Salvadoran Restaurants in Cincinnati, OH

“★★★★★ Food quality★★★★★ Service★★★★★ Ambiance★★★★☆ Value★★★★★ Menu selection★★★★★ Location/Accessibility★★★★★ Overall experienceDate visited: 09/27/2023In the spirit of transition and new beginnings, I chose to commemorate my career leap with a dear coworker and friend, MW, over a farewell lunch. Naturally, our go-to choice was the restaurant conveniently located near our workplace, known for its great Latino cuisine, a personal favorite of MW. We arrived slightly past noon, effortlessly securing a parking spot in the ample shared lot within the shopping center. The restaurant, nestled between two larger stores, appeared unassuming from the outside. But as we crossed the threshold, we were greeted by the sight of fellow patrons patiently awaiting their take-out orders. As planned, we settled at an unoccupied table, eager to unwind. In a heartbeat, a warm, welcoming Latina woman in her 40s approached us with menus in hand. Each dish beckoned with its mouthwatering appeal. For a swift yet satisfying lunch, I opted for a pork Torta adorned with fresh vegetables, while MW's choice leaned towards two scrumptious Gorditas. As we awaited our culinary delights, I immersed myself in the restaurant's ambiance. Despite its cozy dimensions, the clever arrangement of tables and chairs created an illusion of spaciousness. Latino decor adorned the walls, a vibrant homage to the rich tapestry of Latin American culture. My gaze naturally gravitated to the open kitchen, where a young Latina culinary maestro orchestrated a symphony of flavors with her nimble hands. Amid friendly banter about daily life, the tranquility was abruptly shattered by the jarring ring of my phone. The call was an unexpected intrusion by my manager, demanding the impossible. A bitter aftertaste lingered long after the call concluded, eroding my appetite. MW and I reached a consensus to shift to the takeout option, a decision met with mild dismay from the gracious hostess, who we assured would be compensated generously.Returning to our workplace, we unwrapped our hastily acquired meals. MW eagerly dunked her Gorditas into vibrant green and red sauces, delighting in each messy, succulent bite. Her gleeful finger-licking told a story of pure satisfaction, undoubtedly deserving of a perfect 5/5 rating. Turning to my Torta, I scrutinized its inner and outer layers like a diligent quality assurance inspector – just kidding! The soft, flavorful bread cradled an enticing medley of fresh, green vegetables and creamy avocado. Atop this verdant bed lay tender, savory pork, a taste both surprising and pleasing. The absence of spiciness was compensated by the emphasis on ingredient freshness. Finding no major fault, I gladly rated it a 5/5.Despite the unexpected hiccup, the experience was undeniably pleasant. To fellow culinary enthusiasts, I would recommend this establishment, and MW and I have already made plans to explore the remainder of the extensive menu on future visits. A delectable adventure awaits.“

“Took some to go and see how Cincy does pupusas.The pupusas de arroz are some of the best I've tried in the U.S. I got them revueltas. Most pupusas de arroz in the U.S. are so dry, but these were softer. Reminiscent of the ones I'd have in the 90s in San Francisco. Nothing compares to El Salvador but these made me nostalgic. I was content.The pupusa de revuelta de maiz was good, but I just ordered it to see how the masa was. Maiz is not my preference. Arroz will always be superior (assuming you can try good ones).These pupusas are adequately filled. In Houston, the pupusas have turned into these massive discs of just masa and no filling. I stopped eating pupusas in Texas because of that. These are a good size, not too large, and with good filling. I was happy.The downsides: One of my pupusas was the wrong kind so I couldn't try queso con loroco. They gave me a bean and cheese, which was fine but basic. I liken bean and cheese to children since that's what a lot of Salvadoran kids eat. I'll go back to get my queso con loroco. Lastly, there wasn't a lot of curtido for my 3 pupusas. I definitely needed more ? Next time I'll ask for extra.Extra: There's a parking lot, but only 3 tables so probably best take it to go.“