Balcon Express

We stopped by Balcon Express for dinner. It wasn’t too crowded, which made for a relaxed dining experience. The setup is fast-casual style, you order at the counter and they bring the food to your table. They have a self-order kiosk too, but it didn’t work when we tried using it. There’s a wide variety of options on the menu, which made it hard to choose ,in a good way! We ended up getting the carnitas tacos and pupusas, and both were absolutely delicious. The restroom was clean and nicely maintained, which is always a plus. Overall, a solid spot for tasty, casual Salvadoran and Mexican food. Would definitely come back to try more dishes!

Amazing food, agua jamaica and strawberry lemonade, popusas revueltas, torta pollo, and the tacos revueltos. Haven't had this great food in a long time. Tastes like grandma and mom are in the kitchen. Please don't pass this place without trying their amazing food and drinks. Let's not say their great hospitality.

The tacos were great! Self serve kiosk to order food was great but was missing some photos for the items. Nice big windows for people watching while you eat. Food came out quick. Get the aqua fresca!

Good little tacos, the sauces where pretty mild, maybe I didnt get a pepper in my sauces. The asada had a bit of a diferent taste than most but it wasn't bad, no al pastor therefore second best.. Chorizo.. also wasn't bad. The carnitas where also pretty good, needed a lil salt for my liking but with the sauce and lime you couldn't make a complaint.

Putaco is the best its fusion between a taco and a pupusa. So tasty and filling perfect meat and flavor. Mario is very friendly I would suggest a visit as soon as you can

I met Mario and his son (also Mario) at La Fitness and had a great conversation where I was invited out to their restaurant. I have never had El Salvadorian food before so I was eager to give it a try. I was greeted with the utmost kindness and professionalism when I arrived, as if I was family. I had the Steak Burrito and it was AMAZING, honestly one of the best steak burritos I’ve had. 10/10 I will recommend this place to friends and family and will revisit soon! Thank y’all so much for your kindness and generosity! Much love -Micheal

I’d put a picture of the food, but I ate it all so fast I didn’t have time to take one. Best Salvadoran food I’ve ever had. Great service and a comfortable casual atmosphere. I will be returning!

It was disappointing. Not sure if it was authentic Salvadoran - it tasted pretty Americanized to me. We got putacos, burrito and quesadilla. The quesadilla wasn't good. They had to remake it for us because the first one had some odd-looking chunks in it. The employee couldn't recognize what it was. The burrito was okay and putacos were good.

Out of this world good. And when adjusted for the fact it's in the PNW it's even better. The Quesadilla was crisp and flavorful, the kids burrito was highly acclaimed and the house red and green sauces were sensational. To top it off the service was warm, friendly and accommodating. Lastly, the aqua fresca was fantastic. Flavorful, friendly and affordable. 10/10 would dine here again.

If you have any specific questions about the traditions for their food, be sure to ask the kitchen staff, as *some* of the hourly at the register may not have an answer, in general, as I found out. Relevant or not to whom it may concern, I tasted a pork Torta, and I was impressed by the efficiency of the item more than the taste of it was anything special. Very fun to think about, as I am rarely blown away by mediocrity--truly an interesting experience.

I moved up from Los Angeles about 9 months ago and this is the first worthy burrito I've found!! The spot is cute, clean, and there's music to enjoy. Friendly staff, we had complimentary self serve water while we waited (takeout). I had the pork burrito, my friend had an Asada torta, and we each got a Pupusa Revuelta. Everything tasted so good, I was 5 or 6 bites in before I even applied hot sauce-which was amazing! We popped in on a Sunday evening and it was busy. There was a bit of a wait but it was one guy holding it down (!) and after eating that food, I understood he's an artist. I'm thinking I need to hit them up right now... I'm so glad I live within walking distance because I'm going to be putting their whole family through college!

Food was excellent but small portions. Staff were friendly. Service was quick. Restaurant was clean. Hopefully in the future for those dining in they will switch to dishes and cutlery that can be reused or recycled.

I've been meaning to try this place and I'm so glad I finally did. We ordered the carne asado tacos (4) and combo plate with carne asado tacos (2) and a pork/cheese papusa. Both red and green salsas are good, the green is mild and the red has a little heat to it. There wasn't a long wait for the the food to be ready and it was served hot and fresh. The staff is friendly, and place is nice and clean. Definitely recommend!

No frills, just great food! There was a discussion about the best burritos in Tacoma and Balcon came up multiple times. I wasn't hungry enough for a burrito when I came in so I opted for a quesadilla - it's kinda the same thing, right? I showed up a little after noon and apparently that was the perfect time since there were only 2 tables left! Not to mention there were a lot of people waiting for their takeout orders. This is a fast casual place where you can order at the kiosk if you want or you can speak with a friendly employee. There was a little bit of a wait on food, but that's due to volume and you could tell that they were hustling. The quesadilla wasn't fancy or anything - just simple, tasty food. I'll have to do some research to see if I agree with others that this place is the best, but I definitely see myself coming back here!

