I honestly was really hoping to have an experience like I do when I visit the Inland Empire and have Juan Pollo. I was extremely sad and disappointed. Place was empty when I was there. Cashier was polite and gave good register service. The issue I had was with the food.Although cooked well, and saw it on the grill, which looked great, the chicken had 0 flavor and was extremely bland. Definitely needed some salt and seasoning. The rice was the best part of the meal and had great flavor. The beans were so/so as well, and lacked flavor.I really wanted to like this place, as I am all about supporting local business over Corporate companies any day, however, El Pollo Loco is superior in flavor, and more satisfying....
Denisse Antonio
Wow! What a delicious place. I don't know what I was expecting, but it exceeded all of my expectations. The chicken burrito reminded me of homemade burritos my mom would make when I was growing up. So glad I decided to try this place out. I will be visiting more frequently.
Peter Spencer
Wow, great find off the beaten path! Amazing prices and cool relaxing seating area.Order and your food will be called.When I saw all of the chickens roasting on the grill, I knew I was in for a treat. I had the 4 piece (1/2 chicken) with beans and rice. The crispy skin was so thin and perfectly crunchy. My son had the carne asada fries and thought they were great. It was a pile of fries.Will be coming back often as I live close by wish I'd found it sooner.
Johnny Garrett Sawyer
This restaurant was suggested by some locals for my girlfriend and I to try. We get there and there's parking and the location is clean and outside seating. The special was chicken fajita plate with rice for $10.99, pretty good pricing right!? Well the chicken was hard and bland and had like a half a cup of grease on a paper plate. The grease seeped through the plate all over the table and onto my hands. The side of rice was dry and bland too. The best part of my meal was the coca cola because they had just changed the syrup.
Lorena Arellano
I had the green chicken enchiladas, rice and beans... Really tasty food! The atmosphere has charm, but could be updated a little. Next time I'm passing through I definitely will have the taquito plate... looked really good too ?
Michael Yazzie
Just found this restaurant passing through Carlsbad. Outdoor patio, fire pits near the tables, and music made it very inviting. The menu had a great variety to choose from. The staff was friendly and gave great recommendations. We had a chicken bowl, rolled tacos, and a California Burrito. Everything was prepared quickly and tasted delicious. I will definitely be stopping again and highly recommend making a trip to try it out.
Chris C
Whoa... Didn't know what to expect but we were unsure of the menu and how much to order... Super helpful and price was beyond reasonable. Will Def come again! Fyi, 3 adults 3 younger kids ate the combo #8 and 2 tacos combo... Full to the brim.
Dean Demesa
We ordered the #4 - A Little More (chicken combo platter). It comes with rice, beans, tortillas, and salsa. This eatery is a no frills place with some great Mexican charm. There is limited inside seating, but it's nice to sit at the outside patio when the weather is warm. The service is quick. This is a favorite place to eat when visiting Carlsbad.Parking: There is parking available in the back of the restaurant in addition to parallel street parking.
Mustafa Özgür
It’s not good, I love Mexican food but they should move that sign outside said home cooked food! That’s not true, made too cheap and no test. Long story short, just go get yourself El Pollo Loco, you will appreciate my review.
Mia Dischner
Literally some of the best Mexican food I’ve ever had. So cheap, so fast, heated outdoor seating, I can not recommend this restaurant more. I stopped on a road trip and it’s one of my favorite stops I’ve made.Vegetarian options: Vegetable optionsKid-friendliness: Very openParking: Has its own parking
Please please don’t go here. My food was a flavorless, bland, and soggy mess? the beans looked like they came from an old can and the tomatoes from a can as well. Just really a mistake coming here and spending too much money. I couldn’t even eat it. On top of that they are not nice. I don’t know who is getting paid or doing these reviews but you know you’re lyin… Why you lyin?
Mike Brown - Broker
If you want authentic Mexican food in Carlsbad you need to try Pollos Maria. Their food is delicious and the staff are friendly and helpful. I highly recommend Pollos Maria in Carlsbad!
G Money
There are lots of places to eat decent Mexican food but this one just simply continues to be excellent! Well worth the exit off the freeway. Don't forget to order the gelatin dessert...
Nicolette Waterfield
My neighbors had soup from Pollo Maria delivered because I was sick and it was incredible! It was so fresh and not too salty. We will definitely go check out the restaurant in person as soon as we’re well.
Kimberly Hall
Pollos Maria never disappoints. I used to walk here all the time when my boys were babies and even though now it's a drive, I still make my way over there... 18 years later. I hadnt been there in probably 5 years ? and when I walked in, it felt like I was standing there with a stroller on the way the park. Food is still just as good and consistent, which is what I really appreciate. Prices, although they have gone up a little over 18 years, have not been jacked up to ridiculous amounts like at other tacos shops/ restaurants. The quality of the ingredients is great and I love the little outdoor patio. I am putting this back on my "must frequent" list.Polls Maria forever ?
