La Esquina Ambateña: Ecuadorian Flavors & Big Portions in Union City
Store Overview
La Esquina Ambateña, at 4300 Bergenline Ave, Union City, NJ 07087 (☎ 201-430-4134), is a snug but lively Ecuadorian restaurant serving up traditional plates from the highlands and coast. It opens early at 6 AM and closes at 8 PM, catering to breakfast crowds, lunch-goers, and early dinner families.
From the outside, it has the look of a true neighborhood staple: colorful signage, steady foot traffic, and the aroma of fried plantains and simmering stews drifting onto Bergenline Avenue. The clientele is largely local Ecuadorian families, Union City residents, and curious foodies crossing the Hudson to taste something authentic.
Their online footprint is strong, with a website (la-esquina-ambatea.menu-world.com), Toast ordering link, and active Facebook page, making takeout and delivery convenient.
Menu & Services
La Esquina Ambateña delivers a deep roster of Ecuadorian classics, all at wallet-friendly prices ($10–20 range). Portions are generous, often described as “enough for two.”
Menu highlights include:
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Ceviche de Camarón ($14) – Shrimp ceviche with citrus, onions, and herbs.
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Caldo de Bola – A rich plantain dumpling soup, packed with beef broth flavor.
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Chaulafán ($13) – Ecuadorian-style fried rice with shrimp, chicken, and pork.
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Llapingacho with Fritada – Potato patties served with fried pork.
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Sopa Marinera – A seafood soup rich with crab, shrimp, and mussels.
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Bolón de Chicharrón – Mashed green plantain mixed with crispy pork.
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Tigrillo con Chicharrones – Scrambled plantain mash with chicharrón.
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Churrasco Ecuatoriano ($13) – Steak with rice, avocado, plantains, and egg.
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Tortilla de Verde ($5) – A fried plantain cake, perfect as a starter.
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Colada Morada – A traditional Ecuadorian purple corn drink.
They also serve humitas, tamales, encebollado, and juices — essentials for anyone chasing a taste of Ecuador in New Jersey.
Review Summary
Positives:
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Generous portions – Many reviewers say one plate could feed two.
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Authenticity – Ecuadorians living in the U.S. praise the food as “like back home.”
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Reasonable pricing – Full meals (often soup, main dish, and drink) are budget-friendly.
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Friendly staff – Attentive service, often family-run warmth.
Negatives:
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Space is tight – Small dining room fills up quickly, especially at lunch.
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Crowded peak hours – Can feel rushed during busy times.
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Cash preference – Some reviews note occasional hiccups with card payments.
Human Commentary:
This is exactly what you want from a corner Ecuadorian spot — loud, warm, family-driven, with steaming plates of food that make you feel at home. The small space is both a drawback and part of the charm. If you’re expecting fine dining, you’ll be overwhelmed; if you’re chasing authenticity, you’ll be delighted.
Location & Accessibility
Located on Bergenline Avenue, Union City’s busiest commercial strip, La Esquina Ambateña benefits from nonstop foot traffic.
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Transit: Served by local NJ Transit buses connecting to Port Authority, making it a quick ride from Midtown Manhattan.
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Walkability: Steps from shops, bakeries, and Latin markets — perfect for those exploring Union City’s cultural hub.
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Nearby Landmarks:
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Celestial Church of Christ / Bergenline churches – Draws Sunday family crowds hungry after service.
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Union City High School – Student and staff lunches help weekday flow.
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Bergenline’s shopping corridor – Steady traffic from retail shoppers.
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Washington Park – Local families often grab takeout for park picnics.
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Havana on the Hudson Festival (seasonal) – Festival-goers often spill into local eateries like this one.
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These landmarks help balance weekday locals, weekend families, and occasional out-of-town food tourists.
Genius Marketing Analysis
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GI (Genius Insight): La Esquina Ambateña’s strength is in authentic comfort — it’s a culinary anchor for Ecuadorians missing home and a flavorful discovery for outsiders.
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MDA (Marketing Action):
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Highlight Ecuadorian heritage dishes (like caldo de bola, tigrillo, colada morada) on social media with cultural storytelling.
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Bundle weekday lunch specials to capture Bergenline’s heavy work crowd.
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Festival & community tie-ins — sponsor or host Ecuadorian Independence Day promotions.
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Offer bilingual menus online to make non-Ecuadorian visitors feel confident trying new dishes.
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Expand seating or partner with delivery apps to offset the small dining space limitation.
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Genius Ideas (10)
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Ecuadorian Breakfast Specials – Promote bolón, tigrillo, and caldo de gallina for early commuters.
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Family Combo Platters – Bundled meals with multiple sides to serve entire families affordably.
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Street Festival Sampling Booth – Offer mini ceviche cups or bolón bites at Union City festivals to lure new customers.
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Weekend “Taste of Ecuador” Menu – Rotating regional specialties (Sierra, Costa, Oriente) to showcase diversity.
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Digital Menu with Photos – Help non-Ecuadorians choose by showing images of llapingachos, encebollado, etc.
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Student Lunch Discounts – Capture Union City High School’s lunch crowd with affordable combos.
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Colada Morada + Guaguas de Pan Seasonal Promo – Lean into Ecuador’s Día de los Difuntos traditions each November.
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Social Media Food Challenges – “Finish the Chaulafán” challenge with photo shares for discounts.
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Weekend Brunch Extension – Add mimosas + Ecuadorian brunch (bolón, ceviche, plantain tortillas) to attract a wider crowd.
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Cultural Nights – Host Ecuadorian music evenings or show soccer matches with themed food deals.
Conclusion
La Esquina Ambateña isn’t just a restaurant — it’s a slice of Ecuador transplanted into Union City. With its homestyle plates, generous portions, and family warmth, it gives both Ecuadorian expats and curious newcomers a place to gather and eat well. While the space is small, the flavors are big, and its location on Bergenline ensures it stays buzzing with life.
Q & A
Q: What are the hours?
A: Open daily, 6 AM – 8 PM.
Q: What’s the price range?
A: $10–20 per person, with large plates often enough to share.
Q: Do they offer delivery?
A: Yes, via Toast online ordering and third-party apps.
Q: What are their most popular dishes?
A: Ceviche de Camarón, Chaulafán, Llapingacho, and Bolón de Chicharrón.
Q: Is it family-friendly?
A: Yes — casual atmosphere, kid-friendly dishes, and portions ideal for sharing.
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