HowChow

Peruvian grilled chicken has come to Howard County, and the new Pollo Fuego in Jessup looks like a nice place for lunch or for takeout.

Juicy, flavorful chicken. It's a basic, but there is real skill in turning out a bird with a peppery taste, moist meat, and skin that is just too delicious to leave on the plate. Pollo Fuego turns out nice chicken, and that makes a great plate with fried yucca and red beans -- still holding their shape, but cooked soft and creamy.

I was willing to drive to Mega Chicken in Laurel for yucca fries because I love the lighter, aerier variation on the French fry. Now, I can get my fix at U.S. 1 and Rte 175 in Jessup. It's a pretty
basic place -- counter service with small tables and bar stools. The menu is mostly variations on chicken, although there is a steak option. This is an easy detour off I-95, so it goes right onto my list of great takeout joints in Howard County. They have specials for one or two chickens with a mess of sides and cans of soda.

Early comments on a prior post suggest that other people are fans -- although Anonymous commits heresy by suggesting boiled potatoes over my yucca fries!! But note that Jane S. posted on Yelp about three disappointing visits -- and she sounds like she knows her Peruvian chicken. Please give your feedback below.

My one advice: Pay 20 cents more for a second condiment cup of the fiery green sauce. Spicy and fresh, it really goes well with the chicken and contrasts with the dry yucca.

If you are interested in Peruvian chicken, there is an enormous series of posts on Chowhound where people tasted and debated all kinds of restaurants -- mostly in PG and Montgomery County.

Peruvian chicken still hasn't gotten through customs into Howard County.

Peruvian chicken and another new restaurant appear to be coming to Jessup, according to a comment by emkenton to Wednesday's post about Mega Chicken in Laurel.

I wrote that Howard County could only hope for Peruvian roasted chicken, but the comment says there are signs saying that Pollo Fuego (Peruvian) is coming in around the corner from My Organic Market, where My Girlfriend's Kitchen used to be. This is the Columbia East shopping center at Rte 175 and U.S. 1.