Viva Chicken
Review! Regional Chain based in Charlotte, North Carolina // fast casual Peruvian chicken // bang for your buck
the ELEVATOR PITCH
With the not-so-secret identity of #MeatGirl, one of my food weaknesses is juicy, flavorful, bone-in chicken with crispy skin (dark meat, of course). So when I experienced Viva Chicken’s rotisserie chicken for the first time back in 2019, I was (1) absolutely shocked that a fast casual chain could make such great quality chicken and sides, (2) aghast that I had lived so much of life without ever having had Peruvian chicken (I had lived quite a sheltered food life prior to graduating college), and (3) transformed to never underestimate a regional chain with their heads screwed on straight ever again.
Founders Chef Bruno Macchiavello and Randy Garcia packaged up the deliciousness of authentic Pollo a la Brasa found on the streets of Peru into the unassuming body of a fast casual joint, opening their first storefront in 2013 (with many more following since then). Color me impressed when I looked into Viva Chicken’s fine print and saw characteristics that I’d typically only expect at a small local artisan bistro versus a fast casual regional chain:
the chicken they use in all of their dishes is farm raised, all natural, hormone free, and marinated for 24 hours in Peruvian spice blend
the kitchen charcoal-fire ovens are hand built and imported from Peru
the juices and sauces are house made daily (if you go often enough, you’ll notice the sauces do vary slightly in consistency and taste due to their house made nature)
It was love at first bite and the love hasn’t ended there! She’s one of those gal pals that are your ride-or-dies: reliable, intentional, and good for you (emotionally, physically, and financially), without sacrificing flavor and a zest for life. If you ever ask me for dining suggestions with no particular constraints to meet, my first-tier suggestions will 100% include one of the following: Viva Chicken, Mezeh, Popeyes, or Five Guys (I’m truly a simple food girl at heart 😘).
Let me share some of my fave menu items with you! Reviews coming in HOT:
Rotisserie Chicken Meal: the skin is so flavorful, and CAN YOU BELIEVE—crispier than many of the Peruvian chickens I’ve had at smaller mom & pop shops (again, how does a chain achieve this quality) (do note—you’ll have a higher likelihood of getting crispy skin dining in. Every time I’ve had take out, the condensation softens the skin.) Another thing I love: when you order, they always ask you if you want white/dark meat, so you can customize your meal to have 100% white/dark or 50-50! (rating: 10/10)
👉 Peruvian corn salad (aka: Solterito): the flavors compliment each other so well—lots of onion-y, garlic-y, allium-esque moods that pair well with the crunch of edamame. The large corn kernels make this dish feel artisan and special, and the feta cheese contrasts nicely against everything else with its creaminess and salty profile. A unique salad you can’t find just anywhere else, including other Peruvian chicken restaurants! (rating: 10/10)
👉 Sweet Potato Fries: they’ve absolutely nailed a classic. They’ve got the composition of that “we’re fresh cut” with angles and skin on the ends, liberally salted, with no trace of cinnamon. (rating: 8/10)
👉 Green Beans: the texture of these can be kind of inconsistent, they’ll range from super wok-fried and almost reminiscent of Chinese “Dry-Fried” beans (which I love) to blanched-and-slightly-stir-fried (which I don’t love as much). Other than the inconsistent texture, I really do love the seasonings they use and how it comes with peppers! (rating: 7/10)
👉 Plantains: you can always count on these to be fork-tender, soft to the bite, with a crisp caramelized exterior if you’re dining in and it’s served right out of the kitchen. Subtly sweet, and never fails to scratch my fried plantain itch. (rating: 9/10)
Rotisserie Chicken Sandwich: the sandwich composition is delightful, only missing a schmear of avocado to cherry-on-top this sundae 🤤 (rating: 8.5/10)
👉 Yucca: I have a hunch these are mass purchased frozen and flash fried to order (only because I’ve seen this exact style of yucca fries at multiple restaurants), but gosh do I enjoy this style more than the fresh cut yucca that is supposedly more artisan! The exterior is so crisp, transitioning to a light, fluffy, yet melt-in-mouth interior. So delicious with the medium green huccatay sauce. (rating: 10/10)
Inca Burrito: the flavor profile is like a warm chicken noodle soup (especially when you add the pulled chicken) packaged up in burrito form. Herby, not that salty, feels nourishing, definitely filling, but mild on the taste palate overall. I really enjoyed this with the huacatay green sauce. I like a little more flavor dimension so won’t be my go-to, but still a good burrito! (rating: 8.5/10)
