El Chalan Restaurant was founded in 1975 by Pedro and Elsa Espinoza. The Espinoza's immigrated from their native land, Peru, in the late 1960's with a dream to provide a better life for themselves and their family. They quickly acculturated to the customs and traditions of their new land but missed very much their native cuisine.
After, a few years in the DC metropolitan area they opened a carry-out in Arlington, Virginia. They initially sold traditional American food such as hot dogs, hamburgers, and fries during the week and Peruvian food was served only on the weekends. Soon, there was increasing demand for the Peruvian menu, and they converted the carry-out to a restaurant and changed the name from Washington Lee Carry-out to El Chalan Restaurant.
After, a few years in the DC metropolitan area they opened a carry-out in Arlington, Virginia. They initially sold traditional American food such as hot dogs, hamburgers, and fries during the week and Peruvian food was served only on the weekends. Soon, there was increasing demand for the Peruvian menu, and they converted the carry-out to a restaurant and changed the name from Washington Lee Carry-out to El Chalan Restaurant.
Reviews (23)
Beverly Hurley
Dec 16, 2021
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Recommended to us for great Peruvian food. Wasn't so sure about it with the basement location but once we sat down in the charming dining room, we see this is the real deal in this neighborhood restaurant. Our food was so tasty. Only downside is it was slower than expected service. Or maybe that's "Peruvian time"
Jennifer T.
Oct 28, 2021
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This was my very first Peruvian food experience, but El Chalán made it one of my favorite experiences. I love the family style portions and friendly sharing experience with each dish.
Chicken Empanadas: WOW. First thing that came out and I was already amazed. The chicken was juicy and tender and bursting with flavor. The only thing is that it didn't have much olive in there, I think I might have gotten half an olive at most.
Arroz Con Mariscos (Seafood Paella): it's certainly famous for a reason! I love love love how much seafood they put in, I mean look at that HUGE clam!!! I was
Chicken Empanadas: WOW. First thing that came out and I was already amazed. The chicken was juicy and tender and bursting with flavor. The only thing is that it didn't have much olive in there, I think I might have gotten half an olive at most.
Arroz Con Mariscos (Seafood Paella): it's certainly famous for a reason! I love love love how much seafood they put in, I mean look at that HUGE clam!!! I was
Nimrod F.
Oct 03, 2021
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My family and I ate there for lunch yesterday, we love Peruvian food we eat it as often as we can back home in LA. El Chalan is the bomb best Peruvian food that we have eaten in a long time since we where in New York.
I had the pescado a lo macho the sauce was creamy and very yummy Calamari was exquisite. I recommend El Chalan hole heartedly.
I had the pescado a lo macho the sauce was creamy and very yummy Calamari was exquisite. I recommend El Chalan hole heartedly.
Christina F.
Oct 02, 2021
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Karina P.
Aug 03, 2021
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Danny Dana
Jul 22, 2021
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Visiting DC on a two day trip, we narrowed out food selection to a few places close to our hotel and review ratings. However, El Chalan was recommended by family. We were extremely satisfied with our experience, especially the level of service we received. Our waiter was accommodating with his explanation of the food choices, made recommendations and the food was excellent. We came in early at lunch and the place was empty, but 30 minutes later and you could no longer find an empty table, we highly recommend you come early.
Gene Gayle
Jul 11, 2021
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So glad to have found El Chalan while here in DC on vacation. My family and I lived in Piura, Peru for almost 9 years which is in the heart of Peruvian creole food. We LOVE Peruvian food and this is as authentic as you can get. I even told my wife that the sala made me feel like we were transported back to Peru. We ate here twice. The ceviche, papa a la huancaina , cabrito norteño, arroz con mariscos, chupe de camarones, anticuchos and lomo saltado we’re excellence!!! I would absolutely recommend El Chalan!!!
Carolina M.
Jun 05, 2021
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The front desk lady from our hotel recommended this place, and OMG it was D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S, everybody was wearing masks, the waiter was incredibly nice, it's a bit hidden but inside looks amazing, drinks and food were the best honestly, would go eat there every week if I could seriously go try it, we've been recommending this place to all of our friends who go to Washington.
Rosa L.
May 28, 2021
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Marian F.
Feb 28, 2021
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If you're looking for an authentic Peruvian dining experience, then look no further than El Chalan! The restaurant is small and intimate so it would be perfect for date night. The staff wastes no time bringing warm fresh bread to the table as a free starter. We were really hungry so we got the camarones a la limena as an appetizer and it was fabulous! The shrimp were large and succulent! The sauce they came drenched in was so good we dipped our bread in it until the pan was dry. For our main entrees we got the Cabrito Norteno (Goat stew) and Aji de Gallina A la Arequipena (shredded chicken
Carsten Baumann
Jan 06, 2021
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Surprisingly nice place below street level. Doesn't look like much from the outside, but cozy and well decorated inside. Helpful staff that was accommodating to split our check. We enjoyed a good ceviche mixto. I had the cabrito nortena. The flavors were spot on but the meat was dry. Next time I'll explore other dishes.
Nicholas Butler
Dec 12, 2020
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Lisa Y.
Mar 10, 2020
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Erica J.
