They are really great, been here atleast 5 times but yet ive forgotten to review it?!? Appetizer of a Salvadorian tamale and some plantain empanadas delicious the plantain in them was like a custard. Got a cachew fruit drink 'marañón' and it was delicious (once long ago i found some past best by date juice. At a small ethnic market. Which was simialr but this is Delicious!! Along with we each got a plate of eggs beans one pupusa and plantains. Beans were interesting very smooth blending of perhaps black and aome other bean? Was delicious with the eggs and the pupusa. Last few times we got one of all the pupusas. Really good place every meal has been affordable and great! read more

El Papaturro Restaurant - Salvadorian Tamale - Salvadoran Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

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The food is still as delicious as always! My new obsession is The Spinach & Cheese Pupusa. The tamales are pretty good too. I love the ample seating and love the service. They always wait on us super fast and are super friendly. Prices are very reasonable too. This place will always be one of my favorite places to eat at least 2-4 times a month. read more

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I ordered the Tipico Salvadoreño and it was an incredible experience! The flavors were unlike anything I've ever had before--rich, unique, and absolutely delicious. Mixing everything together made it even more exquisite. A true treat for the taste buds! Reminds me of the first time I ever tried Indian food. I'm so full, but I just keep eating. . read more

O.m.g. Loooove this place. Our go to is the revuelta and bean and cheese pupusas, plantains, and the yuca fries. Yummm. If you only went here for those items it's enough. Very reasonably priced. I always get extra to take home. Very rarely is it packed, but don't let that scare you away. The service is always quick. They check on you to see if you need anything and are kind. Open area and clean feeling. Has a mom and pops vibe. Do not skip this place! read more

El Papaturro Restaurant - Plantains, Fried Yuca Frita, pupusas bean and cheese and revuelta - Salvadoran Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Delicious good, good service, good pricing, authentic. I had two been, cheese, and chicharon pupusas. The veggie slaw had a piece of plastic in it. Oops! Luckily I saw it and didn't eat it or put it in my mouth. I also tried a slice of semita which is a subtly sweet desert bread and it was very tasty. This is a nice family owned business offering El Salvadoran options in the community. read more

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Date night E was eating a new cuisine at a new restaurant. We tried Salvadorian food. We ate at El Papaturro. Let's say it was very interesting and we were not interested and will not be back. The food lacked seasoning and it was odd. They had pink potato salad with a stew and I was not sure what they gave me next to my beans but it was kind of gross. It might be authentic but it is not our style of food. The pupusa was ok, but again lacked seasoning and the tamale had way too much masa and very little filling. The eggs were cooked perfectly. read more

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Wish I could give this place more stars!!!!!!!!!! The food is FAB!!!!! I had two papusas, a side of rice and one order of plantain. ALL were delish!! The restrooms are super CLEAN; so hard to find in any restaurant now days! The service here is spot on, not constantly in your face but just right. And the prices are very reasonable! Will definitely be back soon. read more

Moved here from Cali and it's definitely been a mission to find good Salvadoran food. It took me two months to find this spot and man it did not disappoint. The pupusas were proportioned correctly, meaning it was not just masa. They fill the pupusas with the right amount of filling were some of filling comes out and little bit of crisp is forms on the edges. The Curtido and salsa were fresh and not overly salty. I have only tried the revueltas pupusas (chicharron, beans, and cheese). We also enjoyed the Fresca de ensalada (for all my non-Salvis) this is a fruit juice with chopped fruit added to the drink. This places makes me feel like home, coming here weekly. read more

El Papaturro Restaurant - Pupusas - Salvadoran Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

I had my first Pupusa at a Washington DC restaurant and liked them. So it's nice to have a place here that serves them plus much more on their menu. I got 2 Mixed filling Pupusas and it comes w the pickled slaw. Both very good and it hit the spot for a late lunch. The menu has expanded since I first came here back in 2017 so I plan on coming back to try more dishes. The service was very good and not rushed. The Pupusas are cooked fresh to order. The interiors are simple and clean, nothing fancy. I will be back to try more dishes since I love to Explore other countries and their foods. read more

