Kirk deserves a day off and Cathy is seriously occupied, so ed (from Yuma) has a report (from Yuma).
When Pupusas Cabañas closed, I was pretty sad. Then last year, I discovered a tiny truck parked occasionally next to a hair salon on Eighth Street:
While the hot dogs they served – at least the one I tried – were mediocre Sonoran style dogs, the pupusas here, served with cabbagey crudito and tomato water, were well made, cheesy, and good:
Recently, however, I have not been able to find that little truck. If anyone knows where it's hiding, please let me know. The good news is that a new larger truck has appeared in a much better location on the north side of Eighth Street about a half block east of Avenue B. Called Pupusas Maria, it is owned and operated by Maria, a friendly woman who used to cook at Cabañas:
I still love the pupusas – this one covered with the slightly sour cabbage, carrot, onion, and jalapeño crudito and a lightly picante tomato water:
The tamales, wrapped in banana leaf and tinfoil, are especially rich and moist:
And filled with a lot of chicken and an un-fried french fry:
On weekends, specials are sometimes available. The chicken is stewed in a thin tomato sauce until it falls apart. Sometimes it is three legs served with a cabbage salad and rice:
On another occasion, a leg and a thigh with macaroni salad and rice – damn near a plate lunch:
On Sundays and other special occasions (like last Christmas Eve), the special is Sopa de Pata (the bowl is Tina's):
This is a fine version. You can see part of the hoof with its tendon, a nice selection of Salvadoran vegetables, and pieces of rich flavorful tender beef tripe, all swimming in a savory broth: muy rico.
Pupusas Maria, near the Northeast corner of Eighth Street and Avenue B, open 4 PM until it closes. Tuesday through Sunday (I think), 928-304-9577.
Looks so good, makes me wish I still lived in the states 🙂
Never had sopa de pata before — got me drooling! Any idea what the name of that chicken stew is? I’m a sucker for anything that even half resembles a plate lunch!
Yeh, Richard, it is tasty. I didn’t mention that it is also cheap. Pupusas and tamales are around $1.50 each. The specials are around $5.
I forget, Michelle, what the chicken is called. Part of me wants to say pollo asado, but it is nothing like the Mexican dish of that name. But it is the only chicken “especial” at the restaurant. The sopa de pata is worth some drool. Veggies include chayote, yuca, banana (plantain?) as well as more common corn and carrot.