El Rincon Quiteno in Islington

I went to collect a Too Good To Go (TGTG) surprise bag worth £5 that I had reserved on the app. The staff was polite, invited me to take a seat, and handed my bag to me about 5 minutes later. However, the portions were tiny!! Barely 2 scoops of plain white rice, one small chicken drumstick with a meagre splash of curry, and literally just 10 chips (yes, I counted). Everything was thrown carelessly into a paper box which was perfunctorily wrapped in clingfilm and placed in a plastic bag, and the paper box was soggy by the time I reached home. While it tasted alright, it was most definitely not worth £5.

 I mainly use the TGTG app to sample restaurants and cuisines that I’m unfamiliar with and may want to try for a full meal. While the taste of what little this restaurant provided was alright, I’m now reluctant to support a business (listed as family-run on their profile!) that seems to exploit customers under the pretence of the noble cause of preventing food waste. Given the meagre portions and the carelessness of the packaging, I wonder why they even signed up for the TGTG app in the first place, really. I took a chance on this restaurant despite the negative reviews and now regret it, as this seems to be a recurring issue with this restaurant for several years now. I would strongly discourage anyone from reserving TGTG surprise bags from this establishment. Such a blatant and unconscionable rip-off.

Popped in for a started as booked to do a Jamie Oliver cookery school across the road. Great food, good service and friendly too! Nice ambience and I’d return!

Very impressed by this down to earth family restaurant which we visited on the off chance. Owners were so friendly and welcoming and went out of their way to explain the specials on the day as well as provide on hand guidance on the menu which was a melange of South American & Mediterranean cuisine. Lots of local spanish speakers present also amongst the clientele which was a good sign. Went for the Ecuadorean sharing platter with its selection of chorizo empanadas and-plantain which was delicious coupled with some sides -highly recommend the mango and shrimp salad which was a refreshing addition. Portions are sizeable and pricing very reasonable given the high calibre of the cuisine. So glad we veered down the Holloway Road instead of Upper Street to stumble across this unpretentious gem of a restaurant. Highly recommend and will definitely return.

Con toda honestidad un restaurante terrible. El servicio fue horrible y el encebollado es mejor ni mencionarlo porque vaya decepcion que nos hemos llevado mi familia y yo. El sevicio del chico joven alto fue de los peores que he tenido en mi vida y la actituda del que nosotros creemos que es el dueño peor aún, una manera de hablar muy prepotente y de ignorante le faltaron el respeto a mi hermana y a mi. Y la gota que colmo el vaso fue el encebollado que le sirvieron a mi hermana. Ese encebollado estaba repleto de aceite y en vez de servir el encebollado con yuca van y lo sirven con patatas una total aberración a la cocina ecuatoriana y la unica respuesta del supuesto cocinero (el mismo jefe del lugar) fue que “unas patatas no van a matar a nadie” de verdad que no recomiendo venir a comer aqui para nada una servicio fatal y antes de que se me olvide el cocktail que me sirvieron a mi estaba mal hecho, una simple caipirinha mal hecha. Como he dicho antes no lo recomiendo para nada venir a comer aqui, que verguenza que se hagan llamar un restaurante ecuatoriano 💔

