Andres L.
Yelp
I knew I was in for a treat the minute I walked in and was immediately greeted with the scent of smoldering firewood and rich spices. From the minimally yet elegantly furnished dining area to the giant live fire Josper rotisserie that easily prices out on par with a brand new, fully equipped 3 series, Mister Pio let's guests know that the food here is serious business.
The menu is very simple; several different portion sizes of their freshly roasted and grilled Peruvian chicken, served with a mixed green salad and your choice of two sauces from the three available. Fries come in two sizes and are available as an add-on option, as are a selection of bottled beverages, including Mexican cane sugar Coke and Inca Kola, an interesting looking and tasty Peruvian cola. And that's it! Or at least, that's it for now. I've no doubt that as Mister Pio's popularity grows, it's menu will see some additions, but for right now it's goal is concentrated on offering a truly authentic Peruvian polleria experience and that's something it does VERY well.
I opted for the half-chicken size, a portion I knew was going to be too big for me to finish in one sitting, but I wanted to try both the white and dark meat. The chicken was absolutely delicious, cooked perfectly with crisped skin and a succulent juiciness throughout. The flavor of the spice blend, along with the subtle notes of wood smoke worked wonderfully together, with neither component overpowering nor outshining the other. For the sauces, I chose the Aji Verde and the Aji Rocoto, their mild and hot options respectively. Both sauces paired well with the chicken, and the Aji Rocoto definitely had a nice kick to it. The salad was tossed with Aji Amarillo Ginger Vinaigrette, with the greens sourced from local Steadfast Farms in Mesa, and was a nice accompaniment to the richly flavored chicken. I paired the meal with the small order of fries, which was actually a pretty large portion. Mister Pio uses Kennebec potatoes for their fries, which are known, particularly in the culinary world, as being a superior potato for French fries. These were light and fluffy inside, with that satisfyingly crispy crunch on the outside, seasoned with sea salt. Perfection! Altogether, the meal clocked in at $34 before tax, and could have easily fed two people for lunch.
I'm very happy to have this spot in the neighborhood, and look forward to seeing Mister Pio become a local treasure. Speaking briefly with the owner and chef, it's clear that his commitment to sourcing the best, high-quality ingredients, with fresh and authentic preparation, is what drives him and his restaurant. I HIGHLY recommend stopping in and giving Mister Pio a try!