If El Pollo Loco‘s catering menu feels authentically Mexican, that’s because it is. The chain was originally founded in 1975 in Guasave, Sinaloa, Mexico. The restaurant quickly spread through northern Mexico, and opened its first store in California in 1980. Today, you can find it’s brand of SoCal-style Mexican food at more than 500 locations in the American southwest, and their catering puts a refreshing twist on Tacos Tuesdays – or your next meeting. The juicy, fire-grilled chicken, perfectly stuffed burritos, and creative salads will get clients and colleagues excited to tackle your agenda. Here’s a cheat sheet for what and how much to order from El Pollo Loco. 

When Feeding a Big Group

El Pollo Loco’s signature catering dish is the citrus-marinated, flame-grilled chicken. The mouthwatering specialty is featured in a number of packages made to feed groups of 10 or more. So no matter how many people you’re hosting, you can scale up in a flash. These are three options that won’t disappoint:

Chicken Meal Package
The best thing about the Chicken Meal Package, is that everyone can customize their meal. The DIY taco bar comes with enough tender, flame-grilled chicken to satisfy the entire team. Pair your chicken with warm flour or corn tortillas and your choice of two sides, like classic rice and pinto beans. Choose two of El Pollo Loco’s fresh salsas to complement your tray of tortilla chips. Their creamy avocado salsa has a kick, but the house salsa can swoop in to cool things down. 

Three-Course Meal
If you have an event that requires more than a taco bar, the Three-Course Meal offers the perfect mix of variety and substance. This package includes 24 pieces of flavor-filled chicken and tortillas, two side dishes, and a vegetarian entrée salad tossed with cotija crumbles, fresh cilantro, and crispy tortilla strips. For dessert, there’s irresistibly chewy churros coated in cinnamon and sugar. 

Mexican Salad
A salad filled with flavor and texture provides a nice contrast to El Pollo Loco’s flame-grilled chicken. It’s made with crunchy iceberg lettuce, pico de gallo, char-grilled corn, crispy tortilla strips, and zesty cilantro dressing. 

When Feeding a Smaller Group

El Pollo Loco offers great catering solutions for smaller groups, too. If your weekly team meeting calls for lunch or filling appetizers, try any of these platters of finger food favorites:

Tacos al Carbon Platter
This platter offers everything you love about El Pollo Loco’s flame-grilled chicken tacos all wrapped up and ready to serve. You’ll get six chicken tacos and your favorite fresh salsa on the side. Add a salad or an order of beans to round out the meal. 

Burrito Platter
The Burrito Platter is four monster burritos cut into shareable, portable pieces. Pair the mild chicken avocado burrito with the smokey poblano burrito to balance heat with a more mellow dish. 

Chicken Taquitos Platter
Is your team looking for an afternoon pick-me-up? Help them get through the rest of the day with a platter of delicately fried chicken taquitos served with spicy avocado dip. 

When Ordering for Dietary Restrictions

Flame-grilled chicken is what El Pollo Loco does best. But its catering menu offers great options for your vegetarian clients or colleagues, too. Try these entrées and sides for meat alternatives:

• Loco Salad: The popular entrée salad features crunchy iceberg lettuce, lots of cotija cheese, colorful tortilla strips, and creamy cilantro dressing. 
• Spanish Rice: Fluffy rice flavored with tomatoes, onions, and garlic is safe for vegetarians to pile on the side. 
• Corn: Grilled with diced peppers and tossed in warm butter sauce, the delicately spiced side adds a satisfying crunch to any dish.
• Chips & Salsa: Who doesn’t love fresh tortilla chips dusted with salt? Fresh pico de gallo for dipping is a must. 

What Customers Have to Say

“Burritos were a hit! Food was on time, lots of variety for different taste buds, salad was delicious.” Jana from New Iberia, Louisiana

“El Pollo Loco is always a hit in our office! The creamy dressing is meant for salad but gets poured all over everything. The flavor of the chicken is amazing and they do a great job with setting up. Will be ordering again soon.” EM in Sacramento, California

“Food was great. Delivery was on time, Office loved it. Salad was really good option to add for those who were looking for something different.” Penelope from Lafayette, Louisiana