I'm in agreement with many of the reviews here -- the service really needs improvement. This restaurant would benefit from proper customer service training. The food, however, is good. The pupusas de maíz are worth ordering, but I'd skip the pupusas de arroz. The ambiance is nice and the space is large, though it's usually busy. The bathrooms could definitely use more frequent cleaning and better upkeep. read more

Pésimo servicio al Cliente últimamente Ordené algo llegué a recogerlo y nunca me atendieron cuando busqué la orden un tipo que es mesero me dijo que no lo tocara y le respondí es la comida que ordene necesito pagarlo y pues se quedaron con la orden al final ellos pierden al cliente. read more

always get Pollo Encebollado or Pupusas, I don't understand the negative reviews because food for me is always 10/10, yes sometimes when you go in service might be slow or rushed but they're always busy so that's understandable. Also I finally tried their alcoholic beverages and I got the adios MF and 10000/10. I'm Salvadorian and this is the only place I get my pupusas in Richmond. read more

El Cuscatlan - Pollo Encebollado Adios MF - Salvadoran Near Me - San Pablo, California

The ceviche was not that good, some of the seafood was still frozen. The restaurant itself is clean and they play good music. Service was excellent. The pupusas were okay. The best thing we had were the mango habanero wings and the mangoneada. The michelada was watery. read more

I give this place a solid 3 out of 5 solely because of the customer service. I feel like the staff was not very friendly. I placed a to go order twice. Both times I have ordered pupusas and a side of rice, the first time that I ordered this. It was great but like I said customer service was lacking. The second time that I went. I didn't look in the bag before leaving. But the size of the container of the rice was comical. The last time that I ordered the side of rice, it was in a container, much bigger than this. The rice was also hard in the middle. What a joke. I wouldn't order here again despite the pupusas being delicious, the customer service/ atmosphere is not welcoming and the sides are expensive considering the size you get. read more

El Cuscatlan - Rice - Salvadoran Near Me - San Pablo, California

I had a really good experience at cuscatlan, Armando was my server he was so great he check on us really consistently, the food was excellent. Thank you so much Armando for your excellent customer service! It was a great experience. read more

Great food, large portions and good choices. Definitely worth the price. I look forward to going again to try some other dishes. The shrimp trio and shrimp soup with vegetables was delicious. The whole fish was also delicious. You won't be disappointed. read more

Excellent food, excellent service. Went with a party of 11 and everyone loved it. It included pupusas, carne asada, sopa de frijoles, filete de pescado, and everyone was impressed. Music at a reasonable volume was playing and really added to the ambiance. Can't wait to come and thank you for a good experience! read more

Customer service is very terrible. We go because family wants to go and haven't been there yet. But for all 4 times terrible waiter and manager. Once, they only came to ask for drinks never came to take our food order. The other 3 times, group or 6-12 people, I had to ask for them to bring us boxed, bags for our food to go, and ask for our bill. Never checked in to see how things were doing. I mean if I have to ask to get my bill, so I can go home, that is not right. We spoke to manager all 3 times and let him know that we are not agreeing to pay the tip even if we were 6+ people. I don't mind paying the tip, the tip is for the good service. But if the waiter and manager are not going to acknowledge that we had to do their job, I don't find it right to pay tip for a service I had to end up doing. The tip is for the service that was given. The manager talked back to us very rudely when we tried to talk to him about the service. Sorry, but as a person who has worked in the food industry, you don't talk back to your client/customer rudely. This goes for any type of work industry period! The people here seam to not care about the service given to their customers. I hope the owner sees this message, because I hear a lot from others that a lot of bills don't get paid because they get tired of waiting for the waiter to come back and give them their bill. Owner you might be losing hella money all because of these workers! read more

