During our brief stay in Guayaquil, we decided to try Resaca Restaurant, a casual restaurant known for its central location near the bustling city waterfront. With its inviting atmosphere and promise of local flavors, we walked in expecting a memorable dining experience. Unfortunately, what we got was far from that, leaving us a bit disappointed in the end.
An Unremarkable Start At Resaca Restaurant
Located along Guayaquil’s vibrant Malecon 2000, Resaca Restaurant boasts a convenient spot for both tourists and locals. The open-air seating and relaxed vibe seemed promising as we settled in. However, the service set the tone for the evening—disorganized and inattentive. It took a while for the staff to bring menus, and the wait for drinks and food felt unnecessarily long despite the restaurant not being overly busy.
The first disappointment was news that the rooftop dining area was closed. We were seated in the main dining area, where service was exceedingly slow. When our orders were finally taking, we were advised that half of the items we ordered were not available. This included their specialty, crab. I inquired about the cheeseburger special advertised outside the restaurant and was advised that it is the size of a slider. I don’t know if that is true or not, but that seemed a bit shady to advertise and then warn against ordering it.
Resaca Restaurant Food: Hit or Miss
I ended up ordering the Filet Mignon, which seemed a great deal at twenty dollars. My wife and son were going to get the crab but settled for a seafood pasta instead. When our meals finally arrived, the inconsistency was evident. The seafood pasta looked excellent and my wife and son seemed to enjoy it.
The steak, on the other hand, was simply horrible. At best, it was a four ounce cut of some subpar piece of beef. Definitely not Filet. It was smothered in a disgusting mushroom sauce, seemingly to hide the inferior cut. It was the toughest piece of meat I have eaten in recent memory…what I ate of it.
The service was also bad during our meal. It took a while to get the attention of a server. When I complained about the meat, no offer was made for a replacement. Our meals were all under twenty dollars. We also ordered a couple of “happy hour” drinks. There was a mysterious “service charge” added on that was not the tip. In total, the meal ended up being over $100, making it not only our worst meal in Ecuador, but also the most expensive.
Room for Growth
Our visit to Resaca highlighted the importance of attentive service and consistent food quality, especially in a city with as many dining options as Guayaquil. While the restaurant’s location and potential are undeniable, the execution left a lot to be desired, making for an experience that fell short of what could have been a highlight of our time in the city.
Final Thoughts
If you’re exploring Guayaquil’s food scene and looking for a great meal, Resaca Restaurant may not be the best option. Despite its prime location and inviting atmosphere, the uneven service and lackluster dishes make it hard to recommend. Fortunately, Guayaquil offers plenty of other dining spots that deliver on flavor, freshness, and hospitality, ensuring your culinary adventures in the city won’t be in vain.
Read about our exciting two-week Ecuadorian adventure!