CERO ESTRELLLAS!!!!!! LA EXPERIENCIA HA SIDO DETESTABLE. Absolutamente todo el personal desde la cocina hasta los dueños han ofrecido un servicio deplorable y muy muy pero muy alejado de un trato cordial y amigable (como debería de ser en todos los comercios). Al llegar el lugar se encontraba vacío y el "propietario" brindo una información innecesaria tal como que el lugar estaba siempre lleno y que cuando llegamos todo el mundo se acababa de ir.. y ahora comprendo porque estaba vacío! Fuimos en familia y pedimos bebidas un cocktail caipiriña muy mal hecho... una sangría (estaba pasable) y lo único bueno una tropical en botella... nuevamente lamentable. Pedimos de comer platos fuertes variados uno de ellos un encebollado. El primero en salir fue un encebollado lleno de aceite, había tanto aceite que se acumulaba todo en las orillas del plato y por toda la superficie... (DEBE ACLARARSE QUE YO PREGUNTE QUE TAL ERA EL ENCEBOLLADO Y LA RECOMENDACIÓN TANTO DEL MESERO COMO DEL DUEÑO FUERON QUE ESTABA DISPONIBLE Y QUE ESTABA MUY BUENO...) Quiero preguntar al que me este leyendo esto, el encurtido lleva aceite? Deben las palomitas que acompañan el encebollado saber rancio y a guardado? Y por último alguien sabe si hay una versión nueva donde el encebollado lleve patata? Sin YUCA? Cuando en el menú te menciona todos los ingredientes... y en ninguno mencionaba patata? Si no disponen de chifle, que es en su totalidad un acompañante nato del encebollado no debería notificarselo al cliente? (En este caso no... el mesero parecía que no tenía ganas de trabajar y dijo que había traído plátano frito como reemplazo sin decir nada y ponerlo encima de la mesa sin razón... Cuando se le notifica al mesero que se quiere hablar con el dueño ya que el mesero no se veía con ganas de atender... se escucha desde la cocina los gritos del que presuntamente se presentó como el camarero gritando al presuntamente dueño como le decía que sabía que había un problema con el encebollado, que no queria lidiar con el problema... tardaron unos 6/8 min en que el dueño venga a hablar y dar la cara... porque se gritaban en la cocina... cuando yo aún no había explicado mi molestia hacia ellos.... ellos ya sabían y aún así decidieron servirme algo que no cumplía con lo que se conoce como encebollado... El dueño llegó con un plato de yuca mal chafada llena de agua (la cual creo que cocino en ese momento.. y por ende tardo en salir a hablar conmigo...) con la intención de ponerla en mi plato de encebollado que estaba en la mesa... como es eso posible??? Que tipo de servicio ofrecen en este lugar? Me sentí bastante incómoda y lamentablemente mi familia tuvo que ver ese trato tan detestable hacia mi persona! El dueño me dijo bueno mira yo te pedí disculpas y ya. No tengo tiempo para esto y por una patata no te vas a morir (cabe aclarar que me puso patatas porque seguramente o no tenían yuca o no querían cocinarla...) Repitió reiteradamente varias veces que no tenía tiempo para escucharme y sin decir nada me quito el plato sin ofrecerme ni un plato nuevo o algo así.. pese a que aún toda mi familia esperaba por su comida... decidimos levantarnos y cancelar el resto de la comida por el trato tan lamentable hacia una queja como la mía. Decidimos irnos no por el "error" en la comida si no por el servicio y trato hacia un complaint. Decidimos pagar por las bebidas pese a que solo se consumió la tropical en botella.... Lamentable el trato que nos ofrecieron... incluso una señora se metió a la discusión a defender el dueño, la verdad uno no puede tener alguna queja porque todo el personal se lava las manos... diciendo que no habían chefs y que estaban de vacaciones y que el duelo tenía que cocinar sin ser chef... que ella siendo chef nos decía que el encebollado si tenía que tener aceite por el encurtido... y que la patata también iba ahí.... una lástima que nadie se puso en los zapatos del comensal... Al pagar nos quisieron cobrar incluso service charge... Pese al trato decidimos retirarnos pagando las bebidas pese a que el señor seguía diciendo que no tenía tiempo y que pagasemos! No volvería a ir nunca jamás ahí y tampoco lo recomendaría a nadie!

Was disgusted to look at the match day prices then that of a normal day to find all of the food items included a hefty markup. I am all for supporting local businesses in these hard times, but when they know they are going to be full, by charging 50% more to Arsenal fans than they would any other customers is unacceptable. How does a plate of basic Pasta cost more than £20, Steak £40?

Great food and service. Good, tasty, honest food. Attention to detail. Run by the owners, who are checking everything is to your liking.

Amazing food with excellent service. The atmosphere of the place is so well put together. The waiter is such a sweetheart very attentive, suggesting and giving options. When it comes to the food we ate, the taste is really high quality, and we ordered meat and the point of the meat was incredible! Overall 10/10 would recommend for anyone wanting to try South American food.

Throughly enjoyed our meal here. We had one of the sharing boards and the summer risotto. Delicious. Staff were so friendly and welcoming, would definitely recommend.

Wow, wow, wow. So impressed with the food and service. Definitely a place to visit. Thank you for an amazing lunch. Food amazing especially the chorizo.

