"Thank you! For more than 9+ Years of BUSINESS SATURDAY 02 19 22 WE WILL CLOSE FOR BUSINESS" This is the message that was hand-written on the front window of Taqueria El Salva Mex. For more than 9+ years this place was the jewel in the crown of hole-in-the-wall dining along San Pablo Avenue. Their pupusas were legendary, and now just a memory.
Honey S.
Wasn't acknowledged when we walked in or while checking out. Very unfriendly and uncomfortable. Would have been loyal customers if some customer service was shown.
Isaac G.
I really wanted to like this place and give it a 5 star rating. The woman who greeted me at the counter on 1-17-22 was very friendly, and politely took my order after explaining to me what was in the veggie burrito. I brought it home and was pleasantly surprised how huge it was. For over 10 bucks it would have been well worth it except the burrito lacked any flavor and was sort of cold from all the cheese, guacamole y crema. Some of the beans weren't cooked that well either. I'd say this is one of the lower end of veggie burritos I've had compared to what else is out here. Very bland and even the included salsas couldn't help it to be honest. Also they only accept cash which is pretty inconvenient considering most pay with card or our phones. Honestly I would have let that go had it been the bomb. Finally, the icing on the cake to this review is that the included chips were Parmesan garlic PITA chips! Yes you heard right. At a latin restaurant too! I dipped one of them unknowing into one of the salsas and was unpleasantly surprised . Had they provided some hummus I would have gone in. Luckily I had some store bought tortilla chips so used that and actually the salsas were tasty, wish I could say the same about burrito. Sadly I will still be having to drive the full 2+ miles over to solano still. But hey sometimes you gotta know right!! Maybe other stuff here is good but I won't be back...
John S.
I'm not going to beat around the bush. The chiles relleno here is PHENOMINAL! Just walk in, order the chiles relleno, and don't look back. You will thank me. Please note, they don't always have the chiles relleno, so I recommend calling ahead. They take orders over the phone, so you might as well put in your order over the phone too. Your food will be ready upon arrival. This place is CASH only. No credit cards. So bring the dough. Also, during COVID they don't advertise it, but they are happy to let you eat in the restaurant. They have a lovely little outdoor area that you can eat at too. During the summer time, I shoot for the outside. One drawback of this place: If you have a seafood or shellfish allergy, all food here should be considered contaminated because they cook the shrimp and fish on the same grill as the other food and meats. Everything tastes a little fishy as a result.
Myrna C.
Small family owned business. Good food, full of flavor and fast service. Pupusas are good size and they don't skimp on the fillings.
Jose Morelos
Love the pupusas with salsa de tomate con curtido, love it with, orchata Salvadorena or if there's non, with orchata mexicana, love the super tacos of any meat specially carnitas .Recommend taste freshly home made
Mia G.
La Pupusas estaban muy ricas y no grasosas. Pero tal vez el un lugar para llevar a comer en tu casa. Adentro no está muy bien ordenado...como que entras a la casa de mi mamá. Los recuerdos de las quinceañera de hace 10 año. Pero la comida está muy rica. Buen sazón!!!
Jorge Lopez
Good pupusas
Cassandra T.
The food here is OK, it's edible, and the flavor is fine, but it's nothing great, and it's way over priced for the quality of the location. I would not recommend you go here unless this is a last resort.
Mica N.
What's better, the incredible pupusas or the family who runs El Salva Mex? Obviously we go for the food, but they are also the sweetest people! We've been to El Salva Mex dozens of times. I really appreciate their transparency in distinguishing that the refried beans in the pupusas are vegetarian, but the refried beans in the burritos have lard. (Not sure why that is, but I always order black beans in my burrito.) The pupusas are outstanding, the curtido is always fresh, and I love all their salsas. The burritos are fine, but not remarkable, except that they are a good size. A couple things to note- The hours are not always consistent (at least during the pandemic)-- so definitely call ahead if you're ordering for pickup. Also, I wouldn't trade any of the staff, but they are a bit slow. The food is always piping hot, but sometimes takes an extra 15 or so minutes longer than the estimate on the phone. Make sure you're not in a big rush when picking up. And please bring cash! I know it helps small businesses out a lot not to pay credit card processing fees. Buen provecho!
