Chapinlandia Guatemala Restaurant and Bakery in beautiful downtown Renton is now open.
Today was their first day in business, and if for no other reason than to claim to be the first blogger to dine there and post about it, I had to try it.
First day in business a lot of places aren't going to have their stuff together, and Chapinlandia is no exception. But you know what? The food is awesome! Although some of the items have names in common with their Mexican neighbors, there were some strong differences. The tortillas are homemade and thick, not at all like their Mexican counterparts...The carne asada was mind bogglingly good, tender and nicely presented served with half an avocado and tomato and onion slices. The pipian was a chicken dish served with a pumpkin seed mole sauce, and was served with turnip and string beans and spinach.
Coffee was Guatemalan and smooth. Prices are low, and they open seven days a week, for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. As of today, they don't have menus, but whether you're a meat eater or a vegetarian, there will be something for you, even if you just want to sit and have the in house made Guatemalan pastries and coffee.
I'll go back, and I think it's really cool that Renton has such a place.
Chapinlandia Guatemala Restaurant and Bakery
916 S. 2nd St.
Renton 98057
425-228-6016
On a sadder note, Touchdowns is out of business and for sale. This is the former All City Diner and former Schumsky's Brass Rail. In it's most recent incarnation as Touchdowns, the place had Beef on Weck sandwiches (an upstate New York specialty), very low priced lunch specials, and great beer. I liked the place, but evidently didn't get there frequently enough to keep them in business.
I can never figure out what's going to survive and thrive. I've been to some restaurants that have been around forever, are always crowded, and have never been any good, but I've also been to absolutely awesome places that should be very popular but just don't make it.
5 comments:
Damn - you are a quick one! I just heard today that Chapinlandia is already opened and you indeed have been there and already blogconquered! Mrs. Mortimer sends her warm regards and says it was high time you came out of the closet, you hipster, you!
Just want to say thanks for the Renton Food blog. Genuinely appreciate finding out what's new here.
It is amazing how people just get stuck in a routine and it doesn't matter if the place is good or not. Hopefully this place will catch on and grab peoples attention. I can't wait to try it.
We will definitely be trying Chapinlandia very soon. Thanks for the heads up on the opening.
My wife and I went to this place on a Saturday evening. I had the aforementioned chicken pepian with the pumpkin seed sauce and fat corn tortilla. My wife had dobladas (sort of a Guatemalan turnover filled with goodies) and a remarkably cheap tamale. Very tasty. The place is new, and I'm sure that they are going through their growing pains. The server kept having to check with the kitchen to see whether they had this or that from the menu on that particular early evening, for example. We'll be giving it another try, and I agree with Freddy - it's cool to have a place like this in Renton.
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