LA TOQUILLA RESTAURANTE ECUATORIANO — Restaurant in Manchester

Our second visit was just as good as the first! Recently, I have been working close by at Work Space CT and could see this cute outdoor space with tables. We were told by Stacey the Manager of Work Space that it was a new Ecuadorian restaurant. Neither of us have had Ecuadorian food before but decided why not try it. This is how my co worker and I visited La Toquilla last week. We went again today! It is one of those hidden gems. A small restaurant space on a side street with a small colorful patio framed by their vegetable garden. Both times we had a pleasant and knowledgeable waitress who explained the cuisine, made suggestions and brought nice little extras to the table for us to enjoy- like plantain chips with different dips, woven placemats and baskets holding our silverware and napkins- just nice touches. This time we ordered the chicken fried rice dish which was dressed with fresh scallions and red peppers with lots of large pieces of egg and tasty chicken throughout. Last time I got the beef rice which is pictured here. Mine was almost too pretty to eat....almost! During our meal we were visited by the chef who wanted to see how we liked the food and seemed pleased with our responses. It is definitely worth taking the side street to find this special place. I will be back! And I was... two months later and we are working in the area again. Plantain chips and dip and another round of the most amazing rice and beef dish. Colleague got special soup with fish, octopus, muscles, shrimp and mushrooms with a selection of sauces to add some fire. Said it was excellent. We will be...

Second time visiting. I stopped in at 4:30 Sunday taking a gamble in wouldn't be busy. Upon arrival outside dining had eight people a inside two customers. We were a part of four and proceeded to sit inside. We passed the waitress on the way in (who just looked at us) so we asked the cooks if we could sit inside, they said sure. The other couple inside didn't have any food yet. After we sat down the waitress came in and out two different occasions to talk to the cooks. Both times never acknowledging is. Finally after she headed outside the third time we left. Only then when she passed my wife she said she could take out order now. Too late. I don't mind waiting, I just want to be acknowledged. That way I know she cares enough to be a good waitress. Acknowledgement people. It means a lot when you're waiting. A simple hi be right with you would have kept us waiting longer. Lesson to be learned. Before you sit down here check out how many waitress are on, how many customers and did you get a greeting. Otherwise you may be in for a cold wait. I haven't given up on this place yet. One...

This is my favorite local Ecuadorian restaurant!

I have been getting my happy tummy filled with great Ecuadorian food from this restaurant since they opened in 2022.

Always a great ambiance, Ecuadorian gastronomic options, music, people and staff. Inside or outside and outside seating was great for the summer.

The cooking style and flavor are fair representation of Manabi, Ecuador.

My favorite dishes are "Encebollado" (Tuna fish soup), "Bandera" (Flag, a tapas style dish), oh, and "bolon de chicharron, or bolon mixto" (green plantain ball with pork rinds, or green plantain ball with pork rind and cheese). "Helados de Gualaceo" (Gualaceo's Ice cream) are a great dessert, my...