The Most Delectable Salvadoran in San Francisco

Balompie Cafe No 3

★★★★☆ 4.1 (477) • $$

"Really enjoyed my meal! Overall, I would give this place a 9.2/10!1. Taste: 9.4 I ordered the pupusas with cheese and Loroco. Both of the pupusas were evenly cooked. The soft comforting doughy masses went well with the salsa and curtido. The salsa could have been a little bit more flavorful (I mostly only tasted tomatoes) but overall, i can't ask more from the pupusas themselves!I got mine with rice and beans. The rice was nothing too special, but did the job. The beans, on the other hand, were super flavorful and added a creamy texture to the chewiness of the pupusas. 1. Customer service: 10/10The customer service was great! I was sat immediately and had a glass full of water before I even ordered. The preparation did take about 25 minutes, but I think it was well worth it considering how good they were. 1. Appearance: 9/10The restaurant is a cute little place. It's somewhere that feels local and welcoming. It's a great place for a casual lunch or get together. 1. Value: 8.5Everything was well priced. With just the two pupusas and side of rice and beans, I felt pretty full. I definitely think it's worth the money."

Express Pupuseria

★★★★★ 4.5 (213) • $

"Living in the mission it's hard to believe that pupusas elsewhere can be anywhere near as good as what I have nearby. This place is super unassuming but the people are nice and they have some of the best pupusas around! And they give you basically unlimited curtido and salsa!!Also, I know it's a "pupuseria" but definitely don't sleep on the tamales. The masa is super well seasoned and flavorful that it's tasty regardless of what filling is inside."

Manitas Cafe

★★★★★ 4.5 (211) • $$

"Amazing food. My friend and I visited for breakfast on two occasions, since it's close by to us. Now it's one of our favorite places for breakfast or lunch. They have a wide variety of Latin dishes and a really nicely decorated indoor and outdoor setup. There is Hispanic art displayed and if you love Latin culture and food, it's a great atmosphere overall. I recommend the aqua fresca and the breakfast burrito is delicious"

El Zocalo Restaurant

★★★☆☆ 2.8 (462) • $$

"I missed coming here with my family. This place always makes me happy.I got the pupusa and soup combo and the food never disappoints. The menudo is always good here and the service was amazing. The ambiance is like a cozy kitchen feel to it"

La Paz Restaurant Pupuseria

★★★★☆ 4.2 (146) • $

"I can't believe that I have not yet reviewed La Paz Restaurant Pupuseria! This is a small, local Mexican restaurant right across from San Francisco General Hospital on Potrero Avenue. My colleagues and I have been coming here for our lunch for many years. This is the perfect place to get tasty, and authentic Mexican food. It's convenient, fast, and with outstanding service and delicious meals. Pupusas are freshly made upon your order. The traditional beef soup is incredibly yummy which is served with fresh vegetables. Street tacos are great too. I highly recommend it."

Pupuseria Metapan

★★★☆☆ 3.2 (191) • $

"I will start by saying how much I like pupusas. My first entry into Pupuseria Metapan was on a whim. So many restaurants are nearby there that have similar menus, but varying prices. I ordered (en Espanol) two different types. I got to practice speaking Spanish. The server spoke very limited English. No big deal or major challenge. My two choices were yummy and affordable. Both costing less than $5. First choice was Revuelta, has beans, fried pork, and cheese inside. Freshly made and piping hot. Second choice was made with Maiz Morado/purple corn. With cheese and zucchini inside. They were large too. Quite filling. I enjoy the tasty pickled slaw and bag of hot sauce that accompany each order. Next time I will try their fried plantains. Another dish I adore."

Sarita’s Grill & Beer

★★★★★ 4.9 (46)

"One of my choices to go to is which my friend decided. Went here for the first time. Love the place. A lot better than the restaurant that it used to be.Love their menu selections. Reasonable price. Was not sure of their pupusas and I have to say they are very good. Not messy and not greasy. Impressed and went in the afternoon. Would like to come back here again."

Montecristo Restaurant 2

★★★★☆ 4.3 (59) • $$

"Nice little El Salvadoran spot. Always has people inside, but never too busy. We had two pupusas, pollo and chicharon, and the sopa de marisco. The latter came with two thick soft corn tortillas (maybe that's El Salvador style?). Both had really good portions for the price. Good for when you want to switch it up from balompi down the block. We'll likely go back and try more stuff on the menu."

