After a three-year search for a franchise partner, El Pollo Loco is finally returning to El Paso with a business opening later this year on Airway Boulevard.
The new El Pollo Loco is being built in a former KFC restaurant at 1441 Airway Blvd., next to the Concourse Plaza, at 6600 and 6670 Montana Ave. Previously, the chain had been in El Paso in early 2000s before closing.
“We’ve been working with a franchise partner to bring El Pollo Loco’s signature, fire-grilled chicken to the El Paso area. We’re excited to have reached the phase in our development process where a location has been secured and will open by winter of this year. We look forward to being part of the growing El Paso community,” said Tim Welsh, chief development officer, for El Pollo Loco in an email.
El Pollo Loco menu
El Pollo Loco offers a wide menu with grilled chicken combos and family meals, quesadillas, tostadas and salads. To see a more detailed menu, go to www.elpolloloco.com
El Pollo Loco, Palenque Grill started by Don Pancho Ochoa
The Southern California-based chain, which has 31 restaurants across the state, has had plans to open three to four locations in El Paso over the next few years.
The restaurant was started by Juan Francisco “Don Pancho” Ochoa in 1975 in his hometown of Guasave, on the north Pacific Coast of Mexico. By 1980, El Pollo Loco had spread throughout Mexico before moving north across the border and opening its first U.S. location in Los Angeles.
In 1987, Taco Palenque was born and progressively gained the reputation as one of South Texas’ most preferred places to eat, according to a press release.
With the help of his son Carlos “Charles” Ochoa, Pancho Ochoa opened a full-service, Mexican restaurant, Palenque Grill; the first one opening on July 31, 2005 in Laredo, Texas. The first one in El Paso opened in June of 2025 at Cielo Vista Mall.
María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150; mcortes@elpasotimes.com; @eptmaria.bsky.social on Bluesky, and @eptmariacg on TikTok
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Pollo Loco’s fire-grilled chicken returning to El Paso
Reporting by Maria Cortes Gonzalez, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
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