The Best Salvadoran in Washington

El Puente De Oro

★★★★☆ 3.7 (6) • $$

"This is authentic El Salvadorian and Mexican food. Been here a few times and the food has always been excellent. The area is not the greatest surrounding it but inside is clean and they're currently doing renovations, but still open. Some of the renovations are extending the bar. No draft beer but bottles and liquor. Music can be loud on nights and weekends. DJ every weekend and sometimes bands. I recommend the pupusas, fajitas, quesadillas, and ceviche. That's what I've had so far and all are excellent. Spanish isn't a must but majority of staff and clients are Spanish speaking only. Plenty of parking."

Veronicas Bakery & Taqueria

★★★★☆ 4 (11)

"I had an amazing time trying this place out. I got the chicken taco and chicharrones con yuca. The chicken taco was pretty juicy and flavorful. The sauce on the side really brought out the flavors. The chicharrones were cooked perfectly not too soft and not too hard. The yuca I feel could have been fried longer just because I like my yuca more crispy but was still fine. The service was honestly really good, I asked the cashier for suggestions and he answered politely and truthfully. Both the people that were working, were extremely nice and helpful when I asked any question. The ambiance was welcoming and felt family friendly."

LESLY Sport Bar & Grill

★★★☆☆ 3 (24) • $$

"I recently stopped by with my buddy on a "snow day" after visiting 2 other places that closed early. I was surprised to see they were still open and Ricky at the bar ready to help. Quick and friendly service. After speaking with Ricky I learned that he plans on making this the new go to restaurant/bar in falls church. Stop by for the food or drinks. They have plenty of TVs available for whatever games you're into. Bring a friend and help keep a family business going."

Rosita's Restaurant

★★★★★ 4.5 (18)

"First time here and we throughly enjoyed the drinks and food. We had Melon con Piña which was delicious as was the Horchata. I had also tried the Michelada Especial which was an added plus! Tried their pupusas ( so good!) and it came with 3 different sauces. Our server was great, she was attentive and very kind. I would definitely come back again specially because it's a pretty modern Salvadoran spot."

La pasión

★★★★★ 4.6 (12) • $

"The owner was very pleasant and attentive to my needs. He spoke good English (a rarity among immigrant owned restaurants I have patronized) and my food came out fast hot and very tasty. This place used to be La Escudilla and now is under new ownership and called La Pasion! I've been to the former and today I went and ate under the new ownership. Which now also has a bakery!I ordered what is in the picture I uploaded eggs avocado refrained beans and salsa on a tostada instead of a handmade tortilla. I also had the yuca fritas. The good was tasty and had a home cooked taste. I paid $6 for the breakfast item and 3 for the fritas and 1 for the drink. My total was 10.50$ not bad! I love supporting local owned businesses. I even love this place more because I was able to comprehend and communicate with the staff. El Golfo is another favorite place where they speak good English. I hate to sound like a snobby ignorant American but when I'm paying for something I like to understand what I'm getting and this Was a pleasant experience. I didn't give it all the stars because when I came in the owner was sweeping with all the chairs in disarray and the place was a little unkempt. But other than that magnifico! (Uh oh wrong country lol) #ignorantAmerican"

Pupuseria La Familiar

★★★★★ 5 (3)

"Could it be? Someplace where I love the papusas AND the tamales?! I was craving chicken tamales and stumbled across La Familiar...and wished that it could've been sooner. They put a generous amount of chicken that had this delicious red sauce on it. Not sure what it's called but I loved it. They were thick, hot, and spiced beautifully. The elote tamales were, in a word, impeccable. They offered a fried option which was surprisingly delicious. The steamed ones set the bar pretty high yet here we are. Meeting and exceeding. You have the option of w/wo crema. The papusas were fluffy, filled just enough, and came with interesting fillings. I'm used to seeing pork, bean, and cheese. They offered squash (a touch of sweetness), bean and mint (literally blown away with how much I love this), and chipilin (adore). For context, Chipilin tastes like spinach and watercress had a baby. I noticed the cheese having a slight tang, but it wasn't off putting. Just different than other places I've tried. My only "gripe" (if you even want to call it that) was the curtido. It tasted good but something was off. Not off enough where I would avoid it, but it just wasn't the same. This is coming from someone who is extremely picky about that condiment. Not too fond of cabbage so maybe that's why. Now, the best for last...PASTELITOS! These amazing little pockets of happiness are stuffed with either chicken or beef and OMG OMG OMG. Every bite was pure happiness. It kinda reminded me of kibbeh.The handmade tortillas were amazing the next morning with some eggs and ricotta salata. So, if you're deciding on where to eat today, tomorrow, or next week...come here. I promise there will be something you love :D"

