El Salvadoreno

In the past, I never cared too much for pupusas, but it wasn't until I tried them at Grand Central Market that I started liking them more. So one day, I was suddenly in the mood for these stuffed tortilla treats and thankfully, right in the city that I live there's an El Salvadorian restaurant called El Salvadoreno, where I was able to fulfill that particular craving.

So off I went and ordered 2 pupusas and a taco to bring home for lunch. Once I got home, I sat down and eagerly opened up the foil and took my first look at them. One was a cheese and squash blossom and the other was pork and bean. I have to say that they were looking pretty good. I saw the grill marks and while these pupusas weren't as thick as the ones I had at Grand Central Market, they still were a good size.

Being a cheesehead, I bet you know which one I went for first. The cheese and squash blossom pupusa was delicious. I would have liked more cheese, but than I think that's the cheese greed talking. I did top some of the sections with the pickled veggies that came with the order, but found them too warm and promptly removed them. Those pickled veggies were put in a ziploc, which I don't think was a good idea because I think they were warmed by the hot food in the bag. But then that cabbage and stuff was just garnish and I was perfectly fine with the pupusa just on its own.

Then I went for the pork & bean pupusa, which I found pretty tasty. The only problem was that the filling was a tad too oily and also just a little too salty, which didn't take away too much from my eating enjoyment, but this pupusa would have been more of a home run if those two things weren't put into play.

I was actually filled up by the time I got to the Carne Asada taco. I don't know what I was thinking when I ordered it. In looking at it, I can say that El Salvadoreno wasn't shy with their toppings. I couldn't even pick up the taco without stuff flying everywhere. I finally settled for just taking a few bites with my fork. The carne asada, though not spectacular, was not bad. It could have been more flavorful and a little more tender, but at least, it was certainly filling.

Overall, the pupusas definitely left a good impression and I'd go back for more as well as to try other El Salvadorian specialties that I spied on the menu while waiting for my order. This is definitely not a fancy place, but I'd rather have good food than good ambiance.

To see pics, go to:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/la_addict/sets/72157600266360161/

El Salvadoreno
1313 Huntington Dr
Duarte, CA 91010
(626) 359-1594

Lunch at Atlacatl

After taking part in a Metro Art Tour, I had lunch with my dining group at Atlacatl, an El Salvadorean restaurant and it was really hit and miss for me. Actually, it was more miss than anything else. Most of the group ordered family-style primarily from the snacks section of the menu so that we could sample multiple items.

Of the 9 different items that we picked from the menu, 1 was great, 2 were okay and everything else I probably would never order again. In fact, it's highly unlikely, I'll ever go back to Atlacatl again. The one item I enjoyed a lot was their deep fried pork turnovers, which were golden brown on the outside with tasty and juicy pork in the inside. But then how could anyone possibly go wrong with deep-fried food.

Of the two pupusas we ordered, I preferred the one that had bean, cheese, loroco and pork. I wasn't necessarily wowed by it, but at least, it had more flavor than the other pupusa we ordered.  I don't know what it is with me and pupusas. I have a feeling it's just not one of my favorite foods. I've tried pupusas at a couple other restaurants, but they never really wow me that much.

As for items that I didn't like, the two tamales we ordered didn't do it for me at all. The consistency of the masa was very spongy and it reminded me of that bread you eat with Ethiopian food. That bread is fine with Ethiopian food, but for tamales, definitely not for me.

A couple of the items also seemed overly sweet to me like their milk pies and their sweet fried plantains. With the sweet plantains, eating it with the sour cream and beans cut down that sweetness a bit, but I just didn't care for the mix of flavors that much.

Overall, I wouldn't make a return trip to Atlacatl anytime soon. I'm hoping that it's just the quality and flavors of the food at Atlacatl in particular that's unappealing and that I'll have a more positive and delicious experience of Salvordean cuisine elsewhere.

Atlacatl

301 N Berendo St

Los Angeles, CA, 90004

323-663-1404