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A friend and I spend the year going to the restaurants from San Francisco Chronicle's top 100 list and we finally made our way to Popoca. They are ranked #5 on the list so we have been excited to finally try it! We came on a Wednesday soon after opening and it was pretty quiet at the time. We got sat at a nice table in the patio and didnt waste any time before ordering some appetizers. We'd seen the menu before coming in and knew what we wanted We started with three appetizers: the yuca con hongos, guaca-mol & pollo campero. The yuca con hongos was my favorite. The little fried yuca balls were almost like a gnocchi texture that soaked up all of the sauce and paired well with the different mushrooms. The guaca-mol was a rich and savory flavor bomb. The beef oil and egg yolk added a lot of richness. With the thick tortilla had a fried bread texture that was so satisfying with the dip. The pollo campero was crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The hot sauce it was served with was bright and subtly spicy. All in all it was a great start to the meal For our mains we decided to share a plate of papusas and their chancho con yuca (grilled pork chop). The papusas were being grilled outside in the patio so it was really nice watching them be made. We got the papusas de loroco, de hongos and de lengua. All were solid but our favorite was actually the lengua, or beef tongue. The meat was so tender like a stewed meat and was well seasoned all the way through. All of the papusas had a nice subtle smoky flavor from that grill that was really nice. The chancho con yuca was flavorful though it was a tad overcooked. Not offensively so but just noticeably. It happens. We finished with their quesadilla con horchata for dessert. It was tasty but not necessarily the dessert for me. I like salty and sweet but the dish read more savory than I was expecting. Still had good flavor but just wasn't my preference. Overall we were really happy with our experience here. We had some clear favorite dishes but even the dishes that weren't our favorite were still very enjoyable. The service overall was solid as well. We'd be happy to come back and try some more menu items.
Popoca was everything and more!! First, shout out to our waiter Andrew. He had great recs and a lot of personality. Next for the drinks. We tried at least 4 drinks and all were a hit. Though my friend did say she wished the mezcal was a bit more smoky. Moving on to apps, we had the wings which were nice and crispy. Then for our mains we had the veggie and elote pupusas. Yum! We rounded it out with the plate that comes with rice, beans, and veggies. I'm already looking for an excuse to go back.
Finally got a reservation at Popoca! Needed to see what the hype was and gather my own opinion after reading mixed reviews. I had an incredible dining experience: the food and service were both impressive. Years ago, when I was writing sonnets for a zine I was developing, I met a muse who introduced me to bay area salvadorian establishments. In all these years, I can confidently say that Popoca is one of the best. Each dish was well balanced, I recommend ordering one of each pupusa and eating them quickly to enjoy them warm and fresh. Make sure to side order the escabeche with the sour cream and beans and top each bite with a little bit of everything. My personal favorite was the guacamol. The tortillas are crispy, cheesy, savory and the tortillas paired incredibly with the fresh guacamol. This is a dish I will cherish alongside the memories of my muse. Every dish was perfectly balanced and the bill fairly reflected the craftsmanship and hard work that went into creating this meal.
Finally got to try Popoca Friday night with a friend, long overdue and worth it. We shared plates, which the staff recommended, and it worked out perfectly. Ordered the tamal, guacamole, and two pupusas. I was worried it wouldn't be enough food, but the portions were generous, we couldn't even finish everything. The real highlight was sitting in the backyard where the chef was cooking the pupusas live right in front of us, grilling fish and steak, hand pressing the masa. Getting to watch that whole process made the meal even better. Everything we ordered was excellent. Already thinking about going back to try the enchiladas. If you go, get a pupusa or two so everyone at the table can try one.
Food: Wings didnt live up to the hype. The braised lamb necks were crazy though, would order again Service: Staff and team were nice and attentive, willing to provide info about the menu. Ambiance: Nicely lit and has a fine dining feel to it.
A lovely surprise - I wasn't expecting much, even with all the critical acclaim (the Chronicle, Michelin guide, etc). But they have a very-affordable tasting menu that hits most of the best dishes on the menu and challenges you to trust the chef - and this kitchen defintely knows what they are doing. It was the best tostada of my life.
Restaurant that focuses on Salvadorian food and they use a wood fired hearth to do a lot of the cooking. The space is vibrant and can get pretty packed (we came in on a Friday evening). The service is friendly and helpful and they also serve fun cocktails here. I was in the area and decided to grab dinner here with some family, which was great since the dishes are designed to be shared. We started with the guaca- mol and tamal. We then ordered each of the three pupusas they had on the menu, the pollo en chicha, and some broccoli asado. We ended the meal with a tres leches cake. Without going into too much detail with each dish, I would just say that we loved everything we ordered. Just the whole experience was a delight. The hospitality, the cultural aspect, and just the fun vibes.
