The BEST pupusas I have ever had. No contest. We stopped here for lunch, and I ordered 2 cheese pupusas while my fiancé ordered the pupusa brunch. His brunch was 2 regular pupusas (beans, pork, and cheese) with a beautiful fried egg on top of each one. My pupusas were piping hot, filled generously with cheese, and encased in incredibly tender and savory masa. Our meals were served with curtido and homemade salsa, both of which complemented our meals perfectly. Our food came out really quickly, our waiter could not have been more friendly and welcoming, and everything was really affordable. What's not to love? read more

This place was awful. I don't know what happened but I've been a regular at this place for the last two years. Today I came in ordered the Elote brunch which quite literally has corn in the name (it's the main ingredient), which i've ordered plenty in the past and haven't had problems with. My friend ordered the pupusa brunch, both our orders had egg shells in them and there was no flavor. Our chips came at the same time as our main dishes which has never happened usually we're seated with water and chips. Our water was never filled until we had to ask. We were handed no utensils until we once again had to ask for them at least 30 minutes into being seated there. The service was just plain bad and I was seated by a door that hit my chair every time the door was opened. Really disappointing. read more

This is a neighborhood gem! I really don't want to share this so it becomes an overcrowded Fan restaurant. But it deserves recognition for its delicious food, excellent cocktails, affordable pricing and awesome wait staff. We enjoyed a margarita and a Gaze at Your Naval. Both drinks were smooth with unique flavoring. We loved the pork, bean and cheese pupusa for an appetizer. I had the chef special, broken rice, cheese pupusa topped with taco el Pastor. Great texture and flavors and my husband had a Steak Torta. Excellent blending of flavors, fresh. A half sandwich was very generous. The entire staff is fabulous. Our server, Adrian, was excellent. Adrian is extremely knowledgeable of the menu, had great recommendations and takes care of his customers. The owner Mario stopped by at the end of the evening. He is a dedicated supporter of our Fan community. Eric, the bartender, makes tasty cocktails. Good attention to details. Loved the decor, low noise level, easy to chat. Looking forward to our next visit!! The brunch menu looked amazing, all entrees are $6. Our bill was $41 before tip, 3 cocktails, appetizer and 2 entrees. Desert sounded good, but we had no room. Next time!! What a great evening!! read more

I lived in the fan/museum district area when I was in college and decided to swing back back this area to take my mother out for a birthday meal. The menu was large with good variety, i ended up ordering pupusa, which were excellent and my mother ordered an omelette l, which she reported was also very good. The lovely decorations and hospitality gave a homey feel that was very pleasant and relaxing. Also, the plantain chips that came automatically in chips and salsa style were also excellent. Highly recommended! read more

Awesome choice. The service was great but the food was better. 10/10. They went out of there way and included the most delicious soup EVER with my burrito I purchased in a carry-out order. So refreshing to get such good service along with an amazing meal. read more

We have had Sunday brunch here twice recently. The pupusas are great, but I loved the eggs with plantain balls. My husband really liked the crab and shrimp sosapilla. (Sp?) Nice service, friendly people,and good food. Not your boring typical menu. Highly recommended. read more

Went for the first time last night with a couple of friends and we all loved the food, atmosphere, and service. Will come again soon! And highly recommend for those living and visiting Richmond read more

There would be pictures if the food wasn't so good. I am a huge complainer, my past reviews certify it, but this place is something special and the employees are pretty cool as well! The chips and salsa are icing on the cake, and I come back time and time again for the al pastor sandwich where they aren't afraid to use a little extra avocado, and the tacos I try to play around with as well. Honestly, can't go wrong here! read more

We decided to go out for a late dinner on Saturday night. We'd heard good things about El Pope, and thought we should give it a try. The restaurant was pretty quiet. Open and airy with high ceilings. I liked the nice linen napkins and heavy silverware. I don't usually see that, except in the fancy places. Our waiter was great, attentive, and wanting us to enjoy, but not hovering. We've been on the hunt for good pupusas here in Richmond, so Yay! I've been craving them since I first got hooked on them in South Florida. These were excellent. We tried the full range. My favorite was the talapia, hers was the bean. The fried yucca was crispy and hot. I want to try the rest of the menu, but the pupusas hit that comfort food sweet spot, so may just be going with them next time too. read more

They really do have the best pupusas in town! Friendly staff, incredible food (especially for the price! $7.50 for three huge, fried disks of happiness), fun Spanish tunes on the speaker system, and a bar serving cheap, strong drinks. I'm happy every time I come here, and my only complaint is that it's always empty. They deserve to be recognized for the incredible food they make. They're doing us a public service, folks. read more

