Phil travels to Guatemala, where ancient heritage and bold creativity come together at every turn. From busy markets to scenic towns and volcanic backdrops, he finds a country rich in flavor, resilience, and warmth.
🌍 Where Are We This Time?
Guatemala is a land shaped by both nature and history. It has over 37 volcanoes, many still active. These dramatic landscapes nurture coffee, sustain heirloom corn, and once gave birth to chocolate. They influence not just the scenery, but also the spirit of its people. Despite earthquakes and eruptions, Guatemalans endure and rebuild with strength.
This region was once the core of the Mayan civilization. Today, you can still feel that legacy — in language, fabrics, and food. Phil explores from bustling Guatemala City to the cobbled streets of Antigua. It’s not just travel It is tradition, resilience, and flavor all in one.
🍽️ What Phil Ate
From vibrant street eats to Indigenous heirloom flavors, here’s what filled Phil’s plate in Guatemala:
- Tostada – A crisp fried tortilla topped with refried black beans, crumbled cheese, pickled onions, and sometimes guacamole or tomato salsa. A quick and satisfying market snack.
📍 Where: Central Market of Guatemala City - Chucos – Guatemala’s take on the hot dog, made with grilled longaniza sausage tucked in a toasted bun, topped with avocado, cabbage, mustard, and ketchup.
📍 Where: Barriga Llena - Heirloom Corn Dish – A colorful plate made with native varieties of Guatemalan corn, showcasing its deep flavor and cultural pride. Served with seasonal vegetables and a smoky sauce.
📍 Where: El Comalote - Tortilla with Fish – A soft tortilla layered with tender fish, fresh herbs, and a light sauce, blending coastal freshness with rustic technique.
📍 Where: Mercado 24
📍 Phil’s Stops-1
From ancient markets to modern kitchens, here’s a look at the places Phil explored in the order he experienced them:
- Doña María Gordillo – Antigua’s oldest candy shop (est. 1872). It’s where Phil tried canillitas de leche (melt-in-your-mouth milk fudge), figs stuffed with coconut, and candied squash.
- Central Market of Guatemala City – The vibrant heart of local life, where markets overflow with crafts, candies, snacks, and the rhythm of everyday Guatemala.
- Antigua Guatemala – A UNESCO World Heritage site with colorful cobbled streets, baroque churches, and volcano views. The perfect setting for culture and cuisine.
- Barriga Llena – A fun fusion spot in Antigua. They turn Chinese-style dumplings into Guatemalan fare and serve fried chicken with soy‑mayo – a playful twist that Phil loved.
- Casa Santo Domingo – Part luxury hotel, part archaeological site. Set in a former convent destroyed by earthquakes, it blends history, spa, and museum under one roof.
- Hugo’s Ceviches – A street‑food favorite where Phil savored fresh ceviches with local flair.
📍 Phil’s Stops-2
- El Comalote – Known for handmade tortillas and dishes cooked on the comal (a large flat skillet), using diverse heirloom corn varieties.
- Nanik – A modern Guatemalan restaurant sourcing all ingredients locally, creating elevated, innovative plates.
- Finca El Tempixque – A rum distillery making Zacapa-style cane liquor. Phil sampled their spirits while gazing at volcanic peaks.
- Mercado 24 – A modern take on Guatemalan cuisine, where Phil enjoyed tortilla‑fish tacos and fresh market produce prepared with flair.
- Diacá – A creative kitchen whose name means “from here.” Their menu features inventive dishes rooted in national ingredients.
- Festival: La Quema del Diablo (Burning of the Devil) – Every December 7th, Guatemalans light effigies of the devil to cleanse the old year and usher in the season of the Immaculate Conception. In Antigua’s Barrio Concepción, massive papier‑mâché devils are burned at 6 pm amid fireworks and bonfires.
📌 Explore Phil’s Guatemala Stops on Google Maps
💬 Final Thoughts
Years ago, while working part-time at a restaurant, I met a Guatemalan server. As it turned out, several of our kitchen staff were from the same country. That was my first real encounter with Guatemalan people — and what I remember most is how hardworking, warm, and genuine they were. Watching this episode brought them all back to mind.
Guatemala City might be Central America’s largest metropolis, but what struck me was the people — as vibrant and intense as the volcanoes that surround them. They preserve their culinary roots through generations while also experimenting with bold new fusions. One restaurant captured it best: “Barriga Llena, Corazón Contento— a full belly is a happy heart”. And truly, you feel that sense of shared joy in every meal.
Though I hoped for more about Guatemalan coffee — one of my personal favorites — perhaps it’s Phil’s way of saying: come and taste it for yourself. The episode leaves you with that kind of longing.
And just like that, Season 8 of Somebody Feed Phil comes to an end. As the theme song echoes in my head, I picture Phil — the happy, hungry man — driving, flying, dancing, and singing his way around the world. And we? We feed him. It makes me smile every time I think about it. See you next time, Phil!!
🧭 Explore All of Phil’s Food Adventures in Season 8
📍 Episode 1 – Amsterdam
📍 Episode 2 – Basque Country in Spain
📍 Episode 3 – Boston
📍 Episode 4 – Tbilisi
📍 Episode 5 – Sydney & Adelaide
📍 Episode 6 – Las Vegas
📍 Episode 7 – Manila
📍 Episode 8 – Guatemala (You’re reading it!)