As a vegetarian, I absolutely love Kaliente's bean pupusas--they are incredibly delicious and always 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. read more

Walked in and small inside but as good seating friendly attentive staff menu is pretty decent lot of 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 ! read more

I really enjoy the food and service at Kaliente. However the Kaliente website has not been updated in years, so all the prices are wrong. If you check the website, be aware that the prices have all been raised considerable since they were posted. Same delicious food, it just costs more like everything. read more

Pretty good wet burrito. Pupusa are pretty good too. Better than most latin places in the area.

The pupusas here are absolutely delicious and not too greasy--just the way I like them. I love coming at least once a week! I recently brought my granddaughter, and she loved it too. The ambiance is very family-friendly, and there's convenient parking right next to the building. I always order the pupusas de chicharrón and yuca frita--so good! The service is consistently amazing. The ladies working here are always kind and attentive, making sure every customer feels taken care of. If you're looking for authentic, tasty pupusas, this is your spot! read more

The server greeted us immediately and was very attentive. Papuans were solid at a good price. Nice and quiet on a Friday night as well. I refreshing difference. Easy parking. Highly recommend! read more

So yummmmm. My go to pupusa spot. Generous servings and cute ambience. I normally get the platter with frijol y arroz y dos pupusas de queso y loro. Ricísi A read more

I love this place, everyone is always so nice and everything I've had has been delicious. We had the fish and chicken tacos tonight and they didn't disappoint. The Manager is always so friendly and definitely runs the place with love! Try the pupusas they won't disappoint!!! read more

La comida estaba muy mala. Muy caro para lo poco. La mesera muy amable pero no entendía y siempre traía las órdenes equivocadas. Mi mamá ordenó una sopa de pata y estaba Horrible poca carne y los vegetales estaban crudos y no hablemos de el sabor de el caldo. Mis pupusas estaba mal pedí de arroz y me dieron de maíz y a demás me trajeron salsa de pupusas arruinada al punto que no dormí por el dolor en la noche. Poor food quality. Overpriced and uncooked. You may get sick. read more

Kaliente Restaurant - Poor quality food - Mexican Near Me - El Sobrante, California

This place is underrated. Sit down Salvadoran/Mexican food. No one knows how great. It's quiet. The food is awesome. Home-cooked, with love. They have a good variety of salads that are so so yummy. I always get the fish tacos. Wet burritos are excellent too. Kindest of servers. And they have a kids menu. Helpful for my picky eater. I love the red color inside. And gorgeous paper flowers for sale. read more

Delicious food and excellent service! It was our first time eating here again since 2018/2019 and it was delicious as ever! I ordered the Bistec Salvadoreno and my husband ordered the New York Steak. Both of us were very happy with our meals! The staff was also very attentive to our needs. Our children even left the restaurant with two little toys to play with that their host/server has given them to entertain them. There is not many places where one can feel comfortable as a family with young children dining without judgeful eyes, and we felt safe and "at home" here. Very much a family-like environment and looking forward to dining here again. read more

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I go here all the time this is my comfort food place. I get the sopa de pollo and the fish plate. I mostly order to go or on door dash, sometimes if I order to go they let me eat it there and are always super nice to me read more

La comida no está tan buena y no esperes el mismo monto de comida como en las fotos. Me contaron cada chip que me dieron y cuando pedí más dijeron que ya me habían dado el monto que tenía pero el cocktail no estaba ni lleno está más bien medio vacío. Food was okay, don't expect the same amount of food as the pictures, they count every chip on the plate. I asked for more and they said that they already gave the amount I was suppoust on the plate. Tbh the plate felt half way empty I will put my money somewhere else. read more

Kaliente Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - El Sobrante, California

I tried this spot for takeout during the Covid-19 pandemic. I was super surprised by their portion sizes and delicious deep flavors! My favorite spot in the area is up the street so I never really had a desire to go outside of that. However, Kaliente has a variety of food options so I decided to give them a try. Their pupusas are delicious! Not to mention they've got a delicious crudite and salsa to go with them! For me I've always been picky and need a good filling to the carb ratio. They know how to do it here! I got pork and cheese, cheese, and loroco con queso (my favorite!) I ordered my partner a mixed plate with platanos, frijoles, tamale, and pupusa. Their beans!!!! Such deep flavor and a perfect mixed plate with salty, fatty, rich, and sweet flavors. If you want a bite of everything I highly suggest this plate. Worth it! I'm curious to try other dishes and was happily surprised by the flavors, pricing, and portions from this restaurant. Definitely worth placing an order! read more

