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I heard from a co-worker that this place was awesome, and it is! This is hands down the best chicken I've ever eaten.
The menu is simple (chicken, fries and slaw) but all they really need is the chicken. The fries and slaw are so so, but you don't go there for that, literally, just the chicken. I'm not sure what spices they use to make it so tasty, it looks as simple as pepper. The real taste is in the rotisserie recipe and they moistness of the meat.
Go there, be prepared to wait for parking and stand in line, but it's worth it!
3.25
I love visiting my Arlington office, because there are so many different places to eat for lunch. Today I was given two options chicken or kabobs. I haven't had good chicken in a long time so I said lets go get chicken. My coworker said we had to try this location. He claims people rave about it and also his friends will drive down from Maryland to get it. That's a good sign I guess. I looked at Yelp just to see, and I saw the 231 reviews and thought....this is a good thing. Right? So off we went.
We walked in and the place was starting to get busy. By the time we got to our table which was about 2 minutes the places was packed. We just made it. I got a chicken with the fries and coleslaw and a diet coke. I didn't care too much for the coleslaw, it had way too much mayo in it, but the cabbage was crunchy. Fries were fine, noting fancy. Now on to this famous Peruvian chicken. I took a bite of the skin and it was good, but nothing I haven't had before. It tasted the same as other places I've been. I next took a bit of the chicken itself. The chicken was very moist and not dried out. Flavor wise again, it was just average. I'm not saying it was bad, it wasn't at all. I didn't completely WOW me like all the reviews said it would. I was really hoping for more, but I didn't find it here. I will come back here again, because the value is good. Lunch for under $9 isn't bad at all.
Parking can be a pain if you get there late so watch out. Seating inside can packed fast, so if you go here, go early or go at off hours. I will say it does smell nice inside because they are always cooking the chicken and you can see them spinning around in the kitchen.
Ah the fresh smell of grease falling off of chicken.....Mmmmmm!!!!!
I don't think it was that fantastic.
I am half Peruvian and I beleive I should have a pretty good idea on what Peruvian chicken should taste like.
The Pro's - it was savory to an extent, a tad bit dry, but not too dry, -1 star.
Bourdain went here and though he has amazing taste I will have to disagree with Tony and ALL the people on Yelp!
Side sauce was ok +1 star, chicken a tad dry -1 star, service was pretty fast considering the line was long +1, big room to hold all the non peruvian eating people +1. Smart bussiness folk.
I don't like to say much more but my boyfriend ( gringo) happened to have noticed the same thing. Luckily for us we have a great Peruvian chicken restaurant only 20 min from us. Should I tell you the name of our hidden jem? Nah....
Went to El Pollo Rico with some coworkers when I was working in Arlington, now I want to take everyone there. The atmosphere and ambiance are not exceptional but the chicken totally outweighs that. Best Peruvian chicken in the area...the green dipping spice - yeppers that's good stuff. It's like Frank's Red Hot to me...I would put that ish on everything!
Their chicken fully lives up to the hype. Be sure to utilize the sauces.
A friend introduced me to El Pollo Rico by ordering a few chickens up for lunch when a bunch of us helped her move. (Needless to say, we weren't much good AFTER the chickenfest.) The chicken from El Pollo Rico is 'fenomenal' -- so well seasoned, so juicy, and white and green sauces are the perfect accompaniment. I definitely recommend the takeout because the atmosphere for eat-in is virtually nonexistent, but your fries will get soggy when you take it home. So there ya go.
Try this chicken. After you do, I put it to you -- will you ever help someone move again without demanding this for lunch?
I grew up on roasted chicken dinners. Like, at least twice a week. Because of that, I tend to shy away from plain ol' roasted chicken in favor of more exciting, spicier fare. But when my sister returned from a school trip to Peru raving about the chicken and Inca Cola, I decided to track down Peruvian food in my neck of the woods... and was pleasantly surprised to find that pollo ala brasa was a DC-area specialty!
I had heard great things about El Pollo Rico and trekked out to Clarendon to see what the fuss was about. As I walked around a body shop, I caught a whiff of delicious, roasted chicken and saw the smiles of happy, sated customers-- I knew I was in the right place.
