Joliet Restaurant Mystery: Will Pollo Loco Ever Open?

JOLIET, IL ? One of the biggest mysteries in the Joliet restaurant industry remains at the busy corner of Ruby and North Hickory Street. For years, 751 N. Hickory St. was home of El Primo No. 1, but in 2020, the owners of El Primo moved that restaurant location to Joliet's downtown, taking over the former Stefanich's restaurant on North Scott Street.

Shortly after El Primo's departure, large colorful signs were posted along Ruby Street proclaiming that Pollo Loco was coming soon.

Now, more than a year and a half has passed, and the Pollo Loco "coming soon" signs remain.

Joliet Patch visited the site Monday and nobody was there.

The parking lot was empty, and a city of Joliet building permit, issued last September, remains posted in one of the front windows.

The city of Joliet sign indicates the building permit will become invalid after one year's time. Joliet Patch has made a handful of spot visits to Pollo Loco over the past 20 months, and every time Patch shows up, nobody is remodeling the restaurant building at 751 N. Hickory.

There is a website set up for Pollo Loco and a phone number for the restaurant. Joliet Patch called the number Monday, and it sent an automated text stating, "Please text me."

Joliet Patch sent a message asking if any grand opening date has been set for Pollo Loco.

As for the Pollo Loco website, it proclaims, "Fast Food Restaurant in Joliet."

The last website update occurred on Dec. 15, 2021, "WE WORKING ON OPENING DATE ESTAMOS TRABAJANDO PARA LA FECHA DE APERTURA."

Even though it has not opened, there are already three 5-star Google Reviews for Pollo Loco. However, two weeks ago, a man named Peter posted a 1-star review, stating, "This Place hasn't opened in nearly 2 years just taking up space!"