El Cuscatlan Restaurant

3.8 (132 reviews)

ModerateSalvadoran, Breakfast & Brunch, Mexican

Closed • 10:00 am - 8:00 pm

Updated 3 months ago

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El Cuscatlan Restaurant - Platanos - Salvadoran Near Me - Hercules, California

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El Cuscatlan Restaurant - Chef's special - Salvadoran Near Me - Hercules, California

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EL CUSCATLAN RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

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Moderate noise

Casual

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Good for groups

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Cheese & Beans pupusa, Pork, Beans & Cheese Pupusa, Passion fruit mango fresca

Carla G.

Finally decided to try this place out for lunch & I'm glad it's a close by location for pupusas! I did order ahead & by the time i got there, the food was ready! The pupusas were still fresh and hot & I ended up getting an agua fresca which was so refreshing! The pupusas were tasty especially with the curtido & salsa combo! One thing I wish they did was separate the pupusas because I didn't know which one was which until I had sliced it open. The place was also so spacious & hoping they're getting some business! Will be coming back to try their huge menu :)

Fathima I.

Good wholesome food which is yummy and very flavorful!!! Great staff who are friendly and knowledgeable. Nice homely ambiance and clean bathrooms.

Erick L.

Went here for a work lunch. I had the Churrasco Salvadoreno. It had steak, chicken, chicharron, prawns and chorizo. Should have know from the start it was going to be disappointing. It came out on a sizzling plate and there was none of that good aroma. The meat was so dry. I don't know when that chicharron was fried but it couldn't have been from today. Everything just lacked seasoning. Then the service was terrible. After waiting over 10 minutes, we had to find the server to take our order. If they were busy I'd understand but there might have been 1 other person dining in. Never refilled our waters. Don't remember if he ever checked in on us. Had to go find him to get some Togo boxes. To top it off, it was over 75 degrees in there. Was just not a good experience overall. 2 stars just because portions were good for the price.

Eddie C.

Another trip to El Cuscatlan and hard as I tried I couldn't get myself to order any other dish instead of their Pescado Frito. Order this fried whole Tilapia with shrimp and you will be treating yourself to an amazing dinner. As like the Tilapia the shrimp comes whole from the tip of its whiskers to the tail. And like the Tilapia it was cooked just right. The right doneness and the right flavor. Two other items are worth mentioning, the beans and their sauce. As this was my second round of having this dish I am starting to taste more of the flavors that makes this dish so good. The beans are made and tasted like no other Latin style beans I've ever had before. Normally I prefer my bean not totally mashed. I like a bit of small chucks and skin but El Cuscatlan was anything but that. It is totally mashed and smooth and so good. Their house hot sauce was equally flavor full. Just the right spiciness (very spicy) with a well rounded savory character. Next time? Not sure I can resist not ordering their Pescado Frito but if I can and I am in the mood for a lot of meat I'll order their Churrasco plate.

Brian M.

Finally visited El cuscatlan in Hercules, CA was pleasantly surprised. Great experience. Staff was very friendly knowledgeable and helpful l. Large menu, they had multiple lunch specials. We came in before lunch and they were kind said they could fix us any lunch item. Sprung for the pupusas. My boss and i both got Jalapeño and cheese and pork pupusas black beans and rice. Portions were a little small, but flavors fantastic with the hot sauce, black beans and rice had a hint of jasmine. See photos. Will definitely return

Pupusa de arroz con queso, loroco, y frijoles

Kayla P.

I will say, the pupusas de maíz were good and the sopa de gallina (ES DE POLLO, not sure why they say rooster when it's cheap chicken) is seasoned well. The pupusas de arroz that I got were okay, not the best I have had. The service is slow and I had to ask for cutlery, napkins, curtido y salsa. Not offered any curtesy water. The outside courtyard is beautiful and good parking lot. Very safe neighborhood. Just overpriced, $4.5 for a pupusa compared to the San Pablo and San Rafael location of $3.25 and better quality of food overall. Never coming here to this location ever again

Sherprina L.

Love this local joint. The grilled shrimp was very spicy, just the way I like it! The yuca frita was well seasoned and very crispy on the outside but soft on the inside. Will definitely return to try more dishes!

I've been to this place twice before and had an average experience. The service isn't great, but I decided to give it another try and placed a to-go order. I spoke with Carlos and ordered two pork and cheese pupusas along with a shrimp plate with rice and beans. After picking up my order on my way home--which is over 45 minutes away--I realized that my pupusas were cheese-only. I called back to inform Carlos about the mistake, but instead of addressing the issue, he argued with me, insisting that my order was prepared correctly. Having been there before, I know exactly what the pork and cheese pupusas should look and taste like, and this was not it. Carlos said he would check with the cooks, and if they confirmed they made it correctly, then there was nothing he could do. After putting me on hold, he came back and claimed the cooks said they had made it as ordered. That was simply untrue--I was looking at my food and eating it, and it was clearly incorrect. Beyond the mistake, Carlos was extremely rude and dismissive. He claimed to be the manager but refused to let me speak with the owner, saying they weren't available. This is a terrible way to run a business. I regularly spend over $50 per visit, but after this experience, they've lost a customer. Unacceptable.

Gagan S.

