Two new eateries are coming soon to Maple Avenue in Vienna.
“Coming soon” signage has recently appeared in storefronts for Cuco’s Peruvian (146 Maple Avenue West) and Aroma Express (416 Maple Avenue East).
Cuco’s, which leans into the Peruvian-inspired style of charcoal-cooked chicken, will replace Don Pollo — itself a former Peruvian chicken restaurant — in the Vienna Shopping Center.
Offering whole chickens, half chickens and quarter chickens marinated in Peruvian flavors, the restaurant lists only a “Spring 2025” opening date on its social media accounts.
When it opens its doors, Cuco’s menu will also feature a variety of sandwiches, appetizers and small plates, including fried potatoes stuffed with Peruvian beef filling and loaded french fries served “Peruvian style.”
Setting up shop down the road, Aroma Express comes to Vienna following the success of its first location in D.C.
The new Aroma Express cafe will take over the former Potbelly Sandwich Shop, which shuttered at the end of January, in the same building as Cava.
The original Aroma Express opened in 2023 as a more “streamlined” spinoff of Aroma Cafe, which was founded by Liliana Orozco in 2014 and continues operating in Backlick Plaza (6969-A Hechinger Drive) in Springfield.
The express business focuses on “specialty coffee, bakery items, and authentic Colombian cuisine,” according to its website.
Assuming the Vienna location adopts a menu similar to its D.C. predecessor, it will serve a variety of traditional baked goods, hot and cold drinks (such as cafe con leche and Columbian hot chocolate), and food for both breakfast and lunch, including empanadas, salads and sandwiches.
It is unclear when exactly the cafe plans to open. An inquiry sent to the brand’s parent company wasn’t immediately returned.
In a meeting last month, the Town of Vienna’s Board of Architectural Review unanimously approved applications to install signage at both of the storefronts.