Food was DELICIOUS! Service was friendly and quick. We came in on Saturday evening around 630ish - ordered And got our food maybe in 10 min! Will definitely be coming back here for more food!

This place was so good!! Got a pupusa and the mix torta. Both were delicious and I want to go back to try the burrito and tacos. There's a few tables for seating but a lot of people just do takeout. Service was amazing too.

El Salvadoran food done right! I have been wanting to try this spot for a long time. Corner location on 6th and Cedar the business screams "small business with amazing pride in ownership." El Salvador flags hang outside and there is real cool artwork on the exterior walls. Inside is super clean and well decorated. Self service ordering was the only negative for me but they are trying to be modern. Ordered just one steak street taco and a papusa just to try them out. Order came out fresh and hot. Both items were delicious and a bargain at under $10 total. Will be back another day for a full meal!

Balcon Express is a welcome addition to 6th Ave! Parking is on the street and relatively easy to find. Stopped in today for a quick lunch - walked in an reviewed the menu on the screen and ordered at the counter (no wait; also self-service tablet nearby!). We ordered #2 (chorizo taco, steak taco, papusa ) and 2 papusas (bean and cheese, spinach and cheese) and a steak taco along with a drink (jamaica!) Steak tacos were so so good! Probably my favorite nearby taco as of late! I really enjoyed the spinach and cheese papusa, and it's fun to have a new type of restaurant in the neighborhood. Food was fast and easy, it tasted good, and service was friendly. Good spot for a quick lunch or grab some to eat at home. I'll be back.

The food was delicious and the prices were reasonable. The service was friendly and quick. I had the putacos and my wife had two of the pupusa's. This was the best Salvadoran food we've had in the Tacoma area. The restaurant itself is small, and has limited seating. Definitely not family friendly. But great for a casual date night. We also tried the Agua Fresca, which was good, but we will probably stick to water next time.

Delicious food and service! It was a great lunch spot during our drive to Olympic National Park. The tacos were filled with delicious meats and toppings as well as the pupusa was something new we hadn't had before. Would definitely recommend trying this location!

I've been here 5 times now, getting the carnitas putacos (pupusa/taco hybrid) each time. It's an indulgence - super flavorful and plentiful ingredients. Paired with agua fresca, this is now my go-to taco spot. Everyone who works here is super friendly, too. I also like that I can find a table and watch the goings on on 6th Ave. Casual and scrumptious!

A-ma-zing! WoW, I went today and ordered 2 combo plates with 2 tacos & pupusa on each and it was the best tacos & pupusa I've had since I moved to WA state in 2015! My husband asked me to go back tomorrow. I thought about the food all day, it was THAT good!

The salsas have no taste and the food is bland. Very small portions and expensive. Expect to pay over $20 for one item.

Moving up here from Texas it has been difficult to find good Salvadorian food. But this is the place!! Small, clean, authentic, great ambiance. Very kind staff! The food had lots of flavor and the salsas are also great. Unfortunately they didn't have carnitas ready when I ordered, but I guess that means I'm coming back! I will be back for dinner tomorrow night and many more.

Food was awesome! My favorite part of my meal was the mixed taco(chorizo, steak, pineapple). It had great flavor and I wish I ordered more. I also got 2 pupusas- flavor was on point, but texture was just ok(I've had better). I would absolutely come here again but I would love to try the combo. Service was amazing and the cashier was super super nice. Made me feel super welcome as a customer. They even had a station to the side where they offered free drinks (free horchata and Jamaica) which I thought was so sweet of this amazing business!

Very goof veggie burriyo here with aguas frescas. These guys know what theyre doing. Friendly staff. will be coming back

My wife and I went hunting for a high yelp rating place on a Friday and we arrived here. We both got 2 taco/1 papusa combos. While the portions aren't huge, the price point is good and the flavor was great. The pupusas, especially, were amazing. Service was friendly as well. I ordered pick up, got there a touch early and my order wasn't quite ready. The dining area was full and I didn't want to hover near people's tables waiting, so I went outside. The cashier was nice enough to bring my food out to me when it was ready.

Delicious food - yelp was right! Pupusas, vegetarian options, right on 6th Ave in the central area of Tacoma. Will be back,

A friend and I went there looking for a spot to eat and catch up with one another. The inside is really neat and clean, and the decor is simple and beautiful. There was a kiosk to order, and you could order at the counter as well. The food is extremely reasonably priced! The taste? Out of this world! We had pupusas and tacos and drinks. What a treat! And the salsa is amazing! I was so upset when the meal was over! The staff are very friendly and service is fast! I can't wait to go back. Probably today!

