Nibbles of Tidbits, a Food Blog

I do like El Pollo Loco, but most recent experiences have been disappointing.  It’s been reported in a previous post, so now I’ll just focus on their New Grilled Chicken Tortilla Roll — I tried it and mine didn’t look like the one in the commercial, which has perfectly squared pieces of white meat. 

Unfortunately, the one served to me had mostly dark meat.  I do like dark meat, but EPL’s advertisement shows different.  And I’m not sure how it happened, but I even had to pick out a few weird pieces.  I guess I got a dud. 🙁

Aside from that, it should be called a Rolled Quesadilla instead of a Tortilla Roll, since its crispness may be the same.  It’s served with a choice of 3 previously existing Sauces.  I got the Cheese Sauce and it’s not bad.  I don’t think I’ll be having the Tortilla Roll again, but I still love EPL’s Chicken.

One more thing —  Are the ‘Loco Salads’ smaller?  It looks smaller, I think.  Since it’s only $1.00, I’ll let it slide.  I’m curious because too many things are getting smaller.

NOTE:  This post relates to the El Pollo Loco Restaurant in Costa Mesa on Harbor/19th.

Related Links:

http://www.elpolloloco.com/

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=669

http://ocmexfood.blogspot.com/2008/09/el-pollo-locos-grilled-chicken-tortilla.html

http://fastfood.freedomblogging.com/2008/09/11/el-pollo-loco-copies-mcdonalds-snack-wrap/

I usually don’t advertise advertisements, especially for fast food, but the new Jack in the Box commercial makes me laugh.  It’s the one with the two grown men in a twins baby stroller crying — It’s TOO funny!  Since it was on TiVo we played it several times.  Anyway, now I’m brain washed to try their new product – HA.  Good one J in the B. 

It’s usually not my preferred fast food joint — I might get a Taco from there every five years or so.  The commercial is for their Pita Sandwiches with Chipotle Sauce (aka Pita Snacks).  I tried their Fish Pita Sandwich.  Chipotle anything gets me every time. 

Overall, the Sauce flavor was good, but the Sandwich wasn’t.  It’s basically a Fish Stick hosted in a Pita that’s too chewy and thick for its contents, but I did get it out of my system (no mas) and I can still laugh at the commercial.

While requesting the Pita Sandwich, I saw something unique on the menu, Fried Cheesy Macaroni Bites, which reminded me of something at the Fair.  I had to try them too.  And I have to admit that I kind of liked them.  I couldn’t eat more than 3, since they’re greasy, but good.  And they do have Macaroni and Cheese inside.  I was glad I tried them, since they made up for the other.

Sandwich Proposals:  Serve on Flat Bread, use two pieces of Fish or a larger portion, add more fresh Lettuce and Chipotle Sauce.  Good luck.

Related Links:

http://www.yumsugar.com/1824741

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/544035

http://www.griffineatsoc.com/2008/07/jack-in-box-is-so-cheesy.html

http://www.foodfacts.info/blog/2008/07/jack-cheesy-macaroni-bites.html

It’s Taco Bell’s Volcano Taco with Lava Sauce — The red Taco shell is kind of fun and different, but tastes exactly like their other hard Taco shell.  The Lava Sauce is pretty spicy and its flavor isn’t bad.  This particular Taco was a bit wimpy and the shell could have been more crisp, but it’s less than a buck.

Related Links:

http://fastfood.freedomblogging.com/2008/09/02/taco-bell-expands-its-cheap-eats-menu/

http://twobites.wordpress.com/2008/09/03/taco-bells-volcano-taco/

http://ocmexfood.blogspot.com/2008/08/taco-bell-melts-and-more.html

I have been one of your biggest cheerleaders for years, but some of your recent decisions have been disappointing.  It started with the cutback of Tortillas.  Having received 3 Tortillas with a Chicken Combo Meal since EPL’s opening in California, the downgrade to 2 Tortillas was quite obvious and lame.  At first I thought it was a mistake, but then learned what’s up after a few visits.  Not good.

Then one day, NO more Chipotle Dressing for the Salads.  Why?  It was tasty.  I was eating Salads at EPL all the time.  Dressing can mean everything to a Salad.  That crazy decision was hard to get over.

And now NO more Chipotle Salsa — Another bad move.  It was your best Salsa.  I tried its new replacement Salsa (top left in above picture) and it’s okay.  It has a good spice, but it’s a little too thin.  The Chipotle Salsa went better with the Chicken and Tortillas.  The thinner Salsa tends to make the Tortillas soggy.  Bring back the Chipotle Salsa!

El Pollo Loco you have been my favorite fast food joint for many years, but you’re acting crazy.  You’re changing things that worked well for many.  Can you explain your corporate position here, or better yet, change these things back?  I’ll like you more.

BTW, your Crunchy Taco is pretty good — I hope its time isn’t limited, but I somehow suspect it will be.  But PLEASE don’t take away the Chicken.  It’s excellent.  I keep trying to recreate its flavor, but haven’t so far.  All the copycat recipes I’ve tried miss the mark.

Related Links:

Tell EPL you want 3 Tortillas, plus the Chipotle Dressing and Chipotle Salsa back – http://www.elpolloloco.com/

Pictured respectively below are the Crunchy Taco, the Value Menu Nachos, and a Small Garden Salad with the Creamy Cilantro Dressing, the runner up to the Chipotle Dressing.

From the Diary of an equal opportunity eater:  These Apple Turnovers are perfectly crisp on the outside and good on the inside.  They remind me of how McDonald’s Apple Pies used to be when I was a kid.  They changed them somewhere along the way and they’re not as good, if still available.

I haven’t been to a McDonald’s in years, so please correct me if they’ve changed them again.  In the mean time, KFC does the fast food Apple Turnover right.  Currently you get two for $0.99 — It’s worth it.

Update (11/27/09):  They’re now sold for $1.59 for two, which is still a good price.

What’s under the Lettuce?

It’s a Burrito.  Technically it’s a Burrito Bowl with Barbacoa, a spicy shredded Beef braised with Adobo, Cumin, Cloves, Garlic and Oregano.  The Barbacoa Meat has a tasty kick to it. 

Don’t let the Lettuce fool you — There’s Beans, Rice, Salsa, Corn and Sour Cream below.  Overall, I prefer the Tacos with all the same fixins, but the shells get soggy fast if you’re traveling with them.  The Burrito Bowl is a good on the go meal.

Chipotle DIRECT: http://www.chipotle.com/

Thanks for the Feliz Cumpleanos and $7.00 towards a Rubio’s Meal.  I chose the Chipotle Ranch Salad, since I love Chipotle Peppers.  With a drink, I ended up spending $0.52 for this meal.  Gracias.

Although I truly appreciate it, I don’t think I would pick this particular item again.  I thought it needed a lot more Chipotle flavor — It tasted too much like Ranch Dressing.  I like Ranch, but wanted and expected Chipotle.  

I was also a little confused by the glowing orange chip sticks on the Salad.  They weren’t good.  The orange powder spice is way too salty.  The Salad can definitely do without them.  I should mention that the Chicken looked and tasted very good.

And one more thing while I have your attention… I bet your Tacos would taste even better with different, thinner corn tortillas.  Can you change them for me?  I’m not sure if others feel the same way?  I’d love to read some opinions on this.

Related Links:

http://www.rubios.com/

Thank you for the birthday gift!