Machu Picchu: Pollos a la brasa Report
So my bf and I went to the "grand opening" of Machu Picchu's Pollos a la brasa outpost last night. It was good. I was pretty impressed. The decor is colorful and inviting. Somewhat rustic. Everyone was very friendly. When I first stopped in to pick up a menu on the way home they were very attentive.
I, of course, got some pollo a la brasa- the half chicken size. Instead of french fries, I got some fried yuca. The chicken was really good. The skin was perfectly golden and full of flavor. The chicken meat was very moist and cooked all the way through. The only thing that I wasn't expecting was the slight vinegar-y taste. Other than that, though, the flavor was delicious. The skin was the best part as always. And as for the yuca, it wasn't what I expected. Usually I'm used to yucca being very starchy and slightly dry (but still delicious). This yuca was very... french fry-ish. You know how Burger King (gasp) fries have a sort of flavorful crunchy coating on the outside? This yuca was a bit like that. It almost tasted as if it had been battered and then fried. It was a little weird. Not bad, just not what I was expecting. It made it seem less healthy than other fried yuca that I've had. The meal came with a side salad of shredded lettuce, some sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, and radishes.
Bf got the "pollo al estilo." It was basically marinated chicken shish kabobs. Some chicken chunks skewered with onions and tomatoes. The dish came with yuca as well as some large corn kernels that were extremely starchy. I didn't try it but he said the chicken was juicy and tasty. Neither of us was a fan of the corn kernels.
Pretty good overall. We were pleased and would definitely go back. The half chicken was $8.99 and the chicken skewers were about $10 I think? Good deal for a good quick dinner. And about halfway through our meal a band of about 3 guys came in and set up in the corner. They started playing just as we were walking out at about 8 o'clock or so. Who knows if they will be there every night but it was a nice touch.
By meaganl
on Mar 28, 2008 09:18 AM
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The fried yucca sounds similar to what we experienced at Rincon Limeno a couple of weekends ago. The preparation was not what we expected either, but they all disappeared in a flash.
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Hey nice one meaganl -- thanks for taking one for the team and reporting back. I've got to try that pollo a la brasa!
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Hey! I was there last night too! but only for take out and right as the band was bringing in their equipment. I'm kind of surprised that Macchu Picchu would put another outpost across the street, but I've only been to the other one once and don't remember how different the menus are. I got the whole chicken with FF and salad. If I had known you can substitute yucca I would have. The fries were pretty boring. The dark meat on the chicken was delicious, and I know what you're saying about the vinegar flavor, I thought it was mix of garlic and vinegar. The breast meat was a little dry but I'm forgiving of it since it was only their first day out. $16.00 for the whole chicken plate which is just slightly steep (can get a chicken from Market Basket for 4$).
The best fried yucca for me is from Taco Loco with the fried pork!
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Just as a note, they don't explicitly say anywhere that you can sub in yucca for fries. I just asked since I saw it on the menu and they happily obliged. I'm glad I wasn't missing much by not getting the fries!
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Thanks for the post! We went by just this past week and I noticed the glitzy sign - I was a bit surprised. The "main" Machu Picchu never seems very busy when I have gone by recently. Anyway, this sounds like a great weekday-type dinner option.
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Got take-out from here Friday night - the whole chicken a la brasa - DF and I agree that this was pretty much the best roast chicken we have ever encountered. Incredible flavor that permeated the entire bird, not just on the skin - smoky, spicy, both dark and light meats were very moist. Fries and basic salad come with it, which were just ok, and would try to omit next time. The entire meal (w/ sides) is $16 iirc - even with the merely ok sides, the chicken alone is well worth it. It was also a huge bird - fed us for two real meals + picking all weekend. It will be on permanent rotation for us.
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so glad you posted this. i started a thread a few months ago and very few people responded, but i am in total agreement with you and your description of the bird.
i also think their pork tamales are the very best i have ever had. they are flat and huge, filled with braised pork chunks, olives, egg. what makes them astoundingly good is the masa- it is orange color and sooooo savory- i'm guessing pork stock(from the braising maybe) at least! they are a whole meal here and they reheat (steam) just fine.
btw, the bird, withOUT the sides, is $13!
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Not to be self-referential....but a further refinement of my earlier post -
Got another one this weekend - Again, I cannot say enough about how tremendous this chicken tastes - moist and super-flavorful. Whole chicken is quartered - the birds they use are really plump - maybe twice the size of the roast chickens you can get pre-cooked at Shaw's or Whole Foods, if that's a visual that helps.
