
Koo Koo Roo is a casual dining restaurant chain that offers a variety of menu options. They are known for their chicken dishes, including grilled chicken, chicken sandwiches, and chicken salads.
Their menu features a range of sides, such as fries, coleslaw, and baked beans. These sides are designed to complement their chicken dishes.
Koo Koo Roo restaurants are typically located in shopping centers and malls, making them a convenient option for busy families and shoppers.
Company Information
Koo Koo Roo was founded by brothers Mike and Ray Badalian in 1988.
The first location of Koo Koo Roo opened at a Koreatown strip mall in Los Angeles.
The duo aimed to provide a healthy alternative to fast food, with a menu that featured no frying, no breading, no coating, no preservatives or additives.
Koo Koo Roo quickly gained popularity for their healthy chicken plates.
At the height of their popularity, the chain boasted more than 40 locations across Southern California.
The chain's last Southern California restaurant, located in Santa Monica, closed its doors in 2014.
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Menu Options
Koo Koo Roo has a variety of delicious wrap options. You can choose from chicken, black beans, rice, salsa, sour cream, fresh cilantro, and cheese, or swap out the rice for guacamole and pico de gallo for a different twist.
Their wraps are also customizable with a simple yet satisfying combination of chicken, romaine, lettuce, parmesan cheese, croutons, and caesar dressing.
If you're in the mood for something a bit lighter, the romaine and lettuce combination is a great choice.
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Chicken Tostada Bowl
The Chicken Tostada Bowl is a mouth-watering dish that's definitely worth trying. It's made with chicken, black beans, rice, cheese, lettuce, sour cream, green onion, pico, and jalapeno ranch dressing, all served in a baked tortilla shell.
One of the best things about the Chicken Tostada Bowl is that it's a great value for the price. At just $8.25, you get a generous helping of delicious food.
The Chicken Tostada Bowl is also a great option if you're looking for a light and refreshing meal. The romaine lettuce, roam tomato, cucumber, red onion, and red bell pepper, feta, and kalamata olive, all tossed in balsamic vinaigrette, make for a tasty and healthy side dish.
If you want to customize your meal, you can add a fresh hot or cold side dish for just a little extra. And if you want to add some extra sauce, it's just $0.25 extra.
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Wraps
Wraps are a great option for those looking for a filling meal. You can get a chicken wrap with a variety of toppings, such as black beans, rice, salsa, sour cream, fresh cilantro, and cheese.
Some wraps are more substantial than others. For example, the chicken wrap with black beans, guacamole, pico de gallo, sour cream, fresh cilantro, and cheese is a hearty choice.
The chicken wrap with romaine lettuce, parmesan cheese, croutons, and caesar dressing is a great option for those looking for a lighter meal.
You can customize your wrap to suit your tastes.
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Roo
Koo Koo Roo's signature dish was their chicken breast, which was a favorite among many customers, including the author who mentioned it was the "best chicken I ever had in my life".
The Beverly/Orlando location was a popular spot, especially on the night of the Academy Awards in 1990 when Kenneth Berg, a semi-retired real estate broker, stopped by and was impressed with the food.
Their menu also included freshly-carved turkey, which was added by Berg's staff after he took over the business.
Background
Koo Koo Roo was started in L.A. in 1988 by brothers Mike and Ray Badalian. They opened their first location at a Koreatown strip mall.
The duo's vision was to offer a healthy alternative to fast food, with a menu that boasted "no frying, no breading, no coating, no preservatives or additives."
When Will Reopen?
Koo Koo Roo will reopen with a brick-and-mortar store in Los Angeles in early 2025.
They plan to serve many of their original chicken recipes with some new additions.
The restaurant will have collaborations and pop-up events to keep customers satisfied with tasty chicken until the new store's grand opening.
History of
Koo Koo Roo was started in L.A. in 1988 by brothers Mike and Ray Badalian. They opened their first location at a Koreatown strip mall and aimed to showcase a healthy alternative to fast food.
The duo's vision was to serve food with "no frying, no breading, no coating, no preservatives or additives." This unique approach quickly gained popularity, especially among health-conscious consumers.

Koo Koo Roo's healthy chicken plates became famous, and multiple chains began to spring up mainly across Southern California. At the height of their popularity, the chain boasted over 40 locations.
After changing hands multiple times, the last Southern California restaurant located in Santa Monica closed its doors in 2014.
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Company Perspectives:
Koo Koo Roo, a popular fast-food chain, has a unique perspective on the industry. They started as a small restaurant in California in 1987.
Their commitment to quality ingredients is evident in their menu, which features fresh chicken and natural ingredients.
Koo Koo Roo's focus on customer satisfaction is reflected in their customer service, which is often praised by reviewers.
The chain's menu is designed to be customizable, with options for salads, sandwiches, and wraps.
Their goal is to provide a quick and healthy meal option for customers on-the-go.
Koo Koo Roo's emphasis on quality and customer satisfaction has helped them maintain a loyal customer base.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Koo Koo Roo still exist?
Yes, Koo Koo Roo is returning under new ownership in 2024, with plans to reopen physical locations in late 2025. The brand is reviving its presence after a brief hiatus.
Is Koo Koo Roo coming back to Los Angeles?
Yes, Koo Koo Roo is returning to Los Angeles in 2025 under new ownership. The iconic restaurant will reopen at the end of 2025, bringing back its legendary menu and charm.
Is Koo Koo Roo chicken healthy?
Koo Koo Roo is known for its healthy menu options, particularly its charbroiled skinless chicken plates. Their focus on healthy food made them a popular choice in the casual dining scene in Los Angeles.
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