El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante!

Salvadoran restaurant · San Diego

El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante!

Salvadoran restaurant · San Diego

1

3824 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92105

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El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante! by null
El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante! by null
El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante! by null
El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante! by null
El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante! by null
El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante! by null
El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante! by null
El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante! by null
El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante! by null
El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante! by null
El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante! by null
El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante! by null
El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante! by null
El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante! by null
El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante! by null
El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante! by null
El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante! by null
El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante! by null
El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante! by null
El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante! by null
El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante! by null
El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante! by null
El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante! by null
El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante! by null
El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante! by null
El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante! by null
El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante! by null
El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante! by null
El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante! by null
El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante! by null
El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante! by null
El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante! by null
El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante! by null
El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante! by null
El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante! by null
El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante! by null
El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante! by null
El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante! by null
El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante! by null
El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante! by null
El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante! by null
El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante! by null
El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante! by null

Highlights

Casual spot for Mexican standards & Salvadoran favorites like pupusas, tamales & fried plantains.  

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3824 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92105 Get directions

$ · Menu

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3824 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92105 Get directions

+1 619 282 3018
elsalvadorpupuseriarestaurant

$ · Menu

Reserve

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dine in
takeout
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outdoor seating

Last updated

Mar 5, 2025

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"The name says it all: pupusas and more. And yet the name doesn’t reveal that there’s also a selection of Mexican standards, plus El Salvadoran-style tamales. Fillings are half of what makes a pupusa great; here they include broccoli, chicken, fish, chicharron, and cheese with pepperoni. The other half is the masa. Put them together, heat until everything gets gooey, and you get pockets of goodness that are best consumed in groups of at least three. The Mexican side of the extensive menu has beef birria and options like tacos, tostadas, quesadillas and burritos. Worth a sip: atol de elote, a warm breakfast drink." - Roxana Popescu

Best Restaurants in City Heights - Eater San Diego
View Postcard for El Salvador Pupuseria Y Restaurante

Selamawit

Google
It was my first time trying El Salvadorian food, which was really delicious. Loved the fried fish which I highly recommend. The freshly made papusa was really good. Price is very reasonable and the restaurant is very clean.

Miguel Cabrera

Google
This place used to be good. I ordered pupusas and a chicken tamal. The tamal was bland, cold and had a whole piece of chicken. The tamal is supposed to be shredded chicken or at least smaller size. The chicken still had the skin on it. The pupusas were just ok.

Alexandra DeRosa

Google
Our waitress was really nice and helped us choose from the menu. Everything she recommended was delicious. I'd go back again.

Rosalina Barreras

Google
I have been driving by this place for years, finally today I decided to go in. I waited for parking for about half hour, then once I walk in a lady said to get a mane and find a table. I sat there for about 10min. Waiter never came by my table, they went straight for a family that came in after I did and started to take their order. There was a young lady with a son also waiting and she was skipped too. She got up and left and about 3min later I did as well. So lacking personnel or customer service.

Elenor G.

Google
Pupusas are really good and not too pricey. The tamales de elote con crema are 🔥. We sat outside and they need to do some cleaning because there are spiderwebs all over the top of the building and outer walls and on the balcony. We waited about 40 minutes to get our food. I know they are busy with take out but 40 mins seems like a long time. Overall the staff seem pretty rushed but the food is worth it.

Jungbae Eriel

Google
I love this place! Not easy to find this type of tamales (tamales oaxaqueños/guatemaltecos/salvadoreños) here in San Diego and their pupusas were so good! Reasonably priced for the tamales at $2.50. No credit card fees and friendly staff.

R. A. (Ruby)

Google
Pupusas we're delicious and very affordable! I got the Salvadoran Horchata and it tasted very authentic! I also recommend the Yuca Frita con Chicharron! 🤌💫

Michael C

Google
This place could use a remodel and a bit of upkeep on the interior but nonetheless it is great food. It has been great every time I've been here; I've been coming here for a few years but maybe 2 or 3 times a year as it is out of my way to go eat here. I'm not from El Salvador but I know this is authentic as it gets. Also, if you need a spicier salsa you do need to ask for it as it's not common in El Salvador to eat with spicy hot sauce so they will bring out the mild one.