** The following review reflects my takeout experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. ** This is the kind of family-run Mexican-Salvadoran spot that I've passed by dozens of times but just in my car when fortunately my eyes are on the road. However, I've been taking long walks in El Cerrito including a stretch of San Pablo Avenue where I could actually pay attention. This place caught my eye because menudo was prominent in the window signage. It was the middle of the week, so I went in and asked whether the menudo was available just on the weekends like most Mexican places. Much to my pleasure, the woman told me they make menudo every day. Weekday menudo can be a wonderful thing even if it meant carrying it for another hour before I could eat it. They don't opt into the delivery services, and based on own track record and the cut those companies take, I can understand the hesitation. So, of course, I ordered the $12 Menudo which had plenty of tripe, a few leg bones, and no hominy (photo: It was delicious nonetheless with the red broth having the right texture. I indulged and also ordered a couple of the $2.25 Grilled Chicken Tacos which were sloppy good wrapped in soft flour tortillas (photo: Now I know you're there, El Salva Mex, ready to satisfy my menudo. FOOD - 4 stars...weekday menudo, enough said AMBIANCE - n/a...looks pretty casual with a tent and plastic chairs set up on the side of the building SERVICE - 4 stars...friendly and accommodating TOTAL - 4 stars...did I mention the weekday menudo? RELATED - Looking for menudo? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed:
Ed Lew
Forgot about this tiny family owned gem on San Pablo Avenue in El Cerrito.Been there several times and had tacos.These are authentic rather than the ones that I'm use to which were fried.Still getting use to the ones with the soft shells.But I had chicken enchiladas this time and it knocked me out of my seat.I order two with the green sauce with rice and orange juice.It was so good and not because I was hungry.It just went down smoothly.Maybe it was the cheese.My neighbor, Mike, goes there all the time.I can't wait until they have indoor dining again.I will be bringing my co-workers and friends.I gave it 4 stars as you have to order chips on the side and we had to eat outside.There was no atmosphere and it was chilly.It may be totally different when more people are there to liven the place.Take out has its disadvantages.
John Hollender
It was OK. A large taco, filling was good but a bit rummy(salsa).
yayoi s.
Ooh! I love pupusas and tangy oregano hinted curtido, the salsa was a bit sweet. My husband loved his enchilada plate it was saucy and warmed through, kinda casserole feeling instead of... the fresh corn tortilla that hasn't married with the enchilada sauce. Rice and beans are seasoned and great, we didn't even eat the tacos yet because we over ordered but I know it will be great. Try pupusas!
Lori M.
Driving home to Pinole from Berkeley, around 5pm one Monday, my fiancee mentioned that if I was hungry, that there was a burrito in the fridge. However, we still had some errands to do and yes, I was hungry. Spotting this little spot, I asked if we could stop. It was perfect - yes, it is cash only, as others have mentioned, but that wasn't a problem. The food was delicious, and they even had a small seating area on the side of the restaurant. Plus they had some books for sale, so I was able to get a book by Murakami which I did not have. A great find, and I will be back.
"Thank you! For more than 9+ Years of BUSINESS SATURDAY 02 19 22 WE WILL CLOSE FOR BUSINESS" This is the message that was hand-written on the front window of Taqueria El Salva Mex. For more than 9+ years this place was the jewel in the crown of hole-in-the-wall dining along San Pablo Avenue. Their pupusas were legendary, and now just a memory.
Wasn't acknowledged when we walked in or while checking out. Very unfriendly and uncomfortable. Would have been loyal customers if some customer service was shown.
I really wanted to like this place and give it a 5 star rating. The woman who greeted me at the counter on 1-17-22 was very friendly, and politely took my order after explaining to me what was in the veggie burrito. I brought it home and was pleasantly surprised how huge it was. For over 10 bucks it would have been well worth it except the burrito lacked any flavor and was sort of cold from all the cheese, guacamole y crema. Some of the beans weren't cooked that well either. I'd say this is one of the lower end of veggie burritos I've had compared to what else is out here. Very bland and even the included salsas couldn't help it to be honest. Also they only accept cash which is pretty inconvenient considering most pay with card or our phones. Honestly I would have let that go had it been the bomb. Finally, the icing on the cake to this review is that the included chips were Parmesan garlic PITA chips! Yes you heard right. At a latin restaurant too! I dipped one of them unknowing into one of the salsas and was unpleasantly surprised . Had they provided some hummus I would have gone in. Luckily I had some store bought tortilla chips so used that and actually the salsas were tasty, wish I could say the same about burrito. Sadly I will still be having to drive the full 2+ miles over to solano still. But hey sometimes you gotta know right!! Maybe other stuff here is good but I won't be back...
I'm not going to beat around the bush. The chiles relleno here is PHENOMINAL! Just walk in, order the chiles relleno, and don't look back. You will thank me. Please note, they don't always have the chiles relleno, so I recommend calling ahead. They take orders over the phone, so you might as well put in your order over the phone too. Your food will be ready upon arrival. This place is CASH only. No credit cards. So bring the dough. Also, during COVID they don't advertise it, but they are happy to let you eat in the restaurant. They have a lovely little outdoor area that you can eat at too. During the summer time, I shoot for the outside. One drawback of this place: If you have a seafood or shellfish allergy, all food here should be considered contaminated because they cook the shrimp and fish on the same grill as the other food and meats. Everything tastes a little fishy as a result.
