El Pollo Rico

Chicken restaurant · Virginia Square

El Pollo Rico

Chicken restaurant · Virginia Square

4

932 N Kenmore St, Arlington, VA 22201

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El Pollo Rico by Amanda Voisard/For the Washington Post via Getty Images
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El Pollo Rico by null
El Pollo Rico by null
El Pollo Rico by null
El Pollo Rico by null
El Pollo Rico by null
El Pollo Rico by null
El Pollo Rico by null
El Pollo Rico by null
El Pollo Rico by null
El Pollo Rico by null
El Pollo Rico by null
El Pollo Rico by null
El Pollo Rico by null
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El Pollo Rico by null
El Pollo Rico by null
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El Pollo Rico by null
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El Pollo Rico by null

Highlights

Spit-roasted Peruvian chicken plus sides like coleslaw served in a casual, counter-service space.  

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932 N Kenmore St, Arlington, VA 22201 Get directions

elpollorico.com
@elpolloricoarl

$ · Menu

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932 N Kenmore St, Arlington, VA 22201 Get directions

+1 703 522 3220
elpollorico.com
@elpolloricoarl

$ · Menu

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Last updated

Mar 5, 2025

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@eater

"Diehards may debate which of the D.C. area’s Peruvian chicken restaurant reigns supreme, but it's hard to deny that this standby has the most loyal following. Tennis great Serena Williams famously swung by for a poultry fix last summer. Look for the plume of charcoal smoke overhead in Arlington or Wheaton, Maryland. Open daily for carryout from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m." - Tierney Plumb, Eater Staff

21 Iconic D.C. Area Dishes
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@eater

"The choice to go to Arlington is ambitious, considering the area’s longtime Peruvian chicken standard-bearer El Pollo Rico is a 10-minute walk away." - Tierney Plumb

Chicken + Whiskey’s DMV Domination Continues With New Clarendon Digs - Eater DC
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@eater

"This beloved longtime Arlington eatery is one of the area’s most well-known destinations for Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken and sides. Expect spice-crusted birds, crunchy fried yuca, and fiery green chile dipping sauce. Order online here." - Eater Staff, Missy Frederick

Where to Eat and Drink Around Ballston
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@eater

"There are many Peruvian-style chicken restaurants scattered throughout D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, and critically acclaimed El Pollo Rico is the granddaddy of them all. Just look for the giant plume of smoke and follow the scent of spice-rubbed rotisserie chicken that hangs in the air. Be sure to load up on the aioli, hot sauce, and fried yuca, too." - Tim Ebner

Where to Order Succulent Roast Chicken Around D.C. - Eater DC
View Postcard for El Pollo Rico

Anushka M

Google
Their chicken is delicious, but the flan is some of the best I’ve ever had! Ordering is quick and food comes out before you’re even done paying. Lots of seating and the chicken was so tender and flavorful. Their rice and beans are amazing and the sauces that come with it are great. The green sauce is very spicy and the white sauce was great with the fries. Out of everything we still thought the flan was seriously out of this world. Perfect consistency and truly amazing. We will definitely be back!

Art

Google
Great charcoal chicken made in the proper oven. Fair pricing although you cannot buy just a whole chicken. Whole chicken with 2 sides and 6 sauces is $25. We live closer to the Fairfax location, but came here due to better reviews. Certainly a must try if you're into good quality Peruvian chicken.

828cab

Google
Every time I come to this area, I stop here seeking the taste I had on my first visit. On that first visit, I didn't see the restaurant, I smelled it and literally followed the smell. This time, no smell, the prices increased by 50% and the chicken seemed to have lost it's luster in just six years. Post Script: Throw a few more pieces of yuca on the plate. It's still decent, but not like it was before.

Karina Zannat O'Connell

Google
I’ve been eating here since I was 8 and every time I return to DC this is my first stop. No other chicken place compares. I dream about the dark meat + white sauce + Inca cola combo and would gladly have it for my last meal on earth. Beyond grateful for this epic institution 🤤

Jose Orihuela

Google
I honestly hate giving this bad review but today was a horrible service. I placed a to go order inside the store. I ordered in spanish because they talked to me in spanish. I clearly said dark meat, they gave me 3 breast and 1/4 dark meat and a thigh. If they needed me to wait for the dark meat they should of just told me. I called the restaurant and I spoke with a manager/shiftleader today so that he can send me a whole chicken of dark meat but he said "unfortunately our delivery diver is out and you would need to come back to the store". I always go there and I think the food is great but today the service was horrible. Hopefully the owner sees this post and fixes this issue.

