Chicken Rico

The latest stop on our rotisserie-chicken tour was Chicken Rico, in Hyattsville on University Boulevard just west of Riggs Rd. We went there about a month ago after buying World Cup soccer player stickers at Zodiac Sports next door. My memory of that past visit was that it was better than it turned out to be on our second trip. The chicken is definitely well cooked and tender, but a little monotonous, salt and pepper the strongest flavors by far. The mild smoky charcoal flavor does help to add depth.

For the most part the sides were good. The beans are a little too saucy, but they're also well cooked with a good texture. The plantains are caramelized nicely and their texture sets them apart from other places we've visited; it's more al dente than creamy. The fries at Chicken Rico are the best so far, crispy, hot, and tasty. Also notably good is the green sauce. It's as spicy as it is at Señor Chicken, for example, but it's got an interesting tomatillo and lime taste that's definitely different from Señor Chicken's cilantro-centered sauce. The white sauce is thick, heavy on the mayo, and has a good lemon flavor.

D says:

Chicken Rico has the best french fries. They are crispy, cooked through and not soggy at all.

The cole slaw is also very good. It’s lemony and tangy. I love it. It’s better than the cole slaw from other places.

The white sauce is lemony. And thick like mayonnaise.

The beans are good but a little too mushy.

The chicken is salty. And hard to pull off the bone.