Small family owned business. Good food, full of flavor and fast service. Pupusas are good size and they don't skimp on the fillings.
Love the pupusas with salsa de tomate con curtido, love it with, orchata Salvadorena or if there's non, with orchata mexicana, love the super tacos of any meat specially carnitas .Recommend taste freshly home made
La Pupusas estaban muy ricas y no grasosas. Pero tal vez el un lugar para llevar a comer en tu casa. Adentro no está muy bien ordenado...como que entras a la casa de mi mamá. Los recuerdos de las quinceañera de hace 10 año. Pero la comida está muy rica. Buen sazón!!!
Good pupusas
The food here is OK, it's edible, and the flavor is fine, but it's nothing great, and it's way over priced for the quality of the location. I would not recommend you go here unless this is a last resort.
What's better, the incredible pupusas or the family who runs El Salva Mex? Obviously we go for the food, but they are also the sweetest people! We've been to El Salva Mex dozens of times. I really appreciate their transparency in distinguishing that the refried beans in the pupusas are vegetarian, but the refried beans in the burritos have lard. (Not sure why that is, but I always order black beans in my burrito.) The pupusas are outstanding, the curtido is always fresh, and I love all their salsas. The burritos are fine, but not remarkable, except that they are a good size. A couple things to note- The hours are not always consistent (at least during the pandemic)-- so definitely call ahead if you're ordering for pickup. Also, I wouldn't trade any of the staff, but they are a bit slow. The food is always piping hot, but sometimes takes an extra 15 or so minutes longer than the estimate on the phone. Make sure you're not in a big rush when picking up. And please bring cash! I know it helps small businesses out a lot not to pay credit card processing fees. Buen provecho!
Restaurantji Recommends
** The following review reflects my takeout experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. ** This is the kind of family-run Mexican-Salvadoran spot that I've passed by dozens of times but just in my car when fortunately my eyes are on the road. However, I've been taking long walks in El Cerrito including a stretch of San Pablo Avenue where I could actually pay attention. This place caught my eye because menudo was prominent in the window signage. It was the middle of the week, so I went in and asked whether the menudo was available just on the weekends like most Mexican places. Much to my pleasure, the woman told me they make menudo every day. Weekday menudo can be a wonderful thing even if it meant carrying it for another hour before I could eat it. They don't opt into the delivery services, and based on own track record and the cut those companies take, I can understand the hesitation. So, of course, I ordered the $12 Menudo which had plenty of tripe, a few leg bones, and no hominy (photo: It was delicious nonetheless with the red broth having the right texture. I indulged and also ordered a couple of the $2.25 Grilled Chicken Tacos which were sloppy good wrapped in soft flour tortillas (photo: Now I know you're there, El Salva Mex, ready to satisfy my menudo. FOOD - 4 stars...weekday menudo, enough said AMBIANCE - n/a...looks pretty casual with a tent and plastic chairs set up on the side of the building SERVICE - 4 stars...friendly and accommodating TOTAL - 4 stars...did I mention the weekday menudo? RELATED - Looking for menudo? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed:
Forgot about this tiny family owned gem on San Pablo Avenue in El Cerrito.Been there several times and had tacos.These are authentic rather than the ones that I'm use to which were fried.Still getting use to the ones with the soft shells.But I had chicken enchiladas this time and it knocked me out of my seat.I order two with the green sauce with rice and orange juice.It was so good and not because I was hungry.It just went down smoothly.Maybe it was the cheese.My neighbor, Mike, goes there all the time.I can't wait until they have indoor dining again.I will be bringing my co-workers and friends.I gave it 4 stars as you have to order chips on the side and we had to eat outside.There was no atmosphere and it was chilly.It may be totally different when more people are there to liven the place.Take out has its disadvantages.
It was OK. A large taco, filling was good but a bit rummy(salsa).
Ooh! I love pupusas and tangy oregano hinted curtido, the salsa was a bit sweet. My husband loved his enchilada plate it was saucy and warmed through, kinda casserole feeling instead of... the fresh corn tortilla that hasn't married with the enchilada sauce. Rice and beans are seasoned and great, we didn't even eat the tacos yet because we over ordered but I know it will be great. Try pupusas!
Driving home to Pinole from Berkeley, around 5pm one Monday, my fiancee mentioned that if I was hungry, that there was a burrito in the fridge. However, we still had some errands to do and yes, I was hungry. Spotting this little spot, I asked if we could stop. It was perfect - yes, it is cash only, as others have mentioned, but that wasn't a problem. The food was delicious, and they even had a small seating area on the side of the restaurant. Plus they had some books for sale, so I was able to get a book by Murakami which I did not have. A great find, and I will be back.