Alpaca Chicken

A family tradition turned statewide sensation, this Peruvian eatery is serving big flavor and heartfelt community vibes to Wilmington

By Judy Royal  »  Photos by G. Frank Hart

When you walk into Alpaca Chicken, you notice three things right away: smiling employees, upbeat music and the enticing aroma of chicken filling the air. For co-owner Fabian Llamas and his family, opening this location wasn’t just about serving food; it’s a way to share the warmth and flavor of a family tradition that started far from coastal North Carolina but feels right at home here.

Llamas’ brother-in-law, alongside his mother and sister, founded what would become Alpaca Chicken as a single location in Durham in 2007. It launched under a different name, but they later rebranded as a nod to the role the animal plays in Peruvian culture. Llamas partnered with them in 2018, and today there are 17 Alpaca Chicken locations across North Carolina, including Wilmington.

The idea when the first restaurant opened was to bring a unique fast-casual Peruvian concept to the masses. There were challenges along the way — including a fire during the first month in business — but the eatery persevered and grew stronger, leading to expansion aspirations.

“Opening additional locations happened organically and was part of the plan to keep growing the business,” Llamas says. “We thought if we stay true to our core values, our concept can survive and thrive anywhere in the state.”

After opening several locations around the Triangle, Alpaca Chicken branched out to Fayetteville in 2020.

“The response was positive and gave us confirmation that there was a strong demand for the concept,” Llamas says. “We want customers to feel as if we are opening our home to them and know that they are going to be receiving a quality meal. We want every visit to feel vibrant and welcoming.”

Today, Alpaca Chicken has locations from Wilmington to Mebane. The Port City restaurant opened in 2021 at the corner of College Road and Wrightsville Avenue. The idea was to bring a familiar brand to attract Triangle residents vacationing in the area while also introducing the concept to a new customer base.

“We thought it would bring a lot of value to Wilmington,” Llamas says. “There was a calling to be here. Our first year had some challenging days, but along the way we’ve met incredible people from the community who have supported the restaurant and made it possible for us to do what we do every single day.”

The star of the show at Alpaca Chicken is the rotisserie chicken, available in quarter-, half- and whole-chicken portions. Prices for a combo, which includes two sides and Alpaca’s special green and yellow sauces, start at $10.25.

“You can get rotisserie chicken at any store, but it’s often very generic and bland,” Llamas says. “Peruvian rotisserie chicken is not only how we prepare our chicken but also our method of cooking. We marinate it with an in-house blend of spices by hand overnight, and we roast it in custom-made rotisserie ovens for two hours over charcoal. What you get as a finished product is a smoky, juicy and flavorful rotisserie chicken all the way through the bone.”

Side choices include rice, black beans, fries, slaw, corn, chicken soup, salad, maduros, yuca, tostones and green beans.

Llamas recommends that first-timers start with the chicken, but for those who want something else there are alternative options, such as Arroz Chaufa, a Peruvian stir-fry, and Lomo Saltado, tender strips of steak sautéed with Roma tomatoes and red onions. Monday-Friday specials, including Taco Tuesday, shake up the regular offerings.

“Our menu is very focal to what we specialize in,” Llamas says. “We have the same menu in all 17 locations. If you do something and you do it well, then that’s what you focus on rather than trying to experiment. We really invest in bringing the best experience to our customers.”

He gives much of the credit for Alpaca Chicken’s success to staff members, calling them a “lifeline.”

“We wouldn’t be where we are today without them,” Llamas says. “We work hard to create an environment where we look out for each other, show respect, laugh and work as a team. The energy flows directly to guests the moment they walk through the door.”

He said there are plans to continue expanding Alpaca Chicken, but only if they can maintain their high standards along the way.

“As our brand grows, less is more,” Llamas says. “Our approach to standardizing everything — recipes, procedures, training, equipment — helps to remove guesswork. Consistency depends on our partners and food vendors to deliver on their end. We incorporate non-negotiables so our customers can see consistency, whether they are at the beach or in Mebane.”

Being involved in the community where they do business is important to Alpaca Chicken, especially when it comes to education. Locally, they have given back to UNCW and even received a plaque for their partnership during halftime of a UNCW basketball game, and threw out the first pitch at a UNCW baseball game.

“It’s moments like those that remind us how far we’ve come and how fun it is to share our story with the community,” Llamas says.

1201 S. College Road, Wilmington
910-221-8249; alpacachicken.com