I had a pretty mixed--but overall positive--experience here. Everything we tried had something going for it, even if a few things didn't fully hit the mark. The Lomo Saltado had great flavor, though the beef was slightly overcooked. Still, the seasoning carried the dish. The fries were a standout--crispy and really well done. I was a bit let down by the fish. Since it came with chili, I expected more heat, but the chili sauce ended up being pretty bland. That was probably the weakest part of the meal. One surprise was the special: a stromboli at a Peruvian restaurant. It definitely caught me off guard, but it was actually really well made. I'm guessing they lean into some fusion here, which I'm totally open to. We wrapped things up with tiramisu, which was tasty and a nice way to end the meal--even if it added to the overall "eclectic" vibe. All in all, it's an interesting mix of flavors and styles. A bit unconventional, but worth trying at least once--maybe even again if you're in the mood for something different. read more

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Wow we came in planned on eating was looking at the menu and was trying to see if anything peaked my interest on the menu. First time trying Peruvian food! I was a little lost at first they told me to sit down they would bring a menu. Menu took a while by the time my husband came back I decided not to eat there. This restaurant energy is not great staff was not very friendly!! After we said never mind to eating there Th e waitress made a very bad face at us and literally dogged us! My husband and I looked at eachother like woah sorry But had they been more friendly and had the menu came sooner probably would've given it a try! Staff is really rude! Will not be back. read more

El Pollo Taco Peruvian Cuisine - Peruvian Near Me - Riverside, California

Some of the best Peruvian food in the IE. Had the standards and loved but tried the Peruvian Pesto Pasta dish with chicken fried chicken and it was delicious! I will be back soon to try more dishes. read more

The food was really flavorful and fun to try . The ceviche , lomo saltado, fried rice and apple bread pudding very tasty . The waitress was very kind and welcoming . The tiramisu was very creamy and I recommend! I can't wait to come again ! Lots of seating available and very clean . read more

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Great service and food. I recommend the Lomo Saltado, it was delicious. I will definitely be back to try other items on the menu. The gelato looked tasty. read more

El Pollo Taco Peruvian Cuisine - Great food & service. Lomo Saltado & Garlic Shrimp with white rice. - Peruvian Near Me - Riverside, California

Ordered three items on the menu: 1) the lomo saltado with beef - slightly overcooked beef hence a little hard to chew but when eaten with the stir fried veggies and fried potato along with a dab of their green sauce it is manageable; 2) Tallarin Verde Milanesa De Pollo - their version of pesto pasta with battered chicken was absolutely delicious! The spaghetti pasta was cooked al dante, just perfect! The green pesto sauce was very addicting. The batter and seasoning to the fried chicken was on point. However, the only down side to this dish is that the chicken is so flattened you can hardly taste the meat of the chicken; 3) Arroz con mariscos - their version of fried rice with seafood. Kind of bland. But if you add their green sauce the flavor is a little enhanced, but nothing special. Excellent service. Super clean. Vibrant atmosphere. Overall good experience. read more

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I want to say this is around a 3.8. I love Peruvian cuisine when I find it and this is no different. I've been scouting for over 8 years for the green sauce that they give with the bread as it is addictively spicy and goes well with a lot of things. I also quite like the tallarín verde (basil pasta) - I feel chicken might be better but I chose beef. I do think the meat is quite thin, but the sauce is great without being too salty and feeling absolutely too heavy (it is still heavy though so watch out). The rotisserie chicken (whole chicken) was ok and comes with a 2L soda bottle - I felt it was too much sugar, but it's nice to try once. The chicken I think I like Costco texture better, but the seasonings are interesting Overall, what made my day is the fact you can buy the squeeze bottle of just the spicy green sauce that is used for the bread. Now I have a steady stream of this sauce I've been trying to find for ages! Thank you for existing!!! read more

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The food is terrible, the pollo à la brasa was disgusting , you can see in the picture that looks old and warmed up. We go to eat all the time to Higos chicken and there is nothing compared, we also ordered ceviche and the limes tasted bad, the papa rellenas were sweet and the potato slimy. We are born and raised in Peru. We know the real taste , unfortunately this is nothing close . And our waitress was rude - said a that the chicken was just made . Not recommended!!! Not a legit Peruvian restaurant read more

El Pollo Taco Peruvian Cuisine - Peruvian Near Me - Riverside, California

We were at the County Courthouse and saw that this restaurant was close by. Can't pass up a good Peruvian restaurant! Was bummed when I didn't see Saltado de Mariscos on their menu (not Tallarin) but they said no problem. Their dish was fine, but way too much soy sauce which made the fries soggy. My son had the tallarin verde with milanesa de pollo and it was amazing, perfectly breaded. Their aji verde sauce was perfect, spicy and flavorful. I generally don't like spicy food but Saltado de Mariscos with a few drops at a time of aji verde, with an Inka cola, is at the top of my list. Would definitely come back. read more