After going through the efficient line, I sat down with a quarter of a chicken, cole slaw, papas fritas, sauces, and a can of that revered bubblegum flavored soda. I was stunned by the spice blend on the exterior of the chicken, delectable skin, and, more rare, moist meat that was permeated by flavors of exotic Peruvian seasonings. Add the mustard sauce combined with a touch of the spicy green salsa? A heavenly little slice of Lima in Arlington.
Since this place already has 230 positive reviews and was on Anthony Bourdain's TV show: the chicken tastes good.
I am so often disappointed by expensive fancy restaurants. El Pollo Rico is so opposite and I'm never disappointed! Who knew roasted chicken was its own food group in Arlington? A yummy place to go inhale tender juicy yummy yummy chicken.
Tip: The first time I went I didn't know fries or coleslaw came with. I just had a quarter chicken for $5, but my friend had quarter chicken+fries+bottle water for $5.96. which one is the better deal?
My only wish, is it possible to offer some carbs like rice? that would be fantastic, thank you.
What is there to say about this place that hasn't already been said? The chicken is top notch. The coleslaw is one of the few thats actually good? I am sure the fries come out of a bag in the freezer but whatever. I would pay seven bucks for my half-chicken alone much less the chicken and the sides.
I can see this becoming a go to meal when the hunger is gnawing at my stomach and I need a quick fix.
I've lived in Arlington for twenty years and can't think of any place I miss more than El Pollo Rico when traveling or living elsewhere.
You'll find a handful of Peruvian chicken joints in the area but none come close in quality to this place...
Simply the best cheap place to eat in all of Arlington.
* When Anthony Bourdain of the travel channel did a show on DC area cuisine he made sure to check out El Pollo Rico...
Great cheap eat!
I am not a big fan of red meat, so I'm always eating chicken or fish so when my friend told me about this "AMAZING hole in the wall Peruvian chicken place" I was eager to try. And it definitely is a hole in the wall, literally the back side of a building, but the place definitely has a large seating area. There is always a line when we go, but it moves fairly quickly cause all they have is chicken, fries, cole slaw and some desserts. The chicken is super juicy and flavorful, the fries are perfectly crisp and their cole slaw is well cole slaw... can't really mess that up. Their desserts are really sweet and tasty.
Highly recommend this place! Even had a friend from ATL who came to visit say they were craving it. And to that my response "haha.. sucker." Cause I can drive 5 mins to get it. I'm a mean fatty friend.
Minus a star cause their sauces are in tiny little containers and they charge you for more sauce. I mean cmon amigo... how you gonna make us eat an entire chicken with four little mini containers?
Wow -- rarely does anything live up to the hype but this place definitely did! The chicken was the BEST grilled/rotisserie/peruvian type of chicken I've had. The seasonings were cooked all the way through the chicken; smelled delicous and tasted even better!
The only reason it's not five stars is that the sides (cole slaw and fries) definitely don't live up to the chicken. Fries are ok, slaw is drowned in mayonaisse. But go for the chicken! Beware...the lines may be a bit long, but it moved pretty quick.
My first and only experience at EPR was pretty good but based on the rave reviews this places receives I have to admit I was a bit underwhelmed.
The chicken was very tasty although I think next time I'm going to get the half instead of the quarter. There just wasn't enough meat to fill me up. But for $5, which includes fries and slaw, it was a damn good deal. Damn good.
There are tons of these rotisserie chicken joints in Arlington so me thinks I'm going to check out a few more and write a follow up. Now doesn't that sound exciting? No? OK.
I have been eating at EPR for about 20 years and it is the best. I've often said that if I was on death row and it was the night before the big show I would request a whole chicken, a bag of fries, cole slaw, two Inca Colas and a bunch of both sauces. That right there is life........and death. My most recent trip was just yesterday and as always it lived up to its reputation. The chicken is amazing, the fries crispy, the cole slaw creamy and the Inca cold. The true delicious luck is to find a few fries underneath the chicken. If you're lucky enough you'll know what I mean. The parking lot can be a bit chaotic and crowded but be patient and you will be rewarded. When you get up to the front to order simply say as I do; Half white with everything. With that your taste buds will be dancing in a matter of minutes.