Cody Simmons

Google
One of the best deals in Arlington. Tons of food for cheap while still having a ton of flavor. The interior is very no frills and could definitely use more seating but the food tastes great and you get a ton of it for cheap. The line was very long when I went even during off hours. You can order online to bypass the line which I'll probably do next time. Ordering in person is a bit odd since you speak into a mic in some weird corner. They could easily improve the experience greatly for cheap but I guess they don't really need to.

Jordan Santander

Google
**Ordered on Uber Eats** I’ve eaten at this place for over 20 years and I mean the original El Pollo Rico location and the current. I’ve never seen the fries come this color, fries were overcooked. My fiancé ordered coleslaw with the whole chicken and it never arrived. It really pains me to have to complain but the lack of quality control of this order is really poor. Maybe don’t order from this establishment on Uber Eats if you want the *Standard* El Pollo Rico quality that it’s praised for.

Alice Zheng

Google
The chicken is consistently amazing! Both well seasoned and juicy. I highly recommend their plantains and yuca fries. The service is also very efficient and quick! Even if there is a line out the door, the line goes quickly and they give your food fast.

Tom M.

Yelp
I miss El Pollo Rico from when I worked in Arlington. It's still excellent! Great chicken and fast service.

Nina R.

Yelp
Absolutely delish! I'm rarely on this side of Arlington so this was my first time visiting this establishment. I've heard about this restaurant for years and everybody swears by them, but you just need to try as many Peruvian Rotisserie places as possible to find the one that hits your tastebuds just right. And growing up in this area, I know you just need to try them out and find what you like. What I enjoyed most were the fried yucca, red beans and the green sauce. The yucca was tenderly crispy. Meaning crispy to perfection and tender. The red beans were moist and seasoned very well. They did not taste like canned beans at all. They were FRESH. And the green sauce was not overwhelmed by jalapeño, but had a nice balance of heat and herbs. Chicken was delish, yellow sauce as well. Service was efficient. Restaurant was huge and clean. I really enjoyed the old skool merengue playing overhead. They were playing all the hits!! If I am on this side of town, I will definitely return. Highly recommend.

Thomas J.

Yelp
Ok I have always been a fan of the OG location in Wheaton MD. I have been going to this spot for over 15 years. Always lights out, good hot food. A favorite spot to hit for the best chicken in town. But what set the meal off was the beans they offered with the meal. A family friend use to make a beans and rice dish. He was from Puerto Rico and when he went back home no one could come close to this dish except EL Pollo Rico. I became a big fan. Today my travel had taken me to this new location because I was in Va. The location was found easily. Large parking lot which is a big plus. The location in Wheaton was a let down because no parking an if you found it, the lot was too small. The inside was larger than the Wheaton location and has a similar flow. The service is still fast and quick. Orders are processed and within minutes you have hot fresh food. I got a whole chicken to take home and a quarter chicken now because I have not eaten anything since breakfast and it's late afternoon. Now the protein was good as usual and the fries were good. My problem was the beans. Yes the beans. They were NOT the ones they had at Wheaten. They had black beans with flavor and a hint of cilantro. What I got was pinto beans in some type of red sauce that look more closely to pork and beans. No flavor, bland and simply fell flat. I ate it but I was NOT SATISFIED with this change in the menu. When I ate the chicken the next day, I heated up a small sample of the beans again thinking if I let it set for a while and maybe add more flavor but same outcome. Flat bland food. I trashed the rest. Again NOT SATISFIED. Overall, I can partially recommend this location with the exception of the beans. Since I live in Maryland, I will be going back to the Wheaton site. I know they still have the black beans I love. Here NADA!

Darrell L.

Yelp
El Pollo Rico has been an Arlington go-to for 10+ years easy. I used to swing by for a quick lunch pre-pandemic and finally made it back after being in the area one weeknight. Guess what...It's still still top notch. Fresh, tasty, moist chicken and nicely seasoned crunchy skin. The beans and rice are an excellent side and their steak fries are fried nicely and filling. One note...the folks working there are all good people...aside from the tasty meal, our car wouldn't start after dinner so I had to hang around for 3 hours waiting on a tow truck. Went inside and everyone was very nice and allowed me to sit inside and even use their charger to charge my cell. Thanks to the entire staff for a great meal and your kindness!

