Bonners Ferry Pupuseria & American Diner Restaurant + Fine Cigars

We almost missed this small restaurant and a great experience. It is unique in both food and service (which is exceptional) for the surrounding hundred or more miles. I loved my pupusa and my husband said his Rueben sandwich was probably the best he has ever had (he’s 75 and a chef in his 20’s). Definitely going the fifty plus miles it takes me to drive from home to eat here again.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Elva is an amazing cook and she and her husband were fun to talk to. They made it a fun and tasty dinning experience.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Guacamole, Pupusas with Cabbage \u0026 Salsa

Delightful late lunch experience of authentic, made-to-order Salvadoran pupusas with many filling options. The classic bean-cheese-pork was superb, along with tangy pickled cabbage and salsa. The proprietors were kind, fun and welcoming even offering a 30% discount for elders 65+. A must stop spot in Bonners Ferry. ¡ Vaya pues !

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The owners are extremely friendly and helpful. I totally enjoyed my eggs on toast. I could only eat half my meal and took the rest home. Re heated later I enjoyed the other half .

Definitely going back and will definitely tell people about this hidden gem.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The food is delicious. The papusa is very large! A bit expensive for the best macaroni salad. You decide if it's worth spending that much money on it!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

This place is small and unassuming and so good. We had a potato pancake and two different papusas. The food was delicious and the portions were large. I highly recommend a stop here and I look forward to returning next time we pass through the area.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Pupusas with Cabbage \u0026 Salsa

Such a very wonderful meal. Great conversation and the tamale was out of this world good

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great. There were 4 of us dining and the food was new and intersting. We enjoyed ourselves.
A friend who has major allergies couldn't eat there.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

First time eating a pupusa, it was excellent. Owners are friendly and eager to visit.

I chanced upon this eatery last night while staying overnight in Bonners Ferry.
I have eaten Papusas before but this was another level. The owner and his lovely wife run the spot and are two of the most kind and engaging people I've ever met. The restaurant is a very small space with the kitchen visible in the back. It's akin to eating at someone's home. They have a fantastic collection of photos and info chronicling their life together.
This was truly a wonderful experience with both patrons engaging with the diners and offering tidbits about their history. The wife is from El Salvador and the food seems very authentic.
A thoroughly excellent experience and the prices were very reasonable. They serve beer and wine and also sell an eclectic cigar selection that I'm sure they will join you in if it's not too busy.
Don't miss this gem in Bonners Ferry.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Everything from the food, the service and atmosphere was amazing. The owners were extremely friendly and gave two ice creams to two family members.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

As someone born and raised in Los Angeles, where pupusas are practically a way of life, I didn’t expect to find one of the best I’ve ever had tucked away in the small town of Bonners Ferry, Idaho — but wow, was I wrong!

This pupuseria is an absolute hidden gem. The pupusas are made fresh to order, perfectly crisp on the outside and deliciously melty inside. Whether you’re going for classic revueltas, cheese and loroco, or a loaded bean and cheese, every bite hits that authentic Salvadoran flavor spot. The curtido is tangy and fresh, and their salsa adds the perfect kick without overpowering the dish.

It honestly rivals — and in some cases beats — the pupusas I’ve eaten at some of LA’s most talked-about spots. The love and tradition behind the food really come through, and the fact that it’s in such a quiet, charming little town makes it feel even more special.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Pupusas with Cabbage \u0026 Salsa

Home cooked meals, cooked hot and delicious.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Pupusas with Cabbage \u0026 Salsa, Salsa, Scrambled Eggs

Truly exceptional meal prepared by the lovely Elva and served by her extremely personable husband Jay. Totally unexpected to come across this gem with an international flare in the heart of Bonners Ferry. The potato pancake was literally one of the best things I’ve ever eaten and both my husband and I loved everything we tried - fresh salads, pupusas (muy rica!) and a delicious homemade chicken noodle soup. And don’t let me forget the oh so tasty fried plantains and ice cream for dessert! A wonderful experience from start to finish…

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Neat, tiny spot in downtown bonners. Filled with photos of a whole life of travels. Lots of amazing touches, like slightly dimming the overhead light to light real candles on the tables. The pop was served in thick frozen glass mugs. The store offers an eclectic combination of quality beers and cigars.

Now the food! Like home made- fresh with a variety of veggies and spices, most places wouldn't offer. Lots of love and thought was put into the food. Guacamole was a beautiful blend of spices and large. Also, I was served a couple of pieces of garlic bread that'll keep me safe from vampires for a year.

I tried the potato pancake- pictured here- and the added sauces made the whole plate pop with flavour. I forgot to take a picture of the pupusas - the main reason I came to eat there. They were really good, and I'll be coming back to try their Hawaiian coffee with fried plantain for dessert.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4