I'd give it more stars but the price increases are killer for such a small restaurant. I've been to sit down restaurants that aren't as expensive. As far as the food goes: Sopa de gallina - tastes delicious but too much chayote. Pupusas: very generous with the cheese but super super greasy The breakfast: That's a joke, what you get and the price. The eggs were small, the avocado not so fresh. Overall, decent food but definitely too expensive read more

Excellent Pupusas the best pupusas so far I ate and also nice service . Ambiance super fun

Excellent servicio, excellent atencion, la comida super deliciosa la recomiendo, las pupusas de queso son unicas

I visited Melys Pupuseria in Pasadena, CA, today for a quick early dinner before getting on the road back to San Diego. After talking with the owner,Alicia, I was convinced to slow down, relax and eat here. I'm so glad I did. The atmosphere was perfect. Not overdone, personal and welcoming. The service was quick and friendly. Lots of smiles. Now for the food! The sayings," made with love" and "pride in ownership" come to mind. Everything was fresh and authentic. The beans and rice with a hint of coconut and the perfectly spiced pork pupusa were incredible. The chicken empanadas were stuffed with chicken, fresh and delicious. They've only been at this location next to In and Out for three weeks. Please come and keep this gem open! read more

Melys Pupuseria - Salvadoran Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Food is good they just need to work on customer service then this place would be a five star place

Very authentic and fresh I wish I didn't live so far because I would definitely come here often. Great food great service. The place is a little small inside not very much seating but they do have extra seating outside. read more

Best Pupusa ever! This was a weekly spot for my family! We are looking for a replacement in Long Beach but we haven't found anything remotely as good!! I will It's his place daily. read more

We came here, my husband and I, on our way to Salinas as we hadn't had time to eat yet, and we were in the mood for Salvadoran food. When we got there it was not as busy, we ordered our food and waited. The guy at the register was NOT friendly at all, never gave us our drinks until I asked which is annoying because most restaurants give them without me having to ask. He never gave us how long it would take. Gave other orders to go before us. I was cordial and thanked him. He never said thank you, or you're welcome, just okay, and the girl and cook were in the back, joking around, laughing. They weren't as busy, so the service we received wasn't necessary. Imagine when they are busy and how they would treat you. Avoid this place and go somewhere else. They don't care about customer service here. read more

I've tried many pupuserias in town but hands down this is the best place. I ordered 10 pupusas and they were all gone!

The food is great here! My go to pupusa and plátano place. 10/10. Very sensible and peaceful environment.

This place honestly deserves 0 stars but Yelp does not give that option. You tell them specifically what you want to order and they always mess up your order and especially for the price is way too overpriced! They charge you for a box to go without telling you and a 75¢ card charge. My opinion is this place is not worth it one bit. You're better off going to "Llego El Sabor" up north on Lake. read more

Delicious large portion chicharron pupusas. It's a little pricey but worth it for a treat when you're in the mood for some Salvadoran pupusas. read more

After months without coming here I'm happy to see how much this place has improved everything, better food, better service, super kind people and the food is the best and most original food in California!!! read more

Melys Pupuseria - Everything is so good - Salvadoran Near Me - Pasadena, California

Come if you want to wait 45 min for 3 popusas and a lobby filled with Uber eats and door dash drivers waiting for their order. It's a small family business so I can't be that critical of them but if you want food plan to place you're order 1 hr ahead. Honestly just go somewhere else These other reviews don't lie read more

