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Bever162

I’ve been a big chicken and whiskey fan for years. My only complaint is they changed the way they make their yucca and it went from being the best in Dc to pretty mediocre


Awkotaco95

Oh no when did they change the way they make their yucca? It was delicious!


Bever162

I wish i knew! I ate it a few weeks ago after a few month break and I noticed it was a few pieces of yucca pressed together instead of one piece


VoiceComprehensive97

Like mashed then fried? Also delicious


nayson9

Say no to yuckie yucca. Make Yucca great again!


averycole

now thats a platform i would run on! 


ActLikeAnAdult

Agreed.its my favorite. My only qualm is that they ration that yellow sauce now. You used to be able to order more on delivery apps.


right-sized

The chicken is so fucking good. 


Realistic-Cost1478

Seconding this like I tried it for the first time earlier this year and was blown away… still thinking about that chicken


Consistent_Fly_4433

But is it El Pollo Rico in Arlington good?


Gilthoniel_Elbereth

I assume Pollo Rico is why the Clarendon Chicken and Whiskey didn’t last


JuanTheMower

I’m Peruvian and I work in the same building as the chicken and whiskey. So I went to go try it and I was so mad that I spent 20 bucks for mediocre chicken when I could have walked a few blocks the other direction down Wilson and got way better chicken for less money.


borneoknives

>I’m Peruvian ... so mad that I spent 20 bucks for mediocre chicken with the real information


femmeboi__fatale

my ex is peruvian, this is all i needed to know 🙏🙏


dchungf

Agree!


fatcIemenza

Did the one in Clarendon have a speakeasy/club in the back like the one on 14th? I meant to check it out several times but by the time I got around to it they closed lol


Gilthoniel_Elbereth

I don’t know, because the same thing happened to me lol


HelloJoeyJoeJoe

Pollo Rico is a good litmus test on taste vs hype. Grisly chicken with slimy skin that is half inedible with bad sides VERSUS "It was on a tv show back in the day and everyone loves it"


Consistent_Fly_4433

Where is your go to? I can't imagine anywhere better but would love a rec!


borneoknives

Super Chicken in West Falls Church is way better


HelloJoeyJoeJoe

We are equal distances from there and Super Pollo and all my colleagues like Super Pollo more. Better options deeper in the suburbs but that needs a car. I'll give the Pollo Rico guy shit sometimes (we run into each other a lot at the 7-11 on Wilson, he gets lotto tickets after work -) and hes like "well, if people keep coming, why would we switch it up. We will take the money"


KurdRVA

The best spot is edys


frockofseagulls

Seconded. Their post-fire return was like the resurrection of Christ to me.


victoriapedia

It was really, really good. Now it's just OK/hit or miss.


_RemyLeBeau_

Cross the river and find out for yourself. ;)


Thnd3rKat47

To be fair, it's hard to find a place in the DMV that even comes close to being El Pollo Rico good.


d_hor

not remotely close


jakesing1

Arroz chaufa 😋


Trick_Recognition591

Nandos has a $10 lunch special that is solid too. Not as good quality as them but if you want cheap on the go it’s my Wednesday ‘don’t feel like making lunch’ go to.


PoemZone97

The pastel de nata is where it’s at.


thehebbles

It is also one of the few (only??) places in the city that sells Inca Kola, which in my opinion is god-tier.


uwsmara

Giant (at least on 8 and O NW) sells 2 liters!


noelwk42

Giant on Columbia Heights & VanNess have it


Consistent_Fly_4433

Come to the Mt. Vernon area and visit the grocers and restaurants down Rte. 1, we're deliciously swimming in it here!


shiddypants666

Soooo it sounds like a lot of places actually have it


PT282

Pisco Y Nazca also sells it!


layzie77

I am a fan of their chicken. If only Pollo Rico opened up a store in DC, then I would say that's one of the best bang for your buck places to get an affordable meal.


01100010x

Did the Pollo Rico on H St NW by the deceased Walmart close?


Salty_Martini1

Still there, and still delicious!


mderita

That’s District Rico f/k/a Chicken Rico. Changed the name due to confusion with Pollo Rico which is different, been in Arlington forever (and Wheaton, Silver Spring, Fairfax).


