El Pollo Loco Menu 2026: Full Guide to Prices, Calories, Best Picks, and Fire-Grilled Favorites
El Pollo Loco has grilled chicken over fire since 1975.There is no frying or pressure cooking involved. Instead, they soak it in a citrus marinade and throw it onto the flame. The whole restaurant is built around this single idea which is the reason why the el pollo loco menu is different from most fast-food chicken chains available out there.
The pollo loco menu has more variety than most people would expect. There is fire-grilled chicken meals, protein-packed bowls, burritos stuffed with handmade guacamole, crispy Loco Tenders, tostadas, salads, nachos, quesadillas, and family meals that can feed a table of around ten people. Desserts are also available if you crave for something sweet.
This guide covers the full menu pollo loco restaurant lineup with descriptions, prices, and calorie counts for each item. The prices can shift depending on your exact location, so it’s advisable to look up for the el pollo loco menu with prices and pictures near me on the app or at elpolloloco.com to confirm the menu and prices at your nearest El Pollo Loco.
The Customer-Favourite El Pollo Loco Menu Item: Crunchy Chicken Tenders
If you’re new to El Pollo Loco, then go for the Loco Tenders. They’re crispy all-white-meat chicken strips, available in classic or spicy, with a Mexican spice blend. Then choose your dip Pollo Loco Sauce, Baja Lime, or House Ranch and you’re good to go.
They are available in three sizes:
• 2 Piece Loco Tenders – Two crispy tenders, classic or spicy, with a dipping sauce on the side. They range from around $7.59 – $7.99 and contain 320 – 330 calories.
• 3 Piece Loco Tenders – Three tenders, classic or spicy, with the sauce included on the side. They cost around $10.69 on their own and contain 470 calories, whereas the combo version can go up to $14.19
• 4 Piece Loco Tenders – Four tenders, classic or spicy, with sauce on the side. The standalone price is around $13.89 and it contains 630 calories. If you go for the combo then the price can go up to $17.89 and the meal would contain around 1,510 calories depending on what you add.
The spicy tenders have real heat that lasts. But if you cannot tolerate spices very well, then consider opting for the classic ones that are just as good.
Fire-Grilled Chicken Meals: The Heart of El Pollo Loco
At El Pollo Loco, it all starts with citrus-marinated chicken and an open flame.The menu el pollo loco restaurant builds everything else around this. A piece of fire-grilled chicken leg here has more flavor than fried chicken from a lot of other places.
The pollo loco menu prices for individual chicken pieces are some of the lowest on the menu, which makes them useful for building your own combo or just adding a piece to a bowl. Here’s what the meals and a la carte options look like:
• 2 Piece Meal (Leg & Thigh) – Two fire-grilled pieces with sides and tortillas of your choice. The price is around $14.99 – $15.89 and the calories range from 430 to 1,120 depending entirely on what sides you pick.
• 2 Piece Meal (Breast & Wing) – The white meat version with sides and tortillas of your choice. It is priced around $16.49 to $17.19 and contains around 460 – 1,150 calories based on the sides selected.
• 3 Piece Meal – Three fire-grilled pieces with rice, beans, and tortillas. The price ranges from $16.99 – $17.99 and the calories can vary from 650 to 1,440 depending on what you order with it.
• 4 Piece Half Chicken Meal – A full half chicken, grilled, with sides and tortillas included. The cost varies between $17.99 – $20.89, and the calorie range is 760 to 1,690.
Want just the chicken, nothing else? Here are the individual a la carte pieces:
• Fire-Grilled Chicken Breast – Single citrus-marinated, flame-grilled breast. The price ranges from $3.99 to $4.49 and includes 220 calories.
• Fire-Grilled Chicken Thigh – Single thigh, same marinade. $2.99 to $3.49, also 220 calories.
• Fire-Grilled Chicken Leg – One leg, fire-grilled. Priced between $2.49 and $2.99—80 to 90 calories, and the cheapest piece on the menu.
• Fire-Grilled Chicken Wing – One wing. Costs around $2.49 to $2.99 and includes 90 calories.
These chicken pieces are the best-suited choices if you want to add protein to a bowl or salad without committing to a full meal. The grilled chicken leg is the cheapest and most straightforward option.
