Guatemalan Breakfast Finds a Home in Renton at Chapinlandia

On a rainy Northwest Saturday morning, five friends (one from Guatemala, one from Spain, one from Colombia y dos Americanos ) descended upon Chapinlandia in downtown Renton with an appetite, curiosity and bit of nostalgia. I am not one to typically like to eat breakfast out, as I feel like you often pay a premium for something you can easily make at home. But Desayuno Chapin is something authentic and unusual that makes me glad that we broke out our umbrellas and broke bread (I mean, tortillas.)

Chapinlandia offers three separate Desayuno combination plates: “Tipico” ($9.50) which advertises two scrambled eggs, 2 Longaniza sausages, crema, refried beans and two tortillas instead of toast. We opted for the “Chapin” plate ($9.50) which is a traditional breakfast of two fight-for-them fluffy eggs, golden fried plantains, crema, two thick house-made tortillas served in a basket, and imported refried black beans sprinkled with salty Zacapa cheese, the Guatemalan version ofcotija. Our breakfast spread also came with a bowl of sweet, sour, and spicy Escabeche (an assortment of pickled carrots, onions, and picant peppers). Chap's third option is something we’ll have to go back for—the “Mixto,” a breakfast bargain at $14 given the amount of food and hospitality you are given. Carne Asada (literally translated as “roast beef” on the menu, but actually a pseudonym for grilled marinated steak) is plated with eggs, beans, plantains, crema, and tortillas. Next time, after we walk a few weekend miles on the bordering Cedar River Trail!

And while the Guatemalan tortillas deserve their own paragraph, I’ll just say, Atkins-subscribers have met their folly although there’s plenty of protein to choose from. Handmade, we were blessed with one basket aside our breakfast selections. If you request a refill, regular tortillas will have to suffice. Thanks to our host, Urbano, for keeping our waistlines in check! None of use ordered coffee with our breakfast, so I can’t comment. But a citrusy glass of vibrant magenta Jamaica (hibiscus, $1.75) and tangy Tamarinda juice ($2) absolutely beat out regular o.j. in my book. 

Think Enchiladas ($3) are heavily laden tubes of cheese and meat? Try a Guatemalan one. The menu mis-translates “beet” as “beef”—but you get both! Served on a crisply fried corn tostada, this flying saucer of flavor is piled with fresh lettuce as a base, pickled ruby beets (which converted one hater in the group), topped with a typical relleno filling of ground meat, diced carrots, and served with a flourish of savory tomato sauce, grating cheese and topped with a flavoristic bonus of sliced hard-boiled egg.

Skip the Mixtas ($3), a Dali-esque nightmare, which my Guatemalan friend avoided but I innocently ordered. While the menu reads soft corn tortillas, guacamole, topped with sausage, you are faced with a filleted hot dog, unapologetically and artfully zig-zagged with ketchup, mustard & mayo. Consider me a Saturday morning spoiler, but even I was not to be charmed into changing my mind about ordering this hybrid dish. My Guatemalan friend said, “Make sure people know I WAS NOT the one who ordered this!”

Let’s talk Tamales. Both cornmeal “dumpling” options were delicious, each geographically unique and favored by different diners but enjoyed by all. Chuchitos or “little dogs” are more similar to Mexican tamales, firmer and smaller, wrapped in corn husks. Our Tamal was a cumulus cornmeal package wrapped snugly in banana leaves. Filling options were pork or chicken with the Chuchitos lighter on the filling, the Tamal was more compact with a red salsa bursting from its pores.

A tremendous amount of flavorful food and warmth was had for $42 before tip. If you are looking for a Northwest food adventure, visit Chapinlandia. Urbano Santos and his wife Maria Luisa owned a restaurant in Guatemala City until they left to find political safety in Los Angeles in 1984, and moved to Renton in 1993. Be a foodie, and part of the American-Guatemalan dream at:

Chapinlandia Guatemalan Restaurant and Bakery
916 S. 2nd Street Renton, WA 98057 - (425) 228-0586