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These are the best pupusas we've had in Albuquerque! My mother in law is from El Salvador and when we took her here she said these were authentic and delicious. We tried yarling's pupusas and they suck. We will continue to recommend people try El Papaturro. Their ensalada drink is amazing as well! read more

It seems every place that serves papusas takes a while to make them, but it was much more reasonable amount of time here. The fact that they were amazingly delicious didn't hurt. There is plenty of other things on the menu that are likely great, but I wouldn't know since we came specifically to try the papusas and didn't order much else. We left happy and will be back to enjoy more, for sure! read more

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Great, friendly spot. They'll help you out with the menu right away. I recommend grabbing a bean and cheese papusa with a Chaco en tamal and an ice cold piña drink. The fried bananas with sour cream are good too! read more

El Papaturro Restaurant - Salvadoran Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Restaurant was recommended by a business owner that we were at his shop, we were happy with the pupusa''s we ordered they were big and taste, good service, decent size Restaurant, clean , friendly staff, lots of customers, the only thing i wish they had fried Yucca and Chiccaron, we will go back and try other options read more

This review is based on 2 separate visits. On visit one, I went alone to check out this venue for a larger group dining experience. It was mid-week and I was the only diner. There was 1 server. I ordered 3 appetizers: fried plantains, fried yucca, and a tamale. I loved the plantains and liked the tamale but I utterly hated the fried yucca. My overall impression was that the restaurant is very modest and clean. I had requests from my meetup clan to dine here so I scheduled a small group event... On visit two, there were 8 of us on a Sunday afternoon. The restaurant was fairly busy (lots of Hispanic customers). We pulled three small tables together and one of the two server staff brought us water and took drink orders. A couple of appetizers were ordered to share and then we waited for those to arrive before we placed our food orders. I admit I was nervous that the kitchen could get all the orders out somewhat together but they managed expertly. We had a really nice time, and everyone enjoyed their food. To boot, we asked for separate checks and the servers happily provided them. I thanked the servers and asked them to thank the kitchen for their ability to provide excellent food and deliver them together. Final note: While I tried to persuade one gal to forgo the fried yucca she ordered it anyway and loved it. So much for individual taste! read more

Here's the breakdown of a breakfast/lunch that fell in around the $12.50 range. Pupusa, mixed version: Extremely flavorful, very high umami factor, salty cheesiness, tender meat, cheap. Easily the best thing I ordered and a prime candidate for reorder anytime. No wonder this is some sort of national dish among the El Salvadorans. Salvadoran tamale: Very different from Mexican version that are the usual found around town. Very mild flavor & low heat vis-a-vis the Mexiversion. Maseca was hyper smooth paste, no grittiness at all, and very light body = fluffy sensation on the tongue. Melt in your mouth magic. Meat center was tender. Sauce I drizzled over it was pretty neutral in terms of flavor complexity or Scoville scorch. Fried yucca: Crunchy fried outside with substantial crustiness, tender inside, albeit a bit dry. That may simply be the nature of the beast. Rather neutral flavor. Not too salty. Seemed like a pale player next to the pupusa. At the $5 price point, I'll probably skip these next time because for a bit more coin I could get 2 more pupusa. Pickled cabbage: Very mild flavor, a bit of vinegar flavor but not much bite. Some herbiness shining through. Generous of them to just bring a honkin' big jar of it along with the meal. Coffee: Strong flavor & plenty of caffeine, cheap enough. That's a hit or three in my world. Ambience: Clean & bright, though art on walls felt sparse to me. However, there were some rather diminutive art pieces near the register that were delightfully bright & festive. Quiet, since I was only customer at weekday opening time. Waiter was nice, but felt distant or reserved, maybe because I was stumbling through sorting out what I wanted. Nonetheless, he was conscientious in keeping an eye on me & keeping the coffee hot. read more

