El Barrio Restaurante Latino: A Touch of Mexico Closer to Home

It’s always exciting to find a really cool new venue right in your own neighbourhood.  I’ve passed by El Barrio Restaurante Latino dozens of times, but it wasn’t until a recent evening that I paid a visit to this Latino bistro in Vancouver’s East End.

The main attraction that night was one of my favorite jazz combos, but it was a delightful surprise to find a tantalizing menu of Mexican/Salvadoran food and a large room full of enthusiastic patrons as well.  El Barrio’s ambience is enhanced by the art displays on the walls and the dim candlelight that gives the place a distinctively bohemian feel.

The owner/chef, Luis Montalvo, is originally from  El Salvador and now lives in this area, known as Hastings-Sunrise, which happens to be my neighbourhood.  He ‘s also lived in Mexico, so the food served at El Barrio is a combination of Salvadoran and Mexican.

Soupa Azteca

The menu ranges from starters ($6.95 to $10.95) to a full dinner menu ($13.95-$17.95).  I ordered the three zesty tacos with homemade chorizo on small corn tortillas with onions and ciltrano ($9.95).  My friend had the quesadillas smothered with oaxaca and mozzarella cheese served with salsa and cream fresca ($7.25).  The Soupa Azteca is an intriguing dish with chicken in tomato broth, avocado and tortilla strips ($8.95).  And for dessert, try a syrupy tres leche (3 milk) vanilla cake with fresh seasonal fruit ($8.95).  There’s also a good choice of beverages including various coffees, wines and beer.

I enjoyed both the meal and the music provided by the Sean Cronin quartet.  There’s music or spoken word events most nights at El Barrio, including Latin and jazz.  It’s definitely an excellent neighbourhood gathering place and  I expect to return soon!

El Barrio Restaurante Latino (map)

Location:  2270 E. Hastings Street

Hours:  Tuesday – Wednesday 4  – 10 pm, Thursday and Friday until 11 pm.  Saturday noon – 11 pm, Sunday noon – 9 pm.

Photo credit: W. Ruth Kozak