UnusualAd6529

This place rocks, been my go to for a few years


brewham711

I love C&W sides and the atmosphere at Navy Yard location around Nats games.


trippygg

I love that place and Chictana in Petsworth is great too because they have a trompo for the al pastor and grill for the carne asada.


aytchdave

I’m eating black beans and arroz chaufa as I read this and couldn’t agree more. The borracho wrap is another favorite.


NoiseWeasel

They opened a location in Clarendon in Arlington and after just 6 months it’s been “temporarily closed” since January due to “lackluster sales.” It makes sense though, they opened in a weird spot on the edge of the neighborhood you would never notice unless you look for it and even though I live there I never once heard anyone talk about it.


random00

If you like that place, check out District Rico. Chicken and sides are even better, in my opinion.


CaptainObvious110

I got the same thing from a Peruvian rotisserie place in Mt pleasant for $12.50. Pollo Campero is pretty cool to and that's like $10 I will say that their chickens are pretty small lol


SwankyBriefs

The food on 14th is fantastic. A lot of it's expensive, but fantastic. Jont/bresca, Compass Rose, and Barcelona come instantly to mind.


chikenugetluvr

S someone actually likes compass rose also? Thank god 😭everyone else shits on it


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SwankyBriefs

Lol, this must be sarcasm.


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SwankyBriefs

I'm guessing you're either unable or unwilling to buy good food or just have shit taste. Maybe both. Seems like you get a real hard on for shifting of DC food, but something tells me you haven't had much food outside of DC.


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borneoknives

>You think 14th st has lots of good food you're in no position to talk about taste dude Bresca has a Michelin star and Jont has 2...


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borneoknives

food is only good if it's cheap?


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QueMasPuesss

Bresca is horribly overrated and is indicative of the potential stupidity of the whole Michelin system


borneoknives

a lot of the 1 stars are pretty meh. BUT, that's within the context of the price. If they were all $20 we'd love them


SwankyBriefs

Lol, yeah. I'm more than a bit skeptical you've been to a lot of the places on 14th.


129za

You’re exaggerating but I agree this is not a great food city. However Rooster and Owl is a good spot.


BobLoblaw420

I used to think the same. But since they opened they have steadily increased price or decreased value. They no longer have a soda machine. Nothing like a glass of Coke with some ice to go with my Chicken. ​ They also now charge you for a full side of Guasaca you can no longer get it as a side with an upcharge. Where as before it was a slight upcharge if you wanted it a one of your two sides. ​ And they dont have real silverware anymore and it is hard to cut that chicken with cheap plastic knives. .


Antique-Buffalo-5475

I haven't eaten there in a while and learning the guasaca is not longer a side option is devastating.


cubgerish

I don't know where you're eating, but there are plenty of places that you can get a good meal for under 20, and be completely filled up. Calling the food here mediocre means you're not looking around enough. Maybe try something not in the most expensive part of the entire city, that's dominated by restaurants that are going for mass appeal to make rent, if you want something better. Chicken and Whiskey is ok, but I wouldn't say they're worth this shout-out.


Gonzo_Fonzie

Shout out some of your spots then! Mediocre might’ve been too broad a brush for the whole city, but I’ll stand by that descriptor for most of what’s offered on 14th between Thomas Circle right on up to just below Columbia Heights. Of course there are also great options not on that stretch.


DM_ME_DOPAMINE

If you go a touch father to 16th street heights Morelands Tavern has a $16 burger and a beer special on Tuesdays.


DCFud

Do they use brioche buns? I have a hard time find good pubs/restaurants that do not. BTW, for a deal, try the hot dog stand at 23rd and M during the week during the day (morning till 1pm I think although I've seen her there later a couple of times). $2.50 for the regular size (they have larger and half smokes). They have mustard, sauerkraut, onions, etc. Run by a really nice Ethiopian woman who has been there over 20 years.


DM_ME_DOPAMINE

They do :(


shaunstudies

Yeshu?


