Food is always great and the ladies that cook the yummy food are very nice. Everyone there is awesome

$25 for a plate of food with 3 items and a drink is out of this world. $25 por un plato de comida que solo lleva 3 cosas y una bebida es una locura jamas volvere read more

I must say I gave it a try after a while I hadn't been here maybe it would be better but no. Tacos were $16 plus tax hand made tortillas yet they are cold and extremely thick for tacos. Meat taste old. It was $25 for 3 tacos and 2 empanadas no drink not worth the price. read more

I rarely leave bad reviews, but my experience here was really disappointing. The service was extremely slow, even though the restaurant wasn't busy. The staff seemed uninterested and inattentive, and it took over 20 minutes just to get my food . I expected much better and won't be returning. And it's to expensive read more

Best pupusas we've ever had! We had our go-to place in Colorado and these truly blew them out of the water. We can't wait to go back and try more! Jose was so incredibly friendly and accommodating. He allowed us to try their sweet empanadas as well (plantain filled) and they were sooooo delicious! I would include photos in this review, but we ate it all too fast :) read more

Catered my company Christmas party. Soooo bomb !! 10/10 recommend to family foes and friends read more

El Paisa Grocery - TRES TACOS CON SAUZZZZEEEEE - International Grocery Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

La comida de aquí es fatal. Hace un año era súper bueno. Haha te dan dos camarones y un pedacito de carne y le llaman mar y tierra y te cobran 19.95$ que asco de lugar read more

The quesadillas with the rice and beans on the side were magically delicious. The customer service was excellent, I always feel welcomed and I'm grateful for having experienced El Paisa. read more

Small grocery store offering with a small restaurant to the side. The kitchen staff does not speak English, so order by number. I ordered the pupusas and a quesadilla. The pupusa is made fresh in front of you, super oozing of cheese. The cabbage slaw has a strong vinegar flavor. The quesadilla was where I was really surprised. You would think a quesadilla is a tortilla filled with cheese and protein then sliced up. Nope. Here, you have a flat tortilla, then pile on whopping pound of shredded cheese, then the proteins. You would think this is where they fold over the tortilla. Nope. Add on another whopping pound of cheese, and a tortilla on top. A full round quesadilla like a personal pizza. I had to share, couldn't finish it all. Comes with salsa verde, sour cream, and avocado on the side. For the pupusa and quesadilla, the wait was about 20 minutes. read more

El Paisa Grocery - Chicken Quesadillas - International Grocery Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

I ordered the beef quesadilla, and it was good. But as soon as I finished, I started getting a headache. The headache slowly turned into a fever. Now it's the next day and I still have a headache and I have a fever. Don't get me wrong, the service was great. But the food has me sick. DON'T EAT THE BEEF! read more

Don't eat here if your stomach is a bit sensitive :\ their counter space is wheel carts. They use it for multiple reasons. There's also a bowl of dough on one of the counters, they use the bowl as surface space as well using it to place containers & food items on. The taco shells are made out of Pupusa dough. The masa. Not your traditional corn tortillas. The chicken was delicious & seasoned well. The "pico" they added was had zero seasoning & sparse with lettuce that was browning. Quesadilla was SO cheesy. And some chicken. Same situation as pico & lettuce. Elote was weird. Everything added up but the ketchup?? Where's the lime & tajin? I would return for small shop next door to get some groceries, i found found some guava paste tonuse in Dominican cake :) they have a lot of great stuff in the shop! read more

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This place is def one of my favorite in the DMV!!!! Authentic, Delicious, and Honest!!! If you come here expect more than yours money worth. Love this place!! read more

I love el Paisa, authentic Salvadorian food, their pupusa are made to perfection, their homemade drinks are outstanding, highly recommend, I have been coming here for years and their customer service is prompt and food is done in a timely manner. We recently purchased food for my staff and we were all extremely satisfied with the outcome read more

