Best Mexican I've had in a very long time. When we pulled up we were the only ones in the place but it started to fill pretty quick. The staff weee awesome and even brought us the homemade hot sauce (delicious by the way). Their chips for the chips and salsa are obviously homemade. Had to resist not gorging on those. I got a pork chop with rice and beans and fried plantains. The pork chop was fine but it was completely overshadowed by the rice and beans which were overstuffed by the plantains. This was just a delicious meal. The place has a wide variety of seating options for almost any size group. We also noticed they seem to do a brisk takeout business as well. If you're around or even passing through this is a must try. read more

Lo que pasa es que este restaurante es auténtico, de verdad. La cocina es Salvadoreña con algunos platos típicos Mexicanos. Ten en cuenta que solo aceptan efectivo, pero estás aquí para disfrutar de la comida, no de sus métodos de pago :) / The Coal Miner, Carbonero ;) is the real-deal for Salvadoran cuisine. I love places that let one channel their inner Anthony Bourdain right here close to home. The cuisine is primarily Salvadoran with some Mexican-influenced dishes as well. No disputing the authenticity of the food; this is not a chain. The service was fast and friendly, although it did take a short while for the meal to be delivered. El Carbonero is quite casual, this is not a fancy spot. There were families and workers enjoying their freshly made pupusas. They only take cash, so be prepared. Get outside your comfort zone (perhaps) and definitely give this spot a try. Estarás gratamente sorprendido :) read more

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Had a great time here. Food was authentic and tasty. Was plentiful as well. Not too busy and away from the traffic in town. read more

El Carbonero - Menu - Salvadoran Near Me - Graham, North Carolina

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We went to Grandad's Antique Mall and ended up here for lunch. I tried the Sopes and the Flautas. My wife got Pollo with rice and beans. Very good. read more

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Second time going there. The first time was awesome. This time not so much. The chips were really fresh and the salsa was delicious. On my main dish it seemed a bit skimpy. A teaspoon of gauc, a pinch of beans just didn't come up to it's previous standards. read more

My friend and I occasionally schedule a shopping day at Granddaddy's Antiques. We discovered El Carbonero on our trip last year and made it a point to have lunch there again. Don't let the outward appearance of this little place scare you off. The food is fantastic. No free chips and salsa, but you will be glad to have more space for the giant portions of food. The pupusas is what we both remembered from our last visit. They are as good as we remembered! read more

El Carbonero - Pollo fajitas - Salvadoran Near Me - Graham, North Carolina

My brother recommended this place, the pupusas are super good and delicious. It gets busy in the weekends so be aware and the staff is very friendly, read more

The food here was fantastic. I'd never had El Salvadoran food before and realized it's nothing like Mexican food but better, in my opinion. They have the biggest milk shakes I've seen in ages. If you're looking for alcohol with your lunch this is not your place, no Al go served here but the food still makes it worth going to. If you've never has El Salvadoran food before try this place!!! read more

El Carbonero - Strawberry milkshake the size of Montana - Salvadoran Near Me - Graham, North Carolina

This type of food is something rare to find around here, so just finding it was exciting. Was craving this food a lot recently, and they did not disappoint. This is something new for my girlfriend, and even she enjoyed it. The service was good, and the food was great, and quick. The prices are reasonable especially for the times we're in. The pupusas were all good, of course never as good as grandmas. Our juices were refreshing. Both our breakfasts were exactly what you'd expect if you know this type of food. Overall would definitely recommend this place, and plan on coming back. Hope to find something like this closer to home. read more

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Awful experience. 1st- Gave me the wrong order did not realize until I got home and had the wrong kind of popusas. Which I let it slide because I should have checked before leaving. 2nd- I've been looking forward to my slice of chocolate cake all week and I finally had a chance to grab it for dessert tonight and it's covered in mold. There's no way the person who pulled it out of the fridge missed it AND the person who put it in the bag for me completely missed it. So, don't get desserts from there cause who knows how long they've been sitting in their refrigerator. read more

El Carbonero - Mold on chocolate cake - Salvadoran Near Me - Graham, North Carolina

Yes. Yes. And more yes!! El Carbonero is my new spot! Went here for lunch a couple of days ago and was so pleased. First, we got their fresh juices and let me tell you, they are FRESH juices and they come in a huge jug. My mango juice had mango pieces in it. Same with my hubby's juice. The jug of juice was so big we didn't even need a refill. Which is so different from most places. Then next, I had their beef papusa and my whole world changed. Lol. I'm dramatic but yes. It was that good! I got a chicken dish that was good as well but the papusas steak the show!! I'm saying, it's worth it to go out of your way to try this place! read more

