Wanted: Pollo Loco in Disneyland
published by upay2much on Apr 8, 2011
Cinnamon coated, sugary treat churros for $3.50. Yikes! Is Disney charging too much for food at its Disney parks?
Disney executives should pay a visit to Pollo Loco for lunch and learn. Take a look at their value menu and see what you can buy for a buck. Instead of a $3.50 churro at Disneyland, you can pick up six and a half because you can buy two churros for only a buck at Pollo Loco. Other items on the value menu include a chicken leg, a chicken al carbon taco, crunchy chicken taco, loco side salad, bean rice cheese burrito, a taquito and a flan.
Have you tried the turkey leg for $8? Disney used to call it ‘alien legs’ until they close their Alien Encounter ride at Disneyworld. There is no fancy name now, just a kiosk selling turkey legs. They serve it to you and expect you to eat it like you were back in the medieval age. It is quite a meal for one. Tasty, savory but really messy. Make sure you have plenty of napkins and wetnaps.
For $9.99, instead of stuffing (no pun intended) yourself, you can feed your entire family at Pollo Loco with their 8 piece mixed chicken only meal. And until May 9th, you will get a $5 gift card with purchase. That is worth 5 bucks off your next family meal.
Flame Grilled Chicken at Pollo Loco via Wikipedia
At the Hungry Bear Restaurant, you can be charged $8.49 for the Grilled Chicken Caesar salad. At Pollo Loco, the same salad goes for $5.29. If you venture out to Downtown Disney, Tortilla Joe’s TJ ’s Caesar salad sells for $8.95 and if you want to add grilled chicken to your salad, expect to pay $14.95. Ouch!
Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad via Wikipedia
At Pollo Loco, the Chicken Tostada is only $5.79. At Tortilla Joe’s, the Tostada is $14.95 but you get a choice of grilled chicken or grilled steak, something Pollo Loco does not offer. Everything else is the same, refried beans, rice, lettuce, pico de gallo, guacamole and sour cream.
According to MouseSavers.com, the “no outside food” restriction at Disney parks is not stringently enforced. Bags are searched but it is possible for you to smuggle in a soft-sided cooler (enough for a six pack). You can fold up churros, pack a few chicken legs or pack a grilled chicken salad. Be discreet about it and you won’t get into trouble. If you must take a seat in the park to eat your outside food then buy a legit drink and enjoy your lunch without the guilt.