I went to this restaurant tonight and it was one of the nicest meals I’ve been for. They have a good menu with lots of choice and we had the Ecuadorean food. The food was so tasty and it was great to try new things. The service was also amazing, the guy who runs it so nice and friendly and really made the evening even more enjoyable. I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a delicious meal in London!

We went here for breakfast today and it was a wonderful experience. Jose was such a gentleman and made us feel so welcome and well looked after. The food was to die for, we both had the French toast and even the fruit was so ripe and delicious. We can’t wait to become regulars and bring our family. The Sunday roast looks great and looking forward to trying the tapas too.

The food was very good, pasta cooked perfectly. My kid is a picky eater, but he was really satisfied with his portion. Panna cotta was perfectly set and smooth. Service was very friendly, we really enjoyed the atmosphere

We have had a great meal here tonight. The fillet Grey Mullet and chicken silpancho with a salad and plantain were both excellent. The food was fresh, portions were generous and the owner really friendly and attentive. We will definitely come back.

Fantastic food, especially their perfect Carbonara! Also, very friendly staff, who give you a warm welcome and the lovely service continues until you leave with a very happy tummy indeed.

Just came here as the Spanish place up the road was shut and glad we did. Lovely welcoming place, nicely done up now, just cosy and non pretentious. The food was fantastic. We had two Ecuadorian starters, plantain with chilli sauce and seafood ceviche. Absolutely delicious. Had the shared fish platter for main course and although battered, not too much batter. 100% we'll be bcak

Very good food and service, friendly and attentive owner and staff. Loved the peruvian ceviche, and the corn humita. And a DJ. Good family run local diner

Me pareció mala la comida, de baja calidad, y súper costoso por lo que se consumió...como para no volver.

Very warm and genuine welcome at this re-furnished - and now contemporary - all day restaurant. Tapas, fish, meats and vegetarian plus a selection of desserts - seems really tasty snd well-priced. Cocktails as well as breakfasts. This is both a destination as well as a neighbourhood restaurant, run by two Ecuadorian brothers, one of whom managed La Caprice in Mayfair for 22 years and has brought with him style and innovation which should attract new customers snd keep existing ones returning. A very enjoyable meal and place to be.

What can I say about El Rincon... the delicious food is only a small part of what brings me back here. What really sets it apart is the service and the genuine friendliness of the owner José and his family, who have made this such a welcoming restaurant. It’s clear that José has spent many years perfecting his trade as GM and front of house and what a joy it is to sit in his company. I recently moved to the area and El Rincon has quickly become one of my favourite places, for a late brunch or dinner. The portions are more than generous for tapas and I would highly recommend the chorizo and potato cakes... though I saw some other diners eating some impressive meat feasts (if lots of meat is your thing). My tipple of choice is rose... I didn’t catch the name of the one I was drinking, but it perfectly complemented my food. This place is a hidden treasure on Holloway Road. 🙂 well done to the team who manage and I look forward to my next visit.

We are regular customers for around 10 years and we saw the different stages of improvements but the owner Mr Luis and his brother, Josè always maintain the tradition and the contemporary style. My family highly recommends this restaurant's food and live music.

Went here for dinner after seeing positive reviews and was not disappointed! The menu had a great mix of Latin American and European food- everything we ordered was delicious and had generous portion sizes. The highlight for me was the service. The owner was so wonderful, he walked us through the menu, explaining how he compiled it and also providing recommendations.

Mi novia y yo entramos y quedamos muy contentos de lo encantadores que eran el personal y el propietario, lo grandes que eran las porciones y lo deliciosa que era la comida.El lugar está muy bien decorado y tiene un gran ambiente.Recomendaría encarecidamente el desayuno latino y los huevos florentinos.

Loved all of it - great latin american menu and also some british staples if that’s what you’re looking for. It was really delicious and portions are v generous. Family run and lovely atmosphere. Defs recommend ! Thanks for having us.

My wife and I just enjoyed a delicious Latin American breakfast. Served by the charismatic, Jose formerly of Le Caprice, Mayfair. We wish him the very best in the family owned recently refurbished restaurant.

