First time visiting here. When we first saw it we were a bit surprised at how small it is. Typical hole in the wall place with only a few tables but the food and service didn't disappoint. We ordered several things to try and enjoyed everything. read more

Samantha's Pupusas - Empanadas de platano - Salvadoran Near Me - Hillsborough, North Carolina

Let's talk about pricing and overall value. Our total bill came to approximately $120 with tip. For context, we ordered six pupusas, two tacos, one quesadilla, fried yuca, papas salvadoreñas, fried plantains, a carne asada plate, and 1 agua Fresca. Now, that's a decent amount of food, and I don't mind spending money on a good meal. In fact, most of what we ordered was genuinely enjoyable. But at these prices, I think it's fair to have higher expectations, especially when a single entrée costs $25. The carne asada plate was easily the biggest disappointment of the evening. The meat was sliced incredibly thin, almost like cheesesteak meat, and several pieces were so charred they were practically inedible. For $25, I expected a much better cut and preparation of steak. What makes this frustrating is that the restaurant clearly knows how to make some really good food. Their chicken tinga tacos were excellent, the handmade tortillas were a highlight, and the pupusas and appetizers were all enjoyable. Unfortunately, the carne asada left a bad impression, particularly considering what we spent overall. My recommendation? If you come here Skip the carne asada and put that money toward their tacos, pupusas, and appetizers instead. That's where I felt the restaurant really delivered. read more

See all

Disappointed. Three miniature egg tacos and a bowl of flavorless beans, $15. One Gordita with about a tablespoon of picadilla meat $7. Ordered a chicken tamale, got a sweet corn tamale-corn in corn? The chicken tamale (they fixed the mistake) was alright. Everything else was bland. read more

Wow. This place is AMAZING! The food is authentic as it comes! Wonderful service and for a small restaurant it was very quiet. I'll definitely be back! It's worth driving to if you want authentic Honduran food! read more

Samantha's Pupusas - Steak and chorizo taco Chicken taco - Salvadoran Near Me - Hillsborough, North Carolina

See all

Hidden gem! Samantha's Pupusas was affordable and absolutely delicious. Of the six pupusas we tried, my favorites were the garlic and chicharrón, and I was especially excited to try the loroco flower filling for the first time. They also offer huitlacoche options for a lot of their other food offerings, I can't wait to return to try. Service was friendly and efficient. It's a small, simple spot with only a few tables, but everything you need for enjoying a great bite of freshly made Salvadoran food! read more

Samantha's Pupusas - Pupusas!!! - Salvadoran Near Me - Hillsborough, North Carolina

See all

We ordered 3 cakes for our daughters wedding celebration last weekend. White, chocolate and carrot. All three were beautifully presented and absolutely delicious! Thank you! read more

I thought it was good but maybe not as phenomenal as some of the reviews. I had a combination of three papusas and all of them were nice but maybe not the best ever. In particular, I like a little more char/burnt cheese on them. The fillings again were nice and they had a great variety. read more

Samantha's Pupusas - 3 Papusas - Salvadoran Near Me - Hillsborough, North Carolina

Pupusas and pastelitos are delicious!!!!! I have tried their panes rellenos and plantain empanadas . Love them! The salsas are tasteless and the curtido is sweetnot my fav. read more

See all

This place is amazing! The food is incredible, with delicious flavors and a cozy, homemade feel. The service is fantastic, and the tacos are fresh and easy to eat. The homemade fries are top-notch, Salvadoran style, and the corn on the cob is a great addition. Grilled Corn on a Cob Asada Taco + Crispy Pork Skin Taco Salvadoran Fries (cheese, ketchup, mayo) Me every bite... read more

See all

Was able to eat here for breakfast. Fresh avocado made this meal a treat. Service was exceptional. read more

Samantha's Pupusas - Chorizo omelet - Salvadoran Near Me - Hillsborough, North Carolina

I've been wanting to try pupusas since seeing Kerry Mann's reviews of "poo poo sas" and Annette Freckles' recipie. I haven't seen them in my small town. But, when in the big city, you do big city things. While visiting my mom in the hospital in Hillsborough, I was searching around for places to eat over several days. Samatha's kept popping up. On my last day, I stopped in for tacos (got an assortment, al pastor was the best) to eat there and got a bunch of pupusas to take home for the family to try. I ate one before I left. It was amazing, it was like eating a great piece of freshly cooked bread with other amazing flavors inside. The rest went on ice for the ride home. One of my kids at some for lunch today and I just had some for dinner. They reheat very well in the air fryer. Next time I head back across the state on I-40, I plan to make a detour to get some more of my new favorite food. read more

