If you're looking for authentic Guatemalan cuisine, this place is a must-visit! The restaurant was very clean, and the ambiance was warm, welcoming, and comfortable. The wait staff was attentive, friendly, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout our meal. The food was the highlight, some of the most authentic Guatemalan flavors I've had. Everything was well-seasoned, fresh, and full of traditional flavor. They also offer a nice variety of dishes, making it easy for everyone to find something they'll enjoy. I highly recommend this restaurant and will definitely be coming back! read more

El Lucerito - Churrasco Chapin - Latin American Near Me - San Rafael, California

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#30 of 31 for 2026!!! Get the garnachos! So good!!!!!! The surf and turf we got was really tasty. I think this was the first time I had Guatemalan food before and I would def come back. Tastes authentic (: read more

Limited parking . Outside area available. Staff friendly and helpful to explain the dishes . Had breakfast for lunch and was full with left overs available to take for later. Beans delicious and able to dip everything in it . T first time having Guatemalan tostadas and they were delicious. Establishment very clean . read more

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Was in San Rafael on a random errand and had no idea there was such a large Guatemalan community...and with that Guatemalan restaurants!!! Ordered: -Pepian entree. (VERY GOOD!) =comes with rice, beet salad & fresh tortillas -Garnachas (order of 4) (SO FLAVORFUL!) -Tostada/Enchilada plate (MY FAVORITE PLATE) So simple but so delicious!!! -Gallo Beer (my husband ordered a beer & when we saw the bill, regretted the order---$15!! gulp Service was wonderful-- friendly, accommodating & checked on us just enough. Ambiance was great-- marimba playing in the background at perfect volume, clean, simple decor. When in San Rafael, we will surely return! read more

El Lucerito - Enchilada and tostada con frijoles...had finished the rest! - Latin American Near Me - San Rafael, California

My friend kept telling me about this spot and we never had time to try it. Well we finally did and im glad! We came around 4 and asked to be seated outside. I let my friend take over and order. As a half Guatemalan I always am surprised to see such authentic restaurants since I would only see and taste the food when I would travel to Guatemala. the food was delicious and the vibe was great too, we sat outside and we would get checked on frequently. When all the food started coming out I thought we would probably need a bigger table. We ordered agua frescas, garnachas, carne asada and a salad with shrimp (that probably was the most expensive thing on the menu) and rellenitos so maybe I won't order the salad next time. The location has no parking lot but there is plenty of street parking so that's ok. read more

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Mid, alright not the best can work on a couple things rice was good shrimp was okay beans were also good tortillas are the best part of it in my opinion also the stuffed banana didn't look like how its shown in picture read more

El Lucerito - Not the best presentation but food was alright can work on presentation and quantity - Latin American Near Me - San Rafael, California

We sat down and asked for a beer and the waiter was eager to tell us they have a good Guatemalan beer called el gallo. We asked if it was draft and he said " no, but it's a great beer! Then when we got the check he charged $ 30.00 for two cans beer that really tasted like Coors. When I got home i searched their menu, beers were poster as $6.75 a beer. I felt cheated! I will never go back there again. read more

Was there recently and the food quality is not the same or quantity, Prices are way up while amount has gone down. This is a shame since the food used to be amazing. Don't change what's working, don't fix what's not broken.... read more

BAJITA LA MANO, TE ROBAN!!! Ellos no te informan que ya te agregaron la propina sea un grupo pequeño o grande, por eso no les importa estar al pendiente de las mesas porque saben que la propina ya está allí. La comida está bien el servicio podría estar megor. read more

El Lucerito - Recibo - Latin American Near Me - San Rafael, California

While I have loved this family-run restaurant for years -- and sent many friends there -- I rushed home today to write a negative review. My hope is that you see this, El L , and decide to wake up. The last few times my rice was served hard, that is, not thoroughly cooked and my fish today was raw in the middle. The beans were so salty I feared a heart-attack with every bite. What happened? Good that you are so busy, El L , but please slow down. Rushing to get the food out only half-cooked and forgetting to bring me my check won't get you any new customers and may lose you some of your old ones. read more

