The Yummiest Salvadoran in Santa Ana

San Sivar

★★★★☆ 4.4 (74)

"I have been to the San Sivar in Costa Mesa, and had a positive experience. I was happy to see that they opened a second location in HB nearer to me.I ordered about $30 of pupusas "para llevar" to go. The chiccharones y queso ones were excellent. The masa was soft, and there were a lot of fillings. Secondarily the curtido & salsa were very good. All my rellies I shared the pupusas with, liked them better vs the ones we typically buy from the food truck on Surf City nights.I believe the HB location is smaller vs the CM location. But it works. The HB location is quaint and homey. Likewise the service from the lady in front was very inviting. She told me how long they have been in biz, so I applaud them for being successful. I also applaud them for taking the risk in opening a new location in HB.I have already returned several times since my first visit that I am the Duke. Thats how much I like this place."

Anitas Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4 (45) • $

"So my fiancée is Salvadorian and was craving pupusas. So I found Anita's and we decided to try it. My god, the people who said this were the best pupusas in the area were absolutely right. Delicious, tiny but so flavorful. We've tried other places and this is by far the best we've been to. Pupusas are only $2 each. They only take cash so come prepared. We didn't eat anything but pupusas so I can't review other plates, but when it comes to pupusas, this is the place to come. The lady (our server. Not sure if she was the owner) was really nice and made sure we were enjoying our food. We took home one of their popular sweet breads called quesadilla. So fresh and yummy."

Restaurante Y Pupuseria Comalapa

★★★☆☆ 3 (63) • $

"First time having there Pupusa with cheese amazing! Salsas was spicy which I love thank you very much! This is the spot for Pupusa come on by and try!"

Tienda El Quetzal Y Pupusas ToGo

★★★★☆ 4.3 (31) • $

"Tucked away in a strip mall along Chapman, this spot can be easy to miss because the opening to its parking lot is not large. When you walk in, it looks like a convenience store and you order your pupusas at the counter behind a plexiglass shield. Each pupusa is $3.25. They're made fresh to order so there is a bit of a wait time. I ordered 6 and it took about 20 minutes. I tried the beans and cheese, loroco and cheese, and the onion and cheese ones. The filling in all of these is majority cheese and the onions, loroco, and beans are more like a seasoning in that there isn't a lot but you can still taste them. I enjoyed mine a lot, especially the loroco one which was slightly sweet and earthy. For $3.25, I expected them to be tiny, so I preferred 2 per person and these are filling enough where 1 or 1.5 per person is plenty. I would definitely go back to try more of their pupusas because the price and taste are worth it."

Flor Blanca Salvadorean Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.6 (267) • $

"Found this place on DoorDash and ordered some pupusas. Very tasty and full of flavor for some chicken empanadas too very good. Highly recommend for El Salvadorian cuisine."

Tacos Y Pupusas

★★★★☆ 3.6 (229) • $

"The papusas were LEGIT ! I had 2 of the cheese and chorizo ones and the cabbage was PERFECT!! She gave me 3 different salsas and ALL were delicious!!"

El Chinaco

★★★★☆ 3.7 (385) • $

"Freshly made pupusas just hit differently. I haven't had fresh made pupusas in over 10 years, so I was really happy when my friend recommended this place for lunch last week. The pickled veg + hot sauce that came with our pupusas were just *chef's kiss* so delish. My friend has been coming to El Chinaco for the past decade or so, and I can see why he keeps coming back. Also, I ordered some more pupusas to go as well as 4 carne asada tacos. These were not street tacos - these were giant tacos! Glad I found a yummy pupusas place close to home. Will def be back for more!"

El Paraiso Restaurante

★★★★☆ 3.8 (300) • $

"I was craving for some pupusas one day and stumbled upon this place while searching Yelp. I was a little frustrated ordering over the phone as the lady on the phone couldn't hear and understand anything I was saying. I was persistent to try them out, so I ended ordering in person, and waited 30 minutes for them to prep my order. Gladly, I persevered despite the long wait 'coz their PUPUSAS are some of the bests I've had. I've been coming here since, and I've been lucky to have gotten someone more helpful on the phone. Gosh, how I wish places like this have online ordering available or just someone who can speak English 'coz it's a hit or miss placing orders on the phone.Despite the challenges of ordering here, their Pupusas are so good, and they make it fresh upon ordering. It comes out piping hot, and so delicious! You can taste the corn flavor of the masa, and their generous with their cheese fillings at such reasonable prices, starting at $3.99/each.The flavors I've tried so far are:Queso (Cheese) - So simple yet so good!Chicharron Con Queso (Pork & Cheese) - This is a family favorite. So delicious!Jalapeño Con Queso (Cheese & Jalapeño) - I personally didn't like this.Queso Con Loroco (Cheese & Loroco) - I love this! This is my personal favorite! This place had become our go-to for some amazing Pupusas!"