This place rocks. The food is absolutely amazing and I have never had anything but lovely service experiences here. The inside is not the coziest vibe, but if it's not your thing you can still grab your pupusas and tacos to go with zero regrets. Where else in Tacoma can you get a delicious, filling meal for under $15? Don't any unfamiliar menu items scare you, this spot is definitely a must try.

I got Hubby and I two of the two taco with one Papusa and it was perfecto they give you lime and radish on the side which I appreciate with my tacos but you HAVE to order the curtido on the side. I'm going to take my Suegra here, I know she's going to enjoy it as much we did.

Still delicious flavors the second time around! Service is great with helping on the menu. The cabbage is a nice touch and tastes great on my tacos. Good sauces as well. They explain everything well. Although I do wish it's a bit warmer in there. With all the glass it's chilly so wear a coat for inside if u eat in! They do have standing heaters and they r great when u stand. As soon as u sit it chilly on the floor. The chairs are metal so my butt got cold too. Lol!!! But we just don't linger... eat - scarf- pray! He he

burritos are still trill out here. came back to see what was good yall. 5 stars. stay trippy.

In the heart of 6th Ave District this place is a gem. So many wonderful flavors to smell and taste. Their Pupusas are easily the best in Tacoma. If you enjoy Salvadoran foods you can't go wrong.

Stopped for a quick lunch! We got carne asada tacos and putacos. They absolutely hit the spot! It was quick, delicious and the atmosphere is great. Will be coming back!

These are the best pupusas in town in my opinion the masa is perfect the fillings are the right amount cooked to perfection . I also really like the cabbage they serve with it . The tacos are good too but because they use the right kind of cheese instead of what the other places use that taste like cheap American "cheese food" .. I could not ask for more I am a regular

New spot on 6th Ave that I have heard only great things about. It definitely lives up to the hype! I had a hard time deciding what to get as everything looked amazing and settled on the Asada and "mix" tacos plus a spinach and cheese papusa. It was delicious and I will be back soon to try a burrito and their tortas. Prices are totally reasonable and the inside is small but cute and very clean. A great spot to grab takeout from or stop in for a fast and delicious lunch.

Decided to give Balcón Express a try after driving by several times down 6th Ave. We ordered pick up through Door Dash- food was hot and fresh! I ordered the two taco with pupusa plate- so yummy!! I will be back. I love pupusas!

very good food. Not a fast food joint, which is great. The food is fresh and not greasy. The portions are small compared to what you pay, but the food is great. Will definitely return and recommend to others. Helpful, friendly staff. Explained food options. I rate it 8/10 overall.

FINALLY I made it to Balcon Express! I have been wanting to try their pupusas since they opened. They did not disappoint. The service was friendly and the food was fresh and cooked to order. I tried the bean pupusas and veggie taco. I liked them both for different reasons. I'm excited to go back and try the spinach and cheese pupusa, and I will definitely get another veggie taco! Another plus- My 10-year-old daughter really enjoyed her food, which makes life easier for me!

We sampled a bunch of items and loved them all. We will be back! Thoughtful decor. Friendly staff that was helpful with our to-go order.

The food is great! Pupusas are delicious and it's great that they have a combo with tacos. I wish they had more to the menu, but overall it's great. A great place for takeout.

Amazing street tacos. Will be coming back again soon! Partner really enjoyed their Papusa.

This place is awesome! Food and service, no complaints!! I've been here twice, 1st for the pupusas, then for the mini burritos and tacos. Everything I've had there has been flavorful and the price is very reasonable. Mini burritos for around $4.50 and tacos for around 3.50 (including tax) depending on you option. So good!!

The tacos are amazing! We tried pupusas for the first time and they were unique and delicious. We will definitely be back

Ok. The self order kiosk is pretty cool! Really streamlined the process. The place is cute and the music is perfect. I could see sitting down for some pupusas or tacos. I was picking up a combo #2, a combo #3, and mixed burrito, and an extra pupusa. The pupusa menu is a little confusing if you look online because it's really cheese + whatever else. My ordering friends wanted cheese so I had to make a decision about what the + was. The mixto in the tacos and the burrito was great. The chorizo, asada, and pineapple combo was tasty. The pollo tacos were also very good. The cheese + spinach pupusas appeared to be great (I didn't get a taste, myself) and are pretty large. I would recommend Balcon for some tasty Salvadoran food!

Balcon has easily become our favorite place to eat. Their food is so flavorful, delicious and reasonably priced. Right before they closed the other day we decided we wanted tacos, we went in and picked up our order and put it in the fridge until we were ready to eat. When we went to eat unfortunately we had gotten the wrong order. We called the next day when they opened and were told that they needed to call someone and then would call me back. With in a few minutes the Owner, Mario, called me and apologized about the mix up and offered me a refund or offered to remake the order, whatever he could do to make it right. We asked for the order to be remade and of course everything was amazing! The hospitality this place offers and the fact that it's locally owned has made us lifetime customers! I recommend this place to everyone!!

