We used to have El Salvador Pupuseria y Restaurante on our rotation, but in recent years it had fallen off. Not because the food had fallen off, but because we just didn't visit enough. Over the last few years, the restaurant has cleaned upa bit, and gone are the loud video games. The interior has been freshened up a bit...with the emphasis on "a bit", and does look nicer.
This being Sunday, there was a steady flow of customers in and out of the restaurant, and a good number of take-out orders. And though the two young ladies running the floor looked a bit overwhelmed, they were very nice and friendly.
Things started with the basic chips and salsa.
Things look the same, right? So why a new post? Well, first off, like most places, prices have increased a bit. Pupusas are now $1.99, still a bargain, and the weekend soups (like in this post), have gone up a dollar to $7.95. It is still a very reasonable eating option.
Also gone is the "whole bucket of curtido", which is now served thusly:
Still, a change in prices, and modification of side dishes, would not usually mean a new post.
What would entice me to do an updated post? Well, today we noticed an item on the menu, we had not noticed before.
It's called Pacayas Forradas con Huevo ($7.95). Never heard of it. Doesn't look like anything particularly interesting. But brush off some of the really nice mildly sweet and rich tomato based sauce, and the egg batter, and something like this looks back out at ya'.
Don't they look like little tentacles that are going to reach out and grab you? Or maybe baby-baby corn? The pacayas, had a crunch to it, and a puckery-tannic bitterness, that bothered the Missus a bit. The sauce did well to balance out the flavor. And lest you think this is an ovo-vegetarian dish, we spied strands of meat in the sauce, and pulled out a chicken wing-tip from under the pacayas. The sauce was good....very good, and we mopped every drop of it up with the tortillas.
So what is pacaya? Not much on the Internet, but I found this post and photo from a Guatemala blog that provided a good bit of information. Appears that this was the flower from a species of palms called Chamaedorea.
And yes, the Pupusas are still quite good.
And Pupusas de Queso con Loroco has been added to them menu (or maybe we just didn't notice before). You can find a photo of Loroco on this post from Ed from Yuma.
My favorite of the day was the Pupusa de Chicharron, which was so good, I forgot to take a photo of it. Great pork flavor.
So why El Salvadoran food today...and why have I been checking out a Guatemalan blog? hmmmm........
El Salvador Pupuseria y Restaurante
3824 University Ave
San Diego, CA 92105
looks delicious! between your posts and Kathy's, I really want to try pupusas!
Posted by: kat | Sunday, 01 February 2009 at 11:00 PM
the pacayas looked like strands of a mop to me! ooh a leading comment to end the post, you guys going traveling so soon? I wish there was a pupusa place on my way to work now that I have a craving!
Posted by: foodhoe | Monday, 02 February 2009 at 08:16 AM
Great Post! I love Pupusa de Chicharron now I'm craving one. The place on Imperial Ave is in my rotation, are the affiliated? Can’t say I've tried Pacayas Forradas con Huevo but it looks interesting.
Posted by: Masa Assassin | Monday, 02 February 2009 at 10:36 AM
I Googled and one site says its date palms, I guessing the flower before it becomes dates?
Posted by: AZ hiding in the weeds | Monday, 02 February 2009 at 02:34 PM
i'd been eyeing this place for a bit - looks like i'll be going there soon to try those pacayas...and their version of pupusas as well. i've only had el salvadoreno's...
Posted by: caninecologne | Monday, 02 February 2009 at 03:15 PM
Hi Kat - I'm sure you'll love pupusas!
Hi FH - They do like look mop strands don't they?
Hi MA - First off, welcome to the wonderful world of food blogging. The two restaurants are not affiliated.
Hi AZ - Thanks for coming out of the weeds for this one! Yes, one site said it was the flower of the English Date Palm - but the genus Chamaedorea, is pretty large and vast. Whatever it is, it is the flower of the Chamaedorea aguilariana.
Hi CC - Personally, I think the Pupusa de Chicharron here is better. The ambiance is not however, so be forwarned.
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 02 February 2009 at 06:30 PM
Haha, I loved how you pulled a chicken wing tip from under that foreign (almost alien, but delicious) looking food item! That is like a mini yummy surprise to gnaw on!
Posted by: Passionate Eater | Monday, 02 February 2009 at 06:40 PM
Hi Kirk. Thanks for the post. El Salvador is in my neighborhood, but I've never tried it. Would you recommend this place over the other one you've posted about previously?
Thanks
Posted by: stephen | Monday, 02 February 2009 at 09:19 PM
Hi PE - Who doesn't love a bonus....
Hi Stephen - They are both good, but I like the pupusas here better. What's even better is, that the prices are very reasonable, so you can try them both out!
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 02 February 2009 at 09:42 PM
hi kirk
thanx for the recommendation.
ambience isn't too important to me, as long as the food is good!
Posted by: caninecologne | Tuesday, 03 February 2009 at 06:42 PM
Is that a hint for your next trip? :)
Posted by: Wandering Chopsticks | Tuesday, 03 February 2009 at 11:01 PM
Hi CC - Than you'll probably enjoy the place....only one or two gals working, one person cooking....
Hi WC - Perhaps.......
Posted by: Kirk | Wednesday, 04 February 2009 at 07:33 AM
I love your blog! I really appreciate your mention of vegetarian items on menus even though you're meat eaters. Regarding the papusa, I'm guessing they are fried in lard or not vegetarian but if you know for sure and could advise, I'd appreciate it. Thanks!
Posted by: Amy | Saturday, 07 February 2009 at 04:36 PM
Hi Amy - The pupusa is definitely not vegetarian. Without a doubt it had that L-A-R-D thingy.....
Posted by: Kirk | Saturday, 07 February 2009 at 08:10 PM