El Pollo Rico’s Peruvian chicken has earned a spot on The Washington Post’s list of the “40 Essential Dishes of D.C.,” highlighting standout selections from restaurants across Washington, DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia.
El Pollo Rico was founded in 1988 by Victor and Nélida Solano, who moved from Peru to Northern Virginia. Inspired by the charcoal-broiled rotisserie chicken sold by street vendors in Victor’s hometown of Trujillo, Peru, the family opened its original restaurant in Arlington.
The Wheaton location of El Pollo Rico, at 2517 University Blvd W, opened soon after. According to Washingtonian, it has served the community since the same year the Solano family opened the original Arlington restaurant…