One of the hottest worldwide food trends is in Charlotte. Here are 7 ways to experience it.
Ceviche.
Pollo a la Brasa.
Rocoto.
Palta Rellena.
Over the past couple of decades, Peruvian food has become a worldwide trend. The New York Times cited that the cuisine was taking on the world back in 1999. The Food Network stated that “Foodies around the globe have an appetite for Peruvian Cuisine” in 2017. Lima was named as one of the world’s hottest culinary destinations.
Peruvian cuisine is a mix of indigenous dishes and Spanish influences that also incorporates Asian influences, thanks to generations of Chinese and Japanese immigrants who brought along stir fry dishes and rice. And in Charlotte, we have several ways to experience Peru’s cultural dishes, including traditional, modern and fusion menus. Pick from fast casual, fine dining or a restaurant in between.
Here are 7 ways to explore the Peru’s cuisine without buying a plane ticket:
Calle Sol
Location: 1205 Thomas Ave., Charlotte, NC 28205
Neighborhood: Commonwealth
What to order:
- On the ceviche menu, Rocoto ($15) is spicy rocoto chili peppers, freshly squeezed lime juice, sliced onions, cilantro, salt and pepper.
- Loma Saltado, which is stir fried strips of marinated sirloin, red onions, tomatoes, soy sauce, cilantro, French fries, ginger and white rice ($15).
MachuPiccu
Location: 315 S Polk St, Pineville, NC 28134
Neighborhood: Pineville
What to order:
- Desayuno lurin, a traditional Peruvian breakfast. It’s a tamale with fried pork, homemade sweet potato fries, French bread and salsa criolla ($15.99).
- Spaguetti a la huancaina con bistec, which is spaghetti tossed in a traditional Peruvian cheese sauce, accompanied with a grilled sirloin steak and roasted potatoes ($19.99).
Mily & Lalo
Location: 3210 N Sharon Amity Rd, Charlotte, NC 28205
Neighborhood: Eastland-Wilora Lake
What to order:
- Carapulcra, marinated chicken in a traditional Peruvian sauce that consists of dried potato in spices served with white rice ($10).
Chicharron de Mariscos, assorted seafood that’s lightly breaded and spiced, then deep fried and served with yucca and salsa criolla ($17.99).
Panca Peruvian
Location: 7510 Pineville-Mathews Road, Unit 10A-2, Charlotte, NC 28226
Neighborhood: Carmel Village/Carmel
What to order:
- Yuca a la huancaina, which is fried yucca sticks served with house huancaina sauce made with ají amarillo, a yellow Peruvian pepper ($7).
Pulpo, which is grilled octopus in panca pepper marinade served with potato, choclo (Peruvian corn) and huacatay sauce, made with a black mint herb paste ($17).
Pio Pio
Location: 9816-A Rea Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
Neighborhood: Blakeney
Location: 1408 East Blvd, A1, Charlotte, NC 28203
Neighborhood: Dilworth
What to order:
- Latin combo, a whole chicken, salad, rice and beans, ripe plantains and yuca ($32).
- Jalea, a Peruvian seafood platter with onion, tomato and lime juice ($17).
Poplar
Location: 224 W 10th St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Neighborhood: Fourth Ward/Uptown
What to order:
- Cevice de Camarones: Shrimp Ceviche, onions, peppers, tomatoes, cilantro, lime juice. Served with pita bread ($14).
- Palta Rellena: four avocado halves stuffed with tomatoes and pico ($9).
Viva Chicken
Location: multiple locations
Neighborhood: Ballantyne, Concord, Elizabeth, Gastonia, Huntersville, Indian Land, Park Road, Sun Valley Waverly
What to order:
- Pollo a la Brasa, which comes in various sizes and packages. A whole chicken with three sides is $25.25.
- Inca Wrap, a sundried tomato wrap with organic canary beans, rice, avocado and salsa criolla ($7.95).
This story was originally published November 10, 2021 at 6:45 AM.
