El Salvadoreño

This place is so delicious authentic Salvadorian food. A must is there famous popusas and corn tamales. Very nice and friendly service I would definitely go here again

I’ve eaten at many Salvadoran restaurants in LA and just moved to SD. I’m Salvy American and my bf is Salvadoran. This is one of the best restaurants we’ve been to period.
The décor and food were elevated. Most Salvys skimp on service or portions and maybe they only have good Pupusas. Everything was good here.
You must order the sampler! All delicious. Even the beans and fresh homemade tortillas.
Horchata was perfectly sweetened.
My favorite salvy dish is Salpicon and this the best I’ve had. Kudos to the owners. They really put thought behind the whole menu and décor.

This place isn’t known for having the fastest service but in my opinion the food makes up for it. I’ve been coming here for years and the food has never disappointed me. I usually have the chicken breast and I really love it. My brother usually goes for chicken and cheese pupusas. He has never complained about the food. I’m Mexican and I grew up drinking horchata but something about the horchata from this place drives me crazy. Yes be ready to wait when you visit this place, but it will be worth it!

First time at this place … Don’t see what the big deal is about eating here … Service was horrible … Slow and rude… The only thing I liked was the horchata … For sure not coming back … I gave it one star because you have to choose at least one but if I could I wouldn’t give them any.

I swear to you that I am the most picky person when it comes to Salvadorean food. If it doesn’t taste like my Tía Mila or Tía Letti made it, then I don’t want it. This place passes the test! Tastes like I’m eating in El Salvador with chickens running around in the back yard. The whole menu looks delicious and I’ve tried quite a lot. Chicken tamales, pasteles, corn tamales, sopa de Pata, and of course the pupusas are amazing! Service is great! Everyone is very friendly, it can take a while to get your food, but that’s because it’s all made fresh and they do have a minimal staff since it is family owned. So be patient when they’re busy, it’s worth the wait!

I am still dreaming of this place! As you sit and enjoy the authentic atmosphere, you can hear the cooks patting your pupusas and cooking them up. They were the most delicious pupusas I’ve ever tried. It was also my first time trying a beleada. Which is similar to a quesadilla however it has eggs and other fillings.

Came in 3:30 on Thursday afternoon and ordered myself two pupusas: pollo + queso (chicken and cheese) and chicharron (pork). Both were wonderfully crispy and cheesy… I would definitely recommend eating them with the marinated cabbage and hot sauce. The service was speedy and I felt like a welcome customer!

Food is good. The pupusas and tamales never fail but I wouldn’t order a platillo again.

The food is delicious! But the service is very slow. In any other case I’d rate it less stars because of how long the wait is to be helped while you’re ready to order regardless if it’s full or not… However, since the pupusas and baleadas are AMAZING and so is the ensalda (the drink) I’m willing to wait. The place is clean and spacious, however the parking in the back is very small and most of the times I have to park in a different street, but it’s usually not a big inconvenience.
I recommend this place! Just be patient and plan to go a slightly before you’re actually hungry.

PAPUSAS ARE GOOOOOOD! GET ‘EM
You can tell they really care about their buisness but i got a pollo’ dish and a pork dish and they were okay. We got the pork with frijoles and jalepenos papusas and the chicken and cheese both good. A bit pricey and needs more flavor for the dishes.

One of my favorite places to eat, I go with my wife and we get the platter they have available for 23.99 and it’s definitely enough for 2 people has 2 pupusas 2 tamales 1 pastelito fried yucca and a tostada I believe and they bring you many other small things like salsa, sour cream, beans so delicious. The horchata and ensalada de Frutas drink are both amazing as well, love coming to eat here and on top of that everyone is always friendly here!

I finally went into this little place! Nothing impressive from outside, but nice inside, welcoming! I loved the plantains and pineapple drink! Cant wait to go back and try the rest!

