El Pollo Loco Locations Near Me 2026
There are more than 500 El Pollo Loco locations across 10 US states in 2026, mostly in the West and Southwest. The fastest way to find an El Pollo Loco near me is the official store locator at elpolloloco.com, which shows real-time hours, drive-thru availability and delivery options for every restaurant.
If you are craving that citrus-marinated, flame-grilled chicken, the full El Pollo Loco menu with prices is worth a look before you go. But first, let’s figure out where the nearest one actually is. El Pollo Loco is a West Coast beast. If you live in California, you probably pass two on your commute. Anywhere east of Texas? That’s a different story.
📍 How Many El Pollo Loco Locations Are There?
El Pollo Loco runs 500+ company-owned and franchised restaurants across ten US states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Utah and Washington. On top of that, there are eight licensed El Pollo Loco locations in the Philippines. The chain just announced expansion plans into New York, so East Coast fans finally have something to look forward to.
Where the restaurants cluster
Honestly, California is the heartland here. The chain is headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, and the LA/SoCal area has the densest coverage by far. Texas and Arizona come next. States like Idaho, Louisiana and Washington are newer territory, so coverage there is still filling in, which means your closest spot might be a real drive.
🔎 How Do I Find an El Pollo Loco Near Me?
You have three solid options, and they are all free. The official El Pollo Loco locator at elpolloloco.com/locations is the most reliable, because it pulls straight from the company’s own data. Google Maps works great for “El Pollo Loco near me” searches on the go. And the Loco Rewards app can find nearby restaurants too, which is handy since you will want that app for the deals anyway.
Using the official locator the smart way
Here’s the thing most people miss: the locator lets you filter by service type. Before you drive over, check the filters for drive-thru, dine-in, delivery, curbside pickup and catering. Every store page lists that location’s exact address, phone number and current hours, and even notes whether the dining room and drive-thru close at different times.
Want an El Pollo Loco open near me right now? The store pages show live operating status, so you won’t roll up to a dark restaurant. Holiday hours are the one thing that vary a lot by location, so a two-minute check on the locator before Thanksgiving or Christmas week saves you the trip.
Pro tip for delivery hunters
Not every location delivers directly, but most partner with DoorDash, Uber Eats and Grubhub. The locator flags delivery availability per store, or just search your address in the delivery apps, they tend to be honest about what’s actually reachable.
🗺️ Which States Have El Pollo Loco?
Here is the full list of El Pollo Loco states for 2026. If your state isn’t here, the closest location is probably a state or two away.
| State | Coverage |
|---|---|
| California | Densest coverage, especially SoCal; headquarters in Costa Mesa |
| Texas | Strong presence across metro areas |
| Arizona | Solid coverage in Phoenix and Tucson areas |
| Nevada | Las Vegas and Reno locations |
| New Mexico | Growing footprint |
| Colorado | Denver metro focus |
| Utah | Salt Lake City area |
| Washington | Seattle/Tacoma area, expanding |
| Idaho | Newer market (Meridian/Boise area) |
| Louisiana | Limited but growing presence |
That’s right, no Florida, no New York, no Chicago yet. The announced New York expansion is the first real East Coast push, so if you’re on the East Coast, your best bet for now is checking back or making a stop on your next trip out West.
🌙 Are El Pollo Loco Locations Open Late?
Most El Pollo Loco locations are open 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily, seven days a week. Looking for an El Pollo Loco drive thru near me that’s open late? Many spots stretch to 11:00 PM on Friday and Saturday nights, and the drive-thru usually keeps the same hours as the dining room.
What about holidays?
El Pollo Loco is typically closed on Christmas Day and may run reduced hours on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day. Individual restaurants set their own holiday schedules though, and franchise locations can differ from company-owned ones. Honestly, the safest move is calling your specific store or checking its locator page the day before.
❓ El Pollo Loco Locations: FAQs
Is El Pollo Loco open on Christmas?
Most El Pollo Loco locations are closed on Christmas Day. Some restaurants run limited hours on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day, but holiday schedules vary by location, so check the official store locator or call your nearest restaurant before heading out.
Does every El Pollo Loco have a drive-thru?
No, not every location has one. Most El Pollo Loco restaurants do offer a drive-thru, but it varies by location. Use the service filters on the official locator to find an El Pollo Loco drive thru near me before you go.
Can I get El Pollo Loco delivered?
Yes, most locations deliver through DoorDash, Uber Eats and Grubhub, and you can order ahead in the Loco Rewards app. Delivery availability depends on your address and the specific restaurant, so check the app for your area.
Does El Pollo Loco have locations outside the US?
Yes, El Pollo Loco has eight licensed restaurant locations in the Philippines. All other restaurants are in the United States, concentrated in the West and Southwest.
