Chipotle Mexican Grill vs El Pollo Loco: Menu Prices Compared (2026)
The short answer
El Pollo Loco is the cheaper of the two. Of the 3 directly comparable items we could match across both menus, El Pollo Loco is cheaper on 2 of them, by an average of $1.42 per item.
Make Chipotle Mexican Grill and El Pollo Loco at Home
Whichever of the two wins on price, cooking the favorites at home beats both. These are the sauces, mixes and kitchen tools that get closest to the real thing.
Deals Worth Knowing at Both
Chipotle Mexican Grill
- A veggie bowl at $9.29 comes with guacamole free — order it with double beans and fajita veggies and it is the cheapest filling meal on the menu by a wide margin.
- Bowl, burrito, salad and tacos are priced identically per protein, so the format is a free choice; a bowl simply holds more before it overflows.
- Chicken and sofritas at $9.79 sit nearly $2 below steak and barbacoa at $11.68 for the same build — the protein is the only real lever on price.
El Pollo Loco
- Family meals are the cheapest way to eat here — the 8-piece meal works out to under $9 a person for four.
- Loco Rewards members get a free two-piece or bowl on sign-up and regular points toward free chicken.
- Tuesday specials at many locations discount tacos and family meals.
Chipotle Mexican Grill vs El Pollo Loco — FAQ
Is Chipotle Mexican Grill cheaper than El Pollo Loco in 2026?
El Pollo Loco is cheaper on most matched items — 2 of 3. Across the whole menu El Pollo Loco is the lower-priced of the two, at $8.49 for a typical item against $9.79 at Chipotle Mexican Grill.
What is the price difference between Chipotle Mexican Grill and El Pollo Loco?
On matched items the average difference is $1.42, or about 33% overall. Chipotle Mexican Grill averages $8.26 across 36 priced items; El Pollo Loco averages $12.40 across 24.
Which has the cheaper entry price, Chipotle Mexican Grill or El Pollo Loco?
Chipotle Mexican Grill starts at $3.05 (Bottled Water) and El Pollo Loco at $2.99 (Corn Cobbette).
Are these prices the same at every location?
No. Both chains let franchise owners set prices, so figures move by a dollar or more between markets and run highest at airport, stadium and highway locations. Treat these as the typical U.S. price, not a quote.