The soups are great, service is okay. Nothing to expensive. Friendly environment! I would ask for me attention while finishing but over all fenomenal place. I would recommend to anyone with a spanish taste buds. read more

My 1st experience was of the two star variety. There are a dozen family owned latino restaurants in Manassas. They are all a little different in that they are representative of different regions of South & Central America. This happens to be of the Guatemelan variety. El Quetzal is the colorful national bird and the name of their currency. I ordered the chicken tacos. Pretty simple and straight forward right? Well...not so fast my friend. The first lady that came by my table spoke excellent english. She took my drink order and I told her I wanted sweet tea. She said we don't have that but I can mix the tea with our sweet lemonade which I thought was a great idea...you know Arnold Palmer style. When she came back with the glass it was just lemonade...very sweet lemonade. A few minutes later another lady came by who only spoke Spanish. I told her in spanish that the other lady took my drink order...so she wanted to take my food order. I pointed at the menu and told her I wanted the three soft chicken tacos. She looked at me with 'that look'. And you know what I'm talking about. I then told her in spanish, tres tacos de pollo. She then said OK and I said 'sin ceballo' no onions she smiled and said OK. So, I waited, there were only three other tables at 1130a for lunch on a Friday. I was watching Univisons spanish version of the Jerry Springer show....can you say drama? After about five minutes the 1st lady comes by with chips and salsa. At 1st taste I thought the salsa was of the Pace variety, she told me it is was home made. When I got the tacos they were filled with grilled onions; I picked them off. I liked that they put the pico de gallo on the side along with the lettuce & tomatoes and delicious and fresh quacamole. When I asked for my check the english speaking waitress asked me how was my meal. I told her that it was all good except for the onions on the tacos. She said the other girls english wasn't very good. I didn't bother to tell her that I said 'sin ceballo'. When the check came she took off the charge for the beverage. I doubt I go back here, there are just too many other choices. read more

El Quetzal Grill - Mexican Near Me - Manassas Park, Virginia

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Good Guatemala food. My whole family loves it. Authentic food . Small place but very cozy.

Hidden gems: "Hole in the wall places," are the covert jewels of the restaurant industry. Set in the Manassas Park, VA area and named after the Guatemala National bird, El Quetzal Grill fits the mold. Ownership/Staff: Run by Owner Otto/wife and amiable staff, I'm always treated with kindness---no different than the Hispanic customers---who are the driving force to this establishment. Mexican vs. Guatemala enchiladas: While I embrace both, there's a dramatic difference. Hard to describe through words(See my Guatemala enchiladas pic). The end to a magnificent meal? Coming in flavors like Papaya, Strawberry, Melon and Banana, try a Licuado(English translation: Milkshake). Banana Licuado Heavenly! Due to the large mug this thing comes in, I'd bring a friend to assist in getting it down. Although I didn't finish the Banana Licuado, I took the rest home. So, if you're alone, don't be discouraged in ordering it. If you put too much hot sauce on your food, any of the Licuados will settle your stomach down. For History buffs: In ancient Mayan culture, the Quetzal bird's tail feathers were used as currency. read more

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Had a couple of chicken tamales and they were awesome. There was a fair amount of meat so it wasn't just a lot of masa. The complimentary chips were definitely made on site and were a great add with the house salsa. Will definitely be coming back. read more

El Quetzal Grill - Two chicken tamales. Only $2.50 apiece! - Mexican Near Me - Manassas Park, Virginia

Muy deliciosa comida el ambiente agradable y familiar. Cuando visto el quetzal me encanta la cómoda

This place got changed. It used to be old place old style and now is all renovated with new set up I'm sure that all irregularities found by someone or Yelper went away hopefully that helps for those who like quality service and food I was impressed with new look the new tacos style I love it read more

I love love love when I walk into a place and the whole staff looks at me like... "uh, gringa?" This happens to me in Manassas Park a lot due to the high volume of Latino/a owned businesses. I love Latin food, albeit Mexican, Salvadorian, Peruvian on in the case of El Quetzal - Guatemalan. I was actually on my way to Pho 24 when El Quetzal caught my eye, in a literal 2 second snap decision; I blew off my Pho craving and headed in. The restaurant itself is small, clean and very colorful, bright blue paint and colorful photos line the walls. The server who assisted me didn't speak very much English and I sadly don't speak very much Spanish but we were both patient with each other and I managed to correctly order a Carne Asada Burrito and (to tame my inner and outer fat girl) a pork tamale, to go. I started with the tamale, generally a favorite of mine. So - here is the issue, I guess the traditional way of making tamales in Guatemala is to include bones in the filling - this is not okay with me! I eat a lot of weird stuff - I know people who eat shrimp tales and such - but I am NOT eating a f&^$ing bone, or hundreds of little pieces of bone in this case. The tamale itself smelled and tasted like fish, I like seafood, but not in my pork tamale, three bites in and off to the trashy grave it went. The burrito however was no joke. Traditional steak, rice, beans, etc. I don't know how "Guatemalan" it really was but I can tell you it was rather tasty! Think the size of a Chipotle burrito with the same ingredients, but... the flavors much more authentic. The steak was actually pretty perfect. Waiting for my food was a tad bit awkward - I don't know how many non Spanish speaking white girls frequent this place, I got a few long and uncomfortable stares from the kitchen staff and servers but overall everyone was nice. I'll be back; I am dying to try a few more adventuaous menu items, everything except the tamles! read more

