El Guanaco

First time was a good time even though it might not be the most authentic Mexican food, the flavors were very good, subtle and well balanced. Every Wednesday is $ 5 chicken burritos and it is a large portion filled with rice, beans and chicken wrapped in the customary tortilla. The hot sauce I believe is made in house and is just plain fabulous, if you like it spicy that is what to order. They have a variety of cold soft drinks and a goodly number of Jarritos selections; you’re gonna need it if you opt for the hot sauce. All in all the service, friendliness and the food will bring me back.

A great place for authentic Mexican and Salvadoran food in Western MA. Quick friendly service. Generous portion sizes.

Great Mexican is hard to find in the Pioneer Valley, and unfortunately El Guanaco isn’t the solution. I have been many times over the years, and am sad to report that it has gone downhill significantly since it’s early days. The Wednesday $ 5 chicken burrito special is probably the best thing they have, but it doesn’t surpass «medicore.» The restaraunt is fairly clean and nice, but the food doesn’t seem to be of great quality. If you’re driving by and are in need of something quick, El Guanaco isn’t the worst you could do, but it certainly isn’t anything special.

My ratings have varied between 2 and 3 for awhile now but I’m mad now, so it’s officially a 1-​star. THEY PUT MAYO IN THE GUAC. I’d expect this from that nasty «authentica» place in the Village Commons of South Hadley. It’s a NORMAL thing to do to save a buck if you’re a crappy place. The first time, it was just a little bit. Same with the second. I let it slide. Just last night, the scoop was basically avocado-​flavored mayo. I knew it before I even ate it. I called them and the nice waitress stuck up for her employer and denied it. So add lying to the customer to this review. Good thing I’m not allergic! I just really hate mayo and so the taste pops out. I would furthermore agree with the other reviews that their food is otherwise bland and cheap, but I lovED One menu item (not named here) which came with a much-​loved heap of guac. Nevermore.

Love this place! I get take out from El Guanaco whenever I’m in Massachusetts, and I have yet to be disappointed. The basics– tacos and burritos– are delicious, inexpensive, and a good size. Their specials are also worth a try. Plus, it’s nice to support a local, family-​owned establishment.

First and foremost, how can you have a restaurant reflecting a Salvadoran name but not have any pupusas? Well, after dining here a few days ago this question quickly left our minds as we ate at this now Mexican restaurant.
We first started visiting El Guanaco when they were the little hole in the wall restaurant up the road, but have not visited since the shop moved to a new location. Before we loved their freshly made selection of food, but our most recent experience left us dissapointed.
Here are a few of our thoughts:
1. The Mexican food here was average at best and they didn’t have a lot of items listed on their menu. My wife ordered a jamaica and chicken encilladas which the restaurant was out of.
2. I order the chiles rellenos which were average. The cheese was hard and not melty while the rice and beans tasted like they were out of a can.
3. The salsa was terrible and the chips were cheap, I know that seems picky but I love when Mexican restaurants take pride in there salsa (I guess I eat too much Mexican in the Boston area).
4. The waitress was polite but absent, and didn’t understand our orders (she spoke English but didn’t understand the Spanish menu).
In the end, we will probably bypass this restaurant in the future with the hope that someday they will have pupusas. Until then we will eat some from a few shops in South Amherst.

Excellent food, great prices. I generally have the super burrito, which is enough for 2 people most of the time, tacos or tamales. The tamales are some of the best I have ever had. I have tried quite a few things on their menu and have yet to find something that I didn’t like. Give this place a shot the next time you are in South Hadley!

I returned there recently after being away for awhile (I’ve moved out of the area), and found that they were in a new location, and the food was just as good as it had always been. I had the Camarones a la Mexicana which were delicious (shrimp w/​onions and tomatoes, served w/​rice and black beans), and were just as perfectly cooked and savory as the last time I had them years ago. The chips w/​salsa and guacamole are yummy, and if you like cilantro, they use it well in many of their dishes. I’m slightly devastated that they don’t make pupusas anymore, but all their other food that I’ve had in the last few years is delicious with healthy portions, the prices incredibly low, and the staff very friendly and helpful. I’ve been to plenty of great Mexican and El Salvadorean places in Boston and other cities, and this one rivals any one of them, quality-​wise. Skip the chain Mexican restaurants and head right over there, you don’t know what you’re missing!

I’m somewhere between 2 – 3 stars… I wanted to give it a two because I’m sad, but I’m giving it a three because I have fond memories.
This place used to be one of my favorite joints in the Holyoke/​South Hadley area. It was in a TEENIE building and it was cozy. They just moved to a new location and it’s much bigger but that doesn’t mean better :(First off, they don’t have papusas anymore. REPEAT — NO PAPUSAS. My heart is broken. I used to come here specifically for those.
Now that this place is mostly just burritos/​tacos/​quesadillas, it’s kind of a generic Mexican restaurant. I’m saddened — I hope they bring back the papusas and I hope they bring back some of the charm that the old location used to have.