Chicken competition gets loco

June 17, 4:21 PMBoston Restaurant ExaminerSandi Miller

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I'm really enjoying the new Southwestern-based Pollo Loco coming to this state and while they're at it, chasing after KFC with competitor matching coupons. Recently, when Oprah announced KFC free grilled chicken meals and then KFC getting so overwhelmed it refused to honor them, El Pollo Loco pounced and accepted the coupon on Mother's Day, (a KFC coupon exclusion.)

But really, I'm just enjoying the juicy grilled chicken -- it's full of flavor. It's cheap enough (8 pieces for $7, a buy one get one free meal coupon, and other such specials) and the sides are tex-mex style. There's even dollar-menu items like cheese quesadillas and a decent-sized avocado-sauced salad with little tortilla strips. I love tortilla soup, got it. Quacamole and chips? got it. Healthy choice options? check. The only thing it really lacks are the Taco Bell veggie options like rice and bean burritos (although my vegetarian boyfriend is wary of these offerings anyway -- he doesn't know too many fast food joints skilled in separating the meat stuff from the veggies back in the kitchen. Still, he devoured the cheese quesadilla.) And my California friends are rejoicing with its recent appearance in Chelsea. I also think the fast-food offerings are fresher than Taco Bell.

I'm going loco for Pollo Loco, in other words.