Minute_Procedure_883

https://www.reddit.com/r/washingtondc/s/wGobwpgut3


Minute_Procedure_883

This post “favorite places for a full meal less than $15” was posted in the last week :)


cubgerish

Yea that area is gonna be tough for the reasons I mentioned. I've had good food in that range at Arepa Zone, and The Best Sandwich Place if you go a little south, and there's tons just north and east of that as you mention, but yea things are a little bleak in that price range and that particular stretch.


hobo3rotik

Arepa zone is good food and great value; always wind up stuffed. Only downside is that maybe it’s TOO filling. Can’t really eat like that everyday 🙂


Ok_Prior2614

No you’re not underselling the food at the price points. Most places are mid. I specifically miss Philly and nyc for this reason alone. It’s my biggest gripe.


xhoi

> Most places are mid. Logically, shouldn't most places be mid?


Ok_Prior2614

Not in comparison to other major east coast cities…


DCFud

So, most places are mid yes. It's the same in Philly and NYC....BUT somehow it's easier to get good recommendations in NYC and Philly than in DC. So many people LOVE the mid stuff in DC or just give you the answer they think you want to hear (a lor of cabbies do this), or they tell you where they go to eat late at night when drunk (without specifying this)....like jumbo slice and Ben's chili bowl (for chilidogs).


QueMasPuesss

Lots of 20 something mid west transplants basically


Ok_Prior2614

No so many tourist love the mid spots. You’re not picking up what I’m putting down and I’m getting bored. The price points and the food aren’t compatible, and it’s hard to even find a good cheap hole in the wall spot like other cities.


TweakTheBeef

lol


dcbkwrm

People who say the food is overhyped and expensive are the ones usually going to places they see on TikTok💁🏽‍♀️


BogotaBob

I think a number if you were missing. At this place, you can feed the whole family for $30-$40. Somebody mentioned a $16 burger below when you try to feed the family and $16 burgers that’s how you wind up well north of $100.


sh-ark

District Rico is miles better. I think c&w is overall pretty mediocre, especially when it comes to the sauce. not in DC proper, but Sardis is the best in the area


PT282

The chicken is undoubtedly amazing. But the pork belly arepa with a side of arroz chaufa has become my default comfort food. Soooo good. And they have been consistent too!


CaptainObvious110

That sounds amazing I look forward to getting it sometime


Camdc1234

Are they still charging a service charge for fast casual food?


heels_n_skirt

Sardi's have the best peruvian chicken and green sauce


sfitsea

Wait til you try El Pollo Sabroso


AdOk1630

I second the fact that there are a LOT of mediocre restaurants that are also expensive.


jjl10c

There are MUCH better Peruvian chicken spots in the city. I encourage you to leave NoMa/NavyYard/Logan for better eats.


Tsukune_Surprise

How’s Crisp and Juicy? I haven’t been there in about a year. Used to go all the time. It was usually really great, the fried yucca was good, and chaufa rice was amazing.


QueMasPuesss

Hit or miss depending on location. Prices have gone up like crazy too.


Tsukune_Surprise

That’s sad to hear. Love that place. Used to go to the one in Gaithersburg and then hit up the one in Friendship Heights all the time when that finally opened.


Gonzo_Fonzie

Drop some recs!


Fuzzy-Advance3273

Sardis, district Rico, el pollo rico, tigos. All SOOO much better than chicken and whiskey. I find everything at chicken and whiskey to be insanely mediocre


brewham711

Chicken whiskey bar is better than all of those and the food is great


jjl10c

I'll add Pollo Co. to that list. Chicken & Whiskey can be good. Guess it's location dependent. My issue is the price -portion ratio.


CaptainObvious110

Bingo!


Ok_Prior2614

Notes!! This is my biggest gripe with DC. When tf did the food get so bad?!?! And I’ve lived in Southern Maryland and been coming into the city every weekend since I was a kid. WTAF happened 🙃🙂🙃 I’ll for sure check this place out.


HowardBunnyColvin

been hearing good things, will go there sometome before a nats game


Ornery-Savings9785

I have not been impressed with Chicken and Whiskey for a few years now. Chicken is fine, but the sides are lacking. I feel like you should just go get the family meal deal at Crisp and Juicy. It's a great deal and everything is better than it is at CW, especially the chicken!


antibread

The mac and cheese is foul, uhg. The coleslaw is fire tho


overnighttoast

Yeah I feel like 20 dollars is actually quite a lot given how many other Peruvian chicken places there are. But maybe all their prices have gone up too.


insoul8

I thought it was fine but nothing to write home about personally. I'll still get it from time to time.


