Catalino’s Guatemalan Restaurant Swings Open on Maple Street

Catalino’s has thrown open its doors on Maple Street with a menu of Guatemalan specialties like jocon, lightly-fried chicken with potatoes and mirliton in a green sauce made with tomatillos, green peppers, cilantro, and onions.

Owners Hugo (who is from Guatemala City) and Addie Vasquez, who met while working together at El Gato Negro, named the restaurant for Hugo Vasquez’s grandfather. The pair renovated the interior, including refinished floors and new murals.

The menu stays in line with traditional Guatemalan cuisine. Appetizers include elote loco, a Guatemalan street food of boiled corn with condiments and cotija cheese; guacamole with plantain chips; enchiladas; and tostadas. Entrees include chicken in a stew of mirliton, beans, and pumpkin seeds and churrasco, skirt steak with green onions, black beans, guacamole, and fried green plantains. Desserts include rellenitos, fried sweet plaintains stuffed with sweet bean paste. All tortillas are made at the restaurant.

The restaurant is BYO with a $5 corkage fee for whatever booze diners bring.

Catalino’s took over the longtime home of Babylon Cafe, which closed in November after 15 years of business. Hummus restaurant briefly occupied the space, but closed after less than a year.

Opening hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Catalino’s is closed on Mondays.

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