Mark B.

Yelp
Wanted to see what the hype was all about. Bottom line: It was good but I've had better. Service was fast and quick. We ordered a whole chicken with fries, beans, and plantains. All tasted fine. I've had more flavorful chicken with its competitors in Alexandria. Nevertheless, the prices were reas and the meal was tasty. Don't know if it was allowed. But they didn't tell us we could have our service animal with us. No issues.

Phuong O.

Yelp
Finally made it out to try this OG spot. I thought the chicken is pretty moist and skin is crispy than most places. I got the 1/4 dark chicken with 2 sides for $10.99. I got me the plantains and fries, everything came out hot and fresh. The only think i didn't like was the green sauce. Very chunky, I'm not used to that, most places are creamy and blended down. Their sides are limited too, not many choices to pick from. Parking lot is small so you might have to do some street parking. Overall not a bad spot for some pollo.

Teri K.

Yelp
Still THE BEST CHICKEN EVER. I have been moved out of NoVA since 2010 but thrilled to see El Pollo Rico still going strong. They make the most delicious, moist, flavorful chicken and the green sauce is . Generous portions and fair prices. Go now!

Anushka M.

Yelp
Their chicken is delicious, but the flan is some of the best I've ever had! Ordering is quick and food comes out before you're even done paying. Lots of seating and the chicken was so tender and flavorful. Their rice and beans are amazing and the sauces that come with it are great. The green sauce is very spicy and the white sauce was great with the fries. Out of everything we still thought the flan was seriously out of this world. Perfect consistency and truly amazing. We will definitely be back!

Paige H.

Yelp
Food is tender and flavorful one of my favorite places to eat at if your looking for a restaurant to go to come here

Andrew F.

Yelp
For decades this has been the perfect chicken in Arlington. The salty, charcoal flavor of the chicken is just absolute perfect. Simple. Juicy. Perfect. I have probably been to every charcoal or Peruvian place in the area and this is hands down the best chicken. Where they excel in chicken, they are very limited in sides. We typically just get fries, which are unexciting, but do the job. But other chicken spots definitely have better side options. Don't expect much from dine in. It's simple, but clean. We normally grab to go. Writing this review is actually making me hungry. Protip: if getting delivery or pickup, throw those fries back in the air fryer and crisp them back up.

Nicolas P.

Yelp
I'm mad. Mad that I've lived within walking distance of here for almost 3 years and just came here for the first time. I came at around 6pm on a Saturday and the line was almost out the door when I arrived but they move people through very quickly, I waited for 5 minutes tops. I got a 1/2 chicken dark meat, fries, and coleslaw. This was definitely enough food for 2 meals and was one of the cheapest meals in the area (around $15 before tip I believe). The chicken was seasoned well, very juicy, and still hot by the time I got home. The fries were crispy and excellent dipped in the yellow sauce. The coleslaw was was also very good. I'll definitely be coming here way more often now.

Mike M.

Yelp
I have been a fan of this place for years, but lately quality has gone down. The chicken is ussually fresh and juicy was stale and dry. Maybe because they hiked the prices from 20$ to 30$ and the place is almost always now empty? I do know the crowds are mostly english speaking, not spanish speaking, that made it very popular. Even the fries tasted like they have been sitting under the heat lamp too long. Sad to say, they probably lost a lot of people when they hiked the prices.. which I have no problem with but others might not feel that way.. for 30$ dollars I expect great chicken.. not so .. so.. dry chicken.

Annie S.

Yelp
Delicious. There are many peruvian chicken places in the area, and after trying most of them, this place is #1. You would never walk by this place, yet it is packed with a line almost outside the door. The parking lot is always full and they pump out this amazing chicken smell as you walk down the street. All these things combined, you know it is good without ever trying a bite. The line moves at a slugs pace. You might think to order online and that will be faster, yet it is not. But all that to say, it is well worth the wait! The plantains...WOW. Honestly some of the best I've ever had. No overcooked and dry ones here. The chicken....just get a full chicken, you'll eat it all.

Louis V.

Yelp
Absolutely the best chicken in town! There's always a line but it moves quickly. They don't have a wide variety of sides like other spots but they do everything they have really well. The chicken is perfectly cooked and very well seasoned. The interior is a bit dated but that's a sign it's good!

