El Pollo Loco

963 Avenida Pico, San Clemente
(949) 498-2060

Recent Reviews

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Emma Andrews

genuinely the best el pollo loco experience I’ve ever had. food was absolutely delicious and the staff was super friendly!! if I were local I’d frequent this place 10/10

WebWorks Agency

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (10 stars if I could)

El Pollo Loco in San Clemente is basically my second kitchen at this point 😂 I’m here every other day, no exaggeration. The whole family loves it, the kids go crazy for it, and honestly… it’s hands down the best flame-grilled chicken around. Period.

That chicken is always juicy, smoky, perfectly seasoned — not dry, not bland, not drowning in grease. You can actually taste that it’s grilled, not just cooked and slapped together. Huge difference.

And let’s talk about the rest of the menu because it deserves respect too. The quesadillas? Dangerous. The tacos? Solid every single time. Rice, beans, sides — everything just works. It’s one of those places where you can order almost anything and you know it’s gonna hit.

What really keeps me coming back though (besides the food addiction lol) is the service. Special shoutout to Jose, the general manager — seriously one of the nicest, most genuine guys you’ll meet. Always friendly, always smiling, always making sure customers are taken care of. He’s hooked me up with some great specials more than once, and it’s never forced or fake. Just real customer service, the way it’s supposed to be. Respect.

The place is clean, fast, and consistent — which matters when you’re feeding kids who are already starving and impatient 😂 Orders come out right, staff is cool, and the vibe is just easy and comfortable.

If you’re in San Clemente and craving something reliable, flavorful, and actually satisfying, this El Pollo Loco is a no-brainer. We keep coming back for a reason.

Highly recommend. Now excuse me while I probably go back again tomorrow 😅🔥🐔

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Flor Castellanos

I went on Sunday, September 21, 2025, in the evening and ordered a combo of charcoal-grilled tacos. When I got home, I realized they were spoiled. I couldn't eat them!

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 3

Ratmir Konstantinov

Good and fast service

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

Sky Force Technology

Don't door dash from this location. They won't give you the option to add special instructions and on to of that you can order a meal and get zero salsa. Total BS maneuver and it's happened before so shame on me for trusting that it was a simple mistake the last time.

Juan Martinez

Nice and polite.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Stepper

Great service all around and very helpful employees

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Felipe Murillo

Very good service and excellent food. Thank you.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Rick Cast

I love the freshly cooked chicken

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Don Niklas

Wow!!! The thighs were twice thw size of orher visits. Hope it stays that way

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

Alex Padilla

Wacatelas everything is very bad

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Adrian Ortega

Fresh and juicy.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

Maribel Montes

Very fast cashier and staffI like crazy chicken ?

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Rita McPhail

Their tortilla soup was delicious. I was surprised - very authentic with a side of chips and cilantro grated cheese. Served hot so don't be in a big hurry.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 4

five2andfiesty Nunya

We didn't have a lot of money growing up, and when we were kids, coming to El Pollo Loco for BRC's (beans, rice and cheese burritos) was a treat, they were so affordable too. Now when I order them, I ask for extra cheese, am charged for extra cheese...and not only are they double the price now as it is, but the "extra cheese" is barely what they USED to put in them anyways....so they are charging me extra for "extra" cheese just to have the C part of the BRC actually be in my burritos tho, lol...sucks.

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