Salvadoran Restaurants near South San Francisco, CA

“I saw this place pop up near my house and went to give it a try. I got the chicharonnes and the birria pupusas and they were both beyond my expectations. The guy running the store seemed pretty cool too. Hope to be back as long as they're still here. Parking situation is great too.“

“In The Bay, regardless of what type of cuisine, we have SO MANY options! I've probably patronized over 25 pupusarias in the last 10 years, but this joint is hands-down the absolute BEST! The pork and cheese pupusas were absolutely PERFECT! Fresh ingredients, cooked evenly where the filling was moist with bustling flavors and the outside was nice and crispy. Also ordered the enchiladas verde which, too, was spot-on.
Treat yourselves to a delicious meal and support this fine establishment. And oh, the service was polished, professional, yet evoked a very welcome-to-our-home vibe! ❤️“

“We have been enjoying meals here for over 35 years. Their food is like going to our abuelitas house to eat. We no longer live nearby but I will still come here because it just doesn't compare to other places. There's a reason why they have been here for so long. Everything on the menu is great without the fancy prices other places charge 😃“

“The pupusas were perfect! Just as I remember eating them as a child in the Mission. Lovely memories were brought back eating pupusas with my daughter and grandsons.“

“Good atmosphere, the waiters are friendly and welcoming, good location, lots of variety in the dishes for my 3 Star Michelin ???

Vegetarian options: In salty corn atol pupusas mix

Kid-friendliness: Pupusas fries with corn atol tomato sauce

Wheelchair accessibility: Easy entry to the premises and adequate care for the elderly“

“The food is fantastic. Wonderful service.“

“Can’t believe I’ve never been here before. Came back a second time just a couple days later. Super friendly staff, family restaurant vibes, here for the food not the decor. The pupusas are made to order my the mother daughter duo and they are crispy and delicious especially with a mountain of curtido. The Mojarra was juicy and the rice was amazing just by itself. Caldo de res is a must on a cold day and comes with a little bit of rice/cebolla to add and some tortillas. Don’t forget to order a side of Platano Frito with beans and crema. Also try something new and get the Salvadoran horchata.“

“One of my favorites! Great Chile Verde! Pork SO flavorful and satisfying. Miss their Chile Colorado, wish they'd bring it back! Great home-style service, easy take out or eat in. Parking can be tough at peak times, but oh well, definitely worth the occasional inconvenience. Everything is delicious, perfect rice and beans, great chips! Highly, highly recommend!“

“steak salad, Tilapia, pupusa, beef soup, their breakfast.“

“An incredible gem of the city. It doesn’t matter what you pick from the menu, everything is thoughtfully prepared and delicious. The black bean and cheese pupusas are a favorite. It is absurd that this place doesn’t have closer to 5/5 star rating. An amazing place.“

“Muy buena comida, y las pupusas muy ricas. Pero como una pequeña observación en mi opinión la mesa que está al final en frente del sanitario sería de mucha ayuda si ponen una pequeña división de madera o de otro material porque cada vez que entra y sale alguien del sanitario,a veces se siente mal olor , imagínate!! y estás comiendo y sintiendo ese mal olor. Cómo que se quitan las ganas de comer.“

“buena comida las pupusas una delicia“

“This is my new favorite Salvadorian restaurant in San Francisco. The food is super good at a reasonable price. Great music. And amazing customer service. I love the ambiance of this place. It's definitely a hidden gem.If you're ever in town, I recommend stopping by.“

“Wandering in because I saw fresh things being cooked on grill late at night. Amusing chatter from the get go. Everyone smiling.
I probably ordered wrong because this is El Salvadoran style and I ordered burrito and quesadilla; then I was told to get a papusa, which I did.
Dios mio! The best decision of my life!
Such a great blend of salty savory cheese and meat with a subtle sweetness from the cover which I assume is corn.
Amazing people. One lady asked if I was married; if she was the one making this food, I might go back for her!
Thank you
Fantastic“