Protein Packed Favorites
These are some of the best-built bowls in the fast-casual space. Fire-grilled chopped chicken as the base, seasoned rice, pinto beans, then layers of toppings—hand-sliced avocado, Jack cheese, cotija, salsa fresca. The el pollo loco menu with prices for this section runs from about $6.29 for the original up to $13 for the double chicken versions, and the protein counts on the bigger bowls are genuinely hard to beat.
• Queso Crunch Double Chicken Burrito Bowl – Double fire-grilled chicken, seasoned rice, pinto beans, queso blanco, shredded Jack cheese, and crunchy tortilla components mixed in. The price is around $11.99 to $12.49 and it contains 1,080 calories.
• Street Corn Double Chicken Burrito Bowl – Seasoned rice, pinto beans, roasted corn and red peppers, double fire-grilled chopped chicken, Jack cheese, creamy chipotle sauce, cotija, guacamole, cilantro, and salsa fresca. The price ranges from $11.99 – $12.49 and it has 1,080 calories.
• Double Chicken Bowl – It contains double citrus-marinated fire-grilled chopped chicken, rice, pinto beans, shredded cabbage, hand-sliced avocado, Jack cheese, sour cream, and salsa fresca. It is priced around $11.49 – $12.99 and contains 930 calories.
• Grande Avocado Chicken Bowl – Fire-grilled chopped chicken, seasoned rice, pinto beans, shredded cabbage, hand-sliced avocado, Jack cheese, sour cream, roasted corn, red peppers, and salsa fresca. It costs around $11.29 – $12.49 and contains 790 calories.
• Original Pollo Bowl – Fire-grilled chopped chicken leg, seasoned rice, pinto beans, salsa fresca, diced onions, and cilantro. It is priced around $6.29 – $7.49 and contains 520 to 580 calories.
If you want something filling but not over the top, the Original Pollo Bowl is the right choice for you. The Street Corn and Queso Crunch bowls are the biggest on the menu—1,080 calories each. But they also pack over 75 grams of protein, which is pretty hard to find elsewhere.
Burritos That Are Actually Worth the Calories
The burritos are bigger than they might appear on the menu board. And the guacamole is made in-house with real avocados, not some pre-packaged version from a plastic pouch.
Below is the complete breakdown of the pollo loco menu and prices for this section:
• Chipotle Guacamole Chicken Burrito – It contains fire grilled chopped chicken, shredded cabbage, handmade guacamole, Jack cheese, creamy chipotle sauce, pinto beans, seasoned rice, and a warm flour tortilla. The price is around $10.49 – $11.49 and it contains 890 to 940 calories
• Guacamole Chicken Burrito – It contains citrus-marinated fire grilled chicken, handmade guacamole, Jack cheese, pinto beans, seasoned rice, shredded cabbage, salsa fresca, and Creamy Cilantro sauce, all of which is wrapped in a warm flour tortilla. It costs $9.99 – $10.99 and has 920 calories.
• Queso Guacamole Chicken Burrito – Fire-grilled chicken, guacamole, queso blanco, rice, and beans, stuffed in a flour tortilla. It is priced at $10.49 – $11.49, and contains 870 calories.
• Classic Chicken Burrito – Shredded fire-grilled chicken infused with mild roasted tomato salsa, paired with pinto beans, seasoned rice, Jack cheese, and stuffed inside a flour tortilla.The price may vary from $8.49 – $9.29 and it contains around 480 – 500 calories. It’s one of the lighter burrito options on the menu.
• BRC Burrito – Pinto beans, seasoned rice, and shredded Jack cheese, wrapped in a flour tortilla. It is priced at $3.79 and contains 410 calories. It is simple and cheap, and holds together well.
The BRC Burrito is the quiet winner of this section. $3.79 for 410 calories—there’s not a cheaper, more filling option on the menu.
Tacos: The Best Quick Bites at El Pollo Loco
There are three taco options available:
• Chicken Avocado Taco – Fire-grilled chopped chicken, shredded lettuce, hand-sliced avocado, salsa fresca, Jack cheese, and Creamy Cilantro dressing, layered inside a warm flour tortilla. $3.99 to $4.59—330 to 340 calories.
• Chicken Taco Al Carbon – Citrus-marinated fire-grilled chicken, diced onion, and chopped cilantro, wrapped in two warm corn tortillas. It costs $2.49 to $2.99, and contains 140 to 170 calories per taco. The cheapest item with real chicken on the menu.
• Shredded Chicken Crunchy Taco – These double-layered crunchy fried corn tortillas include fire-grilled shredded chicken infused with mild roasted tomato salsa, paired with shredded lettuce, and Jack cheese. It costs $2.79 to $3.29 and contains 210 calories.