Now with its new look this restaurants could be one of the top places in north London. The restaurant has reopen and is run by his brother who worked all his life down the west end in one of top restaurant located in Mayfair. You will only appreciated his attention to detail if you understand service and food. I would say this manager offer West End experience with Holloway prices. The menu is completed different compiled with new European cuisine and Latin American dishes.

Estoy tan contento de haber encontrado este lugar, la primera vez que probé comida ecuatoriana (fui por el estofado de cordero). Lo que lo hizo realmente especial fue el acompañamiento de salsa de chile, que agregó una especia extra al plato. ¡Un tipo realmente amable también, bueno que también había fútbol en vivo!

I have been to the place several times and the food was good and the staff is very friendly. However,today I was served raw pork and that was a dissapointment. Hoping this note goes to the kitchen staff so they can be more careful.

Mi hija y yo visitamos aquí hace cinco años antes de asistir a la presentación de Alexis Sánchez como jugador del Arsenal.He estado tratando de cronometrarlo desde que mi hija y yo pudimos asistir a un partido juntas desde entonces.Así que lo logramos este domingo con una advertencia importante de Ria de que visitamos este restaurante primero.El entrante maduro con queso (plátano con queso derretido) era el que Ria ansiaba y disfrutaba. . . . dos veces mientras disfrutaba de una ensalada de cangrejo de río y luego en la Bandaja Paisa, una fuente colombiana con panceta de cerdo que era más que suficiente para saciarnos a los dos.No hay nada elegante en el lugar, solo un buen negocio familiar. Si vas al estadio Emirates para ver un partido de fútbol, te recomiendo ir al patio extra y desviarte de las ofertas habituales de hamburguesas / pasteles y probar este lugar

Soy portugués, pero tengo nacionalidad ecuatoriana por matrimonio y permítame decirle el placer que tuvo al encontrar este lugar en Londres y probar nuevamente los sabores de ese hermoso país. La comida está bien preparada y sabe como si estuvieras en Cuenca con un buen Fritata o un Seco de Chibo, el servicio fue atento y muy agradable. ¡Un lugar para visitar de nuevo cuando vuelvo a Londres!

No puedo recordar una comida peor que he comido durante años. Me hubiera quejado, pero si fuera por la vulnerable anciana con la que cenamos, nos dijo que era un buen lugar para comer. El camarero era condescendiente hacia ella hasta el punto de ser francamente ofensivo. La comida no era como se describe en el menú. No tenía sabor, se servía tibio y en partes sobre o poco cocidas. Sugiero evitar este lugar a toda costa.

Realmente nos gustó la comida. Comimos una paella de marisco y una tortilla.La paella era as. Sabores llenos e intensos y húmedos. Fresco y satisfactorio.La tortilla era encantadora a su lado.La próxima vez que regrese tendré la opción de parrilla mixta compartida.¡Ir!Por @paulfoodie en IG

Yipee! Finalmente he encontrado mi retiro perfecto para el almuerzo. Este restaurante sudamericano, colombiano es el negocio en Holloway Road. Simplemente entrar por la puerta me sentí como si hubiera entrado en Colombia. El lugar es verdadero testimonio de todo sudamericano. Los caballeros detrás del mostrador fueron muy acogedores y presentaron las diferentes comidas. Me encantó la elección de comida en exhibición y descrito como recién cocinado.El café es el cielo. Blanco cremoso y aterriza y explota en mi palet. El aroma del cielo!Pedí un buñuelo de chorizo, no sabía que venía con una ensalada fresca y frondosa.Mantendré este mi lugar secreto lejos de la oficina.

Nous sommes tombés sur ce petit resto un soir de match, en espérant voir la retransmission d'Arsenal-Manchester. C'est une petite cantine parfaite pour un repas en mode cantine, avec de super petits-plats et tapas sud-américains. La famille qui tient l'endroit est hyper-sympa, discute avec vous, et l'atmosphère est décontractée. A faire entre potes, pas pour une soirée romantique ;)

Este es el antídoto para un lugar de West End para la cena. La televisión en la esquina es un fútbol a todo volumen, y de día es básicamente un snack bar.Pero el servicio no podría ser más dulce o más ansioso por complacer y la comida también es deliciosa. Mi favorito de todos los tiempos es la humita (maíz y queso) pero el estofado de cordero ecuatoriano también fue bueno. Muy fuertes cócteles y una breve lista de vinos. 35 por cabeza en Londres, ¿qué es no amar?