Mary Bar & Grill

★★★★★ 4.7 (12)

"If you're looking for a warm, welcoming spot to enjoy a solid Mexican meal, Mary's is a must-try. The restaurant is doing its best to keep the lights on, and it shows in the heartfelt service and the consistently fresh, flavorful food. From the moment you walk in, the staff is friendly and attentive, and the owner, Mary, always greets you with a smile, making you feel like part of the family.For my meal, I opted for the shrimp enchiladas, always delicious. The shrimp were large, juicy, and perfectly cooked, complementing the rich, flavorful sauce. My husband had the shrimp quesadilla, and he was equally impressed. The quesadilla had a nice balance of crispy exterior and gooey cheese, with a generous portion of shrimp and veggies inside.The menu is family-friendly, with options for all tastes, and everything is made fresh. They also do takeout well too. Mary's might not have the flash of larger establishments, but it has HEART--and that's something you can't beat. If you're in the area and craving good Mexican food, this little spot is definitely worth supporting."

Don Juan Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.5 (147) • $

"I've been craving good Mexican food and I stopped in wanting a good crispy beef taco and salsa. I order Daily Special # 6 which is a crispy taco, enchilada, and pupusa. To note: this is a Salvadoran spot. So, the pupusa was decent but Ercelia's down the street is better. The crispy taco was shredded chicken and I should have gone to Taco Bell. The enchilada was shredded chicken and they seem to have forgotten the enchilada sauce. Ay, dios mio. The chips were decent but the salsa tasted like canned tomatoes. There's no heat. No citrus. No bueno, mis amigos."

Tipicos Gloria Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4 (264) • $

"Wonderful food! We got two carne asada, 3 pupusas and a temal de gallina. The pupusa with frijoles, queso & chicharron was by far the favorite while pupusa with only bean was a bit dry and bland. The steaks were perfect! We would have preferred fresh lime with it- the ones we had were old and dry and had no juice but that was only a very minor thing. We've tried many local Latin places and still overall I think this is one of the best out of the ones closeby to Reston. I can't wait to try more of their menu."

Los Laureles

★★★★★ 4.5 (6) • $

"I had not eaten sopa de mondongo for many, many years until my mom randomly stopped in here and brought some home. It was so good! The tripe was tender and full of flavor from the broth. There was plenty of yuca (cassava) and corn to add even more heartiness to the soup. With warm tortillas as a squirt of lime, it was the perfect comfort food to warm my bones on a freezing January night."

Savor Salvadoreño

★★★★★ 4.8 (16)

"I work in Rosslyn and the food trucks line up outside of my office on Wilson every day. This food truck has recently become my new favorite and I always keep an eye out when they come to Rosslyn. They are super nice and accommodating and even make pre-orders for you if you request it. They take orders through Instagram as well and are very responsive. I usually get the tamale de elote (corn) and the bean and cheese pupusa. Even though they are small items they are soooo filling and packed with flavor! And also super cheap. I can get a filling meal from them for $5 which is unheard of in the DC area. They are in Rosslyn every Tuesday. Would definitely recommend!"

La Union Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.3 (328) • $$

"It had been waaaay too long since we visited this wonderful family-owned/run treasure. Saturday night we popped in for dinner and everything -- EVERYTHING! -- was spectacular. We had chicken and beef dishes at the table , and the meats were "like butter" - tender, marinated and spiced to perfection. The service is always warm and welcoming! And I call their refried beans simply magical! We asked our waiter why they are so insanely good -- his response? "Time." And that is the key! The kitchen takes time preparing every ingredient properly, and you can taste it in every bite. Patronize local businesses folks! This one is a winner!(Parking is limited in their small lot, but (free) spots in the surrounding neighborhood are pretty easy to score.)"