Such a happy find on our journey out to the country today! We stumbled upon Samantha's Pupusas while getting gas nearby. Inside is small but there is some seating for 3 groups of 4 plus two larger tables for 8 plus a lot of outdoor seating, in nicer weather. The workers were kind and the location clean; it has a recent sanitation rating of 100! We ordered several things to get the full experience: empanadas Salvadoreñas de leche o de Frijoles, Tacos (2 chicken and 1 asada), chicken tamale, and Papusas (1-spinach, 1-chicken, chorizo, and cheese, 1-cheese) and it came with salvadorian cole slaw! We had so much food and EVERY BITE was as good as the last. If dessert is what you want they also have a bakery full of some delicious looking items and even do special orders per the menu! read more

See all

Excellent food. The pupusas are delicious although they are on the small side. I felt that $4 each for their size was a little steep. However I will always support a small business. They have a huge variety of desserts! So much to choose from. I tried the oatmeal chocolate chip peanut butter cookie and it was so good! I wasn't crazy about the regular chocolate chip -!; the brown sugar cookie was delicious but they sprinkle (or pour) white sugar over each cookie and it isn't necessary. We tried a blueberry scone and it was soft and had great blueberry distribution Very clean and the rating shows it! Come check them out! read more

See all

This is a delicious, friendly Salvadorian restaurant with savory Pupusas and burritos and cookies. The ambiance is casual but comfortable. While busy, we had no difficulties finding seating. I think most order to go. The bean pupusas are earthy and addictive. The service was friendly and helpful, despite how busy they were. The cake, pie, and baked goods menu is extensive, as well! read more

Delicious food! While visiting Hillsborough we stopped by for lunch. We ordered inside and they brought our food outside for us. They have a number of tables outside with umbrellas. It's next to a busy road so beware it's very loud. Lots of trucks and motorcycles drove by while we were there. The food was great and very affordable. I had a veggie burrito. I liked how it came with pico and two sauces. The red was was very hot but I really liked it! My husband had Pupusas. He had 3 and was able to pick different ones - Camaron, chorizo chicken and cheese, and Loroco. His favorites were the Camaron and Chorizo ones. Masks are not required and I did not see any staff with masks on. Definitely try this spot if you are in the area!! read more

See all

I have been going here for four years now they have the best food service is always kind and friendly. Oh, but their tacos are amazing.

I'm always a bit skeptical when I arrive at a place based solely on the reviews, because the internet told me it was good, knowing nothing about it. This little Salvadoran hole in the wall is next to a gas station in middle of nowhere, NC was one I wasn't sure would truly be worth a stop. Even though I ate my pupusas later, reheated, I must say I couldn't have asked for more flavor. The menu has a variety of options including beans and loroco (a little flower bud). The pupusas do all come with cheese, so perhaps not the best place for the dairy free crowd. Other menu options had items like squash flower and huitlachoche (look it up). In addition, a mouthwatering cake display was there for the wait. But I was there for pupusas, and they offered a grilled corn edge, along with salty cheese and some impressive condiments, including a sweet and sour curtido (pickled cabbage) and a venomous habanero hot sauce. Satisfying stuff. I have no trouble imagining their other menu items being just as delicious. read more

Samantha's Pupusas - Salvadoran Near Me - Hillsborough, North Carolina

See all

This place is incredible. Delicious pupusas and tacos, a huge array of homemade deserts, friendly service, family run business, cozy spot, Can't recommend highly enough. It's always a good night when we go to Samantha's. read more

Worth the drive. Off the main road. All made to order. The caldo de pollo and the pupusa were spot on. The dessert display is also tempting. The flan was delicious. read more

See all

Please try the Grit Bowl on Saturday morning. Severed with very creamy corn grits, avocado, bacon, salsa, 2 eggs, black beans and fried plantains plus more. It is served in a large bowl with strong coffee. I give this breakfast a 5 star. Only on weekends s read more

