Karen Deli

GUATEMALA 🇬🇹 Eat the World NYC review: In 2011 when we first visited, this back of grocery kitchen was churning out mostly Mexican food with a couple items from Guatemala and Honduras. In more recent times, the focus has become more on Guatemala, with daily guisados and a specials board with food from the country. A large mural now looks over the expanded dining room, a love letter to the homeland that many folks in New York City miss so much. On a recent night, we had the hilachas, a sort of beef stew that you do not often see cooked here in the city as it is more of a dish made at home.

Keepin it real out here in Sunset Park Went in for a quick lunch, price isn't super cheap but still reasonable. The tacos took a while to be ready, like closer to 15 mins, but i wasn't mad after I had them. The tacos were solid, as authentic as it gets, maybe. Would go back

Not sure what’s up lately with this place, the ordered food is less succulent as compared before and prices increased. It was good while it lasted. Previous review: this concept, it's like an ethnic themed 7-eleven combined with a small restaurant in the back that serves up fresh food. If you're looking for a quick bite to eat, a platter of 3 tacos, a bag of chips, and a bottle of hot sauce runs less than $10. You can also dine in, though I ordered mine to go. Quench your thirst on one of the many tropical juices in the fridge, coconut, guava, pineapple to name a few varieties. Cooking enthusiasts will be able to find Mexican spices, ingredients, and brands to cook yourself, they have shelves full of items. At least 3 brands of hot chocolate chunks, several hot sauce varieties, salsa ketchup, salsa, shelves of corn tortillas, beans, sardines, and other canned goods. They are open pretty late which is sweet if you're getting back from the City and find that you need some milk.

I ordered a delivery my food had no taste and chicken with rice wasn't fresh.No napkins no spoons or forks will not order food from this place again.the lady was nice but work on your food please! :::: Update service is a lot better good customer service makes a great difference

Lost my card in this place at 12:55 . Lady in the front claimed she didn’t speak English so I left I was like they wouldn’t steal my card they’re good hard working ppl so I placed a hold on the card then 15 minutes later they swiped my card to $0.1 To see if it still working. What a low class act from you guys !!!!

I like places like Karen Deli. Fresh food made with love. And the best part: It cost you a redicilous price. From first time I was here I became a regular, and will continue to come here as long as the food is so good.

Everything was fresh and all the can tops were clean...A HUGE PLUS!! I had a sub and it was huge! I couldn't finish it in one sitting. I would recommend this deli to all my friends

Very casual, Guatemalan Deli and Homestyle food

Saw this place on Atlas Obscura and wanted to give it a go.....excellent food and definitely a nice vibe. Talking to the owner I reckon I should have came earlier; the dishes I wanted were sold out.

This Is A Guatemalan Restaurant NOT Mexican Hence the Big Blue & White Flags Give credit where credit is due. They Have Delicious Tamales and Traditional Guatemalan Food & Artisan. Definitely Order Some Tamales & Atolé De Elotes.... I Love My Guatemalan Heritage, Lineage & Traditions..... R.I.P. My King & My Queen ILY

Love this concept, it's like an ethnic themed 7-eleven combined with a small restaurant in the back that serves up fresh food. If you're looking for a quick bite to eat, a platter of 3 tacos, a bag of chips, and a bottle of hot sauce runs less than $10. You can also dine in, though I ordered mine to go. Quench your thirst on one of the many tropical juices in the fridge, coconut, guava, pineapple to name a few varieties. Cooking enthusiasts will be able to find Mexican spices, ingredients, and brands to cook yourself, they have shelves full of items. At least 3 brands of hot chocolate chunks, several hot sauce varieties, salsa ketchup, salsa, shelves of corn tortillas, beans, sardines, and other canned goods. They are open pretty late which is sweet if you're getting back from the City and find that you need some milk.

On a walking trip to scout and see what was new and interesting in the western part of Sunset Park a couple months ago, I came across Karen, which drapes Guatemalan and Honduran flags outside from the awning along with a Mexican one. They are geared towards the latter, but I like a specialty kitchen that tries to accomodate the other residents of a neighborhood, like El Atoradero in the Bronx. They advertise all their Mexican fare in the windows and also feature pupusas, the most famous item from El Salvador. The kitchen is a little hidden in the back of the shop, you must enter and navigate through the small grocery to find it, but either one or two friendly ladies will greet you in the back where there are also two small tables to eat inside. The tacos al pastor ($2.50 each) are big and come pre-loaded with their avocado salsa. Al pastor is almost always better from a spit of course, but this is the best non-spit version I have tasted, juicy and with a decent kick. If you need more bite, the plate comes with your very own jalapeño pepper. I did not see one on the picture wall, but I was in the mood for a huarache ($4), which she had no hesitation in saying could be done, and got right into spreading the ground masa to make its base. She spread a layer of the thin beans, and topped it with my selection of carne enchilada. This too came out very nice and needed no additional flavoring. The last item ordered was a quesadilla de pollo ($3), which had ample portions of fresh queso blanco and quite a mild overall taste that was somehow sweet. I went ahead and loaded this one up with the salsa verde provided at the table. I got to speaking with the lady who cooked us everything, asking if she made this or that, and was most happy to find that she was in the business of baleadas, a Honduran specialty that is not too abundant in the city. I will be happy to stop back and try her Central American cooking on my next visit. It is always nice to be so welcome in a place that is serving up such wonderful food. On an avenue that is littered with small Mexican antojito joints, Karen is really shining bright for its atmosphere of friendliness and quality ingredients, especially the spicing. For those that need an introduction to Sunset Park, this is a good place to start.

I have not yet net this "Karen" but I am already sure I am in love. This small Latin grocer has a kitchen in the back whipping up your favorite tamales, enchiladas, Papusas and more. The staff is friendly, the food is phenomenal and the prices are low. What more could I ever want? Will I return? The more apt question is whether or not I will ever leave!