Chef Juan Placencia, the owner of Brazas BBQ Chicken, a Peruvian-inspired pop-up, is projecting that Brazas will continue to do pop-ups and work through a ghost kitchen to continue to provide Philadelphia with Peruvian BBQ chicken. When Placencia spoke with What Now Philadelphia via Zoom call, he projects that they will move from a soft opening through a ghost kitchen to a full opening of Brazas BBQ Chicken in summer at 326 South Street.
Placencia confirmed that he has three pop-up dates in LOVE Park on May 15, 21, and 22, that will feature dishes like Peruvian ceviche, and potato causa or a Peruvian layered potato terrine that has pre-Columbian origins, and might include a Jamon del Pais or Peruvian country ham sandwich.
The philosophy of Brazas BBQ Chicken is “hecho a manó, con corazón” or “made by hand, with heart”. The full restaurant menu will include Pollo a la Brasa or rotisserie chicken, Asado de Res or Peruvian beef pot roast, Chicharron de Cerdo or twice-cooked pork cooked Chifa style or Peruvian–Chinese style, and a vegan dish that celebrates the produce of the seasons and would be free of processed meat alternatives like seitan or tofu and concentrates on locally available grains and vegetables.
The main dishes can be enjoyed as individual platters with sides, family-style meals with sides, or as sandwiches or salads. The sides are french fries and Yuca fries made from scratch, Patacones tostones or fried green plantains, Maduros or fried ripe plantains, Arroz y Frijoles Canarios or white rice and Peruvian canary beans, Chaufa or Peruvian vegan fried rice, Peruvian mashed potatoes, Quinoa salad, and seasonal vegetables.
Brazas BBQ Chicken’s mission is to “harness Peru’s unique, often under-celebrated foods, flavors, culture, and deep spirit of solidarity to inspire change within our local community, the foodservice industry, and beyond. One delicious, delightful experience at a time,”
Chef Placencia is also an organizing member of El Paro Philly, an alliance that organizes to achieve immigration reform, which held a march and rally on May Day this year.