Popoca was a fun fining experience! This did bring a fun elevated experience to El Savadorian food, but thought some of the execution and flavors fell a bit short and were not mind blowing. We tried each flavor of each pupusa offered, which were all delicious. I recommend you eat these ASAP, as they come out a bit crispy when freshly prepared, but get soggier quickly. The drinks were fine, but nothing too special or different. The trout was kind of salty, this entree was a bit disappointing. The mackerel appetizer was probably my favorite. It was smoked, so it tasted pretty fragrant and was a nice blend of flavors, but the crackers seemed a bit juvenile to pair it with. Overall it was good, but nothing is making me need to go back!
I've been meaning to try Popoca ever since they opened but just haven't gotten a chance. Definitely lived up to their praise! Tres Leches is a must. The space is beautiful. Great cocktails as well. Will need to come back for the pupusas. Excited to try the one with loroco!
Located across from Swan's Market and in the shadow of the Marriott in downtown Oakland, Popoca sits just around the corner from the beautiful Victorian Row in historic Old Oakland. The restaurant is stylishly designed with high ceilings and three distinct dining spaces. As you enter, the bar and a dining room are on the right--I especially loved the two window tables overlooking Washington Street. Another indoor dining room is on the left, and there is also a pleasant patio. On a Saturday evening, the restaurant was completely full. Service was prompt and friendly, though the kitchen was somewhat slow. We weren't in a hurry, so it wasn't a major issue. We ordered one appetizer, two pupusas, and one main course, which was plenty for two people. YUCA CON ANCHOA This dish features fried yuca topped with marinated anchovy, pepescas, tarragon cream cheese, and macerated onions. I love both anchovies and yuca fries, so this sounded like a delicacy. Unfortunately, all I could taste was salt, which overwhelmed the other flavors. PUPUSA DE LOROCO A traditional Salvadoran masa dough filled with melted cheese and chopped loroco buds--an edible flower bud often described as tasting somewhere between squash and asparagus. PUPUSA DE BACALAO Y AJO VERDE Filled with salt cod, green garlic, potato, and cheese, this pupusa had a mild and delicate flavor. Eating the pupusas plain allowed me to appreciate the mildly sweet, earthy corn flavor of the masa, with its pillowy-soft interior and lightly toasted, crispy exterior. The fillings--whether loroco or salt cod--were intentionally subtle and paired beautifully with the gooey cheese. The balance of flavors and textures was outstanding. I've eaten quite a few pupusas over the years, and these were the best I've had. They were served with curtido, the traditional crunchy, tangy, lightly fermented cabbage slaw. I usually enjoy curtido, but this version was extremely salty, making it difficult to eat. GALLO EN CHICHA A Salvadoran chicken dish glazed in a rich fermented pineapple sauce flavored with spices and dried chiles, somewhat reminiscent of molé. It was beautifully presented. Unfortunately, the chicken was undercooked, just as another reviewer had noted. The sauce was also quite heavy on salt. The cocktails were tasty, although they seemed light on alcohol. Normally, I can only manage a few sips of a cocktail, but these barely registered. Next time, I may try one of the Salvadoran non-alcoholic drinks instead. The ambiance was relaxed, lively, and fun. Service was warm and attentive, though the kitchen could use some improvement. I had been looking forward to dining at Popoca. I love this part of Oakland and hoped this would become one of my favorite neighborhood restaurants. Unfortunately, the kitchen didn't quite deliver on that expectation during this visit. Oakland and Berkeley are not short on Salvadoran eateries, but Popoca distinguishes itself as an upscale and beautifully designed dining destination. Now the food simply needs to rise to the same level. I'll give it another try and hope this experience was just a fluke.
This restaurant is very cute. The garden in the back is lovely. The server was extremely friendly and knowledgeable about each dish. We got a chef's choice sampler. We enjoyed some dishes better than others. Overall, it was an enjoyable experience. I would give it 4.5 stars if I could.
This was such a memorable date night spot for us! Vibes were chill and relaxed, food was bursting with flavor, and service was on point. We really enjoyed the guaca-mol, the fried shrimp, and the lengua pupusa. We had such a fun time ordering a variety of small dishes. Would definitely come back!
I was looking for a place to eat for dinner near my hotel. Popoca popped up as the top recommendation on my Yelp search. Having never had Salvadoran food before, I was eager to give it a try. As a single diner, it was immediately seated. I asked my server for suggestions, and I went with three dishes. The food came out in about 10 minutes: - Pupusa de bacalao y ajo verde: Good. A very homely dish, but still plenty of sharp flavours. - Yuca con hagos: Good. Probably the dish where I didn't know most of the ingredients, but still made great bite. - Pollo "Campero": Very good. The one dish that would be most familiar with most diners - it was very crispy, and had a surprising sweetness, which was really nice. Service was attentive and friendly. Very good. Overall a nice dinner. For me, it was nice introduction to Salvadoran cuisine. I look forward to trying it again.
