Dicha, A Latin Takeout Restaurant, Offers Joy In Cos Cob

GREENWICH, CT — Nestled next door to Joey B's at 123 River Road Extension in Cos Cob sits Dicha, a hidden gem that opened earlier this year which offers quick Latin fare for lunch and dinner at an affordable price.

Once the site of Fiorentino's Pizza, Dicha first opened in February as Dicha Bistro by owners Diana Guzman and her husband Jose Lleras.

Guzman and her family came to the United States 20 years ago from Colombia, and it was her mother's dream to have her own restaurant.

"We've been working to get to the point where we are right now. I decided I wanted to take that step, and we made my mom's dream come true," Guzman said. "The idea was to bring Latin food to the Greenwich community at a good price with all of the flavors and everything that exemplifies how my mom cooks."

But after some health issues in March, Guzman's mother, Sara, stepped away. Guzman reassessed the business, changed the name to just Dicha, and revamped the menu over the summer.

"We never closed our doors," Guzman said. "Our new menu is fresh and focused."

Empanadas, which are handheld-sized, baked puff pastry pockets with delicious fillings, are a staple item. They're made fresh the same day they're sold.

Offerings include traditional ground beef and chicken, but options have been expanded to guava and cheese, ham & cheese, plain cheese, spinach & feta and pepperoni pizza. Featured empanadas, like the dulce de leche, are expected to change throughout the year.

Dipping sauces, such as spicy tamarind and chipotle passion, among others, were added to the menu as well.

Catering is available for empanadas, which can be popular for parties or special occasions.

Latin bowls — seven in total — are also a main attraction for Dicha. The shredded beef bowl features juicy shredded beef on white rice with a tangy slaw and thinly-sliced jalapeño peppers.

The steak & onion bowl contains grilled steak and caramelized onions on white rice, topped with lettuce, grape tomatoes, cucumbers and a housemade garlic sauce.

The salad bowl is all vegetarian, but chicken or steak can be added to any bowl. There are also sofrito turkey balls and chicken and steak skewer options.

Guzman also added Latin subs to the menu, which feature steak, shredded beef, sofrito chicken and mushroom sandwiches.

"This is Latin food to go, which typically doesn't exist," Guzman said, noting that this is food you can take with you back to the office for lunch, or home for a quick dinner with the family through delivery or takeout.

"The idea is for everything to be fresh," Guzman added. "We make everything on the spot."

For Guzman and manager Juan Barrera, having a friendly and inviting atmosphere is important at Dicha.

"When people walk into Dicha, they can feel the difference in being here than any other place. I connect with people, because I love talking to people and I love to listen to people," Barrera said.

The kitchen staff is close-knit, which translates into how the food is prepared — with care and love. After all, dicha in Spanish means "joy."

"It's a word we use a lot where I am from, and it means happiness and joy, and that's what we want people to feel when they try our food," Guzman said.

Parking for Dicha is located through the back of Joey B's.

Dicha is open 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday to Wednesday; and 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday - closed on Sunday.

For more information and to view the full menu, visit their website.