Rotisserie Chicken & Peruvian Mayos at Sardi’s

Of all the food assets we can boast in Philly, we are truly lacking in the quality rotisserie chicken department.  To help that struggle, Sardi’s Pollo A La Brasa opened on City Ave late fall, it may be out of the way for some (it is for me), but it does sit in a convenient parking lot (thanks for driving, friends).

A plate of chicken and a few sides is a sufficient meal for a few people and extremely affordable.  ($18 for a whole chicken and 2 sides). As I had hoped and prayed,  the chicken is moist and flavorful, as is the skin though it could have been crispier. It is obvious that a slew of spices are vigrously rubbed on these birds.

We tried a few sides;  plump, sweet plantains, basic and (not unpleasantly) greasy fried rice, and crispy string beans.

Do not forget the sauces. I almost did, even ate some chicken without sauce before remembering! But then I stopped being an idiot and went back up to the counter to demand the trio; red, green, and yellow- all 3 contain garlic, vinegar, spices, oil, and egg-  spicy Peruvian mayos of slightly varying flavors and spice levels. Yellow was the favorite of the table, yellow is the color of my energy?

Mixed ceviche ($14) comes out looking pretty intense- the fish is not cut up and a whole raw fillet is sort of odd to dig in to, but the tangy taste was on point, with extra citrus dressing, a spicy mayo, and popped hominy for crunch and an intense, glistening sweet potato that did a commendable job soaking up the ceviche juice.

We only tapped in to one of the land animal protein sources here. I have my eye on the steak, particularly in short rib form. For the offal eaters, beef heart can be found on the menu as well. Beef, chicken, or seafood, at Sardi’s, hopefully you will find yourself agreeing with the sign in the bathroom letting you know: “Everyone is feeling Peruvian.”

THE + (What somebody who likes this place would say)

  • Cheap and wholesome Peruvian fare
  • Solid rotisserie chicken

THE – (What somebody who doesn’t like this place would say)

  • Its fast food!
  • Where is City Ave?
Sardi’s Pollo A La Brasa, 4510 City Ave, 215 307-3658

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3 Comments

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    I agree, Sardis offers a good rotisserie chicken, and their ceviche is good. But still nowhere close to the Peruvian you can get in northern VA/D.C. area. What really disappointed me with Sardies was their lomo saltado. For the price, just not enough beef strips and the portion was on the smaller size.

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