The food was so good and authentic!! Loved the lucerito plate so much especially the meats:) the tostadas were a great appetizer ! Service was excellent and quick:) Will be back soon! read more

El Lucerito - Plato El Lucerito Desayuno Tipico - Latin American Near Me - San Rafael, California

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The food here is the best ever!! The flavors are absolutely exquisite and authentic. I come here as often as I can and always crave it. Please come here it's so good and very underground!!!! read more

The food was amazing the agua fresca de guanaba and fresh hand made tortillas with beans and plátanos and atol de elote to die for. The prices were super reasonable and the food taste was amazing we payed $100 for a lot of food lol it's definitely worth the 1 1/2 hour drive from Sunnyvale Delisioso y muy amables they were super nice and attentive read more

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My fiance is Cambodian and I am Peruvian, we both are picky eaters and we place el Lucerito as our number 1 place in the whole BayArea! Our favorite is Caldo de Gallina and SuperLucerito plate. Highly recommend it. It may be the 50th time we come here and the customer service and food has never disappointed us. We love your food guys read more

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The garnaches were yummy, I just didn't expect them to be so small - I guess I didn't look at the pics on yelp closely enough. The cochinita was good and more moist than the Mexican tamales that I'm used to. The fish fillet entree was delicious. Rice beans plátano were yummy also. The tortillas were also too thick for me. The rellenito was good but I dunno about it being a dessert- I guess not sweet enough for me as far what I expect for a dessert. read more

La comida es rica pero le an subido más los presios Y el serbisio es muy lento y tardan con la comida ademas ya cobran el tips con la cuenta y el tips es boluntario read more

I enjoy this restaurant, come time to time for lunch. It must have changed recently has a more fancier feel has nice new tables. The service is a little slow a times could just be super busy and low staff but the food is always incredible. I always enjoy the cara asada swap the plantains for fries. Its always flavorful and cooked to perfection every time. Just waiting for them to get a liquor license so we can upgrade the beer to a cocktail. read more

El Lucerito - Latin American Near Me - San Rafael, California

Possibly one of the best Guatemalan restaurants I've been to. I always have to go back when I'm in the Bay Area. The food is delicious and truly highlights the comida típica Chapina. When you visit this place, make sure you are very hungry because the plates are big! If you are missing our home country's churrascos, garnachas, enchiladas, a cold Gallo, platanitos fritos, pepian, or other dishes Chapines, El Lucerito is the place to go. read more

El Lucerito - Tostadas, enchiladas, y garnachas - Latin American Near Me - San Rafael, California

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I am from Guatemala and every time I came to eat at el Lucerito the ambiance good food and service make me to remember my grandmother every afternoon I went to eat a my grandmother home in Guatemala and the restaurant and the food makes me to remember I recommended this restaurant if you want to try a good Guatemala food here is a good place to start good food and service read more

La comida muy Sabrosa, pero el servicio malicisimo, al extreme Que despues de Casio 20 minutes de Que nos Denton, Narie se acercaba apesar Que un mesero y una mesera pasaron varias ocaciones junto a nuestra mesa, y tuvinos Que levantarnos a pride si alguien nos podia atender cuando en el restaurants earn solo 6 mesas con clientes en total. Cuando la mesera legs, llego de mal humor, con una actitud de no querer atender, se or demo 2 cafe y un atol ariginalmente y 3 comida y una sopa para compartir. Como repito la comida exelente savor y presentation, lastima el mal servicio., se provo el atol y mos gusto Que pedi mos Agregar 2 mas y una order de plata is a la cuenta. La sorpresa nos la llevamos cuando miramos Que nos avian agregafo la propina a la curnta apesar Que nosotros eramos 3 en el grupo, apesar Que su menu decision: Que la propina Iva hacer agregada con groups de 6 prrsonas o mas. Entiendo sober la propina Que hay Que dejar pero ya agregarla intencionalmente violando sus Moana reglas es Un abusi, especialmente cuando no sea dado un servicio o el servicio da mucho Que desear Recurden Que se ordenaron cafe se le tuvo Que pedir un relleno al otro mesero ya Que la mesera ni ofeecio, ni tampoco recogio Plato's sucios de la mesa. Yo soy mesero y jamas daria ese class de servicio, mucho menos tendria la osadia de agregar cargo de servicio cuando se Que no lo hé dado. ASI es mi genre si visitan este lugar figense en Los cargos no se vayan a llevar una sorpresa. Como lo repito la comida esta muy rica... pero el servicio de la chica da mucho de Que hablar y d read more

