Pio Pio Salon, Upper West Side

Peruvian cuisine has taken off in New York with Pio Pio leading the charge. This chain of restaurants specializing in rotisserie chicken expanded to several locations around the city, with Pio Pio Salon the biggest one on the Upper West Side

Our group of 10 arrived on a Saturday night to find a packed house. The establishment is medium-sized, but filled to the brim with tables so we had to wait outside, which unfortunately took awhile. The staff was not helpful in getting us enough chairs to seat our party, but from what I’ve heard about the restaurant, Pio Pio is known more for their food than the service.

We were also told they have large portions at modest prices, so we decided to order family style for the table, opting for the Lomo Saltado (spiced sirloin strips) and the Matador Combo which includes a whole chicken served with rice, beans, tostones (fried plantains) and avocado salad. I’ve previously tried Peruvian chicken at a hole-in-the-wall joint in Los Angeles and I hoped Pio Pio would maintain the same level of excellence.

I can’t speak to its authenticity, but I was satisfied by the quality of the food. All the sides were simple yet delicious in addition to the beef, but it’s easy to see why the restaurant is famous for their rotisserie. The main course was everything you wanted in a roasted chicken — moist tender meat with a crispy outer skin, only enhanced by Pio Pio’s spicy green sauce made of cilantro, lime and huacatay, a type of Andean mint.

Although the restaurant was crowded and the staff was initially terse, the service is quickly forgotten once you start chowing down. Pio Pio Salon is definitely a place I’d return to. If this is the first time you’re trying this type of cuisine, be sure to order a pisco sour as the cherry on top of a classic Peruvian meal.

Pio Pio Salon

702 Amsterdam Ave.

New York, N.Y. 10025

212 665 3000