Date of Visit: September 26, 2008

In the LA Times’ recent rotisserie chicken round up, Judith Kane Jeanson pinpointed her eight favorite birds in the county. Over the past 10 years, I’d eaten at every selection except for Pollos El Brasero, a Peruvian spot in L.A.’s Pico-Union district. Turns out Pollos El Brasero probably serves the best rotisserie chicken of the bunch.

Juan Shinzato, Jr. said that his Japanese father and his Lima-born mother (Maria Bajuelo) have run Pollos El Brasero for eight years, specializing in rotisserie chicken cooked over dry firewood.

The space itself is simple, with light brick on the outside, a row of red tables inside, along with a prominently displayed Peruvian flag. Service is strictly order-at-the-counter, and payment is cash only.

Juan revealed that his parents marinate the chicken for 24 hours in a blend of wine, salt, pepper and soy sauce, to name four ingredients in the recipe. I ordered a half chicken ($6.10), which featured caramelized skin, uniformly moist meat, including the breast, and what tasted like a citrus tang. On its own, the chicken would have been remarkable, and the experience got even better by dipping the meat in fiery aji (Peruvian jalapeno salsa). The side of steamed white rice and stewed pinto beans ($1.50) was a nice complement, especially when doused with the container of mild red salsa.

Hours:
Tuesday – Sunday: 10 AM – 8:30 PM

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1. Carlos, June 12, 2009:

   What?? I have been a client at this restaurant for many years now even before Juan Shinzato Jr. was there. I personally know the owners Juan Shinzato Sr. and his sister Charo, but I have never seen or even heard of a “Maria Bajuelo”. I have been eating there since the first year they opened. The food WAS excellent but recently, the quality of the chicken has dropped.

2. Joshua Lurie, June 12, 2009:

   Juan, Jr. provided all the information regarding Pollos El Brasero during my visit. Sorry to hear you think the food has gone downhill.

This entry is filed under California, Eastside, Los Angeles, South American, Southern California.