Food: 2/5 The chicken pupusa was worth trying, although it lacked flavor. The ratio of filling to the corn was decent. The sauce it was served with tasted like jarred Marina sauce which was disappointing. I have had other pupusas in the Bay Area, which are hit or miss, sometimes less filling and cheese but more flavor or vice versa. If the salsa/sauce was better this dish would be worth a recommendation. The chicken nachos were incredibly salty, got soggy very quickly, the guacamole tasted premade/prepackaged, and overall was not a dish I would recommend. The whole entree was salty, but after taking a few bites I realized this was mainly due the chips, possibly being store bought/prepackaged. The spiciest salsa available was relatively mild/medium. The Tapatio labeled "hot" on the table was spicier than the "spicy salsa". Service: 3/5 The host/server was friendly but did not seem knowledgeable about the menu when questions were asked. She also waited till the entrees came out to bring salsa instead of with the pupusa which was the starter when I requested it. Ambiance: 4/5 The restaurant has a good music choice and decor. It started to get busier a few minutes into my dining experience. There is plenty of seating available and comfortable booths. The women's bathroom is not available for use due to the door being broken, the men's bathroom door is also broken but with some force you may be able to get it closed, with caution to avoid getting locked in. No liquor license/drinks served was a little disappointing but there is a liquor store a few stores down in the area.

Jay R.

Really 4.5 for me. The pupusas are pretty tasty although a little smaller in diameter than I am used to. I had the pork, bean and cheese one, but I couldn't really taste the pork. The curtido and red sauce had flavor, so that is a big plus for me! I also tried their putaco, and I think I prefer it to the pupusas! Literally a pupusa with taco meat, lettuce, radish, onions and cilantro on it. Genius! I've only ordered to-go, so I'm not sure what their indoor service is like. But picking up orders is usually easy and the cashiers are nice. The place feels like a fancy bar when you first go in. There are some vending machines with toys for kids. It's never busy when I go for lunch, so I suppose the wait shouldn't be too long if you do dine in during those times. Parking lot is spacious, but could get busy.

Selina L.

What a cute little restaurant! I've tried other restaurants in this plaza but we finally tried this one after someone recommended it. Overall it was a good experience and both food and service were good. There's a cute wall of plants that is IG worthy... my daughter and I took some pictures there while we waited for food. We ordered 3 items plus a pupusa and my favorite was the Churrasco Salvadoreno Chef Special. The kids really enjoyed the steak and chicken. I like the variety of flavors available on the menu. Every dish we ordered were flavorful, well prepared, and nearly displayed. The ceviche was beautiful and I love that there was avocados and tostadas that came with, but it was more sour and liquidy than ceviches I am used to. My husband loved the pupusas but I thought they were just okay. There was a party going on near the entrance side. This surely seems like a great place to host a party!

Ronald N.

I compliment this place I am going to say that I almost ate Burger King but coming into El Cuscatlan's it was worth it. I had the Cheeseburger...a burger that was different compare to eating at Nation's, D Burger, or The Habit. It had a good taste and was juicy. My server was fantastic! I manage to give me time to decide what to order. It is the first restaurant that had wireless payment that allowed us to pay with our card instead of the server going to their register. I will come back here again

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Ana A.

3 years ago

I would leave zero stars if I could. The food is mediocre for the price for stale Pupusas and to make it even worse it is not even close to authentic. The staff is amazing and friendly but the management needs some serious consideration. Good luck in Hercules. read more

Business owner information

Omar G.

Sorry you had a bad experience with the pupusas. Come in next time…

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Martha R.

126

3 years ago

My family and I have dined here about four to five times now and as a Salvadoreña the pupusas are worth the search! I'm glad they're so close by my home. Whenever I don't want to cook I know where to go for a homemade meal. They've gotten better with customer service since they opened (I came on the second day and yes there were issues like mentioned by others of being forgotten but I give them so much credit on redemption) we went for dinner today and this was no longer an issue. Customer service was AWESOME! As a business owner myself I know the struggle of training staff your vision and expectations. So great job to the young owner the hustle is seen and the food is authentic ! My girls love your food and I appreciate the flexibility on making my pupusas addictive (revueltas con jalapeños) Don't get discouraged with negative comments , Keep up the great work! Next time I go I'll post pics of our meals :) read more

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Timothy R.

3 years ago

I love this place! Great music, friendly staff, and delicious pupusas, tamales and other Salvadoran specialties. I've had the platazo dinner (one tamal and one pupusa, plus plantain and beans), which was delicious, and the Caesar chicken salad, which was large and had nicely grilled chicken breast. Seems like a great place for a big group or event, and they are doing a lot of carryout business every time I'm there. read more

El Cuscatlan Restaurant - Chicken Caesar - Salvadoran Near Me - Hercules, California

El Cuscatlan Restaurant - Platazo dinner and a tamarindo agua fresca - Salvadoran Near Me - Hercules, California

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Ivette H.

308

3 years ago

I just want to start saying that you must be ready to wait. The service here is slow. They see you come in and tell you to sit and all but then takes them 10-15 mins just to even ask you if you want something to drink then wait even more to get your order in.They don't check up on you to see if your okay or need anything. This is my second time in this place and I will admit not satisfied. They just stare at you and stay behind their bar. This would definitely be my last time coming here. Also when I arrived another family came in after me and got served and food before us. This is just so disappointing. The fact that they don't even apologize or at least acknowledge us it's just so unprofessional. I am currently here and have been waiting over 30 mins for my food. I will say the food taste is good, no complains there. read more

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Felyda S.