10/10 best restaurant in Richmond, good cheap drinks and amazing food. Plus everyone that works here is super friendly

Upon entry, the quaint yet authentic Salvadorian atmosphere is the first thing that greets you. Promptly followed by the eager hostess waiting to seat you. The diverse yet artisan menu is enough to satiate the appetite of the most hard driven foodie while still providing basic yet satisfying dishes for all those picky eaters. Family friendly Authentic Ethnic Got the: Pollo loco Dragon burrito read more

This is my absolute favorite spot in richmond all around. I live in virginia beach but almost every weekend I come here for the pupusas!

El Pope is one of my favorite restaurants in Richmond. The food is immaculate, fresh, well-priced, and the service is even better. I usually get take out because I live up the street, but dining in is great; dope ambiance, chill vibes, and good service. Hella cozy. My man Russell always has a smile on his face and is one of the more pleasant people I've met. Only bad thing I can say about this overall gem is I got a spicy margarita there once and it was pretty bad. Treat yourself to the pork, shrimp, or potato pupusas or any one of their fantastic tacos. read more

This place is great! I've been twice already and definitely plan to come back again. Their pupusas are amazing and come at a great price, I definitely recommend you try their food. read more

Simple and delicious with friendly attentive service. Stopped in for lunch and had papusas and tacos. All were excellent, with lots of flavor an just enough spiciness. Lunch for two was less than $25, even with a beer. A great value. read more

Tried El Pope for lunch today and it was delicious! The bean and cheese pupusas are wonderful (we didn't try the meat ones). The pico at the beginning comes with plantain chips which are really good. The pico is nice and fresh, with just the right amount of jalapeño. The yucca is very light, which is a nice surprise. The beeftek -- I cannot remember the name but it's the traditional Salvadoran beef dish -- was really flavorful. Service is very fast and efficient. Check it out! read more

Just Incredible Affordable decent portions great menu variety one of my favorite meals in Richmond

First when we walked in no one is there to greet you so we turned to another customer to ask if u just sit down. second, we've been here for 30 minutes still no water and have only spoken to the waiter once while other costumers that came in AFTER us got food and water before we did. even if the food is ok it doesn't redeem them from these major mistakes. will never come back. read more

Was excited to try this restaurant but it didn't live up to the good reviews. 1-didn't get our comp basket of plantain and salsa 2-jalapeño peach margarita was lacking in sour and peach flavor and skimp on tequila 3-crab and shrimp sopapilla was good but the beans were under seasoned 4-pollo loco was dry and flavorless read more

Beeftecas were amazing!! Perfectly cooked, tender and juicy with a really good and unique seasoning I don't think I've ever had before. Fried yuca was also really good and great dipping sauce. I'll definitely be back!! read more

What a gem! Service is extra charming, food is delightful. I hope they stick around, go visit you won't regret it!

Arrived here at just after 6pm on Friday, Jan. 19 to have dinner with a friend. Surprisingly, only 1 other table seated and a couple of people at the bar. By the time we left, several others tables had been seated and the place appeared to be filling up. Anyway, we both started off with Margaritas, which were generous and really good. We split a couple of appetizers, the calamari & the mussels. Both were outstanding, especially the mussels, which were large and served in a tomato broth and came with a small wedge of garlic bread. We both like sopping up the broth, so we asked the waitress if we could have a little more bread and she told us that it is served as a side so there would be a charge for it. We had her bring us some anyway, which was I thought was really on the small side for the buck & change it cost. For entrees, we both ordered the shrimp & crab sopapillas, and they were really excellent. The shrimp was cooked perfectly and there was a good amount of crab. They are topped with just the right amount of a green, medium chili sauce and some sour cream. I was really happy that they didn't smother everything with sauce, as many mexican/latino restaurants do, so you could really taste the flavors of the dish. I hardly ever touch beans & rice they serve on the plate, but these were really good and I finished them off. Not your typical black beans; they use a larger red bean and they're seasoned perfectly, also. The interior here appears small when you first enter, but I estimate they can seat 60-70 people. It's a nice, cozy place, clean and comfortable. The waitress we had was terrific, very responsive and pleasant. It doesn't appear as though the crowds have discovered this restaurant yet, but I have a feeling it won't take long before the place is very popular. I'll definitely be coming back. read more

Wonderful Salvadoran food and excellent service. Don't let this gem pass you by! These folks have kept refining their concept, but at its core it's about fresh authentic food in a great space. read more

El pope is the best!! tried their pupusas for the first time, along with their quesadillas and they are very yummy. the owner is very nice & the food always came out so quickly. adrian is also a great server!! 10/10 read more

Surprise...what a great lunch. Tacos were not your run of the mill type. Nice variety, very tasty

This place was awesome!!! Great service and even better food. They have a BACON WRAPPED BURRITO!!!!!!!

