By Fabiana Sanchez and Esther Vargas
To the rhythm of the Super Show of Los Vaskez and their “Pollito con papas”, today Peruvians celebrate, as every third Sunday of July since 2010, our flagship dish: the grilled chickenWhether accompanied by white or chaufa rice, cooked or fresh salad, anticuchos or tequeños, this is a meal that does not distinguish between social class, season of the year or time of day.
Today, the approximately 13,000 formal chicken restaurants in the country—and the informal ones as well—will receive up to 30% more diners and delivery orders than they receive on any given Sunday, because, regardless of the long lines that may form, the goal is to enjoy every bite of this juicy dish that has conquered not only Peru, but also several countries around the world.
The demand for this dish, declared a Culinary Specialty in 2004, is so wide that it is reflected in the figures. The coordinator of the Poultry and Pig Chain of the Livestock Directorate of the Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation (Midagri), Enrique Gutiérrez, explained that 20% of what poultry farms produce is converted into this food. That is, we consume around 150 million grilled chickens year.
“We are a country that consumes a lot of chicken because of the proteins it offers us, which makes the sector grow at a rate of approximately 6% per year and that each person eats at least one kilo of this bird per week. To this we must add that grilled chicken has the advantage that you can share it with several people, so it is affordable for all budgets,” he commented.
For the representative of Midagri, one of the advantages of this meal is that it includes other agricultural products, such as potatoes, vegetables and even purple corn.
It should also be noted that fewer and fewer processed potatoes are being imported for the preparation of this dish, as the focus is now on Peruvian products.
Look: Grilled Chicken Day: Delivery sales could grow 30% this Sunday
FOR ALL
Since 1950, and thanks to the Swiss immigrant Roger Schuler, the grilled chicken It accompanies Peruvians on birthdays, anniversaries, marriage proposals, meetings with friends, or simply to satisfy a craving or hunger. Nowadays, it is easy to find a chicken restaurant near home or work; in some areas of the country we can even find a place on every block.
This variety of offerings is also reflected in taste and prices. Thus, from the most “populous” neighborhoods to the most exclusive areas of the country, this dish of national pride is offered.
In San Martín de Porres, for example, there is El Parral, a place that has become one of the favorites of people who live in the district, and of those who like something rich and hearty. People come to this place not only to eat chicken with all its creams, but also its already famous “aguadito”.
Pollívoro is another option on the market with its locations in Jesús María, Pueblo Libre, Surco viejo, Surquillo and La Molina. This brand, which opened its doors during the pandemic, managed to position itself thanks to the dressing that has more than 12 ingredients.
And if we talk about tradition, one option is Chios Chicken, which has been winning hearts for 29 years with its recipe that includes Nikkei touches.
Another brand that has added its own special and distinctive touch is Marabunta, which has the iconic smoky flavour of wood, but also introduces sweet touches of BBQ sauce. Today, it even has the proposal of wood-fired chicken with chimichurri, which is made for palates that prefer intense and herbaceous flavours.
In a neighborhood of San Juan de Lurigancho, a chicken restaurant was born that now has two locations: Mr. Pollo. Its popularity grew not only because of the product it offers, but also because it offers a different proposal, and it also offers the option of food served in a cone.
Primos cannot be missing from the list, which was recognized as the best chicken restaurant at the 2023 Summum Awards. Luis Madueño, representative of that company, assured that quality and quantity are important factors when offering this dish.
“This Sunday is the most important day of the year for us. We already know the traffic, so we are increasing the number of motorcyclists and the attention in the channels so that the delivery does not take more than an hour,” he explained.
Tori, who has also been recognized by the Summum Awards (third place in 2023), is also preparing for this celebration. Her representative, César Choy, highlighted that although the proposals on the market vary over the years, what does not change is the demand that grows every year.
“It is a democratic product, because it is for everyone, it is not expensive and, what is more, a chicken that is normally cut into four can easily be divided into eight so that more people can eat it. And, although there are recipes to make it, you cannot make it at home in the oven, so you have to go to your local poultry shop,” he commented.
EXPANSION
The demand for this dish has also led to the expansion of franchises, which today, according to the Communications Director of the Peruvian Chamber of Franchises, Nathaly Plucker, represent approximately 5% of the existing establishments.
“This is a product whose consumption is not decreasing, and that is why there are companies that have opened outside the country, but even as their own brand,” he noted.
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