Zack G.

Yelp
No frills, order at the counter, hole-in-the-wall Peruvian chicken spot with delicious food The line was pretty long, but it moved quickly The menu is very short and straight forward - choose a size, either light or dark meat, and 2 of 5 sides My GF and I got 4 of the 5 sides between the 2 of us and they were all delicious Chicken came with 2 sauces, a tasty yellow sauce with a little kick and a green sauce which was basically just chopped up jalapeños A bunch of small tables with 4 chairs all around

Barbara S.

Yelp
I love their chicken. I live in Orlando, FL and my daughter lives in Washington, DC, whenever I visit her I must go to El Pollo Rico during my visit and before leaving for Orlando, FL I must go there to pickup chicken to take home.

Catherine M.

Yelp
I have been saying for years that I need to try this place and we came in on a Monday afternoon to give it a go. There was a line but it moved pretty fast and the place was busy during lunch in general (hard to find parking in the free lot). We ordered the 1/4 chicken and the 1/2 chicken and even the 1/4th chicken was a ton of food with the two sides. We loved the fries and the plantains, the rice was pretty lack lust. We also ordered extra dipping sauce which was a win. The chicken has such great flavor with great seasoning, I can see why this place is so highly rated. Staff friendly, tons of indoor seating, clean spot.

Jonathan P.

Yelp
It's a staple, a must have from the awesome rotisserie chicken smell as you park and walk in this tucked away hole in the wall to the delicious food.

Don Q.

Yelp
It's the best rotisserie chicken in town. Hands down. Service is efficient, the people are nice. You can eat it there , the ambience is good. When you see 20 to 30 people lined up to get it.. it's for a reason

Khamil T.

Yelp
Food is great ! The best Pollo a La Brasa in the area. Although, service is terrible. There is almost never parking available. Whoever is thinking about eating inside, just don't. Call ahead and just pickup your stuff. Peak hours you might need to wait an hour long line just to get your food. Staff is rude. They even refused to provide extra disposable cutlery.

Melissa Z.

Yelp
It's not a pretty looking meal but the chicken with yellow sauce is truly delicious and very inexpensive. The fries and coleslaw were surprisingly good as well but I would have loved a bigger or different selection of sides. If you're coming either order online we'll in advanced maybe like 30-45 min OR do stand in line and order since you will get your food faster.

Marie B.

Yelp
A-MAZ-ING - best pollo a la brasa!!!! Everything was cooked and seasoned to perfection. We live in NYC but we will most definitely make our way back to get this food. Oh and everyone there was so so warm and welcoming. We placed our order online and we were running late but they reassured us that they would hold our order. It was piping hot when we picked it up. Best stop off of I95!!!

Grace F.

Yelp
Always consistent! We ordered a whole chicken and a half chicken between 4 people. Sides were plantains, yuca, fries, beans, and coleslaw. Then ordered flan and tres leches to go. The service is so fast and efficient. Their system to order is appreciated especially when you're hungry.

Ramez W.

Yelp
Pollo Rico is the absolute Cadillac of Rotisserie chicken joints ANYWHERE not just in the DC/VA area. The menu here is very simple but it cannot be easily duplicated!!! Most rotisserie places are kind of the same right.... Incorrect haha this place is 50x better than the next and there's absolutely nothing even close here in Cali. #1 the steak fries are amazing and make all the difference in the world. #2 the coleslaw is very very simple and very delicious. It's a little bit on the sweet side but when you add the green chili sauce it's the perfect balance. I always get the thigh, fries and coleslaw. You need tons of the green and yellow sauces plus lots of ketchup and you got yourself one of the best meals in Nova. Number one cheap eats spot for me in the area. The lines are long but they move quickly and I believe it's a family run joint so the service is cared for. The dining area is huge and there are some outdoor seats if you wanna sit outside.

Alisa L.

Yelp
This one hurt to write because I love Sardi's (https://www.yelp.com/biz/sardis-pollo-a-la-brasa-gaithersburg-2) and I went to their original Beltsville location regularly when I worked nearby. But you can never have enough Peruvian chicken in your life right? Their menu is limited, so you know the food is good. The chicken is exactly what everyone else has said it is--juicy, succulent, flavorful, with crispy and perfectly charbroiled skin. I'm getting hungry just writing this. Their sauces are excellent and fresh (we always add two extra sauces when we get the whole chicken meal). Their sides are good, not amazing, but the portion of steak fries is insane (a whole styrofoam container). And best of all? A whole chicken and two sides (including the huge container of fries) is less than $20, which can last us two meals. That's such a steal in this economy!