Pupuseria La Familiar

★★★☆☆ 3.2 (39)

"Of the hundreds to thousands of choices of pupuserias in this general area, I choose to return to this spot at the location because of ease of access and timely made food. Considering each pupusa is hand made and supervised on the grill top, I have not once had a bad experience with room temp or cold food here. I'm a creature of habit, so I will always recommend a cheese pupusa with the cheese pulling apart as you tear it into pieces to dip in the tomato juice with the sliced cabbage. The chicharrón and pollo pupusas are a must try if you're not adventurous. But really you can't go wrong with any of their vast choices. Make sure you order an horchata to help all the goodness slide down!"

Casa Dora

★★★★☆ 3.5 (50) • $$

"So the pupusas were delicious I got revuelta and chicharron. Couldn't tell the difference between them but they were both delicious. In addition I got the mini ceviche. The size was ideal and they were generous with the shrimp. The ambience was nice however the parking situation was a little complicated. It's totally authentic."

Pollo Granjero

★★★★★ 5 (3)

"When we're in the area, we always have to have Peruvian roast chicken. I chose Pollo Granero because it was closest. It's the best Peruvian chicken we have had. Chicken had crispy skin and was moist and delicious on the inside. The herbs, spices, and seasoning was perfect: earthy, but not overpowering with the perfect amount of salt. The sides were generous and the plantains were amazing! Perfectly caramelized and sweet as candy. Yucca fries were crispy and creamy on the inside. The woman who waited on me was very nice and she worked through our language barrier patiently. (Duo Lingo Spanish here.) The prices were reasonable and they had a huge selection of Latin American food. I did takeout, but they have a nice restaurant and bar with plentiful seating and a variety of cocktails. Latin music playing and a soccer match on the TV was a wonderful welcoming vibe. Can't wait to come back next time we're visiting and trying it out for dinner."

Pollo & Steak Grill

★★★★☆ 3.5 (22) • $

"I love this place. The food is so good. I usually get the fajitas and rice. Most of the workers only speak Spanish but they understand English. A lot of food for a fair price."

Corinto Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.5 (38) • $$

"I kind of believe my Uncle is thee Don of finding local hole in the wall spots with dope food.So keep that in mind before you go full bourgeois all up in through here. This place is nothing to write home about, as far as the exterior, or even the interior. BUT, the food is good, plentiful and flippin cheap. So save your complaints. Seriously.Located on Marlboro Pike, the closest cross street is Forestville Road. Not easy to spot from the road, no, there isn't large signage that will help you find it. It is is a small suspect like strip mall like area. The name, Corinto is on the outside of what looks like a door covered in pictures. Once inside, tables, chairs, and a large flat screen. Also, there is a small high top area (no bar). That's it. I opened the menu and became excited, why because I saw a picture of pan, I saw a picture of sopa, and I saw pictures of what reminded me of tortas. This makes me happy because in my younger days I lived in MX. So anything that reminds me of this makes my soul smile. Anywho, the menu is plentiful from breffis entries, to soups, apps, tacos, and the like. Choices people, you got 'em!On this date Unc and I share the sopa de res, beef/chicken tacos, and the pan con pollo salvadoreno. As most Latin themed locales, fresh chips and salsa was on the table in moments. The chips were fried hard, and greasy just the way I like them. Salsa was a little less than chunky. Had a good flavor, but the tomatoes and chunkiness is a must. The sopa de res was delicious! The broth itself was full of flavor, and the soup, wowza! Talk about lots of veggies, from corn (on the cob), to zucchini, carrots and everything in between. Also, there were CHUNKS of beef that you could break with your spoon. The sammie had a delightful flavor, as the chicken was marinated right, it also had chunks of veggies too. The tacos, were just that, but it had lots of fresh toppings. The food was amazing, the servings were plentiful, and the prices was on point. If I'm in the area, I'm going back!"

