La Frontera

Great family run business that cares about their food, family, and guest experience. But this isn't a Michelin star restaurant people, so ignore all of those reviews treating it like one. I used to come here quite a bit but moved away for years. The food was always great, and the staff was friendly and had no major complaints. Are they a bit slow at times? Yeah, but it's because they're busy. Do they have a server or 2 that could do better? Yup, but ask to speak to the manager before blasting them on here. Trust me, the owners will do everything in their power to make it right. Years later I've returned and it's the same great food and friendly owners providing a great experience. It's a small, local hole in the wall. During the evenings and on weekends, they crank up the music and have a good time, so don't be surprised. The pupusas are a staple here. Get them any chance you get. The lomo saltado, bistec encebollado, and beef steak a caballo are my favorite. Always try the "Ensalada de fruta" drink. It's made in-house and loaded with fruit. Always request to try their homemade spicy yellow sauce. It's amazing. They may not be the best at marketing lol but they're trying and still holding on after the building they're in unfortunately caught on fire. Give them a try, give yourself some time if ordering during rush hour, and say hello to the owners. Trust me, they're there every day, and they'll make sure your needs are met. I also forgot to take pictures of the tacos I ordered and only had one left to take a picture of lol

2018….First time coming. It was recommended to me by one of my students who loves their pupusas and regularly has them delivered to school for lunch. Parking was hard but they do offer garage parking and road parking if the lot is full, which it seemed that it usually is. The restaurant itself was nice, wooden chairs, tables, etc. We came in and were promptly greeted by several servers, which was nice. The food was quite good. The pupusas were big and what I liked was that they had lots of cheese in them! The curtido (cabbage) was decent, I’ve had better, but the salsa made up for it. The horchata was on point, and not made with milk. I like them both ways, with and without but it can’t be too sugary. I also ordered the mariscada which I have to say was the best part of the whole meal. It come with or without crema (cream) I chose with. It didn’t disappoint! It had enough seafood in it and vegetables, and was totally satisfying! Came with 2 tortillas. Of course you can’t go without dessert! We got empanadas de leche. They were all right. I think the ones that our church lady makes are better, but this are fine. Overall this restaurant has good food and good service. And yes I would recommend it to you. October 2022 Customer service has change so much! I brought in my friends to eat only to find that as soon as we walked into the door there are 5 female servers who are on their phones and unwilling to help us. They shout to one another “it’s your turn!” There is one named Nohemi sitting at a table who has such a sour face that I’m wondering why she’s even in CS. Then there another one just flirting with two guys. Out of Al of them two of them (Lily & Ruti) try their hardest to keep up with everyone that has walked in. Would I recommend it again? Do you like to be ignored? See arguments break out between employees? Then this place is for you. Don’t come for dinner since you won’t be able to have a conversation because of the loud music.

I recently visited La Frontera restaurant, and unfortunately, it was a disappointing experience from start to finish. While the food was decent, the management's behavior completely overshadowed it. The staff seemed disorganized, and it was evident that there was a lack of professionalism in how they handled customers. It’s clear that the management team doesn’t prioritize customer satisfaction or hospitality. This really impacts the overall experience, as you can’t enjoy a meal when you’re met with poor service and a disregard for basic customer care. It’s not worth wasting your money at a place where management doesn’t have the traits needed to run a successful, customer-focused restaurant. I won’t be returning anytime soon.

We always order Balaida from this place, and they are the best in this location. They do have a variety of food options to choose from. It is a casual place so people can go and dine in as well. I definitely recommend trying balaida from this place.

Great food and customer service have been great for me. I have been going here for over 16 years, and a few yrs they were down due to fire restoration. Great place. I highly recommend it.

Delivery took well over an hour and a half and the food was completely cold when it arrived. I called several times to checkup on the delivery but they never picked up the phone. On top of that, the portions were very small. Definitely not worth the unreasonable wait.

We brought in a class of Spanish students and they helped us order in Spanish. The server was prompt and highly efficient and effective. There was a lot of beef in the entrees and appetizers; we each got something different all our choices were delicious. And the luncheon menu was a lot less expensive for the dishes we chose

Ordered a beef soup and was given a chicken soup. Didn't realize until I had gotten home. I live far away and could not return. I called to let them know and they were just rude. Said it was my fault for not checking it before leaving. Guess it was since I expected them to have my order right but that's too much to ask for. The chicken soup was simple and did not taste good. Not worth it. Never going back again. Would not recommend. There are much better places with better food and customer service.

