El Mirador

When we arrived and were seated, the waiter was very rude, handed up the menus (basically threw them on the table) with an attitude and said she’ll be back. There were 2 other tables being catered to, but other than that it was empty. Me and my husband waited for about 30 minutes for the waiter to take our order. We walked out. I would’ve understood if it was busy, but it was not. I feel like they paid us no mind, or did not care at all. From the moment we walked in, the service was poor and I will not be returning nor do I recommend.

We had a party of 7. The restaurant had about 5 tables worth of customers,not very busy. The setup if the restaurant is something different, it's a long building and the back area as more sitting room but to get to it you have to walk up some stairs. The food is something I've been looking forward to eating,I've had multiple people say it's very good. I ordered a chicharron with cheese pupusa,and a chorizo pupusa. The chorizo pupusa was AMAZING, add some cabbage salad ontop of it to make it even better. The chicharron pupusa was regular nothing fancy. We also ordered a bean pupusa,asada with cheese pupusa and those once again weren't anything special. So I say try the chorizo pupusa for sure. They have multile drink options. The NANCE juice was amazing. I've never had a Nance juice and it's not gonna be the last either. The strawberry milkshake was also very good and had a good flavor.. they have kids menu options with good portion sizes. Reason why it wasnt a 5 start place was due to acouple little things. For 1, the host wasnt very attentive,we walked in and I'm not sure what she was doing behind the counter but it took her acouple minutes to atleast address us. We where just standing by the door feeling awkward. Also,they brought out the salsas and cabbage salad soon after we ordered our food. Between the time they brought out these things and the time they brought out our food was between 15-20 minutes and our cabbage salad was looking very dry and didnt look fresh once our food came out. Theres no reason why they had to bring these things out so just bring it together with the food.the server brought our food out and took about 3-4 minutes after the fact to bring us silverware. We where all just confused looking at our food. the service was just ok, Not very attentive, we needed water refills and waitress didnt come around until 10-15 min into our meal time.we had asked for some fries for our daughter during our ordering time,she forgot them and finally after reminding her she brought them out 20-25 minutes into our meal.we where all done eating and just waiting on my daughter to finish . This place has good food,something different,being mexican myself you dont have this every day, dont expect great service, be patient with them and just enjoy your meal.

Homemade authentic tasting Salvadorian food. Their pupusas are delicious and large enough for 2 people. The seafood soup is thick and delicious. The restaurant is small and very casual. Prices are really inexpensive. The time for your food to arrive seems long, but the food is worth the wait. I am posting an update because I just went to their new location on Diversey and I love it! The new location is larger and colorfully decorated, they also still serve the Fantastic food. I made a mistake and ordered the pescado Frito (ehole fish) instead of the pescado filet. When the waitress presented the dish I was overwhelmed. Not only did I have one completely whole tilapia fish, but I had two on my plate. Take a look at my picture, this is a huge amount of food for $15. I was unable to eat half of it and I took the rest home for another complete meal. The meals are served with rice, beans, salad and homemade tortillas. My dining companion had 2 Pupusa's, 1 pupusa de queso (cheese), 1 pupusa de loroco (vegetable). This time we tried the Caldo de res (beef soup), it's a large bowl and was enough for three people. As per my previous commencomments above, you might have to wait a little bit, but it is well worth it.

Delicious authentic Salvadoran food! Bien rico!

nice place to eat! Amazing food! Fast and great customer service!

Amazing food! This place is so cute and aesthetically pleasing 🩷 food is top tier delicious! I love el mirador!

One server on August 27, 2021 @5pm was greeting customers and waitressing which the food took more than 30mins to arrive for my husband and I. We ordered a beef soup which the tortillas and rice were not included. We had to pay for the tortillas and rice. It’s ridiculous. 5 pupusas and they were small and 1 of them was deformed, not appealing at all. My husband tried to change it but we didn’t want to wait another 30mins so I switched it with mine. When we paid, the server hands me a credit card receipt and told me I didn’t need to sign. I noticed the total seemed high for 2 people so I asked for itemized receipt. As she walked away, I realized prices were higher than the printed menu sheet the server provided. Overcharged 1$ for beef soup, .70 for 2 tortillas I shouldn’t be paying extra for. Overcharged .25 for each pupusa. Shocker she charged 15% gratitude without my consent. “Not sure if it’s a new law they can charge their own gratitude without consent.” Most restaurants charge the gratitude when more than 5 customers, not 2. After 3 hours I went on their website and they have both menus with different prices, old and new. They should make up their minds. Yet, at the restaurant I was provided the “cheaper prices” menu that said at the very bottom and with little fonts, “Prices subject to change without notice.” I am Salvadoreña and I am so disgusted and ashamed by my own people. Will never go again and wouldn’t recommend if you want to wait an hour and be overcharged, go for it. It’s a Zero rating but couldn’t post my review if I gave it 1 star. Owner should embarrassed!

