December 16, 2021

mmm-yoso!!! is the food blog you are reading. Kirk is having technical difficulties, Cathy is writing today.

In 2015, I wrote about Custcatlan Salvadorian in Escondido and had revisited several times when in the area. We were happy to see a 'San Diego' Custcatlan open in the storefront area where Homestyle Hawaiian is located and next to where Up 2 You had its location (now Milk Tea Lab).
The menu is same as the Escondido location in that there is pizza offered. I still don't know the story behind that.
We arrived just before the lunchtime crowd and ordered an ensalada/fruit salad drink ($3.95). Always refreshing and delightful. Since we were at a Salvadorean establishment, a pupusa had to be ordered. This chicharron con queso pupusa ($3.50) was so fresh tasting and perfectly cooked and filled with a good amount of pork and cheese. The tomato sauce and curtido were just right condiments to accompany the tasty crisped dough.
A fried corn tamale (tamalitos elote frito)($3.50) was accompanied by plantanos fritos (fried plantain) and would make a nice, light lunch. Perfect fry, lightly crisp exterior (of both items) and creamy with a nice/definite corn flavor in the tamal along with a bite of the starchy banana was a comfort snack. From the appetizer menu, we decided to share the stuffed portobello mushrooms ($7.95). Three large portobello caps filled with a cheese blend, feta and garlic then baked until that melted cheese browned a bit. This wonderful treat could also be a great little meal or snack.
We ordered all of the above, because the menu noted that the mojarra frita (fried whole fish) ($15.95) would take extra time. What a wonderful flavor this pan fried, quite large whole tilapia had! Accompanied by hand made (thick) tortillas, rice and salad along with fresh lime for additional seasoning this shared fish was another highlight of the meal. Crisped skin, flaky light meat, memorable.