Are you on the lookout for a flavorful and plant-based feast at El Pollo Loco? Wondering if there’s a dedicated El Pollo Loco Vegan Menu to cater to your dietary preferences? Look no further!
In this guide, we’ll explore the potential vegan options available at El Pollo Loco and how you can customize your order for a delicious, meat-free experience.
From savory black bean bowls to customizable salads and sides, we’ll delve into the possibilities that make dining at El Pollo Loco a satisfying experience for vegans.
So, if you’re craving Mexican-inspired flavors without compromising your vegan lifestyle, read on to discover how El Pollo Loco Menu might just have the perfect options for you!
What is a Vegan Diet?
A vegan diet is a kind of vegetarianism that abstains from all animal products, such as dairy, eggs, honey, and meat. Eating exclusively plant-based foods including fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds is the standard for this diet.
Since veganism involves more than just dietary choices, it is frequently viewed as a way of life.
Along with not using leather or fur products, people who follow this lifestyle may also decide not to use goods that have undergone animal testing.
El Pollo Loco’s Vegan Options
El Pollo Loco offers a wide variety of delectable selections for everyone to enjoy, regardless of their dietary restrictions or desire to try something new.
Here is a list of vegan options at El Pollo Loco:
Vegan Burritos
- Beans, Rice, and Cheese Burrito (without the Cheese) — also known as the “BRC Burrito”
- Fajita Burrito (without the cheese, sour cream, or chicken and instead made with avocado)
- Double Chicken Burrito (no cheese and avocado in place of chicken)
*There is no longer a Vegan Chickenless Pollo or Vegan Chickenless Pollo Burrito available.
Veggie Bowls:
- Chicken Black Bean Bowl (with avocado instead of chicken)
- Pollo Bowl (with avocado instead of chicken)
Vegan Salads:
- Avocado Bacon Tostada Salad (Sub Chicken & Bacon for Avocado)
Extras:
- Chips & Guacamole
- Citrus Vinaigrette
- Corn Tortillas
- Flour Tortillas
- Tortilla Chips
Sides/Snacks:
- Avocado Salsa
- Black Beans
- Broccoli
- House Salsa
- Jalapeno Hot Sauce
- Lettuce
- Pico de Gallo Salsa
- Pinto Beans
- Rice
- Salsa Roja
- Side Salad (no cheese)
- Tapatio Fries
Beverages:
- Bottled Water
- Fountain Sodas
- Fuze Raspberry Iced Tea
- Gold Peak Teas (Mango Passionfruit, Sweetened and Unsweetened)
- Hi C Flash Fruit Punch
- Minute Maid (Lemonade/Strawberry Lemonade)
- Vitamin Water
Starters and Sides
- Broccoli
- Chips & Guacamole
- Pinto and Black Beans
- Rice
- Salsa Bar
- Tapatio Fries
El Pollo Loco Vegan Burrito
El Pollo Loco offers a personalized vegan burrito that is brimming with fresh ingredients. It has avocado, tasty Spanish rice, robust pinto beans, and a variety of veggies like tomatoes and lettuce.
This burrito, which is made of a soft wheat tortilla, is a tasty plant-based lunch that tastes great when topped with guacamole or salsa.
El Pollo Loco Avocado Veggie Tostada
Fresh ingredients abound in El Pollo Loco’s crunchy, vegan-friendly Avocado Veggie Tostada.
It has a crunchy tortilla shell with creamy avocado, lettuce, tomatoes, and pinto beans inside. Just leave out the cheese and dressing to make it completely vegan.
For plant-based diners, this light but filling alternative offers a variety of textures and vivid flavors.
El Pollo Loco Spanish Rice
Vegan-friendly Spanish rice from El Pollo Loco is a great side dish to go with any meal. This aromatic rice is prepared with a mixture of tomatoes and spices, providing a tasty, subtly spiced choice.
It’s a versatile option for vegan dining, as it can be added to burritos, bowls, or enjoyed on its own with other plant-based foods like beans and guacamole.
