El Pollo Loco is Testing Five New Menu Items in California and Utah


El Pollo Loco El Pollo Loco is testing five new menu items at around 60 restaurants in California and Utah as part of its push to expand menu innovation in 2026.

The limited market test is running now through late April and includes a mix of entrées, handhelds, and beverages.

According to the chain, the test items are to explore new flavors and give customers more variety while gathering feedback before any potential wider release.

New Test Menu Items

  • Honey Chipotle BBQ Chicken: Citrus-marinated, fire-grilled chicken tossed in a new Honey Chipotle BBQ sauce described as sweet, smoky, and slightly spicy. It comes with new BBQ Black Beans, coleslaw, and King’s Hawaiian Original Sweet Rolls. Available as a 2-piece or 10-piece meal.

  • Loco Tenders: Crispy, all-white-meat chicken tenders seasoned with Mexican spices. They come with a choice of dipping sauces including Baja Lime, Pollo Loco Sauce, or House Ranch. A Classic version is also available.

  • Loaded Quesadillas: A grilled flour tortilla filled with chopped fire-grilled chicken breast and melted Jack cheese, then toasted. Two varieties are being tested:

    • Queso with queso blanco, crunchy tortilla strips, and creamy cilantro sauce

    • Street Corn with corn, red peppers, cotija cheese, and creamy chipotle sauce

  • Crispy Grilled Chicken Sandwich: A breaded chicken breast filet that is grilled and served with Pollo Loco Sauce and house slaw on a toasted bun.

  • Horchata Coffee Drinks: Iced coffee mixed with sweet, creamy Mexican-style horchata flavored with cinnamon and vanilla. Available as ChataCoffee or ChataCoffee Cream, which adds vanilla cold foam on top.

The company says these tests are part of a broader effort to expand menu development following its “Let’s Get Loco” brand push.

El Pollo Loco also plans to test eight additional menu items later in 2026, with details expected to be announced later this year.

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