Chaparro's Opens On West Street

Elmer Palma, who put his name on Elmer’s Diner, 22 Padanaram Road, six years ago, opened Chaparro’s Latin Family Restaurant this month at 123 West St.

Chaparro’s offers a whole range of Latin American food that people may not think of as being Latin American, such as a whole rotisserie chicken served with French fries, cole slaw or sauted mixed vegetables for $13.95.

Customers who think they don’t understand Spanish will find everything translated carefully on the menu into English. In some cases, “Chicken Fingers con Papas Fritas,” for example, may not need the translation, (Chicken Fingers with Fried Potatoes.)

“We want people to feel like family,” said Palma, speaking about him and his partner and long-time friend, Audy Garcia. The pair grew up together in Guatemala, and Palma found Garcia living in New York City when he needed a business partner.