We were looking for late night dinner and El Rincon was open - very warm and welcoming owner, great sized portions - huge beautifully cooked steak. So good to have local independent restaurants in this area that is becoming increasingly full of chains.

Mi esposa y yo pasado este lugar y fuera había un cartel adverting varias comidas incluyendo desayunos, bocadillos, patatas chaqueta paninis, etc., así como estábamos buscando una pequeña comida, decidimos darle una oportunidad. Nos sentamos a la camarera y nos preguntó si queríamos una copa pero pedí ver el primer menú que trajo, pero todo lo que pudimos ver eran las principales comidas, así que preguntamos sobre la chaqueta patatas paninis y pero ella dijo 'no'. Su inglés no era muy bueno, así que lo intenté, pero ella era un poco agresiva, así que al final nos levantamos y nos fuimos a otro lugar para comer. No estoy seguro que sea el problema, pero anuncian bocadillos en el tablero exterior y en su menú detrás del mostrador.

Had their matchday burger and fries before an Arsenal game and I have to say it was miles better than alcedos version which is twice the price. Two beers a coke and two burger and fries came to £19. Bargain.

We are regulars before any Arsenal game. the place has a certain charm, its not the worlds best food but a cracking atmosphere.

A find. Near the Emirates Stadium. Good quality South American food, acceptable wine, and wonderful service. A most welcoming environment. Recommended.

Tenía algo pequeño y caliente en mente para una fría tarde de domingo, la sopa de pescado se ajustaba perfectamente, estaba llena de sabor, el pescado se estaba cayendo a pedazos y tenía pequeños trozos de yuca (yuca), era sabroso y fresco, sabores simples Me asociaría con el hogar y por 4. 50 fue un robo!

Asked for something special and was not disappointed. Absolutely amazing. Diced steak served with rice, salad and a yellow vegetable looking like a banana, seasoned with south american herbs. Really great! All for just £8. Service very south american, relaxed and chilled :)

Don't judge a book by its cover. This restaurant may look a little bland from the outside but the service and the food is far from it. It's good value for money and you get big portions. I wouldn't say everything on the menu is authentically Ecuadorian but it's all tasty! Give it a go.

I inadvertently came here after the restaurant I intended to eat at was closed. This was the nearest alternative. I note that this place has good reviews, and when we went into the restaurant there was a table of about 20 people for a family birthday meal. So perhaps this restaurant has its local ethnic following and perhaps they're good at South American cuisine. But I can only speak for their grilled salmon: the quality of the meat was poor and cheap, the meal itself looked and tasted like a school dinner, and both of us could not finish the meal. It was not a good value price either, and I would personally not return - it's worth making the journey down to Upper Street instead if you want some decent grilled fish.

I have not eat inside the restaurant but rather take away some food from here. I used the application "Too good to go", where Restaurants can give away rest of food for less money instead of throwing away... it is nice that this restaurant takes part in the "no food waste" movement, but in my case it was a total ripoff: I bought two portions for 3,50£ each, and got offered for this two empanadas and some side salad... unfortunately the empanadas cost normally 1,50£, so the "cheaper" was the 0,50£ for a salad? After we complained the waitress offered us one empanada more (so in total 5 empanadas for 7£)... to be fair: they tasted good though... but I recommend: check your portion size before you leave!

Llegamos algo tarde a almorzar a este encantador restaurante, después de visitar el campo de fútbol del Arsenal que está bastante cerca, y la experiencia no pudo ser mejor, no es un sitio lujoso ni pretencioso, sino hogareño y honesto donde se come muy bien...

Pasó de tropezar en este restaurante a la hora del almuerzo en una zona normalmente no frecuentes. Encantador Dueño ecuatoriano y hogareño. Teníamos una humita empanadas, y queso) de maíz y queso y plátano. Sin duda volveré aquí para la cena para probarlo.

Este restaurante tiene los mejores platos se podría comer en su país por Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia, Argentina. Y para añadir al menú un poco de italiano. El personal es muy amable y el lugar tiene un ambiente de hogar. La calidad de la comida es...