El Lucerito - Payment - Latin American Near Me - San Rafael, California

The service is 5 stars, but the quality of the food has deteriorated since they opened I'm sorry to say while the prices have gone up. My business is next door and now when I come in I need to ask for hot food because it came out a couple of times just warm. A suggestion to the owner don't serve your food on cold plates. read more

Idk why the gratitude was so high, food was good though, could be cheaper, too expensive which is so disappointing.

Food was good, took too long to come out, way too overpriced, prices used to be lower, for 5 people it used to be like 150 now it was 400. Wayyy too overpriced read more

Food is good, but the portions sometimes are small and other times are big, service sometimes is good and sometimes the waiters are rude they look at you weird. Food is good tho 8/10 read more

I think this is the first time I've had Guatemalan food! Thanks to fellow Yelpers, Garnachos won my heart so I shared that with a friend. The best way to describe it is... it was mini crispy tacos. You literally didn't have to add anything! I also ordered their Bistek Ranchero which was delicious! The tomato sauce and bell peppers added great flavor. We also shared plantains which is my favorite at any latin establishment. I ordered a michelada w/ Modelo and it was more tomato juice than anything else. Not bad, just I've had better. Absolutely love their food and can't wait to introduce more people to it! Everyone was wearing masks too, but tables could be apart a little more; however, it didn't bother us. read more

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Came here late-ish on Sunday night after a long day of hiking so we needed to refuel. It was busy but luckily we were able to sit right away and the host brought us a heat lamp right away. (Good service) Drinks were good. We had micheladas and horchata. I'm very picky about horchata but this place was tasty! Food was ok. It was tasty but I feel like it could have been better. The meat portion was small for the carne asada and I would have preferred actual black beans rather than just the soup like thing of black beans. The homade tortillas were so good though! My friend got the Pollo rotissario or something like that and it was fried chicken instead of rotisserie chicken. Plantains were good and when I made my Pollo asado plate more like a salad it was good. read more

El Lucerito - Carne asada plate - Latin American Near Me - San Rafael, California

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Best Guatemalan Food!!! Service always is great the ambiance is family friendly. If your looking for a good fried chicken spot, this is it. read more

El Lucerito - Fried chicken to go. - Latin American Near Me - San Rafael, California

Highly recommend! The garnachas are amazing, the thick hand made tortillas delicious, and all the dinner entrees are just so tasty! I've been here about 4-5 times now and can't wait to go back. We usually come Friday early afternoons (12-2pm) and it's usually a slight wait as it can get pretty busy here, the most we've waited is about 20 minutes but it's well worth it. The location offers indoor and outdoor dining which are both nice, however I prefer the indoor dining. Parking is VERY LIMITED so be prepared to walk! read more

Tried this place on a whim. It did not disappoint. The atmosphere was pleasing. Service was also good, the staff checked on us but not overwhelming m. Now the food not only was it authentic but delicious! Must try chuchito. We had carne asada plate and one of their special with chorizo and seafood, it amazing! read more

BEWARE!!! They include tip in the total without telling you. Their menu says tip included in parties over 6 people however they include it every time. The last two times they did it to us even though it was my husband and I with out two babies. Also both time we heard many tables ask or even complain to the servers as to why they do that. I hope they soon start respecting their policy in the menu and stop scamming their clients into double tipping. Other than that, the food is amazing and delicious. The prices are a little on the pricey side but still worth it! read more