Ana's Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.1 (36) • $$

"It's 9:45am on a Tuesday in parkview and I'm prowling for caffeine and a little bite before meeting up with a colleague to work. I stop by colony club for a coffee but forgo any breakfast foods because I need to stop spending 10-15 dollars for a sandwich. Heading back to my car, I see Ana's with its doors open and a spot a picture of pupusas. Masa, cheese, and meat - that's an ideal breakfast food isn't it? So I head in ordering 2 pupusas to go. The lone woman in the restaurant, presumably Ana, heads back into the kitchen to prepare my order and I hear her patting the masa, forming my pupusas by hand. Where else in dc can you get handmade, cooked to order food in dc for 2 dollars a piece? I whole heartedly expected premade pupusas to be reheated on the stove especially this early in the morning but instead she's making big gooey fresh pupusas for me. She carefully packs it up in a foam clamshell and when I thought it couldn't get better of course I get a nice big bag of curtido, napkins, and a fork picked up in my bag. I've never been to El Salvador before but if you've never been to a Latin American country and ordered from a one (wo)man street stall and they hand you your little baggie of food, you know it's going to be good. And boy is it. Piping hot. Melty, cheesy. Too cheesy even (If there's such a thing). The masa is cooked perfectly so that it's crisp and maillard-y on the outside but perfectly tender. Not too salty. All this for less than five dollars. Some people bag on dc for not having a food scene as great as [insert some other overpriced city here], but they obviously don't know about the joys of a fresh pupusa. Leonardo DiCaprio knows, why don't you?"

Asados Grill

★★★★☆ 4.1 (112) • $$

"After running around at Family Place to Play, we were searching for a restaurant that would accommodate our entire clan of 3 families with a total of 13 people (6 adults and 7 kids) on a Friday night in Waldorf. You're probably like Good Luck! Asados Grill (AG) came up in the search results on Yelp and my brother-in-law suggested we go to AG because he had been there before and liked it. He also felt that it was probably the best type of restaurant for our party. It turned out to be one of the best meals I had in Southern Maryland during my visit! - Parking - Private lot. - Vibe -At AG, you order at the counter, pay, sit down and bus your own table. It's bright with a simple decor and clean. It's very casual which was the perfect dining spot for our little circus! - TLC -The gentleman who was taking our order was such a nice man who took the time to answer all my questions and make recommendations when needed. He was very helpful and patient at every turn, when I went up to the counter multiple times to get random things. You can imagine how needy a party of 13 can be. The ladies who worked there were also very sweet. - Eats/Refreshments -Maranoñes (Cashew fruit) juice - This is juice from the fruit of a cashew tree. It is cloudy and light yellow in color. It was very different and I don't really know how to describe it or what to compare it to, but I loved it! Look up the fruit. It almost looks like a persimmon. Pupusa (pork and cheese) - My husband and I were curious about the pupusa and we went with the pork and cheese upon the man's recommendation. It's like a quesadilla made out of corn tortillas, stuffed with shredded pork and cheese, but there are no open edges. The seams are closed shut. It's almost like they stuffed it in a corn dough and then flattened it like a pancake. It is served with their version of a coleslaw and a salsa-like sauce. It was delicious. It would make a great kids meal too and super inexpensive. Pescado Frito (Whole Fried Tilapia) - I love tilapia, well, fish in general, but I was torn between the tilapia and the Lomo Saltado. When I told the man my dilemma, he said he had some nice and big tilapias that day and I was like SOLD! Warning: the fish is served whole, head and all. It was seasoned with their magical seasoning and they placed a few pieces of vegetables inside the fish and then it is deep fried. The skin was nice and crispy and the meat was cooked perfectly! It is served with rice, beans, salad (iceburg lettuce, tomatoes, green peppers, red onions, avocado), choice of flour or corn tortillas and a grilled jalapeño (holy, it was spicy) which had a real nice char on it! It was so much food and at such a great price! Burrito (beef and chicken) - My husband ordered this and said it was good. I was too busy with my own plate that I forgot to taste his. It was a generous portion and he had enough for the next day.- Kiddos -They have a kids menu with the standard stuff, but most of the items are battered and deep fried. Both my kids chose the Chicken nuggets and one had a side of rice while the other had their fries which were big, chunky potato pieces rather than the regular fry cut. No complaints from the kiddos. They offer quite a variety of menu items and there seems to be something for everyone. Our group ordered a variety of things like tacos, asada salad, Burrito and we all left with a full belly without the pressure of fine dining with little kids!"

