El Pollo Rico was my first Peruvian chicken spot. After over 15 years since this experience I've patronized quite a few different places and ventured back to where the journey began to compare. Spoiler Alert: It's number 1. Though what I really like about the place changed. When I first went all they offered was Chicken, Cole slaw, and fries. In a world of many option I actually thought this sent a message that we are so good we only offer a limited choice that's you will enjoy. Tbf the fries can't compete w McD or Chikfila Waffle fries but they were good. The service counter is modernized and they are efficient and friendly. The layout if the restaurant is still basic like the limited menu they used to have. No frills no gimmicks just good food. Still the same vibe The chicken was still very good. Other places are fairly close but Apollo Rico is just a touch better. The charred seasoning is evident. What tipped the scales for me in comparison to other places I've been is the green sauce. It liked fresh. It wasnt like other places where that has the consistency of ketchup it looked bright green and freshly made vs other places where it seems as if it was poured out a container. read more

El Pollo Rico - Quarter 1/4 Chicken White Cole Coleslaw and Beans - Latin American Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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So glad I finally got to try this place. I went around 5:30 on a weekday and there was maybe 2 other people in line. So it was definitely the best time to go. We ordered a half chicken with yuca and beans as the sides. It was very quick, we got our food within seconds it felt like. The chicken was probably the most flavorful kind of Pollo a la Brasa that I have had. It wasn't too greasy either. Just very tasty. The beans were delicious!! I didn't think I would like them as much. The yuca was pretty good too. Nice and crispy. I do wish they had slightly more options for sides, maybe even an Arroz Chaufa. This is a no frills kinda place so don't expect anything too fancy. But it is clean! And that's what makes it more authentic and fun in my opinion! Will definitely go back if I'm in the area. read more

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Great chicken at prices that are an unbelievable value for Arlington. A quarter chicken is $10.99 with sides, a half with sides is 14.99, and the whole bird with sides is $24.99. There aren't many places in the area where a whole family can have a hearty meal for under $30. And the chicken is so good. As good or better than any competitor in the Peruvian Chicken game. There's nothing special about it beyond the chicken and the prices. The sides are properly cooked but straightforward. The service is friendly the staff are competent, but at peak times, there can be a long-ish wait to order and sometimes a line out the door because people have to make their way to this weird corner nook where orders are taken one customer at a time before going over to a single POS setup. The fluorescent lighting is abrasive and a little too bright. The tile floor seems to have been laid with whatever mismatched, builder-grade tiles of the same size happened to be left over after a tile shop's going out of business sale. Bathrooms seem to have been built as an afterthought into the space, being drywall boxes that protrude into where you'd think the line to order should go, having lower ceilings than the rest of the space, creating a ledge area above them. Mismatched plastic trash and recycling cans sit around the perimeter. It all feels very makeshift. But, that kinda works, because it creates a very casual vibe where a diverse set of families, friend groups, and friendly coworkers hungry after their shifts can be scattered about just enjoying some chicken. read more

I went to this establishment today around 3:30 PM to purchase one whole chicken, all dark meat. A meal I have purchased here since high school, we are talking over 20 years. However, due to a very rude and unreasonable employee, I left the establishment with nothing. He refused to sell me dark meat chicken because he had mostly white meat left. When I explained to him that I do not and have never eaten white meat and I'm willing to wait until more dark meat is available, he refused. He mentioned the only way he could sell me a whole chicken would be two pieces of white meat and two pieces of dark meat, but he was not willing to sell me four pieces of dark meat. I have never experienced an establishment who sells only chicken refusing to allow a customer to at least wait for what they want. Disappointed! This individual should not interact with customers as he will continue to drive away business. read more

El Pollo Rico - Outside - Latin American Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Flavorful chicken, good sides, attentive service. Plenty of parking but get filled fast as this place is very popular. Expect to wait a while if you come during the week at around noon. Plenty of seating inside with tables that can accommodate large parties. A few desserts available too such as gelato, alfajores, flan, rum cake and tres leches. read more

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You're life is incomplete without a trip to El Pollo Rico. It's not a fancy place, but what it lacks in atmosphere it more than makes up for in chicken goodness. This place could convert a vegan - you simply have to visit read more

(Updating because we've now added some other elements to our review system) Vibe: 5/10 Service: 7/10 Value: 6/10 Chicken: 8.5/10 - still super tasty: Fries: 8/10 Plantains: 8/10 Slaw: 6.25/10 Overall: 6.96/10 (3.48/5) read more

