So underrated! Delicious Salvadorean and Mexican food!! They first served chips with salsa, which was good and not too spicy. Later they also brought big fluffy tortillas, which I believe are the Salvadorean style tortillas. They are super soft, so fresh and fluffy. Pupusas They were huge!!! So flavorful and tasty. I tried the revueltas (cheese, fried pork, and beans) and the queso con jalapeno (cheese with jalapeno). Everything just melted in my mouth. I didn't expect the jalapeno one to have so much flavor too. The pupusas are my favorites out of everything I tried. Beef taco I tried this à la carte with the crunchy taco shell and shredded beef. There is a lot of filling (lettuce, tomato, and cheese) and the beef is tender. Not too greasy, not too dry. Love the crunchiness of the taco shell. The tacos are usually sold in twos with rice and beans. Carne Asada Plate The carne asada was very tender. Also comes with beans, simple salad, rice, and lemon wedge. There was no wait to get seated. Lots of seats and tables. They also have a TV with a movie playing. Service was good! Glad the server also has a sense of humor haha. The food took 15-20 minutes, which isn't too bad. The interior has a traditional Mexican aesthetic. Feels homey. The parking lot is not super big, but I had no problems parking on a Sunday. I would come back and recommend! read more

Based on other reviews, I had higher expectations. It was...okay. Service was friendly. As expected, food arrived after 15-20 minutes. I chose the 3 combination plate which had chicken, steak, and shrimp. All 3 proteins were tough and lacked flavor. The rice and beans (smooth, like soup) were decent. The pupusa revuelta was the highlight. The restaurant is actually for sale so I wonder if quality has been suffering. I wouldn't choose to return. read more

El Cafetalito - 3 combination plate and pork and cheese pupusa - Salvadoran Near Me - Downey, California

The food Always is fresh and tasty !! It's All homemade!! You'll never be disappointed at El Cafetalito . It's a hidden gem in the back towards the back area of the center. It's very clean and tidy . The Food is delicious!! The owner Jose is very nice, read more

I've driven past this unassuming little spot for years--always hearing people rave about it, always thinking, "Yeah, I'll try it one day." Well, let me tell you: one day finally came, and I'm kicking myself for not coming sooner. At first glance? Tiny parking lot, barely noticeable storefront, and the only noise inside is a dramatic telenovela echoing in the dinning area like someone's getting slapped in slow motion. One server, juggling 13 tables like a seasoned pro. I peek into the kitchen and see a señora who could've been cloned from my abuelita--hair up, apron on, face of quiet intensity. That's when I thought, "Okay, this meal is either going to change my life or ruin my afternoon." Spoiler alert: it changed my life. Garlic. Shrimp. Carne asada. Even the beans tasted like they had a secret family recipe handed down by generations of flavor goddesses. I left full, happy, and already planning my order for next time like a strategist preparing for battle. Was the service lightning fast? No. But if you're craving drive-thru speed and microwave flavor, this ain't your place. Me? I believe in waiting for greatness. Would you rush your abuelita in the kitchen? Exactly. Sit down. Be humble. And let the magic happen. read more

El Cafetalito - Salvadoran Near Me - Downey, California

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Great food and good prices. Great service by Oscar. He is really happy and friendly. I really recommend this place read more

Place is really a go to small place with lots of options! They're known for their pupusas. They have a special on Mondays. But you must mention you want the special pupusas or they're gonna charge you full price. Very tasty. Good portions. They have one of the best salsas i have tried. Spicy! Staff is friendly and quick. This place never gets old read more

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siempre tan bueno que es BUSS. La placa está despejada y el servicio es de primer nivel, me encanta estar aquí!!!! read more

El Cafetalito - PUPUSAS SO GOOD IT'S GONEEE - Salvadoran Near Me - Downey, California

Great flavor and freshly made pupusas. We've been trying to make it here and we hadn't. I'm glad we did because it was just what we were looking for! The service was wonderful as well!. We'll definitely be back! read more

The pupusas are absolutely delicious!! I had the revuelta de queso, chicharrón and beans and it hit the spot! Will be visiting again on my way home. Great service and I will visit on the days they have specials- on Tuesdays! Nice quaint place bordering Pico Rivera and Disney. Serve lots of other dishes and alcohol as well. read more

Great experience for my first time. I called ahead to order pupusas to go. They told me 25 minutes over the phone on a Saturday afternoon. Parking seems tight, but it wasn't busy. Kids enjoyed it and so did my parents. read more

El Cafetalito - Front entrance - Salvadoran Near Me - Downey, California

The man that always greets is always so nice and humble! We always order pupusas here and they're so delicious. Not greasy at all and their sauce is perfectly spicy. We love it here :) read more

Had pupusas and plantains and I'll be going back for more. Very friendly folks and I think they have two locations.

My parents and I tried this place yesterday based on the very good reviews and we were not disappointed. The food was not too much food but it was generous. It was delicious too. When the rice and beans taste good, you know the food is good. Their pupusas weren't bad! Andnthe curtido was so good! Their salsa was spicy and the Jamaica was not too sweet and well made. Also, the place is clean and nicely decorated. The owner or waiter was also very friendly. We are definitely going back. read more

We ordered for pick up and our food was ready on time. The food itself was good. We tried the pupusas, pollo encebollado, and desayuno típico. Going to try it again to see if it's the new spot. Service was great the gentleman that helped me was very polite and attentive. read more

Delicious food , ordered a gallina soup to go tastes home made , services was a 1 start but I was there for the food .

I love this place it's down the street from my job I'll come here to get lunch sometimes and it's always good.

I haven't been there in awhile, my husband and I tried it on Saturday . It was very clean inside, to my Amazement it was very tasty and delicious. The food was fresh, and tasted as it was before the new owners took over. Glad we stopped by!! read more

This is the second time my wife and I eat here. This restaurant used to be called "El Tequilence" but now its called "El cafetalito." We had the molcajete for 2 and it was a 10/10. And on this visit, we had the chile rojo and the chile verde. Careful, the spice is about a 5/10 for those that don't really like spicy. The service is fast bur the there is only one waiter- he really tries hard for your satisfaction. The ambiance is clean and comfortable. I highly recommend this restaurant. The prices are reasonable and the taste is very good! read more

This was our first time trying this restaurant and we will definitely be back. Food is fresh and delicious. Our server Oscar was amazing. He gave us some history on the restaurant and food. The food was already a 10/10 but he made the overall experience a reason to come back. I definitely recommend this restaurant. read more

Ordered Pupusas and they were great, the pupusas are large. The price was very reasonable and the service was excellent.