El Pollo Loco Aiming for Friday Grand Opening for Chicken-Crazy La Mesans

If you are crazy for grilled chicken, then you have a new place to eat in La Mesa.

El Pollo Loco will open for business at the corner of Baltimore Drive and El Cajon Boulevard on Friday evening, according to management. The restaurant chain occupies the building where La Salsa once operated.

There are only last minute preparations that need to be completed, including the installation of remaing dining furniture, and a final cleaning. If for some reason the restaurant does not open Friday night, it will definitely be completed by Monday, management told Patch Thursday afternoon.

About 50 people will be employed by the new El Pollo Loco, and the management team will consist of General Manager Claudia Barbontin and Area Manager Noel Buan. The restaurant has a "Now Hiring" banner hanging on the corner of the intersection, and they are still interviewing candidates to fill certain roles.

Construction at the building has been ongoing for months, and marketing director Sergio Ponce said it has been been a bit challenging, but exciting as well.

Ponce said the restaurant is offering healthy options on the menu in addition to their specialty, fire grilled chicken.

The restaurant is owned by Peglion LLC. It is not yet known who is the location's franchisee.