Ace Castro
2022 update.
Food is delicious like the first day!!
2021
Small restaurant & bakery, a hidden diamond in the wall. Food was delicious.
Milanesa 5/5
Caldo de res 5/5
Pacaya 5/5
Carne asada plate 5/5
Rellenitos 5/5
… morejim hite
Why do I always give five stars to my posts? Because I won’t diss a place because it doesn’t appeal to me. I enjoyed an early morning breakfast at La Chapina. This restaurant/ bakery is a working person’s early morning fuel stop. No frills, but decent coffee, great central American pastries, hot breakfast and lunch menu, like traveling in Guatemala in the middle of the peninsula megalopolis. For me, La Chapina was a totally cool experience. It’s open air, enclosed patio and warehouse style seating, be forewarned.
… moreMynor Andrade
Malísimo
We were craving from some flavor from my country. We found this place which fachade we thought was proper however, the service sucks, the bread was from yesterday, and the food was so expensive and bad quality. We have to walk out when they told us after a very long time that our order couldn’t be filled because they didn’t have some ingredients…
… moreSteven Martin
I wanted to try and authentic restaurant and I chose great! The people were friendly the place was clean the food was excellent I would say the portions were just the right size great tortillas the bakery is excellent I said there was no pun Dulce I forgot that I had ordered two of them myself. Yummy for sure enjoy wear your mask be safe
… moreMar Ven
As a Guatemalan living in San Jose, I have no local spots to go to. Whenever I’m in San Mateo, for work or fun, I make it a point to visit one of the local spots. La Chapina feels like I’m back home, even hear people speaking dialects that are not Spanish. The service is good and staff is helpful, I do speak fluent Spanish so your mileage may vary. Be aware parking is very limited and you may have to walk from street parking. The food can’t beat my mom’s or aunt’s cooking but feeds the need when the craving hits. Breakfast is good, I get the scrambled eggs with onions and tomatoes (sometimes sausage) and it comes with black beans, hand made tortillas, fried plantains and Guatemalan sour cream plus a coffee. I then get to-go bread, atole (different hot drinks), and another dish like hilachas or chicken soup.
… moreDaniel Silverman
Delicious traditional Guatemalan food with fresh made tortillas. Great drink selection including soft drinks, atole (sweet corn drink), and rice based hot chocolate. The restaurant is very casual and family friendly. Highly recommended for fans of ethnic food. There is also a bakery inside making fresh bolillos (french roll) and sweetbreads.
… moreMichelle Brandman
I used to go to Guatemala every year but haven’t been in the last 10 years. One part of Guatemala I’ve missed is the food and this restaurant definitely hit the spot! We ordered the chili relleno, carne asada, tostada appetizer, and fried plantains. All of it was authentic and amazing. Even the tortillas we’re handmade and fresh like you would have in Guatemala. This was my husband’s first experience with Guatemalan food and he agreed that it was incredible. We will be coming back more often now that we know it’s here.
… moreAlex Ortiz
The place was real good and super cheap!! Most Guatemalan food places are expensive with small portions. However, this place the food was delicious and with big portions.
… morejoy ixcoy
Great place to go eat and enjoy good food
… moreFrancisco Lopez
The staff is extremely rude and pushy. The food is mediocre and overpriced. Pupusas are $6.50 which os not worth it. I do not recommend this place to anyone.
… more