Reader: I Ate Both Alpaca and Guinea Pig in Peru — Delicious!

Mark Antonation is no stranger to adventurous eating. And when a recently returned from Peru and extolled the quality of the Andean nation's cuisine, including alpaca, he started looking for spots where he could find that delicacy here. He located alpaca bondigas on the website of Pikkas — but sadly,...

By Patricia Calhoun

July 9, 2015

Audio By Carbonatix

[
          {
            "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
            "component": "23668565",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "STN Player - Float - Mobile Only ",
            "component": "23853568",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "Editor Picks",
            "component": "17242653",
            "insertPoint": "4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18838239",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - 2x Rectangles Desktop, Tower on Mobile - Labeled",
            "component": "24956856",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25 
          
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18838239",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
            "component": "17676724",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          }
        ]

Mark Antonation is no stranger to adventurous eating. And when a friend recently returned from Peru and extolled the quality of the Andean nation's cuisine, including alpaca, he started looking for spots where he could find that delicacy here. He located alpaca bondigas on the website of Pikkas — but sadly, the dish is no longer offered at the subterranean Cherry Creek restaurant. Still, he found other items worthy trying there. Says Sher:

I just returned from Peru and ate both alpaca and guinea pig — both delicious! Of course they were prepared expertly and were both tender, tasty and accompanied by amazing sauces (not inexpensive, though!). I do love Peruvian food - I hope Pikkas can pull it together and create a great new cuisine here in Denver. . . .

What's the weirdest food you've ever eaten? And where did you find it?

Patricia Calhoun is editor-in-chief of Westword, the alt-weekly she co-founded in September 1977. She’s been inducted into the Colorado Press Association Hall of Fame, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Hall of Fame and the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. She’s also received dozens of local, state and national awards for writing, including first place for feature writing and first place for column writing with the Society of Professional Journalists. Patricia is a weekly commentator on Colorado Inside Out, PBS 12's public affairs roundtable, which has won two Emmys.

A message from Patricia Calhoun: If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our continued coverage of Denver’s evolving dining scene and the latest culinary innovations our community offers.

Support Today