El Pollo Loco, Redlands

The Original Two Piece Combo, White Meat with Beans and Cole Slaw & Soda $7.19

El Pollo Loco

1210 W Colton Ave
Redlands, CA 92374-2862
(909) 335-2232

I started working as a manager at the original El Pollo Loco on Alvarado Street when there were only six EPL's in the USA. The Ochoa Brothers had started the concept in Sinaloa, Mexico and a few smart people had franchised the concept in Southern California. The operation was much simpler then, the menu consisted of grilled chicken, spicy pinto beans made with lard and serrano chilies. Cole Slaw, Potato and Macaroni Salad. They served Flan and a few other items for desert. The salsa was made fresh daily, from tomatoes, salt, and serrano chili. The secret marinade was made in a small warehouse behind the Alvarado Store. I helped opened the first built from the ground up drive thru. It was an exciting concept, fresh, healthier flame broiled chicken. Many imitators tried to copy the idea, few were successful. Grilling a whole chicken is not an easy thing, it takes approximately 45 minutes to cook one chicken. When you are in the "Quick" service business this can cause problems. It you did not project the right amount of chickens customers had a long wait for their chicken. If we cooked too many chickens they ended up in the garbage. Now they have greatly expanded their menu and have added menu items that can use the excess chicken.

I have always liked EPL's original chicken and my family enjoys it also. We have EPL a few times every month. Today I had the pleasure of visiting the Redlands store, this appears to be a franchise operation. The Chicken was cooked to perfection, nice and juicy with a slight garlicky citrus flavor . The two piece is served with two tortillas, so I was able to make two delicious tacos with extra chicken left over. The cole slaw was standard issue, the beans were a little undercooked (EPL uses canned beans but they add roasted serranos and cook until the juice thickens). Prices are going up, when I started the price of a whole chicken was $6.29, now a two piece combo costs more . In today's market it is still a good deal, love that chicken.

I would rate El Pollo Loco as the best Mexican Grilled Chicken in the East Valley Inland Empire.

Food ****

Ambiance **

Service **

Cost $

Repeat Visit - Yes