If you're looking for fresh tacos, this is your spot! Cute little restaurant on Main Street with a very welcoming staff! I would definitely recommend the tuna or carnitas tacos. read more

El Pope - Latin American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

This place is so charming. I love it. I love that it is called "Latino Cuisine". I LOVE the shrimp and crab sopapilla and the pupusas. I can't wait to go back for the tacos. I love that it seemed like a little family affair. There was a middle school aged kid doing his homework at a table in the back. It was all charming. I don't know why they have hot dogs on the menu. I bet it's good, but start with the sopapilla. I love you, latino cuisine! read more

We had lunch today at El Pope and thoroughly enjoyed our meals. We had to try the pupusas and were not disappointed. Soft and warm and very delicious. A must have, especially for the price. The pork and chicken tortas we delicious as well. Tasty bread with a char on the meat. We are looking forward to going back to try the other items on the menu! read more

El Pope had a nice friendly vibe as soon as we walked in, and it was just a good vibe overall. The food was amazing!!! I recommend trying the pupusas. read more

AMAZING! First time trying pupusas and it was life changing. Everything we had was so good and the service was excellent!

Good pupusas and Latin entrees. Lax service and among the worst front house team I've experienced. Waiter was inattentive and slow in a nearly empty restaurant. Drink orders mixed up and fourth entree late for our party. I'm not betting on success without a change in staff. Interesting menu; drop the boring Italian entrees and double down on Latin fare. read more

Delicious food, great location, and a cozy homey feel inside. Went during brunch, got the calamari app, and a fried jalapeño burger with yuca fries as a side. Huge fan of yuca, so I was happy. Boyfriend got the Crab Benedict which was so delicious. Will be back to try the dinner menu. read more

El Pope - Fried Jalepeno Burger - Latin American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

See all

This corner has experienced much turnover in the past decade. We had a late night dinner and were impressed with the service and quality of the food. Order the pupusas and carnitas tacos. My wife enjoyed the jalapeño margarita. I agree with other reviews, drop the miscellaneous food items, focus on what you do best, which is, Salvadoran cuisine, and you will have a long time business. We will be repeat customers. read more

I just love this place. Everything that I had was very delicious but I must say that charred steak taco was my favorite. The owneris very nice and personable. I'm already looking forwardto coming back. read more

We have been here several times, and are determined to try everything on the menu! The papusas are amazing, and the house soup, fresh salad, and whole fish we had today were really delicious. The cook knows what he is doing and clearly takes pride in his work, and staff is very friendly. This is a little gem - try it, you'll like it! read more

Easy to locate, right on a corner, street parking is available. Food was delicious!!! Everything we shared was yummtacular! The interior of the place was clean, small, and friendly staff. The menu is a simple plastic covered thing, and did not explain veg items or seafood specific items which would be a good plus if they change that and update the menus. The chalkboard display out front should be double-sided and positioned differently for people to view it better when passing. Service was prompt and informative, but our server was not very familiar with wine origins and the drink menu was not clear, however the wine was delicious and the prices were good. I really enjoyed the mussels, the crab stuffed shrimp (Escorpion?) appetizer, and my entree was the Shrimp and Crab Sopapillas and the beans were phenomenal (almost like baked beans with peppers and onions) that came with them and the rice was also very flavorful and delicious. read more

See all

The food feels a little over priced but I figured it was worth trying instead of driving out 20 mins just for pupusas. I disliked the curtido, not at all like traditional Salvadorian curtido. It was very dry and had an odd smell kinda reminded me sauerkraut minus the vinegar. The red salsa it comes with tasted mediocre, reminded me of canned tomato taste. Pupusas were okay. I got 3 revueltas (traditional, pork beans and cheese mixture). I only ate 2 because I was kinda over it. I'll try them again, just not the pupusas again. read more

Excellent food and service. Margaritas were unexpectedly delicious and not too sweet. Had tilapia entree with rice and beans with papusas to start. Literally wanted everything on the menu. Can't wait to try their brunch this weekend! read more