Kaliente Restaurant - Pupusas loroco, queso, puerco y queso - Mexican Near Me - El Sobrante, California

** The following review reflects my delivery experience DURING the COVID-19 pandemic. ** I was having a hankering for menudo 'cause it was colder than a witch's tit, but alas, it was a Tuesday. And as any true menudo-phile knows, it's a weekend specialty for most Mexican restaurants. This spot was no exception, so I decided to order their $11.99 Large Sopa de Patas, a hearty, more carnivorous substitute with cow's feet and tripe, carrots, cabbage, zucchini, yucca, and chayote (photo: https://bit.ly/3gI4WGJ). It hit the spot in the right way. I also ordered a couple of their salads for me and Jamie W. The first was the $13.40 Grilled Chicken Salad which I chose over the Mexican version simply because I was trying to avoid the tortilla strips. This was a moot point since the Sopa came with deliciously thick handmade tortillas (photo: https://bit.ly/2JP6qDf). It featured grilled chicken (of course), onions, cucumber, red and green peppers and chopped romaine (photo: https://bit.ly/3mi8Hnj). Nothing fancy but satisfying. The second salad was the $9.99 Roasted Vegetable Salad, a hearty portion which combined grilled zucchini, grilled onion, mushrooms, tomatoes, bell peppers, avocado, Parmesan cheese, and chopped romaine lettuce (photo: https://bit.ly/2W67Ons). All in all, this was another good find for me in El Sobrante without setting foot in that town. Sure, I didn't try any of their tacos or burritos, but I didn't have to. I could eat Mexican without piling on the carbs. FOOD - 4 stars...fresh salads and a sopa to compete with menudo AMBIANCE - n/a...don't know (shrug) SERVICE - 4 stars...servings were generous and well packed TOTAL - 4 stars...guess I can get menudo-like soup during the week RELATED - Exploring this part of Contra Costa County? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2VyCP18 read more

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Absolutely incredible options, some of the best pupusas I've ever had. Always satisfied after eating here. Very friendly staff and great service, I would 100% recommend!!! Loved it! read more

Kaliente Restaurant - Breakfast 3 - Mexican Near Me - El Sobrante, California

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The food is ok service sucks !! I went in with my family today and the girl in all black has an attitude and very very very R-U-D-E. We ordered pupusas and If you request more curitdo they charge $1. That's crazy how u going to charge $1 for curitdo when eating pupusas. In ALL places you get a bucket for the table. The ladies are running around and ignore you. Lady in black ask if I needed anything I said yes!!! But not before she cleans all the tables. Where is my napkin!! My bf had to get up and ask the lady in the kitchen for a napkin. I'm never eating here again poor service & outrage fees for no reason. Never eating at this place again !!!!!!!!! read more

Let me start by saying I've had Kaliente's food a few times because my employer used them to cater an event. I've had the crispy chicken tacos and they were very tasty. Tonight me and my little cams here because she wanted pupusas. We've only had pupusas a few times because we don't eat cheese much and most pupusas we have come across have cheese. Our normal spot was closed this evening so after searching through Yelp, we came across Kaliente. She ordered the pupusa plate that comes with 2 pupusas (she chose pork) and some beans and rice. I ordered the Camarones Kalientes, which I assume is like camarones a la diabla. I haven't tried it yet. And I ordered a pork pupusa to try myself. Let's talk about these pupusas. Mmmm mmm MmMmmMmMMMmm oh my gosh. I don't even really like pupusas. Maybe I should have been saying I don't like most pupusas. But these pupusas here....these pupusas right here?!? Boy I'll slap my mama they are that good. And the curtido was phenomenal!! I could NOT get enough. It was just a little spicy and tangy and...oh man, I was really kicking myself that I didn't order more. The pork in the pupusa was moist and flavorful. It was a truly delicious experience. I'll let you know how the scrimps go later. But I am currently lost in lust with this Salvadorian treat. I don't really know what constitutes a good pupusa, but I know that was the best I've had so far. The customer service was fast and they were very polite. read more