Great food and service at a reasonable price. Owners were kind and helpful at a recent event.

This place was recommended by a friend. I placed an order for 10 mixed papusas, a chicken tamale, and tipico platter. When I called I was told it would take about 25 mins. I arrived around that time and waited in line, which seemed to take forever. When I walked in, there were a few people seated at tables, including a man by the door who obviously had a few too many beers, which is not my business, but it definitely creates an uncomfortable atmosphere when you walk in and he's staring at every woman like a full course meal. When I finally got up to the register, I gave them my name and the lady went to check and told me another 15 mins. I paid for my food and waited outside since I was not feeling the atmosphere. I contemplated ordering horchata, until I saw that they had them in open buckets and scooped them in the cups. Normally I wouldn't mind, but with the current situation, that was a big no, no! Everyone was wearing masks, but not too certain that distancing was really enforced, although the attempt was there. After about 50 mins since I placed my order, I finally got my food. My husband loved the tipico platter, but the papusas were definitely not my favorite compared to other local spots. I'm not sure that I would come back.

The food here is so good. I've only ordered through Uber eats but every time the food has been great. Well seasoned and fresh. Anything shrimp here is my favorite.

This place's a hidden gym for pupusa. Their Pork & Cheese Pupusa ($1.50) is probably the best in the area. The tortilla's hand-made and have very good texture & consistency. A lot of pupusa's tortilla're store bought, which usually will ruin the pupusa. Aside from their good taste, these babies're served with pretty generous portion for only $1.50 each!!! Their Sweet Corn Tamales ($1.80) are good too. I was pretty excited to see one since not very many places make them. Their Ensaladas De Frutas ($2) drink is out of this world. It's El Salvadorean juice drink with bunch of sliced fruits on top; I highly recommend getting this drink as it's 1 of my favorite. Overall - I only go here mostly for their pupusa & Ensaladas De Frutas; they're awesome!!! Their other food unfortunately is just ok, but the portions're usually quite generous. The workers don't speak much English, but they can still understand you. **3 1/2 stars overall**

I just got my food here. AMAZING hospitality and food. The best in town. I am a pupusa expert and this is hands down my favorite of all time. A family owned business and they are very clean and friendly. Will be coming back weekly.

La Frontera is the only restaurant I found with great food in this area of Montgomery County. Really delicious; plantains, pupusas, chicken...so good. This was my first introduction to the cuisine from El Salvador and I have loved El Salvador ever since. It's a little hole in the wall, btw. There's not a whole lot of English going on but we got our food. It's the one restaurant I would bother going back to...I was so disappointed with the food in general around here until I found La Frontera. I still think about it and it's been a while.

Yum yum. Can not go wrong with anything you order. Thank you Anibeth martines for the excellent service and smiles.

The female servers are rude and are taking shots with the patrons. It was a disturbing scene watching them almost sit on the laps of men. The fact is they didn't even bother to assist me. I hate to leave this review but they really need to get it together in there.

I love, love, love the pupusas at La Frontera. I had a training nearby and I had to run over there today to pick up two of the mixed pork and cheese pupusas. They are the ultimate comfort food, and the best to be had around Gaithersburg. What a deal: lunch for $4.15. You can't beat it!

Four Salvadoran joints within walking distance and this is still the best one. Their chicken is great, the yucca is always perfect, but my mainstay, are the pupusas. I've tried them elsewhere, but honestly, they have the best pupusas I've ever had. Service is quick and friendly. The food is good, and though I've never dined in, they're a great place to go for take out.

LIFE SAVER!! We're stuck at home with the Flu. Way to sick to cook or get to the store. Nothing like some Sopa De Pollo y Res and some tortillas to help through the day!! Thank you to the delivery driver for coming to Germantown

I read the reviews late. The food was so so but the service was absolutely awful. The waitress didn't know what simple syrup was for a margarita and told my friend she could remake it. She told him about 10x that the normal margarita isn't sweet and that the only sweet was strawberry. I've worked customer service jobs for close to 20 years and I'm still shocked by the service that I get sometimes. We will not be coming back to this place . Wow is the only thing I can say. Avoid this place please. I had to give at least one star so that my review could be posted wow if I could I wouldn't give any.

great food!!! always get their carne asada. glad they're open late!! they also deliver which is great!