My favorite place for Pupusas in San Diego! Customer service is always friendly!
Chicken & Cheese Pupusa, served with cabbage — Appetizing!
Spinach & Cheese Pupusa — served with cabbage — Mouthwatering!
(The best part of ordering a Pupusa is that you get their delicious cabbage, too bad they charge for extra now! The Pupusas are big & great to share as an appetizer.)
Carne Asada Baleada — They are so generous with the Carne Asada. Juicy & tasty. The cheese they use complements the meat perfectly.
Horchata — Eh. More watered down than any Horchata I have ever had.

Noooooice.
So I had 2 pupusas. Chicharron with cheese. At $ 2.50 each, can do.
The wait for them to come out is longer than expected but it’s worth it for it to be super fresh. It’s not as stuffed as I would ideally prefer but that’s probably just the way pupusas are meant to be.
The taste and freshness and that nice lil salsa is on point.
I want to hit them up for some more pupusas and some fried plantain soon :)

Delicious Pupusas and fruit drink, if your interested in eating food from «El Salvador» this is the place I recommended it.

What a delicious meal I had today with my friend who has been coming to this place for years. As a first timer I didn’t know what to expect but I was definitely excited.
I had the chicken, bean, jalapeño and loroco pupusa along with a cheese and jalapeño pupusa. Both were very tasty. The jalapeños were super spicy, which I enjoyed very much.
I also tried the fried plantain and fried yucca which were absolutely flavorful!
Washed it all down with a passion fruit juice.
Happy tummy, happy heart.

The food is amazing I’ve been coming here since I was small and now bring my own daughter. I had half hour to go to work and was told it would take an hour to get served but it only took 10 – 15 min to get my food. I was really impressed. Only problem is parking .
This was my first review then I came here from la jolla. I made a phone order and the guy said it would take 10 minutes. My bf called to add something to our order and asked to repeat the order for him EVERYTHING was wrong. Then we get there and wait 20 minutes. That’s fine with me. When we get home they missed my tamale de elote. $ 4.50 of a tamale where elsewhere would be half of this.

I’m in love with this place! I have tried many pupusas and this place has the best pupusas by far (other then the ones my mother in law makes). I love the décor the only bad thing is the parking but the food is worth the parking nightmare. I highly recommend the pupsas de chicharron con queso and the platano con carne is a must have. You can thank me later.

I really love this place. Really good food. Popusas are a must and the ensalada juice is great.

This place was amazing! I had: the cheese pupusa, the cheese and beans pupusa, the horchata and the fried plantains (to go). The cheese pupusa was by far my favorite of the too pupusa a, I highly recommend it. The horchata is nice size and it was also very tasty! I wasn’t a huge fan of the bean and cheese pupusa, I think it lacked flavor to be honest. The plantains were okay as well. I gave it a ⁴⁄₅ because of the service. There was only one waitress attending the entire restaurant.

Great authenic food from the motherland! All the faves! Great customer service! I will be back a lot!

This place is the real deal. The pupusas and friend yucca (mandioca) are worth the wait. I also ordered the passion fruit juice which is to die for! I ordered another one on my way out because I loved it so much. Just be aware that this is a busy place and while the service was good, it did take a long time. But that’s the way it goes at a place like this, enjoy the company you go with and the food will eventually appear.

Came here awhile ago with a friend of mine. We ordered the plantains. They were good and crispy. I ordered 3 pupusas. Jalapeño and cheese/​pork/​and I think squash.
From what I remember, the food was delicious. However the wait time… my god. The wait time was ridiculous. I remember that there were about 8 tables in this tiny restaurant. It was steady but not overly busy. I also remember waiting at least 40 minutes for the pupusas. I’m not sure if they were waiting for the cheese to curd, the pig to die or the lettuce and tomatoes to grow in the back.
When the pupusas came, they were kind of dry. Still good, but dry. Would I come back again? If I’m forced too. I just didn’t think they were worth the wait. Anyhow, I am cleaning the memory off my phone and came across this picture and remembered I completely forgot to Unilocal this place out. I heard their other restaurant is much better. Maybe I’ll hit that place up next time!

