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El Pollo Rico

932 North Kenmore Street, Arlington, VA 22201-2227
703 522 3220
Menu
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Ranked #6 of 415 restaurants in Arlington
Cuisines: Barbecue, Mexican, Peruvian
Good for: Child-friendly, Cheap Eats
Dining options: Lunch Spot, Dinner, Takeout
Restaurant details
Good for: Child-friendly, Cheap Eats
Dining options: Lunch Spot, Dinner, Takeout
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156 reviews from our community

83% Recommend
    78
    53
    22
    3
    0
Rating summary
    Food
    Service
    Value
    Atmosphere
Date Rating
Woodbridge, Virginia
Senior Contributor
32 reviews 32 reviews
16 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 11 cities Reviews in 11 cities
10 helpful votes 10 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 7 May 2013

I would not lie to you this chicken is the BOMB. Nothing like some good peruvian chicken in America. They have the spot in Clarendon and Woodbridge. The original is always the best (Clarendon) but hey they're both good spots.

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See 4 more reviews by Des H for Arlington
Falls Church, Virginia
1 review
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 5 May 2013

This chicken is great. Never dry. The white meat is juicy and the seasoning on the skin is one of a kind. The sides are ok, but the chicken is the star.

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Brooklyn, NY
Senior Contributor
46 reviews 46 reviews
23 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 25 cities Reviews in 25 cities
47 helpful votes 47 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 28 March 2013

I have to say from reading previous reviews, I was expecting amazing tasting chicken. I was slightly disappointed. It was good but not the greatest. Chicken was moist even the white meat. And as previous reviews indicated I expected something more than white rice as a side, perhaps yellow rice. I would recommend to anyone looking for a budget meal.

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New York City, New York
Top Contributor
64 reviews 64 reviews
19 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 35 cities Reviews in 35 cities
31 helpful votes 31 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 24 March 2013

I went try out this rotisserie place because it was featured in Travel Channel hosted by Anthony Bourdain. When you arrive at the location it doesn't look like much and unimpressive. The dining area is plain and basic which feature tables and chairs. We ordered a whole chicken with fries and rice. I was surprised there were no rice and... More

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Blue Bell, Pennsylvania
Top Contributor
53 reviews 53 reviews
13 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 30 cities Reviews in 30 cities
92 helpful votes 92 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 19 March 2013

Their menu is simple: chicken, fries, white rice, coleslaw, 4 desserts and soda/water. The chicken is spiced wonderfully and the meat is juicy and succulent. The place has a small parking lot and it's packed all the time. I've been here for both lunch and dinner and there are people always waiting in line to get the best chicken in... More

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See 2 more reviews by sapamire for Arlington
Lansdowne, Virginia
Senior Contributor
45 reviews 45 reviews
42 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 17 cities Reviews in 17 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 16 March 2013 via mobile

The place needs some work, I take that back, A LOT of work. It's filthy, it's like they haven't cleaned it in years! It's really gross. The service was good. Chicken was just okay nothing special. It tasted like chicken you could've gotten at Cosco or BJ's. the line was crazy long though. Not sure what the big deal is!... More

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Potomac, Maryland
Senior Contributor
41 reviews 41 reviews
38 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 13 cities Reviews in 13 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 26 February 2013

The chicken was excellent as is always the case. No one spices the birds better or assures more consistent quality in their chicken than this place.

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Woodbridge, Virginia
Senior Contributor
43 reviews 43 reviews
25 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 17 cities Reviews in 17 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 25 February 2013

I tried the chicken on way home from work and was pleasantly surprise how good the chicken was. Great the next day for leftover sandwishes and chicken salad.

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See 3 more reviews by JulyLadyjaye for Arlington
Annandale, VA
Contributor
17 reviews 17 reviews
11 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 25 February 2013

If you are looking for the best Peruvian chicken in the area, look no further. I work in DC, but we go to Ballston every few weeks to get their chicken. Sides include steak fries and cole slaw, both excellent. If I could eat here every day, I probably would.

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Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 24 February 2013

Absolutely the best Peruvian grilled chicken in the area! It's the standard against which I judge all others - and not many even come close. A lovely complex marinade, perfect rotisserie over charcoal, good fries. Not fancy, just a take-out or eat-in at formica tables, but the flavor!

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