The cashier was hardheaded. She would not allow me to get only one pupusa even though it's offered on the menu and I pointed to it. Not sure why she held steadfast to this rule since we stopped by after the lunchtime rush and they only had 4 diners. It was such a turn off that we just left to go somewhere else. read more

First time eating a pupusa && it was really good, filled with a lot of cheese && meat. Little place in the way, I will come back again for sure read more

Pupusas are good, but I feel like they're the same quality as many restaurants in sf. Service: Bad, bad bad. We came in and just stood at the door for a couple minutes feeling awkward waiting for anyone ine the restaurant to acknowledge us, we seated ourselves since a table was being cleaned. Its so true that time is irrelevant to them. We waited about 10 minutes to even get a menu. Had to ask for chips and salsa, the waitress said they dont give them to anyone unless the customer asks for them, and whispered "cause there's an extra charge for chips & salsa." Who cares if you charge me! Justgive me chips and salsa! Also, no napkins at the tables? You also have to ask for them. Our order came and the waitress said it wrong so I made sure it was right. She flipped her hand like "whatever, yeah, ill tell the cook if it's wrong. I would just take it to go, if I really really had to go. But won't be going back. read more

The Papusa were very bland and dry. The cabbage was also bland with no kick to it. I was very disappointed. The Plantain was good though. I will stick to La Santeneca any day! Plus this place didn't have Pollo Encebellado. read more

We were admittedly headed to a different restaurant recommended to us until we saw it was too crowded. We looked in the window at Elsy's and noticed an open table. We're really glad we did! Friendly staff and a good menu of options at reasonable prices. It was an enjoyable Mission District experience to hear Spanish spoken by people over dinner along with sounds of sizzling food and music from the kitchen. We tried three different and delicious pupusas and a Salvadoran style steak served with salad, rice, and beans (pupusas were the favorites). Together this was more food than expected. Great all around experience for an affordable neighborhood meal. read more

I'm absolutely coming here again. I was craving soup last night of the Latin variety, so my two friends and I walked from 22nd and Mission up and down the street going into various taquerias in search of soup. I was surprisingly disappointed because a lot of places didn't have soup on their menu, but what disappointed me most was the taqueria that had soups on the menu but said no soup today. Our last stop was Elsy's, and I must admit I had given up on soup and was about to grub on some papusas. We walk in, and my friend asks if they have soup, and the cute, kind employee says yes. We sit wherever we want, we get menus, and the cute waiter guy takes our drink order. I cannot emphasize how amazing the customer service was! I ordered the chicken soup, my friends each ordered three papusas, all of a different variety. We also ordered chips and salsa which cost a measly $.79 and came with refills. The salsa was unique, not super spicy, but had a yummy taste to it. My soup came in a big bowl with fresh, warm tortillas, and a side of rice which I dumped in the bowl. I took the chicken out the bowl and shredded it myself and tossed it back in, and once I added the Tapatio and squeezed the lime in, I was on cloud 9. I tasted the papusas my friends had ordered, and they were so delectable, fresh, filled with melting cheese. One friend ordered a side of queso fresco, which our waiter informed us is house-made. Five stars, five freaking stars for Elsy's. read more

I seated myself, and was ignored by both servers on the floor for 10-15 minutes. Two groups that came in after I did were seated and served before me. I seriously considered leaving, but I couldn't give up so easily right in front of delicious Salvadoran food. Finally, I mustered the courage to go up and stand next to the cash register to get someone's attention to be served. It was embarrassing, but I was desperate and not giving up. I still ended up ordering quite a lot of stuff. I loved how their horchata is more on the darker side than what I usually expect from Latin/Central American restaurants. The pupusas (I ordered three all different fillings) of course were pretty good too. The loroco --flower/fern-y edible plant native to El Salvador-- pupusa was a bit lacking. I would have loved to see more of those greens. I tear pupusas into halves and quarters by hand to eat (as any respectable Salvadoran would tell you so), it's also a good way to check if the pupusas have been filled properly. The curtidos also felt...off. They gave me a nice cupful, along with that red tomato sauce in a convenient squeeze bottle, but the pickled shreds were too dry and not sour enough. Very nice portions for the price, plus I got a free plain pupusa, I guess as their apology for ignoring me earlier. read more

I guess they do not like pets? Not even services dogs ?. My mother has a heart problem and our dog is a service dog and the lady that works there said no service dog unless the person is blind?! Bullshit someone should tell them their laws read more

Elsy's Restaurant - Horrible place - Salvadoran Near Me - San Francisco, California

