The best-know location of the Guatemalteca Bakery is on a somewhat uninviting stretch of Beverly, but once you enter you can forget about the exterior and think only about the delicious food you are about to eat. The long lines and huge crowds at Beverly location are a drawback, so, I go to Guatemalteca Bakery on Santa Monica and Vermont- a new and improved, colorful and equally delicious Guatemalan fast food just as Guatemalteca Bakery on Beverly.
Hordes of people stand in line for good 10-15 mins, but trust me, it's totally worth it. If you don't speak Spanish, you can simply point with your finger at ready-made dishes cafeteria style. They have a very easy menu to choose from antojitos and breakfast to panes (with eggs, beans, chow mein!) and meat dishes. If you feeling comfortable, try to order Guatemalan tamales-chuchitos, and my ultimate favorite - pan con huevo!
(Pan con huevo con todo - bread with scrambled eggs, onion, tomato, lettuce and mayo - but you can tell them no onion, etc, or add avocado, yum)
(Pan con Frijol - ultimate chaep eat only $ 1.50)
You can also try boiled egg con salsa or platanos con crema y frijoles, yummy!
(Platanos con crema y frijoles - kids' favorite)
(Rellenito de platano with beans inside)
Try anything and you will not be disappointed! Guatemalan beans are mandatory, because they are the best black bean you will ever taste! There is also casamiento - the beautiful marriage of rice and beans! For appertizer there is tostada con aguacate or frijol and even pupusas.
And for meat lovers try guatemalan sausage longaniza and lots of kinds typical beef/chicken type of stews that come with a side of rice and beans.
(Creamy chicken with veg and side of rice and beans)
(Tripas -intestines with side of rice and beans)
Guatemalteca Bakery also serves freshly baked bread and pan dulce in various shapes, forms and colors - all just for few cents each. There are separate ails with imported products from Central America and in the fridge section you can find few kinds of cheese that you can sprinkle at home on anything;) and rich cream....mmmm...and other worth exploring goodies:)
Overall, Guatemalteca Bakery is my huge secret for a perfect under $10 Sunday breakfast. They take ATM, but it's better to come wiht cash. Don't forget coffee and jamaica, tamarindo or horchata to drink!
I say come hungry and leave happy! and yes, support the choco banana!