3 years ago

Love their delicious food! Staff was very attentive, food was prepared in a timely matter, music was bumping' and more importantly my meal was delicious! I highly recommend trying this local fare. You won't be disappointed. read more

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Tony K.

111

3 years ago

Bad customer service! My wife and I entered the establishment and stood at the counter and for some reason, the three servers saw us come in, passed us as they address others , did acknowledge we were standing there and after, standing there in disbelief for a while, we sediced to leave. I can understand if the place was packed and there were people in front of us and behind us, but we were the only customers standing there. I would not dine in a restaurant that has no customer service etiquette and expect to enjoying their ambience after such a rude welcome. read more

El Cuscatlan Restaurant - This is a no go restaurant. Very poor customer service! - Salvadoran Near Me - Hercules, California

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OutrMishnWolf ..

3 years ago

Service was almost mediocre. Food is the same. Fried pork was dry, pupusas were average.

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Mintra S.

104

3 years ago

Went here for food after a walk in the park with my husband and infant son. The food was plated nicely and good however the sitting was not the best. We had a stroller and were seated by the walk-way/entrance, a narrower setting with heavy foot traffic. Husband and I were very conscious of other patrons and that our stroller would be inconvenient for them to walk around so couldn't enjoy our food as well. read more

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Frank T.

3 years ago

The dinner of tamale and pupusa loroco with plantain, refried beans and sour cream was delicious. Also ordered menudo loaded with tripe, pig feet, carrots, cabbage , corn on a cob, and cassava. Wife had steak and shrimp. We left nothing on the plate. We will be back. read more

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jayden c.

4 years ago

Delicious food, nice portions, nice staff. The Chefs special was great, and the pupusas were delicious too. I'm very happy they moved into Hercules. I'm looking forward to coming here again. read more

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Summer A.

4 years ago

Our new fave!! Highly, highly recommend. I was eager for some quality Salvadoran food to move into town, and this place definitely did not disappoint. The food and service was amazing, the staff was friendly, and the interior is clean and modern. The pupusas are AWESOME, do yourself a favor and try this place out! read more

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Carissa M.

3 years ago

Lots of space for dinning. However the food was average. We ordered the fried calamari it was burnt and served with ranch as a dip sauce instead of tartar sauce and a lemon. Also their pupusas were a disappointment, I ordered revuelatas but they were just beans. Also they came out in less then 5 mins so they are probably not made to order but tasted reheated. Its a convenient spot but they need to focus on one cuisine, to many options on the menu. Would not recommend if you are craving good pupusas. read more

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Stef S.

3 years ago

So happy have a place close to us to get real authentic Mexican / Salvadorian food. We had the Pupusas. Excellent! The owner is super sweet. Staff is friendly. The place is welcoming. Thank you for coming to Hercules:) read more

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Cheri S.

3 years ago

Good pupusas...and today they had Pu-tacos, pupusas topped with steak or any meat your choice. El cuscatlan is another great addition in the City of Hercules. I wish I took some pictures but the food came and we just went for it! We were served by one of the owners and he was younger and very pleasant to talk to. Will definitely come back here. read more

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Alma L.

2 years ago

TERRIBLE SERVICE!!!!!! Don't go here. Disrespectful. Placed an order for them just to tell me they never received an order. I showed them my receipts and phone call and didn't get anything in return. read more

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Denise-Greg B.

121

3 years ago

Omar was the best server and his recommendations where on point!! Thank you Omar for your great service! read more

El Cuscatlan Restaurant - Salvadoran Near Me - Hercules, California

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G B.

3 years ago

New location in Hercules! Looking for Papusas that compare to the Salvadoran restaurant in SF I used to go to for over 20 years. Pork/Cheese were very delicious but didn't seem to have much cheese. I'm used to cheesy gooey filled papusa. But it was yummy none the less and the best out this way that I know of. The chicken tamal is delicious! Big chunks of chicken. I will definitely be back! So glad you opened a location in Hercules! Can't wait to try other deliciousness from the mu read more

El Cuscatlan Restaurant - Pork/Cheese papusa's, Chicken Tamal, Beans and rice to go. Yum!! - Salvadoran Near Me - Hercules, California

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Brandy S.

111

3 years ago

We've been here twice so far. The seafood is definitely better than the steak. I would say the food is not bad but the service is lacking. The 1st time we went service was very slow even though there were only 4 tables (2 tables were almost done already when we got there) We ordered extra rice but never received it. When we were on our way out the server came outside when we were in our car already & asked if we still wanted it LOL. FAIL! We ordered grilled shrimp, grilled steak & pupusas. All except the steak were good. Steak wasn't cooked right so we didn't care for it. The salad & rice was good as well. Horchata was gritty from the bottom of the barrel. Second time we ordered for take out & they left out one of the dishes we ordered so we had to wait an extra 20 mins to have them make it which led our other orders to be cold. Such a bummer. Will probably not come here again. Oh, also on Yelp when you select "see full menu" this location doesn't offer the full menu so don't order from their full menu. They don't have any burritos, tacos & quesadillas or any kids menu items. read more

El Cuscatlan Restaurant - Pupusas - Salvadoran Near Me - Hercules, California

El Cuscatlan Restaurant - Grilled steak. Just meh. Would not order again - Salvadoran Near Me - Hercules, California

El Cuscatlan Restaurant - Grilled shrimp plate. Very good - Salvadoran Near Me - Hercules, California

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Marco B.

