La Esquina Chapina

OMG! Amazing Guatemalan restaurant.
1) I got the Carne Asada con salsa picante, huevos, frijoles, queso fresco, maduros y tortilla.
2) It only cost 7 bucks for ton of food. I have no clue how they are making a profit.
3) The service is excellent.

Yummy nom nom!
I’m not an a Spanish native but I certainly appreciate the cuisine.
Portions are generous, $ 9 for 4 tacos was one serving and filled me up quite satisfyingly.
I wish I came here sooner, the servers are nice and the food tastes authentic.
The windows might seem musty and appears dark, but once you’re inside you’ll find a vast space with painted walls that feel like home.

I ordered the enchilada but it was missing ingredients (carne picada, Hard boiled egg, tomatoe sauce) I know since I am Guatemalan I drove 35 mins in order to come and try this restaurant, I am sad to say that I am not coming back. Atol de elote was watery not as tasty as it should be. The fried tacos were missing parsley (key ingredient on this type of food) the adobada wasn’t tasty either.

Let me start of by saying that if you’re looking for a 5 star dish the «american» way, you won’t find it here. BUT what you will find is 5 star authentic Guatemalan food.
I got the carne adovada and hubby the churrasco. Both were very large portions that came with rice, black beans, authentic tortillas, and a macaroni salad (the way every carne asada comes with in Guatemala)
I also ordered the arroz con leche atole.
There were two things I would say almost killed my experience:
1) someone that works here let his/​her kid and his friends go in the room where there’s a pool table (kind of random but it’s there) and they were really loud, obnoxious, and were blasting music.
2) there’s no changing table! I had to change my baby in my car
It was great food and I’m definitely coming back soon! If only it weren’t so far from my home lol

This is serious NJ cheap eats. Tasty (though slightly salty) food at low prices in a no frills atmosphere (note the pool table in the back!). The pinol (chicken in corn sauce) is a big piece of chicken served in a bowl of rich gravy alongside a heap of rice. Though the gravy was dense and complex and tasty, I’d probably order something a little less monotonous next time — bite after bite of chicken without any veggies or accompaniment was a bit tedious. My dining companion had steak with peppers and onions (delicious) which was served with a cucumber and beet salad, rice and beans, a corn salad, and a similar heap of rice. I wouldn’t take a date here– the atmosphere is a little lacking– but for a quick and very filling meal at low prices, La Esquina Chapina is a welcome option.

I work up in Palisades Park once a week, and this is my go to place, if I’m not in the mood for Korean. Their portions are large, food flavorful, and it’s a welcome change, as I can’t really get Guatemalan food in Philly.

Food 4
Ambiance 3
Service 4
In a sea of Korean food, this is a refreshing oasis. Food is definitely good… this is not Mexican, it is central American… they have papusas. Our group loved everything they ordered… rolled tacos, skirt steaks, fried pork, sausage, stewed meats in various sauces… all awesome.
They don’t speak a whole lot of English there but don’t let that deter you. One lady there speaks English fluently and they do have an English menu if you ask. They take the time to explain everything.
The green hot sauce at the table is addictive. Def will be frequenting.

Good potion for price. Tasty.
Only concern as nonlatin, foods are deep fried (tasty but hard to chew) and little salty.
Overal foods were good, just cant eat often as nonlatin.

i felt like i was in an episode of anthony bordain’s no reservation. It’s a bakery, restaurant, and poolhall in one. you def wouldn’t expect to find this place on broad avenue in palisades park (aka Koreatown). the only thing that reminded me that i was in koreatown/​palpark was one of the hispanic men playing pool was wearing a red Corea soccer shirt. anyways onto the food:
i ordered the steak combo which came with steak, «pork rinds», chorizo, eggs, rice, and beans. my old roommate ordered the garlic skirt steak with rice & beans (which came with shrimp). a complementary stack of fresh corn torilla was provided. i highly suggest you ask for some hotsauce (a jalepeno purée not much of a kick, but very flavorful — think chimicurri consistancy).
i’m no foodie, so all i’ll say is that it’s pretty awesome and they give large portions. my two comments on the food is that i wish the torillas were slightly thinner and i wish i got the skirtsteak because after having a slab from my roommate, all my proteins seemed dry in comparison.
because it’s such a lowkey and mom&pop place the service is a bit slow, i think from the time we were seated to when we got our food — it was about 30 – 45 mins. we had to keep track of time due to meter parking (bring quarters!). timing was expected as one girl was working the entire restaurant, with a chef in back and a busboy to clean the tables.
all in all, our two very large dinners came out to $ 27, before tip.

tasty food!