El Curtido

I drove by here and was so excited to see a pupusa shop! The store is small, only about 50 seats…read more It was very busy when I went there for a weekend night to get take out. I should have ordered ahead as it appeared many people did. None the less I am very happy with the wait! The service was great and they were very helpful with recommendations. I feel like pupusas are meant to be kept simple and they mean a lot to me. They are made to order and you can tell by the quality. The Revuelta has a lot of delicious fat and salt from the pork. It's a grounded pork. It combines really well with the beans and cheese. It has a very unique flavor profile. I can see why it's so popular. The Frijol and Queso was my absolute favorite. SO creamy!! I love the thickness of the maiz. And it wasn't too oily! My favorite part was the cabbage salad. It is slightly fermented. It kind of resembles a very very mild kimchi or sauerkraut. Super flavorful and bright. I thought the bag of red sauce would be spicy but it's actually quite sweet. It pairs perfectly with the pupusas. It is tomato based. I always feel very healthy after eating El Salvadoran food. I especially felt great after eating here. The quality and balance is all there.

This is the place if you are patient and have extra time. They take a LONG time as most items are…read moremade to order, especially the pupusas. I don't like that none of their prices are listed, probably because it is a bit overpriced. The pupusas were pretty good and I appreciate that they have a spicy sauce option, since most places only offer the traditional tomato sauce.

Back seats

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Outside looking towards Newport Blvd. Small spot

El Chinaco

3.7(392 reviews)

1.2 mi

My grandma used to say a proper pupusa has as much filling as possible and as minimum dough to hold…read moreit together. These are just like grandma and mom used to make, authentic.

Gracious service and yummy food…read more We were very pleased with the tasty queso birria tacos, mojarra frita, revuelta pupusas, agua de piña (pineapple) & pepino limón (cucumber & lime juice). Everything was cooked perfectly and delicious. Their salsa was just the right amount heat with flavor. We enjoyed the music that enhanced the authentic food. We'll be back to try other items like campechana (shrimp cocktail), plátanos fritos (fried banana) & menudo.

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San Sivar

4.5(92 reviews)

3.9 mi

I did a pick up order of a few pupusas and a drink, and it was wonderful…read more Friendly people, food ready on time, the food was hot, the drink was cold, it was perfect. Good portion size and very tasty and fresh.

Love this place. I'm forgot how good this restaurant is…read more Pupusas were awesome. Nice and juicy with a ton of cheese or other filling. Cir todo (cabbage salad) for the pupusas is good with just the right amount of oregano. Hot sauce is awesome... it might only be puréed guajillo pepper.... But whatever it is, it is perfect with the pupusas. Fried plantains and refried red/sulk beans and crema are delicious too. Lots of people get the Gallo Criollo soup. The chicken is freshly fire grilled and served on the side with the other ingredients for the soup. Plenty of parking at the HB location. There are prices on the to-go menu.

Dining area

Breakfast 1. Chorizo con huevos

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El Pulgarcito

4.5(471 reviews)

9.3 mi

I came here an a whim because I was craving pupusas. Service…read morewas fast and friendly and the restaurant was a decent size. Very clean restaurant. Pupusas were fantastic and came out piping hot! They are all made to order so be patient. It took about 15-20 minutes to come out. Yes, it takes a while, but totally worth the wait. I highly recommend giving this place a try!

Literally the best place in the OC to get pupusas…read more It's a little hole in the wall place but legitimately some of the most delicious food. It does take a while for the food to be made so you just got to be patient. Well worth it though!

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Restaurant Entrance

Lupita's Restaurant

3.5(79 reviews)

0.6 mi

The food was amazing. Authentic Salvadorian food. The location is really nice and the servers…read morewhere great. The Orchata was so authentic. Those Planatos empanisados where authentic and the pupusas de chicharron where so delicious. Definitely coming back here and letting my friends know I found my new spot to eat.

Excellent food and very family friendly place. It has plenty of space to feel free to relax or make…read morea huge party. All tables are movable to create any accommodations. The staff is very attentive and always makes us feel welcome and cared for. Do not be shy. There is also karaoke at any request which makes the family open up to get to know and be known. We always have such a fun time. A Must Try.

Platanos empanzado, pastelitos de pollo

Pupusas de chicharron con queso and rebueltas

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Fajitas

El Salvador Cafe

4.0(42 reviews)

6.1 mi

Amazing Salvadoran Experience in Santa Ana!…read more I had one of the best meals I've had in Orange County at this Salvadorian spot! From the moment I walked in, the aroma of authentic pupusas and traditional dishes made my mouth water. Every bite was bursting with flavor -- the pupusas were perfectly handmade, fresh, and cheesy, and the tamales were rich and satisfying. The portions were generous, and the prices were more than fair for the quality of food you get. The staff were welcoming, attentive, and truly passionate about the food they serve. It's clear they care about giving customers a real taste of Salvadoran cuisine -- I'll definitely be coming back soon and bringing friends to share this hidden gem. Highly recommend if you love authentic Latin flavors and great service!

