Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food

Salvadoran restaurant · National City

Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food

Salvadoran restaurant · National City

1

916 E 8th St, National City, CA 91950

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Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food by null
Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food by null
Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food by null
Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food by null
Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food by null
Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food by null
Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food by null
Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food by null
Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food by null
Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food by null
Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food by null
Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food by null
Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food by null
Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food by null
Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food by null
Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food by null
Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food by null
Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food by null
Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food by null
Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food by null
Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food by null
Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food by null
Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food by null
Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food by null
Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food by null
Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food by null
Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food by null
Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food by null
Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food by null
Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food by null
Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food by null
Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food by null
Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food by null
Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food by null
Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food by null
Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food by null
Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food by null
Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food by null
Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food by null
Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food by null
Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food by null
Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food by null
Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food by null

Highlights

Authentic pupusas and Salvadoran dishes served  

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916 E 8th St, National City, CA 91950 Get directions

silviaspupuseriasalvadorianfoodnationalcity.com

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916 E 8th St, National City, CA 91950 Get directions

+1 619 773 6009
silviaspupuseriasalvadorianfoodnationalcity.com

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Aug 23, 2025

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San Diego’s Best Affordable Restaurants | Eater San Diego

"Salvadoran comfort is guaranteed with each bite of Silvia’s homemade pupusas. There’s nothing casual about this pupuseria’s satiating masa pockets loaded with diner’s choice of filling, such as the best-selling revuelta (a combination of pork, cheese, and beans), chicken and cheese, potato and cheese, spinach and cheese, and more — all served with tangy curtido. The shop’s small, brightly painted interior makes for a cozy dine-in option, although pupusas are always ideal for carryout. Pair a couple of pupusas with a banana leaf-wrapped Salvadoran tamale for a complete experience." - Roxana Becerril

https://sandiego.eater.com/maps/best-affordable-cheap-food-restaurants-san-diego
View Postcard for Silvia's Pupuseria - Salvadorian Food

Nora G

Google
The Silvia’s Pupuseria was amazing! The pupusas were absolutely delicious—fresh, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. The prices were very reasonable, making it a fantastic value. Plus, having parking available was a huge bonus. Definitely coming back!

Moises

Google
I am a Salvadoran man, been to a few Salvadorian restaurants. Each claiming to have and serve authentic Salvadoran dishes. Silvia's Pupusería did not disappoint. From tortillas to carne asada, everything was delicious. We had carne asada and some chicken soup. I am coming back next time I am in the area. Our waitresses were so attentive, always on point making sure we were ok. Highly recommend it.

Ray G

Google
Pupuseria Silvia delivers on both flavor and authenticity, which is great to see since Salvadoran cuisine isn’t as common in the San Diego area. The moment you walk in, the air is filled with the rich, comforting aroma of sizzling masa and melting cheese. The pupusas arrive hot off the griddle, their golden, crispy edges giving way to a warm, gooey center packed with flavor. The revuelta (pork, beans, and cheese) is a standout—savory and deeply satisfying—while the loroco and cheese offers an earthy, floral note that pairs perfectly with the creamy filling. The chicharrón was especially delicious, with a bold, well-seasoned richness that melts in your mouth. The chicken, however, was a little on the dry side, though the curtido—a tangy, crunchy mix of pickled cabbage, carrots, and oregano—helped bring it back to life alongside the mild tomato salsa. Beyond the food, the hospitality here is warm and welcoming, making it feel like a true neighborhood spot. Another big plus is the parking—it's located in a large free parking lot, so there’s no hassle trying to find a spot. The only downside is that the indoor dining area doesn’t quite match the quality of the food. The décor is outdated, and the space could definitely use a remodel to make it more inviting. Still, with pupusas this good, it’s easy to overlook the ambiance. If you’re craving authentic Salvadoran comfort food, this place is absolutely worth a visit—I’ll definitely be back!

Alexander Cowan

Google
This place! Pupusas were so amazing! Loved the Revuelta most. Their curtido and salsa roia were both on point, slight tang and so savory. Cheese quesadilla was thick and had excellent cheese pull, but that green salsa, come on, so tasty! Can't wait to have these heavenly noms again!

Sue Duong

Google
01-08-2023 Ordered: Pupusas: -Loroco with cheese $3.25 -Camaron with beans and cheese $3.50 -Revuelta (chicharron) with beans and cheese $3.25 -Pollo with beans and cheese $3.25 -Costilla de Puerco $13.25– pork was tasty and tender. -Sopa de Pata $14.50– full of deep flavor. -Mojarra $15.25– crispy. -Yuca Frita $8.25– best deep fried yuca I ever had. -Puerco Tamales $3.25– Yummy! -Pollo Tamales $3.25 Dessert: -Platanos— sweet. Drinks: -Ensalada $3.25— sweet and sour refreshing. -Horchata $3.25 Our first time having Salvadorian food. We enjoyed our experience here. The food was delicious! Went home feeling stuffed.