Wow, why didn't I try this place sooner???!!! I've seen it each time I go to the Asian grocery in the same complex, but I didn't try it until just recently. The restaurant is big with larger dining area in the back. I think you can have a more private function in the back! The food menu is large! Lots of el savadorian plates offerings and the portions were huge!!! My husband and I each got a plate (steak Ranchero and another steak plate). The portion was very generous and the homemade tortilla is the thicker pupusa like, freshly made to order and came out piping hot! The frijoles/refried beans were the BEST I've had! The flavors were amazing! My picky toddler devoured the food!!! She kept asking for more bites, especially the frijoles! We also ordered 2 pupusas, the pork and cheese and the chicken and cheese. They were very good too! We will certainly come back again in the future! read more

El Cuscatlan - Bistec salvadorean - Salvadoran Near Me - San Pablo, California

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Great food. The service is friendly. The restaurant gives a flare of the culture. It's always a full house. Very authentic food with all the flavors. read more

Arrived around 7:15 pm and had to wait to be seated (7 mins) for a party of 3. It was packed, though our order was taken fairly timely it took a long while for the entrées to be served. The food is delish - my order was the chicharron/yucca and shrimp cocktail with special sauce. Their shrimp soup is also a winner here. read more

I have come here many times w/ family but I came today w/ friends and was so disappointed in the lack of service and quality of food. I don't want to make this a race issue but I find it extremely concerning that the one time I come in w/ my friends who are black is the first time I experienced the worst service ever here and anytime we asked for anything it was like it was a problem we made eye contact w/ the servers and still was left ignored my friends food was burnt and dry we asked for mimosas allegedly no cold champagne in stock but than we saw someone else get served it. We asked for shots of repo instead was given blanco when we asked for the right liquor it took over 15 mins to get it along w/ an extra 15 mins just to get our juices refilled we than saw the servers take the shots and bottles of beer to the kitchen which can explain the lack of service cause clearly they are drinking on the job I will never come back here again read more

Al dueño/ encargado de El Cuscatlan, le escribo porque ya van varias veces que recibo mi orden equivocada, a pesar de siempre ser clara al hacerla. Siempre pido pupusas de arroz, específicamente de chicharrón con queso, pero constantemente me entregan pupusas revueltas y de maíz. Esto no solo es frustrante, sino que afecta mi experiencia como cliente. Este día fue especialmente decepcionante. Mi esposo llamó a las 2:00 p.m. para hacer el pedido. Le dijeron que estaría listo en 20 minutos. Fuimos a recogerlo a las 2:40 p.m., pero las pupusas no estaban listas, y cuando finalmente las entregaron, eran revueltas, otra vez incorrectas. Uno hace un pedido esperando recibir lo que pidió y por lo que está pagando. He notado muchas fallas en la atención, ya sea por parte de quien toma las órdenes o del área de cocina. Esta ya es la cuarta vez que me sucede lo mismo, y sinceramente, es muy decepcionante. Yo ordeno con frecuencia, entre una o dos veces al mes, pero un negocio se mantiene gracias a sus clientes. Cuando los errores se repiten una y otra vez, los clientes pierden la confianza y dejan de consumir el producto. Les pido que por favor pongan más atención y tomen este mensaje como una oportunidad para mejorar, ya que aprecio su comida, pero estos descuidos están afectando mi decisión de regresar. read more

El Cuscatlan - Wrong order taken - Salvadoran Near Me - San Pablo, California

Today was my first time going. The food was good. My only reason for giving it 4 stars is because the service is kind of slow. We had to flag someone down to bring us the check. It was busy. read more

Went in for a catering quote. The manager just sat at the bar staring at us--he wasn't on the phone or speaking to anyone--yet never came over. The servers said he was too busy to talk, but they didn't know anything about pricing either. The manager never acknowledged us at all. Won't be back. Lastly, the overall cleanliness of the restaurant was well below acceptable standards. read more

We came here for lunch after seeing the very long line at Sukies. My dad thought it was Mexican food but turns out, it's Salvadoran food. We were quickly seated and attended to. I got the shrimp trio. It had fried shrimp, grilled shrimp and sautéed shrimp with rice and veggies. It was pretty tasty. My daughter had the New York steak and it was delicious! My dad got the fried fish, I can't remember what it was called but it wasn't the tilapia one. Overall good experience, fast service and tasty food. I'd go back again with the intention of getting Salvadoran food rather than Mexican. read more