“Restaurante Familiar! Has really great, pupusas. Plus their rice and beans are. Really good as well.“

“We went out for lunch after proctoring exams all morning. We wanted to go to a place that served typical Honduran food. We went to this restaurant that was close to our work place. It is still nice after many years of service. The pupusas and the carne asada were delicious.“

“TLDR: huge pupusas and friendly serviceWe ordered the best burger in the mission and a zucchini pupusa. The burger seasoning was distinctly Central American with the spices but it was a little overcooked for me. The pupusa was pretty big and very flavorful and packed with ingredients. They also gave us free chips and salsa… the salsa was fuego! Service was very nice, quick and efficient“

“The pupusas are really good and panes con pollo chicken sandwich salvadorean style ❤️❤️💙💙“

“Nice place. I came here with my friend and she shared her atol de elote drink with me and I’ve never had it before and at first I was taken back because of the elote but it was so good. I loved the pupusa de revuelta and will probably order from her again.“

“Casimiento, mushroom & cheese pupusa soooooooooooooooooooooooo good!“

“I have to say the Pupusas here are the BEST I'VE TASTED!! Just the right amount of masa (not too thick) and Cheese, soooooo yummy!!!! Oh and the Rice and Beans , so flavorful !! I'll definitely be coming back!!“

“We ordered pupusas, plantains and beans with cream. Very good. Flat Salvadoran flavor. The place is clean and the atmosphere is calm.
The only problem is finding parking...and it took them a little while to serve us...otherwise it would be 5 stars.

Parking: We had to park about half a kilometer away...I couldn't find anything nearby.“

“todo está súper riquisimo 😋“

“Went today for lunch and had an amazing experience… I was craving pupusas badly, ended up getting it plus another plate with chicarrón and yuca and it was fire!First time I try a salvadorian plate that blew my mind and taste.Bathroom was clean, atmosphere was great!Also attention was amazing! Very kind and always checking on you! Loved this place!Definitely coming back!“

“Olivio’s is an underrated hidden gem in SF.

This is an authentic Salvadoran/Mexican spot tasty, affordable food and some beverages. It’s bare bones & and in the Tendernob area of the SF, which is a sketchy area but has some of the best food in the city. It seems most people order takeover or delivery. It doesn’t appear they offer dine-in options anymore as there’s always a sign outside saying “para llevar” aka to-go, but I’ll double check on this for accuracy .

I’m a fan of their bean & rice pupusas and complementary fermented cabbage salad called curtido. They have also yummy fried plantains. I also recommend their Salvadoran style Horchata. I look forward to try to their beef soup next time.

Their owner seems pleasant, humble, hard working and appreciative of business. If you don’t want to venture in the Tenderloin area, don’t let that stop you from trying Olivio’s, they are available for delivery on DoorDash! Highly recommended.“

“Best Pupusa I had in this city so far. Try the one with flower in it you won't be disappointed.

Kid-friendliness: Hey, it's a Farmers market

Parking: Parking for Alemany Farmers market

Wheelchair accessibility: It's a tent with outside sitting area“

“Came to SF craving a taste of home… ended up falling in love with Estrellita’s Snacks.

🥣 Sopa de Res? Soul therapy.
🫓 Pupusas (pork & cheese, baby) porque aunque soy lactose intolerant, I’m never love intolerant.

Shout out to su hijo, who took our order with pura carisma, and la nuera in the kitchen bringing that pasión to every bite. 🌟🇸🇻💋“

“Well I came in about 12:40. The place was empty. I ordered pupusas revueltas and tamal salvadoreño. Today they did not have the Regia beer that I love, but Pacifico is okay. Pupusas are great with Curtido and salsa. Authentic taste is so satisfying, reminds me of grandma's cooking. Tamales were delicious and fresh. The dining room was empty but I saw people come in and order to go. I ate so fast it was soooo yummy. Oh yes I almost forgot, it's cash only!“

