LA ANTIGUA RESTAURANT & PANADERÍA — Restaurant in Gastonia

Updated Review January 6, 2025

We were invited back by the owner to experience the exciting changes made to the restaurant, and I am happy to say it was a complete turnaround from my previous visit. It is clear that these updates have made a big difference.

Starting with the exterior, the restaurant now boasts a fresh coat of paint and a new entry arch, giving it a clean and welcoming look. Inside, they have removed the buffet to add more tables, creating a more spacious and modern feel. There is also a new bar area where guests can enjoy drinks while watching games on the TVs. The tabletops have been updated, and the décor beautifully complements the murals, creating a cohesive and inviting atmosphere.

One standout addition is their bakery, which offers fresh-baked goods made on-site. The updated menu is visually appealing, and the food quality is top-notch, making for an exceptional dining experience.

For the table, we enjoyed the Bandeja Antigua—a platter with 1 chuchito, 1 tamal, 1 tostada with guacamole, 1 tostada with beans 🫘, 1 tostada with tomato 🍅sauce, 2 plantain rellenitos, 2 crispy chicken🐔 tacos 🌮, 2 chicken🐔 empanadas, and Chapin-style enchiladas. My husband and neighbor tried their Charro Beans🫘 and fell in love with the flavor.

I tried their special ceviche—fish 🐟, octopus 🐙, shrimp 🍤, red onions 🌰, tomatoes 🍅, cilantro, and cucumber🥒. It came in a beautiful boat-shaped bowl and was definitely flavorful. It was topped with sliced avocado 🥑 😋.

My husband had the Burrito 🌯 California—rice 🍚, beans 🫘 , grilled chicken 🐔 , onion 🌰, tomato 🍅 , and bell peppers 🌶 topped with melted cheese 🧀. He definitely didn't complain. Something to note, though, is that if you order a burrito🌯 "a la Antigua," it includes rice🍚, beans🫘, lettuce🥬, onion🌰, cilantro, cream, and cheese🧀 inside the nurrito🌯, not on the plate. My other neighbor ordered the Burrito Cheese Steak- Grilled steak🥩, fried onions🌰, inside the burrito, served with rice🍚, beans🫘, and cream salad, topped with melted cheese🧀.

Their vision remains centered on their team—motivated, dedicated individuals committed to providing excellent service to every guest. They genuinely value the community that supports them and strive to create meaningful connections. With a focus on sustainability, efficiency, and constant innovation, their mission is to bring people together and make every visit memorable and enjoyable.

To further show their appreciation for the community, they offer a 50% discount to active military personnel, police officers, and firefighters, as well as a 10% discount for veterans. It’s heartwarming to see their dedication not only to great service but also to giving back.

We honestly had no complaints about the quality of the food or service; it was well worth the price, and the amazing tastes were a...

Wanted to see if anyone had put a restaurant in the old market street buffet building which I did today. Came back later to try it. Nice and colorful inside and out. Music is kind of loud and hearing the person next to me was all but impossible. I know I have hearing trouble but I should still be able to hear what someone is saying at the table I'm sitting at. Got 2 fajitas and plate on the back of the menu forgot its name. They did say they were short staffed today. Literally took 35 minutes for order to come out. I've eat at lots of places that serve fajitas and they always come out to the table sizzling hot. These dishes were barely warm like they had been sitting on counter for like 30 minutes or so. I grab a piece of the meat it's not even hot. I stick my finger down in the plate and I'm able to touch the plate the fajita was on not even get burned at all. Normally getting anywhere near the plate much less doing that would burn you instantly. Had it not been for having 2 other people with me I'd have gotten up and left since I was getting rather annoyed waiting so long for the food to come out. There were only like 3 tables with people at them and it wasn't busy in there so I don't know why they wouldn't have been able to keep up. I just let them take my plate back I didn't want it. 64 bucks was paid for 2 of the plates but they had to be took home to be warmed up later to get eaten. Had I wanted something cold I would have went to get ice cream somewhere. Seems to me like they honestly didn't want to deal with the few customers they had and seeing as it was like around 5 or so in the afternoon on a Saturday no less and hardly no customers in there I imagine there are some staffing issues. I'll...

#Unforgettable Tacos

The tacos at La Antigua Guatemala are nothing short of amazing! Each bite is a journey to authentic flavors that transport you to the heart of Guatemala. From the sizzling carne asada to the melt-in-your-mouth carnitas, every taco is a masterpiece of taste and tradition.

As soon as you walk in, you feel the embrace of a true family atmosphere. It's not just a restaurant; it's a welcoming haven for families with little ones. My toddler couldn't get enough of the delicious rice and beans, specially prepared to delight young taste buds. The staff went above and beyond to accommodate us, making us feel right at home.

From the moment we stepped in, we were not just customers; we were welcomed as part of the restaurant's extended family. The warmth and care that the staff showed made us feel like we belonged. It's not just a place to eat; it's a place to create beautiful memories and cherish the joy of togetherness.

So, if you're looking for a dining experience filled with exquisite tacos, a family-friendly ambiance, and a staff that treats you like one of their own, La Antigua Guatemala is the place to be. It's a taste of Guatemala with the heart of a...