Figured it was about time to give this place a dedicated thread.
Met an old friend here for lunch today. When I say old, I mean he is ten years older than me so he is OLD. I was shocked he had never been to Don Pepe. When we walked in he told me he didn’t like Peruvian food.
We shared my go to meal - Combo Don Pepe. For a ridiculously small $20 you get an entire roasted chicken, a huge portion of house salad with their delicious house dressing, and a large order of chicken fried rice.
Not only did my friend eat more than his share of everything, he insisted that he take the leftovers home. One visit is all it takes.
If I remember this place has a nice smoky flavor to their chicken but is always empty. I mean is it even possible for there to be a Peruvian roast chicken that’s not amazing. I think super Pollo is a little better than this place but it’s still fantastic.
Peruvian food- many dishes have aji (peppers) which range from mild (aji amarillo) to hot (aji limon) to super hot (rocoto).
Aji amarillo is used to flavor many dishes and sauces [lower, and with huacatay (mint) in light green].
Aji Limon is used in Ceviche (red bits in Leche de Tigre). We once used three aji limone in a shrimp ceviche for two and it took a bit to finish. Very hot.
Aji rocoto (red in small cups) is also extra hot and gives some dishes a kick.
Aji panca is a dried chili also available as paste in jars.
Available frozen and in jars, check them out if you like to cook with peppers.
Don Pepe to go after a fall drive.
Anticucho of Beef Heart/Beef, Shrimp Ajillo, Choritos a
la Chalaca (mussels), Avocado Salad, and Leche de Tigre (Corvina).
Nice meal without feeling too full.
Shrimp Ajillo with Aji Amarillo.
Pollo a la Brasa, Leche de Tigre (ask for better fish than Tilapia or that’s what you’ll get), Yucca, Arroz Chifa. Have enjoyed most things there. Sauces definitely, Huacatay and Rocoto. Ask for it pica (hot) if you like heat. You can always add some rocoto.
Circumstances dictated that we needed to find some take out for our meal today. After a couple of days eating the first photo, we ordered Don Pepe for a nice big meal.
Personal Parilla, Leche de Tigre, Pollo a la Brasa, Arroz Chaufa, salad.
Frequently bewildered by the Latin steak cuts but this was a nice cut with various textures and good flavor. Parilla also comes with 1/4 chicken, chorizo and anticucho.
Lots of good combinations on the menu. This was the Roulette with Ceviche, Tiradito (raw marinated fish), Seafood with Rice, Calamari, and Causa (riced potatoes with aji amarillo) with Chicken Salad. We split this and it was a nice meal. They offer three different fish for Ceviche including the chosen Corvina.
Also picked up a whole Pollo a la Brasa so we don’t have to cook tomorrow. With an Inca Kola total came to $78.
Tiradito- Corvina with Aji Amarillo. Expensive but super fresh and tasty, especially with some added Rocoto.
Pargo a Lo Macho- Whole fried Snapper topped with Seafood and Aji Amarillo cream. This is a big meal. Still have a problem with this type of crab, too much work!
Pescado Chorillana- Tilapia with veggies. GF wished she would have ordered something else, more out of preference than quality.