NOT Vegan at El Pollo Loco
Be cautious with the following selections, which are NOT vegan, aside from the seeming 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—
Nutritional Information for Vegan Menu Items
El Pollo Loco’s vegan menu offerings are filling and nourishing. Important ingredients with high fiber content that promote digestive health are rice, beans, and fresh vegetables.
These are heart-healthy selections since they are inherently low in fat, especially when dairy and meat are excluded.
The avocado provides healthful lipids, and the pinto beans provide plant-based protein.
You can maintain the colorful, fresh flavors of your dinner while cutting back on calories by opting for salsa and pico de gallo instead of creamy sauces.
What Are the Top Vegan Meals at El Pollo Loco?
The highest-protein plant-based option at El Pollo Loco, suitable for both lean and bulking eaters, is their Rice and Beans dish.
These days, everyone is frugaling and conserving money, so hearing that there are still some deals available will likely be encouraging, especially since food costs are expected to increase by 9.5 to 10.5 percent. The BRC Burrito with Guacamole at El Pollo Loco is the greatest choice for dining out on a tight budget—it just costs $3.68.
Finding something enjoyable, nutritious, and plant-based might often seem like a difficult order when you’re out with the kids.
You’re in luck, though, because El Pollo Loco’s best tiny-crowd delight is the BCR kids’ meal sans cheese.
Note: The goal of Vegan Unlocked is to assist users in locating plant-based alternatives. We would like to remind our friends who suffer from allergies to exercise caution as we are not a resource for allergens. We are not always aware of or in control of when cross-contamination occurs. Regarding the possibility of cross-contamination between vegan cuisine and animal goods, this is entirely up to you personally. View our position regarding cross-contamination.
How To Order Vegan-Friendly
The increasing popularity of plant-based diets has made it much simpler to order vegan food at El Pollo and other restaurants in recent years. In 2023, the following advice will help you order vegan-friendly meals:
- Do your homework: Find out what plant-based options are available by looking up the menu online before visiting a chain restaurant. Nowadays, a lot of establishments offer vegan menu items or have a specific section dedicated to plant-based foods.
- Request modifications: It’s possible to turn many non-vegan recipes into vegan ones. For instance, you can have a vegetable stir-fry devoid of chicken or beef, or a salad consisting of pork, beef, chicken, and cheese without any meat.
- Be explicit with your waitress: When placing an order, be sure to inform the server of your dietary limitations and that you follow a vegan diet. They will be better able to comprehend your needs and make appropriate recommendations as a result.
- Look for plant-based proteins: As an alternative to animal-based proteins, many restaurants now serve plant-based proteins such seitan, tofu, or tempeh. When searching for a satisfying and high-protein supper, look for recipes that contain these elements.
- Never be hesitant to ask inquiries: Don’t be scared to ask your server for further information if you have any queries regarding a specific dish or ingredient. They ought to be able to tell you all you need to know about the cuisine, including any possible allergies or animal ingredients.
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
Are El Pollo Loco pinto beans vegan?
El Pollo Loco offers both pinto and black beans that are suitable for vegan diets.
Is El Pollo Loco creamy cilantro dressing vegan?
Allergen & Vegan Notes Included in the Dairy-Free Menu Guide for El Pollo Loco
Be Alert! Dairy is an ingredient in the Creamy Cilantro Dressing.
Are Pollo Tropical black beans vegan?
New Vegan Menu Items at Pollo Tropical® Featuring…
Along with your choice of rice, black beans, and Pollo Tropical’s delectable sweet plantains wrapped in a tortilla, the Vegan Wrap also includes Beyond Beef. The starting prices for these selections are $4.49 and $4.09, respectively.
Are the churros from Pollo Loco vegan?
NOT Vegan at El Pollo Loco
Be cautious with the following selections, which are NOT vegan, aside from the seeming meat options: Churros with butter on them Coleslaw (mayo included) Creamy Cucumber Dressing (with milk)
Can I customize my meal to be vegan at El Pollo Loco?
Of course! To make your meal vegan-friendly, ask to have no cheese, sour cream, or meat in your order. Instead, add more beans, rice, and fresh veggies.