3 years ago

Unorganized and lacking ambiance. Wait staff rude. Walked in bar is a mess! Taps are empty no beer and stuff strewn all over the place. The former occupants Claws and Crawls at least had a decent bar you could order a drink from. Waste of space. read more

Business owner information

Omar G.

There’s no alcohol license yet, hence why the taps are empty

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Kristen S.

3 years ago

Wow, so good. I usually don't post reviews, but I hope this place stays here for a long time! Got the chef special, which was perfect to share with my bf, and it was delicious! Basically a combo plate with 5 different proteins and each one was amazing. Big shout-out to the handmade tortillas, beans, and salty cheese. Really affordable for what you get. Can only speak to the one dish, but next time will try the pupusas. read more

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Lesley P.

4 years ago

Delicious Mexican food, Excellent Friendly Service , Combo plates Yummy, Guacamole could be a little better by being home made

Business owner information

Omar G.

Hi. Lesley first of all thank you for stopping by,…

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Tracy U.

3 years ago

We almost didn't go here, but I'm so glad we did. Low key interior. Food was delicious. Ive been twice. Ordered traditional El Salvadoran dishes. The had pupusas was tasty. The banana-leaf-wrapped tamales was one of the best I've ever tasted. My companions ordered breakfast and pronounced it great. Menu is a bit complicated, but the staff patiently explained all. Service was quick. I'll be back. read more

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Tiffany G.

3 years ago

I love the family that owns this restaurant. They care about their customers and the quality of their food and service. Unfortunately, I can't say that this has translated to other members of their staff. I love the Hercules location and I will continue to dine there and support this family owned business. read more

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Andrea A.

3 years ago

I'm giving them 4 stars because the food was really delicious and I know they are still a fairly new business. The service was extremely slow and I had to keep reminding them to bring food from our order. I felt like the bean portion could have been more, they are spread out but you barely get any. Not pictured are the platanos which were delicious!!! Also chicken nachos that were good as well. The pupusas are 5 star, not greasy and filled with flavor. Will be back for sure to see if the service was just a fluke. read more

El Cuscatlan Restaurant - Pupusa with beans and rice - Salvadoran Near Me - Hercules, California

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Evelyn S.

3 years ago

Ambiance sucks The music too loud and the choice of music it's something I do not want to hear when ur eating with the family. The food is great ...service sucks it doesn't matter who is your waiting staff. They forget something whether is the curtido or an entire entree. How do you not bring the curtido with the pupusas hello.hence why you came here for. Favorite one not once but several times an entree let's see there's a person with out food. Honestly hearing the music "bitches scream " or fuck what a saids not the music for the family.. Ok..really thinking about spending my money here read more

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Jada L.

3 years ago

This place is amazing! The food is so fresh and looks just as good as it tastes. I will definitely be coming back

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Nevayot H.

3 years ago

I've been waiting for an hour just for the two waiters to decide if they can turn in the NBA finals. I thought it a very simple request and will not take this long. By now I already lost 1 hour of the game.Yuca Frita read more

El Cuscatlan Restaurant - I sat at this table and since I was alone my business was not important. - Salvadoran Near Me - Hercules, California

El Cuscatlan Restaurant - The tv was never tuned with the game. - Salvadoran Near Me - Hercules, California

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Chela M.

3 years ago

He had pupusas and the flavor was great. We had the cheese, chicharrón and cheese, and jalapeño and cheese. They were all great, I would have liked a little more cheese on the mixed ones, other than than they were great. The red salsa was yummy, in other restaurants it generally doesn't taste like anything. They gave us a good portion of curtido, for us it is never enough, but it was a good portion. Definitely going back for the pupusas and to try other dishes. read more

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Louie L.

3 years ago

Service was good. Very friendly staff. The food is Ok. It has a relaxed, family atmosphere.

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Chris C.

3 years ago

Great authentic food. Very happy they expanded from the San Pablo location and I go here often. Pupusas are delicious, and I also enjoy the yuca frita con chicharrón, the pastelitos, and the salpicón. My family is Salvadoran we all agree this place does it right consistently. Order ahead of you can especially on weekends as they do get busy. read more

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Tanya W.

2 years ago

I've only ordered to go but great papusas.... It's never crowded so it appears to be a good place to go sit and eat.

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Ana P.

4 years ago

The food itself was delicious! However, the servers forgot about us and we waited a long time to get the boxes and the check.

Business owner information

Omar G.

Hi Ana, thank you…

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Abdy R.

3 years ago

Good food! Waiter was very friendly and the place was very clean. Enjoyed the food with my family read more

El Cuscatlan Restaurant - El Vaquero - Salvadoran Near Me - Hercules, California

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Roxanne D.

2 years ago

Visiting from San Diego, home of the best Mexican food, this was my first experience eating Salvadorian food. First let me start by saving our service was outstanding. The food was surprisingly really good. I could eat the pupusas every day . I will definitely go back again before heading home. read more

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Mary H.

3 years ago

I ordered the Mar y Tierra. It was wonderful. The prawns & steak were delicious & the tortillas were the bomb! Ever since Chevy's closed I've been searching for a good Latino restaurant in the area. I've finally found one: El Cuscatlan in Hercules! read more

Business owner information

Omar G.

