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    El Pollo Rico

    4.3 (440 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 2 weeks ago

    El Pollo Rico Photos

    EL POLLO RICO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - El Pollo Rico

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    Inside
    Xavier I.

    Tuesday 1/21/25 Came across this spot on an Instagram post that regarded this restaurant as having the best Peruvian chicken in Maryland, so today I tried it. I ordered in person to try and avoid the dumb family meal ordering process that, for some odd reason, included all sides EXCEPT for plantains & yuca, but I was unsuccessful. I ordered the family meal $27 and a chicken empanada $4. - The family meal: a whole chicken, white rice, beans, and fries. The chicken, although smaller, was good and is what you'd expect from a Peruvian chicken spot. The rice & beans were average. The fries were alright: very potato-forward but didn't have any seasoning. - The chicken empanada was unique: it had a crossiant-type of dough texture, but the chicken was DRY. The empanada would've benefitted if they had a special sauce specifically for it. All in all, the food was okay, but the family meal problem was very off-putting. The only way to get plantains or yuca is by ordering a side of it, and that's just a horrible business practice. I have never (until now) gone to a Peruvian chicken spot where they operate with these business practices, and that automatically makes me not want to return, as there are better options elsewhere, like Sardis.

    Parking is very limit.
    Ketsanee P.

    Over all their Rotisserie chicken was OK. The meat texture seem a little dry, it was all well done but I might like a little bit less cooked. The flavor was so-so. Parking is quite limit and tiny. Anyway the restaurant hour it is good choice for people who want to get late dinner, night time. (Wheaton, MD Location- open 10 am and close 10 pm)

    Fried Yucca
    Armistead J.

    It's not the original but it will get you through. Nice relax chill vibe in this place and the customer service was absolutely outstanding. Also you can't go wrong with a half of chicken from the Rico its one of my favorites.

    Electronic menu
    Alisha D.

    I no longer live in Maryland so I to stop by every time I'm in town. I was recently there and had a great experience. You know what to expect with this spot and I loved how the menu was easy to read. The food was delicious and I thought the chicken was incredibly tender and juicy. It was an amazing lunch and I'll be back again when I'm in town.

    Sunday Line
    Montu M.

    Review: El Pollo Rico - Wheaton, MD (Sunday, March 9, 2:00 PM) If you're looking for the best Pollo a la Brasa in the DMV, El Pollo Rico in Wheaton, MD continues to reign supreme. We visited on Sunday at 2:00 PM, and despite the weekend rush, the service was efficient, the food was fresh, and the flavors were absolutely on point. The Chicken - Perfection on a Plate The charcoal-broiled chicken is the undeniable star. The skin is crispy and well-seasoned, with just the right balance of smoky, savory, and slightly spicy flavors. Every bite of the meat is juicy and tender, infused with the deep flavors of the marinade and the slow rotisserie-style cooking over charcoal. The Sides - The Perfect Compliment We went with French fries and a house salad, and both delivered. The fries were crispy on the outside and fluffy inside, with a golden-brown crunch that paired perfectly with the chicken. The salad added a refreshing contrast, bringing a crisp, fresh bite to the meal. Other sides like fried yucca, rice, and plantains are also popular choices, and judging by what we saw around the restaurant, they don't disappoint. Fast, No-Frills Service El Pollo Rico has always been a no-nonsense, get-your-food-and-enjoy-it kind of place, and this visit was no different. Despite a packed house, the staff kept the line moving, and we got our order in minutes. They're focused on efficiency, and they deliver--hot food, quickly, with no compromise on quality. Atmosphere - Classic & Functional The restaurant is simple and functional, built for quick service and high turnover. There's no fancy décor, but the focus here is clear: serve the best charcoal chicken in the area, and keep it moving. The place was bustling, filled with families and regulars who know where to find real flavor. Great Value for What You Get For the portion sizes and high-quality, authentic Peruvian flavor, the prices at El Pollo Rico remain very reasonable. Whether you're getting a quarter, half, or whole chicken, you're getting a meal that fills you up and keeps you coming back. Final Verdict: 5/5 El Pollo Rico in Wheaton is still the gold standard for Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken. Whether you're a longtime fan or a first-time visitor, expect consistently amazing chicken, crispy sides, and fast service. If you haven't been yet, you're missing out on one of the best bites in the DMV. Highly Recommended - and we'll definitely be back!

