Was really craving some pupusas so we decided to try this place out and it was AMAZING! We had Pupusas de Chicharron, revueltas, frijol con queso, and jalapeño con queso and they were all perfect. Especially with the curtido and the salsa (they give very generous portions of these) we also had to try the tamales and they were also delicious. We will definitely be comming back and telling our friends and family about this place. read more

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Muy rico todo, el caldo de res delicioso y sus tortillas hechas a mano súper deliciosas. Las pupusas no se diga!! Tienen que ir!! También el plátano frito es una delicia!! La dueña estaba allí y muy atenta conmigo y mi familia, muy linda. Gracias por la atención y servicio. read more

The pupusas here are life!!! And the owners are very nice. I wish I would've know of this place sooner. They have a beautiful mural on the wall that really brings the cultural vibe out. I forgot which one I ordered but wait till the weekend hits (my cheat days) and I will be there ordered more It's great to find little gems like this in El Cajon. I'm so tired of beef shwarma and falafel. I wish there were more multi cultural restaurants around. read more

The pupusas were delicious & service was pretty quick REALLY LOVED THE ENSALADA DRINK

Vegan papusas! VEGAN PAPUSAS! They have lots of animal flesh and cheese if you want it, but I was stoked to find this unassuming little place has 3 vegan papusas on the menu. They're all good, but here's how I rank them from my favorite to least favorite: 1. Beans and Spinach - Smooth and delicious. 2. Potatoes and Spinach - Savory and light. 3. Nopal and Beans - Hearty and unusual. Not-vegans in my party also report the regular papusas are good and state this place makes a great chile relleno full of delicious soft cheese. I don't know how authentic Salvadoran it is, but everything we tried is yummy and distinctive versus Mexican food. They give you a container of chilled curtido and two different bottles of sauce to enjoy with your order if you eat in. The curtido has jalapenos in it and therefore a decent bit of spice. The paler sauce is the milder one but also has a wee bit of spiciness. The vegan papusas at least are super mild (though delicious in their own right) and it's easy to kick up the spice with curtido and sauce. The potato papusa in particular benefits from added moisture too. I love that combo, papusas and curtido and sauce! So good! We never did take-out but you'll probably want to if eating to rapping/hip-hop in Spanish isn't your thing. And if you order multiple different papusas, the fillings get switched around sometimes (i.e. ordered a potato/spinach and a beans/spinach, ended up with a potato/beans/spinach). It's all delicious and they never put animal junk in my vegan ones, so I'm happy. This place is what it is (an affordable little Hispanic hole-in-the-wall restaurant) and I think it's very good at what it does. I can't imagine it being much better without changing it into something else. Except maybe turn down the rap, por favor. read more

Pupusas Express - Vegan papusas on the menu! - Salvadoran Near Me - El Cajon, California

Hard to find good Salvadorean food in the area. The Papusas are delish! If you are ordering more than 2 or 3, make sure to tell them it's seperate orders so that you get enough toppings for them! read more

Amazing food and service. El Salvador brought to you. Good ambiance. The lady served us with great service.

I had recently decided to do take out at this hole in the wall restaurant during the pandemic and I was left amazed. Julie and her staff have recently taken over this restaurant and have done a great job at reviving this place. They have updated their menu, location and food. The food is amazing and on the healthier side. Their prices aren't bad and you definitely get your moneys worth. I'll definitely be coming back here to get my Pupusas craving fixed! read more

Pupusas Express - 4 pupusas - Salvadoran Near Me - El Cajon, California

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Definitely call ahead since they make everything from scratch!!! But sooooo good, loved the revueltas and pupusa Loca. Such a good deal. I would eat here again! read more