El Pollo Taco Peruvian Cuisine - Tallarin Verde Milanesa De Chicken - Peruvian Near Me - Riverside, California

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We ordered a recurring favorite and one new dish. Unfortunately, the new plate was nothing like the description or the photo provided on the menu. When I called the restaurant to clarify, the owner was surprisingly confrontational and tried to argue that the DoorDash menu--which they manage--was incorrect, rather than offering a solution. It's a shame because the food quality was good before, but the lack of consistency and the hostile customer service make it hard to justify coming back. I've attached photos of what was advertised versus what was actually received. Pro Tip for the Owner: If your online menu is "wrong," it's your responsibility to update it, not the customer's fault for expecting what they ordered. read more

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As a Peruvian I really liked the food My grandson loved the Lomo Saltado my wife loved the chicken Milanese and she said the tallaring verde need it a little more moisture in the sauce , the aji verde was the bomb el pollo à la brasa a little dry but that is me . Great Ambience read more

Love this place! A must try on downtown Riverside. Really unique and delicious food, generous portions at good prices. The ambiance is nice, service is friendly and fast. And try the Peruvian Stromboli breakfast...found no where else! Two thumbs up! read more

El Pollo Taco Peruvian Cuisine - Great ambiance - Peruvian Near Me - Riverside, California

My family and I came here on a Tuesday for lunch. We were greeted right away and asked to pick a table where we would like to seat. The server came to our table and took our order. Food was quick and delicious! The lomo saltado was good! Meat was tender and fries were crispy. The soup was good and chicken was super flavorful! The place is big and clean. Plenty of seating. read more

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Tried This Place On A Random Rainy Day And It Was Such A Good Choice. The Food Was Delicious. The Pesto Pasta Was So Good! I've Had Lomo Saltado At Other Peruvian Restaurants And This One Was A Flavorful One. My Only Complaint Was That The Meat Was A Little On The Dryer Side But Other Than That It Was Extremely Flavorful. Definitely Will Be Going Back To Have More. The Service Was Good. The People Working Were Friendly And Attentive. The Restaurant Is Very Clean And Well Kept. Definitely Recommend This Place. read more

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My family and I have eaten here several times. Always stopping by to eat when we're in the area. The staff is always friendly and the food always delicious. I'd highly recommend the Lomo and or the Tallarines Verdes, they have never disappointed. read more

El Pollo Taco Peruvian Cuisine - Lomo Saltado - Peruvian Near Me - Riverside, California

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This restaurant is disappointing due to its subpar food quality. The food is unappetizing, the combinado de pollo was overly sour, suggesting it may have been spoiled chicken, and the large vegetable pieces were unappealing, as evident in the picture. We also ordered sudado de pescado, which tasted unpleasant, and expected a fish filet with a savory sauce, stir-fried vegetables, accompanied with fried yuca, and steamed rice. Instead, it was a slimy soup with raw fish with over cooked veggies and yuca all mix in a soup bowl. which I declined to pay for and requested to have removed from the check. I am not Peruvian but I've eaten enough to be familiar with Peruvian cuisine, I can attest that this does not resemble authentic Peruvian flavors. Unfortunately, our waitress, Susana, was unhelpful and uninformed, unable to answer our questions. We do not recommend this establishment, El Pollo Taco Peruvian restaurant, due to its inconsistency and poor customer service, making it difficult to justify a return visit. read more

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As far as good food it was okay, not bad not good but as far as an authentic Peruvian flavor it just wasn't it, I ordered the papa a la huancaina and it was unfortunately bland, and a strange choice to fry the potatoes instead of boiling them, the jalea was good the fish fry was crunchy read more

I had the pollo a la Brasa with the beans. Everything was great, I really enjoyed the meal. read more

El Pollo Taco Peruvian Cuisine - Peruvian Near Me - Riverside, California

Nice customer service along with great food. Ordered The lomo soltado and all the flavors were delicious. every ingredient was delicious from the cooked purple onions, to the crispy fries. The beef was good in flavor, a little lower quality on the meat tenderness but overall a great dish. This will be my go to spot for Peruvian food read more

El Pollo Taco Peruvian Cuisine is conveniently located opposite the Riverside Public Library, with a handy parking lot right in front. The place is bright, airy, and features a refreshing, clean decor that makes for a welcoming atmosphere. The service was friendly and attentive, adding to the positive experience. We ordered the Ceviche de Pescado and Lomo Saltado de carne. The ceviche was excellent--very fresh and flavorful. However, the beef in the Lomo Saltado was overdone and a bit dry, and the fries were unfortunately quite soggy. To be fair, they did ask if I wanted the fries served separately, and next time I'd definitely take that option so I could mix them in to my liking. Overall, El Pollo Taco Peruvian Cuisine is a quality addition to the food scene in Riverside, and I look forward to returning to try more of their dishes. read more

