Just went here on my lunch during the week and was very impressed by the food quality. They have a great selection of Salvadorian menu options, as well as basic Mexican food, like tacos and quesadillas. I tried out a beef and cheese pupusa and then two tacos. They were so good! I've never had a pupusa before and I will definitely be going there again! Very reasonably priced as well, and the inside had a very cute small dining area too. Overall, 10/10 for an authentic Mexican or Salvadorian meal. read more

El Guanaco - Tacos and Pupusa with 2 Ingredient - Mexican Near Me - Troy, Michigan

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Order was ready on time and food was very good! We will go there in the future! I especially enjoyed the guacamole

The food was pretty good. I ordered chips and cheese, the cheese was kind of runny but still tasted good. Also had chicken flantas for lunch. The flauntas were really good but the beans were runny, beans and rice were both tasteless. I would try again. Service was great. read more

El Guanaco - Flauntas - Mexican Near Me - Troy, Michigan

The food was very good, I especially like the pupusas. The service was quick and courteous.

I don't recall how I heard about El Guanaco, but I've wanted to go here since. I was in Troy today so we stopped in to check it out. First off, it's very small inside. Only a few tables but we were lucky and got the last table. Our waitress was a lovely older woman that reminded me of my abuela! She was super nice and had me try several different small items. A potato and cheese empanada, fried plantains, a pork Salvadoran tamale, and a pork and chicken pupusa. Each plate included the most amazing slaw! It was tart and sweet and spicy and so delicious! Best slaw I've ever had. Simply amazing. All of the food was amazing. The empanada was totally different from what I am used to and I absolutely loved it! The dough was different, but in a very good way. The tamale was sooooo good! Super moist and the pork flavorful and tender. The pupusa was my favorite. It was so different and delicious. I can't wait to go back! Please note that everything is made when you order it, so either order ahead or be patient as it's well worth the wait! An absolute gem. Go check them out! read more

El Guanaco - Pork Salvadorian Tamale, potato and cheese empanada, Side Fried Plantain, Pupusa with 2 Ingredient (pork and chicken) and their house slaw. - Mexican Near Me - Troy, Michigan

Fantastic food, love the Pupusas, at great price and fast service. Plantains with beans and sour cream are always a bonus.

I'm so happy to discover this Salvadorian food establishment! The place is relatively small. The tables and chairs crowd the indoor space and they have a small outdoor seating area too. It really doesn't look like much, but don't sleep on it! The food here is great! I think it's family-owned. The menu consists of Mexican and Salvadorian food, such as tacos, burritos, quesadillas, pupusa, tamales, and various other entrees. They also serve you free chips with salsa and pico de gallo. The staffs are very friendly and accommodating. I ordered 2 pupusas (served with a side of cabbage and tomato) and a tamale. You can choose the filling for your pupusa. However, if you want the pupusa dinner (which has 3 pupusas served with rice and beans, tomato salsa, and cabbage) you can order only 1 flavor. The portion was pretty big. The pupusa was delicious. It has an almost gooey texture. They don't skimp on the filling, so that's great. The tamale was soft and hearty. Price was good! I happily recommend this place to anyone, esp for Latin cuisine read more

El Guanaco - Pupusa with 2 Ingredient Salvadorian Corn Tamales - Mexican Near Me - Troy, Michigan

Love the food and the atmosphere. Have been here twice and love it. No frills- great food.

I've been a frequent customer for many years, back two locations. Always consistent. Love the empanadas (Salvadoran style). Burrito is similar to Tienda, large and flavorful. It's a little greasy sometimes and slow, but I'm fine with it. It's not too bad outside in the summer. Great service, with a smile! read more

We love El Guanaco! They have hand made tamales in banana leaf which is such a treat! I gave them 4 just because it's a cluttered space -- but honestly I hope they never change a thing, bc it feels like going into a bodega or something. They have a little DIY covered patio area w lights that's very low budget comfy cozy. Don't take your mother in law here - there are plenty of upscale taco places around - but take your best friend and hang out back there chilling and talking! Truthfully, the food is the best part, so carry out is king too. They have a small freezer w fruit and such, plus imported pop and chips. read more

Hidden Gem. Have passed by this place for years, but only stopped in when the restaurant I had plan to go to was closed to dine-in, due to COVID. Sat outdoors and was pleased to find they were not Mexican, but El Salvadorian. I am a huge fan of Antonio's Coney Island in Ypsi and this place is very similar. Everything was delicious and fresh. I particularly enjoyed the vegetable soup. Have not had a chance to make it back here, but would highly recommend people stop driving past this place and stop in. read more

El Guanaco - Mexican Near Me - Troy, Michigan

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Fast, hot and traditional El Salvadoran food with 5 star flavors...your going here to fill up, not to hang out.