Feb 21, 2020
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My love for South American food is real. I think its also because I am deprived in Charlotte so my second time in DC, my expectations for good authentic Latin food goes without saying! Peruvian is no exception and I was so curious if my second go at Peruvian at different would be anything less than my first time. The answer is NO. It was magical. I was so happy to find another gem in DC proper.
The location is just down the road from the White House so I was a little nervous....at first. The location is also located by street level but you do have to go down some stairs. We were warmly greeted
The location is just down the road from the White House so I was a little nervous....at first. The location is also located by street level but you do have to go down some stairs. We were warmly greeted
Jennifer T.
Feb 13, 2020
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I came in for dinner over the weekend with some friends. I understand what other reviewers are referring to when they complain about the service. I sat for a while alone before I was asked if I wanted something to drink. A lot of time passed even before they brought water. When asked for recommendations on the menu, the server was completely uninterested. I ordered the steak, and it was fine. The vegetables on the side were flavorful and tasty. But the quality of the meat left something to be desired. I asked for it medium well and it came out pretty bloody. I should have asked to have it cooked
Jeff Smallwood
Oct 27, 2019
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A small but inviting place, don't let the first steps in the restaurant fool you, the food is delicious. Our meals were quite enjoyable, not as spicy or bold as they should have been but still quite good. The service was excellent as well. But one of the top things was the drink menu. A number of very nice cocktails worth experimenting with.
Hyun Kwak
Oct 05, 2019
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Authentic Peruvian cuisine with good wine. the prices are not that high considering this place is located in the heart of DC. they also serve good bread before the meal along with unique spicy sauce. very crowded during lunch time. reservation is recommended if you are on schedule. Must try: Goat stew and ceviche.
Alice J.
Sep 12, 2019
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A nicely decorated atmospheric restaurant with good service but mediocre food which is not particularly Peruvian (contrary to what they advertise). The seafood stew, in particular, was a disappointment. Not much flavor. The potatoes in fact were more flavorful, having soaked up the wonderful sauce. Rice was just alright. A bit of a let down at this price. The filet mignon was nicely done. Maybe I ordered the wrong dishes.
The restaurant is located in a basement, and has a "vault effect" -- as the night wore on, it got louder as people started streaming in. Popular, apparently.
The
The restaurant is located in a basement, and has a "vault effect" -- as the night wore on, it got louder as people started streaming in. Popular, apparently.
The
Nicole Z.
Jun 24, 2019
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Emir Sfaxi
Jun 03, 2019
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El Chalan was a great experience overall.
Staff was a little slow to serve and help us, we weren’t at a peek hour but the restaurant was kinda of full.
The food quality was great and the portion generous.
I’m giving 4 because the paella seafood was kind of over cooked, however it was still high quality in comparison to others. We’ll come again to retry this.
The meat was sublime. The fish was good, again shrimps over cooked and maybe lacking a little flavors?
Their cocktails are generous and their Pisco sour is really good.
Will come back!
Staff was a little slow to serve and help us, we weren’t at a peek hour but the restaurant was kinda of full.
The food quality was great and the portion generous.
I’m giving 4 because the paella seafood was kind of over cooked, however it was still high quality in comparison to others. We’ll come again to retry this.
The meat was sublime. The fish was good, again shrimps over cooked and maybe lacking a little flavors?
Their cocktails are generous and their Pisco sour is really good.
Will come back!
Adrian R.
May 05, 2019
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An unassuming location that you could easily look past if you are near I & 18th...but don't! Take notice! My biz partners have our weekly routine of going out to dinner on Wednesday nights and we typically roam around our office's neighborhood and meander into the plethora of options around. And we have passed this place numerous times only to take a pause for the cause to step into El Chalan.
The food was extraordinary. I had the Paella. One partner had the AJI DE GALLINA / SHREDDED CHICKEN BREAST COOKED IN A CREAMY PEANUT, WALNUT, GARLIC, & ONION SAUCE and our 3rd compadre
The food was extraordinary. I had the Paella. One partner had the AJI DE GALLINA / SHREDDED CHICKEN BREAST COOKED IN A CREAMY PEANUT, WALNUT, GARLIC, & ONION SAUCE and our 3rd compadre
Amy D.
Apr 16, 2019
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This place is ok. It's good in a home cooked Peruvian food sorta way. The atmosphere is very cozy and the staff is very friendly. The ambience makes you want to come back but unfortunately I found the food lacking in flavor. I had the Aji de Gallina and Alex had the Cabrito Norteno. My dish desperately needed spice, but had a nice consistency and the chicken was very tender. Alex's had good flavor but the goat was so tough that most of the dish consisted of inedible meat, bone and grizzle.
I would give it 3 stars only bc I feel like it can be really wonderful (heck they've been
I would give it 3 stars only bc I feel like it can be really wonderful (heck they've been
Orlando G.
Sep 16, 2018
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As a first timer at El Chalan, and having heard positive first hand reviews, this place is fantastic. In fact, it's only my second Peruvian dining experience. For drinks to start, a Pisco sour and Maracuya sour. I felt a strong strong buzz from one Pisco Sour. Wow. The appetizers included one marinated beef heart. So tender! The three of us at the table couldn't keep away from the plate. Also a ceviche pescado was fresh and flavorful (very light). For entrees, two lomo saltado especial (meat is fillet) and also a Arroz con Marisco. Complimentary bread with a spicy orange color sauce (be careful
