Jose Machuca with one of the soccer jerseys — this one of soccer star Lionel Messi — he displays at Machu Pollo.
This is part three of a three-part series on the restaurant variety on Richmond Highway in Mount Vernon.
Around the reconstructed intersection of South Kings Highway and Richmond Highway, there are three Asian restaurants with very different cuisines from the wok and soup pot. For Chinese food fans, it’s the General Tso’s Chicken at the Eastern Restaurant right off South Kings Highway. For diners looking for Japanese, it’s the teriyaki and sushi across at the Sarku Japan. Looking for something different: Go to the Viet House for the noodle soup.
“My parents are in China,” said Young, the manager at Eastern Restaurant. He grew up there but came to the United States and opened the restaurant in 1996. Their “triple delight,” is a popular dish too, he says.
The sushi at Sarku is “all fresh,” said Gesman, the manager. Their salmon avocado roll is a big seller, as is the spicy tuna roll, and for the sushi fans, the California roll is big. There is a special prep area for the sushi, and a sauce they call the yum yum sauce. “It’s a sweet sauce,” said Gesman.
The noodle soup over at the Viet House is “known for the aromas, clean broth,” said the manager. It’s a good food in the cold weather and many have it “when they’re sick,” he said. The Cha Gio roll and Cha Cuan, the summer roll, are big sellers. The Cha Gio roll looks like a Chinese egg roll but it has no cabbage.
“My first time here, really good,” said one diner at lunchtime.
Over at Machu Pollo in the same area, the food and soccer are big attractions. There’s a big variety of Latin American foods over at Machu, with Pollo Saltado (Peruvian stir fried chicken) and Lomo Saltado (Peruvian stir fried beef) at the top of the list. There are soccer jerseys (including Argentine star Lionel Messi, now playing in Miami) hanging on the wall, plus other soccer memorabilia. And when there’s a game, the two televisions attract fans.
“It’s my theme,” said Jose Machuca, the owner. The World Cup and the Champions soccer tournaments brought in a crowd of locals.
Down the hill towards the City of Alexandria, there is El Paso with Taco Tuesday, every week, Taj of India, and Juliano’s Subs and Pizza right at Huntington Avenue.
Juliano’s is up against the chains like Domino’s and Papa John’s, but they’re holding their own. “We are the best quality, we always have regular customers,” said the head chef.
A veteran was in from Wisconsin, and he’s been there a few times. “I think it’s all good,” he said before eyeing the spaghetti. “How’s the spaghetti, pretty good?” he asked. Yes, came the answer, yes it is.
Maggio’s Italiano is a favorite in the Huntington area and they’re not afraid to share their recipe for the pesto sauce. Lasagna is their most popular dish.