El Pollo Loco in San Marcos, California, is where flavor meets fire. We’ve always believed that fast food shouldn’t mean fast shortcuts. Every piece of our chicken is marinated in citrus and spices, then fire-grilled for a full 60 minutes to lock in the smoky, zesty flavor. Our guacamole is hand-smashed daily, our avocados are freshly sliced for Tostadas and Salads, and our salsas are made from real, vibrant ingredients. Cooking with care isn’t a trend for us it’s the heart of everything we do.

Our story is as unique as our flavors. In 1974, our founder Pancho Ochoa was running a shoe store when he discovered a passion for fire-grilled chicken and a family recipe that people couldn’t get enough of. From those humble beginnings, he opened 85 restaurants across Mexico and then brought the first U.S. location to Los Angeles in 1980. Over 50 years later, we continue to serve up the same bold, flavorful chicken with the same dedication and a little bit of Loco magic that has kept people coming back for generations.