    Half chicken with yuca and white rice
    Thomas T.

    Very unassuming spot. But the chicken here is so flavorful and juicy. Don't even need sauce really. Idk what seasoning they use but it's great. The perfect combo would be Sardis sauce and arroz chaufa with Pollo Rico chicken. Staff were friendly and quick. Definitely would go back.

    Kimy P.

    El Pollo Rico was my guilty pleasure when visiting family (It was close by so I ordered ubereats a second time! ) Location is nice, inviting, smelling of delicious rotisserie chicken. You order the size of chicken you want, sides, and drinks. It's great for families! Peruvian rotisserie chicken reminds me a lot of Bolivian flavors and it was delicious! Their picante was delicious, yuca frita is my weakness, and Inca Cola was refreshing. I was most definitely a happy customer and would most definitely be ordering again when back in town! :)

    1/4 Chicken WHITE w/ beans rice

    2/27/25: 2nd visit was ok. The 1/4 breast was dried out BUT, the rice & beans. Yes yes yes perfectly made: moist rice and beans w/ a delectable taste. Definitely worth the trip. Services: great! My first visit was EXCELLENT, same selection BUT the breast & wing, super moist!!! Do yourself a favor drop by IF you need a quick tasty lunch or takeout for dinner!

    My plate for tonight!
    Nichelle D.

    If you are looking for something yummy and cost effective, please stop by this spot! You will eat well and feel completely satisfied with the taste! I ALWAYS GET FOOD FROM HERE WHEN I HAVE OUT OF TOWN GUESTS. They live this local business and I LOVE TO SUPPORT THEM!

    1/4 chicken with double fries. The green sauce is very hot (love it)

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    6 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Food is always good here and love going there when I crave Peruvian chicken. They are the originals so you can't go wrong

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Awesome, delicious, good prices, homestyle food except you don't make food this tasty at home usually

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    6 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Delicious chicken and sides and reasonable prices. They're super fast and there's usually a line but it goes quick! Popular place!

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    6 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Great food, delivers fast, and flavor is consistent. Delicious and healthy! My lady is from Nicaragua and she loves it too.

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    4 years ago

    Always delicious. Just wish they had more sides options that weren't all carbs, salad, green vegetables.

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    10 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Good food and good prices. Be aware that when they say it comes with 2 sides it doesn't mean any 2 sides. Coleslaw is very average.

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Great food. Amazing sauces. Enough for 2 meals. Best of all it was delivered warm.

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    El Pollo Rico Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - El Pollo Rico

    Don Pollo

    Don Pollo

    3.8(52 reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $

    Overall: delicious Peruvian food, fair prices, large portion sizes, fast-casual ambiance, fine…read moreservice, with single-stall gendered restrooms and no changing table I'm a big fan of Peruvian food and I love when you can order family style. It makes eating out much for affordable and you can try more things. The chicken was juicy and flavorful but the skin was still crisped to perfection. The plantains, French fries, veggies and tres leches were all on point. I'm not a huge Mac and cheese fan, but my family devoured it. The music was loud, the tables were clean, the employees were kind, and our food came out fast. Thank goodness for the internet because I would have never thought to visit this place from the looks of it outside, but it definitely exceeded my expectations and I left feeling happy and full. I loved the spice of the green sauce and the yellow one was tasty too.

    summary: Don Pollo is a "chain" restaurant of Peruvian chicken and it's got generous portion sizes…read moreand tasty side options that are pretty synonymous with Peruvian chicken restaurants. In one word, I would describe Don Pollo as solid. There's a good selection of items on the menu and to me Peruvian chicken spots have become kind of similar to how KFC/Popeyes felt back in the day where families could go in and order a platter-style selection for their family. That's what we happened to do that day where we ordered the rotisserie chicken for a family of 4. The portion sizes were generous and all of the sides (plaintains, fries, salad, and mac&cheese) were tasty. The service is pretty "DIY" where you order with a cashier and everything at that point is on you (bus your own tables). The venue itself was ok. The location is tucked away in a pretty old strip mall and a lot of the restaurant kind of reflects that. The bathrooms felt a bit old and required a passcode to get in. All in all, I don't have complaints for our experience here and it was a tasty stop that was perfect for a family.

