‘Hell yeah’: Idaho waited decades for this restaurant. It’s about to open, Meridian
Have you still not bothered to check out Raising Cane’s in Meridian?
Did the euphoric meltdown about In-N-Out Burger’s expansion into the Gem State leave you scratching your head?
Feel free to stop reading now.
But if iconic fast-food chains make you hyperventilate, grab the nearest Wienerschnitzel takeout sack and start huffing into it. Because one of the Boise area’s most sought-after chains is about to unveil its first Idaho store.
Mexican-style grilled chicken purveyor El Pollo Loco is slated to open Monday, June 29, in Meridian, according to general manager Rosie Mota. Located at 3471 W. Chinden Blvd. — near the intersection with Ten Mile Road — its hours will be 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, she said in a message.
Founded in 1974, El Pollo Loco is a “SoCal staple,” as it refers to itself. Its chicken? “Cooked slow. Served fast.”
To comprehend the level of stoke over this momentous Meridian occasion, listen to the loud buzz from Idahoans on social media.
“Hell yeah,” a Facebook commenter recently wrote. “Finally. My list is complete. In-N-Out. Wienerschnitzel lol. And now the crazy chicken. Hell yes.”
“Love El Pollo Loco,” said another. “... I’ve been waiting over 20 years for them to get here!!!”
OK, wow.
When the cash registers start ringing, expect lines inside and out. Yes, El Pollo Loco will have a drive-thru.
“El Pollo Loco originated in Mexico ... ” according to a recent article from culinary website Tasting Table, “and by 1980, founder Pancho Ochoa opened the Los Angeles store — the premier U.S. location. Now there are close to 500 locations. The company is widely known for its chicken; it is cooked over a low, open flame for an hour, giving it a smoky flavor that beats most fast-food poultry — it’s among the best chain restaurants with superior grilled chicken for exactly that reason.”
The top two dishes to try, according to Mashable? The Original Pollo Bowl and Classic Tostada. But El Pollo Loco diehards will argue that everything is delicious.
Want to smell the citrus-marinated bird all day? The Meridian location is hiring (although spots are filling up quickly, Mota said). Open interviews are available at the Meridian store and at the Starbucks at 4879 N. Ten Mile Road from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, she said. There’s also a job posting on Indeed.
And more is on the way. El Pollo Loco also is building a future Nampa store.
This story was originally published June 11, 2026 at 12:11 PM.