El Pollo Rico — Restaurant in Fairfax

I am so glad Fairfax can more conveniently enjoy what Arlington, Wheaton, and Woodbridge have been enjoying for years and years. I just had to visit this location of the pollo a la brass experts in their first week. In their first week growing pains they did not have a couple of items I would normally order. I settled for a half chicken with both types of starches and a side of beans. (For those into sodas to drink I recommend having an Inca Cola to get that Peruvian bubble gum flavor to contrast with the spice level in the chicken.) The chicken was as I remembered: flavorful without being too salty and nearly perfectly roasted and cooked. The green sauce adds the perfect complement of heat to the chicken. Both potato and yucca sides go well. The beans (not pictured) were also fine, although I wonder whether black beans would be more appropriate. Avoid the cole slaw which has a somewhat mushy texture and way too mayonnaise-y and over dressed a taste. They did not have any fried plantains or alfajores besides the last one I got this evening which was a disappointment hopefully rectified as they ramp up this location in the coming weeks. I am definitely looking forward to future visits and enjoying the king of Peruvian...

Dishonest. After months of driving by ever day and seeing the construction and “coming soon” signs on the building. As I drove bye yesterday morning, I noticed the signs had change from coming soon to now open. I thought great a new place for lunch. I got my lunch break from work around 1:15 and drive across town to give them a try. As soon as I walked in the door, I was told the restaurant was not open for business yet. I said, all of your signs say your now open. He asked what signs as if he didn’t know. I said the big banner across the front of the building and all of the flags right outside of your window as I pointed to them waving in the breeze. Then he tells me “we’re not open for business, we just recently opened the building “. What the heck does that mean? So I’m guessing all of the positive reviews that they have are either fake, or I was lied to. Not a great way to start your business venture. One place I will not be...

They are an ok choice. I’ve been coming here since they opened and even bring friends and family here. The only complaint I have is that the sides are almost laughably small! Like super tiny! A whole chicken should feed 3-4 people. However if you look at the sides, they definitely do not look like they’re part of a meal for 3-4 individuals. They have tiny deli plates that designed more for fried oreos at a county fair. Not for huge steak fries that fit literally like 4-5 fries 😂

If you are concerned about portion size, I would recommend little Peru a few minutes west of this location right on 50 by Walmart, or Max’s chicken a few minutes East, by Fairfax circle.

I still come here because I support all three locations within a mile radius of my house, but it’s hard to convince others when they buy a whole chicken with 2 sides of (5-6) plantains and (5-6) steak fries or...