26 days ago
Went to Popoca for a friend's bday. We had a big group so they brought us dishes verses us trying to order things for the table. We sat outside and it was sheltered from any wind or street noise. And it was heated none of us wore our jackets. Some of the best bites were: 1. Ciruelas y pepino con alguashte : so light and refreshing. 2. mackerel salpicon 3. Pupusa de elote Drinks were also tasty and unique They ended up giving is way too much food but brought plenty of to-go boxes. Definitely recommended as a new spot to try out in Oakland. read more
What a great dinner I had at Popoca! It was a great little intro to Salvadorian cuisine! After perusing the menu, it was so hard to choose, but Popoca had the right solution! A super affordable tasting menu that for only $80 a person and it was such a great value. Started with the fried chicken and guacamole. Now, im not a guac girl, but this was so flavorful and delicious. I really enjoyed it! We also had the pupusas (duh!), the trout (so delicious), veranito loco, and flan for dessert. The most interesting part of the meal was in the middle of it, they served a dish of fruit and veg in a fresh crema. Perfect palate cleanser and super unique! The customer service was absolutely great! Our server answered all of our questions! Great Great Experience over at Popoca, food was great, service was awesome and best of all....they played a ton of Spice Girls. Warmed my millennial heart right up! read more
2 months ago
What's sexier than a cheese pull? A cheese pull with meltingly tender lengua! Pop-up turned brick and mortar, Popoca is serving up Modern Salvi Cuisine with California ingredients and fine dining techniques. The seasonal menu emphasizes wood-fired cooking. For parties 2 or more, they have a shared, for lack of better words, tasting menu for $80 pp. Full bar available. Rezzies are a must on the weekend! Back patio is TT friendly but kindly note it's communal tables. F O O D * Pollo "Campero": Chicken wings, lime, panela, hot sauce made en casa, escabeche (3 pc-$17): https://tinyurl.com/2brx7bbu - Added an additional piece for $5.50 An nod to the Guatemalan fried chicken chain that became widely popular in El Salvador, the chicken wings are brined and double fried. They're served hot and crunchy but I wished the sweetness from the panela came through and the hot sauce had more heat. I mean, they were tasty but given the mad hype, I expected more. * Pupusa de Lengua: Beef tongue, queso, recaudo ($11 x2): https://tinyurl.com/2wuk2m7x Made from scratch with nixtamalized heirloom corn, the masa was crisp on the outside and soft inside, with a warm, earthy corn flavor and smoky char from the grill. Generously filled with stretchy, molten cheese and tender, beefy lengua....it was BOMB. To nitpick, I wish the curtido (cabbage slaw) had more acid and the salsas were punchier to cut through the richness. I don't know any place in the bay that offers pupusa de lengua so it's a must order if you love lengua. * Bistic Encebollado: Grilled New York steak, bbq shallots, cherry tomatoes, recaudo, onion crema, loroco, sesame ($63): https://tinyurl.com/3bvfan6t Initially, I was bummed to learn they no longer serve their lamb neck but one bite of the bistic, lamb what? The beautifully cooked steak was incredibly tender and flavorful, with a nice smoky char from the grill. The recaudo added an earthy flavor, while the sesame brought a delicious nuttiness. * Arroz ($8) To cheap to pay $17 for a side of rice and beans, we just ordered a side of rice...perfect for two to share. Savory and lightly spiced, it went well with the steak and soaked up all those flavorful juices. S E R V I C E Friendly hostess. Service could have been better, we barely saw our server so couldn't order additional cocktails. Prompt food service. A M B I A N C E Industrial-chic with high ceilings, exposed brick walls, and lush greenery. There's two separate indoor dining areas, one with the bar. Back patio is partially covered. P A R K I N G We easily found street parking on a Saturday evening. Overall, it's no surprise that Popoca has been featured in numerous lists including Bon Appétit, SF Chron Top 100, and NYT...and have been recognized by the Michelin Guide. Aside from an pop-up in LA, they're the only resto in the entire state serving Modern Salvi Cuisine, bringing a unique dining experience in The Town's food scene. read more
A friend and I spend the year going to the restaurants from San Francisco Chronicle's top 100 list and we finally made our way to Popoca. They are ranked #5 on the list so we have been excited to finally try it! We came on a Wednesday soon after opening and it was pretty quiet at the time. We got sat at a nice table in the patio and didnt waste any time before ordering some appetizers. We'd seen the menu before coming in and knew what we wanted We started with three appetizers: the yuca con hongos, guaca-mol & pollo campero. The yuca con hongos was my favorite. The little fried yuca balls were almost like a gnocchi texture that soaked up all of the sauce and paired well with the different mushrooms. The guaca-mol was a rich and savory flavor bomb. The beef oil and egg yolk added a lot of richness. With the thick tortilla had a fried bread texture that was so satisfying with the dip. The pollo campero was crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The hot sauce it was served