El Paisa Grocery - Carne asada - International Grocery Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

bought a pack of 4 tacos that they have ready for customers to take.when I get home my niece takes a bite. When she bites it she bite into something hard. It was a tooth pick unbelievabl. read more

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Authentic Latin food (mostly el Salvadorian). The pescado frito (fried tilapia), elote loco (crazy corn), pupusas de queso (cheese pupusas), and tamales de elote con crema (corn tamale with sour cream) are the best things on the menu! Great prices, the grocery store next door has good pastries, and the horchata is decent. Seating is limited. Wheelchair accessible, but a tight squeeze. read more

El Paisa Grocery - Menu - International Grocery Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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Was visiting the Vw dealership and stumbled to several place's and decided on this Gem. Absolutely the best Quesadilla Ever. The Staff was super Nice and Welcoming. By far the greatest read more

El Paisa Grocery - Steak Quesadilla 1up - International Grocery Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

WOW! What a little gem! The hubs and I stopped by El Paisa Grocery one late evening, as there is a little carry-out that is attached to it. Located off of Glebe, the place offers empanadas, pupusas, tamales, breakfast/lunch/dinner platters, and beverages. I tried their Pupusas (queso), a Tamale de Gallina (chicken tamale), and Tacos al Carbon Carne (grilled beef tacos that comes as 3). Those pupusas? BEST I'VE HAD!!! They were housemade, filled with slightly salty cheese, stretched perfectly and was of a perfect width - not too thick and not too thin - it was cooked perfectly, as it had a slight crispy exterior and was oh-so-yummy! Even the Curtido de Repollo (Salvadorean cabbage salad) that was topped with the hot sauce was delicious and complemented the pupusas beautifully! The chicken tamale was forgettable, as it was a little too mushy for me. The Tacos al Carbon Carne were also quite delicious! The strips of grilled beef were all marinated wonderfully and had a great grilled taste to them, all nestled in corn tortillas - I was just sad that they didn't have chopped onions (but, instead, an onion/red onion/cilantro mixture). I also tried their horchata, which was just okay. I'd love to come back and try out their breakfast platters, their corn, as well as their empanadas - just note that items run out fast during the day, so go there early! Service was super friendly - ask for Ms. Esperanza - she is super amazing :D There is a counter where you can sit and chow down, but this is mostly a carry-out place. +AMAZING PUPUSAS!!! +delicious Curtido de Repollo!!! +Tacos al Carbon Carne! +ask for Ms Eperanza :D +carry-out, but limited counter seating +attached to the El Paisa Grocery +small lot to park your car read more

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I don't get all the love this place gets for the restaurant side. The employees aren't friendly at all. If you're not Hispanic, you basically get ignored and treated like you're a burden. If you've placed your order and anyone walks in after you who is Hispanic, they will get their order before you even if they've ordered the same thing as you. And don't even get me started on how absolutely disgusting the place is. They have a big bowl of dough sitting on the counter. No big deal, right? Well, it wouldn't be if they didn't use the bowl of dough as additional counter space! They were setting used containers and dirty gloves ON TOP OF THE DOUGH. Then grabbing the dough to cook. This place is salmonella and botulism waiting to happen. The floors, the walls, the big buffet thing they have - all of it is gross and looks like they've not been cleaned in years. Having said that, I still decided to eat the food because the reviews are amazing and no one mentioned getting a foodborne illness (yet). I got the carne asada. The meat was okay - nothing special. The sides were gross. And, this is definitely TMI, I had diarrhea for the rest of the night after eating here. This isn't one of those hidden gem hole in the wall places with amazing food. It's a shit hole with mediocre food that may give you diarrhea. The appearance outside definitely is what it seems. I honestly don't know how the health department hasn't shut this place down. read more