I originally wrote that the Peruvian chicken battle was a tie. But no, ladies and gentlemen, the victory goes to El Pollo Rico. It hit me one day as I was coming home from work and the doors on the orange train opened into the Va Square station. Immediately, I was overcome with a wave of charcoal chicken fumes. You see, the smoke exhausts out of the restaurant and is drawn by winds from the east down through the corridor between Fairfax and Wilson. When a train exits the metro station, it pulls air with it, drawing a blast of hot chicken air down the stairs and onto the platform. You could literally trace a streamline all the way from the train doors to the charcoal pit at EPR. And this story plays out all around my neighborhood. At any time of day, anywhere in a half-mile radius, you will suddenly and without warning be struck by a wave of roasted chicken goodness. El Pollo Rico is Arlington.
I even made up a little song, to the tune of the bagel bites jingle:
"Pollo in the morning
Pollo in the evening
Pollo at supper time
When you live in Va-Square
You can smell Pollo anytime!"
Can I post the same review for Super Pollo and EPR? A joint review. Why not? After all, despite… Read more »
Some very tasty, crispy-skinned, well-seasoned chicken! I often eat around the skin on chick legs, but I'd be a fool to have done that here at Rico. It was the best feature. The chicken itself was drier than I'd like, but dipping it in the Green sauce (mixed with the light yellowy mayo sauce) sure helped.
Green sauce is rather mild and grainy. (I prefer Sabroso's.. creamier and spicy!)
The accompanying fries are nothing worth noting, but I did have my first Inca cola here, that stuff is GOOD!
It couldn't be more out of my way and inaccessible, but somehow I'll manage a return trip.
Good, but I prefer Super Pollo which has two locations nearby which has better side selections and portions.
Gimme Gimme More, Gimme More, Gimme Gimme More
Gimme Gimme More, Gimme More, Gimme Gimme More.
No, I was not rocking out to Britney, I was demanding more chicken from El Pollo Rico dammit!
What to say that hasn't already been said? Nothing. It's deliciouso, magnifique, and forces me to drive to Arlington from Great Falls at the most inconvenient times just because I want a piece of heaven off a bird!
The times I have gone to EPR that have NOT been crowded would have to be after 9PM Monday-Friday. If you want the yumminess without a side of waiting and crowds, then do yourself a favor, eat a snack, and go pick up dinner a bit late.
*** 4.5 Stars ***
Before I begin talking about Pollo Rico, I MUST share the nickname for this chicken joint that my friends and I have been using for years; Crack Chicken.
Yes, that's right...Crack Chicken. Why was such a name bestowed upon a popular purveyor of the powerful Peruvian poultry preparer? Because if you're like 90% of the population you'll be HOOKED after one taste. You'll itch...you'll think about your next chicken fix and will become an addict.
So who was the person that first introduced me to Crack Chicken? Well folks it was none other than my Mommy. Years ago when I was a wee laddy my mums brought home some chicken for the family to enjoy. Being the fat kid of the family I tore into that bird like a coyote that had been starved for 3 days (NOTE: We do not endorse the act of starving coyotes or any other canines in the name of humor).
As chicken grease splattered everywhere and my hands became covered in spices and juice I asked my Mom with mouth full of chicken, "Where did you get this?!?!"
Her response was "Wipe your mouth!" and then said, "Pollo Rico"
Since that fateful day the name was etched into my fragile little mind and came up often whenever my Mom would call from working asking, "What do you want for dinner?"
"Pollo Rico!"
"No, I meant what do you want me to cook!" would be her reply as she sighed and would ask me to take something outta the freezer to defrost.
Anyway, I digress....
Yes, the chicken is that good and anyone that has tasted it will tell you that they truly enjoy the combination of spices combined with the rotisserie cooking. Now as an adult I have the honor of working right across the street from Crack Chicken and can often smell the deliciously tempting chicken aromas and unique spices wafting from their ovens to my nose as I get into my car to go home.
For anyone that has never been to Crack Chicken, here are a few things to remember. Take them as friendly suggestions from a seasoned Crack Chicken addict:
1) If you're going there for lunch, get there BEFORE 12pm! Anytime after noon will have you waiting in a long line especially on warmer sunny days.
2) Bring cash! It's a cash only business and there is an ATM, but why pay 3 bux to withdraw 5 dollars for your lunch?