Ordered (delivery by UberEATS) a half a chicken with 2 sides, plantains and yuca aka cassava. Also ordered about 6 pupusas. Food was amazing! Let me tell you. The chicken was moist and full of flavor and the cassava was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Plantains, perfect and so were the pupusas. Taste like my son's abuelita made them and she's El Salvadoran sooo, nuff said! We will be back. :)

Great food but the customer service is terrible. My gf who doesnt speak spanish asked where she can pick up our over the phone order and the waitress was extremely rude. I walked in to help her because of the lack of service. I placed my order 30min before I arrived and it wasn't prepared. Expected us to wait another 20min..ridiculous..never going back again

The steak n cheese is amazing! So much food suchh cheap prices.10/10 would recommend and come back. The employees are super friendly too.

I usually go in the date time at work during my break. This time I ordered through Grubhub because it was a Sunday and I didn't feel like cooking. The food was terrible. The two orders of Nachos were completely wrong and the tacos were smothered in onions. Maybe because I ordered on a Sunday night and the cook was different but I don't see myself ordering again I was so turned off by the food. The only good thing delivery was quick it wasn't worth it because the food was ALL wrong and nasty.#wasteofmoney

Their co workers are straight up rude and prostitutes, always trying to finesse the old men that get drunk at their mini bar.

Me and my friend were in the mood for pupusas and we just happened to be in Little El Salvadore (aka Old Towne Gaithersburg) so we checked out La Frontera. The menu is completely standard. You've got your horchata drinks, Salvadorean chicken, pupusas, seafood soup, carne asada etc. You could be dining at Ay! Jalisco or Texas Paradilla. It's the usual Salvadorean/Tex Mex fare. Absolutely nothing unique. That's minus one star. We ordered the yuca con chicarrone to start with. The yuca was dry and too greasy and the chicarrone tasted just like it always does whenever or wherever I've ordered it before. Less another star. I ordered the pupusa with pork and cheese and my friend got the same. She seemed content with hers and I thought mine was overdone. The service was pretty standard. The waitress seemed pleasant enough. She seemed surprised when she saw the 20% tip we left her which might say something about the establishment's regular clientele. I forgot to mention....they don't have ice tea! That's minus a star. No restaurant should be without unsweetened ice tea! I might or might not give La Frontera another try. Or I could just go to Ay! Jalisco.

I had place an order today of 4 pupusas de queso a sopa de Res a order of fried plantains they send me a complete wrong order of 12 pupusas mix with beans cold pupusas no cabbage no sauce I didn't get my order of plataing I call back to see why I got the order wrong they told me it was the delivery gay who got the mistake I waited and hour to get my food. This happened all the time that I had placed And ordered

This was my first Salvadorian experience and it did not disappoint. Everything tasted very fresh and flavorful. The service is a little more relaxed - not a fast food restaurant - but it's nice to take your time and enjoy the atmosphere.

Delicious food and pleasant service. We were the only non-spanish speaking customers but were made comfortable. One of the best restaurants we've been to in the area food-wise.

Small family restaurant that delivers great quality and authentic Salvadorean food. The wait staff is very nice and helpful. I order take out all the time. My friends and I agree that they make the best pupusas in the area! Get the chicharron, yucca, and rice and beans, and horchata drink. Yum Yum!

this place is the only place i will ever go to for their papusas!!! the mixed ones (pork n' cheese) with cabbage and salsa on the top...i'm getting hungry just thinking about it!!! i dare you to go to wherever you usually get your papusas, then go to la frontera in old town gaithersburg...i guarantee u will trash the ones you got from your normal spot and never return! once you have one bite of theirs at la frontera...they will be your new spot! i'm serious when i say you will probably crave these for lunch and or dinner at least once a week from now on!!!!!!!

Though I have eaten food from Latin countries many times in the past, this was my first el salvadoran food. Overall, the food was extremely good - it was a pleasant surprise. The interior of the restaurant was clean and well maintained and the staff were helpful. I would caution, however, that the interior is not 5-star. There's a TV running and it's far more casual than one might see at a high-end restaurant. No jacket required. ;-)

La Frontera has Mexican and other Latin food. I'm not positive, but I think the emphasis is on Peruvian food. Either way, it's really good! They don't serve alcohol, so it's more of a place to go for a casual lunch/dinner.

Great Salvadorian food, good family restaurant. The quality of the food is always wonderful and the wait staff is very nice and helpful. Great for take out and delivery orders too. They make the best pupusas in the area!