with was bright and subtly spicy. All in all it was a great start to the meal For our mains we decided to share a plate of papusas and their chancho con yuca (grilled pork chop). The papusas were being grilled outside in the patio so it was really nice watching them be made. We got the papusas de loroco, de hongos and de lengua. All were solid but our favorite was actually the lengua, or beef tongue. The meat was so tender like a stewed meat and was well seasoned all the way through. All of the papusas had a nice subtle smoky flavor from that grill that was really nice. The chancho con yuca was flavorful though it was a tad overcooked. Not offensively so but just noticeably. It happens. We finished with their quesadilla con horchata for dessert. It was tasty but not necessarily the dessert for me. I like salty and sweet but the dish read more savory than I was expecting. Still had good flavor but just wasn't my preference. Overall we were really happy with our experience here. We had some clear favorite dishes but even the dishes that weren't our favorite were still very enjoyable. The service overall was solid as well. We'd be happy to come back and try some more menu items. read more
2 months ago
Popoca was everything and more!! First, shout out to our waiter Andrew. He had great recs and a lot of personality. Next for the drinks. We tried at least 4 drinks and all were a hit. Though my friend did say she wished the mezcal was a bit more smoky. Moving on to apps, we had the wings which were nice and crispy. Then for our mains we had the veggie and elote pupusas. Yum! We rounded it out with the plate that comes with rice, beans, and veggies. I'm already looking for an excuse to go back. read more
Finally got a reservation at Popoca! Needed to see what the hype was and gather my own opinion after reading mixed reviews. I had an incredible dining experience: the food and service were both impressive. Years ago, when I was writing sonnets for a zine I was developing, I met a muse who introduced me to bay area salvadorian establishments. In all these years, I can confidently say that Popoca is one of the best. Each dish was well balanced, I recommend ordering one of each pupusa and eating them quickly to enjoy them warm and fresh. Make sure to side order the escabeche with the sour cream and beans and top each bite with a little bit of everything. My personal favorite was the guacamol. The tortillas are crispy, cheesy, savory and the tortillas paired incredibly with the fresh guacamol. This is a dish I will cherish alongside the memories of my muse. Every dish was perfectly balanced and the bill fairly reflected the craftsmanship and hard work that went into creating this meal. read more
Finally got to try Popoca Friday night with a friend, long overdue and worth it. We shared plates, which the staff recommended, and it worked out perfectly. Ordered the tamal, guacamole, and two pupusas. I was worried it wouldn't be enough food, but the portions were generous, we couldn't even finish everything. The real highlight was sitting in the backyard where the chef was cooking the pupusas live right in front of us, grilling fish and steak, hand pressing the masa. Getting to watch that whole process made the meal even better. Everything we ordered was excellent. Already thinking about going back to try the enchiladas. If you go, get a pupusa or two so everyone at the table can try one. read more
Food: Wings didnt live up to the hype. The braised lamb necks were crazy though, would order again Service: Staff and team were nice and attentive, willing to provide info about the menu. Ambiance: Nicely lit and has a fine dining feel to it. read more
A lovely surprise - I wasn't expecting much, even with all the critical acclaim (the Chronicle, Michelin guide, etc). But they have a very-affordable tasting menu that hits most of the best dishes on the menu and challenges you to trust the chef - and this kitchen defintely knows what they are doing. It was the best tostada of my life. read more
Restaurant that focuses on Salvadorian food and they use a wood fired hearth to do a lot of the cooking. The space is vibrant and can get pretty packed (we came in on a Friday evening). The service is friendly and helpful and they also serve fun cocktails here. I was in the area and decided to grab dinner here with some family, which was great since the dishes are designed to be shared. We started with the guaca- mol and tamal. We then ordered each of the three pupusas they had on the menu, the pollo en chicha, and some broccoli asado. We ended the meal with a tres leches cake. Without going into too much detail with each dish, I would just say that we loved everything we ordered. Just the whole experience was a delight. The hospitality, the cultural aspect, and just the fun vibes. read more
Popoca was a fun fining experience! This did bring a fun elevated experience to El Savadorian food, but thought some of the execution and flavors fell a bit short and were not mind blowing. We tried each flavor of each pupusa offered, which were all delicious. I recommend you eat these ASAP, as they come out a bit crispy when freshly prepared, but get soggier quickly. The drinks were fine, but nothing too special or different. The trout was kind of salty, this entree was a bit disappointing. The mackerel appetizer was probably my favorite. It was smoked, so it tasted pretty fragrant and was a nice blend of flavors, but the crackers seemed a bit juvenile to pair it with. Overall it was good, but nothing is making me need to go back! read more
