I enjoy exploring the eateries in Hawthorne. The city was placed on the national map when SpaceX decided to call Hawthorne it’s home. You can find mom-and-pop restaurants serving Mexican, Chinese, Brazilian, Indian, Greek, and Vietnamese food in the area. Thanks to blogger Eat the World Los Angeles, I learned about Rincon Chileno, a Chilean restaurant.
Due to the popularity of El Pollo Inka, El Recoto, and Kotosh, many people are familiar with Peruvian cuisine. Despite being neighboring countries, Chilean food has a Spanish influence blended with the indigenous Mapuche residents. Popular dishes include empanadas, hearty meat stews, and steamed corn humitas.
During the height of the pandemic, Rincon Chileno was take-out only. They now allow indoor dining, but due to their limited footprint, it is a single four-top table and bar stools along the front window. Display cases showcase the numerous fresh-baked pastries and cookies. In another case, you can glimpse at the empanadas.
Rincon Chileno is best known for its empanadas, including beef, chicken, cheese, spinach, ham, cheese, or a combination thereof. Empanadas range in price and size from $3.75 to $5.95.
Milanesa can be described as a Latin version of schnitzel. Their Milanesa De Pollo Sandwich ($8.95) is made with chicken, fresh slices of tomato, lettuce, and avocado with mayo using their housemade bread. Biting into the sandwich, the bread is soft and fresh, and the avocado and tomato add the necessary moisture. The bread wasn’t thick and was the perfect bread-to-meat ratio.
Pastel de choclo is a traditional casserole with ground beef, shredded chicken, raisins, olives, and creamed corn. Raisins add a natural sweetness to this Chilean staple. The creamed corn topping caramelizes in the oven, resulting in a delicious salty-sweet combination reminiscent of shepherd’s pie.
Papas Rellena is a popular Latin American croquette. Their version was unique because it was filled with picadillo, a ground beef mixture with many flavors. The exterior has a nice pillowy texture,
My wife was really happy with the flan. It was served with a custard sauce. She nodded twice in the delight of the taste and remarked that this was very light. I noted a slight taste of cinnamon in the custard.
I’d like to return on a cold day and try their estofado, a hearty beef stew.
Rincon Chileno shares the parking lot with El Pollo Inka, which gets filed quickly. Fortunately, free street parking is available.
Rincon Chileno, 15418 3828, Hawthorne Blvd # B, Lawndale, CA 90260; 310.349.2091
rinconchilenola.com