El Pollo Unico

About

Mexican, Fast Food, Chicken Shop

Price Range : Under $10 ($)

  • star
    Yelp rating
    4 stars

Location

Adress: 731 N Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91104

Phone: (626) 794-3033

Work Hours

Mon 11:00 am-8:30 pm
Tue 11:00 am-8:30 pm
Wed 11:00 am-8:30 pm
Thu 11:00 am-8:30 pm
Fri 11:00 am-8:30 pm
Sat 11:00 am-8:30 pm
Sun 11:00 am-8:00 pm

Business info

  • turned_in_not
    Health Score
    87 out of 100
  • list_alt
    Takes Reservations
    No
  • move_to_inbox
    Take-out
    Yes
  • credit_card
    Accepts Credit Cards
    No
  • thumb_up
    Good For
    Lunch, Dinner
  • local_parking
    Parking
    Private Lot
  • directions_bike
    Bike Parking
    Yes
  • accessibility
    Good for Kids
    Yes
  • group
    Good for Groups
    No
  • insert_emoticon
    Ambience
    Casual
  • volume_up
    Noise Level
    Average
  • local_bar
    Alcohol
    No
  • transit_enterexit
    Outdoor Seating
    No
  • wifi
    Wi-Fi
    No
  • tv
    Has TV
    Yes
  • turned_in_not
    Drive-Thru
    No
  • fastfood
    Caters
    Yes
  • turned_in_not
    Gender Neutral Restrooms
    Yes

Reviews

  • Emily G.

    star star star star star 22 September 2026

    El pollo unico is bomb! KFC has nothing on this! Their prices will never disappoint you. The chicken is always fresh.

  • Steve S.

    star star star star star_border 17 September 2026

    The chicken at El Pollo Unico is absolutely delicious.  The quality and taste is better than El Pollo Loco.  The staff are friendly.

    The only two issues I have with this place is 1. They only accept cash and 2. I wish they had a larger variety of sides.  

    Regardless if the two issues, I prefer this chicken over their competitors so they don't deter me from returning as a customer.

  • L.M. D.

    star star star star_border star_border 15 September 2026

    Removing a star, tonight's order was disappointing. I requested a cup of ice. Not only did they omit the cup of ice, they didn't put ANY ice in the Jamaica I ordered! just sent a warm drink! It's 90 degrees tonight & I'm stuck with a warm drink!
    Again today, no ice in the drink! WTH??

  • Plenty420 P.

    star star star star star 12 September 2026

    This is rating is for the chicken only. I did not order any sides. And i am not bashing the parking situation or the ambience. The food is excellent enough to walk a block so unless you're disabled, maybe don't balk about the limited parking. And I think there's more parking in back. The ambience is a little chaotic. You can find their menu online so if you're unfamiliar with it, best to go there first.

    I've been driving by this place for years but it always seems to be at peak times so I never stopped. Yesterday (Saturday, 3/23), I got there around 3pm. I waited for about 15 minutes for my order of 12 pieces of chicken. There were several orders ahead of me, with some of those orders being pretty large.

    The staff isn't super friendly but they get you in and out quickly. And as I left, the older lady who I think is a co-owner with her husband was very friendly in telling me and other customers to enjoy our food, with a big smile.

    Okay. The chicken. Moist and tender; even the white meat. Excellent flavor, crispy skin. Nice sized pieces.

    Compared to El Pollo Loco -
    a) Cost - Unico about 20% cheaper.
    b) Flavor - Unico beat Pollo Loco easily.
    c) Size of pieces - Unico wins here too.

    NOTE: they do not take credit cards. CASH ONLY. But there is a cash machine inside.

  • Kristy E.

    star star star star star 27 August 2026

    This is the most delicious chicken, rice and beans you will ever have. With the prices as great as they are too, there is no one that can beat this quality. Cash only but seriously it's worth stopping at the bank on your way. If you like pollo loco you will love this place way more. It's super delicious.

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