El Pollo Loco with Lamar Woods

"El Pollo Loco with Lamar Woods" is Episode 122 of *Doughboys*, hosted by Mike Mitchell and Nick Wiger, with Lamar Woods. "El Pollo Loco with Lamar Woods" was released on September 21, 2017.

## Synopsis

Writer and comedian Lamar Woods (*New Girl*, *Comedy Bang! Bang!*) joins the 'boys for a trip to LA native chain and renowned chicken eatery, El Pollo Loco. Plus, a discussion of Atlanta eats, spicy wings, and 90's movies before closing out with another segment of Snack or Wack.

## Nick's intro

Season two, episode 11 of *Breaking Bad,* titled "Mandala," introduced viewers to a character who would become the series' most memorable antagonist: Gus Fring, portrayed with deadpan menace by veteran character actor, Giancarlo Esposito.

Fring, who over the course of multiple seasons, would alternately employ and threaten series leads Walt and Jesse, oversaw a meth empire that stretched from New Mexico to old, all while outwardly appearing to be an upstanding member of the community because of his front - a chain of quick-service restaurants called Los Pollos Hermanos ("The Chicken Brothers").

The south-of-the-border-style chicken joint that served as the covert distributor of Walter White's blue meth across The Land of Enchantment was reportedly inspired by an actual chain chicken joint that first opened in Guasave, Sinaloa, Mexico in 1975, though founder Juan Francisco Ochoa was never suspected of using it to cover up an international criminal conspiracy.

The quick-service restaurant's original menu - just citrus-marinated flame-grilled chicken, tortillas, and salsa - was a hit with locals and by 1980, there were 85 locations throughout Mexico, so Ochoa grew his franchise across the border with its first American location on Los Angeles' historic Alvarado Street.

The unique chain found a fanbase in SoCal, and later across the American Southwest, as it expanded to 200 outlets by 1990, and expanded its U.S. menu to include an array of sides and more accessible handheld items like burritos and quesadillas. The Mexican export became enough of a staple in the States that was even featured in an episode of NBC's *The Apprentice*, starring of course, the famously hostile to Hispanics host, Donald Trump.

Now with over 400 locations and 42 years of history, this chicken shack has made its grill mark on the fast-food world, as well as indirectly on prestige TV.

The name of Los Pollos Hermanos' real life counterpart? In English, "The Crazy Chicken."

This week on *Doughboys*, El Pollo Loco.

## Fork rating

	+ Fire-Grilled Chicken (leg and thigh)
	+ Pinto Beans
	+ Loco Side Salad
	+ tortillas
 Mike Mitchell
* Shrimp Mango Taco
* Chipotle Avocado Chicken Burrito
* Chips
 Lamar Woods
* Fire-Grilled Chicken Thigh
* Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

## Snack or Wack

In Snack or Wack, the Doughboys have a snack and rate it either 'snack' or 'wack.'

For this week's episode, they try Starburst Gummies, both the sour and original.

 Mike Mitchell
 Lamar Woods

They like these so much, they immediately induct them into the Hall of Snack (#HallOfSnack).

As of this episode, the Hall of Snack inductees are Mambas, Golden Oreo, pickle chips, and Starburst Gummies.

## Quotes

**Nick**: It really is. That's just called The Wiger.

## #hashtags

* #ConfessYourMess vs. #MrCleanOrMrsClean
* #ElPolloLinko
* #HallOfSnack

## The Feedbag

My story leads me to my own curiosity. What food misconceptions did you have as children?

## Related Episodes

* 183. Papa John's
* DD. Mac Attack: Eat 16
* DD. Wige Hard
* 341. Hero's Journey: Sub-Optimal: Semi-soft Finals
* 416. Guisados

## Photos (via @doughboyspod)

3 Piece ComboTortillas, Pinto Beans, Loco Side SaladLoco Side Saladfountain drink and salsas