Thank you for your business Mary. We appreciate you

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Kevin K.

3 years ago

The food is excellent and service is very friendly! I think Salvadoran cuisine is my new favorite. I ordered a sampler plate with pupusa, tamal, beans, and fried plantain. My partner ordered chicken fajitas. It was all so flavorful. read more

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Ron W.

3 years ago

Great place to have multiple people, nice bar with tv's to watch sports. Food is very good. 1st time I have tried salvadorian cuisine & loved it! Can't wait to go back. So many other dishes I want to try. Don't take my word for it, just go & you won't be disappointed. read more

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Darwin A.

2 years ago

Sorry but the food here is not the best don't recommend this spot to anyone. Been here three times after they go through new management and nothing changes. read more

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Sherwin L.

125

3 years ago

My wife and I have been to this restaurants several times, and ordered their pupusas. They have been light, with just the right amount of filling and crispness on the outside. Yesterday, we ordered the pupusas again. Unfortunately, they were overcooked, with filling spilling out and burnt. We were very disappointed. read more

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Natalie Z.

3 years ago

The staff in this restaurant are super nice and the Pupusas are amazing! I've ordered them to go several times.

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Page 3 of 4

848 Willow Ave
Ste A & B
Hercules, CA 94547
Directions
(510) 313-0654
Call Now
Visit Website
https://elcuscatlan.sitiolink.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does El Cuscatlan Restaurant open?

El Cuscatlan Restaurant opens at 10:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.El Cuscatlan Restaurant opens at 9:00 AM on Saturday and Sunday.

What time does El Cuscatlan Restaurant close?

El Cuscatlan Restaurant closes at 8:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.El Cuscatlan Restaurant closes at 9:00 PM on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Thu 10:00 AM - 8:00 PMFri 10:00 AM - 9:00 PMSat-Sun 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Payment methods

Does El Cuscatlan Restaurant take credit cards?

Yes, El Cuscatlan Restaurant takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does El Cuscatlan Restaurant have catering options?

Yes, El Cuscatlan Restaurant does have catering options.

Does El Cuscatlan Restaurant have a drive thru?

No, El Cuscatlan Restaurant does not have a drive thru.

Does El Cuscatlan Restaurant serve alcohol?

Yes, El Cuscatlan Restaurant serves alcohol. Full Bar

Indoor Amenities

Does El Cuscatlan Restaurant have TVs?

Yes, El Cuscatlan Restaurant has TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does El Cuscatlan Restaurant have bike parking?

Yes, El Cuscatlan Restaurant has bike parking.

Does El Cuscatlan Restaurant have outdoor seating?

Yes, El Cuscatlan Restaurant has outdoor seating options.

Does El Cuscatlan Restaurant have parking?

Yes, El Cuscatlan Restaurant has parking options. Validated Parking

Other Amenities

Is El Cuscatlan Restaurant wheelchair accessible?

Yes, El Cuscatlan Restaurant is wheelchair accessible.

Does El Cuscatlan Restaurant have free WiFi?

No, El Cuscatlan Restaurant does not have free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

Family friendly environment. Best Salvadorian food on this side of town

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El Chalateco

We got three cheese and bean pupusas today with extra curtido for 2.50…read more These are the best pupusas in the East Bay. Large, stuffed generously and just delicious. We loved their red spicy sauce and super crunchy fresh curtido. They are packed into small zip lock bags. I forgot to take photos since I was hungry. This little shop is in the middle of nowhere next to a small auto parts shop and parking is limited. The immediate area is ugly and industrial but the pupusas keep us coming back. Best taken to go. It's not a comfortable spot to eat in. We paid 4 dollars per pupusa to go. Friendly staff. Highly recommended.

The freshest most authentic Salvadoran food I've ever had. Recently, I came and ate here twice in…read moreone day it was so good. My go to is the 3/$12 Revuelta pupusas and the Plantains with the beans . Top tier beans and plantains. I am so glad I found this place. It is very close to my work. I do recommend calling in your order at least 30 minutes before so that it'll be ready for you to pick up. sometimes they do not answer their phone but they will give you a call back. Keep in mind they do not accept tap pay, but they do accept Zelle and Venmo if you need to make a mobile payment. It is small and cozy inside but there are at least 4 tables if you want to dine in. They do have a few tvs if you were there to relax while waiting or out with your family. Being new to the area, this place will definitely be my go to for pupusas.

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Pictures of their plate offers and types of pupusas.

