El Pollo Loco open?

The web site says they are open at 2715 N. Milwaukee. Can anyone confirm?

I've been waiting for this. El Pollo Loco was up there with In & Out Burger for fast food when I lived in L.A.

Cheers,
Wade

waderoberts wrote:The web site says they are open at 2715 N. Milwaukee. Can anyone confirm?

Wade,

According to this post by City, yep, El Pollo Loco is open.

It's been a while, but I remember enjoying El Pollo Loco the few times I've been.

Enjoy,
Gary

theres 1 review on metromix and its not good:

http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/sear ... nue?page=1

Haven't had a chance to stop in yet but my son and i did wave to the "Crazy Chicken" dancing on the corner of Milwaukee and Kedzie the other day.

I'm happy to report that El Pollo Loco is as good as my memory recollected. I finally got by today, and still find the citrus-marinated chicken as good, as perfectly cooked, and as juicy as ever.

Parking is tight, but there's a city-owned lot nearby (25 cents for 30 minutes).

The menu has expanded, but I stuck with my usual order from my days in L.A.: eight-piece roasted chicken order, flour tortillas, and pico de gallo. The chicken taco al carbon and the chicken quesadilla verde were also very nicely done.

Fast food chains can't get any better than this.

Now, if only Whataburger or In 'N Out Burger would expand to here . . . .







Cheers,
Wade

I decided to try El Pollo Loco tonight for a change of pace, and partially because of the raves I have read on Chicagoist.com and on here too. I placed two orders: one for the tacos al carbon and the other for a Monterrey Salad (for my sister).

I called ahead and went to Pollo Loco to pick these up, and was told they don't have a Monterrey Salad on their menu, even though it is an option on their website. Fine. I substituted the Cesar Salad instead. I got home, and there was no chicken in the Cesar salad, nor did it look like a complete salad. I do admit, that I did not check the bag before I left, so this is my fault. Odd though considering chicken is their centerpiece.

The tacos al carbon were fine, but nothing spectacular. They were nicely seasoned and flavorful, but I've had better, namely at places like Los Nopales and Taqueria al Asadero. One thing I did appreciate was that you could just order a side of steamed veggies, which is nice if you just want something light. Overall, I'm pretty underwhelmed with my experience. I was expecting much more with the crowd that was in there, the chicken grilling, and with a name like El Pollo Loco. I guess I expected things to taste, well, loco (in a good way).

I know that I should call and notify them that my order was incorrect, and give them a chance to fix the mistake. But given that it is 7:30 on a Monday night I will just head around the corner to Rockwell's Grill and get a comparable salad for the sister.

I just don't know if it is worth the drive, and I feel like I could have driven and spent my $11 better somewhere else.

KatyK,

Pollo Loco was odd to me; crowded and serving perfectly middle-of-the-road stuff, though the chicken (appropriately) was the best. The salsas, however, were ridiculous (at least on the night I was there).

I can see how wade and others might like it owing to some emotional attachment (wade, I don't mean that in any demeaning way; I just don't have any history with this stuff).

They got a part of my order wrong too, and so did Pollo Compero when I went there a few weeks ago. I think these new franchise places (with huge reputations preceeding them) just cannot handle the volume. They screw up. Forgiven.

About the quality of the food at both places: tolerable. Given the choice between either of these joints and one of the tired American options (McD, BK, etc.), I'd go with these, for novelty, if nothing more.

Hammond

I found Pollo Loco unremarkable (although it could have just been that I was sick that day and could hardly taste anything); I went the day after it opened.

Campero is still a better product, and now that the lines have died down and a combination of Metra and bike gets me there in 45 minutes, a fairly frequent lunch destination.

The Fuego sauce at Pollo Loco is excellent, though. I wouldn't mind finding the best chicken strips in the city and dipping them into it.

David Hammond wrote:Pollo Loco was odd to me; crowded and serving perfectly middle-of-the-road stuff, though the chicken (appropriately) was the best. The salsas, however, were ridiculous (at least on the night I was there).

Hammond,

I had lunch at Pollo Loco today, and it was fine, middle of the road, for the most part, as you say. The chicken was a bit dried out, even though I got a leg/thigh combo, but, surprisingly, the side salad that came with my 2-piece dark combo was pretty good. Veggies fresh with tasty strips of fried tortillas for croutons.

Rice was so-so, though I liked the 'spicy' avocado salsa, even to the point of using it for salad dressing.

Quick, inexpensive middle of the road. Pretty much spells out lunch in America.

Enjoy,
Gary

I stumbled across this article. Haven't read it, so no summary on my end, but here it is:

http://www.american-securities.com/docs/EPL_01-2006.pdf

I've only been to the crazy chicken once but, for those of us in the Western Burbs I have found a similar chicken in Lombard. Brooster's open hearth chicken seems to be very close in taste to me. There is a definite citrus marinade, but only BBQ, Lousiana, and one fresh salsa for dipping. You have american sides such as green beans, Mashed potatoes, Baked beans etc. but no tortillas. However, I do love this chicken. I believe there are a couple of locations elsewhere in Darien and Bolingbrook, but I have never visited those.

Brooster's Open Hearth Chicken
434 W. 22nd St.
Lombard

Flip

Just read on a neighborhood message board that a new El Pollo loco will open in the former Burger King at the corner of Wilson & Sheridan. I don't eat meat, yet I'm as pleased as I could be. That corner is a nightmare right now, and this has to help.

http://www.elpolloloco.com/whatsnew/newopenings.html

YES!!!! This one is walkable (and Broadway bus-able, for that matter) and only six blocks from my current place of residence.

