Sabor Salvadoreno

First off the place was way dirty and did not look nice on the inside. They have a 25 cent candy machine; who uses those anymore? This one looked dirty just like everything else.
My food hardly had any meat in it and had way too much lime. Too much cheap rice and beans filler. My friends food did not fare any better. Not a good place for Mexican food. Have not tried the Salvadorian food and don’t really want to. Location is not close to anything worth driving to.

This is a great little neighborhood restaurant. It’s not where you would expect a restaurant as it is literally smack in the middle of a quaint little neighborhood. it’s very easy to get to and parking while just a handful of stalls always seem to have a spot open. I generally do take out as the seating/​configuration is not super comfortable for my liking. There are a few outdoor seats and can be nice to sit in the summer. The place doesnt get too crowded, my guess is that most do take out like me.
I have to say I LOVE the combination pupusas (pork, beans, cheese etc) and the pickled cabbage. In fact the dish I generally go for is the Pupusas Mix plate (2 pupusas, beans, rice and plantains), I always make sure I get the pickled cabbage. It just isn’t the same without the cabbage. It’s super crunchy and spicy and so perfect with a nice gooey cheesy and yes… greasy pupusa. I have tried a few other dishes, they have been fine but they simply do not compare to the pupusas and cabbage. I tried another place recommended on Unilocal on the east side but I found that they were greasier and not as tasty as the ones here so for now this is going to be my pupusas fix place.
It can sometimes bit a slow to get your food so be warned. I am willing to wait for these made to order gooeyness, but again that is another reason why I do take out here.
And don’t forget to grab a Tamarindo soda to wash down the meal. It goes perfectly withe the cabbage and pupusas mix.

Came here Friday night for my first pupusa experience. Very glad that I had Unilocalers’ reviews and suggestions, ’cause otherwise I would have had no idea what to get! I went with the combo plate — two pupusas (pork and chicken), rice, beans and plantains. I got a pineapple drink (in a bottle) and, totally inadvertently, the sweet corn asole. (By «inadvertently» I mean that I tried to order the «sweet corn» something that other Unilocalers had talked about — which I think may have been the sweet corn tamale — but she thought I meant the asole.)
Interestingly, the sweet corn asole was my FAVORITE part of the meal, and really one of my favorite things ever. It’s just a sweet pureed corn soup, served in a big coffee mug (also with a spoon in case you want to scoop rather than sip). Nothing too exciting, I recognize, but so nice and soothing, and perfect for a cold, rainy fall night. I loved it.
The pupusas were fine, but nothing to rave about. They didn’t seem to have too much in terms of fillings. They tasted MUCH better when you scooped some of the cabbage slaw onto them — that stuff has a bit of a kick, and adds a lot more flavor. The rice and refried beans were just fine, and the plantains were delicious (though my husband had to finish mine because I got too full.)
I was disappointed by the pineapple drink — after reading other Unilocalers’ reviews, I thought all the fruity drinks would be agua frescas, but when I ordered this she just pointed me toward the refrigerator. I’ll be more specific in my request next time.
The service was pleasant. We got there at 5:15 on a rainy Friday, and the place was empty when we arrived. The lady at the counter was friendly as we stumbled through our order, not really sure of what we intended to get. They bring the food out to your table. Other Unilocalers have complained about the wait time, but ours wasn’t bad at all, and they served chips and really tasty salsa in the meantime.
The décor is simple and authentic — travel posters of El Salvador, flags, etc. One of my favorite things was the music — it was upbeat latin music, and you couldn’t help but tap your toe and dance a bit in your seat. The clientele was a total mix — couples, families, college kids.
Overall, we really enjoyed our experience and will definitely be back.

Neat little restaurant, I live 5 – 6 blocks away and drive by it all the time and finally convinced my wife and daughter we should try it out. They were hesitant do to unfamiliar with Pupusas and Salvadorian food in general.
Well we tried various Pupusas and my 7 year old love them as my wife and I did.
Price was right too. Well we be back (Yes) when? I don’t know.
Worth a try if you want good local food.

This is a great place that deserves recognition. As a local resident, of course, I have a vested interest in keeping it a secret, but I also have a vested interest in keeping it in business!
The truth is that this is the real deal — absolutely delicious pupusas, curtido, and all the rest, at a great price.
I have had the plain queso, loroco, and frijole pupusas, and I loved ‘em all. Two makes a very nice lunch for about $ 5 — you just can’t get better than that!
As for the décor and ambience, well, the food is really good. It’s not bad to sit on the patio and munch pupusas with a Cola Champagne, as I have done and recommend.
Take out is good, too — they’ll pack it to go.

