Pulled up not expecting much. Left ready to gatekeep. At Izalco Restaurant the black beans and rice alone are worth the trip. Beans cooked down properly. Creamy. Seasoned deep. Not watery. Not bland. Rice fluffy and separate. Every scoop hits. Comfort in its purest form. The eggs? Fire. Simple but done right. Yolk rich. Whites set. Paired with beans and rice it turns into a full situation. Breakfast that feels like it came from someone's actual kitchen. Sopa de gallina is the sleeper. Broth golden and layered. Not thin. Not greasy. Real depth. Chicken tender. Veg soft but not collapsing. You can taste the time in it. This is soup that fixes things. The deep fried chicken is outstanding. Skin crisp and golden. Meat juicy all the way through. Seasoning locked in. No dry bites. No oil overload. Just straight execution. Pupusas are life. Thick. Griddled right. Slight crisp outside. Soft inside. Pork pupusa savory and packed. Jalapeño brings that gentle heat that lingers. Cheese pull on point. You eat one and immediately want another. Service seals it. Staff is amazing. Warm. Genuine. Feels like family energy. They check on you like they actually care if you're enjoying it. No pretense. Just hospitality. The space is hole-in-the-wall coded in the best way. Modest. Clean. Focused on the food. No distractions. Everything about this place is fire. It's giving... Encanto kitchen scene where the food is magic and nobody's pretending it isn't. read more

Only had their pupusas and plátanos y frijoles. Very tasty. I like the chicharrón pupusas. The wife prefers the revueltas. All good. read more

Izalco Restaurant - Menu - Latin American Near Me - North Hollywood, California

Staff is great. Food is authentic and delicious. Quaint little restaurant that gives homey vibes.

Worst ensalada de fruta ever! Lady was upset when I asked if it was fresh. No fresh diced up fruit or Nances! We gotta do better or not even open restaurants! To make matters worse I took a non-Salvadoran homie after I hyped the "ensalada de fruta". I told him delete all files this one doesn't count. read more

Izalco Restaurant - Latin American Near Me - North Hollywood, California

We used to come here often and always loved it, but we took a break for a while and decided to give it another try. The pupusas are usually great, but this time it felt like they were cooked in such a rush. They seemed only cooked on one side and then tossed straight into the container. The inside was so thin, it was almost like we ordered tortillas. We ordered revueltas and basically got plain cheese pupusas. Maybe the cook was having an off day, but everything just tasted... off. Really disappointing compared to how good it used to be. read more

Authentic Flavor, and they can be nice when they want to. I have always had good service there, but I have noticed when they have been rude to others. I try to be nice all the time, since I want them to keep providing me good service. Food is 100% Salvadorean, the taste is so authentic and the quality of ingredients are the best. I really love their pupusas, tamales de elote, tamales de pollo, Yuca frita and anything in their menu is so tasty. read more

Friendly staff , been coming a long time . The food is great to satisfy a craving The parking situation isn't the best but it's okay read more

I ordered the pan con pollo sadly not satisfying. I only tasted the bread and mayo not enough chicken at ALL . The pupusas were not cheesy either:( ... read more

Lo mejor de lo mejor aqui en el valle de San Fernando. Si quieren comida salvadoreña de calidad, vengan aqui!

Not the greatest looking place outside and inside but what we usually order is good. The Pupusas and the Caldo de Gallina. Although this last time that I ordered the atol de elote I was disheartened, it no longer has the corn kernels inside and it wasn't a delectably thick and smooth as I remembered. Hope it was just that one time. The folks are also nice, service is always on the friendly side, not as professional as big restaurant, but they are nice read more

My Mom was craving homestyle breakfast and we decided to try this place. It did not disappoint. The service as well as the food was delicious and hit the spot! I'm definitely going back for more. read more

See all

Excellent freshly handmade chicken tamales, always fresh and delicious and hot for a take home meal.

