Delicious Roast Chicken at El Pollo Loco

News & Lifestyle section of Dad On The Move.

We were doing our last-minute Christmas shopping at SM Megamall when I first went to El Pollo Loco. That night was typical of this season with the crowd madly rushing from one shop to another, scrambling to get the best deals.

Most restaurants were likewise jam-packed that night. My wife (fiancee back then) suggested that we try El Pollo Loco, having only a handful of diners inside. I wasn't too excited but, having had no choice, I had to just agree. Upon entering, one would immediately notice the large oven where the chicken is being roasted. The interior is spartan, just the basics of a fast food eatery. The chairs and tables are made of wood though which somehow offset the fast food ambiance.

We placed our order for a 4-piece chicken combo meal. It came with 4 pieces of roast chicken, 2 large sides, 4 tortillas, and 2 salsas. For the sides, we got two cups of Spanish rice. Waiting time is reasonable at around 15 minutes.

The El Pollo Loco chicken is roasted perfectly. The skin is perfectly flavored with a slight crisp. There are times when roasting or barbecuing chicken tends to leave the insides of the meat slightly undercooked. But El Pollo Loco does it good. The chicken meat is nicely done without over-drying it, leaving it tender and packed with flavor. I believe the best side dish for this chicken is the Spanish rice. The bell pepper and garlic lent a flavor to it that is close to the taste of basic paella.

The tortilla, meanwhile, is pleasantly chewy, hence, freshly-made. You see, the problem with a tortilla is that it becomes stiff when left standing in the open air for a long time. The salsa goes really well with the soft tortilla.

All in all, it was a pleasant experience. It gave us a welcome break from the hectic air that is palpable every Yuletide season. And for P450 for two people, it's definitely a steal.