Mohmeet C.

Yelp
This is by far the best Peruvian chicken you will find in the DMV. I really don't care what any of these other reviews say, but trust me this is the one. Specifically, at this location because they are doing some special work back there. Ambiance: 4/5 - They have a good amount of seating however I've always seen this place as more of a grab and go kind of spot. Price: 4/5 - This place is a bit expensive but I promise the portion size is worth it. The problem is that they charge extra for the sauces which is annoying but you can get away with this by just ordering an entire chicken. Food: 5/5 - The Peruvian chicken with yuka and plantains or rice and beans with 4 yellow sauces and 2 green sauces is my go to order. You will not go wrong with this and can feed your entire family with it. I promise its the way to go and as a long time Arlington resident I vouch for this place. Service: 5/5 - Easier if you speak Spanish but they are great folks and will be accommodating to you no worries!

Lynn P.

Yelp
Food is delicious and the prices are reasonable. Highly recommend the Peruvian chicken, rice, beans, fries, and plantains. You really can't go wrong. They get very busy, especially at dinner time, so I recommend ordering ahead online, or be prepared to stand in line for a while.

Wilton P.

Yelp
Man is this place overhyped. The chicken is fine but nothing out of this world. The sauce selection is limited and not very interesting - they give you a basic mayo thing and some sort of mildly spicy salsa. The plantains were not ripe enough when fried, so they were a bit harder than expected. The portion of rice was small. I had the food delivered, so many the in person dining experience is different. But honestly there are way better Peruvian chicken joints around the dmv area. Huacatay is my favorite, for example.

Larry M.

Yelp
This is one of those days where my inbox & comments were flooded!! According to my Good Northern Virginian folks, it's a STAPLE Peruvian chicken spot I MUST go to in Arlington V.A.!! When it's that many folk pressing you out...the foods good...LET'S GO!! . Where I am: @elpolloricoarl . Location Reviewed: 932 N.Kenmore St., Arlington V.A. . Menu Includes: A Whole Chicken, 1/2 White meat or Dark meat Chicken, 1/4 White or Dark Chicken, Steak Cut Fries, Coleslaw, Rice, Plantains, Beans, Yellow & Green Sauce, Beverages, Flan, & Ice Cream. . Items Reviewed: Their 1/2 White Meat Chicken Meal (with Plantains, Beans, Yellow sauce & Green sauce-$1 for 4, $14.84). STAMP the Chicken!! STAMP the Beans!! STAMP the Plantains!! STAMP the Sauces!! STAMP the Price!! Everything was EXCELLENT!! The chicken...succulent, the Plantains mildly sweet, caramelized perfectly, & tasty, the Beans were hearty with a hint of onion, garlic, and cilantro!! Their Churro Cheesecake ($5.23). STAMP!! Sweet, & rich...just a delicious cheesecake rendering of a churro!! Their Inca soda ($2.73). STAMP!! I normally only get house made drinks...but copping this soda rounded the meal out!! . Customer Service: Swift, Attentive & EXCELLENT!! . Online Navigation: Super Simple . Parking: Lot Parking/ It gets packed quickly. . Recommendations: Literally EVERYTHING I got above!! =STAMP =A.DELICIOUS =DELICIOUS =DECENT =PASS =NAH #Bigschlimsreviews

Olivia K.

Yelp
I would say that this place is a hidden gem. Delicious chicken is the star here and the fun vibes add to the overall experience, despite slightly worn-down atmosphere. Staff is incredibly quick and efficient, constantly cooking up mouthwatering dishes that fill the air with amazing aromas. Food is both cheap and delicious, making it a must-visit spot. Don't be deterred by the line or packed parking lot. as it's a testament to how popular this place is. The quarter dark chicken with rice and fries was fantastic, accompanied by both the tasty yellow sauce and spicy green sauce. The menu may be limited, but they excel in what they offer. The option for the delivery is also a plus. You'll leave this place very happy and even though there may be a short wait, it's well worth it. Totally recommend to visit it!

Alexis M.