This is a review to compliment Melissa G's review of the grocery. I'm reviewing the restaurant attached to the grocery. My wife and I decided to stop in a few months ago for the first time, much to the amusement of the other patrons. We're not remotely hispanic, but place seemed sufficiently hole-in-the-wallish to attract cheap-ass browns like us. We were not disappointed. First, the downsides: there's no seating (literally none), and the food is presented "cafeteria style." There's a long covered buffet with entrees and sides, and you pick out what you want, and the staff ladle it into your styrofoam box. I had the carne asada ($7.99, I believe), my wife had the chicken tamale. Both came with heaping generous side dishes. Everything was delicious and fresh and absolutely nothing like Americanized Mexican Food (AMF), e.g. covered in cheese, with starchy sauces and bland meats and veggies. Instead, the food was perfectly seasoned and tasted *authentic*. The best comparison I can make would be to the heavenly food we once had at a restaurant in old Cancun. But this was a lot cheaper, and it's barely a mile away from our house. Try their beans and rice and their cabbage salad (the yellow one). Ignore the boring lettuce salad. Also, be sure to ask for some of their hot sauces, if you like some fire with your food; they're all delicious. Needless to say, we love it. If you're on the fence about it, don't be. Go try it if you're in the Mt. Vernon 'hood sometime. read more

Having just moved to Del Ray, we had to try all the local spots (indifferent of any Yelp reviews) for ourselves. One our first targets was El Paisa Grocery & Carryout on the corner of W. Glebe and Mount Vernon Ave. Walking into the grocery, aisles of everything you'll ever need to create great meals is laid out in front of you. Hard to find spices, Latino treats (Nestle Milo, Panederia, etc), and household goods abound. They have a great selection of rice and spices, too! The real gem here is the carry-out. A tiny 8-seat counter and an assembly line are shoe-horned into a space not much bigger than Harry Potter's room. Above your head is a bi-lingual menu denoting the Salvadorean treats. Breakfast? Yep, got that, too! Our tasting menu this go-round consisted of Pupusas con Chicharron (pork) and Tacos al Carbon con Carne (Steak tacos). What we liked: Everything is made FRESH in front of you. Fresh corn dough grilled up in front of you, all items made to order-- and to perfection. Excellent portion sizes (Tacos: 3/ea, Pupusa: 2/ea), Damn good pricing. I haven't had tacos this good since visiting a taco truck in Texas. What we didn't like: Nothing. We appreciate one-off places for what they are. If you're looking for a comfortable place for date-night, there are better venues. If you don't like confined spaces (Tunnel-rat flashbacks?), this definitely isn't for you! Bottom line: Down-home, delicious, Latino soul food. We'll be coming back soon, and frequently. Great for someone on the go! read more

My Peruvian bought me my first "Atol de Elote" after a walk on a cold night. Its hot corn drink made up of: * Yellow corn on the cob * Water * Sugar * Salt * Cornstarch I could see myself ordering it again as it is tasty yummy good (like corn) and not too sweet. To order one, ask for it from the cashier and he or she will pour you a cup! read more

"You know it's authentic when you have to order in spanish while flanked by dozens of hispanic families eating" Food: 5/5 Service: 3/5 Atmosphere: 1/5 Parking: 4/5 Cleanliness: 3/5 This place is no fine dining establishment but they know that and earn up to it with pride. From purple potatoes to papusas to made-in-front-of-you tacos, enchiladas, steaks, fish, etc. all in the style of the various Latin American countries from which the food originated (primarily Salvadorian and central-American). All very tasty and not Americanized like much of Chinese, Thai, Indian and other ethnic places have been so as to suit the palates of American consumers rather than remain loyal to the culture's traditional recipes. To conclude, seeing as the food preparers behind this cafeteria-style place can really only take orders in spanish or, I suppose by pointing at something, this place is a truly authentic eatery if you're interested in the real deal. read more