El Pollo Rico - Plantains - Latin American Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Ordered 3 whole chickens today with 2 sides each. Chicken was great, sides were not. Beans were pretty flavorless, yuca was a touch underdone. Worst part about it? THEY FORGOT ALL OF MY SAUCES. I didn't realize until I drove all the way back to my business...highly disappointing. read more

This is one of the places that I was told you have to try since moving here, and me and my lover finally did. The chicken is 5 stars and is worth a trip here. The sides and sauces are 3 stars or below. You get your food quick and the dining area is nice and clean. I recommend to at least check it out if you are in the area but I wouldn't make a special trip. read more

El Pollo Rico - 1/2 Regular Chicken with Colelaw and Fries. - Latin American Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

When I said I was coming down to DC for a weekend, my comments were flooded with El Pollo Rico requests. What really got me was one person said Anthony Bourdain shot an episode here back in 2007. Done. Sold. That guy is on my Mount Rushmore. I stepped out of my uber onto a freshly paved parking lot in what felt like the back of a strip center. I opened the door and nearly fell to my knees when the unmistakable smell of Peruvian Chicken blessed my nostrils. Chemical warfare in the best way possible. This is my happy place. The interior is the definition of no frills. It's what I imagine a classic chicken spot would look like in Peru: Chickens rotating over a fire breathing charcoal, brightly colored metal chairs and tables, a run down white tile floor straight out of the 90s, and a handful of pictures lining the walls that show love to the home land. These types of places hold a special place in my heart, as you will see people from all walks of life. You will see some fresh off a job site and others fresh out of Capitol Hill. Everyone is just here for some S-Tier Bird. Some good chicken can truly unite the world. I went with the half chicken, a side of rice & beans, and plantains which ran $14.99 all in. For the chicken, they use a proprietary marinade with spices from Peru, and it shows. This chicken had a ridiculous amount of motion, we may need a new word for how much motion this had. It may have caused all ring cameras within a 3 mile radius to go off. A top 5 bird I've ever had. The sides were also operating at a high level, but if we are being honest that portion of rice and beans were light. Maybe the Bourdain episode got to them a bit, idk. The sweet plantains were just as life changing as the bird. Sweet plantains have to be the most underrated side in the world. The more data I collect, the more I am starting to see that no one does chicken better than the Peruvians. It's like the Dagestanis in MMA right now. They just have the game on lock. El Pollo Rico is one of those legendary chicken spots that you can't miss if you're in the area. It's one of the few restaurants that can truly unite the world. I was so inspired I bought a shirt, hehe. THANK YOU EPR! IG @jnov_ Tiktok @jnov__ read more

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El Pollo Rico specializes in just the one thing and serves it well. As the name suggests, simply roasted chicken with delicious sides to complement are what you should expect, and while you're not going to be blown away, the amount of food, complexity of flavors, and price will keep this as a top choice for your lunch or dinner run. Ordering from their short list of menu items is simple (quarter, half, or whole chicken) and since all their chicken is roasted in a rotisserie, they're usually pretty quick to fulfill the orders (as long as they have them already cooked). Just get there early before the crowds of locals to ensure you get something before they sell out! We decided on takeout but they also do have some casual seating inside. The chicken is seasoned well with their dry rub and super moist on the inside. Each bite of their white meat is first met with flavor followed up by the tender meaty interior. And don't forget about the meat on those bones and the soft bones! As for sides, this time around, we got mainly fries and fried plantains. You can never go wrong with a bit of crispy potato and sweetness. Always delicious when fresh but with the fine work of an air fryer, they come out just as good as leftovers! Overall, El Pollo Rico is your neighborhood hotspot for rotisserie chicken with a Peruvian flair. Exceptional tastes at reasonable prices make this mom and pop small business a gem to hold dear in this community! Whether you're a local or visitor, this is worth swinging by to get a taste! Not to egg you on, but this might be your next go-to for a quick, hearty and affordable meal! read more

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This chicken spot is always good. Although I have tried others in the area, El Pollo Rico is always going to be my go to. In addition to the chicken being the star of the show, the beans and rice, the fries, and the sauces are all a home run. If you're looking for a quick lunch spot, or don't feel like cooking dinner, you can't go wrong with El Pollo Rico. Every time I come here, I always receive service with a smile. That can be a little tricky when you have people waiting and on a time crunch. But they always manage to do a good job with customer service. El Puerto Rico also offers the option to eat in. If you wanna grab something quick and don't wanna have to eat in your car or risk it getting cold by the time you get home, there's plenty of seating for you, friends, and family. The price point is reasonable and on par for the area and for what you receive. If you have never been and happen to be in the area, don't hesitate to stop by. You will not, and I repeat, you will not be disappointed! Happy eating! read more