Chelsea D.

Yelp
The chicken pupusa's are so delicious with the perfect spice blend and masa around perfectly cooked.

Diego C.

Yelp
Really good food! Had seen this place for years and had never tried Salvadorian food, finally went and recommended for a different taste!

Jenny Z.

Yelp
Heard wonderful things about the pupusas from here, finally made a trip on a Saturday afternoon. Small lot for parking, ended up circling the block several times. Entrance to the restaurant is from the parking side. Seat yourself, they will come to you to place an order. There are plenty of seatings and the restaurant is spacious. We ordered 2 carne asada pupusas, 1 chicken pupusa, 1 pupusas loca with everything (this is about the portion of 2 pupusas, order accordingly!), platanos fritos, yuca frita and a Salvadorian horchata. My favorite was the carne asada pupusas and the extremely delicious yuca fritas! We dressed our pupusas with their hot sauce, sour cream from the platanos dish, and their cold slaw, this gave way to several delicious bites. We were curious about the taste of Salvadorian horchata vs the Mexican horchata (made with rice) we'd typically order. This horchata tasted sweeter, which isn't my preference, but good! Overall, this restaurant was delicious and you can have a filling meal for under $10. Tip: Ask for their HOT sauce. They have a much hotter one than the one they bring to table.

Harley C.

Yelp
Went on a Saturday afternoon and it wasn't too busy so we were able to seat ourselves no problem. Service was a bit slow, but friendly. The restaurant itself is basic but had fun music playing, wasn't the cleanest but whatever, you're not there for ambiance, you're there for the great food! Pupusas were amazing- definitely recommend the carne asada and chicharrón ones. We also loved the plantains and yuca fritas con chicharrones, and the Salvadorian horchata. Didn't love the tamales but everything else was fabulous. Definitely would be back!

Mari C.

Yelp
For Fathers day my husband wanted Salvadorian food, and we have been getting pupusas from this place since we moved here to San Diego. Well we decided to order different dishes today to Celebrate; what a big mistake, the Casamiento made of rice and frijoles fritos, since when casamiento esta hecho de frijoles fritos, I ordered a tamalito dulce, when I hot home realized, they gave me a Tamal de puerco, but the biggest Scam was the sopa de mariscos, the sopa is made out of imitation meat, fish balls and frozen fish, it didn't included rice neither tortillas, so why would you call it sopa de mariscos when everything is frozen imitation meat? We drive more than 35 minutes every time we place an order, and we spend $100, never again, they lost a long time customer, will never buy food here again.

Ash D.

Yelp
Elite. My drink Ensalada was refreshing i loved it. I have been coming here for years and it is consistently 10/10. Please come try some pupusas filled with cheese and meat you won't regret it

Vero D.

Yelp
Authentic Salvadoran food experience. We had 4 pupusas, including the classic revuelta with chicharrón beans and cheese. They're served with a large bowl of curtido, pickled veg to top the pupusas for the perfect crunchy bite. Ended with an order of plátanos or plantains, with lechera, condensed milk, but they also offer their traditional plátanos with beans and cream.

Paola M.

Yelp
Was craving pupusas but it was Sunday and my go-to Salvadoran restaurant (Cuscatlan) is closed on Sundays. I avoid coming here due to their limited parking, slow service, and mid Salvadoran food. This time I phoned in my order to save some time. I ordered 2 pupusas with chicharrón and cheese, ensalada juice, and a quesadilla. The pupusas were salty and didn't have enough cheese. The ensalada juice was very artificially flavored. No complaints about the quesadilla - it was delicious.

Xuan N.

Yelp
I love coming back to this place for pupusas. This time though, I also got the fried fish which was HUGE. It is a whole fried fish with seasoned rice, a charred pepper, salad, and beans. The beans were definitely a bit bland but the fish was super crispy and delicious. You need to squeeze the lime into it because the fish itself is not super flavorful.

Lori N.

Yelp
This past few months alone I have came several times xD highly recommend & it's close to home!

