El Pollo Cris Cris opens new location in Hammond, drawing crowds

The popular Latin American chicken restaurant expands its footprint in Northwest Indiana.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 9:10pm

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a whole fire-grilled chicken, a side of Mexican-style rice and beans, and a selection of housemade sauces and seasonings arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic seamless background, conceptually representing the premium quality and authentic flavors of the new El Pollo Cris Cris restaurant in Hammond.The mouthwatering menu items from El Pollo Cris Cris' new Hammond location have quickly become a local sensation, drawing crowds eager to experience the restaurant's authentic Latin American flavors.Hammond Today

El Pollo Cris Cris, a fast-growing Latin American-inspired chicken restaurant chain, has opened a new location in Hammond, Indiana, drawing large crowds and long lines of eager customers. The new restaurant is the latest in the company's expansion across the Midwest, following its successful launch in the nearby Little Village neighborhood of Chicago.

Why it matters

The opening of the new El Pollo Cris Cris location in Hammond highlights the growing demand for authentic Latin American cuisine in the region, as well as the ability of small, community-focused restaurant chains to thrive and expand beyond their initial markets. The long lines and buzz surrounding the new restaurant also demonstrate the power of word-of-mouth marketing and loyal customer bases in the food service industry.

The details

The new El Pollo Cris Cris restaurant in Hammond features the chain's signature menu of fire-grilled chicken, Mexican-inspired sides, and housemade sauces. The restaurant has quickly become a local hotspot, with customers lining up out the door to try the food. The expansion into Hammond follows the successful launch of the first El Pollo Cris Cris location in the nearby Little Village neighborhood of Chicago, where the restaurant has built a loyal customer base drawn to its authentic Latin American flavors and commitment to community.

  • El Pollo Cris Cris opened its first location in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago in 2024.
  • The new Hammond, Indiana location opened on April 1, 2026.

The players

El Pollo Cris Cris

A fast-growing Latin American-inspired chicken restaurant chain that is expanding across the Midwest.

Little Village

A neighborhood in Chicago where El Pollo Cris Cris opened its first location in 2024.

Hammond, Indiana

The city where El Pollo Cris Cris has opened its newest location, drawing large crowds and long lines of customers.

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What they’re saying

“The food at El Pollo Cris Cris is so authentic and delicious, it's no wonder the lines are out the door. This is exactly the kind of local business we need in Hammond.”

— Samantha Rodriguez, Hammond resident

“We're thrilled to bring the flavors of El Pollo Cris Cris to the Hammond community. Our commitment to quality, authenticity, and community is what drives our expansion, and we can't wait to see the restaurant become a local favorite.”

— Juan Hernandez, Co-founder, El Pollo Cris Cris

What’s next

El Pollo Cris Cris plans to continue its Midwest expansion, with additional locations slated to open in nearby cities later this year.

The takeaway

The success of El Pollo Cris Cris in Hammond demonstrates the growing appetite for authentic Latin American cuisine in the region, as well as the ability of community-focused restaurant chains to thrive by offering high-quality, flavorful food and building strong connections with local customers.