The Missus has a weakness for tamales. And even though She'd consumed quite a bit over the Xmas holiday…..it was just not enough. She rolled out of bed one morning and told me She "needed"; yes "needed" some tamales. Specifically tamales from El Salvador Pupuseria y Restaurante. Now, based on my last visit to the place, I really wasn't into it. But there was no denying the Missus. So I figured, no pupusas for me
As with my previous visits, the women working here are quite friendly….so I just ignored the terrible curtido and the slightly stale chips this time around. And the Missus started things off with some Plantano Frito.
Nicely fried; just sweet enough, not greasy. That crema was nice and mild and paired well with the plantains. The frijoles however, were gummy and bland, not a great combination for me when it comes to beans. The Missus got one chicken and one pork tamale….She actually prefers Salvadoran Tamales; wrapped in banana leaf, or even Guatemalan Chuchitos, to the standard issue Mexican style tamales. The Missus really enjoyed the pork tamales and had me order four more to go….for later. So it must have fixed the craving!
I ordered the Yuca Frita con Chicharron. Fried yucca…fried pork….fried…..
That fried yucca was a work of art. It was just perfectly fried; crisp exterior, nice moist interior. Totally delici-yoso! The pork was not so great. It was quite lean making the meat quite dry and tough. It was also too salty. The faux curtido and the veggies really didn't do much else for the dish. Still, that yucca made me happy enough…..
If we're coming back again the next time the Missus gets a tamale itch; it'll have to be yucca frita and something else.
El Salvador Pupuseria y Restaurante
3824 University Ave
San Diego, CA 92105