Phoenix’s culinary scene just got a flavorful new addition with Mister Pio, a Peruvian-style pollería in Arcadia. Owned by Chef Justin Nasralla, Mister Pio serves up juicy rotisserie chicken, house-made fries, and fresh local greens—all crafted with a commitment to high-quality ingredients and traditional cooking techniques.
At the heart of Mister Pio’s menu is its Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken, made with Bell & Evans poultry from Pennsylvania. The chicken is air-chilled, hormone-free, and antibiotic-free, ensuring the best possible flavor and texture. Before cooking, the chicken is coated in a 20-spice dry rub and left to marinate for two days, allowing the flavors to fully develop.
“I took the base of what the rub would be in Peru and made it a dry rub instead of a wet marinade,” Nasralla explains. The chicken is then slow roasted in a Josper Rotisserie Oven, an elite Spanish charcoal oven. “It’s the Rolls Royce of charcoal cooking, they’re the best,” he says. “It’s quite the sight to see, definitely my pride and joy.”
True to traditional Peruvian pollerías, Mister Pio keeps its menu simple and specialized to maintain quality. “Everything is really specialized,” Nasralla says. “That’s how you’re able to deliver a great product because you’re just focused on one or two specific things.”
House-made French fries accompany the chicken, double-fried for extra crispiness after being blanched, cooled, and frozen. “It’s a bit of a process, but it delivers a really great product,” he says.
Mister Pio also sources seasonal greens from Steadfast Farm in Mesa, ensuring the freshest ingredients in their market salad. And, of course, no Peruvian meal is complete without an Inca Kola to wash it down.
Though Mister Pio has only been open for a few months, the Arcadia neighborhood has embraced it. “I couldn’t be happier,” Nasralla says. “I never thought there’d be such a huge Peruvian population in Phoenix.”
In addition to their signature rotisserie chicken, Mister Pio recently introduced a chicken sandwich to their menu, giving diners another way to enjoy their flavorful, spice-rubbed poultry.
“A pollería was always something I wanted to do. I love eating it, so as much as it’s for others to enjoy, it’s for myself as well,” he says. “I wouldn’t serve something to somebody that I wouldn’t wanna eat myself.”
As for the future of Mister Pio? “We’ll see what happens… time will tell,” Nasralla says. With its high-quality ingredients, expert technique, and dedication to authenticity, Mister Pio is already making waves in the Valley’s food scene.
For more information on Mister Pio, including hours of operations, visit their website, or follow them on Instagram for the latest.
Location:
4502 E Thomas Rd.
Phoenix, Arizona 85018