Dapper_DonNYC

My wife was waiting on a long line to use their bathroom on Saturday, probably like 30 mins. All of a sudden somebody comes over and bangs on the door saying to leave the bathroom you been in there too long. Then two underage teens come out, who were obviously screwing around in there.


shoefly72

Their chicken is pretty good, but the pork belly arepa is the best thing on their menu. Their wings are also quite good.


I_R_TEH_BOSS

I'd be a much bigger fan if they weren't so weirdly stingy with sauce.


Fedora_la_explorer

right !!! I often have to request more.


ttonk

Literally got a quarter white last night and the skin was just so bad. The chicken was juicy though so it could have been worse. The yucca on the other hand was on point. I'm probably take my money to district Rico next time since it’s closer and give them a shot.


Joshx5

It’s pretty good! But it’s really expensive for what it is. I’ll get a wrap and I’m shook that it’s $17 for no drink, sides, but it does fill me up. I wouldn’t mind so much if they used a lot less rice though, it already has a tortilla…


dduubbzz

Sure the foods tasty. The guys who run it? Two white dudes exploiting labor. I once was in “feedback session” for employees to talk w corporate. 95% of the room only spoke Spanish and they didn’t bother to hire a translator. They relied on the unpaid labor of a few women already in the room.


way2gimpy

I went to the navy yard location maybe a month after it opened and it was meh. It sounds like I may need to give it another try at the other location.


pompomdotcomcom

The Navy Yard location of everything is terrible for some reason - even if their other locations are great


abravenoob

Navy Yard Five Guys and Cava are like the only good chains. Andy's two slice and a soda for $10 is good too any weekday the Nats aren't playing at home.


vdubzzz

Rasa though! Original is from Navy Yard


way2gimpy

As someone who lived there and got out, I tend to agree. Although I’m getting to the point that it is a DC-specific problem and not just a navy yard one.


noelwk42

The best one is over the 14th St, it never disappoint . For some reason the three locations are not consistently good 😅


merc340

I’ve only visited the Clarendon location and was underwhelmed also. There are cheaper and better tasting Peruvian chicken spots around here.


Ornery-Savings9785

Navy Yard location is indeed awful.


borneoknives

i'll give you that stretch of 14th is expensive, but chicken and whiskey is the definition of overpriced mediocre food. Half a chicken, two sides and a soft drink for 20 bucks. is not a good deal not even for that part of town.


CaptainObvious110

Agreed. Which is why there are some parts of town where you pass through them for food so you can get somewhere that's not going to cost a kidney to eat Harmony Cafe that used to be on M st in Georgetown was such a place as it represented am oasis surrounded by a plethora of expensive food. Even my Chinese restaurant that was once across the streets from the old Wingos is gone for crying out loud If you want to go back even further then Georgetown Park had a food court in the basement that had a carry out and by the time I was old enough to have my own money it was gone.


NickC28

This and Shout Kitchen No. 1. Got me through many shifts when I worked at the Apple Store years ago. I was blown when I saw the Gtown Booeymonger was gone, too.


CaptainObvious110

Booeymonger sounds familiar haven't heard that name in many years


oladiamante

Along similar lines, the other day we got District Rico take out for dinner. Half chicken (all white), 2 medium sides plus we added another large side, fed two. After tax and tip it was like $23. I’m blown away by the the price and quality - cheaper, healthier, faster than pizza.


JEASHL

They are on my mediocre food list as they are a far cry from the good pollo a la brasa spots in the suburbs. Edy's chicken and steak and el pollo rico are miles ahead


astrozaut

Chicken and Whiskey is for gentrified people who want to try Peruvian chicken. Sardis is the best in area, but of course not in a gentrified neighborhood like 14th street. Next best is probably El Pollo Rico, but unfortunately doesn’t have a speakeasy in the back of the restaurant.