Went on New Years day with a group of 5 people. Very disappointed with the food and service. First of all, we were not giving our silverware. The waitress barely checked in on us. I have to eat my pupusas with my hands. We ordered Yuca frita which never arrived and on top we were charged for it. The chicken was dry. Waitress stated that the kitchen staff does not listen to her. What an excuse! What is hear excuse for not bringing us tableware and napkins.

Don’t come this place when you are in a rush or looking for «fast food»…
Come when you have a leisure morning to yourself, or with a few friends.
The food here is authentic and tasty. All of it.
Soups, breakfast, various lunch plates they all are delicious!
I hate to see all the negative reviews of this place when everyone is just «pissy» because the had to wait for a home cooked meal. This is a dedicated establishment with good food, good service, and a pleasant atmosphere.
Please stop by, enjoy, and most important don’t be in a rush. Life is to short to not enjoy a place like this and do it at it at a relaxed pace…
Salud amigos!

I was seriously looking for a good pupusa, I haven’t had great experiences, until this place. I was impressed with the flavors, this is true to the authentic Salvadorean culture. Love this place and will definitely be back. I recommend the ensalada fruit drink… It’s on point. The atmosphere is great and the waiters are efficient. Definitely coming to this place time and time again.

Portions big. I had soup grilled chicken and salad. I just finished soup. it’s good place pretty cheap and nice atmosphere

Omg! This place is awsome Pupusas are to die for. My entire family loved their meals and it was super affordable and we are a family of 6. Will definitely be back.

First El Salvadoreno Restaurant in San Diego and it is definitely worth the trip! This restaurant was highly recommend and I was feeling adventurous so I decided to try it. I am so glad I did!
You got to try their pupusa, it is served with curtido (lightly fermented cabbage slaw with red chilies and vinegar) it’s tasty and delicious. You can also order the Salvadorian Sampler to taste the best dishes they offer on the menu. The platter serves 2 people for only $ 23.99. Also try the Horchata Salvadorena16 oz $ 2.25 — 32 oz $ 4 (Rice Water, Milk and Cinnamon) it’s different from the horchata I know, but in a good way.
Price is affordable and the serving sizes is massive.

Ohhhh myyyy goshhhh…
This place has thee best pupusas ever!!!
In San Diego that is…

My man took me here. Luckily it wasnt busy at all when we went. I am fucking addicted to the food. So addicted YUM! I want that shit all the time! I am Filipina and some of the dishes with Spanish influence from our culture remind me of the dishes here! So delish! I cant wait to go back and try that pineapple drink I just seen looking through everyone elses reviews!
The area is super scary. really scary actually. especially for me. Pulling up in a new Mercedes and dressed up doesn’t help our situation either lol.

It took my partner and I a couple tries before we found the front door, which was slightly disconcerting at first. However-​once the solid wooden doors were opened by a seemingly happy family of about 7, it revealed a magical little oasis, full of happy people, all wearing smiles. The room was tightly packed. Delightful smells awakened all the senses. I knew we were in for a treat.
On the down side… we were also in for quite the wait.
Literally the only thing that went wrong with the experience, is that there was a serious wait to order, so we had to take the food to go. The pupusas were HUGE and very generously filled with the your stuffing of choice. I chose bean and cheese, my partner got chicken and cheese. Both were a little on the oily side but I think that was more about the
to-​go packaging than it was about the pupusa itself.
All and all– a great effort. Would definitely order those bad boys again. In fact — it’s the craving I have for them now, that drove me to write the review. They deserved the credit! Well done.

Worst customer sevice anywhere.
Waited 20 minutes to place an order. Drinks come out after 30 minutes. Finished our drinks and still had to wait for food.
Save your money and time.