1 month ago
I've been meaning to try Popoca ever since they opened but just haven't gotten a chance. Definitely lived up to their praise! Tres Leches is a must. The space is beautiful. Great cocktails as well. Will need to come back for the pupusas. Excited to try the one with loroco! read more
Located across from Swan's Market and in the shadow of the Marriott in downtown Oakland, Popoca sits just around the corner from the beautiful Victorian Row in historic Old Oakland. The restaurant is stylishly designed with high ceilings and three distinct dining spaces. As you enter, the bar and a dining room are on the right--I especially loved the two window tables overlooking Washington Street. Another indoor dining room is on the left, and there is also a pleasant patio. On a Saturday evening, the restaurant was completely full. Service was prompt and friendly, though the kitchen was somewhat slow. We weren't in a hurry, so it wasn't a major issue. We ordered one appetizer, two pupusas, and one main course, which was plenty for two people. YUCA CON ANCHOA This dish features fried yuca topped with marinated anchovy, pepescas, tarragon cream cheese, and macerated onions. I love both anchovies and yuca fries, so this sounded like a delicacy. Unfortunately, all I could taste was salt, which overwhelmed the other flavors. PUPUSA DE LOROCO A traditional Salvadoran masa dough filled with melted cheese and chopped loroco buds--an edible flower bud often described as tasting somewhere between squash and asparagus. PUPUSA DE BACALAO Y AJO VERDE Filled with salt cod, green garlic, potato, and cheese, this pupusa had a mild and delicate flavor. Eating the pupusas plain allowed me to appreciate the mildly sweet, earthy corn flavor of the masa, with its pillowy-soft interior and lightly toasted, crispy exterior. The fillings--whether loroco or salt cod--were intentionally subtle and paired beautifully with the gooey cheese. The balance of flavors and textures was outstanding. I've eaten quite a few pupusas over the years, and these were the best I've had. They were served with curtido, the traditional crunchy, tangy, lightly fermented cabbage slaw. I usually enjoy curtido, but this version was extremely salty, making it difficult to eat. GALLO EN CHICHA A Salvadoran chicken dish glazed in a rich fermented pineapple sauce flavored with spices and dried chiles, somewhat reminiscent of molé. It was beautifully presented. Unfortunately, the chicken was undercooked, just as another reviewer had noted. The sauce was also quite heavy on salt. The cocktails were tasty, although they seemed light on alcohol. Normally, I can only manage a few sips of a cocktail, but these barely registered. Next time, I may try one of the Salvadoran non-alcoholic drinks instead. The ambiance was relaxed, lively, and fun. Service was warm and attentive, though the kitchen could use some improvement. I had been looking forward to dining at Popoca. I love this part of Oakland and hoped this would become one of my favorite neighborhood restaurants. Unfortunately, the kitchen didn't quite deliver on that expectation during this visit. Oakland and Berkeley are not short on Salvadoran eateries, but Popoca distinguishes itself as an upscale and beautifully designed dining destination. Now the food simply needs to rise to the same level. I'll give it another try and hope this experience was just a fluke. read more
2 months ago
This restaurant is very cute. The garden in the back is lovely. The server was extremely friendly and knowledgeable about each dish. We got a chef's choice sampler. We enjoyed some dishes better than others. Overall, it was an enjoyable experience. I would give it 4.5 stars if I could. read more
4 months ago
This was such a memorable date night spot for us! Vibes were chill and relaxed, food was bursting with flavor, and service was on point. We really enjoyed the guaca-mol, the fried shrimp, and the lengua pupusa. We had such a fun time ordering a variety of small dishes. Would definitely come back! read more
I was looking for a place to eat for dinner near my hotel. Popoca popped up as the top recommendation on my Yelp search. Having never had Salvadoran food before, I was eager to give it a try. As a single diner, it was immediately seated. I asked my server for suggestions, and I went with three dishes. The food came out in about 10 minutes: - Pupusa de bacalao y ajo verde: Good. A very homely dish, but still plenty of sharp flavours. - Yuca con hagos: Good. Probably the dish where I didn't know most of the ingredients, but still made great bite. - Pollo "Campero": Very good. The one dish that would be most familiar with most diners - it was very crispy, and had a surprising sweetness, which was really nice. Service was attentive and friendly. Very good. Overall a nice dinner. For me, it was nice introduction to Salvadoran cuisine. I look forward to trying it again. read more
6 months ago