I regrettably hit up Pupusas Express at the Hillcrest Farmer's Market last Sunday and got burnt food from the Ebenezer Scrooge of Salvadoran food-stand operators. First, I must say that I LOVE the food stand section of the Hillcrest Farmer's Market. Great atmosphere for anyone who is crazy about food -- I enjoy being surrounded by vendors who are passionate about what they serve, who want to share this special thing they cook, fry, or bake with you. Some of my personal favorites include Masala Cottage (butter chicken & rice *inside* of massive samosas!), Yakitori Japanese Barbeque (charcoaled chicken hearts!), and Belgium Delights (Liege Fries and Waffles!). And then... there's Pupusas Express, who I am convinced, by my brief interaction with them, are less interested in seeing satisfied smiles on the faces of their customers than they are invested in figuring out ways to maximize their gross margins. Look, I'm not some bright-eyed idealist. In my professional life, I am a business man, and I understand that food-oriented businesses need to watch their bottom-lines to survive in a highly competitive environment, but you're doing something wrong if your profit motive comes across in your attitude and personality to your customers at your farmer's market food stand. I question if the gent I interacted with at Pupusas Express even loves pupusas. And loving the food you make should be a pre-requisite for any food stand operator. No one could ever question my love for pupusas, which started in the Mission District of San Francisco, where a chemically-altered, lesser version of myself in my 20s would regularly pick them up for a couple of bucks each from the "pupusa lady," a heavy-bottomed but angelic Salvadoran woman who griddled them up fresh at a stand on the corner of 16th Street and Valencia. Contrast that with my experience at the Pupusas Express food stand, when the first thing I'm told is that I can't order just one pupusa, I need to order 2 for $7. Okay...? So I order two of the pork and cheese pupusas, expecting them to be hand-made in front of me, like my Mission pupusa lady used to do. Nope, there are exactly two pupusas already on the griddle, they happen to be pork and cheese, and they get flipped onto my plate. Who knows how long they had been sitting there, but definitely longer than they should have (see my accompanying photo for visual evidence). The food stand guy then asks me if I want "cabbage," his body language tired and indifferent. Cabbage, you say? Surely, you meant to say "curtido," while explaining to your customer (who likely has limited experience with pupusas) that curtido is an essential delicious fermented vegetable accompaniment that makes or breaks the pupusa experience? Yes, I'll have some please. Try your hardest not to look like you're accounting in your head for the amount of product you're putting on my plate. I asked for salsa roja (I believe I used the words "drown the bottom one," while pointing to the bottom pupusa) and was given a couple of squirts. I motioned my hand in a circle as in "keep it going" and got another tiny squirt. Whatever, you cheapskate. The classic pupusa flavor was kinda there, and even the curtido was appropriately sweet and tangy (though absent of chilis and oregano, which have been prominent in many of the better curtidos I've had). However, as I expected, the surface of the pupusas were so over-done that they had a taste of burnt masa harina that made parts of the pupusas nearly inedible. Obviously, I wouldn't recommend this food stand. There are better food stands at our local farmer's markets, operated by people who take great pride in their food and wouldn't slit your throat for your wallet if they could get away with it. Food/Décor/Service: 1.5/NA/NA read more

Very good food! Popusas are made when you order, never frozen. It's sad to see people unfairly rate this great little establishment but I guess you can't make everyone happy. Sure they take a little while to pump out your order but who would complain about handcrafted food? Knuckleheads I tell ya. For those of us who know good food, this place will not disappoint, just don't be in a hurry or you'll miss the intrinsic value of homemade chow. You want red carpet service and white table clothes? Don't come here, these ladies ain't got no time for that! You want your order faster? Call it in silly rabbit! read more

Tasty and delicious. The bean, cheese, and pork papusa just hit the spot. Along with the cabbage and salsa just make the perfect meal. Also highly recommend the jalapeño and cheese papusa. So good!! This small but cute place makes food that hits the spot. read more

Excellent pupusas and wide variety to choose from. Best place I have had pupusas in San Diego. Yummy

Amazing homemade papusas and very filling. Tried all kinds of papusas here and everything is amazing. Their tamales are amazing too. The cortido and sauces always comes with the papusas which is nice because some places make you pay extra or don't give any at all. This place is one of the best pupuserias I've been too. You won't be disappointed. read more

I probably eat here 4 times a month. The pupusas are always served hot and I keep coming back for this reason. My food has to be super hot so that I can enjoy it. I order the pepperoni pupusa and it only had 2 pepperoni's. Then some other time I got the combo 2 pupusas with rice and bens and a soda can. And I ask for a water bottle instead and they told me I couldn't do that. I insisted because I don't drink soda and she charge me more for it. Not cool read more

I was nearby getting my car tinted, and I stopped by to try a pupusa. I tried the jalapeño and cheese pupusa, and it comes with a small side of pickled slaw. The employee was quick to take my order, and they make your pupusa to order because it was hot when I got it. The pupusa was 3.99 before tax, which was definitely a steal as well. Support local business, and this is a great one to support. read more

