean, it's fried chicken so if you see someone just sitting, not eating, it's kind of weird. I mean, sometimes I'll see people there before I get in and they'll still be sitting there after I leave. Kind of weird but they don't seem to be bothering anyone.

Incidentally, I think there has been a recent change in management.  But it hasn't changed my overall enthusiasm for this place.

I've always loved LPH. But ever since Mr. Fring passed so suddenly, service has not been the best.

He used to take my orders and personally hand them to me, always with a smile. And there's always a few extra pieces in there. Not this time though. Of all things, they forgot to put any of the famous Madrigal sauces in there. Not a single one, not even Franch. Is it my fault that I forgot to check?! At least the guy put paper cups for drinks as I requested.

Chicken is always finger-lickin' good, though. Sorry KFC. Crunchy on outside, and never dry on the inside.

They say Mr. Fring was a bad guy. I don't care, he made good chicken and he never messed anything up. He was always good to us regulars, that's for sure. The chicken business will never be the same again without him.

Once I thought I saw Mr. Fring on TV and thought he was alive. It's just a guy named Major Tom Neville. Maybe it's his half-brother. Oh well.

I found a bullet in my bucket of chicken, I was mortified. The manager was apologetic, and returned my money, but he creeped me the hell out.

Also, I swear some old bald guy followed me home.

The fried chicken is okay, not the BOMB.

I think it was better two years ago under the old management. Not sure what exactly happened to him. Place was nice always clean with an attentive staff.

Now its just meh.

alright chicken
Got a souvenir bit blue not sure why

Best fried chicken west of the Mississippi!

Big props to the guy who runs this corporation, Gus. He's very hands on and you can see him in many locations, but especially this one. He is very good at controlling everything from the top to the bottom - this is a well-run organization, err business.

Some people say they don't feel safe here, and I understand, there seem to sometimes be Mexican drug cartel members coming in, but you can't really stop them or it's discrimination. They don't hurt anybody. Just live and let live, folks.

Although Los Pollos Hermanos is no longer owned and managed by Gus Fring (RIP), the fried chicken here is still some of the best I've ever had. I don't know what secret ingredient they put in there, but it must be crack cos that stuff is addictive! For a fast food joint, Los Pollos Hermanos is incredibly clean and the staff is always very nice and courteous. But that's all thanks to Mr. Fring; he led his team well and was so nice, he wouldn't have dared to hurt a fly.

Minus one star for the shady men who sit at the booths for hours, never ordering anything, but taking up much needed space. And the staff just lets them sit there! So weird.

Get the fried chicken
It is really addictive
Can't quite explain why

Bear in mind, this review is based on data that's a few years old. I heard there was some shake-up in management/ownership and quality may have dropped off since. Mr. Fring was not the sort to let even minor problems go uncorrected, but it's like he was there one day and gone the next and none of the staff seemed to know any details. I'm unsure if the Albuquerque location is even still open for business. On the plus side, I hear the new management is taking the business to other cities. I'm guessing franchises?

I used to love this place, my friend Flynn turned me on to it. I guess he used to go with his uncle all the time. He was complaining that they didn't have a great breakfast menu, but you can't please everyone. I don't think he knew about their secret menu (it puts in & out's secret menu to shame)

Sadly the quality has gone down pretty substantially over the past few months. I can't put a percentage on it, but it's obvious something has changed, and not for the better. I don't know if they got new cooks or changed the recipe (everyone's trying to go gluten free lately)

I haven't seen the manager around lately (I heard something about him going to his friend Billy's?) but I have half a mind to give him an earful next time I see him as this used to be one of my favorite places to get food, but lately I've been getting better service at the Dog House or the Crossroads Motel (they have awesome vending machines)

The chicken is amazing but still had major issues with LPH:

1. Ambience - While I was eating, two terrifying looking Mexican men were in the restaurant looking around for someone.
2. Customer Service - When I asked to speak to the manager, the overweight Latina at the counter said he wasn't there, when I could've SWORN he was!!
3. The weird bald guy - Always there, never eating! Have you guys seen him??

I love Los Pollos Hermanos but highly recommend using the drive-thru.

I used to go to LPH all the time but never again!  I got food poisoning last week!

Can anybody recommend a lawyer?