Antioch has a new Peruvian restaurant, bringing dishes like lomo saltado, papa a la huancaina and alfajores to the city’s Rivertown district.
Owned by Peruvian immigrants Ruth and Luis Caldas, Abuelita’s House specializes in Peruvian sandwiches and pastries, empanadas and custom cakes and is named after Ruth’s grandmother or abuelita. Luis says his favorite menu item is the pan con chicharrón ($11), a pork belly sandwich served on a fluffy bread roll.
The restaurant and its soft opening were recognized on Oct. 27, National Immigrants Day, when Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe celebrated the restaurant in an Instagram post.
“Antioch is home to an immigrant population of more than 21% of the city’s 120,000 residents. Antioch welcomes you as part of the city’s economic and cultural diversity,” he said.
Abuelita’s entrees include classic Peruvian dishes like lomo saltado ($16), made with sauteed steak, onion, tomato and rice, and chicken and potatoes a la huancaina ($15), as well as quinoa and Caesar salads ($15) served with chicken. Desserts ($2.50 to $5) include tres leches cake, milhoja cakes and alfajores — dulce de leche sandwich cookies.
Details: Opens at 8 a.m. Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. Saturday and Monday, and 11 a.m. on Sunday at 615 W. Second St. in Antioch.