👉French Fries: I also love how they make their fries here—while not the shoestring-crisp kind from Renaissance Pâtisserie, it scratches that “fast food great with a handheld” itch. Crisp bite, with a decent coating of fry seasoning on the outside versus just salt. (rating: 8/10)
Naked Peruvian Wrap: my husband ordered this and it was phenomenal! The quinoa with the cucumber and tomato made for a very refreshing experience. Definitely a lighter wrap than the Inca Burrito (and not as filling as the Arroz Chaufa), but just as jam-packed with flavor. Especially if you add the pulled chicken. (rating: 9/10)
Lomo Saltado: I enjoyed the char-grilled/fire-kissed tomatoes and red onions (your girl loves a good char). But a couple of cons: (1) the steak is relatively tougher than others I’ve had in the same “Steak Saltado” dish, and not too flavorful, and (2) the majority of this dish was just jasmine rice and French Fries, making it not quite worth the price for me (although quite filling). (rating: 6.5/10)
Arroz Chaufa (+ pulled chicken): aka, Peruvian Fried Rice! The one at Viva Chicken has all of the classic Asian fried rice flavor notes of soy sauce, ginger, scallions… seriously delicious. Love love adding chicken to this and drowning it in Huacatay (medium green) sauce. This is hands down my husband’s go-to order, and a great option for if you’re super hungry and need to fill up :) (rating: 9.5/10)
Limeña Chopped (+ shredded/pulled chicken): you know I love the Peruvian corn salad, and this one is basically it’s mama on steroids (so major favorite)!! As the name suggests, everything’s already quite chopped up and bite-sized for you, aside from the occasional large lettuce leaf. I love the mix of plant-based proteins (edamame, chickpeas) while also incorporating bacon, queso fresco, etc. My rec to enjoy this at its best is to (1) get the dressing on the side (they tend to drown everything), (2) dine in/eat it right away if take out, as it gets all wilted and soggy if you wait to long. (rating: 10/10)
Andina Power Food Salad (+ pulled chicken): if you’re feeling more of a refreshing spring/summer tropical vibe and also love texture, get THIS. When I first had this, I was so surprised with just how much was going on. You get the sweet/tang/crunch of 3 different fruits (chunks of mandarin oranges, green apple, and pineapple), the sharp crunch of the toasted almond slivers, the soft crunch of the edamame, the crisp crunch of the lettuce greens, then a swash of avocado that is soft like a blanket. Delightful. (pro tip: get dressing on the side so it doesn’t overwhelm the dish) (rating: 10/10)
Tres Leches Cake: if you can’t tell by the photo, the kind of Tres Leches they serve up here is VERY drenched in the 3 Milks mixture, yielding very melt-in-mouth sponge cake. Not overly sweet, though, and the whipped cream on top is just the way I like it! Creamy, yet not flimsy & airy like the stuff from the can. (rating: 7.5/10)
Whether you’ve never had Peruvian chicken before, or come from a background of eating authentic Pollo a la Brasa on the daily, Viva Chicken is worth a visit either as a gateway into the world of Peruvian chicken or just to enjoy a quality meal that’s healthy and nourishing at a won’t-break-the-bank price point. This is your invitation to join Team Long Live (Viva) Chicken ✌️
the RÉSUMÉ
address // specific location featured in the Zine: 4500 Park Rd, Charlotte, NC 28209, but this is a Southeast regional chain with locations in North & South Carolina, Georgia, and a random storefront in Utah
operations // every day, 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
⭐Every Tuesday (deals may be seasonal): $25.00 Tacu Tray
⭐Every Thursday (deals may be seasonal): $25.00 Whole Chicken with 3 family sides
logistics // parking lot available right outside the storefront
amenities //
free WiFi
multi-stalled bathrooms, changing tables provided
family-friendly
indoor + outdoor seating options
loyalty program + app
vibes // vibrant & inviting, has hints of South American colorful celebration bottled up in the wall art
menu // always a core menu available, but keep an eye out for specials! (i.e., the steak saltado line 🤤)
beverages ($2.95 - $3.55): Herbal Limeade (lime, basil, mint), Chicha Morada (purple corn, apple), Maracuya (passion fruit), Inca Kola Can
entrées ($8.95 - $28.99): quarter/half/whole Peruvian rotisserie chicken; salads, rice bowls, burrito/sandwich/wrap, chicken soup
⭐sides: canary beans, cilantro/fried rice, French fries, sweet potato fries, yucca fries, fruit, green beans, Peruvian corn salad, grilled plantains, quinoa
desserts ($4.95 - $6.75): dulce de leche-filled mini churros, tres leches cake
recs //
entrée: any rotisserie chicken (dark meat ofc); but the Limeña Chopped & Andina Power Food salads are strong contenders. Depends on my mood!
sides: Peruvian corn salad (I’ve never seen this anywhere else); love the yucca fries here!
sauces: love love the medium green (Huacatay) sauce
site // Viva Chicken
~ cath!!
Sweet potato fries are the best!!!