El Pollo Loco recently rolled out a new vegan menu, offering tasty meatless options for those looking to cut back on animal products.
As plant-based eating grows in popularity, the well-known Mexican chicken chain now provides delicious vegan entrees and sides.
Their animal-free menu includes classics like tacos, burritos, salads, and nachos made entirely without meat, dairy or eggs.
Whether you follow a strict vegan diet or simply want to incorporate more vegetarian dishes into your routine, you’ll appreciate the variety now available at El Pollo Loco.
In this article, we’ll share details on the full vegan offerings, ingredient information, pricing, and tips for ordering the best meatless meal.
Do you like Mexican food but follow a vegan diet? El Pollo Loco might have some options for you! This restaurant chain offers some dishes that can be made vegan with a few modifications. Keep reading to find out more!
What is a Vegan Diet?
Dietary Focus: It emphasizes a plant-based diet, excluding all animal products, including dairy, eggs, honey, and meat. Fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds form the basis of this eating style.
Beyond Food: Veganism often extends beyond dietary choices. Many individuals who identify as vegan also avoid using products derived from animals, such as leather, fur, and those tested on animals. This reflects a broader ethical stance that aims to minimize harm and exploitation of animals.
What Are the Top Vegan Meals at El Pollo Loco?
El Pollo Loco has dedicated an entire section of their menu to vegan entrees, sides, and drinks, making it easy to find animal product free choices. Here’s an overview of what they offer:
Vegan Entrees
For main meal selections, El Pollo Loco has several types of tacos, burritos, bowls, and salads that can be made completely vegan:
- Avocado Tacos – Corn tortillas filled with avocado, pinto beans, lettuce, pico de gallo, and creamy cilantro dressing
- Fajita Veggie Tacos – Fire-grilled veggies, pinto beans, lettuce, pico de gallo, guacamole, and salsa
- Veggie Burrito – Pinto beans, rice, cheese, guacamole, lettuce, pico de gallo (hold the cheese to make it vegan)
- Fajita Veggie Burrito – Grilled veggies, beans, rice, guacamole, pico de gallo, salsa
- Veggie Salad – Lettuce, pinto beans, mixed veggies, guacamole, pico de gallo, tortilla strips
- Vegetable Bowl – Cilantro rice, pinto beans, grilled veggies, guacamole, salsa
Vegan ingredients like avocado, beans, rice, and fire-grilled veggies are used to create satisfying meatless entrees.
Vegan Sides
To complement your vegan main dishes, El Pollo Loco offers these animal product free sides:
- Avocado slices
- Pinto beans
- Black beans
- Cilantro lime rice
- Corn on the cob
- Sauteed vegetables
- Tortilla chips
- Salsas and pico de gallo
From avocado and beans to flavorful salsas, you have plenty of dairy-free and vegetarian sides to choose from.
Vegan Drinks
Wash down your meal with these cruelty-free drink options:
- Soft drinks like Coca-cola, Sprite, and Dr. Pepper
- Aguas Frescas – refreshing water-based beverages in flavors like strawberry lemonade, pineapple, and watermelon lime
- Mexican hot chocolate
- Coffee
El Pollo Loco carries all the classic soft drinks, as well as vegan agua fresca beverages and hot chocolate made without milk.
So whether it’s tacos, burritos, salads or bowls, the vegan menu provides plenty of Mexican food choices. Now let’s look at some of the most popular picks.
Popular Vegan Menu Items
With an entire vegan section, El Pollo Loco makes it easy to find meatless dishes you’ll love. Here are some of the most popular offerings ordered “vegan style”:
Avocado Tacos
A customer favorite, the Avocado Tacos feature sliced avocado, pinto beans, lettuce, pico de gallo, and creamy cilantro dressing on warm double corn tortillas. It’s a satisfying meatless take on classic El Pollo Loco tacos.