Something about Elsy's just makes me feel at home. I tried the pupusa platter the other day and it was the bomb! Can't go wrong with bean and cheese pupusas. Amazing, delicious and inexpensive meal. Give it a try! read more

Elsy's is a gateway into the city's best pupusas. Very basic menu that's easy to follow. I'll make it even more simple for you...order at least 2 pupusas, they'll include some salsa and cabbage along with it. I'll be coming back for more of their awesome pupusas. read more

Papusas were delicious, large, and inexpensive (~$5 for 2 bean & cheese papusas). Minus one star for service. My take-out order took a long time and I stood at the register for awhile before anyone would acknowledge me. read more

The pupusas were out of this world!! Until my friend and I found a piece of metal inside of the pupusas. It was a traumatizing experience to say the least. We will overcome this hard obstacle together. At least we got the meals for free today so we yolod it. read more

Friendly staff, pupusas made on the spot with handy instructions on the wall on how to eat like a local (split it in two, add salsa & curtido, roll one half, eat!). Usually pretty busy, zero hipsters and the food is cheap! read more

Been here a couple times, and it's my new favorite for pupusas. It's all about the curtido (pickled cabbage) for me, and they do it right here. Pupusas are a little less greasy than others I've had in the mission. Service is always friendly and fast. read more

I don't get why this place only gets 3.5 stars, it's much better than that. Good sign? We were the only non-Hispanics in the place which was packed. We had the best platanos I've ever had. Chicken tamales were great. Had a couple of other good items. Service was slow but warm and friendly and they got the order right! read more

The Papusas was standard. It was bland with no thrills, but edible. The service was good as you order and receive your plates. It may take awhile if it gets busy as the Papusas are made fresh. Double check you bill. As I got home, I calculated my bill and realized I was overcharged. I even tipped them well, but the damage is done. read more

The best Sopa de Gallina, Horchata and Pupusas in the Mission that I have tried so far. I definetly recommend this place as one of the few good Salvadorean restaurants in the city!! read more

Never tried pupusas in my life and what a great restaurant I chose to have my first ever pupusas. I've tried their pupusas revueltas, sweet plantains, tamales de pollo, and horchata. So delicious. Everything was made to perfection. I appreciate the side of coleslaw or salad. It's a good touch for when having pupusas which is very savory and oily. Super friendly staff too! read more

This is one of my favourite pupuserias in San Fran. I always eat here after playing tennis - sometimes I order a proper plate/meal but quite often I just have 2 pupusas, have them on the table, and it cost only $5. It is quite authentic - just like the ones I ate in El Salvador. It is definitely not a place to linger (they don't serve alcohol and they accept cash only) but it is a simple and basic restaurant with great food and friendly waiting staff. read more

This Pupusas are as good as it gets !! Good portion size and good prices I will most definitely be going back. read more

Nextdoor to a taqueria that always has long lines. I'm amazed that more people haven't found out about Elsy's. I've had pupusas from so many different places and I like Elsy's the best. 2nd best deal in town (after costco dogs). They should charge more!!! read more

I love pupusas, but the quality of the service is too awful to overlook for the food. Maybe they are understaffed because there are often lots of people sitting around with no food. I could probably forgive that if I didn't feel like I'm being ignored. Last time I went in, I wanted to order food to go. I stood by the register for 10 minutes and despite walking by me numerous times, my presence wasn't even acknowledged. I went to La Taqueria instead. Despite the long line there, when I came out with my food, the same crowd was sitting around here, still with empty tables! read more

We stopped in here after being terribly disappointed by La Taqueria. I was still hungry after that silly lengua burrito. So we got pupusas! The boy and I ordered one each, and then when they were brought to the table, we jumped right in. Three minutes later, the server brings us another pupusa, telling us that instead of giving us two different ones (we ordered two different ones) they gave us the same one twice. So we got a free pupusa! For $2 a pupusa, they're cheap, and we got one free. They were tasty, and well worth it. That single pupusa sent me over the edge though, because after that, i felt like a whale with two legs. I was too full to eat anything else, so we thundered back to the bus stop. An evening well spent. read more

The food was meh not so bad not too good but the service my nephew doesn't like loroco and ordered a cheese pupusa and the server didn't said anything about the loroco and then our breakfast took about 15 minutes ( scramble eggs, beans, plátanos fritos, cream and cheese ) and then our pupusas took about 20-25 minutes! read more

Fantastic pupusas! Had to hobble down this way because the restaurant we were supposed to go to was closed! Best decision ever! My tummy is so happy right now! read more

A place run by friendly aunties... this Salvadorean restaurant is the real deal. The food is homey and the tamales and pupusas were out of site. The price is right and will now be on the regular rotation. read more