La Casita Pupuseria at La Cosecha

★★★★☆ 4.4 (50)

"This is an excellent spot for pupusas!After an underwhelming lunch at Union Market, I decided to walk over and try something at La Cosecha. I noticed the pupusas being offered and couldn't resist. Wow, they were great! I had a Pupusa de Queso and Mixta and they were both excellent. The queso was filled with the perfect amount of cheese for very good richness and was melty goodness inside. The second pupusa was a mix of meat, beans and cheese, creating a perfect balance of savory flavors and differing textures. They arrived very hot, which confirmed their freshness. The price point is also very good since 2 - 3 will fill you up and isn't super expensive.Definitely visit this place for incredible food!"

El Paraiso Tex Mex Restaurant

★★★☆☆ 2.9 (30) • $$

"Working in the area today and needed a quick meal. Read yelp reviews and decided to give this place a try. Glad I did. I was able to eat a good meal in about 25 minutes total.Salsa and chips were yummy. Salsa was fresh and chunky with tomatoes and cilantro. I ordered the enchilada pollo. Lunch arrived before I finished my chips. Chicken and peppers were nicely seasoned inside enchilada. Guacamole was also fresh and tasty. The music was loud, too much since there were only a few people in the restaurant. U"

La Brasita

★★★★★ 4.6 (128)

"So the chimichanga was tasty, a little too salty for me, and I also would've liked the chimichanga to be more crispier. The cheese and rice inside, really good. Food arrived pretty quickly, so service was nice. I haven't been to this restaurant but I've seen the outside of it in passing, it's a nice well kept building. I definitely would try this place again."

El Sabor Latino

★★★★★ 4.8 (30)

"I work near this restaurant and was always cautious to try it: it's not very easy on the eyes. After hearing my coworkers rave about the food, I gave in.The chicken burrito was huge, fresh, and delicious. Lots of staff in the kitchen so everything is fast.I highly recommend this for lunch. It is always crowded."

ABI Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.6 (97) • $

"I'm surprised with the ratings. I was in the area for a business trip and two colleagues and I wanted to try something a little different. We took an Uber to this strip mall, actually planning to eat at a different restaurant and found them to be closed. The looked at one other restaurant and it was also closed. This was our last option without having to grab another Uber. We all decided we were game and hoped for the best. I saw the Yelp reviews and lowered my expectations.When I saw they had yuca con chicharron . . . I was excited. I love that dish and it's hard to find. The price tag (for a place in that area) was only around $10 so I was expecting a small portion. To be safe, I opted for a second a al carte item and ordered a sweet corn tamale for under $3.One colleague ordered the taco salad (aka tostada ABI) and one ordered a shrimp entree.The taco salad looked great. The shrimp entree looked great. They both said the food was very good.My food was freaking fantastic. The portion of yuca con chicharron was large. It came with the standard pickled cabbage and a small portion this extra fantastic green sauce (tasted like a toasty jalapeno crema). The yuca was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The pork was also crispy but tender under the crusty outside. So good. The tamale was HUGE. The size of a burrito. Sweet and very much like a moist cornbread with corn kernels. Served with a dairy based dip/sauce that seemed to be sour cream with creamed cheese or something like that. I took the leftovers to my hotel room.From that one meal (about $20) I had dinner, a late night snack, and breakfast the next morning.I would seriously love to go there again. Great prices. Decent ambiance. Great food. Large portions."

Viva Tequila II

★★★☆☆ 2.9 (27) • $

"My friend recommended this place for the Tacos Al Pastor. This is not a place you take your date to impress her. It's one of those divey hole in the walls that you take your buddy from out of town to impress him with your local knowledge. Went here on a Friday at 11:45 and the place was empty (actually one person was at the bar). It took several minutes for anyone to realize that us patrons were there. No big deal as we were here for the Tacos Al Pastor. This place is so authentic that I was scared to drink the water :D.The three tacos have tomato, cilantro, a slice of avocado and have a green sauce on the side (got mine without onions/ceballos). I think the green sauce is avocado/cilantro based but is mild. The Al Pastor ($8.95) was crispy and delicious like I've had in SoCal and Isla Mujeres. Free chips and salsa also.I'm really grading this place for the tacos in the dive/hole in the wall category and not the total dining experience because you want the authenticity in a place like this. There is another Viva Tequila, maybe "I" instead of "II", in Franconia VA and it might be related to this one....that will be next on my list as it would save me the trek to Seven Corners."