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Clean establishment, fast & friendly service to seat & take orders. Food does take a bit to come out although it's made fresh so that's the beauty of it. Food is delicious! You won't be disappointed read more

El Papaturro Restaurant - Spinach & Cheese, beef & bean pupusas - Salvadoran Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

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I am married to a Salvador woman I have been to El Salvador. I am from Los Angeles. I know what good Salvador food looks like. Smells like and taste like this restaurant is excellent. The pupusa expertly made perfect size just enough cheese, melting out brown perfectly and crunchy. Their tamales are fire and the ensalada ( this is a fruit drink} was so good. Thank God for these people and their food a diamond in the rough of Latino food options in a state obsessed with new Mexican cuisine that they call Mexican and overall not enough options. read more

By far the best pupusas in ABQ. Favorite is loroco. The slaw and sauces are delicious.

Stumbled upon this El Salvadoran restaurant tonight and oh boy! It's a WINNER!! Happy Plate, like everyone says is a definite must but my husband ordered the beef, beans & rice and inhaled it in like a minute!! Fried shrimp was also a winner for my daughter Oh and the coconut flan!! That is out-of-this-world good!! Love love loooopved it The restaurant itself is a very much low key, casual setting. It has paintings of beautiful scenery on the walls along with two TVs playing sports channel. Not the fancy or romantic dining but it would take you "back" to your grandma's cookie' like it did my VERY happy husband! Check it out! You won't regret it read more

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I liked this place I thought it had good pupussys. I didn't like the fried plantains that much. But they were edible. Overall worth another visit. read more

This place is a hidden gem that is needed to be found but I am glad to have found it before it gets too crowded! My friend and I came to this place for a late lunch and it was our first time visit. We both ordered the "happy plate" but we chose different pupusa fillings: I ordered the chicaron, rice and beans; my friend green chiles and cheese. The happy plate is pretty much a sampler plate for everything from a pupusa, a pile of yucca fries, perfectly grilled plantains, a pile of house slaw, and a Salvadorean empanada (dessert item). Plus the server asked us whether we wanted the housemade spicy sauce - we said yes and it delivered perfect combination to go with most items on the plate. Do not let this plate fool you - it filled me up by half of the plate! I finished the whole plate because it was sooooo good!! I plan to go back there again to try their soup dishes. The price range is very affordable and the service was very good. The place is empty but I noticed that people were constantly in and out. read more

El Papaturro Restaurant - Happy plate - Salvadoran Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Tried this place for the first time. Never had had Salvadoran food. Quite good! Got the happy plate per waiter recommendation. Great way to sample the cuisine. We'll be back for more! read more

Pupusas are liiiiiife!!!! My oh my did I enjoy my lunch. And the price point was fantastic!!!! The tamale was delish, and can we talk about that homemade coleslaw???? Superb!!!! The service was wonderful, and I definitely would like to try their "happy plate" next visit to get a little sample of some other quintessential savladorean delights. This place really is a hidden gem. Looking forward to my return visit! read more

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Really good pupusas! Place to go for pupusas, also they offer chicken tamales wrapped with banana leaves. read more

My mom and I have a very tasty and great experience here and great service overall ! I got the platillo feliz and highly recommend it for anyone that's doesn't know what they want to try first and I 100% recommend the salvadorian quesadilla I believe the food here is fresh and made with love cuz I definitely left Feliz. read more

I was visiting a good friend, he suggested to try a salvadorian restaurant, we found 3 or nine Albuquerque, we were so happy to find this gem, the food was delicious service was great and the place was clean. My friend had the carne asada I had the topical plate plus 2 pupusas revueltas and a salavdorian tamal. The carne was delicious, well seasoned and cooked to perfection. The pupusas were very tasty. The only think that I was impressed with was the tamal, I guess because my mom made the best tamales in the world . I recommend this place fully. Next time I go to Albuquerque, I will try the other salvadorian restaurants. read more