3) Quarter, half, white or dark. When ordering you'll be asked if you want a quarter chicken, half chicken or whole. The second question will be white or dark. Try to make up your mind before you get to the counter to avoid the wrath of addicts such as myself that are already gnawing on their hands. :-)
4) Mix your yellow sauce with the green sauce. The spiciness of the green will "kick it up a notch" for the flavor of the yellow sauce.
I myself am usually there at least once a week to get my chicken fix. The best part of sharing these lunch outing with my fellow addicts is that we all refer to Pollo Rico as "Crack Chicken"
All outing to Pollo Rico are always initiated by an email sent around 10:30am with the simple subject line, "Crack Chicken today?" In no time a flurry of replies flood cyberspace with "yes" and "what time?".
Sometimes being an addict is quite delicious. :-)
Does this place even need any more 5 star ratings? It's pretty obvious that its the best Peruvian chicken place in the area. There is a small Super v Rico debate but lets get one thing straight - the parking may be tight and the only currency cold hard cash - but its still the best pollo around.
Right now your only choices are pretty much quarter chicken (women folk), half chicken (boys and regular men) and whole chicken (gentlemen and scholars). For sides you get your choice of cole slaw or french fries ... but let's be honest who doesn't go with double fries?
Until you can order just a bowl of the skin instead of having to buy the chicken, too, I won't be going here every day. Until then this will be a token weekly lunch.
I'm currently planning on opening a restaurant that would allow me to capitalize on the Rico name and ride its coat tails to success. Its going to be called El Perro Rico.
Don't let the nondescript sign and cinderblock building fool you this is the best Peruvian chicken this side of the Rio Grand.
Met up with Lester "I can devour 3/4 of a chicken in 30 seconds" K. for a quick chicken dinner before the PIG outing. The whole chicken I ordered sat before me and Lester was 5 mins away. Now, in "having to hold back from eating the chicken"-time, that's like a millennium. There was no guarantee that he would have any chicken by the time he arrived. I started with my 1/4 white meat, because I was hungry. I was underwhelmed. I could actually wait for Lester to arrive it was that bland. Back in the day, at least half would have been gone.
I was barely halfway through when Lester arrived. No talking, straight to eating. I finally finish my chicken, look up and he had finished the 3/4!!! Holy crap! But there wasn't the usual bare bones on the plate. Some bones still had meat! That's not like Lester at all. It hurts my soul to have to lower the number of stars, but they are going down hill. The chicken was moist and crispy, but the flavor is lacking. They are tasting just like the new Wheaton Pollo Rico, bland. The steak fries had no salt. The coleslaw is still the same. The green sauce wasn't spicy, and the yellow sauce tasted like mayo. I guess management changed. It's really sad for me. Probably more like 2.5 stars :(
The 2nd stop on the carnivore tour was El Pollo Rico, cousin to my all time favorite, El Pollo Rico… Read more »
My first introduction to Peruvian chicken was the old El Pollo Rico location in Wheaton, MD, next to Ranger Surplus. After shopping at Chuck Levin's, I got in my car, which was facing directly at El Pollo Rico. In my state of starvation level hunger, I saw all this smoke coming out of this little hole in the wall, and the line to this place was literally coming out the door. I thought to myself "Self, I need to see what all these people are in line for."
Get in line, and the aroma of foreign spices glazed in smoke was, how do I say, erotic. Very erotic. I almost needed 2 cigarettes from the aroma alone. I finally made my way up to the counter and in a frenzy, order a half chicken meal with fries and coleslaw, which were pretty much the only sides available.
I still remember my first bite and all I could think to myself was "Holy mother of bejeebus, I've died and gone to the heaven of Flavortown." This was one of the most incredible things I've ever put in my mouth. The chicken was really super juicy, and the spices, oh the spices... there is no word in any language that could have done this justice. To prevent this long story from going on and on and on, which can easily be done, I'll wrap it up.
I've been spoiled by having eaten at the old Wheaton El Pollo Rico location as all Peruvian chicken that has followed does not come to being remotely close in terms of its goodness. Sabroso Grill in downtown Silver Spring comes the closest. That says a lot.