My boyfriend and I pass by this place all the time. One day, we needed red chili powder and didn't want to pay ridiculous grocery store markups, so we decided to check this place out. As soon as we stepped in, he told me, "The smell reminds me of home." That seemed to be a good sign, as he's Mexican and from New Mexico, so I trust his opinions on these kinds of things. Though we immediately located the red chili powder (which was only $0.99 for a bag, whereas in the grocery store it's over $4 for half that amount) but we decided to keep walking around to look at what else they had. There was a lot of different kinds of (canned) goods, some were reasonably priced while others you could find cheaper elsewhere. In the end, we picked up a 6 pack of flan, 2 jugs of Tampico, and the chili powder. As we were approaching the registers, we noticed a variety of baked goods available. Because I hadn't eaten before then, I felt compelled to get SOMETHING. I ended up choosing a concha and another pastry I can't remember the name of. My boyfriend was surprised at how cheap the pastries were here (my concha was only $0.69). He said that's the price he'd pay back home. He was expecting a much bigger markup. The store shelves were packed with a bunch of different foods. In the back, they had hygiene products as well. There was also a fridge full of Mexican cheeses and a freezer with different desserts. There was produce in the front. Honestly, it was really cool just to walk around and see what there was! We'll definitely be hitting this place up the next time we need something Hispanic. I just peeked into the section with the hot foods. It was packed in there! (Compared to the grocery, which only had 3 people in it--my boyfriend and I included.) And based on the quality of their baked goods, I expect that the food is going to be super yummy and reasonably priced! read more

Come here! This is legit! Best food in town and great market to connect u with your roots!

este lugar é sem comparação... Whenever I am in the area make sure to hit this place up for lunch. Small take out syle with some room to sit if need be. Their El Salvadorian style chicken tacos are rediculously good. Love the friendly ladies behind the counter, always very nice even if they do not understand when I order in Portuguese as espanhol is mainly spoken here. All the sides are delish. Highly recommend. read more

El Paisa is a revelation! I am new to the neighborhood and was hoping to find a nearby, convenient, and quality alternative to the other nearby grocery (Foodway), or the 7-11. I stumbled upon El Paisa, and was very pleased with: 1) inventory; 2) customer service; and 3) prices -- obviously most items a little higher than a larger store, but not outrageous either. A big bonus is their small meat and fish counter -- all exceedingly fresh, clean, and rather unexpected for a small convenience grocery. On top of all the rest, as I was checking out at the register a lovely lady, Lucy, gave me a steaming hot cup ( on a very cold day ) of a thick rich drink she said was made from corn! I didn't get the name of it, but she ladled up a generous tall cup of the delicious warm drink, sprinkled it with cinnamon, and wished me a good day (no charge for the drink). Now, what other store is going to do that? Highly recommended for the convenience, terrifically warm employees, and the impressive selection of meat/fish, fruit/veggies, and just about anything else you might need. read more

We love this place. They have great Latin treats and food, but the shining star is their deli/takeout area. They don't speak much English, but you can point to what you want or pick off the board. This is the best cheap meal you can get in the area. I often go for the food under the heat lamps. That's generally not what is the best, but here it is. It's been simmering all day and the meat literally falls right off the bone. Their pupusas are also great. read more

I drive past here everyday on my way to work and never thought to go in here. My husband loves to check out hole in the wall restaurants like these in the hopes of finding legit carne asada in the dc area. Finally! Here it is! The ladies make the food right in front of you when you order it so it takes a little bit to get the food. But when you get it, it's piping hot and delicious. And it tastes like a home cooked meal. The flavor of the carne asada is on point and the side of rice and beans it comes with have flavors that have been developed from hours of cooking. The chicken tamale is the best I've had in awhile. And the slices of avocado served with are perfectly ripened - ah the simple joys of perfectly ripened avocado. So happy to have found this place! Its a small cafeteria-like place adjoining a market so plan on taking your food to go! read more

I loved it! I was around the way and had to do some quick last minute grocery shopping. The place was well organized and clean which made it very easy to find what i needed. The gentlemen at the register was very welcoming and showed me the carry out section they had. Everything was fabulous! This is now my new favorite market! read more

The food used to be good but it disgusting the pupusas have no color nor flavor and also the carne