This is the best pupusas I ever tasted in Los Angeles, good service the waiters are really nice, and friendly, and is really nice ambiance, I recommend this restaurant. read more

If I could give zero stars I would. My family and I have been customers for 17 years and we've never had such a bad experience as we had today. The person who took our order(short hair lady didn't give me her name) was very unpleasant. I thought I would do the restaurant a favor and call to give them feedback but instead it back fired. The same lady picked up the phone and went round and round and just didn't want to hear it. Now let's talk about the food, again this place has been our to go but the food quality has changed. Beans were watery, pupusas barely had beans and you couldn't taste the loroco in the pupusa. If you decide to try it out, I hope you have a better experience. And I hope the service improves. read more

Deliciousness, tried their yucca con chicharron. Although fried it was not greasy. The yucca was perfectly golden brown. Also had their platanos with beans and cream. Last but not least had a bowl of their atol de elote. Wow-just like my grandmother used to make it. Everything was so good. Pupusas are delicious too. read more

I love this place. I have been going to Izalco for over 25 years. The staff remains consistent over the years, and they are like visiting an old friend. Always nice and polite. My favorites are the lengua en salsa. We always order a couple pupusas and casamiento for the table. They have the best ensalada drink. Yum, writing this is making me hungry. read more

The stretch of this section of Burbank Boulevard doesn't show much urban planning: honky tonk bars mostly Gay, Atlas Sausage specializing in Deutsche Wurst, auto repair shops, small industrial offices, some Mexican & Salvadorean eateries. Izalco is proud of its Salvadorean cooking with blazing neon & other lit signs proclaiming "Comida Salvadorena/ Authentic Salvadorean Food". It's a down home joint with barred windows & doors just like at home in El Salvador which is for a good reason since it suffered a long civil war between the left & the right wing political forces, and now there seems to be a huge gang problem that is a threat to the people living there. Be that as it may, the food is the issue here, and I find that Izalco has a great combination: Yuca Frita y Chicharron which translates to fried Yuca root & Pork Confit. This doesn't sound like much, but the fried Yuca is extra crispy on the outside & even though it seems to be slightly fibrous, it is extremely creamy soft with a light sweet, root vegetable subtle earthiness. It comes out piping hot & smells of clean sweet oil, but not greasy tasting at all. Izalco does a great rendition of this classic Salvadoran dish. The Chicharron is a slice of pork that starts with the outer skin which is crispy & chewy, tasting of a slight porkiness. The next layer is fat which gives this pork its rich, fatty melt in your mouth texture which is again ever so porky. The last layer is the dense meat that is soft, moist, dense, heavy, chewy. If you cut the Chicharron so you get all 3 layers in your mouth at the same time, the 3 sections do a complex gustatory & textural 3-way dance that is ecstacy for the truly carnivorous. My only complaint is that there is no Savadorean beer served at Izalco to cut the cloying fattiness & clear the palate of the strong porkiness of the meat. Just wondering if we called Izalco ahead to ask if we can bring a bottle of beer or bottle of Chianti or Barbaresco since this Chicharron seems like a remote cousin to the Italian Porchetta which is even more complex since garlic, fennel seeds, rosemary, & sage is rubbed all over the rustic pork. Anyway, I frequently dream about the Yuca Frita y Chicharron at Izalco even though my cholesterol level is high at 250, but once in a while, it's worth the spluge....You only live once so live it. 3+ Yelp stars for this porcine experience read more

Izalco Restaurant - Latin American Near Me - North Hollywood, California

Really good pupusas. First time here and would definitely come back. Waitress was alone and was busy but made sure we were taken care of.

Delish! Drove by it and decided to stop and it was a great decision very authentic tasting

I was refused service due to my service dog. I'm a disabled veteran prescribe my service dog by the VA.