Marlena M.

Yelp
The service was friendly and quick. The restaurant was decorated with Salvadorian art and everything looked very clean. We went in on a Sunday evening around 6:30 and they were pretty busy. The food came out relatively quick and steaming hot. Very happy with our experience and would definitely return.

Chris A.

Yelp
All the pupusas are delicious, and you have to try the Yucca y chicharrón appetizer. It does take a while to make your order but they are worth the wait.

nathan b.

Yelp
Service Is Awful, thank god for the cooks who make good food. Reason I keep coming back. I wish I can tip decent but this service make it so hard. I work hard for my money and I will not reward service just carrying an exiting tittle. I literally Had to go to them to place order, utensils, and most of my need. And they acted like I inconvenience them. Very Uncomfortable

Sal A.

Yelp
Came here for a late night dinner . I was seated right away and service was good . Pupusas were really good and priced right . Only downside is the parking was little sketch.

Cathy A.

Yelp
The food is 5/5 stars!! I usually order the carne asada and the frijoles con queso pupusas. The ensalada drink and the Salvadoran horchata are so delicious. I also recommend the pastelitos and the caldo de rez con frijoles. I've been to this place like 10 times! I would give it 5 stars but sometimes the service is not so great. I had a waitress forget one of my food items once and told her 3 times about it. She gave me an attitude and brought me the plate like 10 min after we finished eating everything else.

Sandy S.

Yelp
Me gustan mucho las pupusas de este lugar, especialmente las de chicharrón. Los tamales estan buenos tambien solo que son diferentes a los mexicanos o guatemaltecos que me gustan mas. El servicio no es muy bueno pues siempre esta lleno y tiene uno que esperar por una mesa y la comida también tarda un poco, El ambiente es un poco ruidoso pues es mucha gente en un lugar pequeño. El mesero se porto muy amable.

Cip G.

Yelp
2nd time we've been here. Great food. Service is ok. Kinda hot inside in this hot weather but overall .......good!

Ash H.

Yelp
Stayed sitting on the table for 30min and no service was ever provided. The lobby wasn't even full. Terrible customer service! And no wonder servers complain that they don't make much! Maybe if they put all their 100% in providing service.

Chris J.

Yelp
Yummy Pupusas! I got the potato and the pork chicharron with cheese! So yummy. I'll be back to try more like the carne asada and definitely more of the potato!

Martha M.

Yelp
We have friends from El Salvador and they highly recommend this place. It looks like a little hole on the wall, the parking lot was unkept, and the building could use a makeover. However, the food a bit unusual but very good. The pupusas are a soft corn maize (looks like a tortilla) filled with whatever ingredient you like; they have a whole list of ingredients you can stuff in it. The service is very good. They are polite and eager to help. We had a lot of questions. The drink are so good; I had a the Salvador agua de horchata. Tasty. If you are adventurous and not to snobby you must try this place. Note: it's not Mexican food Enjoy.

Rosanna T.

Yelp
Overall: If you were not looking for Salvadoran food specifically, you might miss it. It is TRULY a mom and pop restaurant. The white and blue decor is nice but I would not expect service to be particularly fast and environment to be 100% clean. However, the food was to DIE for. I have NEVER had a better pupusa in my life. I wish I took pictures but I just snarfed it down... +1stars Food: + 2 stars Chicken Tamales: Super good and flavorful. Soft and flavorful. Lasts about 3 days with refrigeration Elote Tamales: Finding corn tamales is SUPER hard and this one was DELICIOUS. It tastes like corn bread but soft and moist Pupusas: Dude....best pupusa I have EVER had. I can never and WILL NEVER eat another pupusa in San Diego (a joke but its tooo delicious) Service: Slow but the servers are very nice Location: It has a small parking lot and right off the freeway. Best Salvadorian food I have had! Its also rare.... +1 stars Price: For the price, you get an AMAZING portion size. +2 stars

Christina N.

Yelp
I looooooooove pupusas and this is a place for it. Their menu is extensive and it's all so good. I personality enjoyed the loco pupusa which is HUGE. Like triple the size of a normal pupusa. The curtido (pickled cabbage) is such a good pairing and their homemade hot sauce with the pupusas. Don't miss out on their ensalada drink!

