Antojitos Guatemaltecos — Restaurant in El Cerrito

Guatemalan cuisine, A fusion of many regional cuisines, with roots in Maya and Spanish food, varies from Mexican quite a bit for people who know the ropes. The use of achiote, and more vegetables, as well as a different approach towards tamales which is a little sweeter, and also the incorporation of some South American twist, make Guatemalan cuisine delicious and different. This place, obviously run under their tutelage of a mother or grandmother, (a lot of Latin cuisine you cannot make without a matron preserving and passing down the recipes and overseeing the kitchen) because everything just has that homemade taste that you can't get enough of. They made the menu a little more commercial than most places,, so I ordered the churrasco, which is a combination of several different meats and sides, also popular in Columbia and known there as a "fritanga". Everything on the Jewel-Osco, shrimp, the strip steak, the plantains, and the rice were perfect. But the real treat here, one of life's simple pleasures, were the best homemade tortillas I've had in the East Bay so far. Thick, ("grueso"), And warm, they reminded me of Central America when I was a child. I highly recommend this place for people with taco fatigue like me. I will always love tacos but once in awhile you need something different and amazing and this is it! Also the staff is super nice, and it's just two blocks from the proterra freeway off-ramp making it easily accessible from just about anywhere in...

Went here a couple weeks ago, really good food, very reasonable prices for the quality. I’ve never had Guatemalan food, this was delicious. Had the rice tamale, desayuno chapin (with pork sausage), garnachas, and empanadas. Had enough to feed me and my parents for breakfast/lunch and even had left overs after. Rice tamale reminded me of Chinese rice tamale, flavorful and savory. Garnachas had a crunch to them (mini toasted tortilla underneath) and with the meat and pickled vegetables in each bite, it gave so much satisfaction. Empanadas we’re on point. The desayuno chapin (breakfast) came with eggs, pork sausage, beans and there was something else but I forgot. Pork sausage was incredible.

Also had Elote hot drink. Sweet corn hot drink that reminded me of Chinese Red bean soup (sweet). Very good especially on rainy day.

Highlights: high quality food, you can taste the ingredients, so much love and care put into cooking and presentation. Service was great as well! Food came out on time and she even provided a box to carry my food in.

Definitely going back again when I’m in the...

Antojitos Guatemaltecos was definitely a great choice for me! I've never eaten Guatemalan food, and this was a great introduction. The veggie tamala was definitely good. It was served with an orange sauce on the base with onions and sour cream on top. It was light and had a slightly sweet taste. It was served hot. I mention that because some places don't have food that tastes hot. I also ordered the chicken empanadas. Yummy! The first bite shocked me! It was so flavorful. There was a lightness and a crisp crunch at the same time. My food was served with a spicy relish. It wasn't sweet. It tasted like pure heat. I didn't expect that strong of a kick. Use caution. But, use it. It added another layer of flavor to my food. I followed everything with a yellow cherry drink. It had a slightly pulpy base, but it didn't bother me. It was just sweet enough.

The added bonus was the parking on the side of...