Machu Picchu The Inka Way — Restaurant in Lawrenceville

(Ordering guide for my fellow Americans). This is easily the most authentic and delicious Peruvian food in GA, and that I’ve had period. They really take pride in bringing authentic Peruvian flavors and it shows. Top-notch service, passion, and vibes. Easily my favorite restaurant! I’m married to a Peruvian, so I know my stuff.

GUIDE: 1st picture is Caldo de Pollo (chicken noodle soup), if you are a picky eater or are just wanting a more flavorful version, this is what you should get. If you’re a spice freak, ask for “rocotto” (they’ll bring you a small cup of red spicy sauce, use it sparingly my friends). They have this in both an appetizer (entrada) and a dinner portion size.

The 2nd picture is “causa de pollo”. This is also good for picky or people who are open to trying new things. It’s a layer of chicken, onion, spices, mayo (NO-this is not like the crappy chicken salad you make, it actually tastes good), sandwiched between two layers of perfect mashed potatoes, topped with more of the filling of the top layer. Overall this is a simple, flavorful appetizer (entrada), you can also try this with tuna if you’d like, both options are delicious for all types of eaters.

3rd picture is “ceviche mixto” this is a dish consisting of raw fish and other seafood, sweet potato, onion, canchita (crunchy fried Peruvian corn), cancha (soft peruvian corn), and a lime-based loose consistency (it’s watery but very flavorful, it isn’t watery in a bad way, I’m sucking at explaining this). Overall this is SUPER fresh and refreshing, it’s a cold dish that just tastes so good if you want something light but packed with all kinds of flavor. Great option if you don’t want something heavy, and it really isn’t THAT adventurous, the seafood is raw, but so is sushi :). Also, if you don’t like clams, calamari, etc. you can get it with just fish.

4th is one most of you gringos won’t eat because of the cut of steak this it (but you’re brave enough to eat the McDonald’s mystery meat burgers, so maybe rethink your ways?). It is “Antichuos”, which is a perfectly seasoned and tender beef heart, which they cook to perfection (I am a medium rare guy, this one is better cooked medium (medio) though). It also comes with cancha (same as in the ceviche), and potato, along with a spicy red dipping sauce. If you’re a spice freak, ask for “rocotto” (see the first section for reference). Overall, the texture isn’t that far off from a steak you’d normally have (maybe a LITTLE more chewy?), but has a way better

Other foods:

-Pollo a la Brasa. This is Peruvian rotisserie chicken, the only way I can describe this is it is so much better than the crap that has been sitting out in the grocery store all day. It’s like rotisserie chicken on steroids, and is my personal go to. If you get the meal, it comes with fries and salad (the dressing tastes like a slightly less tangy caesar). It also comes with two bottles of sauce: a mayo-based sauce and a spicy green sauce, good separate and mixed! Try this and it will also become your go to.

-Pollo a la Milanesa. This is just chicken Milanese, breaded and cooked to perfection, seasoned well, crispy, full of flavor. Comes with salad and rice (can sub fries, I wouldn’t though). Their rice is also spectacular. If you are a SUPER picky eater, get this, it’s perfect for you and this is my wife’s favorite.

DRINKS (Bebidas) -Inca kola (soda that tastes like bubble gum in a good way) -chicha morada (Peruvian purple corn drink that is made with pineapple, cinnamon and other fruits, sweet and refreshing).

DESSERT (Postre) -arroz con leche (rice putting but better than the American one with more cinnamon and rasins) -massamora (purple corn jelly-like dessert, it tastes like chicha morada, see in drinks for details) -combinado (combination of the first two) -picarones (hand-made Peruvian donuts made from flour and various types of potatoes to provide a super unique and delicious flavor, coated in a fig-based Carmel-like sauce). -Alfaores (Peruvian cookies, soft textured cookies with Carmel filling dusted in...

First, the atmosphere... a flashing OPEN sign and a llama in the front window gave way to an interior inspired by.... something... but Perú certainly does not seem to be it. A black ceiling from which hang green and yellow balloons, flooring more Mediterranean in feel, and generic tables/chairs more in line with an attempt at a rustic style coffee house. When you add in the relentless Groupo 5 videos playing, the multiple blank TV screens, and "art" appearing to be the most basic of theme attempts, the overall ambience is one of a rush to try to put something together and just open. After waiting for so long for this establishment to open, this was just the beginning of a less than spectacular experience.

Lomo Saltado is basically the benchmark of Peruvian restaurants. Of course we ordered it! While everyone has their own taste preference, this trend of adding teriyaki sauce to the Lomo takes it away from the origin of the dish and is not something I care for. To the cooks credit, the meat was cooked spot on to medium rare! The rice was good by itself, so added to the dish when put in. The fries... soft, barely cooked, and a disappointment.

The quarter Pollo La Brasa... I have honestly had game hen quarters nearly the size of what came on the plate. A look into the supplier might help in this case. Then, again, the French Fries, sigh. SPECIFICALLY ASKED for them to be cooked longer with some crunch to them on the outside. Fail. Soft, squishy, and no body to them. The salad on the plate, as many places do, utilizes what appears to be lettuce shredded for use on sandwiches, but the dressing was phenomenal! Flavorful with a back bite of spices exploding lightly across the tongue. Amazing!

That dressing takes us to the two bottles of sauce on the table. First, kudos on keeping them refrigerated! Second, they were both very flavorful. Sad to think the three sauces were really the shining stars of our visit.

One final thought: there were only two of us, yet the restaurant automatically charged us an 18% gratuity. Not only that, but they never informed us that they would or that they did. That impacted the tip the server would have gotten, as I have a very strict policy of not tipping if it has been added to my check. The tip would have been over twice the amount they put on the check, because the rest of the let down of the experience was not their fault, but adding gratuity to the check like that...

I have been to this restaurant since they opened couple of times and the food has always been really good

But in my last visit , noticed they changed the chef of quantities of food , the amount of food is a lot less I understand food is expensive but i recommend to keep your portions and increase the price , is not fair with the costumer Specially of you have been there before

The also changed Menu ítems that I ordered before and wanted to charge me $19 for a side ?! Explanation is that they don’t sell it anymore that i have to pay full price of a plate Excuse me ? How come you didn’t explain that to me before ?

I really love their ceviches but changing quality and quantity of the menu is a no for me

Won’t be back , is disrespectful with Us as costumers.

TV is...