Nachos
Nachos topped with pinto beans, guacamole, pico de gallo, and jalapeños offer the perfect vegan twist on decadent nachos. You get all the flavors and textures without any cheese.
Burritos
Both the Veggie Burrito and Fajita Veggie Burrito can be prepared vegan style by omitting the cheese. They’re stuffed with rice, beans, grilled veggies, guacamole, pico de gallo, and salsa for a filling and flavorful vegan burrito.
Salads
The Veggie Salad is a fresh and healthy vegan salad option with lettuce, pinto beans, mixed veggies, guacamole, pico de gallo, and tortilla strips. The light cilantro ranch dressing can be swapped for salsa.
Bowls
For a satisfying plant-based bowl, order the Vegetable Bowl with cilantro lime rice, pinto beans, grilled vegetables, guacamole, and salsa. It’s packed with south-of-the-border flair.
The vegan menu has something for everyone. Next let’s look at ways to customize your order.
NOT Vegan at El Pollo Loco
Watch out for these choices—they’re not vegan, except for the ones that appear to be meat options.
- Churros with butter on them
- Coleslaw (mayo included)
- Creamy Cucumber Dressing (with milk)
- Macaroni and cheese (with butter and milk)
- Mashed potatoes with gravy made with beef stock, butter, and milk.
- Ranch Dressing—which could contain mayo, sour cream, and milk
Customizing Your Vegan Order
One of the best things about El Pollo Loco’s vegan fare is the ability to customize with substitutions and request preparation that avoids cross-contamination for truly plant-based results:
Vegan Substitutions
When ordering a salad, burrito, bowl, or other veggie entree, be sure to request no cheese, no dairy sauces, and no meat. Useful substitutions include:
- Sub guacamole or sliced avocado instead of cheese
- Swap ranch dressing for salsa or cilantro dressing
- Replace sour cream with guacamole or extra salsa
- Ask for veggies instead of meat in burritos and bowls
This opens up more possibilities for vegan customizations.
Avoid Cross-Contamination
Since El Pollo Loco is primarily a chicken chain, be clear that you want your order prepared avoiding cross-contamination with meat and dairy. Useful tips:
- Request food be prepared in clean cooking oil
- Ask that separate utensils and gloves be used
- Order corn tortillas instead of flour to avoid butter
- Verify beans, rice, and veggies are prepared without chicken broth
With some modifications, you can enjoy truly vegan options free of meat or dairy.
Nutrition Information
El Pollo Loco provides nutrition information for all menu items on their website so you can see the healthy vegan ingredients. Most dishes are packed with fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants from beans, rice, vegetables, and avocado.
For example, the Fajita Veggie Burrito contains 15g fiber, 15g protein, and is rich in Vitamin C, potassium, niacin, Vitamin A, and iron. Their plant-based fare averages 300-500 calories for an entree, depending on your customizations.
So you can feel good indulging in Mexican vegan fast food at El Pollo Loco. Now let’s look at pricing.
El Pollo Loco Vegan Menu Price
El Pollo Loco offers value deals along with their regular vegan menu pricing:
Value Menu
On the value menu, you’ll find:
- Avocado Taco – $2
- Bean & Cheese Burrito – $2 (sub avocado for cheese)
- Nachos – $3
These offer tasty vegan picks under $3.
Main Menu
For the full vegan entree menu, prices typically range from:
- $3 to for tacos, nachos
- $6 to $9 for burritos, salads, bowls
So you can enjoy a filling plant-based meal for under $10.
Sides
Sides like guacamole, beans, and rice cost $2 to $3.
Overall, El Pollo Loco provides affordable vegan fast food with entrees and sides generally less than $10.
Tips for Ordering Vegan at El Pollo Loco
To make sure you get the best meatless, dairy-free meal, keep these tips in mind:
- Review the menu online and customize your order ahead of time
- Mention you want your order “vegan style” when ordering
- Request no cheese and no sour cream
- Ask for veggies instead of meat in burritos and bowls
- Verify separate cooking tools and gloves are used
- Ask for grilled veggies, beans, rice etc. to be prepared without chicken broth
- Double check your order before leaving the counter
Placing your order with these key phrases and requests will ensure you get a properly prepared plant-based meal.