“I have been to San Francisco a few times over the years for business and whatnot but had never tried Mexican food in the city. Being from Texas my expectations were pretty low because in my mind Texas does it the best. I was pleasantly surprised by the flavors and subtle differences between what I was used to and Frisco Flavor. Everything I had tasted fresh and some of the tacos even reminded me of my mom’s kitchen. There was a party going on in the back patio area with loudish music and the partiers asked if we wanted them to turn it down. We did not. If you haven’t tried this place you should give it a chance.“

“I ordered the daily special which is 2 pupusas and a chicken broth and the chicken didn't taste good... It tasted like chicken reheated in the microwave.
The delicious pupusas.
I haven't tried the entire menu.
But if the pupusas are original then the rest is delicious ?

Vegetarian options: There are options

Kid-friendliness: It is a family restaurant“

“And the waitress really friendly!“

“Balompié is a not so hidden gem in the mission. It has apparently been in the same spot of almost 30 years and somehow this is my first time visiting them. I went here because I wanted pupusas and I was not disappointed. Their pupusas were very tasty and a lot less greasy than some of the pupusas I've had at other places... And the server, Evaline(not sure if that's how you spell it) was very friendly. I will definitely recommend this place and I will return“

“muybonito rica comida byena atension muy familiar muy axesible muy ermoso lugar“

“food is great, the wait is not all that badd. well worth the wait..“

“Everything hits the spot. While not everything is perfect the food is amazing and rememiscant of El Salvador, the food is very rich. The music is perfect Julio Iglesias and the TV plays soccer.

I feel like this is the homeliest and most relaxing of the Salvadorian eateriesnand the basics are well done here.“

“Friendly neighborhood establishment with great food. Always fresh and delicious!!!“

“I love your food , but last Sunday 8-28-22 I was so disappointed we waited 45 minutes for our food, when we arrive there was only on table with Costumers , in the hall restaurant ,I don't know why we waited so long“

“Authentic Mexican restaurant. Had the pupusas, Carne Asadas and chips. The Pupusas were delicious and filling. The salsa that came along with the chips was really refreshing, one of the best salsas I’ve had. Carne Asadas was flavourful and portion was huge. Prices are affordable as well 👍🏼“

“LOVE THE FOOD❤️ AM❤️ LAS PUPUSAS 🫓 SON DELICIOSAS. SE LOS RECOMIENDO 🥰😋“

“Customer service needs to be worked on while I was placing my order the cashier was talking about her personal life which is not a great idea when you have a customer in front of you . I’m still giving a 5 star because the pupusas revueltas were super delicious and the plátanos fritos omg the BEST 😋😋“

“This restaurant is truly a hidden gem. The food here is absolutely delicious and flavorful. You must try the pupusas, empanadas, bunelos, and many other Latin dishes. The pupusas are a huge hit. The pupusas are tasty, the salsa is fresh and the curtido hits the spot. Best Latin restaurant in the Bay Area.“

“todo muy rico , las pupusas están muy ricas , y la botana es todo un manjar 100% recomendado y garantizado , tienen un excelente servicio y muy buena atención al cliente 👌💯“

“If you're ever in the area and want some papusas or nachos this is the place! It has almost nothing to do with the food ( which was pretty good by the way). It has to do with the people. A homeless looking guy walked in while I was there and went up to the counter. The guy behind the counter came out and brought him some amazing looking rice and beans. No charge. Apparently he comes in a lot and he's not the only one.

We take care of those who take care of others, so let's support businesses that are making a difference in the community.“

“My wife and I visited for the 1st time on the last Saturday of June 2025. The menu was not overwhelming. The food was well prepared and delicious. The server and the cashier were both friendly and gracious. The mood was festive with music playing not too loudly. The dining room was family-friendly; I appreciated that we didn't have to walk past a dark bar decorated with too many neon beer signs to get to the dining room. And I appreciated that despite rising prices, the menu offers relatively affordable food for family dining.“