Limon Global

Google
Family friendly environment with good traditional Salvidorian food. Pros: good customer service, inexpensive, large portions for soup and aguas frescas. Cons: 1 popusa is $2.50. We loved that the menu is on the tables, so it helps people with bad eyesight! Hope to try more food because the sopa, pupusas, and salsas are good.

buhlinduh vee

Google
The food is delicious, good service, local. I usually get the pupusa revuelta and the spinach with cheese. The curtido is pickled cabbage mixture that adds flavor to the pupusa if you'd like. I enjoy it on top mine. They set up a food truck at the National City Swapmeet as well on weekends if you want a bite to eat while digging for treasures. 😎

Joe Delgado

Google
My wife and I are both from El Salvador. We're always looking for a restaurant that offers Pupusas and other salvadorian dishes in the San Diego area. So,we tried this restaurant today and it didn't cut it. Not what we expected at all. We drove and hour and a half time get here but we were disappointed 😞 We tried their pupusas. Not going back. Sorry.
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Jocy C.

Yelp
I had a food craving but didn't know what to eat. A quick Google Search and Eater San Diego search later, I found Silvia Pupuseria under "12 Essential Spots for Affordable Eats in San Diego" - https://sandiego.eater.com/maps/best-affordable-cheap-food-restaurants-san-diego Silvia Pupuseria is described as the following: Salvadoran cuisine is showcased at this casual restaurant specializing in pupusas with all manner of fillings including the standout revuelta stuffed with pork, cheese, and beans served with crunchy curtido, a tangy slaw. Pair a couple of pupusas with a banana leaf-wrapped Salvadoran tamale and you're in masa heaven. My friend and I headed over to Silvia Pupuseria in National City area of San Diego on a Wednesday evening. I asked the waiter for some suggestions of what to try and also saw some Mexican dishes along with Salvadoran / Mexican fusion dishes. I ended up ordering the following: - Pupusa (Hongo - Mushroom) - Pupusa (Pepperoni con Queso) - Pan Relleno (Stuffed Bread with Chicken) - Tostada (Carne Asada) - Empanadas de Platano (Banana Pastries / Dessert) - Horchata (Salvadoran / Morro Seeds) OH MY GOODNESS. Everything was delicious!! The pupusa was not greasy. I dipped my Mushroom Pupusa in the sauce that came with the Pan Relleno. Pan Relleno is definitely a MUST GET item. Definitely tastes like "MOM MADE IT AT HOME". My friend liked his Pepperoni con Queso Pupusa and Carne Asada Tostada. Another MUST GET item - the Banana Pastry (Empanadas de Platano)!! I also tried their Salvadoran horchata (first time in my life); nothing else to compare it to, but definitely liked it! They also have the Mexican horchata too! Service was friendly & non-pretentious. Ambiance is super casual. ENJOY!!
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David H.

Yelp
We still like the food, but the masa has definitely changed and to me, it's noticeable. We've been extremely loyal to this spot and we will continue to come here, but I think we're gonna continue our search once again to find that homestyle pupusa we're all looking for. My wife's family is from El Salvador so every time they come to visit, this is usually where we would come and they would be content, but now with the masa being different, I can't bring them back. The masa change would not go over well with my in-laws.
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Angie M.

Yelp
Great whole in the wall spot with the best authentic pupusas. They have an extensive menu with something with everyone and getting in and out of there was super easy. We loved the mixed pupusas :)
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Brianna W.

Yelp
Hands down the best food, great service, and friendly staff. I highly recommend eating here.
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Stephanie A.

Yelp
Absolutely the BEST pupusas I've had in San Diego! They are so big, hearty, affordable, fresh, and incredibly priced. We ordered take out and will absolutely order again. My goodness. If you want good authentic pupusas try them out you will not be disappointed. 1000/10 The queso con loroco is hard to get down and they absolutely do.
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Danny W.

Yelp
These pupusa's were very affordable and large. I had the chicken and cheese pupusas I would recommend this little gem of a restaurant. The start of the show was the salsa which was one of the best salsas I've tried in a long time. The waitress was very kind and answered all of my questions. Overall, had a good experience and if you're in the mood for Salvadorian food, stop by.
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Nick S.

