Bear Bites: Guapas Mexican Grill

Guapas Mexican Grill is a new and lively restaurant in the heart of Menlo Park, standing near the corner of El Camino Real and Middle Avenue. Offering an endless selection of build-your-own options, Guapas takes a fresh spin on the typical Mexican restaurant.

After a successful opening in South San Francisco this past February, Guapas extended its reach to Menlo Park, opening its doors on September 20th. Neon pinks and greens decorate the walls, accompanied by lit-up signs and fun prints. With extensive seating and a bar, Guapas is a great place to enjoy anything from burritos to tacos and bowls with friends and family. 

When we asked the owner what he recommended, he insisted that we order their most popular item, the crunch wrap. The crunch wrap is completely customizable and is usually filled with meat, rice, beans, and other sauces and toppings. A crunchy circular tortilla chip is placed in the middle of these layers. All of this is wrapped in a flour, spinach, or sun-dried tomato tortilla and heated up for the perfect meal. We decided to fill our crunch wrap with cilantro rice, fajita chicken, corn salsa, pico de gallo, cheese, and chipotle mayo. The employees were not shy with the portions, allowing each bite to deliver the perfect ratio of the different flavors.

We also ordered a burrito bowl piled with rice, al pastor meat, cheese, lettuce, salsas, and multiple sauces, and the flavors did not disappoint. Each ingredient was seasoned perfectly, with our favorite being the al pastor, which was a satisfying combination of sweet and spicy.

The employees also recommended the popular elote cup to finish off our meal, and it definitely lived up to its hype. Elote is a typical Mexican street food that consists of grilled corn and a creamy mayonnaise sauce, topped with cotija cheese, chili, and lime. The small cup was overflowing, colorful, and packed with flavor. The corn added a sweet touch to the sourness of the lime, creating a perfect balance.

Guapas’ vibrant atmosphere and delicious food made our experience exceptional. The employees are extremely friendly, and it is the perfect place to sit down or grab a quick meal. Since everything on the menu is customizable, Guapas is a place where everyone will find something they love. Visit Guapas in Menlo Park to experience this for yourself!

Tessa is a junior at M-A and in her first year of journalism. She hopes to write about school events and athletics. When not in school, she enjoys dancing and is Captain of the M-A dance team.

Charlotte is a senior in her first year of journalism. She writes food reviews and sports stories. Charlotte is the Captain of the M-A lacrosse team, a member of the 12th man club, and a coach for youth lacrosse. She is excited to write more stories on school events and activities.