COLCA’S CHICKEN has recently opened its doors across the street from Cornerstone on Greenview Drive. I could see and smell the smoke from the grill before I even entered the parking lot. Don’t let the understated exterior fool you — the interior boasts vibrant murals depicting Peruvian art and culture.
At Colca’s, you can either build your own burrito bowl or order straight off the menu. We chose the lomo saltado, perfectly grilled beef tenderloin tips served with rice and vegetables, and the pork chaufa, Peruvian fried rice with cubed pork belly, green onions, and an egg omelet.
Usually, I can pick a favorite dish, but Colca’s made that impossible. Both dishes combined a smoky flavor with an element of freshness that created a great balance and led my husband and I to trade plates periodically throughout the meal. Neither of the dishes held much spice, so we went in search of some heat.
The sauce bar included a light aioli, a tangy jalapeno sauce, and a savory aji verde. The perfect addition to our meal was the Colca’s house hot sauce. If you can imagine a spicy, tomato-based yum yum sauce, that may give you an idea of the liquid heaven that Colca’s is serving its patrons.
This self-described “fast-casual Peruvian restaurant” has achieved its goal of providing an authentic dining experience of elevated comfort foods. From the food and fresh juice to the art on the walls, this truly felt like an immersion into Peru’s rich culture and history. GN