El Pollo Taco Peruvian Cuisine - Outside - Peruvian Near Me - Riverside, California

Wow, wow, and wow! Exceptional customer service everything looked fabulous on the menu. The 4 of us each ordered something different and everything tasted Delicious! Quality meats, fish and greens. Ceviché, freshly baked bread, the fish dish, the arroz con pollo, lomo saltado and pollo braza. Their homemade fruit juices were something I've never tasted, so so good! Definitely worth a try! Spotlessly clean, beautifully decorated with amazing Peruvian photographs throughout the restaurant. Please give this place a try, you won't be disappointed; promise! We love trying new local spots and supporting small businesses read more

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Great food. Great staff. Prices very reasonable for the amount of food. Chicha Morada (Peruvian drink) was so amazing! read more

El Pollo Taco Peruvian Cuisine - Great food. Great staff. Prices very reasonable for the amount of food. Chicha Morada (Peruvian drink) was so amazing! - Peruvian Near Me - Riverside, California

This is the first Peruvian restaurant in Riverside and I've been dying to try this place! The decor inside is humble, nice, pleasing, not overwhelming in anyway. I came in and was told I could sit where I wanted and as soon as I sat down a waitress promptly came with bread and Ahi Verde and bread and took my drink order. I already knew what I wanted to test out, their Pollo a la Brasa and their Arroz Chaufa Mariscos. Technically, there is no choice of Arroz Chaufa Mariscos on the menu (there's an arroz con Mariscos which is not the same) but I asked if they could make it and they did. The Pollo a la Brasa comes with 2 sides. I chose rice and papas fritas. In no time short my food was ready! The pollo a la Brasa smelled delicious and the flavor was definitely that uniquely Peruvian sabor. It wasn't the moistest I've had but definitely not the driest. The Arroz Chaufa Mariscos was amazing! It was a perfect ratio of seafood to rice, well sautéed seafood, and perfectly flavored rice. A few splashes of ahi verde and I was in heaven! All in all the food was amazing and I can't wait to come back and try more of the menu! I say help spread the word that Peruvian food has finally arrived in Riverside!! read more

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This place looks great from the outside, always left me wanting to come in, so I finally did! As you walk in you begin to realize the design kinda stop on the outside. The interior design leaves much to be desired, with no cohesive idea especially given the demographics of the neighborhood. This place should be wall wrapped with beautiful photos of Peru with the story of the family or people that opened the restaurant. It should incorporate cool spots for young people to take their photos, show off the food and post to social media. Instead it has a mismatch of designs from random photos of food, with one shot of Machu Pichu but I'm sure Peru and its people can be represented more? There is one sign you can take a picture at but it has a fridge in front of it. It took about 20 min to get my order put in, but understandable given that the lovely waitress was bussing, serving, cashiering, dealing with the DoorDash person and the maintenance person. The food, was really good, the broth on the escabeche was really flavorful; I do wish it had more chicken for the price point of $18. Finally the ambience is very quiet, there is no music playing, the tvs are on but they are not playing anything. I wish they would have maybe music and sounds from Lima. :) read more

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Delicious! This place was clean, food was fresh, service was nice, and all for a fair price. We happened to be in town for a concert and found this place on Yelp. Glad we followed other reviewers. Lomo Saltado- terrific flavors and you could see all the ingredients were fresh Plantains- I didn't try these but my husband loved them Green sauce- I don't know what it was called but it had great heat. They put it on the table with some yummy spongey bread. Overall we would 100% come back here if in Riverside again. We felt like we were at a relatives house for a great dinner. Thanks for the experience! read more

El Pollo Taco Peruvian Cuisine - Peruvian Near Me - Riverside, California

It was our first time here and the service was fantastic. I had asked a Peruvian friend what i should order in advance and she gave us some great advice. The restaurant smelled so good when we walked in. Thats a great sign! We went with empanadas and lomo saltado. Both dishes were so good! We will definitely come back and try other dishes. They set a bottle of the green sauce on the table and it had a good amount of spice if you are looking for some heat. I don't know the name, but it was so good! My son kept pouring in on his plate. Definitely recommend this spot! read more

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Food is amazing, staff is great and the ambiance is very chic . Restaurant looks spotless clean. They also have ice cream here which was tasty read more

they need to put on their website Closed on Tuesday what a waste of our time Went today with family read more

This place has very nice people working there so this review is nothing negative towards the service. Sadly the food was terrible. The lomo Saltado was very bland and meat extremely over cooked and tough to chew. The dish completely lacked flavor. Ceviche was ok, empanadas were not good either. Also prices are a bit steep given the quality of food. I did enjoy the maracuya and their green sauce which had a nice kick to it but all in all, I wouldn't return. read more