Melissa G.

Yelp
The best Salvadoran restaurant in San Diego, great price and tasty food. It's a must try! (Especially the pupusas)

Susana T.

Yelp
The food here is amazing and authentic. My friend who is Salvadoran was very impressed with the quality of food. We shared pupusas and tamales. My only advice is to pay with cash! My card got compromised after purchasing our food the next day.

Evelyn C.

Yelp
Pupusas and tamales are always so yummy taste like someone's grandma made them. Definitely recommend

Berenice A.

Yelp
Popusas are soo good. I had the cheese jalapeño and the revuelta. Condiments are really good too. I would recommend for the spicy sauce if you like spicy. Yes I would go there and keep going back for more.

Jewels ..

Yelp
I would not recommend the tamale. Aqui esta un hueso grande. Why the F is there a HUGE bone in the tamale. It was unedible. I WILL NOT GO BACK. People do not pay money for that.

Kevin B.

Yelp
They can't get my order on the phone just for 10minutes left we can to visit San Diego from San Francisco

Taylor H.

Yelp
Delicious. Everything. Been multiple times and always leave in a good mood. Only bad thing is I only make it about once a month.

Karen T.

Yelp
The Sopa de gallina is so authentic, flavorful and I like that it's not greasy nor salty. The chicken is delicious and although a bit pricey, it's what the doctor recommended and will buy only from here. I've tried most of the Salvadoran restaurants out here in SD and this restaurant by far, is closest to authentic Salvadoran flavors...I am Salvadoran, and I know.

stephano g.

Yelp
Love the food I never had a good pupusa. My family and I drive hour and half just to get some amazing food

Colt M.

Yelp
I've been to El Salvador & this place is better than anywhere!! Pupusas revueltas are unbeatable in flavor & size.

Alysse H.

Yelp
Omggg y'all I had El Salvadoran Pupusas for the first time at this place and they were DELICIOUS!! I had heard about Pupusas before but had never tried them. City Heights is the place to be if you're looking for cuisines from various cultures and this place sits in the heart of City Heights on University Ave. I ordered the pupusas de carne asada con queso and the pupusas de pollo con queso and BOTH were insanely tasty. The meat was tender, I asked for light cheese, and the tortillas tasted fresh and homemade. I don't have anything to compare these to, but I don't have to, I'm coming right back here for more pupusas because you can't beat their authentic taste and incredibly inexpensive prices. It even came with a pickled slaw and a very flavorful sauce, I presume to dip my pupusas in. They don't have a lot on the menu but you can tell that that they make all their food with love and authenticity. The lady who rang me up was very nice and had good customer service. There's a parking lot but it's not very large. They seem to make everything from scratch so it can take a minute so, I wouldn't come here if you're in a hurry. Overall, I enjoyed every bite of what I ate from here and will definitely be back for more pupusas and possibly some of their other menu items. If you're ever in the area or simply want to try pupusas, definitely check this place out, you will not be disappointed!

Thuy N.

Yelp
PROS: + pork pupusa + corn dessert + friendly service + rib eye + wallet friendly + carne asada EVERYTHING CONS: - parking is limited - ran out of toilet paper Great place, will definitely be back!!

Rev. Dr. Will G.

Yelp
I went there late in the afternoon, very hungry.... The restaurant was almost empty but I received the worst service I have received anywhere in years. I chose to sit on the front porch but no one came to take my order for 10 minutes. 30 minutes after placing my order I still have not received my meal. When I inquired about it they told me it would be up in a few seconds 7 minutes later I left in disgust, with no food. Incompetent unfriendly and inattentive servers. I will never return..... buyer beware

Julius E.

Yelp
My go-to for authentic Salvadoran food in San Diego. Variety of affordable pupusas comes w curtido and a tomato salsa. Plenty of vegetarian/vegan options...my fiancé is obsessed w the frijole pupusa and get a casamiento plate which is a simple yet delicious mix of rice/beans/spice which you can also get w crema & queso. Always wash down w/ bottle of Coke! My personal favorite: Pupusa de Jamon (Ham & Cheese) Pupusa de Revuelta (Chicharron, beans, cheese), & Casamiento.