Yelp
I recently stumbled upon this hidden gem of a papuseria, and let me tell you, it's become my absolute favorite spot! The cortido is simply delightful, and don't even get me started on their salsas - they're bursting with flavor! Every visit, I make sure to indulge in their mouthwatering papusa revuelta, paired perfectly with their savory sopa de res. Despite being a small establishment, they sure know how to impress with their delicious offerings and impeccable customer service. Sure, their English might not be perfect, but who needs words when the food speaks volumes? Trust me, this place is a must-try for any food lover!
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David D.

Yelp
I ordered the plátanos fritos breakfast plate and it was tasty. My wife always enjoys their revuelta pupusas and their pork tamales. All in all their food is flavored well.
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Jennifer E.

Yelp
We have been several times for pupusas for takeout. They do have lots of tables to sit at inside. The parking lot is difficult to navigate since it's always full. But the pupusas are a hit every time. Definitely a place to go to when you're craving pupusas.
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Alyssa G.

Yelp
The best Salvadoran spot in SD! Been here a couple times and loved everything so far. Anything with the flat steak is going to taste incredible. The revuelta pupusa is also my favorite, soft crunch on the outside with an incredibly flavorful filling of bean, cheese, and meat. The price is incredible too for how much food you're getting. Can't go wrong here, Silvia is a South Bay gem.
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Erin C.

Yelp
My son highly recommended this place because of their Sop Caldo De Res....OMG!!! Talk about comforting & just delicious. I'm telling all my Hawaiian locals to try this spot out. Salvadorian food is tasty & THE BEST!!!!
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Eva C.

Yelp
The yummiest Salvadoran food in San Diego hands down! I've been plenty of times and definitely recommend it! I usually do take out from here, but the inside is very welcoming and homey. The parking lot is often full so just keep that in mind. This time I tried out the Pupusa Loca which was the size of a large pizza! It was to die for, super flavorful with all its fillings, and very good portions. I would say that 4 people could get fed and be satisfied! The side of plantains with beans and sour cream (not pictured) is also always a must!
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Roberta C.

Yelp
The food was delicious. There is ample seating and the wait was not too long for getting our food fresh. The menu offers a good variety of food and I highly recommend the Yuca Frita, Revuelta Pupusa, and the plátanos. If I could give this location a 4.5, that is exactly where I would land. The service was good, but not particularly special.
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michelle s.

Yelp
Chicharrón Pupuseria did not expect it to be good was not greasy and lots of flavor the cabbage topping was delicious spicy and fresh
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Fred C.

Yelp
The Salvadorian horchata here will CHANGE YOUR LIFE. There's also plenty of space and their pupusas are excellent. Service was great as well! Stop by and grab something to eat, but make sure you get that Salvadorian horchata to drink.
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Alexander C.

Yelp
We had Silvia delivered again via DoorDash and I have to say, they are consistent. Consistently delicious! The exterior texture of their pupusas are supple with a slight crisp and inside, filled to the maximum with tasty ingredients. The curtido (cabbage salad) is ample with that slight vinegary tang cuts the richness, so balanced. I'd you're craving pupusas, Silvia Pupueria is the place! "You, Soft and lonely.. You, Lost and lonely.. You, Just like heaven" - The Cure
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Chris S.

Yelp
Unas pupusitas y un tamalito nos Calle bien! But when they say tamalito it really should be tamalote, that thing was BIG! The pupusas were big too!

Itzayana R.

Yelp
Second time eating pupusas and I will be coming back it's the most delicious food i have ever ate!!! Service was amazing and the pupusas are fresh and just to die for this is my new favorite spot shout out to the team for making this experience very pleasant.
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Karla R.

Yelp
So good!!! So filling! Silvia Pupuseria is THE place to go to for pupusas around SD. The restaurant is homey and seems family-run, so it feels welcoming. The folks here are nice, too. My friend and I dined in and got our order about 10 minutes later. I ordered the Queso con Frijol Pupusa (beans + cheese) and it was delicious!! It had a great amount of both beans and cheese so the pupusas were hearty and filling. The curtido was also super good and I liked it so much, that I added more of it, along with the salsa. If you're craving a good, real pupusas, go to Silvia's! They have parking, too :)
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Evelyn D.

Yelp
We chanced upon their food truck at the National City Swap Meet. I'm glad that we did! At $4 dollars a pupusa, expectations were high. These pupusas don't disappoint! I got 2 revueltas. They were so thick and full of meat and goodies! No flat pupusas here. My husband loved them too! I cant wait to go to the actual restaurant to try more items!
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Heather H.