Chicken salvadorean tamales

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Huevos estrellados, casamiento, platanos, queso crema y dos tortillas hechas a mano

Xinia's Bakery

I used to come here more often when I worked in Richmond as it was on my way home. Yesterday, I was…read morein the area and figured I would stop by. I am so disappointed at the food changes and feeling bad to give a bad review as I love supporting small businesses and love Salvadorean food. There's a lot of room to improve. I've been eating Salvi food since I was child. If you order to go check before you leave. I had an item missing. I called and was able to get a refund. She handled it nice too since she forgot to add it. I took food to go. I added pictures on all. The tamales both chipilin and pork were good. The masa was excellent. The size was small to medium. The pupusas are tiny, they are good but nothing extraordinary. As they are small there's no cheese stretch or a good feel about the filling. The masa is good. The quesadilla pasty was crumbly, it did not feel fresh. It was dry with no flavor compared to ones I've eaten before. The best Salvi quesadillas are moist. The guava, pineapple, and custard empanada pastry were small. The pineapple one did not feel fresh, more on the dry side, crumbly compared to other flavors. The pork empanada was probably the worst. They were tiny with hardly any filling. The empanadas usually have a ground meat or shredded chicken. This one had pieces of pork so it was not flavorful at all. There's table seating indoors and outdoors. The yucca con chicharron was okay too. Usually it comes with a salad like but this one came with 1 beet, 1 slice of tomato and 1 slice of cucumber with a small bag of curtido. No sauce. Tip: The server gave me a business card and recommended to call for orders to go as the waiting time was 30 minutes. I did not mind waiting. I appreciated her sharing this. Tip: recommend the pork tamal. The pupusas if hungry get at least 3.

I haven't tried much here other than the pupusa's and they are great. They have a selection of some…read morepastries and I've had some and they were all right, but in general, I'm not into El Salvador and pastries, so maybe I'm not a good person to judge the flavor of those. To me they're just kind of plain and dry. However, the pupusa's are really good and the staff is always really friendly. They used to have better deals on the pupusa during certain times of the day, but I don't think they do that anymore unfortunately. This is definitely a place. I've gone to several times and will continue to.

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Yucca con chicharron

El Cuscatlan

I'm in agreement with many of the reviews here -- the service really needs improvement. This…read morerestaurant would benefit from proper customer service training. The food, however, is good. The pupusas de maíz are worth ordering, but I'd skip the pupusas de arroz. The ambiance is nice and the space is large, though it's usually busy. The bathrooms could definitely use more frequent cleaning and better upkeep.

Pésimo servicio al Cliente últimamente Ordené algo llegué a…read morerecogerlo y nunca me atendieron cuando busqué la orden un tipo que es mesero me dijo que no lo tocara y le respondí es la comida que ordene necesito pagarlo y pues se quedaron con la orden al final ellos pierden al cliente.

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Dining room

Fried Tilapia

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Rinconcito Salvadoreno

Amazing papusas, i wish i had tried this place a long time ago. Definitely would recommend trying…read morethis place!

Friendly service, not the fastest but the FLAVOR is amazing! I def recommend this place, I can't…read morewait to come and try more of their menu.

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Fried plantains and sour cream

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Horchata

El Sitio Restaurant

OMG love this place, great food good service, open space, great for a nice family brunch... or my…read morenight craving snack

Great shrimp burrito. May need to replace their chips though...not as great. A little thick and not…read moreas crispy/light. Service is always friendly and quick!

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Pupusas de chicharrón

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La Costa Del Sol

I was craving some Mexican food and decided to try a new spot, so I came to La Costa del Sol. I…read moreordered a steak quesadilla, and honestly, it might be one of the best quesadillas I've ever had. The steak was super flavorful and cooked perfectly. The guacamole and pico de gallo were fresh and really complemented the dish. I also appreciated that they included shredded lettuce on the side, that's a small touch that I always enjoy having it with my quesadilla. The only downside was the sour cream. It was really watery, and I was a little nervous that it might've been spoiled. That part was disappointing. Overall though, the steak quesadilla was amazing. I'll definitely be back for that and I might even try the steak burrito next time.

Service is great I luv how inviting this place is , also vary spacious lots of tables and parking…read morethe food is good I have been looking for good papusa and I have found it since moving to Vallejo from SF mission the food is very tasty and the staff is great

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Part of the restaurant

Sopa de res.

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Kaliente Restaurant

As a vegetarian, I absolutely love Kaliente's bean pupusas--they are incredibly delicious and…read morealways satisfying. The staff is welcoming, and the service is consistently outstanding. I was surprised to see that Kaliente had a couple of one-star reviews before mine, so I checked the reviewer's profile and noticed she gives one star to most restaurants she reviews. That didn't reflect my experience at all. I will definitely continue coming back to Kaliente for their amazing pupusas.

Walked in and small inside but as good seating friendly attentive staff menu is pretty decent lot…read moreof variety to choose from Mexcian food to salvadorean food why not have both !! Had pupusas which did not disappoint they were fluffy cheesy and delicious also had the steak tacos very nice portion and full of flavor can't go wrong overall great place great food !

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Dining room

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Ambience

La Cuchara

Hi everyone, I just want to say that the food here is awesome. I have the beef soup and pupusas and…read moreit's just amazing. Plus, the service is great the place is clean and the staff is friendly. Nice vibe here !! Come by and enjoy the food.

I'd honestly say we are in really tough times when a restaurant is charging $5 a pupusa. As…read moredelicious as these pupusas are, it's crazy to me that they are charging that much. On top of that, on the menu it's $10 for 2 pupusas. So I don't think it's an option to just order one. Someone correct me if I am wrong. All that being said, they're freaking delicious. I just wish they wouldn't charge so much. I really am going to have to find a spot where they charge less. But I'm probably not because it's freaking delicious. We've tried everything they offer. Chicharron, solo queso, loroco, etc. When you find a good pupusa spot, it's hard to leave that spot and try others. I'm definitely coming here often, they're worth the price.

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Waiting for order and saw a cockroach walking around.

Paper thin piece of fish in the fish tacos. Only this piece!!!