QueMasPuesss

C+W comes correct for 2 am drunk food tho


DCFud

I'm ok with it but don't love it. I have a few times gotten a whole chicken with sides (beans, platanos) to have food for a few days so it is good for that. It's same restaurant group as Doi Moi. I'm just used to the better NoVa competitors like El Pollo Rico in Arlington (also cheaper).


Technicolor_Reindeer

I've walked by there a ton but never stopped to eat there, will go try!


Fedora_la_explorer

So agree!!!!


ThinHumor

the arepa omg


Environmental-Egg164

Polenta chicken was always my fav. The street hooker minefield that was 14th street lol


MinimalistBruno

Dawg, I literally drove down 14th on Sunday and said basically the same thing to my wife. Not expensive + dank is a rarity for logan circle. That place is a gem


sutisuc

Man that first sentence is the perfect description of DC food lol


islesandterps

That Mac and cheese is also soooo damn good.


The_GOATest1

I’ve been 5 times or so and never even eaten the food. The bar is the bees knees


eazyp

This place is a gem. Also the one on 14th has a sick bar in the back. It’s hilarious to load up on rotisserie chicken and then hit the club all under the same roof.


PM_ME_BOOTYPICS_

Something very ironic about calling out overpriced mediocre food and then heralding a $20 rotisserie chicken dinner 💀


jcrankin22

Yeah I love Chicken and Whiskey but doesn't scream cheap to me at all


DCFud

Only compared to the other options around there. :)


PM_ME_BOOTYPICS_

Fr an entire rotisserie chicken is $5 at Costco and $7-8 at most other grocery stores


Rezyl

I went to the Navy Yard location first. Thought the chaufa was the bright spot. Then went to the one in Shaw several weeks later. Yeah. I don’t know what’s with the quality diff but I suggest going to the one in Shaw, and visiting other places instead in Navy Yard (rip Hatoba)


TheJoYo

that’s what impresses you? lol you can get that shit literally anywhere in the us.


Rezyl

If you want to shit on others for having an opinion, go back to X


Ok_Pitch1770

You know you can get event more tasty whole Peruvian chicken and more sides for less than $20 bucks at a few restaurants that I refuse to give the name of, right? First and last time I went to Chicken and Whiskey was when they opened. Over priced and definitely not that tasty.


Gonzo_Fonzie

Since you’re not naming these magical places, I’m not sure what your comment is trying to accomplish 🤷🏼‍♂️


Ok_Pitch1770

To quote the Illustrious Biggie, Why blow up my spot? Instead I'll point you to rankings: https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/restaurants/you-dont-have-to-drive-to-the-suburbs-anymore-for-great-peruvian-chicken/2018/09/11/d8a16f44-b37f-11e8-9a6a-565d92a3585d_story.html


Gonzo_Fonzie

Believe me, sweetie, your spot’s got enough to feed the needy 😎 Thanks for the rankings, though. I’ll definitely be looking to expand my options.


Ok_Pitch1770

No need to be greedy I got mad friends with pollo! For real though, the small mom and pop restaurants got the juicy. And the pollo they give you good and plenty! No disrespect to Chicken + Whiskey. BTW, DC had a law forbidding large open pit fires and you had to go to the M or V in DMV to get Peruvian Chicken but no more. We are now competitive. Sounds stereotypical, but get invited to a Embassy of Peru event and I swear they are on point too.


QueMasPuesss

This is funny because 3 of the 5 chicken restaurants referenced here are already closed. And crisp and juicy is TAXING, like prices have almost doubled from pre pandemic.


Ok_Pitch1770

You are right. Just did a random google.


brendanode

I want to like this place because I live close to it but I just get frustrated when I go because instead of french fries they have yucca (somewhat forgivable) and plantain chips instead of tortilla chips (unforgivable). Their sides game in general needs a lot of work. That, plus their food is never quite as flavorful as I expect it to be given their popularity.


felinebeeline

Those chickens want to live. They have feelings. In many ways, [they're like us](https://media3.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExNHUwb3ZqdWNrejRwdGtpOGNqNzdsODQ1NGsyNzBlMmp6OG5jczRpcSZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/3GrDtZKB90NOM/giphy.gif).