Realmente como este "Corner quito" cerca de Islington. No es pretencioso, todo lo contrario, es barato para los estándares de Londres y, déjame decirte, muy bueno. La cocina es de rigor: empanadas y yuca como entradas, generosos platos de carne como un plato principal. Yo...

Realmente encantador restaurante bustly amenidad, ecuatoriana con personal sonriente entusiasta que siempre están dispuestos a ayudar. El dueño es un tipo muy amable y te resuelven cualquier problema inmediatamente sin problemas. Red House era una luz suave Montepulciano que coronó una gran carne de almuerzo....

Me apareció en un café y un escalope ensalada antes de una reunión. La comida y el café era muy buena y la música latinoamericana fue justo.

Super simple South American restaurant with a good selection of Ecuadorian food. We went on a night that big South American national teams were playing. Great atmosphere and nice staff, good food and beer. And it's on Holloway Road...Recommend highly

I would recommend El Rincon Quiteno for lunch as the food here is really fresh and home made. Very good value for money too! The ambient might be improved a bit but in general a place where I would go back again for lunch with friends :)

Busy busy busy with a queue out the door an hour before kick off. Great food - salmon was stunning - but had food envy looking at some of the other diners ... Second visit and I'm glad that I came back.

Efter matchen Arsenal- Stoke på Emirates Stadium ville vi äta i närheten av stadion. Vi hittade El Rincon Quiteno. Alla var hungriga och valet blev Picada al Rincon med peruansk öl till maten. Vi var väldigt besvikna, maten var smaklös, kycklingen var väldigt torr och köttbitar var mer fett än kött Till vår stora glädje vann Manchester United över Liverpool och debutanten Martial avgjorde matchen Stefan Johansson med familj

Este lugar tiene muchas opciones para comer como en casa, la atención es realmente buena y te sientes de vuelta en latinoamerica, el pollo con champiñones es delicioso, los desayunos enormes.

Nipped into this little restaurant in the Holloway Road and ate the most delightful Saltena (similar in genre to the Cornish pasty). So very very tasty ! Simple food and no fuss. Caring and attentive service and really good value for money. Massive draped Ecuadorian flag is a bit redundant though !

I took my partner and her family to this place for mothers' day. The place was not full. However, it took the waitress aprox 15-20mins to take our drinks' order. After being there for nearly half hour we still hadn't looked at the menu. After waiting for over 45 minutes, the waitress dropped some of the meat on her way over to our table. She then picked up the meat she dropped and went away only to return a few minutes later with the "new" meat she claimed it was not the one she dropped even though we had been waiting for our dishes for over 45 mins previously. The "mixed grill" consisted of mainly chicken (which was dry) and roast potatoes. It also had a bit of sausage and two small pork steaks (as well as the beef which was dropped on the floor).I felt ashamed for taking my partner to this "restaurant" and I came out of there apologising. I thought it would be a nice gesture to take her there as she comes from Ecuador. It's places like this, that give a bad name to the Latin American culture. That should not be classed as an Ecuadorian restaurant.

Went here before a match at Emirates. Lovely, helpful staff. Great plate of South American food well cooked. Just the job. Not fine dining but good honest fare. Place was packed. People at next table from Hampshire had been before and planned to be regulars. My friend, son-in-law to be, agreed.

I visit this place time and time again, and I love it. The food is great value for money and the service is fantastic. There is a mix of dishes from Colombia and Ecuador and they have Colombian drinks that are difficult to get hold on in normal London shops, not to mention Colombian beer! The atmosphere is welcoming, rustic and great for stopping off on a lunch break, or going for dinner.Above all, the service is excellent and I have taken friends and family time and time again who all say the same thing to me.Order the Bandeja Paisa for mains, and a Maduro con queso with an empanada to start!!!

This place is a little gem, and is very popular with London's small Columbian community who gather here whenever Columbia's International Football team have a televised game.They do a superior freshly made sandwich/roll and have a wide selection of pastries and deserts for the lunchtime crowd. Additionally they have a great selection of home cooked meals. Coffees are strong.In the evenings it becomes less of a cafe and more of an informal restaurant, the sort of place you pop in before going to a gig, or perhaps an evening game at the nearby Emirates Stadium.