This small location has the very BEST PUPUSAS I have ever had!!!! and there salsa matches perfectly!!! Thank you for one of my best Sunday Brunch ever! read more

Yes, this place offers pupusas and Mexican food. I ordered a few pupusas, it was my first time trying them so I wasn't sure what to expect. I ordered the potato, jalapeno/cheese, and veggie. Out of the 3, I enjoyed the potato one the most, because the cheese used in the others is not one to my liking (it's stretchy/gummy when heated). The salsa it comes with is a bit watery and light on flavor. I also asked for the hot sauce and mainly used that one - but it wasn't really spicy at all. I do like that it is made fresh and to order, but yes it will take a while for the food to come out if there are others. read more

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Esta es mi segunda vez viniendo y cada vez me fui satisfecha !! Las pupusas están deliciosas !! Esponjosas . Suaves y deliciosas !!! Me fascinan y el sazón Perfecto!!! read more

BEST Salvadorean Pupusas in San Diego!! We recently hired Pupusas Express for my daughter graduation. They where very professional, reliable, delicious, and the greatest Costumer service. They made sure all my needs where taken care off. The Pupusas where amazing! The pork and cheese was a hit. My kids love the spinach and cheese too. The curtido was freshly made and very authentic. The salsa was perfect. We still have guest telling us how delicious the food was. I will definitely hire them for my next event. No need to stress about your next party when u have Pupusas Express! read more

Pupusas Express - Delicious!! - Salvadoran Near Me - El Cajon, California

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Papusa! It's such a fun word haha I got 2 to go for about $5 plus tax. I suggest using cash since they charge .75 for debit. I got the reveltas, which is.. I'm not really sure but a combination of 3 fillings and a chicharrone one. They are delicious. They come with a red sauce, a really spicy salsa, and some pickled veggies.. which I happen to absolutely love any pickled veggies. I docked a star only because I find their horchata very sweet. I think after letting my ice melt down would do it some good. read more

Even late Sunday night, those here seem happy to be - with food still being cooked fresh. You can get a hamburger or much of the same food available at many Mexican taco shops, but the reason to come here rather than somewhere else is for Salvadoran food (Mexican and hamburger places don't offer) - like pupusas (filled with things like loroco) - topped with cortado. Or maybe plátanos with beans and cream. Like tamales and horchata? The Salvadoran variation is different from what you get at Mexican restaurants. This is a small unpretentious place not seeking to impress anyone - except perhaps with reason(s) to return (for their tasty low cost food). A large drink is double the size of a medium one - for 50 cents more - and is worth it. Agua fresca is available in many fruit flavors. I like their pineapple. I assume they probably speak English - but I didn't hear anyone there using it - so neither did I. Paying cash is best but I noticed that they do accept credit - for a 75 cent fee. There are photos on the wall of many menu items to help you see what you will get. I've come back several times since my first visit and have tried most of their pupusas. My favorites have been with loroco, spinach and cheese, and veggie. read more

Great place ! The best Pupusas place in San Diego, always fresh you at least have to try them once to see what I'm talking about.

Happened to be a hot day, and the girlfriend and I were craving pupusas after a day of car-searching. Yelp and GoogleMaps led us to this little plaza. As we walked through the metal screen door, we knew we were getting the appropriate kind of food for our liking. No polished interior. Just oddly-painted walls, just the way we like them. Staff was nice and attentive, courteous and helpful. The order of plantains was hefty. It also came with beans and sour cream. The pupusas were pretty good! Slightly better than the location on University by the 15, which I still support because there aren't many places in San Diego that offer pupusas. I also like that you get a generous container of the marinated cabbage so that you're not limited to just a small amount of it with your pupusa(s). I wish the day wasn't so hot. That way, I would have focused on more details rather than yearning for their cold refreshing horchata and jamaica in relief! BTW, in the optional additional tips for this business, they ask if there are any "PokeStops" nearby! read more

They make Salvadorian food along with Mexican food here. Didn't try the Salvadorian food this time. I went with the 3 carne asada mini tacos $3.90 and a beef taco $2.70 (weird pricing lol). The Food: the carne asada tacos along with their salsa was really good! I was impressed. I would go back just to get them. The beef taco wasn't that great. It was like they used one of those fake taco shells that they use at Taco Bell! Who does that?! The taco shouldn't be able to stand up lol (see pic). read more

Pupusas Express - Carne Asada mini tacos - Salvadoran Near Me - El Cajon, California

