Our last stop in Front Royal was to Las Caverns, the first Peruvian place that we have visited. While there are a couple of Peruvian restaurants in the Eastern Panhandle, both chain and mom and pop, this is the first spot in the Northern Virginia area that I have been to that serves Peruvian food. This is a different type of cuisine that you don’t see very often, so we were very happy we had this restaurant on the list.
Price 💲💲out of 5
Los Caverns has a compact menu, with only a couple pages of options. Everything they serve is traditional Peruvian. Not only do they have individual entrees, they have family meals for their juicy Peruvian chicken, including two whole chickens with four sides and four sodas for only $44. This is definitely a great way to feed the entire family for a very reasonable price.
Ambience 🧑🍳🧑🍳🧑🍳 out of 5
While food and service are the most important aspects of a restaurant, ambience and decor plays a part in shaping the experience. Unfortunately, it seems like there wasn’t a ton of attention paid to this part of the experience. There are a handful of Peruvian paintings and decor on the wall, but the place seems very plain. There are a handful of tables and booths, but one of the more bare and plain restaurants I have been to on this journey.
Food 🥩🥩🥩🥩 out of 5
Let’s get down to the Peruvian cuisine we got to sample:
Lomo Saltado – one of the most famous Peruvian dishes, this was a must try while we were here. The steak is so tender and seasoned so well, while the sauteed veggies give it a great texture. I’m usually not a fan of soggy fries, but the juices from the steak and veggies infuse so much flavor in the fries.
Peruvian Chicken – served with fried yucca fries and veggie fried rice, this chicken is so tender and juicy. They cook chicken the right way here, as they keep their chicken so moist.
Steak a lo Pobre – nothing beats steak and eggs in the morning. Well, what if it was served with delicious fried plantains? You get Steak a lo Pobre, an absolute symphony of flavors.
Bruschetta Peruana – this dish was two giant chicken skewers, served over a bed of spanish rice and broccoli. This wasn’t exactly in my flavor profile, but I can definitely say it was cooked to perfection. The chicken was tender and juicy, and the veggies had the perfect consistency.
Alfajores – one of my all time favorite desserts, this giant cookie is just perfection. Two delicate cookies topped in powdered sugar, with a dollop of creamy dulce de leche caramel sauce on the middle. Decadent and creamy.
Experience ⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5
I really loved all the food at Las Caverns, I just wish that the building was a little bit more memorable. I think there is a lot they could do with showing that Peruvian spirit and culture, instead of just tacking up a few pictures and calling it a day. The food is great though, so if you just want a quiet and calm place to eat a new country’s cuisine, I would suggest Las Caverns in Front Royal!