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    El Guanaco

    4.7 (42 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 9:00 pm

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    Thick not salty tortilla chips and two sauces. The red one was full of cilantro, yuck, lol.
    Leslie S.

    While this place was not perfect, I would definitely come back for more good food. I was brought out a basket of thick and delightfully not over-salted tortilla chips and two sauces, with my mango drink (delicious!). The red sauce was full of cilantro (gag me), although I would've guessed that for the green sauce. Green sauce was totally amazing and they were both equally spicy. My two pupusas were very good. I got chicharron (pork) and cheese and one with cheese and loroco. Well, that's what I ordered, anyway. What I ended up was chicharron and cheese and one with chicharron, beans and cheese. But that was OK. They were both good with plenty of filling and crispy on the edges. The place is bigger than I thought it would be, had about five or six booths and about 10 to 12 tables of various sizes. Nothing fancy inside, but It is clean and bright, and it smelled heavenly when I walked in. Good: Delicious food smells when you walk in. Fun music playing, but not too loud. The pupusas were big with plenty of filling and cheese. Mango drink was great. Oh, and those two things plus the basket of chips was only $10.26. Deal!! Bad, or at least not great: Seemed to take a long time to get my food. There were two or three other tables full of old lunch dishes that hadn't been cleared. I didn't particularly care, but someone else might find that offensive. Also, they got my order wrong, but maybe I didn't speak clearly or loud enough - I wasn't too upset, I just wanted to check the place out. All in all, I would definitely go back and try some of their other goodies including trying to order, again, a cheese and loroco pupusa.

    Chips and salsa
    John R.

    My second trip here was every bit as phenomenal as the first. In addition to getting the incredible pupusas again, I tried the Pescado Frito Con Tajadas. The Pescado Frito Con Tajadas is a unique dish, somewhere between a Honduras take on poutine and a plate of nachos. The picked onions hide a spicy kick, and the fresh vegetable slaw pairs well with the savory green bananas and tangy sauces. Service was attentive, and the waitress flexibly helped me with an impromptu To Go pupusa order for tomorrow's lunch. The outside is spartan, and parking can be a challenge, but inside, it is clean and inviting. This place is so authentic I started getting ads in Spanish after eating here

    Kids mini quesadillas y papas Fritas
    nakisha a.

    I was in town and I was literally wondering if there was anywhere that made pupusas in St. Louis. I found three places but I read the reviews and decided to come here. I brought my niece with me and she's 4 and she's picky but I knew she would be into trying wherever I take her to especially when it comes to fruit juices. As we walked inside my niece was greeted and we were able to sit wherever. Yes English is limited but the menu is self explanatory and everyone is soooo friendly there omg. First word my niece asked about was juice. I saw guanábana so I explained to my niece and just got mango for her as she loves it and I got soursop. Turns out she loved it more than mango( who knew). I ordered the pupusas and Whoah they were huge. I was use to smaller ones so I ordered more than I could eat. I also ordered chicken with rice, salad and corn tortillas for my mom to go and they waited for us to finish and brought it out. I ordered mini quesadillas for my niece with fries. To let you know how good the food was. My niece ate earlier and I was just going to get her something for dessert later and she'll accompany me for fruit juice. She loved the food. She took one bite and gave the thumbs up as she did with both juices. She said it is amazing and so yummy. The fries were made perfect for her and I even ate some. They had the perfect crunch to them, not over fried. The pupusas were soooooo good. Not over soft. I was so full from two I had to get a To go box. Now as I put my niece food in a to go box. She started to pull the quesadilla out and nibble on it. I forgot to mention for it to be mini. It was an adult quesadilla which I can only imagine the adult one. For her to actually like her food is big because she is so very picky. The chicken my mom had she loved it and that was her first time trying Honduran/ Salvadorian food and she loved the pupusas. The food was seasoned and I knew she would like what I picked out. Actually Stephanie picked it out. It was a very laid back environment, very chill with music playing and some were smiling at my niece dancing to the music. She loved it there. I was so happy. I saw they had michelada's and I wanted to try one so bad as I knew they were good because I saw a majority of the customers there with them and beer. I will definitely be back so I can try. I am very picky with michelada so seeing that gave me the understanding that they are made good. Checking out that's when we were greeted again and found the sweetest young lady name Stephanie. She was there working with her sisters and so sweet. Tried to speak Spanish with my niece with help as it's limited for me. But my niece in the car kept telling me she was so happy to visit that restaurant and she went on about how good the food was and Stephanie ( sorry if I spelled wrong) was so pretty and nice. ( At 11pm she asked to nibble on her food, I'm the Aunt so I didn't say no) I think that is more important when customer service is top tier and food is good. There were customers coming in so you know it's not to disappoint. I will definitely be back.

