Expect Street-Side Grilling and Pisco Punch at Tio Lucho’s New Pop-Up
There may be wafts of grilled meats and chili peppers in the air on North Highland Avenue next week. You can blame Tio Lucho’s for it.
Starting this Monday, Tio Lucho’s is introducing a new pop-up on the restaurant’s patio. It’s called Hermanita (which means little sister in Spanish, referring to the pop-up as Tio Lucho’s sibling), where you’ll find James Beard-nominated chef Arnaldo Castillo hanging back and grilling street-side. It’s a nod to Castillo’s original popular pop-up, La Chingana, which he began in 2021 after spending four years as executive chef of Minero in Ponce City Market.
Hermanita will have a more casual vibe, channeling the street food culture of Lima and lazy grilling evenings. Expect grilled pollo a la brasa, served by the quarter, half, or whole bird, paired with aji verde and salsa parrillera — a popular grilling accompaniment made with tomatoes, peppers, and onions. Skewers will include grilled beef heart, sirloin, or chicken thigh. Aji amarillo (hot yellow pepper) mac and cheese, herb-griddled potatoes with huancaína (a spicy, creamy sauce made of queso fresco), and smashed cucumber salad with chili crisp will make an appearance on the menu. And yes, Castillo’s famous salsas will also be served. Drinks include Pisco Punch pouches, bottles of housemade Chicha Morada, and Topo Chico mineral waters.
The pop-up begins this Monday, April 7 at 6:30 p.m. and returns every other Monday this season. It comes on the heels of the restaurant relaunching its brunch menu. The pop-up is first-come-first-served on the patio.