Tasty food. Great staff the chorizo papusa was soooo good

Food is pretty good! pan con pollo is amazing! also carne asada salvadoreña is magic!. You feel like being in El Salvador

I thought hard about leaving a review, but have to do it because a few things about this restaurant rubbed me the wrong way. 1. The pupusas (revueltas), have way too much cheese and not enough chicharron. It was almost non existent. Born and raised in El Salvador for the first part of my life, I know good pupusas just by looking at them. These are probably at the bottom of pupusas I have ever had. Note to self: never eat pupusas where they also have Mexican food on the menu. 2. Service was mediocre. 3. I went to pay with credit card and the lady told me there was a $4 charge on my $85 bill, if I use credit card. So basically they do not want to pay the fee the Credit Card company charges them to use their service. Well why don't you just make it cash only and let everyone know from the start? Pretty shady move #1. Luckily, I had cash on me. El Mirador, did you know the credit card companies can pull their services if they are notified about you doing this? 4. Shady move #2: So I end up paying cash and get ready to leave a 18% tip ( because I'm too nice), on the table. Luckily something told me to look at my receipt again when I was walking back from register. I just had a bad vibe the whole time I was in there. On my receipt, the 15% tip was already included! I mean that's cool if you let people know on the menu, or a sign - or something, but they did not. Usually tips are included for large parties, not a table with 3 adults and 1 kid. Well at least they saved me from giving 18%. Unfortunate that this place is treating their own Salvadoran people like that. This is one Salvadoran, that won't be back. 2.5 stars

A mi pedido le faltaba comida y cuando llamé para pedir un reembolso, todo lo que me decían era que no eran responsables de contar. Seguían culpándose el uno al otro sin ser responsables. Pedí hablar con la manager y se negaron a decir que está ocupada con cosas más importantes. El servicio es terrible no recomiendo que ordenen ahí y si ordenan cuenten sus orden antes de salir el restaurante. ¿Quién es dueño de un negocio y se niega a hablar con el cliente. My order was missing food and when I called to ask for a refund, all they told me was that they were not responsible. They kept blaming each other without being responsible. I asked to talk to the manager and they refused to say that she is busy with more important things. I went in to ask for a refund and they manager refused to give me a refund or be held accountable for their error. The service is terrible, I don't recommend that you order there and if you order, count your order before leaving the restaurant. Who owns a business and refuses to talk to the customer?

This is definitely the best Salvadorian food I have tasted in Chicago! Ok, this is the only Salvadorian restaurant I have been to in Chicago. However, the food is good, the portions are generous and the prices better than reasonable. This is one of those rare restaurants, nowadays, where when you order a dish from the menu, you get a full meal. Yes, they serve appetizers and some "small plates" but even some of those are the size of an entree in some parts of town. The restaurant is not without drawbacks: The kitchen can be a little slow at times, especially at busy times and when you order some of the slower cooked dishes; but, withhold judgement, the dish may surprise you, and make you forget the wait. You can't order a cup of soup here, they only serve it in bowls; and the size and content is a full meal for most people. If you are new to Central America cuisine. The best way to experience this restaurant is to go with with a few friends, order a few dishes to eat family style; order a plantain "empanada", a couple "pupusas" with your choise filling, some "yuca" with your choise of topping,  and a main entree such as the whole "pescado frito" (fry fish). And don't forget the "caldos" (soups). Especially the "sopa de res" or the "sopa de gallina india" (beef soup or hen soup) they are unlike anything they serve at your average restaurant. If you happen to go with your partner, I suggest one of you order the "Plato tipico" (combination plate). It gives a sample of some of the small plates, and is enough to share unless you are a very hearty eater.

Let's start with the positive. The Pupusas were large and pretty stuffed. That's about where it ends. The negative OMG I've never ever had a Pupusa covered in so much cooking oil. Took server paper napkins to get it all off. I should have trusted the previous reviews, but I hoped for the best and still ordered. I ordered to go so not sure about the service in the restaurant but phone and register service was decent. Won't be coming back unless this stops. Please don't dunk your pupusas in oil.