Good: the pupusas and curtido
Bad: I ordered two pupusas and one was the wrong kind. Stuffy no air conditioner. Parking

Surprisingly nice little restaurant.
The food was quite good, service sufficient, décor quaint, everything exceeded our expectations.
Located in an evolving neighborhood, and the community is building a garden next door.
We can hardly wait to introduce our friends to this place!!!

There is nothing to say other than… THIS PLACE IS PERFECTION.
Everything is wonderful, the staff is legit and friendly. Service is great, the décor is rad, and food is usually pretty quick to come out even when they are slammed.
I don’t live anywhere near Barrio Logan but we don’t even think twice about the drive.
These are easily the best Pasusas in the city.

Muy buena comida. Muy mal servicio!!! No te sientes bienvenido y todos los trabajadores son de muy mal agrado en especial el señor!

Sitting on a non-​descript block of Imperial Avenue, in the Grant Hill neighborhood, is El Salvadoreno. It doesn’t stand out and sits behind a brown medieval wooden door. But behind the door sits a cultural delight.
I’m a big fan of the pupusas and the pasteles. Pasteles are similar to an empanada. The pupusas are made of ground corn and can be stuffed with pork, beans, cheese, etc. Stuffed and grilled, you also need to add the pickled cabbage into the pupusa. Definitely one of my favorite things here. My lunchtime partner-​in-​crime usually gets the casmiento bistec and plantano plate.
Off the beaten path, it was nice to discover this quaint restaurant. The staff here are friendly and prompt. If you’ve never had Salvadorean food, this is the place to go.

Their service is not the greatest, I feel like they get distracted and forget half your order, but if you are with good company, are willing to remind them and want good food with a chill atmosphere, give it a try.
Their pupusas, tamales and platanos are really good. Get the tomato salsa and pickled cabbage for your pupusas, you will enjoy your time and will forget about their service.
It won’t blow your mind but it will comfort you.

Perhaps it’s not fair to grant five stars based on one visit in which only pupusas were consumed… but they were that good!
We had just spent the day moving. I was starving and wanted something quick, easy, and stick-​to-​your-​ribs good. Pupusas, specifically pupusas from El Salvadoreño which has been on my bookmark list for quite a while now, popped into mind and when I found out the bf had never had them, well, it was a done deal.
The menu at the restaurant was a bit different from the one we looked at online ahead of time. This made ordering a bit tricky and was slow going (and perhaps there was a slight language barrier, too), but it all worked out in the end. We ordered a few vegan pupusas, a couple of meaty/​cheesy ones, and a side of plantains to go. Once we got home, I was impressed with how well everything had been packed up for us. They made it easy to determine which pupusas were which, without even having to cut or bite into them. The pickled cabbage and plantains were served on the side, in their own containers, so nothing got soggy.
From the moment we started eating, nothing else could be heard in our living room except chewing and grunts/​moans of pleasure. There may have been a happy dance. The words «this tastes like magical angel babies» were definitely spoken. (No, I don’t know what it means either — I’m just glad I was able to introduce a food that elicited that kind of reaction!)
We didn’t even spend $ 20 to feed both of us and it could have been even less. I really only needed one pupusa (but I ate two) and he really only needed two (but ate three). I’m definitely looking forward to going back!

Hoy lleve por primera vez a mi abuelita y le encanto (siendo que casi nada le gusta) pedimos una combinación para dos personas y quede fascinada de lo rico que estuvo todo! El plato tenia dos pupusas (uno puede escoger de que las quiere también los tamales) dos tamales, una empanada…(creo así se llamaba) una enchilada salvadoreña, yuca, plátano frito, frijoles (esos no me gustaron :() y crema. fácilmente con ese plato comen tres personas (claro si no son de un grandisimo apetito) recomiendo mucho este lugar :).

La comida esta buena, pero el tiempo de espera es muy largo y eso hace que la balanza se incline en su contra. Los empleados no son muy agradables.