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RODEO LOCATION: Food is great but the CUSTOMER SERVICE HORRIBLE! Doesn't matter what time or what day you go, this place is more like a TO GO place, mind you pupusas can get expensive you'll spend at least $50 every time, but if YOU'RE NOT IN A RUSH and LOW MAINTENANCE, this place is for 'you'. Last time one of the guys had a mirror in his packet. That's all he cared about . read more

El Cuscatlan - I'm still waiting - Salvadoran Near Me - San Pablo, California

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I have been a long time customer of this place. But tonight will be my last time: really stingy with the encurtido or the marinated cabbage. That's how you loose customers. If you continue with services like this you will be out of business soon. Good luck!! read more

Good food. Mediocre service. They are slow... and the music is so loud that it's difficult to have a conversation with someone right in front of you. Next time I'll do take out because the pupusas are good. read more

Wow! The fried tamal??? Best thing I ever had! The pupusas?? I got four and still didn't want them to end! Thank yall!!

Really good food, I always get the churrasco and never disappoints, my husband loves the sea food soup(without cream). I got the pan con pollo this time and also good but I think they should put more escabeche, other than that super good read more

El Cuscatlan - Salvadoran Near Me - San Pablo, California

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Service way below expectations. The food is an authentic Salvadoran . Place is clean but service is terrible. I have been to this place since day one. After they took over from Noya. But now its not even close to the early days. I hope they improve their service. read more

El Cuscatlan - Dining room - Salvadoran Near Me - San Pablo, California

If you're in the mood for some authentic Salvadorian food, you've got to check out this spot in San Pablo! The prices are really reasonable, and the staff is super friendly. Plus, the food is delicious! Enjoy! read more

The best Salvadorian food and drinks in the Bay! Great service and lots of food options

Soy clienta de este restaurante por muchos años, hace 2 semana ordene pupusas las cual llegaron sin curtido y sin salsa, cuando las servi en el plato no sabia si eran tortillas o pupusas el poco relleno que tenian estaba de un sabor 8 de 10. Bueno hoy quize darles otra oportunidad y de nuevo ordene las pupusas. Enserio nose que pasa fueron las peores pupusas que me he comido de ese restaurante la verdad nose que comi si pupusas o una tortilla con sabor a frijol enlatado y medio le senti el sabor a chicharron el queso ni lo vi. Pienso que tienen nueva cocinera ojala un dia puedan ser las pupusas que vendian antes... por el momento comprar pupusas en este restaurant esta suspendido. read more

The food was great but the service not so much To be fair, they were busy but even admirer it slowed down we had to chase the waitress to get the check and to go boxes And even that took a while.. I will likely come back, as we like their food and great variety but it might be best for takeout or delivery unless iOS not at peak time (they are usually busy) read more

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el ceviche está horrible todo desabrido me pusieron el aguacate todo podrido si usted señor dueño o dueña no sabe hacer un ceviche o sus empleados yo le vendo el que hago yo para que tenga clientela. read more

SO DISAPPOINTED. El chilate no sirve. The chilate is not authentic. The atole ( corn drink ) was too thick and bland. The dulce de platano ( plantain ) was hard and barely tasted like cinnamon. When I mentioned it the waitress she said it's suppose to be hard. ( NO ITS NOT) There were no nuegados de masa or de huevo. The service isn't what it use to be. Waited to order, waited to pay. They fell off. I think I have to stop going there. read more

I absolutely LOVE the food here! It is AUTHENTIC! I'm sure the owners mom was the one who gave her original recipes. I will forever keep coming back to this place, however be warned you do not come here to get great service. The service is awful, you can stand around for 10-15 minutes before being acknowledged this goes for dine in or take out alike! So just come prepared with that in mind. I still would recommend this place, with that forewarning. read more