    Pupusas
    Beck E.

    Great place to grab a delicious lunch for cheap, if you don't mind the wait when it gets busy. Parking is in the back and on the side of the restaurant, although it can get crowded. I've been here twice already - once with a Spanish-speaking friend and once without. Things went a little more smoothly with someone who knew Spanish, but I had no issues going here with only English-speakers. The pupusas are awesome, of course, but I also really enjoyed the sopes. Everyone is who works here has been very friendly.

    the front of a restaurant
    Michael S.

    This small spot is where the terrific little Asian/Mexican Wok o Taco restaurant once resided. (El Guanaco hasn't even changed the decor or walls.) However, Salvadoran and Honduran dishes with some Mexican items now make up the menu. Pupusas, empanadas, rice and bean, and chicken figure prominently now. Tacos and quesadillas represent Mexican fare. My pupusas were terrific. One of cheese only was loaded with creamy, stringy queso. The other of cheese and beans included fresh refried beans. Also included was a small pouch of tangy curtido--a fermented slaw. Two pupusas--a puffy tortilla "pancake" usually stuffed with cheese, beans, meats--were filling for a light snack. All in all the meal reminded me of what I'd had in El Salvador. St. Louis County COVID-19 rules prevent indoor dining. Call in then pick up your order. Be patient on the phone: English--if it's known--is a second language here.

    Taco Al pastor con agua fresca
    Cindy B.

    100% recomendado! Food was delicious and authentic. I had a pineapple water and it was very refreshing. Service was great, the two girls were very nice! It's a little dark and not fancy, but that doesn't stop me from coming back. I think they should put a big sign on where to open door because it's a little confusing.

    Pupusas
    Kaylan H.

    Hondureña, salvadoreña, and mexicana food-what a dream come true. Their pupusas are 10/10-I usually just get the cheese. Their horchata is yummy-I get multiple while there The service is very good but it is definitely helpful if you know a little Spanish! It's a small restaurant but very clean.

    Pupusa- Loroco and cheese with salsa and curtido (Salvadorean sauerkraut)
    Erika K.

    BEST pupusas we've had since the trip we made to El Salvador! We placed and order to go and they told us ahead of time it would be about 40 min. WORTH THE WAIT!! SOOOOOOOO delicious!! Literally our new favorite restaurant!! The whole process was smooth and the staff was friendly and attentive!

    Sope with carne asada
    Brent C.

    The food was amazing and the prices were even better!! I will definitely be back soon!

    Pupusas mixtas !

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    4 months ago

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    28 days ago

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    4 days ago

    Delicious, awesome and friendly, will return, very authentic, offered chips while wait for to go order

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    2 years ago

    Good selection of Latin and Mexican food. My meal was very good. I had the Bistec Encebollado.

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Really good spot, food taste pretty authentic, they have parking and just enjoy some Salvadoran food.

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    It's the real taste of salvadorean pupusas and the service by the girls in charge is a plus

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    2 years ago

    Stopped in today for the first time to have some pupusas and they were fantastic. I will definitely be returning in the future.

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    The food is tasty the pupusas are very good I wished they served empanadas. Their aguas are great!

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    2 years ago

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    4 years ago

    If you want some authentic central American and South American food I highly recommend you come here. The food quality was five-star!

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    4 years ago

    I really love this place it's not often you find a place in St. Louis that features central American cuisine

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