Comes with fries that are average at best and a salad that is forgettable (shredded iceberg, a slice of radish, a slice of tomato, three slices of cucumber - literally). So I have tried to get them to just skip the accompaniments - I think the bird alone is $12 and with the "meal," it's $14, and they never seem to understand why I would want only the bird, so sometimes I don't fight them on it. The fries were much improved and degreasified by a quick bake in the oven to crisp them up.
Did I mention the sauces? They always give me three - a white one with flecks of herbs - I think it's a ranch dressing of some sort....a pale yellow one that is mildly mustardy....a greenish-yellow one that is like the yellow but with a kick of spice. All three are great for dipping the chicken and the fries.
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Agree completely, Bob. Went with my son last week, second time for me and first for him. What a flavorful bird...smoky, savory, delicious. I especially like the dark meat and the skin. Fries are forgettable, but I rarely take a pass on something fried. Salad is indeed as you describe, and the white sauce is a pretty mild ranch-type dressing that comes on the salad when you order in. The yellow and green sauces are a perfect accompaniment to the chicken. I especially like the one that has some mild heat to it.
The half bird with fries and salad was about $9.99, which is quite reasonable for the quality and taste. It was under $40 for two half-bird dinners, two glasses of house wine and a Mexican beer (sorry, can't remember the brand...something he hadn't tried before...Cristal, I think.).
My son said he's been extolling the virtues of that chicken ever since.
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I forgot to say that we also had a nice Peruvian empanada as an app. The filling had a good beefy flavor,and the pastry was tasty. Not particularly flaky, but very slightly sweet and tender.
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I just went to the Union Square location tonight, and it was phenomenal! My partner and I both ordered a 1/4 chicken (one white, one dark), and I have to say; it was the best I've had outside of south Florida!
We ordered the Choripapas appetizer, which is just sausage and fries- more like a kielbasa than chorizo, but still ok. Better still was the "classic lemonade" which is really a limeade that is made in the blender-- I've had this at a Dominican restaurant before, and I'm so glad I can get it here!
Also, I would suggest skipping the fries, yuca or anything really and just get the plantains. They are the best sweet plaintains I've had in this area; perfectly ripe, just perfect! Don't miss the alfajores for dessert- they are light crispy cornstarch cookies with dulce de leche sandwiched in the middle. I think you get about 10-12 little guys for $6.50, and totally worth it! I wish they would deliver... it would make my winter!
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Where is this place please?
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http://www.machupicchuboston.com/
love the Google.
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Note that there are actually two restaurants - the main restaurant is 307 Somerville Avenue, Somerville.
We get the chicken at the little satellite location down the street - Machu Picchu Charcoal Chicken & Grill at 25 Union Sq. in Somerville.
Same folks - I assume you can also order the pollo a la brasa at the main restaurant, but I do not see it on their website's menu.
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Three of us had lunch yesterday - a half chicken, beef hearts, and a deconstructed (i.e. they were out of bread) pork sandwich, that my companions said people on the board have raved about...All good! The yellow sauce for the chicken is an aji amarillo, made with aji peppers, and the green sauce had a great kick and was fresh tasting - We had to order these as a side (for $2) but I'm not sure we were actually charged. (When we asked whether they come with the chicken, we were told No - but it sounds like you guys got them anyway) The beef hearts were tender enough and quite flavorful, and we all agreed that the pork, along with the accompanying onions and sweet potato, might make a better sandwich then a plate, but we enjoyed it anyway. Also had a couple chicha moradas (Peruvian drinks) - made with purple corn, cloves, and cinnamon - quite sweet, and with a refreshing punch to it (not punch flavor, but "Let me wake you up"). Total bill, with T + T: $11.50 each...
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fredid,
since you mentioned beef heart, would you plse tell me what it's like in texture and flavor? while i'm not squeamish in general,(Sweetbreads and foie gras and marinated tongue are delic. for me)I have not had beef heart. i know many love it and it's a regular on many so. amer. menus. I do hate calves liver.
Is beef heart a mealy texture? is its flavor mild or gamey or...? thanks for your help.
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I love this place too. Instead of the standard 1/4 chicken with fries, I order the 1/4 chicken (dark meat always) with the steamed veggie salad. I can't remember what it's called, but it's got beets, green beans, and avocado (raw, of course) in it and it's very refreshing. Costs a bit more but more healthy and worth it.
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