I am somewhat obsessed with papusas do when I found a place that served the Salvadorean favorite, I knew where I would be heading for dinner. Samantha's Papusas is housed within a nondescript building, the kind that you would pass by ten thousand times without ever considering that a culinary treasure might lie beyond the faded exterior of the building. The food is freshly made, so there will be a bit of a wait. I ordered three papusas (two carnitas and one chorizo), as well as an asada taco. After a bit of a wait, my food was finally brought to my table. The papusas were good, although they needed a bit of salt and the taco was also good. Price was good on these items and the meal left me full. I would return to this establishment. read more

See all

Yes! Everything I've had here is absolutely amazing, from Salvadoran breakfast to pupusas to dessert! I especially liked the brown sugar cookies last time I was there. The people are friendly and bilingual, so don't be worried you won't know what to order. :) Go for it! :) They have limited seating inside and outside, so it might be a good to-go option too. read more

The most delicious Salvadoran dinner at Samantha's Papusas in Hillsborough, NC. I got the Salvadoran Stew and Steven got the mix and match papusas. Everything was soo good. The rice was amazing and their corn tortillas were so good. Their salsitas were also phenomenal. I'm from Greensboro, but we will be back for sure!! read more

Great food and good variety to choose from. Pupusas with mushrooms and beans was good. Also the menudo was good and beef soup delicious.

Samantha's 3 for 10 pupusas deal may be the most (non-fast food) food you can get for $10 in the area - I certainly didn't need 3, and probably could have filled up with 1. The issue for me was the fillings - they use SO much cheese that it dwarfs whatever filling you chose. I got black bean, loroco, and zucchini - but honestly couldn't tell the latter two apart because they were both just seas of cheese with green specks in them. Even the black bean was so cheese-saturated that its general color was pretty close to white. Obviously I like cheese or I wouldn't order pupusas, but this was just extreme. Otherwise, they're cooked well, come with two different (both pretty mild) salsas and a healthy serving of curtido, and, as I said, will more than fill you up. I really liked their tamarind agua fresca. Thick, almost cloudy with the fruit fibers, and strongly tart. read more

My 4 stars is for the food, not desserts. Everything I've had here is good on the food side. Typically always go for pupusas - the fried pork, beans and cheese ones. Tacos, huraches are also good. Have tried a few of the cakes and cookiesand don't really care for them. Cakes were kind of dry and cookies were too hard for my liking. read more

Samantha's Pupusas - Salvadoran Near Me - Hillsborough, North Carolina

Trust me - SPINACH PAPUSAS!!!! They are the best, although you can't go wrong with any of Samantha's dishes at any meal. Breakfasts are also excellent, and their dessert case is swoon worthy. Don't forget their whole pies and cakes if you need for an event or for the family. It's ALL good!!! read more

We stopped by on our way to Durham and had a delightful meal at this hole in the wall! The staff were so kind and friendly, and the sopes, pupusas, and pastelitos were delicious. They had a variety of sauces from mild to spicy, and the slaw on the side was refreshing. We also devoured the plantain bread pudding and got some cookies for the road. We will definitely stop here again. read more

Incredibly great lunch. I didn't even know what a pupusa was, but I tried it because it had great reviews -- deservedly so. Friendly staff and the flavors were wonderful. The slaw is great, too!!! read more

The food is really good, and the service was too slow. I've never had a problem with them, I've also never ate in the restaurant. I take my food to go,but whenever I'm there the ambiance seems chill. read more

Man this is a place only I wish I knew about. Mouthwatering pupusas... 3 giant pupusas for $10 that comes with some really great hot sauce and salvadorean cabbage slaw. We ordered a variety (some with corn flour, some with rice dough, some with cheese and beans and some with just cheese) and all of them were incredible. I wished I weren't getting so full just so I could enjoy them all over again. I am counting down the days until I will come back again. read more

Samantha's Pupusas - Salvadoran Near Me - Hillsborough, North Carolina

Unbelievable food and service. You can't go wrong with the spinach or mushroom pupusas.