Great food! This is my go to place when I'm in the Richmond/San Pablo Area. The servers are quick and professional. The prices are fair. Mostly family oriented. Average price $8-30 a plate, pretty reasonable. read more

El Cuscatlan - Pupusa loca de arroz $16.99 - Salvadoran Near Me - San Pablo, California

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I'm always on the hunt of good Salvadoran food and I was pleasantly surprised. Their pupusas were really good. And the restaurant itself was a lot bigger than I expected. read more

El Cuscatlan - salt and pepper shakers - Salvadoran Near Me - San Pablo, California

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Are waiter left to the store to buy,and nobody came to ask if we needed anything.and when he came back ,still never came.we ask other waiter for are check.and with a bad attitude.the worse. I will never comeback read more

The food is great service is good Prices are amazing it's definitely a must try Clean place read more

Food is always delicious. The service can be a little slow but I know the food is well worth the wait. If you don't want to wait DoorDash is always fast and my orders have always been delivered quick read more

We picked this place because it was one of the very few Salvadoran restaurants with a full bar. I read the reviews before hand and the biggest gripe was the slow service but most everyone liked the food. Since we weren't in a hurry, I was fine with planning on "slow service". However, when we got here, we were very pleasantly surprised. Both the service and the food were excellent. I will definitely be returning. This is one of the times where Yelp rating is not an indication of my actual real life experience. I love it when that happens, on the positive spectrum. Cheers to taking a chance. It was worth it. read more

Comida buena , necesitas ir sin tiempo medido, si vas en lonche oh tienes el tiempo medido , no es buena opción, tardan en atenderte y también para cobrarte , ya son más de 3 veces que tengo que ir a pedir mi cuenta y pedir que me atiendan . Comida y bebidas muy buenas. read more

I really want to like this place. There's plenty of parking, long happy hour, full bar. Music in the background makes me want to check out their weekend dancing. Salvadoran food is actually authentic and pretty good. The yuca con chicharron was yummy though I wish it came with more curtido. The platanos were too ripe or not ripe enough. I think it's on the pricier side of Salvadoran food. I wouldn't mind the prices if the service matched it. The service reminds me of a family run restaurant and that's okay but the only thing was that I did not feel like family. I came with a group of coworkers and while I actually experienced okay service (maybe because I am Salvadoran) they did not. It seemed our extended stay was not welcome. It started during happy hour ended after and that's were there was an issue. The waitress charged non happy hour prices and had an attitude when asked if that could be fixed. Money was snatched from hands and I don't think I can return after that kind of rudeness. It's a shame because I'm on the hunt for a home away from home. read more

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Ordered 20 pupusas Soooooo much oil on them We couldn't believe The chicharon slided out when we cut them in half Definitely not going here again The Curtido is also not good Definitely not going here again I'm sorry read more

El Cuscatlan - Salvadoran Near Me - San Pablo, California

Oh so delicious. I had came here a couple years ago when I visited San Francisco area,I was brought as a family event. I had remember how amazing it was.. The parking is easy access no very much complications it's in a plaza. COVID-19 regulations: You do have to wait outside to be seated we were sat right away. You do have to provide proof of COVID vaccination with your ID. Haha I'm from Miami so i was like like surprised of how enforced it is here in California. This trip I surely didn't leave unsatisfied. I had lunch here. Pollo a la plancha the chicken was very juicy & warm cooked well. The entree brought rice and side of salad both very tasteful. I surprisingly finished my whole plate. We also got an order of yuca and chicharrón Cooked to perfection. Very crispy but not over cooked. Amazing would definitely recommend. The atmosphere very Hispanic culture/ Spanish music. Of course it is a Hispanic restaurant. But it's 10/10 in my books especially on vacation eating well is always a must. Omar was my waiter of the day was very kinda and very very on top of his customer service has no issues. Super welcoming. Will I come back definitely. 10/10 support small business. read more

El Cuscatlan - Desayuno Cuscatlan - Salvadoran Near Me - San Pablo, California