People — you need to come here!
Heard through the grapevine that this place might be closing its doors. We can’t let this happen! Their pupusas are incredible, prices are super cheap (I think it’s something like Mon and Wed $ 1 tacos and $ 2 pupusas). They have aguas frescas that are amazing (try the guava juice, so refreshing and tasty). The people who run this place are incredibly friendly. They let me sample all the aguas frescas before finally settling on something, although, trust me, it was hard to choose.
The pupusa platter is delicious — 2 pupusas of your choice, rice, beans, plaintains. I usually don’t even like plantains but I love theirs. Their pupusas are fresh and made to order (as they should be) with oozing cheesy goodness. My friend likes to call them Mexican hot pockets (yes, I know, they’re not Mexican, they’re El Salvadorean, I have to correct him every time).
Please go here — this homey little shop needs to stay open to satisfy my foodie student on a budget needs.

PUPUSA FACTORY is right!
I’ve been a pupusa fan for a while but have yet to find a restaurant that serves them right. There is actually another salvadorean restaurant in the area that makes the greasiest, nastiest pupusas ever, so i was a little reluctant to try another nearby restaurant. THEY PROVED ME WRONG.
From the service and food, to the prices and atmosphere this place is SPECTACULAR!
Menu is easy to read with plenty of choices. We ordered 3 pupusas:
the Loroco Flower and cheese (which was my favorite) Carne Asada (my cohorts favorite) and Fresh Jalapeño and cheese (a safe classic)
we have also tried the tacos which they have a stellar deal on 99 cents each! And i also tried the salvadorean enchilada which i asked if i could get vegetarian and they gladly did. The gentlemen who helped us was super effiecient, fast and friendly. We got to ask him a bunch of questions about what was on the menu and different drinks and food we were unfamiliar with. This is my new neighboorhood favorite!

Bonuses:
~Nice, intimate family feel to this restaurant in a cute little neighborhood.
Negatives:
~ Food was pretty gross all around. We have 4 different plates: nothing was tasty and portions were small.
~ Service was slow.

I haven’t had many pupusas before but came with some expert friends of mine. I knew before arriving that this was going to be a different kind of experience. When we arrived, no one was at the counter… since the cook was also the cashier, she was cooking and didn’t see us until she finished. It took us long enough to figure out what to order… they have over ten types of pupusas and I got the carne asada and the chicken one. It was soooo good and $ 1.50 each on Wednesday night? The cabbage on top helps a bit… it’s like cole slaw on top of your chicken fried steak so you can break up the grease factor.
I ordered tacos too and well, this place doesn’t specialize in tacos so next time, pupusas all the way! I also tried their sweet corn tamales with some crema on the side… they were okay, not as sweet as the Chevy’s sweet corn tamale «scoop» but I guess I’m not used to eating it with crema.
I’ll be back for more pupusas but maybe order to go.

Sabor Salvadoreno is conveniently located in semi-​suburbia downtown San Jose between Santa Clara University and the Pavilion. Despite the number of Mexican taquerias in the area, this place also serves Mexican food. =)
The ambience is nothing fancy but in my perspective subtly flares an El Salvadoran tourist experience with the country’s flag and pictures against the walls.
We just had a carne asada taco for $ 0.99 (their taco special), a combination pupusa for $ 2.25 and their special warm creamed corn drink that was comforting to the soul. Our meal came with chips and freshly milled salsa too. Our total came out to about $ 7 – 8. I’d say the prices were pretty fair.
The taco tasted like something somebody would find at a taco truck. So if you can’t find a mobile taco truck, this is the place to be. I’d say it’s pretty authentic; it didn’t come with shredded lettuce/​cabbage some of their competitors like to include but they keep it simple. As for the pupusa, I’m not sure if they make it fresh, but the way the cheese melted in my mouth confirmed that it’s quality queso too. Oh and don’t let the menu overwhelm you, just ask the guy in the front for pointers, he’s a great help.

a solid 4 stars
after seeing this on the ROTD i immediately asked my friend to try it with me. we were not disappointed!
as soon as we walked in we were greeted with a smile and were asked how we were doing. i was shocked! the guy asked if we had ever had pupusas. i had them once before. and he suggested we try the mix plate/​combo. 2 pupusas of your choice, rice, beans, and plantains. for less than 8 bucks. i was sold!
i chose the chicken and cheese. and pork. the chicken and cheese was flavorful and i liked it over the pork. the cabbage that came with it was a little bland compared to the one i had before. it was still yummy tho! the rice and beans were standard. as soon as i took a bite into the plantain i rudely interrupted my friend with a «WOW!» and we both laughed. it was effing awesome!!!
i also had a crush orange soda in a bottle.
service was EXCELLENT. soo friendly and quick!
FYI they do take credit cards. i called ahead and asked cuz i wasnt sure.
will definitely be back!