Restaurant Judy

★★★★☆ 4.3 (294) • $$

"Food: Queso- this was meh but it's not bad! Combination plate- the tamale was amazing! Great texture and great flavor. Pupusas: tried the bean and the revuelta. I preferred the revueltas for sure! Also was a great price for the amount of food (3 for 12 and I had leftovers)Service: super friendly and quick! Ambiance: very chill, great for a quick bite"

Wendy’s Pupuseria

★★★★☆ 3.6 (27)

"No reason to go anywhere else in Maryland for pupusa's!!!Still clean with wide variety of choices. Bathrooms. And right off the highway."

Veronica's Bakery & Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.6 (20) • $$

"I truly wanted to like this place, but after ordering delivery (through Postmates) a few times the final consensus is...mediocre, and that's being nice.The chicken tamales looked good, but tasted old. There were chunks of potato inside that tasted like had been sitting out for days before being used in the tamales. The papusas were actually tasty (pork and cheese, cheese and lorroco), but the curtido on the side left something to be desired. It was a little too heavy on the vinegar and not heavy enough on spices and flavor. The tacos weren't bad, but they weren't good either. The Salvadoran food definitely takes precedence over the Mexican food at this location. Maybe the experience would be different if we dined inside the restaurant, so I'll give it another shot if we happen to be close."

Wendy's Pupuseria

★★★☆☆ 3.2 (5) • $$

"Wendy's Pupuseria is really good. I was in the mood for Salvadoran food after the conclusion of the University of Maryland football game. I discovered this place on Yelp and decided to place an order. The parking lot has many spots for patrons. As you walk in the restaurant, you are met with amazing food aromas. The pupusas here are phenomenal. I would recommend getting or lunch or dinner at Wendy's Pupuseria."

El Dorado

★★★☆☆ 2.7 (12) • $$

"Less than 8 days ago, I decided to pay another visit to the El Dorado restaurant in Hyattsville Maryland to pick up some steak for my husband and I when I was visiting with him. We both again liked the steak and I also enjoy the pico de gallo and lime that come with the steak orders. The employees handling my order were polite and processed my order in a reasonable timeframe."

El Rinconcito Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.1 (617) • $

"This is THE pupusa spot! I have been coming for 7+ years and the quality and service have remained consist. It's my favorite pupuseria in the area, that's saying something.Most recently, I got 2 pupusas with rice and beans, and a side of plantains and sour cream. The pupusas are delicious, filled with cheesy bean-y goodness, and delicious slaw. It was so tasty and filling. The plantains were also delicious, I like that they are little thinner so the texture doesn't get too soft and mushy. This is a small restaurant but let's be honest, you're here for the decor, you're here for good food and service. The servers are so nice. If you're not into pupusas, the tamales and burritos are also good!"

24 Express Food Store

★★★★☆ 4.4 (31) • $

"Food -- Chicken is fried pretty well and is one of the best choices in the area if you want some fried chicken. The potato wedges are delicious. Price -- Overpriced for an 8 piece and some wedges ($17.99)Area -- Small parking lotCustomer Service -- Friendly and very quick transaction."

Los Nietos

★★★★☆ 4.4 (10)

"Excellent pupusas and curtido (sp.?) alike.Service was a little slow, granted, but I'll overlook that given how terrific my damn pupusas were."

Abi Azteca Grill & Bar

★★★★☆ 3.6 (183) • $$

"Me and my best friend come here all the time. Service is always welcoming, Margaritas HUGE! And the seafood soup was top tier. They also have Crabmeat papusas that I want to try. The inside is very cute even a jukebox to play music if you choose."

Sofia's Pupuseria

★★★★☆ 4.2 (150) • $

"A great family owned restaurant. The food was really delicious, with the steak being very flavorfully marinated. Their pico de gallo was excellent as well. The chicken tamale was not what I was expecting, but very good nonetheless. We'll definitely be back for the pupusitas which we didn't get this time around. The service was quick and friendly and they brought it to us at our table. The restaurant itself is fairly large with about seating for 20-ish. We arrived early Saturday morning and it filled up quickly. Definitely a must try for folks in the D.C. area."