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El Mono

We were seated immediately in a cozy booth. The miti miti drink is delicious: truly cinnamon and…read morepassion fruit! Taya was very helpful with assisting us through the menu. There are many delicious sounding options! We had the calamari, the meat skewers and the paella. The paella was divine!! The lucuma ice cream to finish was delicious: it really does taste like caramel coffee. Highly recommend! A refreshing and flavorful meal.

Christian was a very nice server! He helped us choose some dishes since it was our first time…read moretrying Peruvian food. We got the arroz con pollo and Antonio's Pescado Al achiote.. both were amazing ! Definitely coming back here.

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We had pre made plans with the restaurant for three table some did not make it, we had a blast!! Thanks El Mono!!!

Calamar Frito- hella big and hella good! Enough for 4 + ppl

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Saltado de Mariscos

Pupuseria Y Restaurante Platano

22 Feb 2025. 3.7 stars. 12:56 pm…read more Hello! Make sure you check their hours. Some days they are only open from 11am to 3pm. On our first 20 mile drive to visit, they blocked us at the inside of the unlocked front door at 3:12pm. Street parking can be difficult but a short drive\walk distance about a block away is a $3 an hour parking garage. The place looks clean and not too busy. We sit and our waitress Yanira M was perfect. Very nice, patient and attentive. We three shared two carne asada dinners with rice and refried red beans, two coffees, a coke and three pupusas. $101.36 before tip. The menu was confusing to us. First, the use of the menu words "red refried beans" confused us as refried beans have never been red in our lifetimes and these were pretty standard brown pinto bean looking and tasting. Maybe less confusion if they were called refried red beans. Then, we thought dinners came with pupusas. No. They came with two each thick tortillas (same as half pupusas with no filling as I could tell.) I enjoyed these thick homemade tortillas. The steak was not bad but I wish it had been served with its sizzle in tact. Salsa and coleslaw came as condiments though they might have been introduced with different names by Yanira. The coleslaw was a nice touch-served in a small jar with serving tongs. The salsa was tasting a bit like the V8 vegetable juice that you had as a kid or teen if you are a boomer. This meal could have really used some homemade spice sauce to add some kick to it. The main negatives today were the high music level at the back where we sat. That, and a busser man dragging some screeching and protesting chairs across the floor - to set up for a large party I believe. Real ear busters. The best part of the meal was the piping hot pupusas and our coffee. I would go back for those.

I have eaten Platanos food several times and each time it has been a delivery order…read more Today's delivery was delicious. There were vegan options, cheese and loroco, bean-cheese and pork, chicken and cheese...I tried 3 different ones and they were all great. The order came with curtido and salsa. I will order from them again, the food was such a hit, per usual!

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Avocado Salad

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Sugar Toof

Literally in line right now as I type this to order more Banana Cream Dreams…read more Excellent food and desserts! The veggie and chicken empanadas were excellent , the noodles , the pistachio sylvanas solid, were great but all fail in comparison to the Banana Cream Dream. Come here for the empanadas, stay for the cream dreams!

Okay seriously?! The chicken and beef empanadas are absolutely incredible. They're almost like a…read morecroissant - buttery, flaky, and perfectly layered, yet somehow sturdy enough to hold all of the amazing filling inside! Every bite is packed with flavor and the fillings are seriously out of this world. Let's just say they're not your tita's ordinary empanadas. And can we talk about the garlic sauce? They should honestly sell it by the gallon because it's THAT good. I found myself wanting to put it on everything. Thanks for changing the empanada game, Joe & Kate!

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Veggie empanadas, crinkles and nutella pie

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Caramel cake

Cabalen Filipino Cuisine

Cabalen serves true authentic filipino food. As a filipina myself, the food here hits very close to…read morehome and although it is a little pricey, trips here are worth it due to the high quality of food and service. First off, portions are huge. Love their silogs and the many protein options they offer such as bangus, longanisa etc. Second, not only do they offer breakfast plates but they have sooo many other entree options that seem to rotate daily. It ranges from chicken adobo, to dinuguan, all the way to kare kare and much more. Lastly, they have tons of filipino dessert options spread across shelves on the walls for those who love their carbs and sweets. For 3 breakfast plates, and XL entree, one juice and chicharron, we paid a total of $88 (not including tip). Pretty pricey overall but dang did we buss down on the plates when we got home LOL. Love Cabalen as well as all the workers. They're all very sweet and helpful! Get here early because they will run out of food throughout the day and they close at 4:30p on weekends and 6p on weekdays.

I got their lumpia fresh out of the fryer and they were super good! I also got an order of their…read morepancit, which I really liked as well. This place is pretty consistent and I've been coming here for years. My favorites from here are their adobo, pancit, bistek and sisig, oh and of course, lumpia!

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A snapshot of the food counter.