    Photos
    Don Pollo - Nice and clean inside

    Nice and clean inside

    Don Pollo
    Don Pollo

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    Palmeras Restaurant - Lomo saltado

    Palmeras Restaurant

    3.6(25 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    I visited this place today 12.27.2025 and it has a new name: Palmeras Restaurant. It showed on the…read moreoutside of the establishment as well as on the receipt. The service was great, with the waitresses accommodating a table for 6 right away. I was surprised that on a Saturday night, at 6:30pm the restaurant was empty. Nevertheless the food was good. The yuca was fried well, the plantains were sweet. The parts that were not as good was the fried fish and quality of the meat. I would say that it has the home cooked meal flavor but for the prices, I was expecting better quality. Also when asked about the mango juice, I was told they made it in-house. I guess that can be misinterpreted as it felt like it was made from powder.

    Saritas and the surrounding shopping mall is as if a little bit of Latin America was dropped right…read moreinto the US. The one server that speaks the best English out of the servers will automatically be assigned to your table and the entire clientele except for your gringo butt will be Latino. A little awkward at times, but overall comprehensible. The menu is quite extensive- including the lunch special it spans about 4 pages of not more, with the seafood section being the longest and a section dedicated to Peruvian chicken. The SO and I were all turkeyed out so we wanted something flavorful that did not resemble the festive bird. We ordered ceviche and Jalea and opted for the pescado (fish only) option. The servings was plentiful and the presentation was excellent. The dishes were served with a green hot sauce (similar to the green sauce at el pollo rico). The food is good but not amazing- the fish (tilapia) tastes like the frozen fillets you get from Costco. The batter on the Jalea was thin and not very flavorful or crisp. The best thing about this dish was the yucca. The dishes weren't much cheaper than our go-to Peruvian joint, La Limena, in fact it might have been a hair more expensive despite being a more casual place (total bill for ceviche and Jalea with 2 dollars in drinks was a little over 31 dollars without tip). There is no alcohol from what I could tell. They charge for bottled water in classic Latin American fashion (something I still cannot get overrrrrr). Overall, if you can make the treck out to La Limena I'll definitely make that choice over Sarita's, but it's not a bad choice in general. It's essentially a joint for locals to shoot the sh-- with one another and/or have a no frills meal with their families, not fancy adventures in exotic cuisines or a place to celebrate birthdays or impress guests. They do have an eight dollar lunch special that sounds pretty good and would probably be worth trying.

    Photos
    Palmeras Restaurant - Outside with the new name as of 12.27.2025. No longer Saritas.

    Outside with the new name as of 12.27.2025. No longer Saritas.

    Palmeras Restaurant - Bistec a lo pobre

    Bistec a lo pobre

    Palmeras Restaurant - Menu 2 - here it shows the previous name but we were given this menu as of 12.27.2025

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    Menu 2 - here it shows the previous name but we were given this menu as of 12.27.2025

    La Limeña Grill - Excelente atención, Marielos, Emely y Chris una atención impecable, delicioso y muy recomendado.  Gracias !!!

    La Limeña Grill

    4.0(380 reviews)
    4.8 mi
    $$

    Another excellent experience at La Limeña in Rockville…read more We started with several appetizers and everything was outstanding. The crab causa was fresh and well balanced, and the fish tiradito had great flavor with the perfect level of acidity. For the mains, the Mondonguito a la Italiana was excellent--tender, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned. The Jalea Mixta was crispy, generous, and served with fresh red onions, cancha, and a great tartar sauce. The Surtido juice was also delicious--fresh, refreshing, and perfectly blended. A special mention to Mónica, who took care of us again and provided exceptional service. She was attentive, friendly, and made sure everything was perfect throughout the meal. Definitely a place worth coming back to.

    We arrived on a Saturday and there was no wait. It's not a stand alone restaurant, it's located in…read morea shopping center and parking might be limited when it's full. Luckily, there was no wait time when we arrived and our waitress took our order right away. The food did not take long to come out but after I ate the aji de gallina, I had some stomach pains. The flavor of the other plates were good but it can be pricey. The environment is nice and can be loud, if you want classical music with low lighting this place is not for you. Overall, it was ok...food can be overpriced and FYI they do not take American Express for payment.

    Photos
    La Limeña Grill
    La Limeña Grill - Pastel de Choclo con Carne

    Pastel de Choclo con Carne

    La Limeña Grill - Delicious food, service was great by Joseph, thank you!!

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    Delicious food, service was great by Joseph, thank you!!

    El Pollo Rico - latin - Updated June 2026

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