The 3 Tacos Al Carbon Combo is worth noting here—three Al Carbon tacos with chips and a drink, priced at $9.99 – $11.49 containing 510 to 1,040 calories with the full combo included. It’s one of the value deals on the menu.
The Fresh and Crunchy Menu Picks
If you want something lighter, try the salads or tostadas. The salads come with a mix of super greens and romaine, and the tostada shells stay crisp better than you’d think.
Below is the full menu pollo loco restaurant breakdown:
• Baja Double Chicken Tostada – It contains crispy tostada shell, pinto beans, seasoned rice, double fire-grilled chicken, shredded lettuce, Jack cheese, salsa fresca, and avocado, paired with sour cream, and lime crema sauce. It is priced around $15.09 – $16.29 and contains 970 to 1,010 calories.
• Double Chicken Tostada – It has a crispy shell, and comes with double fire-grilled chicken, shredded lettuce, seasoned rice, pinto beans, and salsa fresca, topped with Jack cheese, sour cream, and Creamy Cilantro dressing. It costs around $15.09 to $15.99 and contains 970 calories.
• Classic Chicken Tostada – The ingredients include crispy tostada shell, fire-grilled chopped chicken, shredded lettuce, seasoned rice, pinto beans, and salsa fresca, topped with Jack cheese, sour cream, and Creamy Cilantro dressing. It is priced at $9.79 – $10.99 and contains 830 calories.
• Street Corn Double Pollo Salad – The ingredients include super greens and romaine, double fire-grilled chopped chicken, hand-sliced avocado, corn and red peppers, cotija cheese, chili lime seasoning, and salsa fresca, topped with Creamy Cilantro dressing. The price ranges between $12.49 to $13.99 containing 450 to 880 calories.
• Mexican Caesar Double Pollo Salad – Double citrus-marinated fire-grilled chicken over salad greens with Mexican Caesar toppings and dressing. It is priced from $12.49 to $13.99 and has around 510 to 890 calories depending on how much dressing you use.
If you go light on the dressing on the salads, there can be a huge calorie difference. The Street Corn Salad with minimal dressing is one of the better lower-calorie options across the whole menu.
Cheesy Quesadillas and Loaded Nachos
There are two quesadillas and one nacho plate on the menu. Both quesadillas come with guacamole on the side, which can immediately enhance the meal. The nachos are a full plate, not just a small side.
• Salsa Verde Chicken Quesadilla – It contains fire grilled chicken, cheese, salsa verde sauce in a grilled tortilla, served with guacamole. The price ranges from $9.49 – $10.49 and contains 740 calories
• Creamy Chipotle Chicken Quesadilla – It has fire grilled chicken, cheese, creamy chipotle sauce, and tortilla, served with guacamole. It costs around $9.49 – $10.49 and contains 820 calories
• Shredded Chicken Nachos – It contains tortilla chips, and shredded fire-grilled chicken, with nacho toppings. The price varies between $9.99 – $11.49 and the amount of calories ranges between 1,060 and 1,220 depending on the build
If you’re choosing between the two quesadillas, the Salsa Verde is the lighter pick containing 740 calories. While, the Creamy Chipotle has a richer taste and is slightly bigger in terms of calorie load—but if you like chipotle then it’s the better choice.
The Best Family Meals Deals
The family meals are just the same fire-grilled chicken in bigger portions—quality stays the same, only the quantity changes. On the el pollo loco price menu, these options start under $30 for the chicken-only pack and go up to over $60 for the 16-piece. Sides are customizable, which is why calorie counts vary so widely.
• 8pc Chicken Only Meal – Eight pieces of citrus-marinated fire-grilled chicken without sides. It is priced around $26.99 – $29.99 and contains 1,240 calories in total. Salsa is included.
• 8 PC Family Meal – Eight fire-grilled chicken pieces, two large sides, tortillas or chips, and salsa. It costs $33.79 – $35.29 and contains about 1,740 to 3,200 calories based on what sides you choose.
• 12 PC Family Meal – Twelve pieces, three large sides, tortillas or chips, with salsa included. The price ranges between $47.99 – $50.99 and it contains around 2,610 to 4,800 calories in total depending on sides.
• 16 PC Family Meal – Sixteen pieces, four large sides, tortillas or chips, and salsa. It costs around $56.99 – $60.49 and contains 3,480 to 6,400 calories based on side selections.
