Paseo Chapin

Last time I went there, as I was getting my children out of the car to go eat there, my little boy smashed his fingers with the car door. We ran to the restaurant, since that’s where we were going anyway, and I asked the manager (or owner, I think) if I could have some ice for my son’s fingers. My little boy was crying. She hesitated and then she asked… «but you are going to ear here, right?». I CAN NOT believe someone would deny a glass of water or some ice to an injured child. Even if we weren’t going to eat there, but obviously she was only thinking of her business. Then, she brought me a glass with 2 ice cubes. But the place is crappy and dirty, the furniture is old and. The bathrooms are NEVER clean. The service is slow. And the place is usually full of drunk men. We used to be regulars, and that was because (and that’s the only good thing I can say about this place) the food is good.

First you see the B rating outside. The place was what I expected. Bathroom was not so clean or maintained. Lots of men there. The food was good. I would check it out if you want Guatemalan food.

Walking into this place on a Sunday night can be a bit intimidating if you are not exactly adventurous. It was loud, full of drunk men and there was a 7 piece band crammed into one corner blasting what I can only assume was Guatemalan music, but really couldn’t tell you. Although, if you find yourself in this part of town at night in the first place, you are either lost or not faint of heart. At one point a very drunk little man just stood next to our table staring at us silently for about 2 minutes whilst swaying back and forth. Somebody at a nearby table eventually put an arm around him and led him away.
The food is solid. Had the Hilaches, which is a beef stew with potatoes and carrots that is served with rice and beans. Flavours are there. Since I had never been here before or eaten Guatemalan food that I can recollect, we tried the Especialidad de la Casa «Guate-​Linda». The marinated meats are out of this world. It’s what grilled could ever hope to achieve flavour wise.
For anyone who has ever eaten a Mexican enchilada, don’t expect to order the Guatemalan variety and end up with cheesy sauce-​covered stuffed tortillas. It was more like a crazy tostada and I couldn’t identify a couple of the ingredients on top. But it tasted freaking delicious.
I wasn’t a fan of the «chips and salsa». The salsa was served warm and was more reminiscent of enchilada sauce, so for a Mexican-​style salsa connoisseur like me it was not exactly appealing.
But overall this place is awesome. They have Guatemalan beer as well as some other traditional Mexican beers like Corona and Bohemia, all of which can be served to your table in a mix and match bucket. Sweet!

This place is fantastic… Great place to have a beer and tamale

Having been an avid Guatemalan culture and food lover this place is one of the authentic gems in the heart of LA. Right in front of the Westlake, it really represents the charm of this part of the town. Inside, relaxing and friendly atmosphere, with obligatory jukebox and live band on particular nights. The menu is in English and Spanish, and it has a nice cross representation of the authentic comida de Guatemala. One of the best desert section with platanos the mole, with lots of deep flavors and spices. Reasonable prices, cash only, cheap beer, including Gallo.

This is a great place for Guatemalan food (central american).
When ever I go there I try and get their Pollo en Crema (Chicken in Cream sauce). This is ridiculously good. You get a side of rice and you are in creamy chicken heaven. Mix the rice with the cream sauce and my mouth is just watering thinking of it. They give you a good portion of chicken as well.
Also, they have great breakfast. They have these little sausages called longanizas. One of the best breakfast sausages I have ever had. Now, this is not your typical breakfast sausage, but it is something you definitely have to try.
Their Carne Adobada (marinated pork) is another must try. If you are a huge carnivore such as me, you gotta try the «Guatelinda». This gives you bite size morsels of all the meats that they have. A few beers and this meat dish is awesome.
Their «Tamal» is also really good. This is a bigger version of the Mexican tamale and not as dry. All you have to do is squeeze lime on it and drown it in Tapatio sauce. Delicious!
If you have never tried Central American food, I would highly suggest you start with Guatemalan food. The food at this establishment is not spicy, but it is bursting with flavor. 5 Stars and 2 thumbs up all the way.