Inkas in the Mission rec...

[Civil Bear]

A couple of months ago my wife and I set out to try Front Porch on a Friday night only to find the wait too long to bare. Wanting chicken, we almost settled on Good Frickin' Chicken before I remembered a place across the street called Inkas that I had been wanting to try.

As luck would have it, their specialty is Pollo a las Brasa (Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken), and man is it ever good! For $18 you get a whole bird done perfectly with a plate of papas fritas (crispy fries). And the best part is the incredible yellow salsa made from Peruvian peppers and vinegar that pares incredibly well with the jucy, crispy, seasoned chicken. And to think we almost settled for GFC!

Well, I got another hankering for chicken today, so I went to Inkas with a co-worker. The Monday through Friday lunch special is the medio (1/2) pollo a la brasa with papas fritas, a large bowl of sancochado (homemade beef & vegitable soup), a glass of chicha morada, and of course that wonderful salsa criolla with french bread. The price? $10! And the kicker? We shared a plate of empanadas, which may have been the best I have ever tried. No kidding.

Unfortunately, on both trips the place was less than half full. It is a shame, because it is a good space, with great food and friendly family service. It would be a shame if it didn't make it.

Inkas Restaurant
3299 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
[phone]

[Absonot]

Thanks for writing this -- I don't go there as often as I should and it really is a friendly, nice place. The menu might not be as innovative as Limon or Fresca, but it's a solid value. Do they still have the beef hearts on the menu? They were quite good when I had them last year. (see? It's been too long...)

[Windy]

They are the best beef hearts in town. And yes, they're still on the menu.

The ceviche mixto is excellent, as are the parihuela and fried yuca. Haven't tried the empanadas or sancochado.

Food is much better than Fresca or Mi Lindo Peru; as mentioned it's family owned and run. Very solid, good place to bring kids. And open fairly late.

[Fine]

Do you happen to know how late it serves?

Thanks!

[Windy]

No idea. 9:30 or 10? Give them a call.

[Atomica]

All I've heard is horror stories about Inkas from friends/neighbors who have eaten there. I guess I'll have to try it after reading this, since it's so darn convenient.

[Windy]

Service can be slow, but I've never had any dish that would deserve a horror story. Especially compared to the many bad options nearby in Noe Valley.

[Fine]

What kinds of horror stories? That's a terrible thing to just drop--LOL

[Atomica]

The type that one is not allowed to discuss on Chowhound, which is why I didn't elaborate.

[bernalgirl]

Agreed. I consider this a good replacement for the now-mediocre Fina Estampa, not as chi chi as Fresca or as down-home as Mi Lindo Peru. And that they actually have beef hearts is a joy, that's one of my favorite Peruvian dishes.

[kare_raisu]

Can you compare this place to any other Peruvian places in the city?