Really tasty food. Salvadoran food tends to be less flavorful and exciting than some of its Latin American neighbors, and the Salvadoran place in Old Town (don't recall the name) bears this out well. El Papaturro, i am happy to say, does not. On my first visit, I tried the Happy Plate and found, to my surprise, that I liked every single thing on it. (It's kind of a variety platter.) My favorite is the Pupusa Revuelta with pork. Super good! Crave-worthy. I also enjoyed that the staff are friendly and kind. That just adds something nice to your dining experience. The place is nothing to look at, but I couldn't care less. Some people must have their ambiance. If you're one of those, skip this place. For authentic Salvadoran fare, visit this place. read more

No no no. I was looking forward to eating here but left so disappointed. Ok the horchata was good better than most places. But the carne asada was absolutely horrible! The meat was so old I just couldn't eat it. The platanos were good but I could taste the oil which makes me think it was to old. So sad read more

So yummy! It is the spot in ABQ for a great curtido and awesome revuelta pupusas! It's embarrassingly filling for how inexpensive it is! A meal can be made out of one or two massive pupusas and they don't exceed $3/ each! Our go-to pupusa fillings are the revuelta and the one with the squash flowers, zucchini, and cheese! Ask for their hot sauce, you won't regret it! Go heavy on the curtido if you like the something crunchy and acidic accompanying your cheesy disc of goodness! Every time I'm there, I plan on trying some of their other entrees but I heed the siren song of the pupusas and all the other deliciousness becomes blurry on the pages of the menu... Maybe next time? read more

"Out of the ordinary" and authentic describe our fairly positive experience having dinner at this clean, basic, family operated El Salvadoran restaurant. We ordered a couple of different pupusas and tried what I think was curtido (reminiscent of a tart coleslaw). Don't be distracted by the modest environment (in a strip mall behind a Walgreens), just try to pretend what it must be like stopping for a bite while driving back to San Salvador after doing a little surfing in the Pacific at El Tunco, or maybe after visiting the Tazumal Mayan ruins in Chalchuapa. read more

This place is LEGIT! The crema was yummy, the platano frito (fried plantains) were also awesome, and the beans were just like I remember them growing up as a kid. Check this place out. You won't regret it. read more

Excellent pupusas! We'll be back for sure. There is one other place that might be better but we stopped going because we had a bad experience with the food. read more

This review is long overdue. I first went to El Papaturro several years ago. My husband and friends and I were clueless about how delicious everything was going to be. Now, years later (and eating vegetarian), we knew.. and we were still surprised. Let me crack my writer knuckles and get into this. First - THE PAPUSAS Let me start by saying that, at the moment, my stomach is in a beautiful state of near-comatose fullness. We ordered a tray (you read that right) of the bean and cheese papusas, complete with tomato sauce and pickled cabbage (which, mind you, are all fresh as the morning breeze). One bite in and I'm back there, the first time I tried these, eyes rolling back in my head and mopping up the sauce with the cabbage and the soft, warm delectable bean and cheese pocket of lovely goodness... okay, I need to dial it back. Getting too into it. *ahem* In short, it's really good. Moving along.. Second - Salvadorean empanadas I've never had these before. I read the description and my brain went for a run. I mean, who doesn't want a delicious ball of sweet goodness? Turns out, everyone wants it. They were so.. perfect! Crispy yet flexible crust that was sweet and buttery, a soft, creamy inside filled with perfectly sweet plantains covered in a cakey, perfect batter and it's all touched with cinnamon. Really, you could just shove it in your mouth, but take it a small bite at a time for best enjoyment. So good. It's just perfect. Third - Yucca nuegados This was the first time I'd had yucca. It's simple: fried yucca with a side of deliciously dark simple syrup made of brown sugar. Sounds too simple, right? Wrong. This is one of the most amazing little dishes. It's not too sweet, only slightly savory and the texture is remarkable. The crust is sooooo crunchy and the yucca itself is soft and perfect. I poked mine with a fork a few times to let the syrup get in a bit and man.. it just.. it's so delicious! So, in short.. okay, no. No short. They deserve a long, descriptive, endlessly praising review. I would take pictures, but I'd be not eating. You'll understand why that's problematic once you get an order of this stuff. Now, realistically, I'm missing out on some of the menu because I'm eating vegetarian. But, don't let that stop you! Swing by, meet the staff (top notch, amazing people, kind and remarkably attentive to patrons), douse your papusas in your preferential amount of that gorgeous tomato sauce and spoon on the cabbage.. and then get down on literally anything on the menu. I'd definitely recommend getting at least one order of the empanadas for dessert. But, really, anything you get is going to be stunning. You might think you're going to forget the flavor too. You might think it's not going to be as good the second time.. It's almost better the second time around... I can't wait to have it again. Well done, El Papaturro. We're lifelong fans now. read more