With a shortage of amazing restaurants in Burlington, I was super pleased to find this is one of the exceptions. I've passed by a million times but finally stopped in to find the best pupusas I've had in NC. The Yuca was perfectly fried and the fermented cabbage hit the spot. Making immediate plans to become a regular here. read more

Don't Go there don't buy the food is awful gross they don't know how to cook and is super expensive

El Carbonero is a Salvadoran and Mexican restaurant. The owner is from El Salvador thats why they serve authentic Salvadoran food. How do I know they serve authentic Salvadoran food you may ask? My mom is from El Salvador. El Carbonero looks like a dive, but don't let that fool you. Salvadoran food. The most significant dish is the "pupusa" . Pupusa is a hand made corn flour small tortilla with a choice of Port meet, cheese and other choices depending on the restaurant. The Pupusas are served with curtido. Curtido is a lightly fermented cabbage. Try it you may like it. Other tasty dishes here are Vistec Encebollado or Steak with onions, Yuca Frita or fried cassava and Sopa De res or Beef soup. Mexican food at El Carbonero is always fresh; therefore, I don't recommend this place if you're looking for ground beef flautas or hard shell tacos. I had the asada tacos and I was impressed. The meet was season just right and the tortilla were hand made and fresh. I will be back to this restaurant and I strongly recommend it. Great food and affordable! read more

El Carbonero - Salvadoran Near Me - Graham, North Carolina

Our absolute favorite goto authentic place. The papusas are amazing the service is great. They are closed a random day of the week so pay attention. read more

This place is the bomb. The pupusas are amazing and the people who work there are very friendly!

I stopped here based on previous Yelp reviews. Excellent flood for a reasonable price. I very much enjoyed it. I'll be back. read more

Delicious and friendly service. A friend recommended this place and it's definitely worth going to if you want some real Salvadoran food.

You have to try the pupusas with the cabbage/slaw. One of my favorite things to get here since I was a kid.

I went here based off the reviews. Not sure why this place has a 5 star review? Maybe I just don't get Salvadoran food? I had 3 different kinds of pupusas, which weren't terrible, but not really tasty. Definitely the better part of my meal. Then I got some kind of dessert that was called nuegados which says is in a caramel sauce, but it was really in what tasted like blackstrap molasses. I could barely eat it. I also got the horchata, it was very gritty and the taste was really odd. And to top it off the place is really dirty, the walls are coated in food and the bathroom door is falling apart. Oh and keep in mind they only take cash. read more

El Carbonero - a woman in a restaurant setting - Salvadoran Near Me - Graham, North Carolina

Delicious! I received a recommendation for this restaurant and I was not disappointed. The food was excellent and the staff was friendly. I can't wait for my next trip! read more

In appearance, the place looks ok but the magic starts when the food is served. From their salads to their popusas to their mojarra, the food is just delicious. I've even taken pictures of their food before! Get away from the old La Fiesta and get ready to enjoy a true diamond in the rough of a restaurant. Oh and I never leave without eating their homemade flan(custard). read more

El Carbonero - Salvadoran Near Me - Graham, North Carolina

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When we first stepped into El Carbonero we were warmly greeted and seated right away. The restaurant has an authentic ethnic vibe. We ordered steaks with rice and salads. We would have liked bigger salads and less steak but that's just us. Next time we will probably it an entree salad and a steak and split both meals. The service was excellent. One thing you must remember is that payment must be in cash--no cards or checks are accepted here. read more

El Carbonero - Salvadoran Near Me - Graham, North Carolina

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It was ok. I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here. However, if I wanted a bite to eat around this area, I would probably give it another shot. Service was great! read more

Worst restaurant owners I've encountered, ordered camarones a la diabla, this is a topical hot dish and to our surprise they came in a tomato sauce. Menu says it's made with jalapeño peppers. I asked the Waiter to change it for something else and she said the owner said they couldn't. We had to pay for food that we did not like read more

El Carbonero - Salvadoran Near Me - Graham, North Carolina

So it looks like an amazing menu with great pictures, sadly I was unable to try it. It appears they have issues with white people, because they at no point said one word to me or looked at me, and in fact walked around me to help other people who walked in after me. My business went and will go elsewhere. read more