I visited on a cold drab autumn night along with two friends. We left there full of the joys of spring. What a wonderful little place it is. Looks like nothing from outside - a sandwich bar or somewhere you could get a baked potato, perhaps - but once inside it is surprisingly Tardis-like, with tables going back quite a way.The Ecuadorian flag draped across the ceiling gave a cosy air as did the many folk-art plaques and pictures. I felt like I'd wandered into someone's front room during the World Cup.We missed out the starters on the grounds that our eyes are bigger than our bellies and we'd probably stuff ourselves silly before the main event. How right we were! Portion control clearly hasn't reached this part of Holloway Road. I had the Seco de Chivo - a lamb stew made from neck meat with the bones thrown in for flavour. It came with so many other things I can't remember them all, except for the quarter of an avocado which was unexpected but nice. Huge My friends settled for beef steaks: one, the Chef's Special, came with roast spuds, rice and sweet plantain, just in case she needed to load up on carbs prior to running a marathon! The second had Menestra de Carne - a big whale of beef served with kidney beans, plaintain, rice and a fried egg... None of us left anything on the plate except for a few bones and a bit of salad.... what a dinner Following that with a nice coffee cost us about £18 a head. The food is only part of the experience. El Rincon has an old fashioned charm and ambience which lifted our spirits and made for a convivial evening. The other two are even threatening to bring their colleagues from work down there for Christmas lunch. This place will definitely get our business again.It's on the A1 - Holloway Road - with decent transport links, buses for north and south London and the Piccadilly Line station 100 yards away. There is good free evening parking in the side streets although you should check whether Arsenal is playing at home before you bring the car as the stadium is just around the corner.

This place ticks all the boxes. Huge portions of tasty well cooked food - the salmon was stunning. Friendly and attentive staff Lovely atmosphere - well worth a visit

I think that El Rincon Quiteno is a lovely place to dine out . The people there are very pleasant and friendly . The food there was delicious nicely presented and clean . If you are expecting a European flavour then this isn't the right place for you , you have to appreciate the Ecuadorian and South American taste

Took HelBel here to cheer her up after a long week. Great little place. We had chicken and pea patty and tortilla to start. Really tasty starters. We both had big mains (mine was like a hug mixed grill, with avocado, egg, pork belly, steak and sausage). Big portions and great value. We had 3 drinks (between us) and starters and mains for £36. Top value and run by lovely people.

It was great getting a taste of Ecuadorian after many years, and this place did not disappoint. The food was delicious, so tasty, and traditional. Their menu is quite large, it includes all types all food not just Ecuadorian but also Colombian and Argentinian. However the Ecuadorian food is mostly featured. The food is very refreshing, you can tell the ingredients are fresh. The place is quite small but very cosy and while you eat their amazing food you feel like you're in South America. I highly recommend checking this place out if you love South American food or if you would just like to get a little taste of some delicious dishes.

i just love the food it has a touch of excellent food and it is comfy and warm in the atmosphere. oh my gosh... i just cant believe how wonderful is the food there :] !!!

The restaurant is situated North London, but you definitely need to go there. Nice people, a simple interior with lots of South-American elements, great food, authentic experience, not to expensive AND truly independent (a rather unique thing in London...). Really a must-do for those who like authentic eating experiences!

I heard so many gd reviews by family friends But took it upon myself to visit this restaurant with a few friends from work, The actual restaurant isnt to keen on the eye, as at first it seemed very small from the outside was pretty much packed, but after a quick wait we managed to get seated rather quickly, We took a glance at the menu and decided to order a few main typical dishes from 3 different countrys of Origin: Ecuador, Colombia & Bolivian, We Had a FEAST With a colombian Dish Called BANDEJA PAISA, an ECUADORIAN dish Called GUATITA (cows belly) and a Bolivian Dish (which i cannot remember the name lol) But I must Say We ate good. Even though I didnt tell my friends what exactly was in Guatita till the end lol My friend was Hypnotised by the waitress That spoke portuguese, spanish & english without a trace of an accent.

