El Rico Pollo - San Bernardino

Walked in and it was dark. The lights were off for sum reason. I get it natural light from the day time is ok but it did seem a little warm in there not sure if there ac had issues. Food was good ???????? ???? no problems at all.

Went here for something different, and different it was! Peruvian cuisine is something that I've seldom had, and this place did not disappoint. The atmosphere here was a bit dark though. There wasn't any real light except for the very back and the big baywindow.

Very unpleasant experience. We came for pollo a la brasa, and they told us they can only offer 1/4 of a chicken, but people that order carryout were taking 3- 4 whole chickens. After ther brought us our food, we had to wait 5 more minutes to get thesilverware, and it was disposable. No napkins, floor with trash under the tables. Disgusting. The food mediocre. We orderedjalea, too much garlic, and the chicken tasteless. We try to support Peruvian restaurants, but like this, there is no way! Ashame for Peruvian cuisine and culture. I rather drive 1 hr than coming back here again.

Authentic Peruvian Food. Because of it being authentic and well prepared, it takes time to prep your meal. I can honestly say you 'll be satisfied with your meal, a mixture of flavors that awakens your taste buds. From Appetizers to Entrees and theredelicious dessert! You 'll for sure leave satisfied and will want to return. These are a few of the plates I absolutely love andbelieve you will to. Recommendations: For starters they 'll give you cancha and green sauce absolutely delicious, the green saucewill taste so good with steamed rice if you order an entree with it and french fries. They have a yummy Peruvian only AguaFresca called Maracuya, Ceviche Mixto(Photo 1), Anticucho(Photo 2), chicharron de calmares(Photo 3), papa a la huancaina, Polloa la Pobre, Pescado a lo Macho, Chupe de Camaron and last but not least Picarrones..

Anticuchos $8: these are made from beef heart, marinated overnight in a mix of vinegar, spices, salt and pepper? and I am sure a couple of other ingredients. When done properly they are very tasty, the come with grilled potato and a savory sauce to dip them in. They are supposedly cooked on fire till the edges are crunchy or very close to it. We liked them a lot. 4 Stars. Ceviche Mixto $12: the most popular of peruvian dishes. There are countless varieties of ceviche, and it does take skill to make a good one, let alone an excellent one. Fish, Calamari, Shrimp, Octopus, this is a Ceviche Mixto. Comes with a leaf of lettuce, sweet potato, corn or hominy, and depending on the person they can make it very hot (spicy) or mildly so. This one we also liked, and the price was a little more benign than in most peruvian places. 4 Stars. Fried Fish $13?: Fried fish, did not determine what kind, but it was nicely spiced to where it had abundant flavor. Came with white rice and a fresh salad, plus a traditional onion salsa. Did not disappoint. 4 Stars. Picarones $6: a traditional deep fried like doughnut, very fluffy and crispy, made mostly with butter squash or pumpkin batter, and served with a traditional syrup that is very popular in Peru, Chancaca? (hope this is spelled correctly). When done properly this dessert is delicious and this version did not disappoint. 4 Stars. Service was mostly adequate. 3.5 Stars.Total Bill: $55+, plus gratuity, we felt it had been expensive for a lunch engagement, but then again peruvian places always squeeze the wallets, some more than others, though. 4 Stars. Today, 5-8-2019, made the blunder of returning to this wore out establishment. Last time was around 2 years ago? We wanted Peruvian, and we broke our decision not to return. We chose this place again because of the driving distance. The place is nicely decorated, Peruvian motifs and well chosen music. First, they should change their name from El Rico Pollo (the tasty chicken) to El Pollo Seco (the dry chicken), for it required gulps of their distasteful water ? just to swallow the overcooked, badly marinated, Peruvian style chicken. A total embarrassment to the very tasty chicken sold in Peru. We ordered one whole chicken w rice/fries for almost $25. Rice was mediocre. You want good Peruvian white rice? Go to Panca in Oceanside. Fries from the frozen bag were a lot more appetizing. 1.5 Stars. 2 Ceviches Mixto (mixed ceviche) for almost $30. Mine had more red onions than seafood, total rip off, and word to the wise, the citrus juice that supposedly cooks the raw seafood, comes in a bottle. The other ceviche was loaded w seafood compared to mine, made me slightly envious. Still, it was edible. 3 Stars. Chicken Causa, $8? Told it was very nice. 4 Stars. Anticuchos, $10+ Decent. 3 Stars. Picarones, $6.50. Peruvian dessert, we like it a lot. Deep fried like donuts made with squash/pumpkin? with a unique syrup. Place was empty at 7 PM, very bad sign indicating that this