Many expats hear that Paraguay is a cheap country, but are disappointed when they find themselves having to pay $8.00 for a meal. The problem is that they are eating at tourist traps, and don’t know where to find the restaurants where local Paraguayans eat.
El Rincón de las Papas is the cheapest & most delicious lunch restaurant in Villa Morra, Asunción. Prices for a large lunch start at $2.53.
Location: Two Blocks from shopping Mariscal. Quesada 5280, Asunción 001412, Paraguay
Prices:
Hours:
What Food is Served:
Between 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM, there will be a 3-12 person line in El Rincón, potentially heading out the door. Outdoors will be a large sign displaying over twenty menu options for the day, unless it's raining. Guests can look over the counter and ask what food is what, but should note that some of the staff does not speak English. This is a true local spot!
Guests order at the cash register with Miguel, and can pay cash or card. Miguel will hand each guest a ticket, and they can sit down (or request take out).
Ana usually is the server who calls out order numbers in Spanish, searching for which seated guest ordered what. She will find who she needs by looking at the ticket number on the guests’ tables, but it helps here if people raise their hand when their number is called. The wait is usually 5-10 minutes to receive food after ordering it.
At rush hour, every table is taken so it’s common for guests to share tables with strangers. When one of the guests finishes their meal and gets up to leave, it’s polite for them to say “Buen Provecho” to the others at their table who are still eating. This is like the French expression, “Bon Apetite”.
Unlike many other restaurants, it’s easy to eat healthy at El Rincón de las Papas, because they serve vegetables. The lasagna is delicious, and don’t be afraid of the white sauce that they cover it with. The roasted chicken is also great.
For drinks, they have cans and bottles of soda. They have a sign that mentions fresh fruit juice, but it’s not usually in stock. To save money or be healthy, feel free to bring in a water bottle from home.
El Rincón de Las Papas is a special type of lunch restaurant in Paraguay called a “comedor”. Comedores are often lunch-only restaurants, serving up a rotating daily menu for cheap. They are frequented by locals, and tend to have barebones amenities and service. Many only take cash and are based out of family homes. There are a few comedores neighboring El Rincón, and here is a list of some others.
To get to a comedor, expats can walk, take a bus, or call a rideshare app.
Location of El Rincón de Las Papas
Many restaurants in Asunción have English-speaking staff, but not the comedores. Comedores don’t usually target foreigners as customers. We invite you to learn spanish here at Fluido Spanish School, so that you can have an authentic and stress-free experience in Paraguay restaurants!
Video Showing El Rincón de las Papas