Love this spot. It's out of the way and very worth the small detour. You'll get exposure to some of the only truly Guatemalan food. Much of the menu will be unrecognizable, but the waiters can help you. Just point at something, and give it a shot! read more

LOVE THE FOOD!! But beware that they will add gratuity on your bill without consulting with the customer. So always look at the bill before paying. We've came her several times and 50% of the time, service is horrible but the food is great and on the bill it's always $30+ in gratuity automatically added to your bill. I feel like gratuity is a reflection of the overall experience and service of the restaurant. Just my FYI ‍‍‍ read more

They asked who's birthday it was and I said it was my brother's. I then ordered an ice cream dessert for the family and they brought it with a candle and played Las Mañanitas! We enjoyed our experience here!! Service is beyond awesome . read more

El Lucerito - Birthday dessert - Latin American Near Me - San Rafael, California

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Great comfortable place good customer service Food was excellent we order chicken soup and chicken Pipian

Just like the other Yelpers stated the food was amazing! Great flavor and big portions are a plus. Unfortunately, I will be leaving a one star for things other than the food. Our server immediately was put off by the fact that I didn't speak Spanish. My wife speaks Spanish but I do not. The minute he turned to me to order, I responded with my order in English. He flashed a confused look which I thought would be the end of it. After serving the food he would only talk to my wife. Not once did he look my way. I took this as very disrespectful. I understand language barriers but he should've got someone that felt comfortable taking orders in both languages. Also, he could've communicated with my wife and explained that he had trouble understanding. Finally, the bill came and I was genuinely upset with the breakdown. Immediately, I noticed that 18% gratuity was automatically added. It was two of us so that made me confused as to why it was automatically added. I've heard about it being added after a large party but not to two people. That forced my hand to not leave a tip. It was not clearly stated on the menu or anywhere in the building that gratuity would be added no matter your party size. Will not he returning. read more

First time trying this Guatemalan spot, got the Super Churrasco and the plate was very hefty, plenty of food for two people. The meats were cooked perfectly, seasoned nicely and very juicy! Definitely would recommend that plate. Got the Garnachas as a appetizer and they were alright. The service was very speedy and friendly. Was also a cute seating area for outside and spacious seating inside as well. read more

El Lucerito - Super Churrasco - Latin American Near Me - San Rafael, California

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The food is authentically "Home Made" All the dishes are delicious. I had the seafood soup last Saturday, it was identical to my Mama Simona's (gma RIP) I go there every week, Plato Lucerito, Carne Asada Plate, Pollo Asado Plate. Too yummy to pass it up. The service personnel always friendly and very attentive even when the place is packed with hungry diners. I enjoy my Latin music and shimmy my shoulders while eating. read more

Super Buena comida pero subieron los precios demasiados!! Neta no puedo volver y justificar pagar $15 por solo una michelada wow. Mi cuenta salió $45 y solo pedí una michelada, un mini tamal y un orden de tres tostadas. Encontré otros restaurantes guatemaltecos que están cercas y comida deliciosa sin el castigo de precio. ----- this place is SUPER expensive suddenly. Good food but not to justify the cost. Who charges $15 for ONE michelada? Insane I feel robbed. My whole bill was $45 for one beer and two small appetizers (one small tamale and three tostadas that I can make at home). The food is GOOD yes and deserves FIVE stars, but so are the other Guatemalan restaurants in the neighborhood that are priced significantly lower. Please lower your prices back to normal and I'll continue being a customer. read more

Highly recommend we are Mexican family but we love this place forever the service is excellent food is delicious Thanks guys Lucerito PlateMicheladaAgua Frescas read more

El Lucerito - Enjoying Mother's Day weekend whit the best Guatemala food micheladas highly recommend ‍ - Latin American Near Me - San Rafael, California

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A lot of grate food here good home taste. Service is grate people to have you feel like home . Ambience is nice and views are nice place to eat in . read more