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Finally got to try this spot after having the highest of expectations forever. Although the line was long when we walked in, they move quick with the orders so it's not too bad of a wait. Everything is served so fresh, and this is honestly one of the most macro and wallet friendly meals you can choose to have when eating out. $17 ish for a 1/2 chicken regular with 2 sides is honestly a great deal. I've never had such a flavorful marinade on Peruvian chicken before! The yuca fries were also crispy and perfect ($1 extra for these). And the plantains were also cooked perfectly. The green sauce was good but not as tasty as some of the other places I've had it. They serve authentic looking firenze gelatos for about $4 too - definitely need to try those sometime. They have flavors like coconut, guava, lucuma, passion fruit, and chirimoya! The place is super hole in the walley, the tables and chairs were so colorful it brought my kindergarten memories back. But ambiance isn't the important thing here - the food is. read more

El Pollo Rico - 1/2 chicken regular, yuca fries, plantains - Latin American Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Vibe: 5/10 Service: 8/10 Food/Value: 10/10 I've frequented El Pollo Rico at least once a month for the past several years, and they never disappoint! Vibe: This is an authentic restaurant. It's definitely a grab and go place; some people stay and eat (nothing fancy), but most people take out. Service: During peak meal times, the line is out the door. But it goes by pretty quickly. The staff are super efficient and keep the line moving, so I wouldn't worry too much about a long wait. Food: The chicken is excellent. It's always so flavorful and well-cooked, perfectly tender (way more tender than other Peruvian spots I've tried). Their portion sizes are huge too. The 1/2 chicken usually lasts me 1.5-2 meals. I love their beans and yuca fries. It's also pretty affordable and well worth the price. Overall, it's a great place to grab some healthy food and take home some leftovers. Highly recommend! read more

This is an Arlington staple that has been recommended by many. I am always skeptical of rotisserie chicken since it can easily be very dry if done wrong. This is not the case here. The chicken comes fresh out the oven and is super juicy with a nice slight char flavor. Paired with the crispy fried yuca and some white sauce makes for an amazing bite! There's a reason why this is an Arlington institution that you must try! read more

El Pollo Rico - 1/2 Chicken Regular with Fried Yuca - Latin American Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

The staff here are super friendly and move very quickly, parking is limited if they're super busy. Just to keep note, it isn't cheaper to order a la carte chicken, as you have to order your food with two sides (same price if you don't get sides) Half chicken with 2 sides ran me about $20 which included a $2 tip. The chicken is on the crispier side and being very honest I've had better in the northern va area. I did really like the Yucca here as it was cooked perfectly! read more

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Food: the 1/4 chicken dark meat with fries was just as good as I remember it being. The chicken and skin is very flavorful and the fries were great Service: very quick service Atmosphere: very no frills inside, just a quick grab and eat read more

El Pollo Rico - 1/4 Chicken Dark with double fries - Latin American Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

10/10 chicken, super well seasoned and not dry at all. The sides are alright. Really loved both of the sauces! Not much ambiance inside but that doesn't really matter read more

El Pollo Rico - half 1/2 Chicken Regular - Latin American Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Two Haiku Review: Competes with Super Chicken for Peruvian Chicken #1 Title in NoVA. Meat is great, but the sides are Unremarkable. read more

What is there to say, El Pollo Rico is a local institution. It has really moist chicken, and the best steak fries. It's affordable. You often have to wait in line for 20 minutes to order. If you live nearby and are hungry, you probably go here all the time. read more

This place is fantastic and consistent. I have been coming here everytime I am in town for the past 7 years. The chicken is great, the rice is good, and the plantains were fabulous. There is always a bit of a line but it moved fairly quickly. A must have if you're in the Arlington area! read more

El Pollo Rico - Half white chicken, rice, plantains - Latin American Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Update to previous review. This place is a great fast lunch/dinner spot and is not too bad on the wallet. My previous review was regarding one specific visit and I have been here no less than 20 times since that visit. I received a response from the owner who apologized for the error and states that the menu pricing issue was fixed. no fear going here. It's a great place to get fulled up! read more