Now last night, I met up Jimena M. here before going to the PIG outing. Parking was atrocious, but that's OK, as I can deal with parking across the street as long as I can savor down on some El Pollo Rico. At first glance, the chicken looked lighter than what I'm used to.
Then, the taste:
While the sign says El Pollo Rico. this is not El Pollo Rico. The chicken was juicy, yes, but there was barely any flavor. Spices were minimal to say the least. Bland bland bland. Disappointed would be an understatement. My order of 3/4 chicken was not finished. That's how bad it was. I talked of spitting on the chicken and returning it because this chicken offended me. This was hopefully not the same chicken that Anthony Bourdain ate during his filming of No Reservations here last summer.
What have you done with El Pollo Rico, 932 N Kenmore St., Arlington, VA 22201? Please bring them back. I will not return until this impostor is ridded of. This was Peruvian chicken, not El Pollo Rico chicken.
When I write reviews, they are normally lengthy. This one, is short.
Ef. Fing. Great. Chicken. Religious experience for this type of chicken.
Nuff said.
I've been watching the reviews come in for El Pollo Rico and Super Pollo and had to chime in. My Super Pollo experience was amazing - I actually think I have to up it to 5 stars it was that good. But, this place had been hyped up enough that I had to make the comparison.
The chicken smelled amazing, but the taste was not the same. At Super Pollo they do something to the chicken that makes the spices permeate through the skin throughout the chicken, and at EPR that just doesn't happen. I will say that the fries are better here, but who goes to a chicken place based on the fries? Plus, the chicken fried rice at Super Pollo may be one of the best sides out there.
Hands down, the victory goes to Super Pollo. My recommendations to EPR: start taking credit cards, go eat at Super Pollo to see how chicken should be properly cooked, and do something about your green sauce. It shouldn't be straight green paste, it at least needs some water.
Overal a decent experience but Super Pollo is just that much better.
Okay, so you've got the endless debate of whether El Pollo Rico or Super Pollo is better. Here's my answer up front: BOTH are great. Look, this chicken is not be made to understood or criticized....just eat it as quickly as you possibly can and lick your fingers clean.
Half chicken plate with coleslaw and french fries. Even though the french fries and slaw won't blow you away, it serves as a compliment to your chicken, a brief break from the juicy, spiced, salty chicken in front of you. Oh yeah, go ahead and mix the spicy green mixture with the mustard - and rejoice.
The chicken is juicy as hell, just the perfect amount of smokiness from the charcoal, and covered in a spice mix that sometimes comes off as salty, but mostly comes off as CRACK. Seriously, this chicken is like crack. It falls off the bone, you suck off the meat, you can't imagine who would skip the skin, you want another half chicken even before you finish your wing. I had never had charcoal boiled chicken before, and I daresay I'd eat this over anything off the grill. Any day.
Listen folks, this is in the category of fast food - and it pretty much tastes like the best-freaking-fast-food you could ever have. Its the in-n-out of chicken. Yeah thats right, I said it. If someone asked me what the in-n-out equivalent of DC is, it would be Pollo Rico.
Complaints? I think the sides are to be desired. The main thing that has Super Pollo going for it is better sides (fried Yucca and Plantains to name a few) which do a great job of giving you a tasty overall experience.
Oh yeah, a half chicken and two sides, two sodas, split amongst a girl and a guy, satisfied for under $13 bucks.
But man, this chicken is good. I just salivated all over my keyboard thinking about it.
CHICKEN! SPICES! SEXY! What else do you need to know? Why is it sexy? I should slap you for asking. If someone asked me what the word sexy meant, I'd tell them, 'Juicy, delicious, and packed with meat'. Wait, that's not it....let's move awkwardly forward shall we?
WHAT TO ORDER:
The Chicken (1/4 @ $5, 1/2 @ $10 or one whole succulent chicken @ $15, depending on your appetite , all including sides). If you order anything else, I will seriously question your wo/man hood.
THE OTHER STUFF:
Steak fries (crispy, solid) and Cole Slaw (chopped up kind, not the stringy kind, not over mayo-y).
THE X FACTOR:
The Sauces. There are two sauces: Green (spicy) and Yellow (mayo+garlicy). Separate, they form the yin and yang of Peruvian sauces. Together, they meld and create some kind of super sauce child that is both rich and spicy. MIX THE SAUCES! DO IT!!!
