Chicken Latino - Strip District - Pittsburgh
October 2010
Chicken Latino Brings Peru to the Strip
Shannon Sankey
Three years ago Pittsburgh’s Strip District was privileged with a Peruvian jewel. At Chicken Latino owner Shelbin Santos offers fresh and local rotisserie chicken marinated overnight in a brew of tasty traditional spices. While you won’t hear the secret recipe from her, you’ll detect garlic, rosemary, and smoky Peruvian peppers, among other authentic Latin flavors. Rotisserie chicken marinated and slowly cooked in a brick oven to seal in the juices and flavor. Their chicken is served whole (17.50), half (9.50), or in quarters (6.50). Portions are generous and complimented by delicious sides, such as soaked-to-soften, slow cooked black beans, savory spanish rice, and coleslaw.
Santos, a psychologist, inherited a passion for cooking from her family in Peru, and in 2007 she set up shop in the Strip to share it with Pittsburghers. Her menu is sweet and simple, much like Chicken Latino’s quaint and colorful atmosphere. Affordable appetizers include warm freshly made tortilla chips and salsa (2.99), yucca fries (compare to fried potatoes) (3.99), jalapeno poppers (3.99), and must-try sweet fried plantains (2.99). Her most popular dish features Peruvian chicken, moist, tasty and seasoned perfectly served with fresh cooked black beans atop plenty of spanish rice, with a touch of shredded cheese. Entrees range from 3.99 to 17.50.
If you happen to stop by during the weekend, try the signature ceviche made with lime-cured tilapia, or the Peruvian pork roast, seasoned perfectly, so tender and moist it will have you coming back every weekend for more. Chicken Latino also offers American dishes like the grilled chicken sandwich, burgers, and salads. The menu also features popular Mexican meals as well but with a Peruvian twist such as burritos served crispy or soft, and chicken or veggie quesadillas. Definitely something for everyone!
What keeps guests coming is the homemade green sauce, a salsa verde, that will ignite your taste for Latin cuisine. Be warned, a little dab will do you. This secret blend of spices, cilantro, habanero, and jalapeno will take the chill right out of a Pittsburgh October. You’ll need a good beverage with this, like genuine Peruvian cola, or fresh fruit juice. Fountain drinks are also available, but you can get Pepsi anywhere, right?
If you decide to get take-out, Santos asks that you call an hour ahead so she’ll have time to make your meal fresh. Better yet, stay and eat in-house, where you can enjoy upbeat Peruvian art with your meal. Chicken Latino caters and is available for parties. Santos rents out the restaurant and caters to any celebration. It is a BYOB restaurant, and best of all there is no charge for corking!
Located on 21st, Chicken Latino is an affordable, authentic Latin experience, hopefully serving up Peru to Pittsburgh for years to come. Hours Monday/Sunday are 11am-5pm, Tuesday-Thursday 11am-8pm, Friday 10am-8pm. This is one restaurant you definitely have to try... and as always, be sure and tell them your friends from Nightwire sent you!
Chicken Latino
155 21st Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
412-246-0974