Homemade authentic tasting Salvadorian food. Their pupusas are delicious and large enough for 2 people. The seafood soup is thick and delicious. The restaurant is small and very casual. Prices are really inexpensive. The time for your food to arrive seems long, but the food is worth the wait. I am posting an update because I just went to their new location on Diversey and I love it! The new location is larger and colorfully decorated, they also still serve the Fantastic food. I made a mistake and ordered the pescado Frito (ehole fish) instead of the pescado filet. When the waitress presented the dish I was overwhelmed. Not only did I have one completely whole tilapia fish, but I had two on my plate. Take a look at my picture, this is a huge amount of food for $15. I was unable to eat half of it and I took the rest home for another complete meal. The meals are served with rice, beans, salad and homemade tortillas. My dining companion had 2 Pupusa's, 1 pupusa de queso (cheese), 1 pupusa de loroco (vegetable). This time we tried the Caldo de res (beef soup), it's a large bowl and was enough for three people. As per my previous commencomments above, you might have to wait a little bit, but it is well worth it.

Five stars for their food! 2 stars for service, not for lack of hustle from the waitresses, but just 2 waitresses and the place was crowded. We had to eat with our jackets on because it was so cold in there. We asked the waitress to turn on the heat because we noticed that everybody had their jackets on. We came in cold and we left cold they never turned on the heat. I hope they get it together because the dishes are excellent

So first this place charged us 18% tip and we didn't know they add it to your check. so we left a $14.00 tip on the table even though one of my corn tamales was raw. And they wouldn't give me a cooked one. The cook apparently doesn't know if the tamale is cook or raw. The pineapple atole was super sweet like it was pie filling didn't even look like atole. If the masa is gooey it is NOT COOK!!! Then they charge you a $2.00 fee if you use your credit card. Make sure to ask about the prices because the menu is outdated.

There seems to be no management available at the restaurant so hopefully they see these negative reviews and make adequate changes. We have eaten here previously and this time around the food was flavorless. I was given the wrong pupusa, and had to go looking for the server to get this corrected. After 10 minutes, the server never came back, nor did she bring the correct pupusa. I had to go look for her again and just told her to not charge the incorrect pupusa. When we went to pay, the total price was $10 over what it should of been. The excuse: that the menu was outdated and prices were higher. How about correcting the menus! Then we were charged a 15% tip for a party of 3. Nowhere was this stated, and we are obligated to leave this tip after bad service and not even getting the food we ordered. They also charge to pay with a card, but this is not stated anywhere. Finally, the pupusa that was incorrect was never taken from the total. I get small businesses are trying to deal with inflation, but taking advantage of your customers is not the way to do so. We will not be going back.

Best popusas I have tried in Chicago, very humble restaurant, made me feel like I was home, costumer service is excellent, I love,love, LOVE!!!.

Extremely disappointed at this place. The reviews are decent . Place is nice. Hospitality is very nice but I will stop there. Food was horrible Pupusas were drained in oil and were over cooked sort of burned (see attached picture ) not sure what happened but they were very bad. I also ordered the huevos rancheros and the beans had absolutely no flavor. It's called : add a little salt !! The plantains were a mush. Not the typical one that you can tell what shape they were and slight brown. These looked like they were steamed. Sour cream is just that. Not salvadorean cream. It's sad that this happened and hope they had a off day. Because as of now : LOST MY BUSINESS. .

Attempted to call and phone my order in but was put on hold my entire car ride to the place. I walk in and the staff was just chit chatting and the phone was left off the hook still on hold. I made my order at 1:25pm and was told it would be 30 minutes tops. I didn't receive my food until 2:35pm. At the 45 minute point I asked for a refund and was denied this refund. The food itself was OK at best... nothing special about this place. Guess I'll be driving further away to buy pupusas but at least they'll answer the phone and have the food ready in a reasonable time. Never coming back here.

Really good pupusas I tried the horchata it was just awful One not all pupusas are good, I tried a new one I can't remember what was it and it was disgusting

It was our first experience of trying Salvadoran food, and the server did everything for us to feel comfortable there. She gave the samples of their drinks and explained everything to us. We ordered a big plate of different toppings with chicken and shrimps and really enjoyed it !