HOW DOES IT COMPARE TO ALL THE OTHER PLACES THAT SELL THIS STUFF?
The chicken is tastier then every single Peruvian chicken joint...if it's on a good night; I've had dry chicken here once or twice. Also, El Pollo serves less sides, but they do sides well, so no minus points from me.
To compare directly against SUPER POLLO, here's the breakdown:
Tastier Chicken: El Pollo (Chicken is tastier and not as greasy)
Sauce: El Pollo (The green sauce from Super Pollo is too watery)
Sides: Super Pollo (they have Yuca)
Environment: Push (both places are clean and friendly)
Winner:
EL POLLO RICO (but not as much as you'd think)
WHY A 4 STAR RATING?
They don't have Yucca (while every other restaurant that sells Peruvian Chicken does) and on the unfortunate case that they run out of chicken (this has happened to me twice), it is a painful wait as you stare angrily at all the other people eating. Otherwise, this review is closer to a 4.5 then a 4.
Alright, this is one of my favorite places to eat. If you live in Arlington, like chicken, and have not visited this location, you're missing out on one of the best food gems ever. If you live in DC, get jealous, then hop on the metro to get in on the deliciousness!
They, hands down, have the best rotisserie chicken I've ever eaten. The meat is extremely juicy and there's flavor all the way through the meat, not just in the spices on the skin (perhaps they brine their chicken to get this phenomenal flavor).
Having moved away from the Arlington area in the past year, this is the one place I miss the most (I used to go here multiple times a week, every week). I just can't find any peruvian chicken that is anywhere close with this!
Depending on what you're looking for in a meal however, El Pollo Rico may not stack up to competitors like Super Pollo (Ballston) or El Pollito (Crystal City). El Pollo Rico only does 2 sides which come with every meal, french fries and cole slaw. They do both of these sides great, but it may not be your cup of tea.
Also, having been to this place dozens of times, I can tell you the chicken is always good, but you don't ALWAYS get the best they can do. Think 7/10 instead of the 10/10. Probably has to do with the volume of chicken they churn out (with that many chickens turning through those rotisseries, not everyone can turn out perfectly). Although I'll take a 7/10 El Pollo Rico meal over the competition any day.
Also, sometimes they run out of chicken and you need to wait for the next rotisserie to churn out the next batch of hot chicken. If there's a line out the door, it's a good bet that they're in a chicken holding pattern.
Holy greasy chicken awesomeness, batman!
I saw this featured on Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations. I begged my boyfriend to take me on my last trip to DC and it was the first stop as soon as I got off the plane. In fact, it was probably one of the things I was looking forward to most on my visit!
We came in about 2 pm on a weekday. There was a long line already and I then realized this place is CASH ONLY. I decided with the quarter white chicken and was a bit puzzled as to what the sauces they served on the sides were, a mayo fusion and some kind of jalapenos chopped up super finely. Whatever it was, it sure complimented my chicken. Total for my meal (served with yummy slaw and fries too) was $9 something with a pop. They need to have better quality napkins though-they were SO thin and didn't get the grease off my face and hands very well, and my table was covered with them!
I'd never had Peruvian chicken before, but now that I have, I feel like there is definitely something missing in my life. Too bad I'm in Denver that doesn't offer anything quite like this.
I can't wait to come back next time I'm in DC!
Good chicken! Limited side dishes. Parking so-so. Lots of tables allowing for a quick lunch.
El Pollo Rico was a joint that a friend spotted on his phone while visiting the DC area.
With all the fabulous reviews, how can it not be great?
I guess the photo of Anthony Bourdain got us.
The entrance looks like the back part of a restaurant and once you walk in, its setup like a cafeteria.
Service is super fast and be sure to order quick since there are always hungry people behind you.
Got the full chicken, fries and coleslaw.
Once we got it home, sat down quickly for this hyped chicken. In the end, it was just ok. Nothing really special as it was just a bunch of cumin dumped onto the chicken before it sat in a rotisserie oven for a few hours. Coleslaw was good, fries were just ok.
Overall, food was good but not deserving of anything more than 3 stars
El Pollo Rico makes chicken
That's juicy & finger-lickin'
Great coleslaw and fries
To add as your sides
For lunch, make this your pickin'!