Yelp
Amazing!!!! What a fantastic place. Phenomenal flavors and super nice service. Went here on a Saturday evening with family and it was a hit for everyone. Our 4 year old are a whole papusa and loved every bite. Thank you for having us.
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Michael N.

Yelp
This place is not the most attractive place or location. However, the papusas are delicious. I had the revuelta and pescado papusas. Both tasted delicious and authentic. I was also given 2 complimentary papusas--wow! You have unlimited cabbage and unlimited sauces. I washed it down with a Salvadoran horchata which was also yummy. I can't speak to the other menu items, put the papusas are on point. If you're ever in National City, give this place a chance! Recommended!!
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Alyanna M.

Yelp
Great place to get your Salvadorian food fix in the South Bay! I've tried a few of their pupusas & they never disappoint. My favorite ones are the spinach, revuelta, & the chicharron! This place is one of my go-to's for salvadorian food when I'm in the area!
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Pamela O.

Yelp
The service is alway great and the pupusas are really good. I've been coming here for years! Recommend!
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Allison B.

Yelp
Let me tell you something. The last time i had a great pupusa was in Los Angeles. I found this spot by accident driving to an appointment and found their food truck in a parking lot. Do not judge this place by its exterior. The window photos look like they could be updated due to sun damage. But the food is tasty and fresh. I was greeted upon entry. The quickly took my order and the wait was appropriate for its freshness. I only ordered 2 cheese & jalapeño pupusas and a Salvadoran style horchata. Bcuz its 11am and i've been craving pupusas. This is a good breakfast right?
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Kimberly C.

Yelp
Went here with a friend for lunch and all I have to say is that the food at this place is just delicious!! Had two different pupusas and a chicken taco. All of it was just super good! Our waitress was super friendly and patient as well as we had two under two with us. They give chips and different sauces while you wait. They also brought out this type of slaw (not sure what is the actual name) but that was delicious also! Highly recommend this place! I will definitely be ordering from this place again!!
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Marnel H.

Yelp
This place is pretty close in taste to my suegra's pupusas. My husband is Salvadoran and we took my suegra here a few weeks back. The waiter was really nice and personable. We usually do take out but glad we dropped in to dine in. I love the photos of the family around the restaurant too, it was very personable. Would definitely come back again.
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Dulce R.

Yelp
What can I say other than I crave Silvia's tamales and pupusas all the time!!! Last night was no exception! The guys got pizza ordered while I picked up some food here. After coming here on and off for a year, I am so glad they lasted. The service has not waived... always friendly and willing to assist in ordering! The food is absolutely amazing and mouth watering... the tamales just melt in your mouth and still hot from the moment you start to the moment you finish and then it leaves you wanting to eat more but your too full because you ate your pupusa first! Don't get me wrong I love my Mexican tamales, but something has to be said for Salvadoran tamales!!! Amazing!!! They are located in a busy shopping complex off 8th in National City. Make sure to use the entrance right before the liquor store... there is only one way in and out. You can order delivery, on yelp for pickup through grubhub, over the phone or walk-in!
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Abigail S.

Yelp
This Pupuseria is amazing. The only pupuseria I've been to and San Diego and will continue to go to! The service is always exceptional. The restaurant is so cute and cozy. And the food is worth every penny. I love this place and highly recommend
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Maria B.

Yelp
Fantastic food, fast service for fresh food, hole in the wall. Best pupusas in San Diego hands down. Took some to work and people who don't like pupusas liked them. Not an expert but I am of Central American descent and this tastes like food made by a grandmother or an aunt. So good.
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ivania del carmen v.

Yelp
I got the Maduros con Crema...and man! I didn't know plantains came so big! They were humongous! Very ripe. The beans were like homemade. Leo got a tamale Salvadoreañ style. It was a good size. Pupusas looked good and I'll have to try em next time. The server was really nice. He showed us another customer's tamales before we ordered one ourselves. The ambience is humble, simple yet I enjoyed myself.
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William G.

Yelp
Had to be one of the best Pupuseria I've been too. Food tasted amazing and the service was great . Drink were on point and not watered down . Food was sooooo good me and wifey had to get some to go . Favorite part of the pupusas was how cooked and well stuffed they were. Perfect Ratio on the ingredients
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Erwin S.

Yelp
Try the green salsa. It has a little bite. The pupusa's are very filling. I like the jalapeño w/ queso.

Sarah B.

Yelp
Food was tasty and large portions. Love the cabbage topping. Service was fast and efficient. Ambiance is ok but not fancy.
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Kia S.