Came across this restaurant on Yelp with some great reviews, so we decided to give it a try. I've always loved pupusas and was excited to try their version. We started with a few michelada cocktails, which were pretty tasty. Based on our server's recommendations, we ordered the chicken wings, a cheese pupusa, some clam dishes, and a seafood soup. As expected, the pupusas were my favorite. The other items were just okay--especially the seafood soup, which had a thin broth and lacked flavor. The highlight of the experience, though, was the service. Our server was friendly and attentive, which made the visit more enjoyable. read more
Been wanting to check out the brick-and-mortar since trying the popup at Classic Cars West pre-pandemic. Overall a lovely, aesthetic experience. 2 of us shared 5 small plates, 2 beers, and a dessert for ~$100 plus tip. Friendly, helpful server. Highlights for me were the summer squash and queso pupusa, chicken wings w/ escabeche (pickled veg), and beet salad. Salt cod pupusa was not too flavorful. Portions are on the smaller side. read more
Definitely an experience! First off, place looks great, loved the vibes and the staff was super nice. We ordered a little bit of everything just to give it a shot and mainly because I wouldnt try similar dishes at another salvadoran restaurant. Everything was quite good, the pupusas are really my only gripe. Only having 3 options and none of them chicharon was a slight problem for me. While I forced me to try the other ones, when you are craving a simple chicharon con queso, it just feels missing. My favorite was the Pollo campero and the sauce it came with. Overall, unique restuarant and an upscale for the foodies style restaurant. read more
6 months ago
So we finally went to Popoca! Overall it's nice, is it very nice? No! Is the food good? Yes. Is it worth it? Absolutely Not! Read of for more details! First of all about the ambience of the restaurant: it sounds fancy (music choice wise but very loud), visually - not bad but no one wants to see open electric fuse box in a fine-dining restaurant! The space is very tight but I can understand that! 8 out of 10. Service: the waiter is great, service is great although a lot of waiting (I mean really a lot), the menu size is very small and the change menu items so not sure what's the long wait for! We spent an hour and half there with 60% of time waiting (I am a mathematician by training so it's not an exaggeration) Food: we sampled the entire sound (may sound a lot but it's just 1 main dish, 1 side, two appetizers, two dessert items and 1 alcoholic and 1 non-alcoholic drink)! We ordered the pupusa (with cod), Guaca mol (this is great honestly). Both of them are good with Guaca Mol is very very good! In main dish we had chow Mein with shrimp, mussels and calamari. The sauce and the noodles and great, come with veggies too. The quantity is tiny!! I didn't like a mussels (it's overdone), calamari is good! Overall the main dish is good too! We ordered rice and bean on the side. Our first bite feels so salty! (Over seasoned to the max). But the beans are very smooth and good! Rice is a bit underdone but not a big deal! We ordered flan and tres leches for dessert! The flan was a bit more sweet than my tastebud, tres leches was egg-cellent (writing this review on Easter's so couldn't resist)! We ordered martini colada and Puchica (NA drink), both are good! Although I need to warn you folks, martini colada is strong AF! So be careful, don't drink and drive back home! I tried a sip as I don't really like very hard drink and I needed to drive us back home! Overall it's a nice restaurant, if you are going here to sample, it's a great place! If you are going here on the way to McDonald's - it's great too! But if you are going there for dinner and coming back home - maybe you need to eat a snack before bed! Quantity is small (often the case in a fancy place but that doesn't mean it's justified), price is high, but the taste is good! Overall is it worth visiting again - absolutely not! I am giving 4 stars mainly based on taste! read more
So so so good. We rolled up on Saturday and had reservations at 5PM. The non res line was very long but it looked like they worked through it. They have a nice outdoor patio. They have a tasting menu for 80/pp but we just kind of picked through a few options and enjoyed it all family style. One of my favorite dishes was the mackerel, and tbh I usually hate mackerel so I was blown away when it was one of my favorites. All the cocktails we tried were delicious too. All four people in our party decided we would be back. Do yourself a favor and try it before they get a Michelin nod and you can't get a res. read more
Came in last night for an impromptu dinner with my sister. No reservation, but we were seated right away. We didn't get a traditional table and ended up with seats near the bar, which we actually loved. Right from the start, the hospitality stood out. The hostess was incredibly warm, and one small detail completely won me over: lactaid pills at the hostess stand. That alone deserves major praise. It allowed me to enjoy the full menu instead of limiting myself to dairy-free options. Whoever thought of that needs a raise! Now onto the food -- absolutely divine. We ordered the guacamole, pupusas de lengua, pupusas de hongos, pollo en chicha, and the Salvi side plate. Everything was packed with flavor. The pupusas were perfectly made, the salsa was delicious, and the curtido was so good we asked for more. I'd never had lengua in a pupusa before and will definitely be ordering it again. We also had the pleasure of meeting the chef and owner, Anthony, who recommended a sparkling Riesling that paired beautifully with our meal. Between the food, hospitality, and thoughtful touches, this place has officially earned a repeat customer. read more