This was the first time I had ever been there. Bought dinner for my family. The steak was barely edible it was so tuff. The empanadas tasted like puke. The only thing edible was the super burrito which was more like ground beef than steak. Ground beef Papitas were also disgusting. The chicken one wasn't as bad . I really liked the Cole slaw. My kids ate the shrimp and sausage. But literally every thing else I gave to my dogs. Idk if this is typical flavor for Salvadoran food, and we just don't like it, but I was pretty disappointed that out of $60 worth of food, barely anything was even good enough for any of my family to eat. Which never has happened before. I gave two stars only because of the customer service from the woman at the restaurant that took my carry out. I would give her five stars, but the food itself was a 1. Normally I don't complain unless it's really bad. The food was just not good at all. Will not return. read more

Delicious food! Great lunch spot. Fast and friendly service. I love the burrito. The patio is fun to sit at.

I'm really glad I found this hidden gem in Troy! The food is very authentic and delicious. I ordered a lot of different things to try for my first visit: an al pastor taco; a Salvadorian tamale with pork; a pupusa filled with chicken; and a pupusa filled with cheese/loroco flower. The taco was made with fresh, warm corn tortillas and was filled with a generous amount of tender marinated pork. It was definitely one of the best tacos I've had. The tamale was wrapped in a banana leaf, which imparts a rich, subtle flavor to the masa. It reminds me of Chinese "joong" (glutinous rice filled with pork belly, mung beans, etc. and wrapped in bamboo leaves) and I loved it. The pork inside the tamale basically melted in my mouth. The tomato sauce was a great complement, because the acidity helped balance out the heaviness/richness of the masa and pork. I had no idea what a pupusa was before I found this place. It is a thick corn tortilla stuffed with various fillings. The chicken one was amazing - it was marinated with just the right amount of spices and wasn't dry at all. I also wanted to try loroco flower for the heck of it, since I had never eaten that before. Loroco is an edible flower bud used in Central American cooking that kind of tastes like broccoli. I wasn't a huge fan of this pupusa - there was way too much cheese in it...it was just a giant thick glob of greasy cheese with barely any loroco flower. The prices here are very reasonable: my whole meal was under $9.00 before tax and tip! The main reason why this place isn't getting 5 stars from me is because service leaves a bit to be desired. My coworker and I were sitting there for at least 10-15 minutes after getting our waters before our waiter came by to take our order. No one asked us whether we wanted water refills during the entirety of our meal. Someone did come by shortly after we got our food and asked how it was. We thought that someone was going to bring us our bills, but after a while we just decided to walk up to the front counter to pay. It was close to an hour and a half lunch, which wouldn't be ideal for anyone who has limited time for lunch during the workweek. However, the food is 5 stars overall, and I will definitely be back. read more

El Guanaco - Salvadorian tamale filled with pork and wrapped in a banana leaf; 2 pupusas - 1 filled with chicken, the other with cheese/loroco flower - Mexican Near Me - Troy, Michigan

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Came here on a whim because we didn't feel like driving to SW Detroit and were in the area. This is definitely a no frills type of place (and no alcohol, just FYI), small, family owned. Slow service but the server was so sweet and accommodating. I had the taco platter and it was REALLY good. I'm pretty picky about Mexican food and this was a win! read more

The super burrito, and fried plantains are my all time favorite comfort foods. The burrito is packed with flavor from the barbecued meat, and spicy sauces. Fried plantains are also very unique, and sweet/crispy in texture on the outside, and soft on the inside. I have been here a countless number of times growing up in the area, and the quality of the food has remained simply outstanding over the years! Kudos to the owners, this is easily one of the best authentic Salvadoran restaurants in the metro detroit area. I would recommend trying out this truly hidden gem :) read more

I was not given an itemized receipt and I was overcharged on my order. Ask for an itemized receipt or they will take advantage of you.

wow....probably the best burrito I EVER had! Got the lunch special. Complimentary chips and salsa was fantastic. Service was very good as well. Look forward to coming back next time I am in town. read more

