El Pollo Rico Opens Woodbridge Location.

As the Washington Post said in 2009:

Why go: None of the other rotisserie-chicken joints can match the succulence of these spice-rubbed, spit-roasted birds. The secret: a 24-hour brine—but the precise combination of salt, citrus, and spice is a recipe the owners won’t divulge.

What to get: The chicken. For big eaters, the sweet-corn tamale steamed in a banana leaf—available only in Wheaton—is a good side order, and the rum cake is a delicious, boozy dessert.

Best for: Fast takeout—the birds hold up well in Styrofoam containers, and the line moves almost as quickly as the cleaver-wielding guys who hack up the chicken.

Insider tip: Go at peak lunch and dinner hours to get birds fresh off the spit.

Open daily for lunch and dinner.