What an incredible introduction to Salvadoran cuisine. My new favorite thing is a pupusa, El Salvador's national dish. Popoca's version was made with homemade masa, filled with squash and cheese, and accompanied by flavorful sauces. The beet and new potato salad, with crème fraiche, trout roe, and mint, was from the gods. My most favorite of the evening. The braised chicken was just okay, delicious, but it didn't match the flavor bombs of the above two dishes. If I could do it again, I'd skip an entree, order another appetizer (the grill-charred broccoli rabe looked divine) and a dessert. The space is in Old Oakland in a proud and restored historical building with good bones and lofty, airy ceilings. We sat in the back courtyard, near the grill. Inside or out, there seems not to be a bad seat in the house. read more
It's been a while since I've eaten in downtown Oakland but my friends wanted to meet up for dinner and we had a good experience at Popoca. There were four of us and when we saw that they offered a tasting menu, it made ordering easy. The tasting menu came with three appetizers, the pupusas, a main entree and a dessert. The three appetizers that night were the guaca-mol, ensalada rusa (beets, potatos, cabbage, trout roe) and yuca con hongos (yuca, mushrooms). All three were good but the yuca con hongos was my favorite. Next, they served three kinds of pupusas - veggie, mushroom and beef tongue. I really like the beef tongue pupusa. Pollo con chicha was our entree and I really liked the sauce. For dessert, they gave us a chocolate horchata drink with some cheese bread. It was nice way to end the meal and we were all stuffed in the end. The restaurant is "business casual" but with high ceilings and a great outdoor space. It gets loud and busy. Service was on the slow side. The price for the tasting menu is $80 per person but with tax, tip and drink, this ended up being $120 per person. It's a great spot for dinner after work if you are in the area. read more
Made reservations via Open Table for the Chase Sapphire Reserve dining experience and everything worked out perfectly with Chase! The dining credits reflected as soon as the charge was processed successfully, which was about 2 days~ just wanted to mention for anyone else who's interested in dining at Popoca using CSR! Onto the food and dining experience- we were seated immediately, but were quite surprised that we were taken to the back outdoors to be seated at a communal table with another couple, even with our reservation. It was not packed at all, hence our reservation was pretty late into the evening (9:15 PM). There were lamp heaters to keep us warm, but it would have been nice to experience the actual restaurant indoors. Either way, the service and food were just OK. We ordered quite a bit to share, but enjoyed the lengua pupusa the most. The chicken wings (pollo "campero") had a nice crunch and had a sweet glaze, and the beet potato salad (ensalada rusa) was interesting, but the mussel enchilada was our least favorite- the black bean butter kinda ruined it for us. I'd skip the mussels and perhaps try the clam dish. For the drinks, we attempted to order two different cocktails and were told both were sold out. It was kind of awkward for us to keep ordering drinks off the menu and constantly being told it was sold out. It would have been nice to provide us with some available alternatives instead. So of all things on the menu, don't skip on the pupusas- I would say that's their main star! read more
We celebrated a dear friend's birthday at Popoca last Friday and it was perfect. The ambiance was inviting and cozy, the noise was lively without being too loud and the food was flavorful and easy to share. The servers were knowledgeable and offered suggestions. They were very cautious and aware of allergens and dietary restrictions. Parking was normal for the area - had to circle around once maybe for street parking. Overall highly recommend and will eat there again. read more
Came here with a friend this place came highly recommended. This place is very busy so reservations are really recommended. I saw a bunch of people walking in with a packed bar and walked away due to the wait. This place service was really great. Everybody was very friendly and engaging ambience busy not too loud and good Vibing music playlist can' change so don't hold me to that. In addition, we got a good amount of food to share. We got all three pupusa's, which are good. Seems like the menu does change on the starters and one of the pupusa's so be mindful and don't come with expectations besides leaving with a happy belly. Also got the Pollo Campero wings and the phone did not eat first since I wasn't able to grab a picture. Definitely would come again. With a rezo to enjoy everything a bit better. read more