Yelp
Amazing flavors (the sauce !!!), quick service, and great deals! We will definitely be back. Vibe: 7/10 - no frills - and we loved it! Service: 10/10 Chicken: 9.5/10 Sauce: 10/10 Fries: 10/10 Plantains: 10/10 Beans: 8/10 Overall: 9.2/10 (4.6/5)

Christina K.

Yelp
Awesome food at affordable prices! The best Peruvian chicken that I've had anywhere!

Rut N.

Yelp
El Pollo Rico saved our Thanksgiving Day! The food here is always delicious. I used to come here often when I lived in Arlington. We drove from DC just to get a whole chicken from this place in time for Thanksgiving. It's a no-frill casual place. Service is fast but there is always line. Their fries, plantains, and beans are great for sides.

Lily B.

Yelp
We are lucky in Arlington to have many 5 star Peruvian chicken. The chicken here is particularly delicious. And lots of people must agree because there always seems to be a line and a packed parking lot every evening. They don't have a big menu but what they do, they do really well. They serve french fries rather than fried yucca like several other restaurants. but the appeal for fries is broader. your choice of sides are beans, rice, slaw, fries, or plantains. Go for the yellow sauce if you don't like heat. I've tried all of it and it's all really good. You will leave here very happy. But at night expect a small wait and a full parking lot, there's some more spaces on the street however. There are options to have it delivered as well.

Jason V.

Yelp
As a Peruvian, I've been a devoted fan of El Pollo Rico for years - it's simply the best Peruvian chicken around. I don't need to search for the perfect pollo a la brasa anymore because I've found it right here. My family and (Pinay) girlfriend and I have driven across town many times to enjoy the delicious food at El Pollo Rico. The chicken is always perfectly cooked, with a mouth-watering seasoning that keeps us coming back for more. And let's not forget the dipping sauces - they're just as amazing as the chicken itself. But don't just take my word for it - Anthony Bourdain himself has raved about this place, and for good reason. The quality of the food is simply outstanding. Even after all these years, we're still blown away by the quality of the food and the friendly service. We'll continue to make the trip to El Pollo Rico for our fix of delicious Peruvian chicken. Highly recommend it to anyone who loves good food and great service!

Bradley P.

Yelp
Pollo Rico is one of the best Peruvian chicken places around. They're yellow and green sauces go perfectly with their chicken, which is seasoned just right. The restaurant is always packed and the service is great.

Darren R.

Yelp
The worst Peruvian Chicken I have ever had. No flavor, and the sides are terrible. I can't understand why the line was so long at lunch.

Luan D.

Yelp
This used to be the best. Something changed and prices went through the roof and taste went down hill. Many menus people posted are out of date. As of October 2023, a whole chicken and two sides was about $28. Frankly, I threw away 1/2 of the chicken because it was too dry and there was no charcoal flavor that they used to have. I got a side of rice and a side of beans. Each came in a tiny container and therefore in extremely small quantity that was not enough for even 2 people. Sad.

Lauren C.

Yelp
Regular chickens goes bawk bawk, but this chicken will make you fly even though chickens don't fly. I came here after work dying for protein, lo & behold I struck gold. There were RACKS of chicken slowly being cooked, tables are spread apart, the menu is simple as it can get. I get a whole chicken every time with the french fries, holy crap the french fries in the little brown bag slaps different, a good type of different. The beans, you can't go wrong with those either, those are my two sides to go with. The seasoning is perfect, I don't use the yellow cream sauce or the green sauce because it's just good as it is. If it ain't broken, don't touch it.

Erika S.

Yelp
I bookmarked this place quite a while ago and finally tried out... and the chicken was so tender, moist, fresh, and tasty!! I was first a little disappointed about the menu being limited, but now I know why. They make this specific set for quality. Some Peruvian chickens I tried before would be salty and dry, but this one was just perfectly seasoned, tender. Every component of this dish was super fresh. Even the green and yellow sauces surprised me. I think they are freshly homemade every day or something. They are not watery like others. The green sauce was more like a fresh paste, and the yellow one was thicker than others, having more mayo in it? For my two sides, they gave me a huge amount of steak fries, and the fried plantains were the best I had in a while. Happy that I finally got this.

Ailun H.