While it's not exactly the most mind-blowing thing, I've had a taste for EPL quite a few times lately. No more driving to Melrose Park or three-bussing it to Logan Square!

Evan B. Druce wrote:YES!!!! This one is walkable (and Broadway bus-able, for that matter) and only six blocks from my current place of residence.

While it's not exactly the most mind-blowing thing, I've had a taste for EPL quite a few times lately. No more driving to Melrose Park or three-bussing it to Logan Square!

If you want to take the Broadway bus for chicken, go the other direction to Chicken Hut at Belmont and Broadway. You won't regret it. I wish I still worked in that area.

Chicken Hut at Belmont and Broadway

Is that the place with the grills in the window? I've wondered about that place for YEARS. Now will for sure need to try...

Hey, the new El Pollo Loco at Sheridan and Wilson opened on Monday and seems to be very busy. They've had people out on the corner handing out coupons.

I'm planning to check it out shortly.

I've been going to Pollo Locos for years but only in Mexico, mostly Veracruz and Xalapa:the best one I've found is in Xalapa across the street from the Anthropology Museum. I am a little nervous about the translation to the US but the Sheridan/Wilson location is just a mile from where I live so I'm sure to give it a shot. In mexico you can get a whole bird, beans, tortillas, guacamole and a couple of beers for less than 15 bucks. Pollos rostizados are a staple of Sunday afternoon fast food in Mexico for after church when mom doesn't want to cook. I've had a fair sampling and Pollo Loco there is very good indeed. Of course there the grills are all wood burning, I doubt they are here.

El Pollo Loco on Milwaukee in Logan Square is closed. Went to grab lunch on Friday and the awning was down the inside seemed to be in an early stage of dismantling.

Jamie

Appears the EPL at 2715 N. Milwaukee has ceased operation (per my attempted visit on Friday). Anyone have a clue as to why?

I have no idea! They always seemed to be doing a brisk business.

I made an abortive attempt to visit on Christmas Day. Signage is gone and the interior appears to be empty.

Melrose Park for me from now on...

Panther in the Den wrote:Melrose Park for me from now on...

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I was passing the location on Manhiem yesterday- the signage had been pulled and the building stood empty. I might have my locations mixed up, but a quick location search on their website shows the following as the only IL locations:

El Pollo Loco
4557 N. Sheridan Rd.
Chicago, IL 60640
Phone: (773) 561-6925

El Pollo Loco
7310 Barrington Road
Hanover Park, IL 60133
Phone: 630-372-4618

Strange. Alderman Colon seemed to indicate that the Milwaukee/Logan Square location closing was due to a dispute with the building owner. His response almost sounded as if, 'if the dispute is resolved, they may open again'. From sounds of this thread, I am now leaning towards not getting my hopes up.

I have seen that a Subway going in next to JJ Peppers on Diversey/Kedzie.

Pollo Loco was a good post-work, don't feel like cooking option.

The Quizno's further up the block came and went fairly quickly, and I was not happy about being left with McDonalds as the last 'fast food' option within walking distance from the Logan el. So while Subway is no culinary wonderland, I do appreciate another option within walking distance from my condo.

miss ellen

with el pollo regio closed as well this news is pretty bad

The Wilson & Sheridan El Pollo Loco is now boarded up and the signs are gone.

Per their web site, it appears as only the Summit location exists in Illinois:

El Pollo Loco
5436 S. Harlem Ave.
Summit, IL 60501
Phone: (708) 910-2550 Fax: (708) 910-2551

http://www.elpolloloco.com/company/storelocator.asp

Holly of Uptown wrote:The Wilson & Sheridan El Pollo Loco is now boarded up and the signs are gone.

Sad but understandable. They few times I went there the chicken was dry and flavorless. Really different from the locations in Mexico.

this is broaching off topics, dooz, but just as a heads up to those people who concern themselves with these things, i'm from los angeles (out west in california) and the el polo loco corporation funneled money to anti-gay marriage initiative proposition 8 (which passed by a slim margin in 2008). in response, a massive boycot was issued.

TAKE THIS AS JUST A BIT OF INFORMATION TO CONSIDER EITHER WAY... JUST A MORE YOU KNOW TYPE MESSAGE!

thnx and atb,
sailingfanblues

Sorry if this is continuing an off-topic issue, but just to add some more information to the previous post...

I have VERY strong feelings about (against) Prop 8 but I think we have to be careful and informed before we form opinions about businesses that are 'linked' to a given cause. So, a quick google of "el pollo loco prop 8" brought up this:

http://www.elpolloloco.com/company/prop8.html

Hard to know what is the real truth, but if it was just one franchisee's independent contribution, I think that is a valuable piece of information to have.

In terms of food, I have only had EPL once or twice because of some coupon or other, and it was nothing to write home about. It did strike me as a reasonably healthy fast food alternative (not a dining category I partake in very often!)

from the Chicago Sun-Times:

2 of 3 area chicken shops close

January 21, 2010
By CHERYL V. JACKSON Staff Reporter

An economy that's for the birds has claimed two of the three Chicago El Pollo Loco chicken stores.

Two of the California-based grilled chicken restaurant chain's stores closed last week: a company-owned shop in the Uptown neighborhood and franchised location in Hanover Park.

rest of story: http://www.suntimes.com/business/2003014,CST-NWS-pollo21web.article

I live nearby as well, and while I was never excited about the food nor was I a frequent customer, I will really miss having a well-lit and maintained property on that corner. They were good neighbors in that regard, and having a boarded-up building with overgrown landscaping surrounded by flimsy chain-link fencing is not preferable to me, even if the food sucked. Just my selfish $.02.