La Chiva Restaurant

I have been meaning to write a review for this place. I was going to give them 5 stars but unfortunately my last two visits caused me to change my mind and to write this review. La Chiva used to be a great, amazing wonderful spot. The food is good and cheap. Really good for late night. The last two times I went the new people at the counter were horrible. This was my experience the last time I went in. I ordered 6 of the already prepared chicharrones cut up. I watched the lady pick out 5 and give it to the cook to cut up. She thought I wouldn’t notice because they are being cut into pieces. I said I ordered 6. She said she was giving me 5 (and over course charging me for 6) because «they are big.» They sell food per piece not weight. The manager agreed with me. I’m amazed that she wasn’t going to tell me but just decided she would charge me for 6 and give me 5. I also want to add that asking to chop them up is a normal thing. In fact, I only started asking after all the previous other ladies asked me and everyone else that I saw if they wanted it cut up. I may have actually considered being charged for 5 because they were big but I felt cheated when she just thought she would trick me. I’m giving two stars instead of one because in the end the manager fixed it but it shouldn’t have had to come to that. This place used to offer to cook it fresh and include some small arepa now you have to watch them to make sure they aren’t cheating you. Horrible!

Not bad, got the steak and cheese combo for only $ 6. Empenadas are only a dollar. Good deal for the low?! CASH ONLY!!!

I have seen, tasted and been to better spots in East Boston. This hole might be open until late, 1am in the morning late but the food is super greasy and unhealthy. Everything is hard, tasteless and stiff after 9pm. I would not recommend anything out of their solid food menu. A juice, ice cream or sweet maybe but the rest of the food will destroy your stomach.

Nice late night spot. Very reasonable prices. I usually get a steak and cheese which comes with fries for 6bucks. The chicken there is dehydrated (when you see it you’ll know what i mean) but good and crispy even though theres barely any meat in the bones. The salami and plantano with the cheese in the middle is good also. Always ask for salsa picante & salsa rosada! Yum

Went there for the $ 1 scoop icecream with some friends. Place smelled a little funky. Lady was nice who gave us icecream and rang us up. Never had the food but maybe one day. Apparently they are open really late so might be making a trip there after a drinking night.

If your looking for good authentic Spanish food like your nana makes, this is the place. Everything is fresh and cooked to perfection. For less then 10 $ you get a plate with a generous serving of chicharon with platanos steak, fried egg, and rice and beans.

Late night food run! We arrived Boston @ 12:30am & checked into the airport hotel by 2am but was hungry. Drove around & except for a few Chinese Takeout places, this place was it. So we had the cheese steak (I think) & the roast beef. With sodas it was $ 17. The place was packed with locals at 2am & we all had to wait. It was worth it. Food is ⁴⁄₅ but the price! Outstanding.
The neighborhood is sketchy so put on you tough but friendly face & be a little load.

The food is OK. The pictures are misleading because the sandwiches appear a lot bigger then they really are, about half the size. The biggest problem I have with this place is that they don’t take credit cards. I ordered my $ 6 sandwich, fully expecting that a restaurant like this in the year 2014 would have the ability to take a card. Needless to say I didnt bring cash and I had to withdraw $ 20 bucks from the shady looking atm machine they have in the dining area and incur a atm fee. My $ 6 sandwich became a $ 9 sandwich and of course the lady accepting the cash looks at you like shes expecting you to put $ 1 in the tip bucket, not jar, so conveniently placed on the highest spot on the counter.

I’m from San Diego so I have a very high standard for latin staples such as chicharonnes or empanadas… This place has dank 3 $ chicharrones that come in a fried, twisted strip, nice and hot. Super crunchy and meaty and bomb. they have dank mayo sauce (crema) to put on everything too.
I’ve gotten the philly cheese steak as well, pretty bomb. Another thing I like about this place is the drinks = horchata, jamaica, mango, any kind of latin juice u could think of. Not as fresh of juices as I am used to in SD, but still good.

Cheese roll/​bread …OMG to die for! That’s all I have to say! It’s good for breakfast with a cup of coffee or a late night snack. :)

The food looked sad and the people don’t speak English very well, which is okay but when I told them in Spanish sin carne they still didn’t understand no meat or what vegetarian was. The food looks all deep fried and like it has been sitting for a while-​not appetizing!

Great place to go for Colombian food. Open late as well. Food seems pretty fresh, and the staff is nice as well.

It’s cheap. And they stay open till 3 am. That’s the only good thing.
I didn’t like the quality of tacos. The tortilla (bread) falls apart right away. I didn’t enjoy the taste of meat/​sauce.
I will not go there again. I am sorry.

I’ve only been here once, after the midnight hour, after having a few drinks.
I’m not sure what I ordered, but I recall the food being tasty! And being inside this fine establishment it was an experience to behold in and of itself.

A Colombian roadside luncheonette. The menu has all the classic Colombian fare one might expect: empenadas, bunuelos, pollo frito, perro Colombiano, tropicalies, etc.
Problem is the quality is just not there. The food was lackluster and not fresh and piping hot. It didn’t seem they had a fast enough turnover and fried chicken and chicharos were just lying around the place getting soggy and wilted.
Great idea, weak execution.

Mmmm! I love their colombian food here. especially their empanadas with the pink sauce.

My boyfriend and I just moved into the neighborhood I found this little gem on the corner of my street. After a long day of unpacking we needed something to eat and what better place to eat than the neighborhood restaurant?
The cute ladies at the counter spoke limited English. It took a few tries to get the order in. While I waited for my tacos to be made, I checked out the food in the glass display. They had freshly made chicharrones, empanadas, fried plantains, among some other delicious snacks. I got some chicharrones and a couple of empanadas to munch on while I waited. Ooooooh man!!! The chicharrones were crunchy and delicious!
They also have a good selection of fresh juices. I ordered a cup of maracuya (that is passion fruit for those who don’t speak Spanish). It was not overwhelmingly sweet and refreshing.
— — — —
We recently discovered their breakfast food selection. I recommend their desayuno americano (the american breakfast). For a meager $ 7, you get a generous portion of eggs, toast, and some very delicious Latin-​inspired home fries.
Ever since we moved in, my boyfriend and I have been back countless times. It’s became our go-​to place when we don’t feel like cooking after a long day at work. My boyfriend always tips a dollar or two because the food is so cheap we always feel like we’re stealing.

–Delicious
–Awesome juice selection
–Open super late

I stopped by because we wanted to try some empanadas in East Boston. La Chiva is centrally located in East Boston and makes a great landmark for giving directions too. I would classify this place as authentic Latin American fast food. The empanadas were what we expected. I also got some Colombian soda too. Prices are very reasonable too.

My top pick for late night eats in Boston.
The food– arepas, chorizo, delicious looking «Colombian» hot dogs with all the fixings (damn the gluten filled roll) — hits that special spot better than any other 2am option in the greater Boston area.
The staff is friendly and quick to satisfy.
**cash only**