Yesterday was my first time here. I have heard so many good things about this place. I got here around Seven. They have tables set up outside if you want to sit outside, so that is nice. I chose to dine in. I sat down right away and got chips and salsa. I ordered my food, and it was over thirty minutes from the time I sat down until I got my food. I don't know what I thought when I ordered The Mexican Platter #1 Mini Quesadilla, two Enchiladas, and a mini burrito. A lot of food for one person. I ended up eating everything but the burrito in that sitting. The food was unbelievably good. My only rub about the visit was the service. The place was so busy to carry out the two girls were getting slammed. Not their fault. I think they needed more staff working. Other than that, this place is fantastic. read more

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The food is really the focal point of this place. Ambiance and service are fine, but nothing special. Get some pupusas and platanos to go and be delighted and surprised. Some of the best food I've had since moving back to metro Detroit. read more

A hidden gem. Have driven by this small place a million times and always wondered how it was- tonight we found out how good it is!! The flautas (beef) maybe the best I've ever had and the black beans were sublime. The place place was packed with local diners and people waiting for carry out- everything is cooked to order so call ahead to avoid the (45 minute) wait. read more

El Guanaco - Chicken Enchiladas, plantains, rice & beans. - Mexican Near Me - Troy, Michigan

Service is always super fast. The prices are very inexpensive for how much food received. The pupusas are always amazing and good if you're vegetarian as they have many options! read more

I literally live 5 minutes away from here (walking, not driving ...) yet had never been. A friend and I checked it out tonight, she has been many times so was able to advise on what's best to get. We split 4 different pupusas (which, at $1.99 each, are bargains): the beef, the chicken, the flower one (forgetting the name), and the pork. I liked the beef the best, which is weird because I don't normally like ground beef. I also ordered an asador (steak) taco which was also very tasty. Other reviews said that the bathroom was more like a closet, and it is (they seem to store things in there) but it was large and clean, which to me is all that matters. For 4 pupusas, 1 taco, and 1 drink, it was like $12 ... wow. I will definitely be back at some point. The (complimentary) chips and salsa they give you are also very tasty. There's parking on-site, too, and they also have a take-out option. read more

El Guanaco - PUPUSAS. So good and only $1.99 each. I don't even like slaw but that spicy slaw is awesome. - Mexican Near Me - Troy, Michigan

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I've been there several times now and while there's occasionally been some difficulty making sure we're been on the same page with some of the wait staff (language difficulties? I dunno?), the food has been consistently good and predictable. I would highly recommend this restaurant! read more

I had been to the old location years ago, but I've had the new location on my list for a long time. It's got a small parking lot and it's cozy inside, but we were greeted warmly and were seated right away. It's a little drafty near the windows, but not too bad. We got the beef stew, which was Fall-apart tender, and combo plate 3 with papusas and empanadas. The curtido was great, as was all of the food. It is a lot of food, I didn't really need the steak or yucca. Everything was really tasty. Next time I'll just get a few papusas mix and match, and some empanadas. read more

Best Salvadorian food I've had since New Mexico. So far from my house, but I hope I am out this way again before I'm pushin' daisies. We debated staying here to eat after we parked... It looks like the municipal services have not visited this establishment lately. Stick it out and go inside. It feels like you came home from college on break and your sister and mom are so happy to see you that they make you some food. read more

Without a doubt the best Mexican and El Salvadoran food in Troy and surrounding areas. Pupusas are hard to find in Michigan and they are so good. Friendly staff, quick service and great prices. You will keep coming back to this place! read more

El Guanaco is truly a hidden gem in Troy. On the very edge of town in an unassuming little building, El Guanaco is making some of the best Hispanic food in the 248. It was the perfect pick right before catching a movie at the MJR. I got the veggie enchiladas and pupusas with cheese and jalapeño. I had never had a pupusa before, and now I'm mad I hadn't tried them before. The enchiladas were filled with delicious grilled veggies and not too heavy. Overall, service was good, just a little slow. Took maybe 15 minutes to get our food. They were kind of slammed, and I'm not surprised at all. It was more than worth the wait! FYI: The parking lot is very small. You may need to park in a nearby lot if you come on a Friday night. I am definitely looking to come back and try more from their extensive menu! read more

El Guanaco - Pupusas - Mexican Near Me - Troy, Michigan

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Small little place exactly what we need ,,,,no more chain restaurants for us. Good tasty food and reasonably priced good service super nice staff. I had the whole tilapia fried it was very good, my son had the super burrito he devoured it , we definitely be coming back ! Keep up the good work. read more