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I ordered pupusas revueltas. They were okay, but I thought the Pupusas could use more flavor and stuffing

Pupusas!! They give a lot of curtido with your order. Be careful though, pupusas are made to order so they are piping hot when they pack them. I've burnt my mouth a few times from being so hungry and wanting to inhale their pupusas. Also, their elote tamales!! Don't forget to get the jamaica! Yasssss! I'm drooling as I type this. Pictures to follow, as usually, they're too good n like I said I can't wait to devour them..hence the reason I have no photos. read more

This place is a fantastic hidden gem in the heart of El Cajon. It's not flashy with its appearance but the food speaks for itself. The variation of pupusas were wonderful. I highly recommend the chicarron pupusa. They have a wide variety of El Salvadoran dishes as well as classic Mexican. There is a lot on the menu which will have me coming back for more. It's not every day you find a restaurant offering pupusas but when you do, you know you have stumbled across something special. For those that aren't familiar with other Latin cuisine, this is a great way to try something other than a California burrito. read more

I liked the place until I felt being taken advantage of. The guy told me he was going to have me taste some of his food, so he offered a tamale. I wasn't going to sample everything for free so I bought bunch salsas, queso and 4 tamales. When I got home, I realized he charged me the one he offered for me to taste... who knows what else was piled on my bill. I bought 5 salsas 4 tamales but he charged me 5 and then block of quest and my total was more than $50... very dishonest owner and they for sure lost a future customer. read more

Eat food ever, I always come here when I'm in San Diego I feeling like eating topical Salvadorian food... I really like the platillo típico.

New management! So I've been coming to this place for yrs because in my opinion this pupusa place was the closest to what I remember eating back in El Salvador. I've been to every pupuseria here in San Diego and by far were the best ones until today. I asked the young girl at the register if they had new owners and her answer was yes. Their quality went down the curtido has no flavor, the drink ensalada was not sweet enough it tasted like water with fruit. When we proceeded to open the pupusa which we ordered a revuelta the stuffing was not mixed at all. I have to say we were very disappointed. We will not be coming back to this place. read more

Best pupusas and Salvadoreño tamal in SD. So moist and flavorful. This was a great find when we were out in El Cajon.

Their Agua de Maracuya and pupusa de chicharron con frijoles were amazing! Definitely recommend

Not a fan, we ordered the Papusas (super greasy), carne asada plate and a shrimp plate (so bland). We did not get a choice of flour or corn tortilla. Did not seem excited to get new customers. We have been wanting to try this place. First and last time unfortunately. read more

The rudest establishment I have ever been to! The lady at the counter is far from delightful. She doesn't greet or welcome her customers when they come into the shop. Saying hi or hello is basic cashier etiquete. I asked for a 2 pupusas 2.75 each and then rang my total to $6 also, basic math skills missing here. I waited over 20 minutes for 2 pupusas. Really? I was the only one in this tiny place. I went up to her and told her that I wanted to add one more and she replied with youre going to have to wait another 20 minutes. I am disappointed at this place and am shocked how they are still in business. I will not be coming back. I wish I could put 0 stars. Lady get another job if you're unhappy.. she's a miserable human being to say the least. If you like being treated badly then I would recommend coming to this place. Otherwise, please stay away. You've been warned! read more

Once again finding better and far less expensive places to eat in East County. Now we have pupusas. Best I've had outside of my mom's Guatemala. Better then all the inner city places I've been. And almost half the price. Break the stereo types of East County we have culture. My wife and I will be regulars. read more

It was very expensive. Fried plantains with a tiny cup of lechera was over 10 dollars. Food was fine- but for almost 30 dollars- I would rather go elsewhere. :-(. read more

I did not know what living meant until I had a pupusa from this establishment. HIGHLY recommend is an understatement. This spot deserves more stars. read more

Whenever I stop by here, I feel like I'm going to my friends house and her mom is making us pupusas. Nothing fake here! Everything is fresh, homemade and delicious. The texture on the pupusas is perfect and the toppings are the perfect addition. I love this place! read more

Pupusas Express - So good - Salvadoran Near Me - El Cajon, California

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Julie is very sweet and her pupusas are delicious! She generously agreed to be interviewed by my Spanish students today. She works hard and is dedicated to her craft. Definitely recommend you get some pupusas from her...she's been making them since she was 12. Still need to try her drinks out...next time! read more