Pupuseria Salvadoreña & Mexican Food (El Cajon)(revisit)

mmm-yoso!!! is written by Cathy today; Kirk (and His Missus) are enjoying a three day weekend.  

Ever since The Mister and I stopped at Silvia Pupuseria in December, He has been on the prowl for Salvadorean foods (especially pupusas).  Revisits to our 'local' Pupuseria, which I wrote about in 2009 and again in 2010 have occurred.
  Not much has changed, other than the prices.
Freshly prepared curtido is brought to the table when you order pupusas. Also, a plain tomato sauce is an accompaniment.  There is a house made a chili based hot sauce (usually used with the Mexican side of the menu) which I requested.
 You can hear the corn based dough being prepared for stuffing as your order is prepared. The plate of freshly grilled and stuffed flatbread is beautiful.
 A cross section photo of the stuffed dough doesn't quite do it justice.  The calabaza (zucchini squash) with cheese was light and refreshing.  The revuleta (beans, cheese and chicharron) was almost too 'bacon-y' in flavor. The spinach and cheese filled pupusa is wonderful.  
 Of course there is Mexican food on the menu.  We tried the carne guisado con arroz y salad (beef stew with rice and salad) ($9.99) and it was wonderful!- large pieces of beef, potato and carrot (along with the required olive)in a thick yet smooth gravy.  The rice along with the cucumbers and tomato on top of some lettuce are perfect accompaniments.  (Those are not pupusas, but fresh hand made thick corn tortillas on the side).  There are photographs of meals on the walls.  The Mister and I pointed to one and ordered it.  Chicken soup ($8.99) which arrived with this wonderfully fried quarter of a chicken on the side, a bowl of rich chicken broth filled with vegetables and the sides of rice and salad (and tortillas) as well as onion, jalapeño and lime wedges.  After eating the chicken skin and trying some of the vegetable filled broth, shredded chicken was added to the soup and gave the meal another great flavor combination.  We will order this again. 

There are tamales on the menu; this one is pork ($2.50) and it was particularly good; the masa has lard in it. The banana leaf wrap seems to add a different dimension from the corn husk/traditional wrap.  We plan to order some for the holidays later this year.

Pupuseria Salvadoreña 1207 East Main Street El Cajon 92021 (619) 447-2501 Mon-Sat 9-9, Sun 10-9

In winter, we enjoy the atole de elote, a hot corn and masa based beverage ($2.50) made fresh here. 
 

Pupuseria Salvadoreña 1207 East Main Street El Cajon 92021 (619) 447-2501 Mon-Sat 9-9, Sun 10-9

Comments

[RedDevil]

Looks great! Thanks!

[kat]

looks delicious!

[Cathy]

A great hole in the wall; been there for a long time, RD.

The food here is so very good, Kat.

[Soo]

The fried chicken and beef stew look great!

[Cathy]

They were, Soo! Salvadoreña does serve a more 'traditional' Mexican soup, in a larger bowl, but just point at the photo on the wall to order. I think this is nicer.

[caninecologne]

Haven't tried this place yet but will add to my list Pupusas are so hearty! I like the revuelta (since it has everything in it). The curtido on the side is always good too.

[Cathy]

It's right down the street from Valley Foods Mediterranean Market and just across from Speedy Falafel, cc. A great place for some good food.