The 8 PC Family Meal is your best option when there are 4 to 6 people. Whereas, the 12 and 16 piece meals are better for larger groups or when you want to take leftovers home.
Kid Friendly El Pollo Loco Picks
For kids, there are two meal choices: two grilled chicken legs or a smaller version of the BRC burrito. Both of them are kid-sized portions and come with applesauce and a drink—milk, juice, or a small soda
• Two Legs Kids Meal – Two citrus-marinated fire-grilled chicken legs, applesauce, and a drink. It costs $7.49 – $8.49 and contains 370 to 520 calories.
• BRC Kids Meal – A kids-portion bean, rice, and cheese burrito with applesauce and a drink. It is priced at $7.49 – $8.39 and contains 560 to 710 calories.
The Two Legs meal is the better option for kids who want real chicken. The BRC is the easier pick for picky eaters as it is a more familiar and simpler option.
Best Sides for Every Appetite
The el pollo loco sides menu has eight options. Most of the meals let you pick your sides, and the difference in calories between the lightest and heaviest choices is massive—broccoli at 30 calories versus mac and cheese at 310.
Here’s what’s available:
• Seasoned Rice – Lightly seasoned white rice. The price varies between $3.49 – $5.99 and it contains 160 calories.
• Pinto Beans – Slow-simmered pinto beans priced at $3.49 – $5.99 contain 130 calories.
• Broccoli – Steamed broccoli ranging from $3.49 to $5.99 contains just 30 calories. It is the lowest-calorie side available on the menu.
• Mac & Cheese – Macaroni and cheese. The price varies between $3.49 to $5.99 and it contains 310 calories.
• Mashed Potatoes with Gravy – Mashed potatoes and gravy. It costs around $3.49 – $5.99 and contains 100 calories.
• Corn – Corn with diced red peppers contains around 80 calories.
• Loco Side Salad – Small side salad priced at around $3.49 – $5.99.
• Coleslaw – House-made coleslaw priced at $3.49 – $5.99.
If you’re keeping the meal on the lighter side, broccoli and pinto beans are the preferred choices to go for.
Small Extras That Are Worth Adding
The snack menu isn’t long. But what’s on it is worth your attention—especially the chicken tortilla soup, which holds up well as either a starter or a light meal on its own.
• Chicken Tortilla Soup – Chicken soup with tortilla. The small bowl is priced at $4.49 and contains 210 calories , whereas the large bowl costs $7.49 with 450 calories
• Chips & Guacamole – Tortilla chips with guacamole. The small bowl is priced at $4.49 and contains 510 calories , whereas the regular bowl costs $6.99 with 1010 calories. The regular bowl can be shared among two or more people
• Chips & Queso – Tortilla chips with queso blanco.The price varies between $4.49 – $6.99 and it contains 540 to 1,090 calories.
• Caramel Flan – Individual caramel flan cup. It is priced at $3.49 – $3.99 and contains 240 calories.
• Cinnamon Churros (2 pieces) – Two fried churros with cinnamon sugar priced at $4.19 and contain 280 calories.
• Tortilla Chips (Side) – Plain chips which cost around $1.99 and contain 200 calories.
• Corn Tortillas (2) – Two 6-inch corn tortillas priced at $0.49 and contain 100 calories.
• Flour Tortillas (2) – Two 6-inch flour tortillas priced at $0.49 and contain 190 calories.
For dessert, the Caramel Flan is a standout as it contains only 240 calories and costs about $3.49 to $3.99, But if feel like having something warm, then the churros are the better pick
Drinks That Complete the Meal
The Fountain drinks are priced at $2.69 for a regular and $3.19 for the larger version. The selection includes Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Dr. Pepper, Diet Dr. Pepper, Sprite, Barq’s Root Beer, and Hi-C Fruit Punch.
For iced tea, there are three choices available on the menu: Fuze Sweetened Raspberry, Gold Peak Unsweetened, and Gold Peak Sweetened.
Beyond the usual sodas, Horchata is available and it pairs really well with spicy dishes. The Aguas Frescas come in two flavors—Mango Lime and Strawberry Hibiscus—and are lighter options worth trying. Minute Maid Lemonade and Strawberry Lemonade are also on the menu. Bottled water is available if you prefer to keep it simple.
A regular soda has about 200 to 400 calories depending on the drink. Zero-sugar options have zero calories. Horchata has 340 calories in a regular size and contains milk and soy, so it is advised that you avoid it if you have allergies.