Yelp
Brightly colored seating everywhere, making it feel like I'm back in grade school again. What a mood. I haven't been here for two years so I forgot how good this place was. The Peruvian chicken here is amazing and you know it is when there's a relatively long line at 9:15 PM. My friend and I came here because he was hungry. I was just going to chill but after slicing off a piece of his chicken, I knew I had to go buy some myself if I didn't want to wolf down his meal. It is the juiciest and most well-seasoned chicken I've ever had. It's not overly salty and the dipping sauces they have only enhances the flavor of the chicken. You honestly could go without it and eat the chicken as is since it's already very tasty! My friend and I ate in complete silence for a solid ten minutes. No words needed to be said - why waste your time talking when you should just focus on eating chicken? If you can make white chicken meat taste delicious without drying it up, you win my heart. This place wins my heart every time. That's all I have to say, honestly.

Hunter B.

Yelp
This hole in the wall place in Arlington is a great find. I got there early on Friday and there was a line so maybe ordering ahead is a better idea. I got a quarter dark chicken with rice and fries and also both sauces. The chicken was great and is probably why the line there is so long. The rice and fries were not bad either. The yellow sauce was good, I think it is maybe some mayo-based condiment? The green sauce was spicy but the texture just was not great on the chicken. Great food and prices so I would definitely go again.

Umar M.

Yelp
THE HYPE IS REAL For those who don't know, Chicken Sajji is an Afghani and also a Northern Pakistani delicacy which is hard to find in the US. The closest thing to it is Peruvian Chicken. One of m friends hyped El Pollo Rico quite a bit and I had to check it out for myself. THE HYPE IS REAL Hands down the best Peruvian chicken I had outside of Peru and I am absolutely loving each and every bite of it. The sides were amazing, especially the plantains. I am going to come here again. Very soon.

Elizabeth V.

Yelp
They live up to the hype the bold flavors of the chicken comprised with the sweet coleslaw and crunchy warm fries made for an amazing meal the staff and kitchen and on the quiet side making the food do the talking. The explosions of flavor from the chicken were quite amazing and I would definitelyr recommend anyone in the arlington area to come to this restaurant.

Justin L.

Yelp
this place lives up to the hype, came on a Sunday evening and the line was consistently this long, wait was about 30 minutes. plenty of open seating as most orders are takeout. Chicken is very juicy and spiced well. They are cooked rotisserie style, not grilled. Sides were ok. the green sauce is a cilantro line chutney. the light yellow sauce is like a tartar sauce. super economical, great value, with delicious chicken

Tiffany S.

Yelp
This place is top tier. I have gone since I was little and it makes me very happy to see it's still around. One of the things I miss most about living in Virginia. Everything just tastes so good and don't get me started on that yellow sauce. We always buy extra to bring back home to Florida because there's nothing like that over here. I have never had a long wait for food they make sure everything out fast. Lots of seating available and the place is big and spacious.

Victoria A.

Yelp
I love the pollo saltado! Very good flavor and the yellow/green sauces. Good price, great local spot!

Jahn A.

Yelp
I have been coming here since 1996 and usually enjoy very much. This time however, I was so upset by the staff treatment of me, I may never come back. Pity as well, because this restaurant is about to open a new location just blocks from my house. When I visited, I ordered a 1/2 chicken regular. It states on the large menu board behind the register that "1/2 chicken regular comes with 2 sides and 4 sauces." The cashier and the person packaging my order said that I only get 2 and I need to pay extra if I want more. At this point I pointed at the electronic menu and read the menu out loud to her and explained again that it says, clearly, 4 sauces. Her response to me was was the worst part of the experience, and I quote "that's not my problem sir." So to recap, they wouldn't honor their own menu, and when I questioned the menu versus what I was being told, I was met with haughty indifference. I can find many better places to spend $18.00 that aren't disrespectful to customers.

Trang H.

Yelp
You get one thing here and you know it's freaking good. I always love this kind of no bs down-to-earth restaurants where I can get great food at a decent price. Highly recommend!

VyVy V.

Yelp
May 2021 - COVID Review: I have finally made it to THE Peruvian chicken spot that everyone swears on and now I see why. When we got there, the line to order was practically out the door! My husband and I both got a quarter dark chicken with fries and plantains. The chicken was super juicy that I can only imagine how the white chicken would taste. I loved that the plantains weren't greasy / oily like how some other places are. I wonder why they don't have yuca, but I guess if your chicken tastes as good as theirs does, I can understand it not needing to be on the menu.