Good food and friendly servers. The portions were very large and all the food tasted great. We did wish the menu offered more traditional Guatemalan dishes, but the specials were interesting and well done. I didn't try to speak English with the staff but everyone was very helpful. I'm guessing that Jon L.'s problem had less to do with the staff and more to do with the fact that he was apparently trying to order chicken tacos without horse. Onion is cebolla. read more

Order the Garachas, or the Baleada. The best in town. Heck. In all of Northern Virginia.

32 health violations at this place just recently. Disgusting! Ewww I used to eat here, not anymore!

If your calling to pick up and they tell you the food will be ready in 10-20 minutes it's a lie. It's never ready when they tel you. The reality is 30-1 hour read more

32 health code violations followed by another 16 five days later. Gross. http://www.healthspace.com/clients/vdh/pwilliam/web.nsf/formInspection.xsp?databaseName=Quail/HealthSpace%21%21Clients%5CVDH%5CPWilliam%5CPWilliam_EHS_Live.nsf&documentId=FD87ADA1BA6D7A27852582BB006297A1&id=99cf37b7da5f9bb6852573df004a8f3b&action=openDocument# read more

We live about 3 min from here and it's perfect every time.. we've tried most of the things from the menu and is delicious every time.. Their garnachas are the best.. 1000% recommended.. prices are pretty low.. Love it here..! read more

I had the steak quesadilla and fried yucca. It was delicious. They provided 1/4 lime for me to squeeze on the quesadilla and the contrast to the sour cream and guacamole was sensational. Authentic Mexican food. I highly recommend this place. read more

My wife and I had dinner here last Saturday. We visit the bakery in this plaza quite often but have never thought about trying this place. It came up during a Yelp search so we decided to try it. I am glad we did. We were quickly met by a pleasant server as soon as we walked in and we ordered a delicious cup of horchata. They brought homemade chips and not so sure it was homemade salsa with the drinks. Chips are a little thick for my liking and the salsa was pretty flavorless but they were free so can't complain too much. We wanted to try a variety of things on our first trip so between the two of us we had cheese pupusas, pork pupusas, a carne asada baleada, and carne asada tacos. Man, it was all so good. Hard to pick a favorite but I will choose the baleada because I have never had one before. It tasted like a large homemade flour tortilla wrapping up eggs, carne asada, avocado, cream, and beans. It was huge, took up the whole oval platter. A couple of dashes of hot sauce and I was in hole in the wall heaven. The pupusas were really good too. I usually only get cheese because when beans or shredded pork are added it dries them out too much but not here. The revueltas pupusa was just a moist as the cheese. The carne asada meat in the baleada and the tacos was tender and well seasoned. Overall we really enjoyed the meal. The only downside, and it is a very small issue, was that regulars seemed to get a little more attentive service. Our service was not poor just not as good as others. I think we may have enough return visits to eventually become regulars though. read more

The tacos are the absolute best! The employees are very nice, and are always helpful and prompt.

I gave only 3 stars because they keep upping their prices and they don't update their menu online. Other than that, the food is decent. My boyfriend and I always get the chicken sandwich special with fries. I always get the baleadas which are big soft tortillas filled with eggs, beans, crema & avocado. SOOO GOOD! For one it's about $5 but it looks like 2 and it's so filling. I just love the baleadas so much. read more

overpriced and terrible quility. marisco soup had no flavor, shrimp and clam flavor were watered out quantity doesnt fill u up at all for there high prices, !!!EL ESPINO!!! next door is wayyy better bigger flavors and better prices read more

I've been going to this place for years. They have awesome pupusas de arroz (the dough is made of grinded rice super yummy) which a lot of the restaurants of the Central American cuisine don't have. They have an awesome Fresco de Ensalada de Fruta which is a fruit salad drink and it's super delicious. Also their tacos de lengua (tongue tacos- they taste better then they sound) I would definitely recommend this place. read more

Best pupusas in Northern Virginia. My family has been ordering them from here for years.

The look of this place eludes its quality. The food was good, and the service was friendly. Will come back soon. I would reccomend it