Panchita's Pupusería & Restaurant

"Operating for over three decades at 16th and Valencia, Panchita’s is where to go for some of the city’s best pupusas—and a filling meal for under $10 at 2am on a Friday. They’re packed with delicious meats and vegetables, and plenty of cheese that oozes out to form crispy edges around the griddled masa. When we head to this counter-service Mission spot, we inevitably end up with a couple of revueltas, a classic mix of chicharron, bean, and cheese, and make sure to add an extra serving of fresh curtido on top before heading out." - julia chen 1, lani conway, ricky rodriguez, patrick wong

"Needing sustenance at 12pm is as good an excuse as any to check out some of the city’s cheesiest pupusas. The menu at this casual counter-service Salvadoran spot in the Mission has over a dozen types, from non-meat options like zucchini, spinach, and loroco. Our go-to is the revuelta, a gooey mix of chicharrones, beans, and cheese, which always has crispy edges and is perfectly griddled on the outside. For a heartier lunch, go with the combo that comes with plantains and beans on the side." - julia chen 1, patrick wong, ricky rodriguez

"Panchita's is home to some of the city's best pupusas, and it's been that way ever since this spot opened in the Mission over three decades ago. The Salvadoran counter-service spot serves pupusas packed with beef, chicken, or pork, each oozing with cheese that forms crispy edges around the griddled masa. Their two-pupusa deal includes a pair of your choosing, plus fresh curtido and salsa—the ideal lunch that's hearty without being overly filling." - julia chen 1, lani conway, patrick wong

"Panchita's has been making incredible pupusas at 16th and Valencia for over three decades. Each one is packed with meat, vegetables, and cheese that oozes out to form crispy edges around the griddled masa. Whenever we head to this counter-service Mission spot for a quick meal, hearty lunch, or 10pm snack, we inevitably end up with a couple of revueltas—a classic mix of chicharron, bean, and cheese—and then make sure to add an extra serving of Panchita’s fresh curtido on top before heading out." - julia chen 1, patrick wong, lani conway

"Operating for over three decades at 16th and Valencia, Panchita’s is where to go to sample some of the city’s best pupusas. The menu has over twelve types, including non-meat options like loroco (a kind of flower bud), zucchini, and spinach. Each pupusa is $4.75 and packed with delicious stuffing and plenty of cheese that oozes out to form crispy edges around the griddled masa. Whenever we head to this counter-service Mission spot, we inevitably end up with one or two revuelta—a classic mix of chicharron, bean, and cheese—and then make sure to add an extra serving of Panchita’s fresh curtido on top. Consider the two-pupusas-for-$9.50 deal, or a combo that comes with fried plantains and beans if you’re looking for a meal that will keep you going well into the next day. photo credit: Erin Ng" - Lani Conway