Cook

El Pollo Loco; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company as a Grill Master, where you will create exceptional guest experiences through expertly grilled food. This role offers the chance to grow your career in a vibrant environment that values teamwork and customer satisfaction. With flexible scheduling and a commitment to promoting from within, you will find ample opportunities to develop your skills and advance your career. If you have a passion for cooking and a knack for customer service, this is the perfect opportunity to spice up your career and make a difference in a dynamic restaurant setting.

Benefits

Meal Discounts

Medical + Dental + Vision Insurance

401(K) Plan with match

Flexible Scheduling

Employee Assistance Programs

Discounts on theme parks and events

Qualifications

• One or more years of previous restaurant cooking experience is preferred.
• Obtain Food Handler Certification promptly upon hire.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook food items following company standards.
• Maintain cleanliness and sanitation of the work area.
• Assist in training new cooks and support restaurant operations.

Skills

Customer Service

Cooking Skills

Attention to Detail

Multitasking

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Job description

2990 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, USA

Job Description

Posted Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 4:00 AM

Looking for an amazing career? Come join El Pollo Loco (that’s “Po-yo”, not Po-lo!). We’re not just cooking up chicken, we're grilling up opportunities! If you're ready to spice up your career and serve sizzling success with a side of salsa, you've come to the right place. Do you have the fire?” Apply today!

We offer eligible Employees the following Benefits/Perks:

• Competitive pay
• No late-night hours
• Meal Discounts
• Excellent career growth potential (we promote from within)
• Flexible Scheduling: Full-Time or Part-Time hours
• Medical + Dental + Vision Insurance + Flexible Spending Account*
• 401(K) Plan with match and immediate vesting (must be at least 21 to participate)
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Discounts on theme parks, movie tickets, sports events, hotels and more...

* Eligibility is based on the number of average hours worked per week within a 12-month period.

POSITION PURPOSE:

The Grill Master (Cook) creates "Best in Class" guest experience at El Pollo Loco by preparing grilled and hot food items, following precise Company standards for preparation and presentation.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Prepare, marinate, season, cook, stock and rotate chicken and other grilled proteins according to company standards.
• Receive orders, cut cooked chicken, and arrange proteins for proper presentation on the plate or in the applicable packaging apparatus.
• Monitor holding time for grilled proteins and take corrective actions when hold time expires or when product quality fails to meet company standards.
• Maintain and ensure that all cooked proteins are at proper serving temperature.
• Thaw and store all other raw proteins to projected needs.
• Inspect chicken and other raw proteins for acceptable quality standards prior to marinating or grilling.
• Clean and sanitize the entire work area including all equipment, tools, storage containers, grills and hoods.
• Maintain proper quality and quantity levels of whole chicken and other meats cooking throughout shift based on projections and actual business activity.
• Diligently follow all food safety , food rotation, and sanitation policies and procedures to maintain a safe/healthy environment.
• Assist on the hot and cold prep lines as needed.
• Continuously strive to meet or exceed customer expectations and satisfaction.
• Work collaboratively with restaurant team members and management to achieve operational goals, maintain a positive work environment, and uphold company standards.
• Assist in the training of new cooks.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management to support restaurant operations.

QUALIFICATIONS – EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, LICENSE/CERTIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. The requirements listed below are representative of the education and/or experience required.

Certifications

Obtain Food Handler Certification promptly upon hire, adhering to EPL policy and state regulations.

Education/Work Experience:

One or more years of previous restaurant cooking experience is preferred but not required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Willingness to participate in cross-training opportunities to develop skills in other areas of the restaurant as needed.
• Enthusiastic and positive demeanor, with a genuine passion for providing exceptional customer service.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a positive attitude.
• Strong communication, attention to detail, and organizational skills.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize tasks effectively.
• Flexibility to work various shifts, including weekends and holidays.
• Demonstrated reliability and punctuality, with a commitment to meeting scheduled work shifts and assignments.
• Willingness to learn and adapt to changing procedures and protocols.
• Commitment to upholding company values and standards of excellence in customer service.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals to enable them to perform the essential functions of their job.

• Regularly stands, talks, hears, uses close and distance vision, tastes, or smells.
• Repetitively reaches, handles, feels, and/or grasps objects with hands.
• Occasionally bends, stoops, kneels, crouches, and/or crawls.
• May lift objects weighing up to 40 lbs.
• Regularly exposed to noise, fumes, heat, burn hazards, and/or wet surfaces.
• The position may be exposed to certain cleaning chemicals in the performance of their job.

Our Company

In 1980 the first American El Pollo Loco opened on Alvarado Street in Los Angeles, quickly becoming a destination for the best citrus-marinated, fire-grilled pollo. Over the past four decades, we have grown to more than 490 restaurants (and counting!) across 7 states, becoming an L.A. mainstay and cultural benchmark along the way.

The pay range identified is the hourly or salary rate El Pollo Loco expects to pay for the posted position. This range does not include any benefits or bonus opportunities that might be available for the position based on position and eligibility criteria. Individual pay will vary based on a variety of factors including years of experience, industry experience, education, geography, etc.