La Joya Salvadoreña Truck Food

★★★★☆ 4.3 (6)

"Excellent food but get there early as the lines can get deep! Our kid loved the quesadilla and the fruit punch!"

El Pulgarcito

★★★★★ 4.5 (432) • $

"Boy oh boy oh boy! Pupusas can't get better than this! Fresh and piping hot with a heaping serving of fresh and crunchy curtido and warm red salsa. At first we were getting a little frustrated by what seemed to be a very long wait but all that changed when the food arrived and we were blown away by how good everything was including the carne asada platter.Check out dine_n_dish_socal on IG for a detailed video of our experience here."

Nancy's Pupuseria

★★★★☆ 3.9 (515) • $

"GREAT PUPUSAS!!Had a craving for pupusas so decided to try this place. We loved the pupusas. We had pork, bean and cheese, and rajas and cheese. They were all tasty, the rajas was my favorite. I love the pickled cabbage (curtido) and we ordered the spicy salsa. All together it makes a delicious bite. We went during a busy lunch time and waited a while for our order. This is a small place with not much staff so I understand. I recommend calling your order in advance if you are not eating there."

Funes Mexican Food

★★★★★ 5 (28)

"We usually come to this area for the other taco truck, but this owner approached us and told us about his Cochinita Pibil Taco (pork). We had a bunch of guys and everyone that tried it loved it! It was sooo good, full of flavor and very tender. I haven't tried anything else yet, but I will next time. They were really nice and had great service! We will be back soon!"

El Salvador Cafe

★★★★☆ 4 (36) • $

"Who doesn't love some authentic Salvadorian food? You'll definitely get it her at El Salvador Cafe. The pupusas are freshly made, flavorful, and not greasy at all like some other restaurants. My favorite to get are revueltas (chicharrón, beans, & cheese mixed together) and Queso with Loroco (Salvadorian cheese & Loroco flower buds) They didn't take too long to make and they were brought out nice and hot. I also got an agua de ensalada and Salvadorian horchata. The horchata could use more morro, but it wasn't bad. Now the agua de ensalada was my favorite because it was so refreshing, sweet, and It comes with a lot of fruit compared to other Salvadorian restaurants. I also tried their platanos fritos (fried plantains) with queso (cheese), beans, crema (cream), and pan (bolillo type bread) and it was delicious. And couldn't leave without trying their chicken tamales since I'm used to only Mexican tamales (I'm half Mexican from my mom's side and half Salvadorian from my dad's side) They taste different from the ones I used to have at my Salvadorian grandma's house and I think it's because these don't have olives, which is ok with me ( I don't like olives). They only have chicken, potatoes, & bell peppers wrapped in a banana leaf. They were unique and so flavorful. I'm for sure going back for these next time. Also don't confuse this restaurant with the Salvadorian restaurant two doors down. I know....it's strange and a bit confusing on why they would be so close to each other lol. But the other one doesn't accept cards, only cash. El Salvador Cafe accepts cards and cash for payment and the staff is super friendly. Definitely check them out and try it for yourself and see what I'm talking about!"

El Curtido

★★★★☆ 4.1 (33)

"This place has amazing pupusas. I've tried the pork and cheese, cheese, and chicken and cheese pupusas and all were amazing. I'd say the pork and cheese is the best one!"

Birrieria & Pupuseria Jalisco

★★★★☆ 4.3 (164) • $$

"My love for this tiny little Ma and PA operation has only gotten stronger especially with how consistent they are with the servings and quality. I always call before our arrival and it is our go to, especially for lunch.The homemade picante is perfect and "el curtido" is perfection.If you can over look the crusty shopping center and walk over the others just hanging out. You will be just fine but again it is going back into time.Just good old fashion good food. I LOVE their homemade tortillas. I love everything and so far I have never gotten sick. I love the prices too.It is located in the same shopping center as the 7 eleven.Plastic is accepted but be aware it takes them a good 30 minutes.No microwaves you can see the kitchen and try the "Agua de Frutas"One of personal favorite hole in the wall. Remember it is nothing special but your belly will be feeling really special because it is just pure soul food.Stellar Service! Love them so give them a go! Crossing with Grand and Fourth st.One set back I hate the fact, that they are closed on Tuesday.Otherwise one bite and it is what I call "A Volver a La Vida""Buen Provecho" and Enjoy the best soul food when it comes from Mexico and El Salvador. Love their masa and I am madly in love with the lady that makes the homemade tortillas."