The food here is good been here twice but today the place was already packed to begin with, and…read morethey keep taking orders to go for so many which made the food take longer to the people already waiting inside to eat they took forever to bring my eggs which I had asked before if was going to take long and then said no so I said okay I waited 30 mins and still they brought no eggs so I got up to ask if they were going to take longer to cancel my order which she immediately cancel I'm assuming she forgot about it. Which would've been fine but I think if there under staff they should've be taking so many orders they can't handle some guy was told 1 hour for just a bread with beans and to top it off the wait was ridiculous and they have no public restroom for the costumers and the people working there this lady with blonde hair just seems so annoyed to be working there.

Frozen goods

Pupusas

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Inside

San Salvador Restaurant

3.7(218 reviews)

4.6 mi

Jukebox con mucha selección. Las pupusas son una delicia. Tienen salsa casera y otra más picosita.read more

First time here and ordered two pupusas. One corn and one rice. I enjoyed the corn pupusa. The…read moreratio of filling to masa was right. The pupusa de arroz was okay. The edges were dry. I appreciate that the restaurant offers the original pupusa salsa without spiciness and one with spice. As a Salvadoran, that is the first thing I look for when reviewing a Salvadoran Restaurant. The curtido was delicious. I would come back and try other dishes.

Queso Pupusa 5/5

Lunch menu

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Tamales de pollo

El Habanero

4.1(574 reviews)

7.0 mi

Found this place a little while back and honestly so glad that I did…read more Food is fresh. Quite an eclectic menu with items I don't typically see at other places. They have the huitalacoche (corn fungus) quesadilla that I really enjoy as well as their pupusa loroco y queso. Trying out their Lengua taco and taco jaracho which I have been eyeing for a while. All their food is tasty, made fresh. All bursting with flavor. Salsa bar is probably one of my favorites having literally a salsa made for every kind of taste bud. Don't let the small restaurant deceive you. Small restaraunt but with bit flavors. The tortilla made with the quesadilla is nice and soft but with a good chew to it. Tastes like a homemade corn tortilla versus flour. The cheese is rich and has a wonderful pull to it. The lengua is extremely tender, little skimpy on meat portion, but overall good taco. The jarocho taco which is basically a shrimp taco on a cheese crusted tortilla is excellent. Service is what you would expect at a ma and pop shop. The cashier was patient enough to explain to me what a jarocho taco was and also spoke English which was nice for me. Last time I dined I just used butchered Spanish and got by with that but thats on me with practicing more Spanish.

(I came been coming here on consistent basis for the last 6 months and I feel its finally time for…read morea review, I guess i cant keep this to myself any longer, Last revisit on February 03 2026) Some places don't announce themselves... they whisper to the people who are meant to find them. El Habanero is that kind of spot the ultimate hidden gem. You walk in expecting a quick bite and somehow leave feeling like you discovered a secret the city has been quietly protecting. I ordered the carne asada torta and immediately realized this wasn't just a sandwich this was architecture. The bread? Perfectly toasted, soft inside with just enough crisp to hold the universe together. It cradles everything like it knows how important its job is. Then the carne asada shows up tender, juicy, smoky, and seasoned like someone's abuela personally supervised the grill. Every bite releases layers: char, citrus, salt, and warmth all hitting at once. The toppings don't just sit there either they collaborate. Creamy, fresh, bright, and balanced so the meat stays the star while everything else plays the perfect supporting role. The sauces? I'm convinced they bend time, because the torta disappears way faster than logic allows. This isn't just food it's the kind of meal that makes you pause mid-bite and look around to see if anyone else realizes what just happened. El Habanero didn't just make a torta... they made a reason to come back.

Salsa bar

Carne asada fries

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Drinks

Rio Restaurant Pupuseria Salvadoreña

4.0(364 reviews)

10.6 mi

Best place to eat salvadoreña food every thing was amazing delicious food I definitely recommend…read morethis place's and be back soon

I went to this place to try Chilate with Nuegados but the plátanos is con miel had a really bad…read moretaste so I call the waitress and ask him if they can give more nuegados and take away the plantain that taste really bad like spoil old food ! So the guy told me they were cook in the morning and I was there like 7:30 p.m so I told them that please give me another order or nuegados cause those taste fresh and he told me that the plantain where in the order so I have to pay them . I ask the guy where is a manager or owner and he act like didn't heard me . I told him I will pay them but I don't want them , then the guys was happy about it ? But this is sad to pay for a food that it tastes like old bananas or plantain. it was a really sad experience . They don't want to be responsible for a bad food they sale ? Is our money , our hard work , and if we desire to try something that you don't cook at home , it should be worth your money right ? I feel very disappointed and sad . I think I will never go back to that place ! My apologies to the owners of this place but the guys that works there don't care about making people feel happy about your food . They don't care about clients , they just want to make their hours and leave . I hope they make it better one day . We are Salvadorian and we should be more kind to people . We are human beings you know ! So sorry for saying all this but it has to be said . Thank you

Inside

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Birrieria & Pupuseria Jalisco

4.3(169 reviews)

7.1 mi

A coworker brought these one day to a potluck and I've been back three times since. The pupusas are…read morethe best I've ever tried. I ordered ahead for pick up and it was ready quickly. I have not tried anything else because once I really like something at one spot it's hard not to continue reordering the same thing!

Delish! Have been coming here since I was 15 and they're v consistent and the pupusas are not so…read moregreasy :)