Bites Nearby: El Pollito

Back when I was a kid, a hard day at work and lack of enthusiasm for cooking often prompted my parents to bring home a bucket of Church's Chicken or KFC.

But as we Wheaton parents know, today's answer to the 1980s red bucket is a package of Peruvian charbroiled rotisserie chicken and its distinctive sides. , conveniently located right on Georgia Avenue on your evening commute home, is a solid option.

I often choose this place from the array of Wheaton Peruvian chicken joints not only for the easily accessible location, but for its efficiency and the super clean shop. I think the chicken here has less sodium or MSG than other places, as evidenced by my slightly less puffy face the next morning after an El Pollito dinner (as opposed to other places' birds which make me retain an ocean of water).

The fried potatoes and yucca taste fresh, not overcooked nor heat-lamped. The owners are very generous with the spicy sauces and aioli. The menu also has truly healthy options such as salads and wraps, but I have to confess, when offered choices after a killer day,  I invariably go for the greasy and spicy. 

(Hey, at least it doesn't come in a bucket.)

11238 Georgia Ave., Wheaton. 301-933-8884

Open Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.