In Search of Monday Lunch: La Guadalupana

Located in an unassuming shotgun house on Broad Street, La Guadalupana seems out of place among the numerous bail bondsmen and criminal defense offices in the area. Not surprisingly, few would be diners come upon the restaurant by chance. If you are ever summoned for jury duty at Criminal District Court, this is a good spot to beat the crowds for a quick lunch. For those in the CBD, it's less than a 10 minute drive.

The menu is quite extensive for such a small restaurant. Tacos of all sorts come topped with slivers of fresh avocado and a heavy scattering pico de gallo. Enchiladas are rolled to order and topped with melted cheese. The Salvadoran influence is shown in the warm, orange-hued salsa (served complimentary with chips to start your meal) and pupusas stuffed with cheese and/or chicharron. Fried yuca, skirt steak, and menudo are all lurking on the menu as well.

Surroundings are at a minimum - tile floors, banquet chairs, and table cloths that I swear were purchased from my grandmother's 1986 moving sale. The food seems to come slowly from the kitchen, but that's not necessarily a bad sign. Chances are that English is the second language for most of the other diners in the room, but you will still be able to figure out who they're cheering for between the soccer match on TV. I expect this to be a very popular (and entertaining) spot to watch the World Cup this summer.

La Guadalupana - Par