Our Story

Our story

Our story began in 1987, when our family decided to share their love of food, family, and community with the world. In 1971, they immigrated to the United States in hopes of creating a better life for our family. A passion for introducing the great-tasting food of our homeland to friends and neighbors, together with a vision of sharing Peruvian food with the world, led Rosa and Salomon to open El Pollo Inka in Lawndale, California, in 1987.

The best of four worlds

Peruvian food is one part Inkan and one part Spanish, with a sprinkle of African, Chinese, and Italian influences. The Inkas gave us potatoes, chili peppers, and corn. The Spanish brought cattle, citrus fruit, wheat, and rice. Africans introduced vinegar-marinated beef on skewers, known as Anticuchos. The Chinese contributed soy sauce and stir-fry cooking—the Saltados—and the Italians gifted us pasta.

Peruvian cuisine is an exquisite combination of influences from different times and cultures, infused with distinct flavors from four continents. Peruvian food is, in essence, the best of four worlds!

A taste of Peru, a place for family

From our mouthwatering signature Pollo a la Brasa, Peruvian rotisserie chicken, to our best-selling Lomo Saltado, El Pollo Inka delivers authentic Peruvian food right to your table. Using only the freshest ingredients and spices carefully chosen and imported from Peru, we strive to bring the Peruvian experience to you.

We are best known for our famous Aji Verde hot sauce, also known as Green Sauce—a sauce that awakens your tongue and ignites your taste buds. There is nothing like it anywhere else! We are confident that you will grow to embrace the rich flavors and culture of Peru through your dining experience at El Pollo Inka.

We created our restaurants so that you can celebrate the joy of being with family and loved ones while savoring an authentic, satisfying meal in a fun and upbeat environment. We believe our restaurant is a place where happy memories are created.

Thank you, our valued customers, for allowing us to serve you since 1987. We look forward to spicing up your life for many more years to come!