El Pollo Loco Seed Oil Report Card
Based on our menu research, El Pollo Loco cooks with: Fire-grilled chicken uses no frying oil (citrus marinade, open flame); tortillas use palm/soybean blend; rice/beans cooked in soybean or canola oil; Loco Fries fried in soybean oil. Across the 75 menu items we analyzed, it averages 4.2g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of B (Medium Risk).
Safest Orders at El Pollo Loco
| Fountain Drink (Small) | 0.0g PUFA |
| Fountain Drink (Medium) | 0.0g PUFA |
| Fountain Drink (Large) | 0.0g PUFA |
| Horchata | 0.0g PUFA |
| Aguas Frescas Mango Lime | 0.0g PUFA |
What to Avoid at El Pollo Loco
| Loco Tenders 4 Pc. | 14.0g PUFA |
| 12 Pc. Family Meal | 13.0g PUFA |
| Loco Tenders 3 Pc. | 13.0g PUFA |
| Loco Tenders 2 Pc. | 10.0g PUFA |
| Queso Guacamole Chicken Burrito | 10.0g PUFA |
Frequently asked
Does El Pollo Loco use seed oils?
Based on our menu research, El Pollo Loco cooks with: Fire-grilled chicken uses no frying oil (citrus marinade, open flame); tortillas use palm/soybean blend; rice/beans cooked in soybean or canola oil; Loco Fries fried in soybean oil. Across the 75 menu items we analyzed, it averages 4.2g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of B (Medium Risk).
What oil does El Pollo Loco cook with?
Our research indicates: Fire-grilled chicken uses no frying oil (citrus marinade, open flame); tortillas use palm/soybean blend; rice/beans cooked in soybean or canola oil; Loco Fries fried in soybean oil. Preparation can vary by location, so treat PUFA numbers as estimates.
Does El Pollo Loco use beef tallow?
No. Our research indicates El Pollo Loco cooks with Fire-grilled chicken uses no frying oil (citrus marinade, open flame); tortillas use palm/soybean blend; rice/beans cooked in soybean or canola oil; Loco Fries fried in soybean oil, not beef tallow. For chains that fry in tallow or other real fats, see Tallow Watch.
Is El Pollo Loco seed oil free?
No. Our research indicates El Pollo Loco cooks with Fire-grilled chicken uses no frying oil (citrus marinade, open flame); tortillas use palm/soybean blend; rice/beans cooked in soybean or canola oil; Loco Fries fried in soybean oil, which includes seed oils. See the lower-PUFA orders above for the cleanest picks.
What is the safest thing to order at El Pollo Loco?
Fountain Drink (Small) is the lowest-PUFA item we analyzed at El Pollo Loco, at an estimated 0.0g PUFA. See the Safest Orders list on this page for more options.
What should I avoid at El Pollo Loco?
Loco Tenders 4 Pc. is the highest-PUFA item we analyzed at El Pollo Loco, at an estimated 14.0g PUFA. Fried items and creamy, mayo-based sauces are usually the heaviest.
What are seed oils?
Seed oils — canola, soybean, sunflower, corn, and similar vegetable oils — are extracted from seeds using high heat and chemical solvents. They are very high in polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs), which are unstable at cooking temperatures and can oxidize easily. Many health-conscious eaters choose to minimize seed oils and prefer foods cooked in beef tallow, butter, coconut oil, or olive oil instead. This page shows estimated PUFA grams per menu item to help you make more informed choices. These are estimates — actual values vary by preparation and location. Curious why people avoid them? Read the evidence.
Compare other chains
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See where El Pollo Loco lands on the full Seed Oil Index, or check which chains cook in real fats on Tallow Watch.