Rincon Latino

★★★★☆ 4 (57) • $$

"We have been coming here for years for pupusas which are always great but I wanted to try something diff so I chose Botana regular for my son and I. He got an elote thinking it was just Mex street corn. When it came as soup we laughed but when we tasted it omg. It was amazing!!! It's only I think 6.00 and the flavor was perfect warm creamy with cinnamon sticks. Just perfect. The Botana came and there was just one problem lol it was too good! We should have gotten the bigger size and been pigs. Lol. (Next time we'll bring one more person) the shrimp was grilled perfectly. The guac was thick and the steak was also perfect. The dish came out beautifully as well! Ty!!!"

Restaurante Familiar

★★★★☆ 3.9 (52) • $

"This place tasted familiar..so familiar that I thought I was in El Salvador again! Ordered 28 pupusas for that sad 49ers game and all my friends loved it! Also, I called in and the pupusas were ready in 20 minutes. I'm a big panchitas fan, but these are pretty stellar and one of the best in the city. The cortido and sauce were also really good and complimented the pupusas. I also loved that the pupusas were not too doughy or cheesy and they stayed solid even when you added all the sauce and cortido. The lady at the counter was also really nice and organized. I highly recommend going here for a quick bite or event! 3.50 for pupusas with different varieties? Can't wait to order from here again."

Rinconcito Salvadoreno

★★★☆☆ 3 (65) • $$

"Good Salvadorian place to come and eat. The food was good. The service was ok. Will come back. Gallo pinto was our go plate. Good coffee as well"

Restaurante San Vicente

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (42) • $$

"Would I come back: I would if someone else wanted to go. Food:Tamales de pollo: 3/5 - This was the first time I've had tamales and it was pretty good. Just wish the ratio of meat to starch was better. It was quite starchy.Pupusa de queso: 3/5 - I can't say that I was a super fan. I think possibly cause the base is very doughy. Again I think it probably can be a little thinner to offset the starch.Carne Desilada: 4/5 - Now this I would order again. I liked the flavor on the meat and eggs. Truly tasty in my mind. Also a big plantain person so I'd say yes to this dish again.Service: 3.5/5 - The waitstaff were nice. I didn't get the right dishes...perhaps my Spanish is that bad...thankfully the ones I did get were tasty. I'd also say that the service is slow so be sure you are patient with how long it takes to get the food.Ambiance: 3/5 - It's very casual place. Plenty of tables though you may be sitting communally if in the center."

Estrellita’s Snacks

★★★★★ 4.7 (15)

"Since the shelter orders took place, I haven't been able to visit farmer's market at UN Plaza on Wednesdays. So I was ecstatic to find out that they're available 5 days a week!They're located at the new La Cocina Municipal Marketplace. This food hall is only taking take-out orders. So you can order online for pick up. I was surprised that the prices are similar, if not the same, as their stand at farmer's market. But there are plates available. I got the plato de pupusas, which comes with 2 pupusas of your choice, rice/beans, plantains, crema, salsa, and curtido. At farmer's market, you have the option of getting a spicier salsa, but not at this location. Also, the amount of curtido you get is smaller than the farmer's market location. I think it's the perfect amount for me, but I know some curtido lovers out there that would need the small bag they give out at farmers market. For $18 total (including tip), it was a big meal for me. I powered through the 2 pupusas, but I couldn't finish the rice and plantains. They're gonna be a good snack later. The quality of food is the same as their stand, which is unsurprising because after years of getting pupusas from them, not one has disappointed me. I got the mushroom and cheese (my favorite) and the revuelta (pork and cheese). Both were delicious. I've never had the rice before, and it was good too. I love plantains, so it was like a nice dessert. SF Restaurant Week starts tomorrow (April 9, 2021), and they are participating. So if you haven't had their pupusas, then this would be a good time to check them out. I'm definitely coming back here again!"

Frisco Flavor

★★★★☆ 4 (11)

"Don't write this off as another taqueria. This is a new casual El Salvadorian and Mexican restaurant just off of 24th Street Bart, which is exactly how my hungry self accidentally found this place. This is new as in 'three months old' and likely a place I will visit again. Tacos and burritos, yes. But, if you come here, you are missing out if you don't try the El Salvadorian or Oaxacan tamales. Oh. My. God. Their pupusas are also stars, here, as is ... hold for it, their *housemade mole*! You read that correctly. If you've ever made mole from scratch, you know the work and ingredient list this entails. Even the tomatillo and chipotle sauces are housemade. Oh, I was happy and full when I left this place. I wish I had taken more photos before I devoured my El Salvadorian tamale. Chicken, potatoes, masa in a banana leaf... oh this is my love language."