Let me tell you, at first glance, the food looks a little sad, but it’s deceiving because the flavors are all there. I guess I missed taking a picture of the beans and rice with the salad. Dang it. But, those sides were delicious. My fish tacos were really good, don’t be fooled by the pic. Sometimes great food isn’t photogenic. The salsas were spicy and flavorful. My wife was craving fried fish so we made the 30 minute drive here, only place close to where we were at that sells fried fish. Crazy, because we were literally at and around Balboa Island, and none of those restaurants offer fried fish. Thank you for our dinner 😊
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Javier
El Chinaco Restaurant is my go-to spot for pupusas! I love coming here because the food is consistently amazing—I ate every last bite and they were absolutely delicious. It’s the kind of authentic flavor that keeps you coming back for more.
The service is good, though it can be a bit hit-or-miss depending on how crowded it is. I’ve noticed that depending on the day and time, the place can either be really busy or totally empty, so your experience might vary. However, the quality of the pupusas makes it well worth the visit regardless. If you're looking for a great meal that hits the spot, definitely give them a try!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Caffie Noelie
The food was great! It is a Salvadorean - Mexican American restaurant so the food is a blend of dishes. Don't come in expecting traditional dishes of either. Saying that - the food is great! The seating area is wonderful! The service is okay. We had the desayuno Salvadorean and horchata. And a burrito which was also good!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 3
Vanessa Gtz
So stingy with their sauces. I doordash and they always limit. I ask for more & they refuse. Yet in person, it’s not a problem and they give me as much as I need.
Will not be ordering from here again.!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Adam Baltazar
Horrible people where really rude food was nasty
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
cesar cosmo
I stopped buying food. I paid in cash and my change was given to me short. This is not the first time.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Suelen Campos
Just left this restaurant and felt very uncomfortable with this employee staring at me the whole time. Besides de very loud music playing, the employees need to yell so you can hear them. I could not eat and talk in peace.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Humberto Cabada
The quality of the food has declined over the past few years, which is disappointing because it used to be good. At this point, there are way better options in the area.
Gilbert Sandoval
They make really great papusas. They are huge and very tasty. I will definitely be back.
I stopped by to get oupusas here and must say they were sizeable. Since I ordered to go, they do pack a good bunch of curtido and two salsas (they have 3 levels of spiceness) .
They offer good srink variety. They have 4 aguas frescas (pineapple, cucumber, horchata, and hibiscus), along with bottled sodas and beers.
Big bright menu displays that flash some pictures of their food offerings.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Pho Soup
As a Salvadoran I don’t recommend this restaurant. That mixture of Mexican and “Salvadoran food” is just not good. 🤮 it might be a Mexican restaurant but those dishes aren’t Salvadoran at all
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 2
Vamshi Kv
Good taste and food varieties
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Maxx Girr
Very nice service and professional workers! Appreciate lady’s professional service
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Araceli perez
I placed an order over the phone, when I got there the food was ready.
Let me tell you, at first glance, the food looks a little sad, but it’s deceiving because the flavors are all there. I guess I missed taking a picture of the beans and rice with the salad. Dang it. But, those sides were delicious. My fish tacos were really good, don’t be fooled by the pic. Sometimes great food isn’t photogenic. The salsas were spicy and flavorful. My wife was craving fried fish so we made the 30 minute drive here, only place close to where we were at that sells fried fish. Crazy, because we were literally at and around Balboa Island, and none of those restaurants offer fried fish. Thank you for our dinner 😊
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
El Chinaco Restaurant is my go-to spot for pupusas! I love coming here because the food is consistently amazing—I ate every last bite and they were absolutely delicious. It’s the kind of authentic flavor that keeps you coming back for more.
The service is good, though it can be a bit hit-or-miss depending on how crowded it is. I’ve noticed that depending on the day and time, the place can either be really busy or totally empty, so your experience might vary. However, the quality of the pupusas makes it well worth the visit regardless. If you're looking for a great meal that hits the spot, definitely give them a try!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
The food was great! It is a Salvadorean - Mexican American restaurant so the food is a blend of dishes. Don't come in expecting traditional dishes of either. Saying that - the food is great! The seating area is wonderful! The service is okay. We had the desayuno Salvadorean and horchata. And a burrito which was also good!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 3
So stingy with their sauces. I doordash and they always limit. I ask for more & they refuse. Yet in person, it’s not a problem and they give me as much as I need.
Will not be ordering from here again.!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Horrible people where really rude food was nasty
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
I stopped buying food. I paid in cash and my change was given to me short. This is not the first time.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Just left this restaurant and felt very uncomfortable with this employee staring at me the whole time. Besides de very loud music playing, the employees need to yell so you can hear them. I could not eat and talk in peace.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
The quality of the food has declined over the past few years, which is disappointing because it used to be good. At this point, there are way better options in the area.
They make really great papusas. They are huge and very tasty. I will definitely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
this place just straight up sucks ngl
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
I stopped by to get oupusas here and must say they were sizeable. Since I ordered to go, they do pack a good bunch of curtido and two salsas (they have 3 levels of spiceness) .
They offer good srink variety. They have 4 aguas frescas (pineapple, cucumber, horchata, and hibiscus), along with bottled sodas and beers.
Big bright menu displays that flash some pictures of their food offerings.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
As a Salvadoran I don’t recommend this restaurant. That mixture of Mexican and “Salvadoran food” is just not good. 🤮 it might be a Mexican restaurant but those dishes aren’t Salvadoran at all
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 2
Good taste and food varieties
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Very nice service and professional workers! Appreciate lady’s professional service
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
I placed an order over the phone, when I got there the food was ready.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
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