La Esperanza Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.4 (291) • $$

"Pupusas here are very very good! I love coming here when I get those cravings. The horchata salvadoreña is delicious in my opinion. I know people have mixed reviews in regard to the horchata. I love the complimentary mini tortillas with beans they give you while you wait for your food. I ordered a pupusa de frijol con queso, 1 revuelta and a tamal ( I forgot the name ) lolI highly recommend this little restaurant. Mom and pop restaurants are always the best"

San Sivar

★★★★☆ 3.8 (461) • $

"Pupusas were delicious here! I tried the Squash & Cheese, Loroco & Cheese, and Pork. The pupusas were served with pickled cabbage and two kinds of salsas. I personally didn't care for the salsas, but the pickled cabbage was the perfect addition to the pupusas. Two pupusas are enough to fill one person. They range between $3 - $4. They are made fresh to order and come out piping hot.While their pupusas seem to be a popular item showcased here on Yelp, I noticed that every single table ordered the Caldo de Gallina Criolla. This is a chicken soup that comes with a plate of chicken, rice, and freshly made corn tortillas. It looked delicious, and I look forward to coming back and trying it!Parking and seating are limited. People who work here are friendly. The menu posted on the wall doesn't have prices, but the takeout menu does."

Un Rincon Centro Americano

★★★★☆ 3.9 (131) • $

"What a treat! My good friend has been talking about these pupusas for a few weeks and we've been planning to get some for a while now. Lucky me, he ordered a wide variety of pupusas and we shared them today! They were delicious and did not disappoint! You must eat them with that spiced cabbage slaw and sauce as it adds to the flavor. The combination of all three items is like magic in your mouth! Everyone should try them when they're in the area! I highly recommend you getting revuelta and chicharrón pupusas!"

Lupita's Restaurant

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (68) • $

"I always come here for pupusa and fried plantains, so yummy, the plantains come with delicious beans and cream, very delicious, I always get the number 1 pupusa which is pork and cheese. It's so yummy and tasty. Yea get a few with the plantains, this combo is scrumptious!"

Rio Restaurant Pupuseria Salvadoreña

★★★★☆ 4 (329) • $$

"We stopped by here for a large order of pupusas for a friends dinner. We ordered revuelta(mixed beans, pork, cheese). They were delicious and came with the sauce and pickled cabbage that pupusas come with. Our large order of pupusas took about twenty minutes to make. The restaurant itself is neat. A good number of people were eating here on the Saturday night we stopped by. Something about the large quantity of chips and just layout of the restaurant reminds me so much about El Salvador. Friendly service. As of Salvadorian heritage, I approve of the pupusas here. Go get yourself some, two is a good number to eat for dinner a person."

El Carbonero Restaurant

★★★☆☆ 2.7 (254) • $

"So good and great service. We go three different types of puposas and a plantain dish. So fresh and the cabbage topping is so yummy! Also very reasonably priced. The server was super friendly and helpful!"

San Salvador Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.7 (206) • $$

"Ok so I bought some Pupusas and tamales to take home to my parents. I personally loved it and think 5 stars. My parents gave it 3.5-4, so averaged to 4 stars. They can be picky because their old neighbor was Salvadoreña and made the best food. Ok so food for my taste great, curtido (spicy cabbage) bomb, I had one de queso (just cheese) and one de frijoles y queso (beans & cheese) it was soggy or too crispy/hard it was perfect and large. Plus the gave me mild and hot hot sauce. Being Guatemalan I was happy they had our beer perfect combo. The wait was about 35 mins for 4 Pupusas, two tamales and beer. It might seem long, but it's freshly made and handed to you hot! If you've ever waited at A Chili's or BJs for a table plus food service. Don't complain. Small business are hustling, plus they were busy with tables on top of to go orders. I will always support Central American spots and I will return. Apoyen a sus restaurantes centroamericanos!"