Peruvian chicken thriving in Madrid after 40 years of success
José Luis Martín, a waterpolo enthusiast and avid traveler, opened a grill in Madrid in 1988 inspired by a Peruvian oven discovered during his world trip. His business, La Casa de las Brasas, has expanded to three locations and marks nearly four decades of success with 'Peru-Spanish' chickens and other dishes. At 65, Martín balances the restaurant with his sport and has no plans to retire.
José Luis Martín, born in Valencia with a life full of varied jobs like harvesting, working on pig farms or cleaning windows, found his passion in travel and waterpolo. He started swimming at 12, but discovered waterpolo at 13, a sport he hasn't abandoned except for a two-year break traveling the world in his twenties.
During that journey across five continents, ending in 1985, Martín was 'impressed by the oven in which they made the chicken' in Peru. Upon returning to Madrid, where he bought an apartment, he replicated that oven with adaptations at La Casa de las Brasas, opened in 1988 in the Hortaleza neighborhood. 'It was an area with a lot of people, the shopping center didn't exist yet', he recalls. The original spot is now a shop open only on weekends, with usual queues, and has expanded to Legazpi and a workshop in Rivas Vaciamadrid.
The 'Peru-Spanish' chicken uses a spice mix similar to the original with 'a Spanish touch', roasted for two hours over charcoal for a smoky flavor. Over the years, it added ribs, lasagnas, croquettes, and rices, as 'selling only chickens is not viable'. Today it produces over 400 chickens on weekends, 400 rib racks, 200 rices (up to 500 on days like Mother's Day) and Christmas menus with lamb and suckling pig.
At 65, Martín balances the business with his industrial machinery company and waterpolo, where he organizes the Master Waterpolo Cup every four years since 2001, inspired by a German tournament. In 2023, he entered the Aquatic Sports Hall of Fame for 'promoting the sport and showing what fun, competition, and travel can bring'. With his daughter, who joined five years ago, he plans to expand corners in sports venues, like in Alcorcón. 'I neither can nor want' to retire, he says firmly.