El Pollo Loco Restaurant Review

El Pollo Loco is a fast-food chain that specializes in Mexican grilled chicken dishes. Its menu offers various burritos, salads and sides; additionally it provides carbonated and unsweetened tea, horchata and fruit punch as drinks options.

El Pollo Loco offers the World’s First Keto Taco

El Pollo Loco offers the world’s first keto burrito in a tortilla, though it doesn’t meet all the necessary keto requirements when it comes to fats, proteins and carbs. The burrito features lettuce blend, cabbage, cotija cheese, avocado slices, pico de gallo salsa and creamy cilantro dressing with 510 calories per serving plus 28g fat (28g saturated fat), 32g carbohydrates (4g protein) 52g protein and 1.5g sodium).

Low-FODMAP Meals

If you’re on a low-FODMAP diet, El Pollo Loco’s rice and beans meals might not be suitable for you if you have an IBS condition. They contain high amounts of fat and sodium which could make them incompatible with your dietary needs.

The restaurant provides some lower-fat options on its main menu, such as the Original Pollo Bowl. This is an ideal way to get plenty of protein without adding unnecessary fat, making it suitable for those following low-FODMAP or ketogenic diets.

There’s also a low-sodium option, which isn’t often found at Mexican-style restaurants. The low-sodium burrito uses the same ingredients as its regular counterpart but uses a lower sodium “keto flour” tortilla. While still packed with vegetables, it may not be as low in salt content as some of the other dishes on offer here.

Vegan Meals

El Pollo Loco’s Double Protein Avocado Pollo Fit Bowl is an ideal vegan meal option. This dish features organic super greens and lettuce, topped with cilantro lime cauliflower rice, double portions of chopped fire-grilled chicken breast, hand-sliced avocado, queso fresco, cotija cheese, and Tapatio seasoning for quick fuel on the go. It makes for a nutritious and satisfying lunch or dinner!

If you’re on a keto diet, vegetarian diet, or any other dietary restriction, El Pollo Loco is an ideal option for Mexican-style food. Their menu offers several items that are gluten-free, low carb, diabetic-friendly and low sodium.

For further details about El Pollo Loco, be sure to visit their website. There you will find an extensive collection of recipes as well as calorie and nutrition facts for all their meals.

Sides and Drinks

Traditionally, Mexican-style food is served with flour tortillas; however, El Pollo Loco offers several gluten-free sides and salads as well as low-carb and vegan options.

For those with gluten allergies or other dietary restrictions, the classic tostada salad is an ideal option. It consists of a crisp flour tostada shell filled with citrus-marinated chicken, lettuce, pinto beans, rice, jack cheese crumbles, sour cream and Pico de gallo salsa. At 800 calories and 40 grams of protein per serving size, you’re sure to feel satisfied after enjoying this meal.

El Pollo Loco’s Ranchero burrito is a beloved item. A twelve-inch flour tortilla filled with chicken, sour cream, rice and other fillings weighs in at 950 calories and 41 grams of protein but also high in sodium. To reduce sodium intake while enjoying this burrito, opt for sides like roasted corn or broccoli instead of the traditional mashed potatoes and gravy.