Hands down the best pupusas I've ever had. Their soups are delicious and beans are outstanding! I love ordering from this place. I'm a picky foodie critic and this place gets five stars on their food. Now, the store decor needs a lot of love but the food makes up for it! I recommend this place for their pupusas for sure read more

I love the Pupusas from this place, I have been coming here for 15 years, I stoped for a while because of the shitty service and today I decided to give it a chance. but... the service here is nothing but pure shit. I don't even feel like eating after interacting with theses ladies... they act as if you were getting the food for free. Veronica So, food is good but you have to come hoping they're in a good mood. read more

Was a bit hesitant to try this place after reading the various reviews but we did it and so glad we did. Food was sooo good! Not overly greasy or too much masa like other places. Everything tasted great. My daughter loves Pupusas and was very pleased. the platanos were delicious and the service was great. Not sure if we caught them on a good day or because we speak Spanish but we had no issues. The woman who attended us was attentive and nice. WI'll definitely return! read more

Siempre hemos ordenado pupusas de este lugar pero ya tiene bastante que una señora ya mayor de edad con bastón tiene una mala actitud la primera vez me dio la orden equivocada y tuve que regresar desde mi casa a llevar la order para atrás ni se disculpó le señora. La otra vez nos habló de una mal Manera le pedimos opinión cuál plato era el mejor del restaurante para probar y literalmente de una forma muy mal nos dijo que si no podíamos leer el menú Ami no me pregunté dijo. ( con todo el respeto Que la señora se merece pienso que si no le gusta su trabajo que busque otro y le den la oportunidad a alguien más para que de mejor servicio) yo soy dueño de negocio y el servicio al Cliente es muy importante. Ahora fuimos a recoger pupusas y como siempre estaba de mal genio la doña que llamo a un cliente desordenado solo por mover una silla. Ella también trabaja en la carreta restaurant en van Nuys y siempre es así de pésima. Un cliente menos en este restaurante. Mejor servicio gente por favor. Very bad customer service grumpy lady answering the phone and at the cashier always giving bad attitude read more

This place has been my go to spot for over 10 years. The pupusas are delicious. It's not a fancy spot and very outdated. The service is friendly depending on who's your server. read more

Their service is horrible!!!! I just walked out of this place and cancelled my order which I've never done that in any restaurant. The lady in the picture has a bad attitude. When I walk to the table she was cleaning it and I said good morning and she ignored me and she looked mad and I noticed it when I walked in the restaurant but I didn't think anything of it until she ignored me. She walks to your table and she don't even say hi or how May I help you she just stands there waiting for you to order with attitude. After I order my food and my kids food I noticed it wasn't only with me she had attitude with Also with the other clients and one of them even said "what a bad service here" I just laughed and I decided to read the reviews of this restaurant and noticed I'm not the only person who went through this. I had to leave the restaurant that's how uncomfortable I felt sitting there with the bad energy in that restaurant I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS PLACE TO NO ONE HORRIBLE SERVICE read more

Izalco Restaurant - Latin American Near Me - North Hollywood, California

Si puedo dar 0 estrellas lo haria. Una doña me ha dado atitud que si va ser asi mejor que ni trabaje. Yo trabajo en un restaurante tambien y se que asi no se habla a los clientes. Esta ERA mi restaurante favorito pero el servicio era mejor cuando estaba la dueña estaba ahi. Esta ultima vez gare una sopa que estaba muy salada... read more

Mal servicio al cliente Andan de malas como si no les dan pan en casa la verdad uno deja los problemas personales aparte y Para la atención al cliente es importante read more

Delicious, authentic Salvadrean food. Pupusas, fried plantains, & the breaded shrimp are my favorites. read more

The pupusa are ok. But there soups are salty and they don't put a lot of vegetables and they are really not that freindly all the food dishes are not good. Customer service very poor I would not recommend for food dishes there read more