Simplemente lo mejor. Honestly. Don't listen to anyone who rates this place below 4 stars, this easily is the best Latin food I've had in the United States. I normally stay between LA-NYC and Glasgow UK. I've been to my fair share of Hispanic joints and travel a LOT(check my history) as well as having a degree in Latin American studies. I've never come away from a meal feeling this satisfied. Ever. Better than any LA taco truck. Had to write a review before I even left the place because of how good it was. I had a pupusa and 2 empanadas along with some al pastor tacos. Eyes got a bit bigger than my wallet and ended up with a 40 dollar bill but could've easily ate under 15 bucks. I'm very satisfied. If you're ever in the area, check this place out. read more

El Guanaco - Mexican Near Me - Troy, Michigan

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Moved right down the street from this place and wasn't sure what to expect from driving by this little place a few times, but it was phenomenal! My fiancé and I both said they were the best street tacos we've had. The pupusas were very tasty as well!! We will definitely be back! read more

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This place is a gem! Hands down one of the best mexican/Salvadoran food I had in my life. Tacos are delicious, but the true value are the pupusa's. OMG! so good! Everything is prepared fresh, there is a little bit of wait. If you are very hungry it can be tough to handle, especially when your smell all that delicious food being prepared :-) The complimentary chips and salsa can help. They are very good, fresh and crunchy. We always order tacos, pupusas, corn tamale (which is deliciously sweet and can be treated as a dessert hehe), sometimes also empanada. I love their all pastor taco, cheese and loroco or squash pupusa's. The ground beef is also great. Btw - pupusa's may look small but they are very filling, same thing for corn tamale read more

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I hope this visit was just a fluke because we normally enjoy this place a lot. First they were out of what I came for so I ordered something else. The food was fine but the service was bad. 2 younger girls working that forgot part of our order so I had to reorder which made the experience even longer. No offer to refill drinks or chips and the food took a while to come out even though there was only 1 other table and I didn't see a lot of take out going on. I don't know if I'll be in any rush to go back since there's another really good El Salvadoran place we just discovered in Hazel Park. read more

I can't explain how fast my fiancé devoured this food. She was very hungry and it was her first time ordering from here. She ordered three pupusas and the beef soup. The food quality is amazing and they put a lot of love in to making their food. They really know what they're doing there. Very satisfied and we'll be back for more. read more

Although the place doesn't look like much, it offers such delicious food and very reasonable prices! Empanadas and tacos are very good, and be sure to try the fried plantains. We will keep coming back. The food pairs well with a nice sunny day, so sit outside if you feel inclined :) read more

Reviews don't lie, this place is awesome! It is a lot of food. Well, they give you tons of tortillas - which we could not finish. I had the Caldo De Res with one El Pastor Taco. The taco was so flavourful! If I had enough room, I would have wanted another. The Beef soup was also super tasty! Lots of beef and felt like a much healthier option as it had tons of veggies. Service was great! Really nice folks. The place, in the middle of nowhere, was packed. Which is always a great sign! read more

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Kept it simple this time, ordered 4 cheese pupusas that came with red salsa and repollo. Place is small and unassuming but you can't get more authentic than this place for salvadorean food, especially in Michigan. They also have lots of goodies like salvadorean crema, queso duro, tamales, pan dulce, etc. Pretty decent prices too, 2.99 per pupusa, you definitely get bang for your buck. I recommend calling ahead because the wait can be pretty long. The place is also very small so everything is take out due to covid. The pupusas were delicious by the way, super cheesy and just what I was craving! read more

El Guanaco - Cheese pupusas - Mexican Near Me - Troy, Michigan

Ordered the Mexican platter #2 and the taco were soggy, the tortillas were wet, the tamales were some of the worst I've had. At least the other ones were enjoyable. I'd asked for spicy sauce and all I got was barely a container. If I had requested it, I wanted it!!! I will gladly pay extra if I have too. Who eat Mexican tacos without sauce?! SMH read more

El Guanaco - Mexican Platter #2 - Mexican Near Me - Troy, Michigan

We came here to try a local Salvadorian restaurant without having to drive downtown, and we were slightly disappointed. The food was decent, and the pupusas were ok, but the biggest complaint was that we came in February, and they had NO WORKING HEAT! I think I would have a much more appealing review if I visit again come summer. That being said, the food was decent. read more