Clearly I am no poet, but El Pollo Rico makes a mean, juicy chicken. The slaw is delicious, which is saying a lot because I usually stay away from the stuff. The fries...are fries. Definitely check it out (like everyone else says) for lunch one day!
An arlington fixture, the food and service are excellent. Although the lines can be long, it's worth the wait.
This is the place to go for Peruvian chicken. This should be the only place to go do, don't visit any imitators. Go to an ATM, grab some cash, head to Arlington, sit down with some chicken and Inca Cola and enjoy. Eat your fries with the green sauce too - it's really good.
P.S. I was delighted to see that Anthony Bourdain went here after so many folks told him about the chicken - seriously it's that good! Go now, get dinner!
Much has been written about this place, so I will do this in condensed, Mr. T fashion:
Stay in school.
Drink your milk.
Treat your mother right.
Eat at El Pollo Rico.
AMAZING CHICKEN! I got a $30 parking ticket for parking illegally outside of the restaurant when I came here last week, and it was still worth it.
The chicken is extremely flavorful and the bird was big and meaty. I got the 1/2 all white and just ate the breasts. It comes with fries and coleslaw, which are nothing to really write home about. However, the chicken made up for the mediocre sides (after all, you don't come here for the fries). The entire meal was under $10 and was highly enjoyable.
If you're into this type of chicken, you should also check out Don Pollo in Bethesda, Chicken on the Run in Bethesda and Crisp and Juicy in Wheaton and Rockville. The chicken at these places is not quite as amazing, but it's definitely close and they all serve yucca and plantanes.
First off, I don't know. Really.... I have no excuse, I just never went.
That's been my answer to a real no-brainer.... "Why haven't you been to El Pollo Rico yet????".
Well, I finally got around to going. After two bites, I was posing that question to myself.... however funny it appeared. Some random guy asking himself questions while inhaling chicken and Inca Kola.
Seriously though, I loved everything about first experience at EPR. The line going out the door was a clear indicator that I had found the right place. The smell as I worked my way inside confirmed it. The family atmosphere was comforting. The price and the service was right on. And the food.... the food.
I really don't have much to add that hasn't been said already. I ordered the half white chicken, with fries and slaw, and an Inca Kola. I don't think I'll be straying too far from that order.... though I will probably pass on the slaw in the future though, it's nothing special.
You really have to respect a place like this that has such a small menu. Chicken, fries, slaw.... that's it. To have so little to choose from, you better make damn sure that what you do have is right on. It's nice to go to a place that does just one thing and does it as good or better than anywhere else.
The only drawback to EPR is, of course, the parking situation. You probably aren't going to get a spot. It's pretty much halfway between the Claredon and Virginia House stops on the Orange Line, so there really isn't any need to try and drive here anyways.
Seating is a free-for-all type thing. If you go with a group, have one of your friends hold down a table while you stand in line. If that doesn't work for you, things move along pretty quickly and something will probably open up quickly.
Important note: CASH ONLY!!!!
No complaints! This place lived up to the hype! Highly Recommend!!
A few things come to mind when I think about eating here... Yum... The Best Ever!... and Yum (again). A few weeks ago while Jose and I were hanging out in DC he took me here and insisted that I try the best chicken in town. He was right.
The dining room is very large, but they probably run out of room during the week as it was packed on Sunday. The chicken is very well seasoned, moist, and delicious. We ordered a whole chicken and I ended up taking some with me so I could snack on the way home (yes, I ate chicken on the drive back to Richmond).
My girlfriend, who lived in DC for a few years, has been raving about this place since we decided to make a trip to see the inauguration in person (from a jumbotron on the Mall).
I don't think she would have allowed us to complete the trip unless we made a stop here.
Chicken did live up to the hype. The chicken was moist, flavorful from the savory spice rub (is there chimmichurri in the spice mix?) and most importanly, cheap. It was probably the cheapest meal we had during the entire trip.
If the skin was just a bit crispier, I would have five-starred this place.
Arlington, VA
Category: Latin American
Arlington, VA
Category: Fast Food
Wheaton, MD
Category: Latin American
Arlington, VA
Category: Restaurants
Falls Church, VA
Category: Latin American
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