Desperately seeking Peruvian chicken

[Atomic Lunch]

Hey gang,

I've been living in NYC for just a year, moved here from the metro DC area, and I have yet to find a Peruvian rotiss chicken joint to match the one I left behind. My favorite old place was called El Pollo Rico in Arlington, Va, and all they served were chicken, fries and flan.

They brined the birds in some magic potion, then cooked them rotisserie over a charcoal flame to perfection, hacked them into quarters and served them up with a helping of steak fries. Cole slaw was available if you like that kind of thing. The skin was always nice and crispy and just a little charred and the flesh was preternaturally juicey. It was served up without pretention in styrofoam, and cost only a few bucks.

Now, since I have moved here I have come to expect that there's nothing you can't find in this town, so I must just not be looking hard enough for some good pollo. Does anyone know of a place that meets or approximates this description? I'd prefer Manhattan, but for the proper pollo I'd brave a trip across the river.

[Pan]

Please tell us which Peruvian chicken places you've already tried in New York, and good luck on your quest!

[Daniel]

There is a place called Pio Pio in manhattan that is pretty good.. There is a place called Flor De Mayo on the UWS.. I have never been to Flor, but The New York Times loves this place.

My personal favorite place to get chicken is where i work in Elizabeth, New Jersey. This place is really amazing.. However, its Portugese. Its a little store front that has 6 table and a counter.. Behind the counter they have a pit filled with rotating meats. You get chicken, rice and fries for 5 bucks..

[mjr_inthegardens]

My favorite peruvian rotiss is Mancora on Smith Street in Brooklyn.

I don't know if it is the best but it hits the spot.

[Atomic Lunch]

Ah, Pio Pio... It's right around the corner from my apartment. When I was out of work I scarfed down a lot of Pio, $4 for half a chicken as long as you go eat it somewhere else. Put the same half a bird on a plate and eat it on one of their tables and it's $10. Still, it doesn't have the low-class charm I'm looking for. Less evidence that it was recently rolling over a very hot charcoal fire.

Keep those suggestions coming, I'm building a to-do list!

[Blondie]

My favorite peruvian rotiss is Mancora on Smith Street in Brooklyn.

I don't know if it is the best but it hits the spot.

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There's a branch of Mancora in the East Village also. I haven't been there yet but heard it's quite good.

[JohnnyH]

There is a place called Pio Pio in manhattan that is pretty good.. There is a place called Flor De Mayo on the UWS.. I have never been to Flor, but The New York Times loves this place. 

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I used to live around the corner from Flor de Mayo -- it was a few years ago, but if it's the same now I can't recommend it highly enough.

[Pan]

I like the pollo a la brasa at the Mancora on 6 St. and 1 Av., but I don't know if it will meet Atomic Lunch's specifications. I always liked the Dominican chicken from El Malecon better than Flor de Mayo's, though. Better sauce, and I assume it's still cheaper?

[dknywbg]

There's also Chimu, a Peruvian "Steak House" on Union Avenue in Williamsburg. I'm a big fan of their rotisserie chicken, but I'm not sure if it meets the low-class charm qualification. It's inexpensive, but they've put in a lot of effort to make it charming.

[Krista G]

I recently wrote a piece for the NY Post (yes, the Post) about the best Latin chicken (fried and rotisserie).

The only Peruvian place I used was Pio Pio, and people have already mentioned most of the Manhattan biggies. There are places like Cocina Cuzco and Coco Roco, but I don't think they have the atmosphere you're looking for.

If you're not dead set on Peruvian, El Malecon in Washington Heights is well known for their rotisserie chicken. And Queens is practically teeming with various S. American (mostly Columbian) rotisserie joints like Pollos A La Brasa Mario, La Pollada de Laura, and La Pollera Colorada.

[Pan]

Krista, that's cool that you wrote that article, though it's showing up too small to read on my monitor.

Have you compared the pollo a la brasa at El Malecon's 97th/Amsterdam and Washington Heights branches?

[Andrew Fenton]

Is Flor de Mayo the Peruvian/Chinese ("together at last") place on Broadway near Columbia? If that's the one I'm thinking of, I had a grrrrreat roast chicken there. With fried rice.

[Pan]

It's between 100 and 101 Sts. on the west side of Broadway.

[tupac17616]

I've gotta agree with the previous posters who have suggested Flor de Mayo. I went there a few months ago, and had their roasted chicken. Friggin' awesome if I do say so myself. Great price, great portion, GREAT flavor. Mmmm...must...go...back.....soon

[Krista G]

Krista, that's cool that you wrote that article, though it's showing up too small to read on my monitor.

Oh, you can click on the article and the plain text pops up.

Have you compared the pollo a la brasa at El Malecon's 97th/Amsterdam and Washington Heights branches?

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I've only eaten at the location on Broadway, so I can't say if the two are equally good.

[Pan]

Krista, that's cool that you wrote that article, though it's showing up too small to read on my monitor.

Oh, you can click on the article and the plain text pops up.[...]

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Thanks. I was clicking in the wrong places. That was a good read.

[Oceangroveguy]

Have you tried Sipan on Amsterdam in - I think - the 90's? Street address is 702 AMsterdam, phone 212 665 9929. I've only had fish there, but the chicken looked might good.....