Trying to find another restaurant but found this place instead! The pupusas are delicious!! Two pupusas for $4.50, a pretty good deal. It is all made by three Salvadorian ladies and is all made to order. Great place, definitely a bit of a dive but the atmosphere is very authentic and the food is excellent. Definitely worth a trip if you're craving hearty food on a budget. read more

OMG.... The Best Pupusas I've ever had! My favs: Zucchini & Cheese and Pork (chicharron) & cheese!!! A must try Yelpers when in the Mission District. read more

We couldn't figure out how the service worked, so we just grabbed a menu and seated ourselves. Apparently that wasn't a problem, and we ordered at the cashier. At the front display there were some amazing looking dishes, specifically the FRIED CHICKEN. I asked the guy at the register and he told me it wasn't on the menu yet, but you must do yourself a favor and try it. It was great! Not greasy or dry at all. Who'd have thought you could find such good fried chicken at this place? Next time I come here, I might just skip the pupusas all together, as good as they were. I feel bad for giving this secret away, lest I find myself waiting in some ridiculous line in the future, but the dude who worked there was so nice, I just want to see the business get recognition. read more

I have tried 4 Salvadorian restaurants of pupusas in San Francisco in the past and this restaurant impresses me. Fast service, good price and delicious food. Cannot complain and will eat as much of theirs I can. read more

Went here after 8 on a thursday with a friend who lives on the area. Not much in terms of ambience, but makes up for it with authenticity and flavor. I had the zucchini and cheese pupusas and a tamarind juice. That was way too much food for way to little $...I ate it all anyway because it was delicious. If I lived nearby, I'd definitely go back. The curtido had a unique and pleasant kick to it and the service came with big smiles. Mucho gusto. read more

Try out papusa! It's an awesome dish: corn dough with cheese and meet, grilled. Tomato sauce.

Good food for a good price. It would have been 5 stars but it was a little smokey in there from the grills.

Hmmm where to start. Overall my experience was terrible. Since I arrived I was met with cold service and unwelcoming vibe. I ordered the huevos con chorizo and two cheese pupusas and I received both of them... ABOUT 40 MINUTES LATER. Plus when the waitress arrived with my food she also spilled some juices from the food on my hat which has not come off. Needless to say, I am never returning and I advise all to avoid this joint like the plague. read more

The pupusas were delicious! I would recommend eating there and not taking it to go. Took a little long to get the food the staff is friendly the place were pretty busy. It was worth the 15-20 minute wait. Love the chicharron pupusas with fruit salad read more

The naughty slap-slap of masa enhanced the ambiance of this quaint little shop in which one can find rather wonderful Salvadorean cuisine. In my three-or-so visits, I ordered the combo with two pork/beans/veggie pupusas, rice and beans. The 'pusas were very good, coupled with a helping of lettuce and further enhanced by the bottled red sauce. As there is a bevvy -- a veritable slew -- of Central and South American restaurants, it's hard to say that Elsy's is the best, but it's certainly worthwhile when you get the urge for authentic pupusas. read more

Friendly staff. Delicious pupusas for $2 each (minimum 2). I wish they had more salsa options, but otherwise it's a great place for cheap yummy pupusas. read more

Mm best pupusas that aren't in El Salvador ,good chicken plate and good people :) .always right

We walked into Elsy's and the restaurant was packed. No vacant tables. But a couple were just leaving and offered us their table. Yes the table was all messy with their stuff but they had just vacated the premises so that was ok. It took a few minutes but the waitress finally cleaned it up. The restaurant looked liked it had been there for centuries but from my understanding, they had just opened up a few months ago? I suppose they were trying to capture that old El Salvador feel. Well they got it right. Pupusas are surprisingly pricey compared to La Santaneca but they were bigger and had more cheese in them. Both my dining guest and I ordered the 2 pupusa plate with rice and refried beans. It took a while cause they had only one waitress for the whole joint. When we got our order, I noticed the rice was white rice with vegetables, La Santaneca's rice is yellow but it was ok. The refried beans were the puréed kind which was cool. The curtido, pickled cabbage, was surprisingly good, sweet, the vinegar wasn't too strong like Santaneca's. My dining guest ordered a Tamarindo beverages. I only asked for water but it never came. (However, their beverages are bigger than La Santaneca.) Had to wait to get home to wash the food down with orange juice. Then it seemed like an eternity to get our check. Waitress didn't check up on us once. She looked extremely busy. Summary: not likely to go there again. La Santaneca is better in our opinion. read more

Every time I've come here, always great... Papusas. I haven't had anything else, but those are tasty, affordable and come with slaw. TOO GOOD! read more