Stephanie R.

Yelp
In my Salvadoran opinion this is the best Salvadoran restaurant in San Diego! The pupusas hit everytime, the ensalada and Salvadoran horchata are phenomenal and the yucca frita never disappoints! Service can be slow sometimes but the staff are always friendly and helpful! Not to mention that they are so incredibly well priced! I love this place! My go to when I'm craving my cultures flavor's!

Marifer C.

Yelp
I brought my boyfriend to try Salvadorian food for the first time. Because I was missing home. The Food was delicious!!!! Reminded me of home. The service was great too very polite and welcoming people. The ambiance was lovely it was like you were at grandmas house in the mother land. Definitely coming back!

Ryan S.

Yelp
Very good, solid Salvadoran food! I ordered a couple pupusas and the Salvadoran quesadilla. My dad got the chicken torta and enjoyed that as well. Only issues are a small parking lot and we went on a hot day and there was no AC. Aside from that, enjoyed it and will come back again.

Emily S.

Yelp
So good! The food is delicious. Be prepared to wait but it's worth it. Our waiter made sure to let us know that our food was coming. Parking can be cumbersome.

Samantha K.

Yelp
This place is DELICIOUS. So many options for pupusas, the sauce and cabbage is flavorful, and all of the ones we tried were amazing. Definitely top in San Diego. This place is super cute in an authentic way (not an Instagram way). Service is great, they were super nice and friendly. I will definitely be back!

Jenn G.

Yelp
I ordered the Chicharrón, frijol and queso pupusa Omg it was amazing! Great service too, when I was ordering I mentioned to the lady at the counter that I was my first time there so when I got to the drinks she suggested the Salvadoran Horchata. It's really good!! I'm glad I found this place

Brandon M.

Yelp
The food was not the best, different style and the sauce wasn't spicy, also when you make sure to ask for separate bills if splitting they wouldn't do it for us. Service was awesome the lady took our order quickly and helped out, if you want to tip will have to be cash seems like their owner doesn't give back the tips....

Fernando B.

Yelp
This to me personally is the best Pupusas in town. I love them a little bit of a wait but definitely worth it

Brent P.

Yelp
I came here with my friend on Thursday evening and ordered the usual best options here: Pupusas de Pollo, Plantanos Fritos con Frijoles y Crema, Tamal de Gallina Pollo, y Empanadas de Leche. Everything was excellent and never ever disappoints! I highly recommend coming here to try true Salvadorian comida!

Ozzy j.

Yelp
Their food is garbage , I got a tamal of bones , lady said their chuletas de Puerco ND had no meat at all !, the worst service I've had ever ND I worked at a restaurant for 15 years . Don't recommend it to no one ! Might as well starve to death then eating their !!! I had to put a star but not even that!!!!

Bryan P.

Yelp
Really good! The loca is the big one (before adding the toppings). It was good, but had too much going on. I preferred the simpler Revueltas. The pork tamale had more flavor than the bland chicken tamale.

Nicole M.

Yelp
Best pupusas EVER!!! Service a little bit slow but to their defense, it was really busy.

Ashley C.

Yelp
Food is absolutely amazing! Not only do they have pupusas but many more! As well as Mexican food. These pupusas are unique and yummy! Quite cheap to! May be cheap but absolutely delicious! They even have pupusas of all! To pupusas with pepperoni and more all the way to your original pupusas! Service here is great. Nice workers, nice chef, nice restaurant! It looks amazing inside the place as well! It gives me a good vibe haha! if I had to rate out of 10, it would be a 11!! Try it out for yourself! :)

David R.

Yelp
Not a good service .not friendly. Food not good. Tried Silvia pupuseria in national city . You won't regret it . I recommend it. El servicio muy Malo y la comida mala .prueben Silvia pupuseria in university Ave lo recomiendo soy una persona que me encantan las pupusas y no me gusto el trato de la persona que tomo mi orden en university Avenue. La comida no sirve. Es la verdad. Recomiendo gasten su dinero en otra pupuseria y veran la diferencia. Att un cliente insatisfecho