We were here for a date night. We had to sit at the bar because we didn't make a reservation so I highly recommend making a reservation. But the bar was very beautiful and the bartender made us a really nice nonalcoholic cocktail. It was super flavorful and refreshing. We got the mushroom pasta and it was okay. The flavors were kind of bland. We got the pupusa and that was a highlight for me. Great flavors, textures and beautifully plated. The desert was really good and it was a generous portion. I would say overall I wasn't blown away. Our server was the bar tender. They were very kind, fun and attentive. That was the highlight of the experience for me. The food was well prepared, fresh and different. But it's been a couple of months and I have not yet had the desire to return. I would say I'm glad I went but that it didn't leave me wanting to go back. read more
Not gonna lie, we originally came here to use up some Visa dining credits... but wow, I'm really glad we did. This place ended up being low-key amazing, and it's probably somewhere we wouldn't have tried otherwise. Everything we ordered was super fresh, and the vibe inside was perfect for a date night--dim lighting, cozy atmosphere, beautiful ceramics and glassware that made everything feel elevated. Service was also great throughout the night. One of the highlights was watching the pupusas being made fresh--you could literally see them grilling in the back, which was such a cool touch. And you could absolutely taste the difference. The pupusas were hands-down a standout, and honestly some of the freshest I've had. The pork shoulder dish was another favorite--so flavorful and well done. We definitely overordered (as usual) and had plenty of leftovers, but there wasn't a single dish we regretted ordering. Everything was genuinely delicious. This feels like an ideal spot for a date night or a smaller group. For larger groups, you'd probably end up ordering a lot of small plates, which may or may not be your thing--but for us, it worked perfectly. Overall, a really cute spot with great food and atmosphere. Would absolutely come back--and next time, it won't just be for the credits. read more
2 months ago
6 months ago
I stopped by Popoca on a whim without a reservation, and I am so glad I did. From the moment I walked in, the service was incredible. The person at the front desk was so sweet, she managed to get us a table within a very reasonable wait time and was incredibly helpful with the menu. I asked for her personal recommendations, and she steered me toward the Puchica cocktail, which was crisp and refreshing. Per her suggestion, I also ordered the Pollo Campero wings, and they were easily the highlight of the meal. They were perfectly crispy with a slight sweetness from the panela that balanced beautifully with the hot sauce and escabeche. We also tried: * Ensalada Rusa: The combination of potatoes and beets was delicious. * Pupusa de Loroco: Perfectly cheesy and authentic. * Quesadilla & Horchata de Morro: For dessert, this pairing was the perfect finish. The entire restaurant smells like home, filled with the most amazing aromas. As someone who grew up with these flavors, this meal genuinely took me back to my childhood. Thank you, Popoca, for embracing Salvadoran cuisine and culture so beautifully. The environment is warm, the staff is wonderful, and the food is soulful. I can't wait to come back! read more
10 months ago
Had a really good experience here! It was suuuuper packed and I don't think they had any walk-ins available so be sure to make a reservation, it seems to be quite popular. The food here is a mix of contemporary Spanish-inspired dishes. We ordered quite a few things off the menu, but they also have a chefs choice meal if you want a selection of everything on the menu. We got the scallop, chicken wings, lengua pupusa, lamb, pork chop, and the tres leches for dessert. We definitely ordered way too much food and had to take most of the entrees home, but everything was quite tasty. I think the standouts for me were the lamb, pork chop, and lengua pupusa. The flavors were complex, and each aspect of the dish was well-thought out and tasteful. I would definitely recommend this restaurant for a unique experience. read more
5 months ago
Excellent experience!! Food was exquisite, and sizable portions. Only train we didn't order dessert Service was great too. We will be back! read more
7 months ago
Kiss to the chef for the delicious Mackrel. I've had it so many ways, and nothing comes close to this. I recommend asking for their hotest salsa right away to pair with their Popusa, Gucamole, or Mariscada. Thank you Andrew for taking care of us during such a busy time at the restaurant! read more
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More info about Popoca Oakland
906 Washington St
Oakland, CA 94607
Old Oakland
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(510) 457-1724
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http://www.popocaoakland.com
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Ask the Community - Popoca Oakland
Is there bar only seating, like for drinks and a snack?
There is! But it's kind of small so sometimes there's a wait for it. The first time I went we had no reservation and sat at the bar. It was a nice time. Highly recommend.
Does the restaurant has parking space?
There's street parking in the area but the restaurant does not have its own parking area.
Is there walk in seating?
1) What is the noise level? 2) Are there only communal tables, or are there also individual tables…
1) When I first got there the noise was conversational level. As the dinner crowd came in they played music, but we could still talk. 2) There were tables for 2's and 4's. We…
Are there gluten free options?
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