El Chapin Guatemalan Grill & Catering — Restaurant in Durham

What a hidden gem. Authentic, casual and delicious are the first words that come to mind. We were on 15/501 in Durham running errands and I had El Chapin bookmarked for the longest time. It is in an unassuming shopping complex and we saw the Open sign from the parking lot. We went on a Saturday night at about 7:30pm and the restaurant was packed. It is a store and restaurant in one and really an authentic experience. The young gentleman running the counter gave us menus and when a table inside cleared up, he moved us there. The menu is very straightforward with meat dishes, daily specials (Seafood soup on Sundays, beef soup on Mondays, etc.) sides and has a few photos. We asked what was recommonded and La Parillada para dos was the perfect choice. It is a steaming cast iron plate for two with steak, pork, vegetables and chicken and is served with a plate of fresh iceberg lettuce, radishes, tomatoes, cucumbers and a slice of lime. You also get refried beans, the best rice I have ever had and homemade tortillas. The rice has a chicken flavor and yucca or cayote in it. The tables have a plastic casing and underneath you will find beautiful hand woven icons from Guatemala. You grab your silverware and hot sauces from the drink station. The restaurant is family-run and there is so much service and passion behind the food. The sides are lined with rice, medicine and grocery items from Guatemala. At the counter we also found homemade rolls that go well with coffee. Soccer jerseys and traditional shirts line the hallway. I felt like I was in Guatemala for dinner and loved the ambience, music and food. We loved it so much, we came back on Monday for lunch. Gracias a la familia....

"NO LIME SCARCITY AT EL CHAPIN" is what I'd name my article in the NYT food column if I had a section, was qualified to write for them, or in New York City. For context, I went to an expensive/overpriced taco place and they gave me less than 1/8th of a lime for three tacos, starting my feud. Here, each place was given two thick wedges of lime. That's the true essence of hospitality. The limes were juicy and plentiful.

Food was delicious! We ordered a chicken tamale and a la parillada para dos plate (advertised for two, could definitely be for 3-4) which included grilled chicken, pork, steak and two plates of rice, beans, side salad, the afore mentioned limes, thick soft tortillas, and grilled jalepeno and tomato. It all came out on a sizzling hot plate and had the most amazing char/smoky flavor. Everything was super tender and delicious! Can confidently recommend this to share because it was a lot of meat. I also am a huge fan of grilled tomato and jalepeno which worked wonderfully with the meat.

The chicken tamale also was delicious! Tender, generous, filling and served with a tomato salsa, shredded veg mix, and a sprinkle of cotija. All good things must come to an end, but I took the rest to go and enjoyed it over the...

We have never been to a Guatemalan restaurant before, and would never have thought to go to El Chapin if it was not for the YELP reviews - thanks YELPers!!

We tried the plato tipico chapin (folded potato cakes, garnachas, stuffed poblano pepper, rice, cabbage salad) and a couple of extra chuchitos. Everything was excellent. The poblano was distinctly different, and much better, than many I have had at Mexican restaurants. The chuchitos are similar to tamales, but also distinctly different. It is amazing how the same basic ingredients as Mexican food can result in such different dishes. The garnachas are unique (in my admittedly limited experience), and really good.

Looking araound the restaurant, we saw lots of different dishes that we want to try the next time we come by - can't wait to go back!

Atmosphere is nice, bright, very clean, and eager server. One wall of the restaurant is lined with shelves of mostly Guatemalan staples and packaged goods, and the back wall has a cold case. We went in at dinner time, and they had table service (perhaps they do at lunch as well? Didn't think to ask).

Great authentic food and a great value earns 5 stars...