I honestly was really hoping to have an experience like I do when I visit the Inland Empire and have Juan Pollo. I was extremely sad and disappointed. Place was empty when I was there. Cashier was polite and gave good register service. The issue I had was with the food.Although cooked well, and saw it on the grill, which looked great, the chicken had 0 flavor and was extremely bland. Definitely needed some salt and seasoning. The rice was the best part of the meal and had great flavor. The beans were so/so as well, and lacked flavor.I really wanted to like this place, as I am all about supporting local business over Corporate companies any day, however, El Pollo Loco is superior in flavor, and more satisfying....
Wow! What a delicious place. I don't know what I was expecting, but it exceeded all of my expectations. The chicken burrito reminded me of homemade burritos my mom would make when I was growing up. So glad I decided to try this place out. I will be visiting more frequently.
Wow, great find off the beaten path! Amazing prices and cool relaxing seating area.Order and your food will be called.When I saw all of the chickens roasting on the grill, I knew I was in for a treat. I had the 4 piece (1/2 chicken) with beans and rice. The crispy skin was so thin and perfectly crunchy. My son had the carne asada fries and thought they were great. It was a pile of fries.Will be coming back often as I live close by wish I'd found it sooner.
This restaurant was suggested by some locals for my girlfriend and I to try. We get there and there's parking and the location is clean and outside seating. The special was chicken fajita plate with rice for $10.99, pretty good pricing right!? Well the chicken was hard and bland and had like a half a cup of grease on a paper plate. The grease seeped through the plate all over the table and onto my hands. The side of rice was dry and bland too. The best part of my meal was the coca cola because they had just changed the syrup.
I had the green chicken enchiladas, rice and beans... Really tasty food! The atmosphere has charm, but could be updated a little. Next time I'm passing through I definitely will have the taquito plate... looked really good too ?
Just found this restaurant passing through Carlsbad. Outdoor patio, fire pits near the tables, and music made it very inviting. The menu had a great variety to choose from. The staff was friendly and gave great recommendations. We had a chicken bowl, rolled tacos, and a California Burrito. Everything was prepared quickly and tasted delicious. I will definitely be stopping again and highly recommend making a trip to try it out.
Whoa... Didn't know what to expect but we were unsure of the menu and how much to order... Super helpful and price was beyond reasonable. Will Def come again! Fyi, 3 adults 3 younger kids ate the combo #8 and 2 tacos combo... Full to the brim.
We ordered the #4 - A Little More (chicken combo platter). It comes with rice, beans, tortillas, and salsa. This eatery is a no frills place with some great Mexican charm. There is limited inside seating, but it's nice to sit at the outside patio when the weather is warm. The service is quick. This is a favorite place to eat when visiting Carlsbad.Parking: There is parking available in the back of the restaurant in addition to parallel street parking.
It’s not good, I love Mexican food but they should move that sign outside said home cooked food! That’s not true, made too cheap and no test. Long story short, just go get yourself El Pollo Loco, you will appreciate my review.
Literally some of the best Mexican food I’ve ever had. So cheap, so fast, heated outdoor seating, I can not recommend this restaurant more. I stopped on a road trip and it’s one of my favorite stops I’ve made.Vegetarian options: Vegetable optionsKid-friendliness: Very openParking: Has its own parking
Restaurantji Recommends
Please please don’t go here. My food was a flavorless, bland, and soggy mess? the beans looked like they came from an old can and the tomatoes from a can as well. Just really a mistake coming here and spending too much money. I couldn’t even eat it. On top of that they are not nice. I don’t know who is getting paid or doing these reviews but you know you’re lyin… Why you lyin?
If you want authentic Mexican food in Carlsbad you need to try Pollos Maria. Their food is delicious and the staff are friendly and helpful. I highly recommend Pollos Maria in Carlsbad!
There are lots of places to eat decent Mexican food but this one just simply continues to be excellent! Well worth the exit off the freeway. Don't forget to order the gelatin dessert...
My neighbors had soup from Pollo Maria delivered because I was sick and it was incredible! It was so fresh and not too salty. We will definitely go check out the restaurant in person as soon as we’re well.
Pollos Maria never disappoints. I used to walk here all the time when my boys were babies and even though now it's a drive, I still make my way over there... 18 years later. I hadnt been there in probably 5 years ? and when I walked in, it felt like I was standing there with a stroller on the way the park. Food is still just as good and consistent, which is what I really appreciate. Prices, although they have gone up a little over 18 years, have not been jacked up to ridiculous amounts like at other tacos shops/ restaurants. The quality of the ingredients is great and I love the little outdoor patio. I am putting this back on my "must frequent" list.Polls Maria forever ?