[ Background ]
August 2024 on a Friday at ~2:30 PM
NYT Cooking recently posted a video on how to make pupusas at home [1]. However, I didn't want to spend the time and effort making them in case they turned out subpar, and I wanted my first time trying pupusas to be an authentic experience. Therefore, I decided to visit Pupusas Y Mas, which has been on my to-eat list for many months now, for lunch since multiple reviews claim the food there tastes like genuine Salvadoran cuisine.
This hole in the wall is located in a small strip mall with a few other businesses, and the parking lot is shared between them. The parking situation is decent with multiple spots surrounding the building. Many of the spaces were filled when I got there, but I was able to snag one on the side.
Even though I came at an off-hour time for lunch, the inside of the restaurant was bustling; five parties were already chowing down on their meals, and another person came in after me. So their busyness was a good sign.
The interior is homely with a lively ambiance. Trinkets and other objects adorn a shelf, multiple framed pictures (including one of Frida Kahlo) are on display, and vined plants scale the walls near the front counter. A TV in a corner broadcasted a talk show while songs in Spanish played in the background. There are six tables that can seat up to four people along with three larger tables for bigger groups. I love how fresh flowers spruce up every table.
[ Food ]
A sign at the bottom of the front counter states that the cooking time varies from 10-20 minutes since everything is cooked to order (this appears to be a standard practice across the various pupusa restaurants I've looked up). So if you want freshly made pupusas, be patient. If you are not good at waiting or are planning to eat during peak hours, I'd suggest calling ahead to place your order. Unfortunately, they don't have an online menu with up-to-date prices, but you can reference my attached pictures of the menu.
I already looked at the reviews and older pictures of the menu on Yelp beforehand, so I knew exactly what I wanted. I ordered:
* Combo #2 2 pupusas with rice and beans ($11.00 + $0.75)
For the pupusas, I chose the 1. revuelta with pork, cheese, and beans since it's a popular Salvadoran flavor and 2. cheese with asada. This combination order technically costs $11.00. However, when I paid, the cheese with asada pupusa cost an extra 75 cents. I'm assuming the more expensive options at the bottom of the pupusa category have an additional charge, which is logical, but I do wish that was more transparent on the menu.
The pupusas were warm and full of cheesy, savory flavor. They were lightly grilled, not greasy at all, with a slight golden-brown tinge. The revuelta was pretty good, but my favorite was the asada. Don't forget to eat the pupusas with the curtido to add an acidic crunch along with the two salsas for additional flavor and a hint of heat. The generous portion of curtido included cabbage, carrots, flecks of dried herb (oregano?), and a note of acidity (vinegar?). I loved the rice. However, I wasn't a fan of the flavor of the beans, even after I added more salt.
Overall, I left Pupusa Y Mas happy and with a full stomach, and I would definitely recommend the combo since it was a great value for the price. I'll have to come back and try their other dishes.
[ Service ]
The waitress was professional but not the friendliest, similar to what other Yelpers experienced, which was fine with me since I care more about the food and its flavor/quality when trying out a new restaurant.
My order came out in about 11 minutes, which is on the lower end of their estimated cooking time.
[ Tips ]
The menu prices already have the tax baked in, so the price you see is the price you pay.
When you're done eating, you go up to the front counter to pay. There's a big sign next to the register with a QR code for their Zelle. Otherwise, you can pay with cash or credit card (the latter has a transaction fee). Next to the register, there's a tip jar if you're feeling generous.
----------
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6d7vcnYFSg read more