Great food! The Papusas were fantastic and the rice and beans were great. I can't comment on table service as mine was a to go order. Will definitely be coming back again.

Simply delicious definitely worth the drive and the wait love the food here super authentic and very tasteful

The service was kind of slow but the food was great so it was worth the wait. El mirador became one of my favorite Salvadorian restaurants

The Pupusas were great! Yuca con Chicharon was yummy, love, love the curtido (salvadorian coleslaw) The restaurant is clean, service was good, love that's in the Belmont Cragin/ Brickyard area. Authentic Salvadorian Restaurant.

Try cheese pupusas, and a fresco de marañon both were excellent, prices are fair for fresh hand made food. For those who do not know Marañon is the fruit from which cashews come from check Wikipedia Sweet/tartar fruit, horchatas are delicious, different from Mexican horchata, lots more engredients

If nothing else this place if a fantastic deal for masa and cheese lovers. Ordering their pupusa's two people can be totally full for under $10. They also give a hefty amount of spicy/tangy coleslaw. I have went there for a sit down meal and ordered a feast as well. Each item was perfectly prepared. They know how to fry things. The plantain and fried yucca were exquisite. The Pina etole was never ending and served in a natural bowl. We also had the empandas and the pork fantastic. Come give them a visit.

I've been going to this place since I was very young, and my parents have been going since before I was born. We love it. Delicious pupusas revueltas.

Good food but make sure you order a whole 2 hours before your meal because they take FOREVER. Horrible at taking orders. For just an order of beans, I waited the longest. My family and I come here often and they always take so long. Will stop coming.

Very fresh great taste service was great took my kids to try popusas and they love them definitely going back !!

The SERVICE ALWAYS BEEN GOOD...but besides the exelent service, the FOOD IS AMAZING! My husband and I have tried popusas from another place and we literally got out and came straight to El Mirador ( we did'nt mean to betray you guys :( ! The Decor is beautiful. I want the Owl frame. Anyways, I recommend this place.. we will see you guys soon. Thank you.

This place has good food . But I would say the wait was ridiculous, it wasn't even busy the time we came in. And the pupusas I got were very dry . Most of the waitresses forget your order , which means you'd have to remind them .

Love this place. Food is great. Service needs to be more consistent and attentive. Pay at the table not at front desk. Also give the check with detailed items.

BEST Salvadoran food in Chicagoland EVER! Very authentic and the establishment is clean and nice. The service/treat is awesome as well. Definitely q must try: milk shakes, Pupusas de queso y revueltas. The riguas are great too.

The food is excellent, the Curtido was great. The chorizo ones were a little over the top greasy but the variety of papusas we got was delicious. Service on cook times could be improved, carry out took a very long time.

1. Payment in cash only, no credit card accepted 2. Radio too loud, TV loud too, both at the same time, just go to eat but don't try to talk because there is a lot of noise everywhere. 3. Food from freezer to the microwave, the core is still frozen in case you ask for pastelitos

Decided to try it for late breakfast/early lunch. The staff is super friendly and welcoming and went out of their way to explain the dishes. I went with the pupusa loca, it was the size of a plate and DELICIOUS! I had a tamale as well and it was excellent. I highly welcome trying it out!

Food is good but the service is crap. I called ahead to place an order, they told me it will be ready in 30-35 min. Well 45 min passed and they kept telling me my order is almost ready ... twice . Next time I'll just go somewhere else for pupusas which sucks since I really liked the food from here. Oh yea did I mention they are rude too.

Service is so bad. Don't go if you are really hungry. After waiting more than an hour we finally got our food. I ordered the pupusas revueltas. Pupusas were really salty. My friend ordered the chicken dinner and it was Raw. The waitress never apologized for the tardiness and the raw chicken. I do not recommend this place. Never going back again.

this place is the best i've had in chicago super friendly service ,the popusas are to die for i've try several places but none compare to El Mirador .

Food is good but terrible customer service. Ordered take-out and when I arrived home, realized they had messed up the entire order. Returned to the restaurant and instead of an apology received and attitude until the begrudgingly made my order.

This place is not good in service. Waitress is so slow. 8 min till waitress asked for drinks. Then 25min to serve our food. She was serving table per table. She never came back to see if we needed anything else. Owner what appeared to be he was just walking around. No attention and no gratitude for food taken to long to serve. This place takes needs more employees to prepare food faster and more waitress. Bad impressions who come and. Is if this place Was recommended but I regret going. Low rating for this place.