I just loved this place that Flor has turned me on to! Mom and Pop shops rock! The pupusa with beef and another one with cheese and green herbs are delicious! The dough was thicker than Vicky’s and not greasy at all. I loved the coleslaw, beans and rice! The fruity orange drink was yummy that Flor recommended. I stayed away from the clear shots that smelled nasty! Flor was a wonderful host as always making sure we were taken care of since some of us were first time pupusasers. I brought the same meal home to my hubby who LOVED IT!!! The service was great and loved the huge menu with tons of stuff to try. The prices were really cheap with all my food costing under $ 8.00! I will be back since I’m now hooked on pupusas!!!

Sabor is growing on me like a cheesy fungus. The last visit we had this amazing sweet corn drink, yes a DRINK peeps… I know it wasn’t healthy (I think I tasted heavy cream!), but DAMN It was good.
Oh and sweet corn tamale with sour cream is the bomb. I’m sensing a corn obsession starting here.

The best pupusas in the Bay Area? Maybe yes, maybe no, either way, this is coming from a first-​time pupusa eater.
Let me tell you, it was deeeeeeelicious!
I decided to go authentic and ordered the sopa de patas o Mondongo (aka beef feet soup) and even the nearby El Salvadorians were impressed as I slurped, chewed, and downed my very tasty and fatty soup filled beef tripe, tendons, and feet.
Also ordered the tamales, but it was not as good as the soup. Slightly on the bland side.
Support your fellow El Salvadorian (in my case, Flor) and pay a visit!

As if I needed one more culinary vice. Papusas are to dieters as Heroin is for junkies.
After reading all of the Unilocal praise for Sabor Salvadoreno’s papusas, especially Eve K. and Mara T.‘s reviews, I dragged a coworker of mine out to lunch here this afternoon to taste for myself. Whoa boy! I went almost 40 years without meeting a papusa. Perhaps it would have been better had I not been so introduced. You know it is bad sign when you begin planning your second trip to the restaurant during the middle of your first meal there.
We both had the Papusa meal, which consisted of two papusas, refried beans, rice and fried plantains. The papusas were delicious, though I had to slather them with lots of hot sauce. What can I say? I like my food spicy!
I’m definitely coming back here, though I pity the poor soul whom I will bring here and introduce to the little fried piece of heaven known as a papusa.

Small Pupusa and El Salvador-​proud spot with delish food and wonderful people. 4.6 stars
Eve award: my favorite pupusas I’ve had. Makes my «Eve’s best of food» picture wall!
Cost to worth it rating: 4.5 (pupusa for $ 2.25, people! I think I was channeling Flor there.)
Highlights:
— Pupusas (duh): they have a load of different things on the menu (tacos, burritos, seafood, etc.), but pupusas are the reason you come here. Hot, puffy, and delish insides. Ah, what a lovely round beauty. The freshest ones I’ve had – you order it and we make it like Jack in and Box says but here they really do to perfection. No hiding that these are fatty, but it wasn’t crazy sopping «OMG did I really eat that?» guilt ridden greasy.
– Revuelta: my absolute fave with the combo of pork, cheese, and beans all mixed up and stuffed inside the masa paddy puck/​frisbee of goodness. Most flavorful one of the bunch for sure.
– Different types: besides the standards they had zucchini and cheese, carne asada and cheese, another cheese variety I didn’t recognize (loroco), and rice flour ones as options.
– Gluten free: I believe it is, as it’s made with masa which is corn flour, but don’t quote me if you’re deathly allergic. For me I’m just happy it’s not a wheat-​heavy edible item.
– Combo: for a few dollars more, you can combo it with your choice of 2 pupusas with accompaniments of rice, beans, and plantains
— Décor: Viva El Salvador! From maps to wall art – everything screamed their country pride. Only thing that would have made it better was if Allison from American Idol popped out and rocked a song. ;-)
— Staff: the guy behind the counter was the best! Such a warm, energetic, friendly, helpful happy to have people in the restaurant guy. He didn’t mind at all that my friend brought in a bottle of liquor for our group (as long as he could have some). ;-)
— To go friendly: They just packed the order in a box and bag, had it ready for me when i left, and the hub could share in the pupusa eating fun at home. BTW he loved em.
Midlights:
— Jalapeño cheese pupusa: was nice and I enjoyed it, but was missing the heat. It tasted more like a green bell pepper pupusa. Also love it when there are a bit of crispy burnt cheese remnants on the sides but that’s just a nit.
Lowlights:
— I just wanted a side of plantains (banana-​y semi-​sweet) instead of the full beans and rice and plantains combo with my order, but instead I got a full order for $ 5. Not much and I did get a ton, but with the pupusas so inexpensive, would be nice to have a smaller portion inexpensive side to pair with it.
Yeay to our Perfect Pupusa Party hosted here by a Pretty, Peppy, and Popular Pupusa Pisco Pal in Flor D. I can’t wait to go back and have some more. :-)