Satisfy Your Cravings at El Pollo Loco
With dedicated vegan menu options like tacos, burritos, nachos, and bowls, El Pollo Loco makes plant-based eating convenient and delicious. Their flavorful Mexican food selections prove you don’t have to miss out when eating meatless and dairy-free.
Just be sure to customize with vegan substitutions and request your order specially prepared. Overall, El Pollo Loco offers affordable prices for fresh, customizable vegan meals that will satisfy all your south-of-the-border cravings.
Benefits of a Vegan Diet
Less Risk of Diseases: Going vegan is linked to a lower chance of chronic diseases like heart issues, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. This is because vegan food usually has less saturated fat and cholesterol but more fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Weight Loss: Many people choose veganism to lose weight, and studies say it works. Plant-based foods are often lower in calories and higher in fiber, making you feel full without too many calories.
Better Digestion: With lots of fiber, a vegan diet supports healthy digestion and helps prevent problems like constipation.
Overall Health: Eating a mix of plant-based foods means you get a variety of nutrients, supporting your overall health and well-being.
Environmental Benefits: Going vegan is good for the environment. It takes less water, land, and resources to produce plant-based foods compared to animal-based ones.
El Pollo Loco’s Hours of Operation
| Day of the Week | Opening Time | Closing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 10:00 AM | 10:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM | 10:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM | 10:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM | 10:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM | 11:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM | 11:00 PM |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM | 10:00 PM |
FAQs About El Pollo Loco Vegan Menu
Is El Pollo Loco healthy?
El Pollo Loco offers many healthy options including grilled chicken, salad bowls, and fresh vegetables. The nutrition information is available online so you can build a healthy meal. Stick to the grilled choices and load up on veggies.
What is vegan at El Pollo Loco?
El Pollo Loco has a dedicated vegan section of the menu featuring tacos, burritos, bowls, salads, nachos and more that can be made without any animal products. Popular choices include the Avocado Tacos, Veggie Burrito, and Vegan Salad.
Does El Pollo Loco have vegetarian options?
Yes, El Pollo Loco has many vegetarian options like the Bean & Cheese Burrito, Veggie Salad, Cheese Quesadilla, and more. Just customize by omitting meat from menu items. They also label vegetarian items on the menu.
Does El Pollo Loco have vegan protein?
Yes, menu items like the veggie tacos, burritos, and bowls can be made vegan by substituting in beans, guacamole, rice, and grilled vegetables for protein instead of meat and cheese.
Is the pico de gallo at El Pollo Loco vegan?
El Pollo Loco’s pico de gallo salsa is vegan and makes a great topping for tacos, burritos, nachos and more. It contains fresh chopped tomato, onion, cilantro, and lime.
Are the beans vegan at El Pollo Loco?
The whole pinto beans and black beans at El Pollo Loco are vegan. However, the refried beans contain chicken broth so order the whole beans to keep your meal vegan.
Can you make vegan nachos at El Pollo Loco?
Yes, order the nachos without cheese and add pinto beans, guacamole, salsa, and jalapeños to make delicious vegan nachos. You get all the flavor without the dairy.
Does El Pollo Loco have vegan desserts?
No, El Pollo Loco does not offer any vegan desserts at this time. Your best bet is to finish your meal with a vegan drink like agua fresca or Mexican hot chocolate made without milk.
Is the Mexican coke at El Pollo Loco vegan?
Yes, the Mexican Coca-cola sold at El Pollo Loco is vegan. It’s sweetened with cane sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup.
Are El Pollo Loco fries vegan?
No, the french fries at El Pollo Loco are fried in oil that contains animal products so they are not vegan. Stick to corn cobs, rice, or tortilla chips for a vegan side.