Looks a little rough on the outside. On my first visit, I took along a few co-workers. Now, I dine by myself regularly. The tacos and papusas are inexpensive and delicious. Decor is minimal, but homey. Servers are fantastic and most speak excellent English. Don't pass by without stopping. It is truly one of Grahams hidden gems. Cash only. read more

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I've been working in the Burlington area the last few days. I looked for nearby restaurants, 4+ stars mom & pops. An El Salvadorean restaurant shows up, that sounds different. I talk my coworkers into it, one of the guys has a fast food chain only pallet. All of us thought the food was fantastic. I got shrimp Diablo, they were large, butterflied, and smothered in a savory, fresh tasting habanero sauce. With a heat that just kept building, perfect. If you're not used to hot, pick something else. The rice was not what you see in Mex restaurants. It appears to be cooked in a rice cooker with flavor and bits of pepper. I got the house dressing on the salad, I don't know if it has oil, it was a lime black pepper mix, very fresh. They serve breakfast all day, a coworker order eggs/chorizo, loved it. The chicken Chipotle is great as well. A few bites in, all three of us said we'll be eating there the next day. The waitress was great, I had her order for me. Go on in and enjoy! read more

This place is awesome! Excellent variety of Mexican and other Latin American dishes. I especially love their tamales, pupusas and the Salvadoran horchata. I've been here a few times and the service is always fast, friendly and the food is reasonably priced and delicious. I've recently found myself using "shopping at the outlets" as an excuse to drive from Raleigh for dinner here. Do be aware, that they only accept cash (no cards). If you like authentic Latin American food, or have realized there are no good pupusa places in Raleigh, go check this place out. It won't disappoint. read more

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They are super friendly and the food is so good! If you're taking out order ahead wait time is a little long but food is super fresh!

The food tasted good, but the lady got my order wrong. I ordered a bean and cheese pupusas and the lady gave me pork ones. I understand English may not have been their first language, but the workers should GET THE CUSTOMER'S ORDER RIGHT or they could have at least asked me. read more

One of our favorite restaurants for eat in and take out. Love the pupusas. The pollo tostadas and yuca frita are great. The salads are fresh and generous. Been going there for years. Great service. read more

The food is always great , I love that place, and the staff are always friendly and funny, I just drive about 35 or 40 minutes from Durham to get there read more

El Carbonero - Salvadoran Near Me - Graham, North Carolina

Food was some ok.,low quality. i order sweet plantains and were a mess of oil. Not recommended.

Great place! Haven't been here for three years but the food is as good as always and the service is still great! I will come back every time I'm back in Graham read more

One of the worst service I ever had. We were 4 people and ordered something that should only take 15-20 minutes. We got half of the food but we waited for 1 hour and 30 minutes! Like come on now, yea I get that it's full but 1 hour and 30 minute?!?! That is to much time to wait for food even for food. We ended up getting up and paying half of the food which was nonsense since we just came to eat as a family but instead we just went to waste time. the funny thing is, the cashier told us to look at how many orders they have when we ordered an hour ago, then there was people getting food before us. I am just being honest and extremely furious that they left 2 of my family member hungry. but if it takes an 1 hour and 30 minutes of getting half the food, then is this place really a restaurant or just a place to waste your time? read more

Went here on a Thursday nite in August. We were the only patrons. Service was great (cheerful, prompt, attentive). Place was simple but clean Food, though not spectacular, was good (fresh, tasty). Visiting area, but would consider this as a regular. read more

El Carbonero - Los Camarones - Salvadoran Near Me - Graham, North Carolina

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This is my favorite dive restaurant in North Carolina. I would never have made my way over to El Carb with out having multiple people say it is a must. The food is incredible. Get the papusas. Oh me oh my. Soo good. Make it a trip. Go out to get food here, you won't regret it. read more

Let me just say that I eat here 2 - 3 times a week. I've tried numerous items on the menu, and it's so hard to pick favorites. From the tacos overflowing with meat and toppings, to the chipotle shrimp, to the chicken Alfredo (by far my fav), the list goes on.. This family owned and operated restaurant hands down is the best place around to eat. Don't just take my word for it, go and try it out, you'll love it! read more

Pupusas! We ordered four and then could barely touch the plate we ordered. Also, they'll cook up some things that aren't listed on the menu, so just ask. Everything was fresh, perfectly cooked, and neatly presented. Delicious horchata and agua de marañón (cashew fruit). Hand-formed tortillas. And the service couldn't get better. Next time we are in this town, we are definitely coming back! read more