Thanks to Flor D., I am seriously torn. Torn between Vicky’s and Sabor Salvadoreno especially since they are within 5 minutes of each other. Where do we get our pupusa fix for the day?
The Sabor location on Lawrence was where I had my first-​ever pupusa and I was hooked. I love that it’s a meal all-​in-​one that can be best equated as a Salvadorean response to a pizza; except with a corn meal exterior, and varied fillings that can go on the inside. It’s topped off with something called «curtido» which is a mixture of pickled cabbage and carrots and a little red sauce. Just writing about it right now makes me hungry!
All pupusas are not made equal, and I will admit that the ones at this location are awesome. What was the kicker here is that the bottoms of the pupusas were crunchy. I love anything and everything crunchy – and with a hint of cheese; it had me at the first bite. Only gripe that I have was that between the two of us, we ordered five pupusas, and the «curtido» that they gave us didn’t seem to be enough. Nonetheless, they were pretty darn good.
So, as I write this, who wins the battle stupendous? It’s a tie. Vicky’s is good, but Sabor is pretty darn nice, as well. The outside seating that is available at this location is nice – especially with the summer months coming up. Although it’s in a random location, I’d still say it’s worth a visit.
Five pupusas, two sodas set us back $ 18. Not bad, if you ask me!

I’d give them 5 stars, but I’m still partial to Amelia’s in Redwood City given the amusing ambiance and sassy owner there.
HOWEVER, this is the best pupusa place I’ve come across in San Jose so far. Vicki’s is good (on San Carlos Ave, a few blocks away), but Sabor has a few things going for it that you won’t find at Vicki’s:
–Outdoor seating
–Outdoor grill
–Faster service
–Better beans
–Plantains served with nearly every dish
–More reasonable prices
The pupusas are amazing. Freshly made to order with whatever filling makes your heart sing: beans, cheese, loroco, carne asada, etc.
I recommend the Pupusa Mix plate, as it comes with beans, rice, plantains, slaw, chips and salsa and two pupusas with your choice of fillings for around $ 7.
The chick at the counter is a doll — very nice and friendly, and the guy usually working the grill is great.
Parking is easy here and there’s lots of room inside to sit down and eat, in addition to the patio seating. There also appears to be A/​C, but we’ve not been there when it’s actually running.
Not sure if this is important to anyone else, but they have lots of bottled specialty drinks (Jarritos, etc) including my favorite, Coke in a bottle, which I realize isn’t all that special, but most places don’t have it anymore and, I swear, it’s better than a fountain Coke any day.
This place is also pretty close to the Los Gatos Creek trail where it dumps out on San Carlos St. Just take Dupont around the corner, take a quick right on McEvoy, left on Park and follow park for a bit until you see Sabor on your right.

Listen up world… please be advised that Sabor Salvadoreno has been selected as a future home of a PUPUSA UYE. With that being said, this is the BEST pupusa joint within my San Jose neighborhood.
I am torn. I love Vicky’s (
) but I love love love Sabor.
Sabor Salvadoreno loosely translates to Salvador flavor.
From the plantain & bean dish to the FANTASTICAL pupusa & curtido, this joint surely does bring the FLAVOR.
As compared to Santa Clara location (
) this venue is bigger, cleaner, and with more seating and parking. Bathroom is outside, but they have one nonetheless. Service is great. Cashier Alex is not as flamboyant as Fernando in SC, but awesome regardless. The décor is fairly simple to explain. Picture Blue and white on the walls with posters and towel murals. Ladies and gentleman, we even have outdoor seating and a BBQ. Wonder what they will do with that? Hmmm… if they only had a hammock, then surely I would be in pupusa heaven.
Pupusas are priced fairly and are delicious. If you have never tried one, please check this joint out. I saw a woman walk in and walk out cause she was disappointed the Mexican joint had been replaced. Poor woman didn’t know what she was missing.
IF YOU READ NOTHING ELSE, PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS NOT FAST FOOD. If you have less than a ½ hour to wait for your food, don’t come here. Perfection takes time, and don’t get pissed at the cooks.
If you are beginner, order a cheese and been pupusa with curtido. You will walk out happy. They have combo dishes and even pictures on the wall. If you like fruity drinks, get the ensalada! Take out orders-​YES!

[Here are some words to describe the food here]
Impressive.
Flavorsome.
Unique.
Consummate.
Knockout!
Impeccable.
Notable.
Great.
Luscious.
Overwhelming.
Vast.
Extraordinary.
Perfect.
Adorable.
Petite.
Untouchable.
Supreme.
Awesome.
PS: Now read downwards.
=========
Update.
Read the first letters on each line downwards. Duh!