Budget-Friendly Bites That Actually Satisfy
A lot of people search for an el pollo loco $5 menu or a pollo loco dollar menu—and while El Pollo Loco doesn’t maintain a formal dollar menu the way some fast food chains do, the lower end of their regular menu is pretty affordable. Some of the cheapest things you can order:
• The Chicken Taco Al Carbon is priced at $2.49 – $2.99 per taco and has 140 to 170 calories. It’s the cheapest chicken item on the menu.
• A side of two Corn Tortillas or Flour Tortillas is priced at $0.49 and are hard to beat.
• The Shredded Chicken Crunchy Taco is priced at $2.79 – $3.29 and contains 210 calories.
• The BRC Burrito is priced at $3.79 and has 410 calories. It’s a filling and affordable option with beans, rice, and cheese.
• The Fire-Grilled Chicken Leg is priced at $2.49 – $2.99 and has 80 to 90 calories.
The menu prices El Pollo Loco range from less than $3 on the low end to over $60 for a 16-piece family meal. For seasonal promos, limited-time combos, or anything that might fall under the pollo loco $5 menu category, you are advised to check directly with your local restaurant as those deals keep changing and aren’t always listed online.
El Pollo Loco Menu Nutrition: What the Numbers Tell You
When it comes to protein, the pollo loco menu nutrition is impressive. Since the chicken is fire-grilled rather than breaded or fried, it delivers lower fat and fewer calories per gram of protein as compared to most options available in the market.
Even the higher-calorie items, like the Shredded Chicken Nachos with 1,220 calories, still deliver 33 grams of protein. That’s not by chance. It’s because real fire-grilled chicken is the base of almost everything they serve.
For a full nutrition breakdown—calories, protein, fat, carbs, sodium, and allergens—visit the El Pollo Loco website: https://www.elpolloloco.com/our-food/
Safer Ordering for Allergy Concerns
The pollo loco allergen menu is available in their official nutrition guide at elpolloloco.com. Here are the main allergens to watch for:
• Milk shows up in Mac & Cheese, Mashed Potatoes with Gravy, Horchata, quesadillas, dressings like House Ranch, Mexican Caesar, and Creamy Cilantro, Caramel Flan, and Baja Lime Sauce.
• Eggs are present in Caramel Flan, Cinnamon Churros, Mashed Potatoes with Gravy, and most dressings.
• Soy is found in Seasoned Rice, Corn, Mac & Cheese, Mashed Potatoes with Gravy, Chicken Tortilla Soup, Horchata, Shredded Chicken Nachos, and several sauces.
• Wheat or gluten appears in flour tortillas, Cinnamon Churros, Chicken Tortilla Soup, Shredded Chicken Nachos, and Mac & Cheese.
The three salsas—Avocado Salsa, Salsa Fresca, and Salsa Roja—do not list any major allergens. If you have a specific allergy, it’s best to check with your local restaurant before ordering, as preparation methods can vary.
Best Picks for Gluten Sensitive Orders
The el pollo loco menu gluten free options are built around the fire-grilled chicken, corn tortillas, pinto beans, and most bowls if you skip the flour tortillas. Since the chicken is marinated and grilled rather than breaded, the main chicken items are naturally wheat-free. That makes it easier to put together a full meal without worrying about gluten.
The Original Pollo Bowl without flour tortillas is a safe choice. Plain fire-grilled chicken pieces, pinto beans, and the corn-based salsas are also generally fine. The Chicken Taco Al Carbon in corn tortillas is another straightforward option.
If gluten is a concern, avoid flour tortillas, Cinnamon Churros, Chicken Tortilla Soup, Shredded Chicken Nachos, Mac & Cheese, and Mashed Potatoes with Gravy as they all contain wheat which is an allergen. You are also advised to keep in mind that cross-contamination is possible in any kitchen so if you have a celiac disease, talk to the restaurant directly before ordering.
Your Location Based Menu Guide
If you want to see the el pollo loco menu with prices and pictures, both the official website and the El Pollo Loco app have photos for every item. The app is great for finding the el pollo loco menu with prices and pictures near me—it uses your location to show what’s available at your nearest restaurant, including any local price differences
The pollo loco menu and prices covered in this guide are based on current data. However, items can vary by location, and limited-time promos change regularly.
The full menu el pollo loco restaurant is viewable online without needing to create an account, therefore you can check it before you leave the house.