This is the 2nd restaurant I've tried in Abq, that serves up pupusas. Loved their spinach/ cheese & bean /cheese pupusas. Yummy tamales & fried plantains. Clean restaurant & nice staff read more

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Incredible Salvadoran food! This place is owned locally by a family so it does take some time for you to get your food. THE WAIT IS WORTH IT. My favorite is the fried plantains with cream and beans. I can't believe how something so simple can taste so good. Every pupusa is delicious! read more

This is one of the two good places for El Salvadorian food in town. I got the happy meal and the plantains especially tasted amazing. Their pupusa with lettuce and cheese is my personal favorite as well. Of particular note is that they have good free wi fi so that's a plus. I would recommend this place for people who want to try cuisine from El Salvador in Albuquerque. read more

El Papaturro Restaurant - Salvadoran Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Just moving through Albuquerque and found this Jewel. My grandmother was Salvadorian so finding fresh Salvadorian food was amazing. The host is super friendly. The pupusas with curtido was delicious! Will return when in the area! Miss you grandma... read more

It's my understanding that very soon, a long stretch of 4th street in the North Valley is slated to be expanded, making it comfortable for pedestrians and cyclists to cruise one of my favorite areas of this city. So here's an obvious observation: this should have happened 20 years ago. For too long, residents in this 'hood have waited patiently for something interesting to happen around here; their only Vietnamese eatery closed in 2014, and you can forget about Thai. When the remodel makes this a better place to wander, I envision plenty of eclectic restaurants, local shops and hopefully a brewery or two lining these comparatively green pastures. Until then, all I can do is envision, and eat some seriously banging pupusas at this terrific new Salvadoran joint, El Papaturro. I'm also going to imagine that the stuff coming out of this kitchen is not the holy grail of this specific regional fare. I don't have a ton of experience with Salvadoran food, and I daresay I've never had a subpar bite of it, so I don't make for a good critic. But I'd venture to say I recognize care, attention to detail and flat out love on a plate, and that's what stuck with me after I left. We all ate well. I tried what amounted to a sampler plate of goods, it was a special; my wife sipped sopa de pollo -- chicken soup -- which she raved about (I did as well); and my 5 year-old ventured super far outside of her bean & cheese burrito comfort zone by trying, get this, a bean & cheese pupusa. And she liked it! This is a terrific new addition to an otherwise rather sleepy restaurant row, and they succeed sans chile. The hot sauces will do ya if you're looking for spice, I want to say the verde variety really made me sweat. The residents of this area owe it to the Food Gods to fervently support this new addition. If you're anything like me, you find large swaths of the North Valley pretty homogenous, but you won't find anything of the like here. read more

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This is an excellent Salvadoran restaurant. The pupusas are flavorful. If you're vegetarian, there are great options.

A hidden gem for your pupusa fix. I ordered a freshly made and delicious pineapple juice with my pupusa platter. The platter include eggs, fried plantain and other goodies. The pupusa was the traditional one but was really good. I'll come back to try some other items on their menu. read more