We were on our way to another restaurant in Holloway rd when we walked past this place and seeing how busy and buzzing the atmosphere was, decided to walk in and give it a try. If you are into fancy dining, then you'd probably want to give this place a miss, but, if like us, you enjoy nicely cooked, very good value food, served with a smile and surrounded by a load of friendly people, then you should check it out. We ordered a prawn and potato starter, which wasn't really my thing, but nicely executed, the prawns were fresh and the portion size good. Nothing prepared us for the main course however, which we were forewarned would be enough for 3 people (there were 2 of us eating). It arrived on the table - pretty much taking up the whole table - a mixed grill of steak, pork chops, chorizo sausage and chicken. I took a photo of it and was going to put it on Tripadvisor, but i guess like taking a picture of the grand canyon, no photo image would ever do it justice! Anyway, we couldn't finish it - it came with rice, veggies and salad, and it was £25 for the whole thing. So that, the starter and a few shots of something that tasted a lot like sambuca cost us £40 total - bargain!As i say, there's nothing at all fancy about this place - it basically looks like a sandwich shop, and the service, although really friendly, wasn't great. But i think if you go to this place looking for faultless service and beautifully presented food, you're probably missing the point. i'd go back

Anyone who genuinely loves eating out realises that you can't compare all dining experiences on the same criteria. You go to the Dorchester for decadence, intricacy, silver service and a sense of lots of money well spent; you go to Le Mercury for atmosphere, simple French grub, and a sense of pleasure at getting change from £20. El Rincon Quiteno is all of the following: authentic, tasty, friendly, unassuming, peculiar, institutional, (quite) cheap, distinctive, homely, addictive, changeable, disorganised. If I got these things in an hour at Nando's, I'd walk out. But it isn't Nando's, it isn't the Dorchester, it isn't even Le Mercury - it's in that category which is so rare you have to seek it out even in the English capital. It's small, independent, homespun, immediate, niche, immigrant cooking.I used to live on Holloway Road so have to declare a bias toward El Rincon. But it typifies everything that makes that area what it is - there is the colourfully proud assertion of its South American (Ecuadorean) roots across every wall, punctuated only by Arsenal FC. There is a counter serving chicken and beef empanada alongside bacon sarnies. It's the north London immigrant experience writ small in iconography and in food.Over five years of returning there regularly, with family, with friends, with large groups and occasionally just on my own, the menu has changed only a little. The food is principally Ecuadorean but there are Argentinian (parrillada) and Bolivian (pork fricassee) inclusions too and my better-travelled friends who know South America and South American food have always been charmed by the authenticity. All the meat dishes are excellent, and tend to be vast, too. The parrillada is quite an undertaking even for two, but it's great quality meat. I've had bream done brilliantly there too, and a stock option which they do well are the varieties of arroz. For me, though, the most outrageous triumph at El Rincon is the array of soups. The fricassee in particular is the single most tasty dish I've ever eaten, and I really mean that. Being a small local restaurant that home-cooks, and with fricassee being a dish that takes a long time to prepare, they don't always haveit available so I implore you: if it's available, do yourself a favour and damned well order it immediately. It consists of a salty, paprika-laden broth with a big lump of pork in there and giant corn. Some of the waiting staff can barely speak English. Which indicates that a sizeable portion of customers do not either - and what does that tell you? I'd guess that if the Spanish-speaking portion of north London patronise this place, it's the closest thing you'll get to the real thing. Not that everyone wants the real thing, or that the real thing is in and of itself the best way to eat - but for all the bleating about Wahaca's street food credentials, look around for Mexican customers and wonder what puts them off about it. If you want South American food in London, you tend to get rodizio-style places, expensive steak-houses and little else. So you should celebrate El Rincon for being precisely the triumph that it is - earnest, welcoming, unique and, above all, just very very good food. It will be like no other meal you have this year, and you'll have change from your £20 again.

I was looking for a Colombian restaurant nearby, but happens that it was closed, so I decided to enter this restaurant offering south american food from few countries, including Colombia (they serve mainly Ecuadorian food). I wanted my European family to try this kind of food and the man at the counter offered to serve a Bandeja Paisa for us to share. The food came and the 3 of us had 3 Colombian soft drinks and 3 empanadas (kind of fried dumplings filled with meat). We noticed it wasn't fresh (reheated) and very small dish to share but as we already had lunch that was fine. The worst thing was when I asked for the bill and he charged me £22 for just that! He never show me the price list and I trusted his "sympathy" but he actually took advantage knowing we were just tourists. Shame on them!