Seating is a little tight, so I don't recommend large groups. They do serve all their food in to-go containers, so that's an alternative if you have more than 3 people to feed. The mini steak burrito was amazing and just the right size if you dont want to commit to a burrito for dinner. The tortilla was flaky and not at all doughy, I'm kinda wondering if they made it themselves. I wish I could have gotten more limes with my tacos, but that's more of a personal preference. The salsas were good but not spicy. The curtido for the pupusas was the highlight of the night, I think I found myself eating it on its own at some point. I'll definitely be back for more mini burritos.

Solid Mexican/Salvadoran joint. Had the #2 combo and picked 3 different fillings to try everything. Staff was very nice too. 1 steak taco...took me back to Mexico City street taco I had back in 2007 1 chicken taco...LOVED the hint of cinnamon 1 black bean papusa...classic done right with a good cheese pull and crispy crust Bag of pickled cabbage for the win! I personally liked the red sauce with the black bean and steak, and the green with the chicken. Neither were spicy though, which is fine by me. Will return!

We got take out from this place and it was very good! We got the chicken burrito, steak burrito and the bean and cheese pupusa. Chicken burrito was unique and had a special flavor and the steak burrito was really good! More of a standard steak burrito. Both were super delicious and I would order either of them again. Bean and cheese pupusa was yummy as well, a little greasy, but that was expected. We will be going back!! 10/10

We've gotten take out from Balcon X twice now and it will be a regular stop on our Friday night takeout rotation from now on! The only hard part is deciding what to get because everything we've tried is fantastic. This time I had the two taco plate with one veggie and one mixed taco. The tacos were great and very different. I love the fresh corn tortillas doubled up. Such good spice levels and they stand up to the substantial and juicy fillings! The house-made red and green salsas were a great addition to the flavors. The rice and beans were both flavorful and a great addition to the plate. My dining partner had the Steak Bowl which he said was delicious and satisfying. He says he'll have it again. He isn't a fan of corn tortillas so skipped the tacos. (I'm working on it.) We also had a side of two cheese and bean pupusas which were toothsome, creamy and savory and should convert the corn-hater into a corn lover because of their texture and amazing flavor. The tangy cabbage slaw complements the taste beautifully! I recently heard a rumor that your can have a taco made on a pupusa and, if I can confirm that rumor, I'll try that next time! Everything smelled so good in the car no the way home that we forgot to take a single photo. That's a indicator of how good this food is!

Amazing food, I've tried just about everything on the menu and have always been so impressed! The staff and the service are so nice and thoughtful, seriously top notch crew! Always such warm and welcoming energy! Great use of space in their smaller restaurant, very cozy while still being pristine and inviting! I just can't say enough good things about this place. Definitely treat yourself to Balcon Express, you will not be disappointed:)

Went today for a late lunch. Newly opened and family owned. The staff is so nice! Is everybody in El Salvador that nice? The place is geared twords take out orders but they do have a few tables and chairs for dine in. Ordered the combo #2 which consists of two tacos( one pork, one steak) and a papusa. All three were delicious. I even went back for 2 more steak tacos; they were that good. Choice of three salsas, my favorite was the red. The papusa came with this pickled cabbage slaw that was awesome! Had a nice spicy kick to it. I even put it on my tacos. My only suggestion would be to have some salt and pepper available. Radishes definitely need salt. Definitely will be back and highly recommend.

Fast food joint with friendly service. Putacos is all you need to know. Absolutely delicious!

This place was fantastic! Food was on point and so was the music. It's a bit small inside but it's worth the drive and the prices are reasonable. I wish I had taken pictures of our food selection for this post. But trust me it was all delicious and authentic.

I debated between 4 and 5 stars for this restaurant and I landed on 5 because I consider it a fast food lunch option. So in that comparison of a fast food lunch I think it is excellent, the food is all made from scratch and really flavorful. The star of the meal for me was the steak taco, the carne asada was cooked perfectly and it was moist and packed with flavor. We spent about 16$ per person and that included beverages. It's a great spot for lunch break mid week or if you just want to grab some delicious food without making a big outing of it. Interior of the restaurant is small but we were able to find seating no problem and everything was very clean and welcoming. Their customer service was excellent, my wife and I will definitely come here again.

Give them a try. It's weird going to what used to be the iconic Old Milwaukee Cafe - but something unique popped up. A Salvadoran style restaurant serving tacos, tortas and the real reason I stopped by pupusas. I have longed for a local place to crap a pupusa since I first had one 7 years ago in Portland. The place isn't fancy although clean and nice use of the small space. It is walk up counter ordering but the food was good, reasonably priced and quick. I will definitely be back