Filipino Dessert

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Desserts

Pho Golden

It was my first time eating at Pho Golden. I'm so impressed by the food ‼…read moreI had the Vermicelli with Grilled Shrimp with the egg roll it was so delicious and fresh ! My Mother had the Pho seafood soup she absolutely loved it. The broth was so tasty and complimented the noodles and seafood perfectly ‼ As Fresh as Could be they are so welcoming and hospitable! I Highly recommend eating here I can't wait to go back soon ‼‼‼

I had high hopes for this place because I really want a good Vietnamese restaurant in Hercules…read more The staff is very friendly. The problem is that there are a couple issues with their food quality. We got a catfish clay pot for $17.50 and it came with a good amount of rice and some salad. Unfortunately, some of the salad lettuce were browning and one slice of cucumber was bitter. The catfish sauce was very tasty but the fish (3 pieces) itself was hard and dry. I have had catfish clay pots many times because I was obsessed with it in the past. The best catfish claypots uses very fresh catfish and it melts in your mouth. Unfortunately, this catfish was obviously previously frozen and has been frozen for a while. The price is not high but for $17.50, I expect the fish to be a little fresher and not something hard and dry because it has been frozen for possibly months. I can easily cook frozen fish at home so when I go to a restaurant, I expect the fish to be fresh. We also tried the garlic noodles with chicken. This dish was also $17.50. While the noodles were plentiful and the chicken portions were pretty good, the amount of oil used in the noodles was insane. There's a photo of the oil pooling together in the corner of the box. They must have used half a cup of oil at least and that is not necessary. This is the most oily garlic noodles I have ever seen. Also they forgot to salt the noodles so it had no flavor. My husband said the spice balance on the chicken wasn't right and tasted odd. The staff packaged the food well and were friendly so I hope they succeed but they need to have quality control in their food. The fish should not be old and hard and the lettuce should not be browning on the edges. They can be more light handed on the oil and remember to salt their noodles. Maybe they're having a bad day but we're not coming back until they figure it out.

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Incense

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Fish cake

Genki Sushi House Restaurant

The best Sushi in the area and reasonably priced. The Hamachi Kama is also good. There are not many…read morerestaurants in the Hercules/Pinole area that we enjoy, but Genki House has become a regular spot for us. We often get food to go, but we also enjoy the chill vibes at the restaurant on occasion. Always friendly service.

Serene calm vibes, attentive service, fresh tasty food still @ reasonable prices ! the owners are…read moretwin brothers & their wives often work as servers/hostesses ...I always order soba if I'm getting noodles !! bento lunch prices cheaper tHan dinner !! The green tea is never seems to be very hot but still hits the spot & is free !! reasonable prices & reasonable quantities !!

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The Powder Keg Pub

First timer for me- boyfriend has been several times but not for close to eight years. We were…read moregreeted and sat outside- beautiful day. I had the French 75. He had a spicy bloody. Mine was so good I ordered two. He loved the spicy. We started with fried zucchini- so fresh. Lightly breaded. And comes in spears. Ordered the blta and fried chicken sandwich. I ate half of the blta and took rest home- fresh, crispy and balanced. Fried chicken sandwich was delicious with the pickles and slaw and the bun was yummy. The chicken was generous in proportion and overflowed off the bun. Now- the winner of the meal- blueberry cheesecake. That crust, topped with deliciousness and fresh blueberries. Women's restroom was super clean- which you know is a great sign of the kitchen. Looking forward to my next visit.

Been meaning to update my review. Added stars to make it 5 for the great service by staff and the…read moreambience! Come for the daily drink special, fresh oysters, and prime rib! The chicken wings are on point and the brunch specials on Sunday are a must try. Depending on the weather, seating may get limited indoors.

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Inside

Prime rib French dip

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Manila Bay (non alcohol)

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8 reviews that are not currently recommended

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Brittany V.

142

103

1 year ago

A Hidden Gem in Hercules: A Taste of El Salvador If you're looking for an authentic Salvadorian experience right here in Hercules, look no further--El Cuscatlan has been my go-to for years, and it never disappoints. From the moment you step inside, you're greeted with a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The food? Outstanding! Every dish I've tried has been bursting with flavor, crafted with care, and served with a side of love. The Sopa de Res is an absolute must-try! This hearty, flavorful beef soup is packed with tender oxtail, vegetables, and a rich broth that warms you from the inside out--perfect for a cold day or when you just need something comforting. Then there are the Pupusas, a true Salvadorian staple. The pupusas are always served fresh and hot, and whether you choose the cheese, beans, or pork fillings, each bite is a little piece of heaven. And don't even get me started on the Ceviche. It's always fresh, zesty, and balanced just right--a perfect refresher between those rich, savory dishes. The Platanos are sweet and make for a delicious side dish or dessert. Their Tamal de Elote is another standout, it's the kind of treat that'll have you coming back for more. What really makes this place stand out, though, is the people. The owner is friendly, and genuinely cares about your experience. You can tell they take pride in what they do, and their passion shines through in the quality of the food and the service. The ambiance is another highlight. It's cozy, clean, and the music always adds that perfect touch to the meal. I've been coming here since they opened, and it's clear that their dedication to serving delicious, authentic food has never wavered. I highly recommend this spot to anyone and everyone! I'm confident you'll leave feeling as full in your heart as you are in your stomach. It's not just a meal; it's an experience. read more

Samantha M.

3 years ago

Great food better than the other location. Just can't tolerate the bad customer service and mandatory tip? I'm all about giving a great gratitude/tip but when it's forced upon you after having a bad experience- it's just not great etiquette. They are new so I'll come back when they've fixed their kinks. read more

S d.

250

1 year ago

First time there; although my Daughter goes there often. Was very good food; I had stuffed chiles with rice/beans. Workers were ncie and gave good service. Spacious and clean place. I will go there again.... read more