Yelp
I actually came here looking for a carne asada burrito and discovered Salvadoran food is what they are truly known for. Okay, okay, something new! Nice size spot, really clean and very welcoming. Yes, it's a taco shop vibe but the food was unexpectedly delicious. I went with two traditional pupusa: one squash and one beef and bean. Everything is made to order and the pupusa is served with this tasty pickled cabbage slaw and sauce. The dish is similar to a quesadilla on steroids. The freshness was what pushed this over the top for me. Everyone was super kind, you order with the cashier and someone will bring your food to your table. I have returned with a friend from El Salvador and they confirmed, ithis place is authentic. I am definitely coming back to try one of the many breakfast dishes. So many wonderful options to choose from.
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David S.

Yelp
Food and portion was great, Service was good, owner very attentive. Ample parking space. Will Def be back

Dorothy W.

Yelp
Inside doesn't look great furniture is pretty beat up, but the food is definitely good
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Donna G.

Yelp
While eating on a Sunday afternoon the staff decided to mop the floors with the strongest chemicals. When I asked them to leave that for another time since we were trying to enjoy our food, staff responded that she had to clean at that precise time. Apparently the staff does not clean up before or after the restaurant opens, it' cleans in the middle of the day. The place is a bit small... trying to eat and smell that was gross. Too bad, the food had been enjoyable until that incident occurred. I will never go back.
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Ashley R.

Yelp
These pupusas were amazing! I had the spinach one and chicken one. Definitely great eats!
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Jiselle T.

Yelp
The pupusas here are great they do add a lot of filling. I had the revuelta pupusas, they did add more black beans than chicharrón, but they were still good. They don't skimp out on the salsa. Which is pretty thick with good flavor and not watered down, like some are. The people were very friendly and parking was not an issue. I will be coming back.
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Bella P.

Yelp
Whoa! Their pupusas are huge. Caught me by surprised when the waitress brought them out because I'm used to seeing them smaller from other places. Not only were they big in size, they were also big in flavor. We got the Revuelta and Espinacas. The 2 types of horchata (Salvadoran and Mexican) also delicious! The tamale and empanadas de platano added a sweet ending to a good meal. Customer service is excellent. I will return for more!
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Juan F.

Yelp
Was craving some pupusas and was not disappointed. Huge menu with breakfast, lunch, and dinner available. We had a variety of pupusas, and they were great. Also had some plantains, and they were delicious. In door dining was very safe, and the staff friendly and helpful. We'll be back.
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Marissa P.

Yelp
Y'all!!!! That chicken + cheese pupusa was EVERYTHING I'm literally craving it right now + lowkey thinking about going again tomorrow!! Lol The Bistec plate was very good as well. The sauce that came with the beef was really flavorful! The rice + beans were so good! Literally everything was perfect. 10/10 recommend Silvia Pupuseria!!!
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Chanel Y.

Yelp
This place was recommended to me by a friend, so I figured I would try it. He said it was pretty cheap, and delicious! So I ordered some food for a couple of friends and I. On the menu, it has a different price for the pupusas than what I actually paid, so it turned out to be more expensive than I thought. Maybe it was an old menu-I'm not sure, but that was a little annoying to me. The food though, was quite delicious and I think I would go back for pupusas in the future. They're portions are pretty generous and they were ready about 25 minutes after I called in the order.
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Dona S.

Yelp
I love coming to Silvia's whenever i have a craving for pupusas. They have since increased their prices a bit but the quality and flavor are worth it. I've only ever ordered take-out because of the convenience. You can't go wrong with the chicken, espinacas and frijol y queso. I've had the jalapeño y queso but it was actually spicier than I expected so be aware of that lol
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Emm S.

Yelp
The best pupusas I've ever had in my life! Their horchata is great too. I usually order 1 chicken and 1 bean pupusa. You definitely don't need more than 2 per person. I recommended anyone visiting San Diego to try this spot.

Matthew T.

Yelp
Great food and excellent service. Order was ready on time. Been here twice so far and never disappointed.
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Rere Z.

Yelp
Food is delicious, something about their meat and how they season it makes it worth the wait. Wait time for food is not so good, but I understand they want to serve you fresh. Service was Ehhh. Not enough staff. Waiter was in a rush and made multiple mistakes. Which again I understand, goes back to needs more staffing. Restaurant needs more attention to cleaning.
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Alejandro C.

Yelp
Amazing pupusas!! Got the bean and chorizo one and the chicken and cheese ones and it was so good.