Consistency gets the 5 star. As far as Peruvian chicken places in general, not the best sides or green sauce (also they limit what you get). But a great business all around read more

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. read more

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This is a non-descript place with somewhat limited (but free) parking and isn't the place to go for a fancy meal; however, if you're looking for great tasting chicken that is tender and flavorful, this is the spot. The staff is there to take your order, with seating left up to you. You'll find yourself in a very casual, cafeteria style environment but your meal will be delicious. I had the quarter chicken dark meat with yucca fries and plantains. So good. read more

El Pollo Rico - Quarter chicken with yucca fries and plantains - Latin American Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

I don't have extensive experience with Peruvian chicken outside of Guapo's, but I found El Pollo Rico's chicken to be noticeably better in flavor and texture. That said, social media--particularly TikTok--set my expectations quite high, and the overall experience didn't fully meet them. The chicken was decent but somewhat plain, lacking the depth of flavor I anticipated. Still, taste is subjective, and I'd encourage anyone curious to give it a try and see how it measures up for themselves. read more

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No frills , just crazy good chicken. The beans are not just beans, they are magical and very tasty. At noon the place is packed and a long line, but worth it. read more

Looking for PERUVIAN chicken, this is a must try! Chicken is perfectly seasoned and tender. Also get the fried yucca. I was told they have a rice and bean side but you have to get a side of rice and a side of beans separately. Im sure it was miscommunication but she didn't even try to give me another option. read more

I haven't been in a while but year after year El Pollo Rico has the best chicken, yuca, and coleslaw. It is a bonus that you can order online now for quicker pick up. I always park across the street so I can avoid the busy parking lot. If you didn't know this place has been on several food networks and the travel Channel as one of the best Peruvian chicken spots and to me it really is that good. read more

El Pollo Rico - Latin American Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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This is my favorite Peruvian chicken restaurant in Arlington. I've tried a few others and found one I also like (Super Pollo), but this one is definitely the best I've had. While they don't offer many side options, I think this allows them to focus on perfecting the few things they do serve. The only thing I don't enjoy is the coleslaw, but everything else I've tried has been absolutely delicious. It's a small, hole-in-the-wall, family-run restaurant that has truly become an Arlington institution. read more

This place has the slowest service people in line for over 15 minutes just to order cook pollo read more

El Pollo Rico - Not sure what happen here but their chicken last lost their original flavor - Latin American Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Spot is fire - the place serves both white and dark meat for chicken. Almost classified as a "hidden gem" in the area, it is in an awkward spot honestly but nonetheless the food hits the spot. Would recommend if you're looking for a quick bite and more than decent food. 10/10 read more

consistently amazing chicken. speedy service. good price. these are pros. the best of the best. these people should be proud of being part of something special. an institution in the community. read more

Visited today after a very long time and this place continues to be amazing. Great food and friendly staff.

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. read more

El Pollo Rico - 1/4 dark with fries and plantains - Latin American Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

I was in the area and stopped at El Pollo Rico to pick up an easy weeknight dinner. I ordered at the microphone (whole chicken, rice, plantains, extra sauce) and made it out with fries instead. Google translate could easily fix that issue, and the fries were tasty. Service was quick, I would definitely carry out again! read more

Very nice food place (came here last weekend), if you fancy a hole-in-the-wall type restaurant that is not very fancy, but has great food for decent prices! Although the walls and tables are a bit colorful, which makes it look more cheerful. The place itself is a bit hidden and it looks like a cafeteria inside, but the food is very nice. I had the quarter dark chicken, which was very tender, as well as plantains and beans as a side. The only thing I wish they had is more natural drink options. Otherwise, all else was good. You order your food at the counter, pay, and find yourself a table. The staff were friendly as well. Lastly, the mayonnaise and green spicy sauce are great as well, so make sure to get them as well if you like those kinds of sauces! read more

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Been coming here for years... can't believe I haven't left a review... but this place always hits the spot! Food is always piping hot, and they take card! Lines can be a bit atrocious at times but this will always be a staple!! read more

El Pollo Rico - Latin American Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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. read more

El Pollo Rico - 1/2 Dark - Latin American Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

The rotisserie chicken here is amazing juicy, flavorful, and cooked perfectly every time. The sauces add a great kick, and the portions are generous for the price. Fast service and no frills, just really good food. Definitely my go-to spot when I'm craving Peruvian chicken in the area. read more