Pollo A La Brasa

For roast chicken purists, there’s no better place in Los Angeles than this Peruvian rotisserie specialist at 8th and Western, where the Maekawa family has served wood-fired birds for nearly three decades. The skin is always crisp and smoky, the green aji sauce delivers the perfect amount of heat and the budget-friendly prices ensure a delectable chicken meal is never too far in the future. Over the years, the chicken at Pollo a La Brasa has won over several local chefs, including Mozza’s Nancy Silverton and Jar’s Suzanne Tracht—and once even earned a shoutout from nationally renowned chef Marcus Samuelsson. Not convinced? Just look at the lines that form daily of Angelenos hungry for the chicken, perhaps with a side of salad and fries.