Found this walking around my new neighborhood and decided to give it a try, We walked in -3 of us and sat ourselves down in the 2 part restaurant, there is tables as you walk in but that's more of the " store" area of the restaurant where you can purchase clothes, medicine, sweet bread and even play Ms. Pacman. We got our menus quickly and not to after that we got our drinks... Good 10 minutes we ordered our food................... Good 10 minutes we got our food................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................and honest 30 minutes before she came back to check on us and we decided to order food to go since it was actually really good ( I'll just warp speed ahead) 25 minutes later we still hadn't gotten our take out order or food, at this point we stood up and went to the pay counter, then suddenly she was oh , oh, I'll get your food and drinks. SERVICE IS HORRIBLE.. when it comes to actual service, the one waitress tending the 3 tables that where being served took forever.. which I don't know why the women behind the caja couldn't come out and help. Will I return.. NO!!!! not to dine in, but I will definitely order food to go. read more

I love this spot ! When I get home sick and miss my parents that now live In Texas .. this is my home away from home . Great food ! Pupusas on point ! Authentic Salvadorian food ! I'm salvi and I definitely approve the food read more

I just called to order pick up and the lady is so rude I couldn't believe it. They close at 10 I ordered for pick up I would be there latest 9:45 and Mind I called 1 hour before closing. The lady said no sorry you can't since you won't be here at 9:30, 30 minutes before closing which is so absurd and just hung up on me. I couldn't believe it. I called back I was in such disbelief. The lady said she hung up because she made it clear she wasn't going to stay till 10. This is such an unprofessional business. I would never recommend anyone coming here. read more

As I am on a quest to find the best Salvadoran food in LA this place just happens to be nearby my work so I thought I'd give it a try. This is an authentic Salvadoran place complete with merch to macth in case you wanted a Salvadoran soccer jersey along with some yummy pupusas. As others have stated theres also a massive jukebox. My guess is LMFAO or LADY GAGA do not get major spins there. On to the food. I took it to go so I cant say much for the place itself. It was empty during lunch which is fine for me since I can get my food that much quicker. As i'm only half salvadoran i usually just stick to the basics. I ordered the pupusas revueltas and ones with just queso. While the pupsas indeed were good I did not much care for their chile. It looked like it was a few days old which is never good. I gave it a pass but I wish I would've gotten a fresher batch. The pupusas were soft and gooey which are the best. At $2 per they werent bad but i've definitely had better. I will definitely go back until my quest for the perfect pupusa is at an end. Anyone know if theres a Salvy truck roaming around? read more

Izalco Restaurant - Pork n cheese pupusa - Latin American Near Me - North Hollywood, California

Great food and prices are incredible. We love the pupasas from this restaurant, authentic and absolutely delicious. Service is solid and has gotten better over time. Very helpful and quick, but the more Spanish you speak the better. We speak none, and had no issues communicating! All in all great food, support your local business! read more

I've been coming here for years. It's been a while since Ive been here. Since I moved farther away. It's so worth the trip. Great pupusas, clean and friendly. Don't believe the bad reviews they do good work here. Come try it out read more

Great customer service. The lady made sure we were not missing a thing and the food was as requested. Most places have overly greasy pupusas - not this place! They're just right :) Thank you Izalco for the great food!!!! read more

I have been buying Papusas from here for many years ! They're service is great and they make the best papusas in town , also they're prices are great , if you want real authentic papusas you have to come here they're food is awesome! read more

Tried calling to order some pupusas and i speak very bad spanish and they dont speak english. I tried to order in my broken Spanish but i was making sense. Said yo quero dos pupusas con queso. What do i get in response? Her saying in spanish no you dont speak Spanish and then she hung up on me. My friend called he speaks better spanish i was on the line as well and she literally said in spanish no pupusas for you and hung up. I hate when you call a business and the person answering cant speak english at all. I hate it even more when im discriminated against because im speaking english. I would tell people not to eat here just for their treatment of their non spanish speaking customers read more

The pupusas are okay..It isn't all that special..it's the same thing as ordering pupusas from some where else..but anyways..service was shit!!! There's this fat lady at the check out who's rude..TYPICAL SALVADOREAN LADY...ordered a hot drink and it was not even filled up all the way up...4$ for a small amount... I don't recommend this place with shity customer service..lady needs to check her attitude read more