Kaliente Restaurant - Pork pupusa with delicious curtido - Mexican Near Me - El Sobrante, California

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The food is overpriced, I ordered nachos with chicken. There was a few pieces of chicken meat, the dish should not have cost that much. The cheese was a different version of velvetta. It was very disappointing. I will not go back there again. Please read this review before you go, otherwise you will be disappointed and having to pay for food that is not good at all. read more

I stopped by since I was near by doing business. it's been around 5 years since I last eat here, and I want impressed. The restaurant had a dirty water smell and the food was dirty. when I paid my bill, I noticed I was charged for two coffees, so I asked why? the response was that because I asked for a refill, I was charged for another coffee... I couldn't believe the response from the waiter because my refill wasn't even a full cup refill...absolutely crazy!! at least tell your customer that you charge for a reill...I definitely will not be back. to many other choices. read more

This has been my go to restaurant for months now, I've ordered multiple meals multiple times a week.. However, recently in the last few weeks the orders I receive have gone down hill. 90% of the time I order a steak option we receive chicken?!?! Which makes no sense. And the portions are at least half of what they used to be.. I rather pay extra for the portions they used to serve. I'm not sure if it's new owners, a new chef, or what's going on but something has changed. And unfortunately, after giving multiple opportunities when receiving the wrong order, they've lost a loyal customer. read more

Food was Great, I do not know if it's the same Owner from before. We will definitely be back

Slow service, once ordered they go to kitche. You can hear them talking loud, I don't know if ever cooking order arrives cold. - My order was a quesodilla crane Assad with shrimp, order came you can literally count the shrimp and I guess it was lucky it was beef ground beef... I won't be coming back here... read more

Great Salvadoran food! The pupusas came out very fresh with great curtido y salsa the waitress was very nice excellent service!

This is El Salvadoran food. They are really nice but don't wait to late, they may close early.

8/18/12 Kaliente so far has the best popusas that you can buy at a restaurant locally and not from someone home. The service is good, I have never had to wait much for my order its definitely a good try for lunch they have some good options and priced fairly($7.00) on my last visit this is what I had. Popusa loroco con queso (loroco is a vine with edible flowers that grows in El Salvador=flavor) it was freshly maid warm and not greasy comes with the side of pickled cabbage(curtido) I paid $2.10 for one. I also had a Salvadorean tamal and it was delicious the masa is very soft not dry at all came with fillings of pork and a few vegetables i think peas and potato. This is definitely my go to for popusas any day of the week or for lunch. read more

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So delicious! I just ate their chicken soup "Caldo de Pollo", and pork, bean, and cheese pupusa and OMG it hit the spot. Whoever is in the kitchen knows what they are doing. The soup was flavorful and hearty like homemade from scratch yummy. My tummy is so happy right now, I really appreciate this restaurant, maybe it's because im 8 months pregnant and super picky but again, im so satisfied right now. read more

My go to place for plantains. There really is no place else in town that makes platanos, frijoles e crema. They make their own refried beans and cream so it's always rich and delicious. Also a great place for Tuesday Happy Hour with homemade sangrias (white or red). See you there read more

Ordered online for pickup , I had to phone them to make an adjustment on my order , the lady was very nice & attentive . I ordered pupusas revueltas con chicharron , beans and cheese & cheese with zucchini . I liked the cheese and zucchini most of all . I tried the chicharron one , and it tasted off . You could barely taste the chicharron . Then I tried the beans and cheese one , no thank you . These are the ones my kids like , so I ordered 5 & guess how much we're throwing out ? That's right , 5 . Old beans or old cheese , whatever the case is , they're gross . They taste like mildew (never had mildew but I imagine that's what it taste like) Anyway , yeah , haven't been in years and now I remember why . Only reason I ordered from here is because Xinia's Bakery was not an option to order from . Pupusas at Xinia's taste a lot better . One star for the lady on the phone & one star for the zucchini pupusas . read more

The chicken soup (sopa de gallina) tasted like it was made with the wrong broth, like beef flavor. My wife said it was terrible. I ordered a veggie quesadilla but it came with limited cheese and it had a weird tangy taste. The hot salsa they gave me tasted expired so I didn't eat it. This is the second time I go there since the two brothers sold the business, so far I'm 0-2. read more

