Try Peruvian Chicken

The story of Crisp & Juicy goes back to 1989, when an entrepreneurial couple — Jorge and Carmen Perez — decided to bring the delicious Latin American taste of Peruvian chicken to the Washington DC area, and opened the very first location in Arlington, Virginia. That original Cherry Hill Road location, now over 35 years old, is where the concept was proven and the loyal following was built — and it remains the one that regulars travel significant distances for, with reviewers describing making the trip from central Virginia monthly, having meals shipped to Minnesota after moving away, and returning every visit to Arlington for the same order they’ve been getting since the early 1990s. The loyalty is not nostalgia — it’s quality that has remained consistent across decades through the same ownership and the same methods. The chickens are rubbed with a spice blend, then skewered onto a rotisserie called a “Spedio” and cooked low and slow over open flames fed in part by lump charcoal — giving the skin a genuine crispness while the meat stays tender and juicy. 

The sides are an essential part of the experience: fried yuca, sweet plantains, Arroz Chaufa (stir-fried rice with dark meat and soy sauce), and black beans. The three signature sauces — a mild green sauce, medium and hot sauce — inspire arguments among regulars about which is superior and are frequently cited as the secret to the entire operation. Combo platters offer quarter, half, or whole chicken with sides at prices that feel implausibly reasonable for 2026. The restaurant is primarily a takeout counter with limited seating — the atmosphere is functional rather than atmospheric — but the food is the point, and the food is exceptional. Located at 4540 Cherry Hill Road, open Monday through Sunday from 11 a.m. Order online at crispandjuicyonline.com.