El Pollo Loco adds crunchy tacosEl Pollo Loco adds crunchy tacos

IRVINE Calif. The El Pollo Loco grilled-chicken chain has added hard-shell tacos, matching a signature of such competitors as Taco Bell and Del Taco.

 The 371-unit, seven-state chain has also launched what it described as an improved soft taco. Both the hard and soft versions sell for $1.69 and contain the brand's signature citrus-marinated, flame-grilled chicken.

The crunchy tacos are topped with lettuce and shredded cheese.

The new soft tacos are in a warm flour tortilla and include lettuce, shredded cheese, sour cream, cilantro, cotija cheese and pico de gallo.

The chain still offers its smaller, snack-sized tacos al carbon for 99 cents.