Honestly the worst plate of nachos I've ever had. Since when did nachos become slop plops of mainly sour cream and puréed avocado? (Not even guacamole) we had maybe 10% meat (1 order of chicken nachos and 1 steak) BOTH horrible. Cheese hard, whole layer of plain chips around edges and at bottom. Kaliente just take it off the menu at this point because you're not only a disservice to us customers but to yourself as a business at this point. Makes sense why it was so empty during dinner hours. read more

I asked my husband to come here so I can have pescado frito. We were seated right away, orders taken promptly. We were given a complimentary bowl of chips and salsa while we waited for our order. I was saving my appetite for my pescado frito. Ten minutes later, another server came saying they're out of the pescado frito. I almost lost it! It took them 10 minutes to realize they didn't have it? How messed up is that? To make things worse, the quality of the food just isn't there anymore. I don't think I'm compelled to come back ever. read more

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I have eaten here a couple of times and really like thir authentic food. Today I tried the pozole soup. It was a large bowl of happiness. Full of chunks of pork and a red rich broth. Add the cabbage and chips that come with it and you have an explosion of texture and flavor! The tortilla soup served every Friday is great too. The staff is friendly and eager to please! read more

Meh. Food was not good. My mother got a burrito and you couldn't even see the chicken. I was hoping for better. read more

Kaliente Restaurant - This was the avocado salad :( and chips were not good also. - Mexican Near Me - El Sobrante, California

Some of the best Salvadorean papusas around! I love this place! They are also unique in having more ala-carte options in smaller portions- great for kids that are picky eaters. read more

Food and service is very underwhelming. The server was not very welcoming, but wasn't the worst person to order from, just seemed like she didn't seem happy whatsoever. One to the main event: $3.00 for stale chips and a tiny cup of watery salsa. The food was bland: Pupusas are suppose to be cheesy, gooey goodness. Kaliente makes them so dry. I ordered 2 Pupusas revueltas (cheese and chicharon, which I verified with the server) however I received 2 cheese with a hint of chicharon-only knew it was suppose to have chicharon because of the slight change in color to the cheese, but there was no meat texture or flavor. This was my 3rd visit here and each time I said it was my last time. This time I mean it. read more

The man who waited on us was a sweetheart. 5 stars for him. The primary reason for the low rating is the awful stale overheated oil smell when you enter. They seriously need to not heat the oil so hot and/or change it more often. And open the door, run a fan or something. I had the tail end of a cold but after sitting in there for an hour my throat hurts again and I feel lousy. The food was pretty mediocre. I had the nachos. The grilled vegetables were actually not bad. But the chips are likely from an 8# bag at Costco. There is a weird piece of plywood over the floor by the bathroom and there was exposed fiberglass in the ceiling above near our table. When I checked in, one of Yelp's questions was - is this place romantic? Nope. read more

I have driven past this place a thousand times and I was excited to finally stop in and try it. I also am a fan of both Mexican and Salvadoran cuisines. I ordered the burrito nico and it was pretty good. I thought that there was a lot of casamiento and not much aguacate y crema which is my favorite part of a burrito. I also got a margarita which was okay. I'm not sure what "wine based" means but it was a pretty decent margarita. My boyfriend got the pan con pavo and it was amazing!! I haven't had that before and I was pleased. The other small negative was I think Kaliente could benefit from some light music inside. read more

I stopped by while I was in town and I got the fish tacos and they were so delicious! I was nervous to try this place because it didn't have the highest yelp rating, but I have no idea why... I'm latina myself and I say this place is 10 out of 10 read more

So so dissapointed. This used to be our spot to go to when I first moved to the East Bay. Now that they changed ownerships the Pupusas are just not the same. This was my 2nd time ordering from here and I have to say what a huge dissapointment of the quality and taste of the pupusas. I ordered to go: 3 pupusas of cheese and 3 of chicharon with cheese and a side of rice. When I got home I noticed they didn't even put my side of rice which I got charged for and then when I cut my pupusas there was nothing but chicharon and they tasted so dry, I do not know if they forgot to add cheese or put a small amount of cheese that I did not taste it I will definitely never order from here again. You can also tell the business is not the same because it's so lonely inside. I will stick to just going to Xinas Bakery down the block. read more