In search of a new favorite Peruvian restaurant?
Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the best places for Peruvian cuisine around Baltimore, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of where to meet your needs.
1. Puerto 511
Topping the list is Puerto 511. The tiny spot run by a husband-and-wife team offers Peruvian flavors from in and around the capital of Lima. Located downtown at 102 W. Clay St., it is the highest-rated Peruvian restaurant in Baltimore, boasting 4.5 stars out of 289 reviews on Yelp.
Start with ceviche cured with leche de tigre (tiger's milk), a spicy citrus marinade, or the sampler of causas, or small mashed potato terrine. Entrees include the traditional stir-fried beef tenderloin (lomo saltado) and Andean-style lamb chops. Alcoholic drinks are BYOB.
2. Chicken Rico
Next up is Highlandtown's Chicken Rico, situated at 3728 Eastern Ave. It's a local mini-chain specializing in Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken, which comes marinated and served with various ají chili sauces. Diners can purchase a quarter, half or whole chicken.
There are also sub sandwiches, salads and entrees, like the hot dog-and-french fries favorite known as salchipapas. With 4.5 stars out of 211 reviews on Yelp, the eatery has proven to be a local favorite.
3. Primo Chicken
Next, Primo Chicken, located at 1242 W. Lombard St. in Hollins Market, is another top choice, with Yelpers giving it 4.5 stars out of 72 reviews. The fast-food spot also specializes in Peruvian chicken, but there's also arroz chaufa (fried rice), empanadas, tacos, and rice and black bean bowls. Try them with a side of yucca fries.
4. El Gran Pollo II
Finally, El Gran Pollo II is another much-loved go-to, with 4.5 stars out of 43 Yelp reviews. It's a locally owned joint with a lengthy menu that goes beyond the now-familiar Peruvian chicken, chaufa, lomo saltado and ceviche standards. Consider the grilled shrimp skewers, fajitas and gyro sandwiches, or seafood like fried tilapia fillets or Cajun shrimp. Head over to 6858 Reisterstown Road to see for yourself.
