Sardi's Pollo A La Brasa

Quality of food and service changed since my last visit 1 year ago.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 3

Service: 2

Everything felt fresh and homemade.

I’m honestly still sick thinking about this. Yesterday, I stopped at this Sarai’s location on Oxon Hill Road, my second time ever visiting this particular store. I usually go to the Temple Hills location, where I’ve always had great experiences. But I happened to be in the area and figured I’d grab my usual: chicken. Big mistake. As soon as I bit into the chicken, I knew something was wrong. It was red at the bone. Not slightly pink, red. Within minutes, I was physically ill. I actually vomited. And I was sick for the rest of the night and into the next morning. I tried calling the store immediately, no answer. So I got in my car and drove all the way back from DC to return the food and show them a picture of the raw chicken. I brought the entire order back. When I showed the woman at the counter, her response wasn’t concern or even apology, it was, “Well, what do you want me to do?” I asked for a refund. She admitted she didn’t know how to do one and had to call someone on the phone. They spoke in Spanish for 10–15 minutes while I just stood there, still queasy, still frustrated, now feeling ignored too. Eventually, she figured it out and refunded me. So I asked, “Can I just grab a soda or some plantains? Something for the inconvenience of having to drive all the way back?” She looked at me and said, “No, I gave you your refund. That’s good enough.” I was stunned. I’ve had situations at other restaurants where they’ve offered a small gift card or at least something for the trouble, especially when I had to drive an hour round-trip. This wasn’t that. Her tone and demeanor made it feel like she was doing me a favor by giving me back my money for the raw chicken they served me. This was a health risk. A safety issue. I was sick. And the customer service made it feel like none of that mattered. I will never return to this location. I’ll stick with Temple Hills, where the food is consistently good and the staff treats you like your business matters. But I truly hope someone in leadership sees this, because the way this was handled, both the food and the service, was unacceptable. If I hadn’t spoken up, who knows how many others would’ve been served undercooked chicken?

I’m honestly still sick thinking about this. Yesterday, I stopped at this Sarai’s location on Oxon Hill Road, my second time ever visiting this particular store. I usually go to the Temple Hills location, where I’ve always had great experiences. But I happened to be in the area and figured I’d grab my usual: chicken. Big mistake.

As soon as I bit into the chicken, I knew something was wrong. It was red at the bone. Not slightly pink, red. Within minutes, I was physically ill. I actually vomited. And I was sick for the rest of the night and into the next morning.

I tried calling the store immediately, no answer. So I got in my car and drove all the way back from DC to return the food and show them a picture of the raw chicken. I brought the entire order back, untouched after that first bite. When I showed the woman at the counter, her response wasn’t concern or even apology, it was, “Well, what do you want me to do?”

I asked for a refund. She admitted she didn’t know how to do one and had to call someone on the phone. They spoke in Spanish for 10–15 minutes while I just stood there, still queasy, still frustrated, now feeling ignored too. Eventually, she figured it out and refunded me.

So I asked, “Can I just grab a soda or some plantains? Something for the inconvenience of having to drive all the way back?” She looked at me and said, “No, I gave you your refund. That’s good enough.”

I was stunned. I’ve had situations at other restaurants where they’ve offered a small gift card or at least something for the trouble, especially when I had to drive an hour round-trip. This wasn’t that. Her tone and demeanor made it feel like she was doing me a favor by giving me back my money for the raw chicken they served me.

This was a health risk. A safety issue. I was sick. And the customer service made it feel like none of that mattered.

I will never return to this location. I’ll stick with Temple Hills, where the food is consistently good and the staff treats you like your business matters. But I truly hope someone in leadership sees this, because the way this was handled, both the food and the service, was unacceptable.

If I hadn’t spoken up, who knows how many others would’ve been served undercooked chicken?

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 1

I ordered a lot of food for a taste testing of Peru for my Kreative S.O.C.I.A.L homeschool summer camp. It was delicious! The kids luved the food especially the empanadas & chicken fried rice.

The staff was also very helpful with any questions I had about the food.

I highly recommend. 👍🏼

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Whole Chicken, Baked Chicken, Empanada, Roast Chicken

Does not tell the truth about menu orders

Atmosphere: 2

Service: 2

The food was good. But I got sick that night.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 3

These workers are very rude. One of the servers visibly got upset with me because I asked for gravy on my mash potatoes and cursed me out in Spanish. The manager was rude too

Atmosphere: 1

Service: 1

Definitely a place I'll return to.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 3

**Very Disappointed – Not Worth the Price Anymore**

As a Latino who grew up eating Peruvian chicken, I’ve always appreciated the value and flavor that came with it. Sadly, Sardi’s has gone downhill. The flavor used to be better, but now the portions are noticeably smaller—and the chickens themselves are tiny.

What’s even worse is the price. Nearly \$50 for a whole chicken with sides? That’s outrageous. Other places offer better quality and larger portions for \$24–\$30. Sardi’s has clearly lost touch with what made it great in the first place.

This was the last time I’ll be buying from here. It’s no longer worth the cost, and that’s a shame.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 2

They aim to please.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I like the rice...

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 3

best natural cooked food in this area

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 4

Team members were professional & efficient with family order.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Fried, String Beans, French Fries, Baked Chicken

Great place, I'm a regular customer 🙂

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4