The Costa Rican and Ecuadorean cooks in the back turn out authentic, reasonably-priced comfort food. Why this ethnic combination? Not quite sure. The Costa Rican fare – gallo pinto (fried rice and black beans), casados (meat, plantains, salad, rice and beans), vigoron (pork chicharron, boiled yuca and cabbage salad) – is fresh, tasty and authentic. I can’t speak to the authenticity of the Ecuadorean items on the menu, but I’m intrigued to try the Llapingachos (cheese-filled potato patties served with peanut sauce) next time. You can order food to go, but the kitchen is authentically Costa Rican in another respect. It’s slow. Don’t order take out if you’re in a hurry.
Antojitos is a spacious, cafeteria-style, restaurant on busy Springfield Avenue in Irvington. Outside, the sidewalk is bustling and parking is, let’s say, challenging. But once you’re inside, you could be eating in downtown San José, or maybe Quito.
A small deli that serves Costa Rican tacos, empanadas, chicharrones, and a few daily specials. Order to go or eat at one of the four tables in front.