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It’s finally here: El Pollo Loco opens in Albuquerque
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Flame-grilled chicken restaurant El Pollo Loco has finally arrived in Albuquerque — much to the delight of former Californian and current Duke City resident Sarah Ann Aston.
“We used to eat there every weekend,” Aston said. “This is like home to us.”
The popular West Coast chain opened its doors at 845 Juan Tabo NE this week, first to local heroes including first responders, teachers and veterans on Tuesday and then the wider Albuquerque community on Thursday.
The restaurant spans roughly 2,200 square feet, features a drive-thru and will employ up to 60 people, franchisee Ashim Chopra said.
The location occupies the end unit of a multi-unit building also home to a recently opened Xfinity and Jamba.
The restaurant offers its spiced and citrus-marinated chicken featured in burrito bowls, quesadillas, nachos, tostadas and salads, typically for between $15 and $20.
“We’re super excited, we love the brand and we think it’s going to be great for the New Mexico market,” Chopra said.
El Pollo Loco, which previously had locations across Santa Fe and Albuquerque, began eyeing expansion into New Mexico in 2021 and two years later announced it had signed agreements with Chopra to bring nine units to the state, with the first unit due by November 2024.
Chopra said the delay came from taking time to select the right site for the first location.
“The first one is our footstep into the market, so we wanted to make sure we could get to the most people to put us in a prime position for the public to know who we are and where we are,” Chopra said.
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Chopra said he still plans to bring at least nine locations to New Mexico. The franchisee is currently scouting sites for a second Albuquerque location, which he hopes to open mid-to-late 2026.
“Hopefully we’ll have more than nine,” Chopra said. “The sky’s the limit.”