Amazing food! Love the service and the people there! They have the best carne asada and the best papusas! Literally everything on the menu is amazing! They even have a grocery store attached so you can shop but also make a stop to eat good food! HIGHLY RECOMMEND! read more

Decent Place with really authentic Mexican/Salvadorian food. Its connected to a small store and is set up cafeteria style. They have a lot to choose from but unfortunetly they were out of 3 things in a row that I tried to order. After it was all said and done we had some tamales and beans for about 5 bucks. Overall a very authentic place in Alexandria. read more

The best food! Love their tacos Lingua or Beef either are delicious! They make the tortilla right there fresh for your order.

I never give reviews, and I really wished it was under better circumstances, especially since this seems to be a neighborhood grocery...but the store owner needs to hear/read this. First, they have no intra personal skills, whatsoever! I placed my order with an older lady, ONLY to find out that it wasn't being made - 20 minutes later...I asked how much longer it would be? She looked at me and said oh?! Me...REALLY?! (Thought it but didn't say it) So, I politely re-ordered my food, a SECOND time with the young girl and added several tamales to my order. AGAIN, I patiently waited with my children, 25 minutes and 10 other customers later, AGAIN NO FOOD!!! Because they AGAIN, did NOT MAKE OUR food... Being latina myself, I was EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED and Embarrassed, for their poor customer service! If I could give no stars, I would... read more

After all the hype about this place, I decided to test out their food. Parking can be a hassle but if you want something, you'll wait. Disclaimer, is review is based on their customer service since I was not able to actually try their food. I got there around 2pm on a weekday and was fairly impressed with the line they had. The wait was a little long but I was determined to try their "amazing" food. After a good 15minute wait, I was able to finally get to the front of the line. They serve cafeteria style to be sure to know what you want immediately and don't ask questions because they will slap you with an attitude. There were workers in the back did not want to assist me with my order. They just kept walking back and forth until the latina lady next to me snapped at them. Im sorry, but my parents raised me with manners so I didn't want to be rude and just yell at them. The lady comes up, skips two people and starts taking the other of someone else further down the line. Mind you, the workers conversing in Spanish and saying how they don't want to take my order (yes, I do understand Spanish fluently). Getting flustered I inturpt the lady and ask her if she's going to pick who's she's going to assist since there's a line she needs to work through. The lady gets pissed off and keeps serving the other lady. Im not sure how the rest of the Yelpers were able to receive their order but I wouldnt be going back. Their customer service is really horrible and they are more concerned with other Latino customers then actually taking care of any customer that walks through the door. read more

This place is awesome I been coming here for at least 4 to 5 years they have what you need!! And the next door where they sell food is sooo good very on point!!! I have kids to feed and they love that authentic Spanish food! This is the spot!!! read more

So I am a fan. I have been coming here for years to buy Nido...a powdered whole milk that I use for cereal when I travel. Anyway, recently they evolved their groceries to be more inclusive of the typical grocery items. Their produce is excellent. I make a point of buying my limes and avocados here because not only are they inexpensive, but they are perfect. I used to go down the street and spend $1 of a rock hard avocado that was the size of a plum, where at El Paisa, the avocados are perfectly ripened for $0.50. The staff is very nice as well. I recommend stopping here for produce. read more

Reminds me of a Hispanic version of the tiny Vietnamese supermarkets I frequented as a kid - jam packed with tons of items, very little walking space, and no organization to it all, so be prepared to step aside approximately 12 times while trying to distinguish between the garlic salt and garlic powder. The staff is friendly and they take debit/credit(!). I've also ordered pupusas and tacos from their carryout (the people usually mistake me for Hispanic but I have no problem ordering in English) and though there is a long wait, it's worth it for made to order food from this gem. read more

Great place! The papusas are amazing!!

Yummy inexpensive food! The pupusas and tamales are the best. Service is friendly and quick. It cN get a little tight in the food service area but don't be afraid! read more