And another score, the pupusas and curtido the real thing! Can hear them slapping the masa as they make them to order in the back. Loved the loroco and revuelta, next time would try the zucchini. Husband's chilaquiles with salsa verde as good as anywhere, generous portion and full of flavor. And if that wasn't enough, lots of home baked cookies and sweets if you're not quite full. Samanthas is definitely worth going out of your way if you're craving good pupusas. read more

Samantha's Pupusas - Assorted cookies to satisfy your sweet tooth. - Salvadoran Near Me - Hillsborough, North Carolina

Freshly made. Have visited multiple times, always great quality and delicious! They do have vegetarian/vegan options available upon request. This is one of my favorite spots for a quick meal. read more

Finally! We drive by here twice a day and always say we gotta stop because everyone says how good it is. Well, everyone was right! We tried the 3 Pupusas for $10, chicken, mushroom and shrimp. They were absolutely delicious, fresh and as authentic as you can get! The salsa verde and slaw were a nice layer of acid and crunch to add to the bread. They have much more than Pupusas and we can't wait to go back and try some other dishes, including some of their homemade desserts. Small place, but friendly and very clean. Note: food is made fresh so expect to have to wait a little bit. read more

See all

So affordable and delicious! This is a staple in our house! The papusas are out of this world. Just order ahead because they are always busy! read more

Probably the best pupusas I have ever eaten! The pork beans and cheese were amazing! The red spicy hot sauce actually has some heat to it so was pleasantly surprised. I didn't love the curtido ( pickled slaw) as it was on the sweet side compared to tangy spicy flavors I'm used to but still flavorful. I have a potential relocation in this area and would definitely make this a regular spot if I end up moving. It's a little dive with a small bakery as well. Friendly service. It was 3 pupusas for $10. They are very filling, I can usually only eat 2. Leftovers were still yum the next day! read more

Samantha's Pupusas - Pork beans and cheese pupusas with curtido and hot sauce - Salvadoran Near Me - Hillsborough, North Carolina

I made two trips in the last two weeks to this place because the food is amazing. Of course the pupusas are fantastic but also the quesadilla, guacamole, salsa and omg the desserts. Amazing cookies and cakes. I'll be ordering a whole cake for my next bday. read more

The food is very good. Ambiance is a little lacking, but the light inside is very good. Service is courteous. I had sopes and my vegan daughter the plaintians, beans and corn. We both liked our food. Of the two sauces served, the salsa verde is much better. The portions of some of the other patrons looked quite large. Portion size seems to vary a great deal between dishes. read more

This place was a delicious surprise. My wife and I were staying with family up the street and tried Samantha's out for breakfast. It's an unassuming storefront on a nondescript street corner sort of out in the middle of nowhere. The inside was small and clean. The counters are tall and covered with placards of the special dish for the month, and there are tasty-looking cakes and cookies and scones in the display cases beneath. The staff is friendly and polite. We had the Salvadoran huevos rancheros, which was a huge dish of eggs, salsa, beans, a papusa (like a hearty thick tortilla), and a full wedge of queso fresco (like feta cheese) that looked like a tiny cheesecake. It was delicious and filling. We also had the migas tacos. The eggs were well cooked (not overcooked), and they included potatoes in the migas, which is genius. The tortillas were thick and flavorful and clearly fresh. So we came back for lunch. The second time, we had papusas, which come in threes. I had the mushroom, the jalapeño, and the garlic (I'm vegetarian), and my wife had the pork, the zucchini, and the shrimp. They were served with a simple cole slaw, black beans, and salsas. Their red salsa is very spicy but it's worth the burn: smokey and delicious. The green is also great, less spicy but interesting. They also have a tomato sauce, which tastes like El Pato and brought me right back to my childhood in southern Arizona; IYKYK. Mrs. loved the pork and the zucchini papusas, and the shrimp would have been perfect if it wasn't oversalted; she thinks they maybe forgot to salt the zucchini and double salted the shrimp by mistake. The mushroom papusa was rich and flavorful and paired well with both the red and tomato sauces. The fresh jalapeño tasted just like roasted Hatch green chilis with the red sauce. The garlic was overpowered by the sauces but was fantastic on its own--garlicky and buttery and delicious; it was my favorite. All of them had just the right amount of gooey cheese. The papusas themselves were excellent: slightly crispy on the edges, warm and mealy in the center, hearty without being heavy. We'll absolutely be back. Oh, and we tried some baked goods because c'mon. The coconut macaroon was crispy outside and soft inside and tasted slightly caramelized--wonderful. read more