Their pollo a la brasa was amazing!!! And their ceviche was good as well. The only thing I didn't like was papa a la Huancaina. Huancaina sauce was about sweet and didn't taste that great. Service was excellent. Restaurant was nice and spacious and looked clean. My suggestion is to put some roller shades on the window ( I understand why they didn't. Probably didn't want to block the view from outside?) Sun light didn't bother me but I thought maybe some people might find it too bright. read more

El Pollo Taco Peruvian Cuisine - Peruvian Near Me - Riverside, California

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We had never tried Peruvian food before but this place has great food and service! We will be coming back!

Finally a good Peruvian restaurant in riverside. I've always had to drive out to another city to eat Peruvian food but I found my new spot! The food was great and authentic. Staff was super friendly and the owner was even there and introduced himself. I'm coming back next week. read more

Amazing food, excellent service !! Will definitely recommend and be back !! And the coffee was great too!! read more

Until we found this place, we usually traveled to the Palm Springs area for Peruvian food. Not anymore! Can't believe that El Pollo Taco is right here in Riverside! Don't let the name fool you. This place is anything but fast food. If you're a Peruvian food lover, this will become a regular spot. If you haven't tried Peruvian food, visit this place! Each dish was exquisitely and uniquely seasoned. The ceviche, beef empanadas and beef tallarin saltado were exceptional. The owner clearly takes pride in his establishment. He visited the table several times during our meal, checked on us, and even offered us some lucuma gelato. I wish this place nothing but success. The food, the service, the care is top-notch. read more

Peruvian green spaghetti with chicken milanesa?! Sign me UP. Although the location has some shady characters at night, I still enjoyed my dinner. My friend has never tried Peruvian so I told her to try lomo saltado (stir fry with French fries + red onions) as her very first dish. She was a fan!! Quite spacious inside too. read more

El Pollo Taco Peruvian Cuisine - Tallarines Verdes - Peruvian Near Me - Riverside, California

Having moved to SoCal from NYC I honestly feel like SoCal lacks Hispanic culinary variety, so I'm happy this place opened. We came in for dinner. It seemed pretty busy, but we were still seated and attended quickly. Having had a variety of Peruvian dishes back in NYC I opted for the Tallarín Verde which is only my favorites while my wife went with the Lomo Saltado and Papa Rellena as an appetizer. The papa rellena was delicious you could tell it was made fresh; beef was perfectly seasoned as was the potato. Wife absolutely loved the lomo saltado; she said the rice was very tasty as was the beef. Lastly, the tallarín verde was a little shy of salt, not a problem as there's salt on the table and frankly I rather receive an under salted dish than one that's over salted. The pasta was cooked perfectly and the milanesa de res was spot on. The service was also great and I believe a gentleman who may have been the owner was making rounds checking in on everyone's food. Ambiance is family friendly. There are photographs of Machu Picchu and the Rainbow Mountains. Overall it was a pleasant experience and I hope they're able to stay in the neighborhood for a long time. Next on my list is the arroz chaufa, I'll be back soon. read more

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My first time here with my fam and it's very clean and minimal style. I ordered the lomo Saltado (beef). It was absolutely delicious. THE PORTIONS ARE BIG so if you're not super hungry then share. We tried substituting the white rice for the arroz chanfa but they wouldn't let us so we had to order it separately on the side. I've never been to a restaurant where they don't let you substitute a side but there's a first time for everything. 10/10 read more

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Excellent flavors and great service,. Beautiful and relaxing ambiance. I will definitely come back to try more from their menu read more

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It's nice to see a Peruvian restaurant in Riverside ! Seems to be a nice family owned place. The food overall was pretty good, we had the Peruvian ceviche, yuca frita, and tallarín verde. I think my favorite was the tallarín verde! I would also recommend the passion fruit agua fresca, it was delicious! The service was great and all servers were extremely friendly. read more

El Pollo Taco Peruvian Cuisine - Tallarin verde milanesa de res or chicken - Peruvian Near Me - Riverside, California

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This place is a 10/10 in my book!! The Beef Lomo Saltado was sooooo good! Their green salsa paired with the lomo saltado was a perfect pairing; the beef was juicy and the fries, onions and sauce had such a wonderful blend of flavors. I'd like to add that their portion sizes are actually pretty big! I had to take half of my food to go, because I was so stuffed. The staff are super kind and inside of the restaurant is very clean. There's not many Peruvian restaurants here in Riverside, so I definitely recommend giving this place a try! I'm for sure going to come back and try more items from their menu next time! read more

El Pollo Taco Peruvian Cuisine - Lomo Saltado Beef - Peruvian Near Me - Riverside, California