Overall score - 8/ 10 Food quality score - 8/10 Packaging / sustainability score - 7/10 Vegan / vegetarian friendliness score - 8/10 Customer service score - 8/10 Budget friendly score - 10/10 Would I go back? - yes, rly great pupusas in old Pasadena location Nom nom nommmm. Sometimes I craveee Central American food and I love pupusas. This place is convenient, a couple of miles from my house. I got one of the bean and cheese and zucchini and cheese pupusas each, which comes with the obligatory side of pickled cabbage / carrots and red sauce. Also sprung for the 500ml Coca Cola in a bottle. Total cost - $10.58 (this amount includes the $0.15 charge for to-go orders, and $0.75 charge for using a credit card). Even though the $0.15 charge is most likely to help cover their packaging costs, I like that it encourages people to eat in at the restaurant, and thus decreases the amount of packaging. Bean and cheese pupusa is my favorite...cooked and crisped to such perfection the cheese leaks out of the pupusa and browns nicely. Such great consistency and textures to these pupusas - thick, chewy, crispy on the outside, and freshly homemade. Red sauce and slaw is on point too. The zucchini and cheese wasn't my favorite - I got the vegetable and cheese last time I went here, and I liked that better read more

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I've been here a few times and I do agree with a lot of the reviews that they need help in the service department. It's a small place with only a few tables and usually only one cashier. Our last experience here was no bueno. I didn't mind slow service, but it was difficult to communicate with the lady. FYI, their horchata is terrible. I don't really know what's wrong with it, it just doesn't taste good at all. She tried to tell me because it wasn't stirred, but I don't really know. The pupusas were good. I only have had the pork and cheese ones. It's cheap, and size is large. Comes with the normal accompaniments like Curtido and the hot sauce. Their plantains with cream and beans were decent, I don't think you could really go wrong with it. And carne asada tacos were surprisingly delicious (and cheap too). So, overall, food is good but service subpar. read more

Melys Pupuseria - Plantains! - Salvadoran Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Amazing food and beautiful place. The food is so authentic and very good. The owner is so sweet and took care of us so well. She was the best and I recommend everyone to come here for best authentic food. read more

Been coming to Melys for a while now and even though we are a fan of their pupusas, today that was not the case. The pupusas were big in size but they were mostly just masa (flour). I would prefer them to be medium size but filled with the condiments vs be an oversized tortilla with a small amount of queso. read more

I've gone here multiple times and I love it!!! It's sort of a hole in the wall shop that is super small but such a gem. I go here for their pupusas but I have tried a couple of their other menu items. The space: parking is limited but you can easily find street parking. The store is really small and can not fit many people. To-go is a good option! The food: the pupusas are huge. My stomach speaks for me and it's always wrong when it comes to Melys. I tell myself I'm super hungry so I should get 3-4 pupusas but then I'm only able to eat 2. They're that big! I like their pork and cheese pupusa the most. Their ensalada drink is nice and sweet. I've had their potato tacos and have enjoyed those as well. The only reason why I'm giving them a 4/5 rating instead of a 5/5 is because the last time I went, my friend found a small piece of metal in his burrito. It sort of looked similar to those wool brush sponges. It was really unappealing and he couldn't finish his food after seeing it. I was kind of scared too. We informed the cashier who apologized profusely. She offered to give him another meal but he just asked for a discount. When we were rung up, she apologized again and did not charge us for his burrito. I am sure it was a one time thing and I'd probably still come back here read more

Melys Pupuseria - Salvadoran Near Me - Pasadena, California

I went in this afternoon to pick up some food and I'm very happy I did. Each plate was delicious and the service was quick and efficient. I will be recommending this place to everyone I know. Alan read more

This is my favorite Salvadoran restaurant!! I'm always ordering from here. They make my favorite Salvadoran dishes and pupusas! Plus the service is 10/10 read more

Melys Pupuseria - This is my favorite salvadoran restaurant. They make one of the best salvadoran breakfasts and pupusas. Plus the service here is 10/10 - Salvadoran Near Me - Pasadena, California

It's super tasty here! The service is also perfect, they really went above and beyond to accommodate me with substitutions since l'm vegan and l'm super grateful. I will defy continue ordering from here. They're pupusas are so delicious I love their tradition and their rice options. read more

Melys Pupuseria - Salvadoran Near Me - Pasadena, California

I'm have been WAITING for Mely's to open. I used to work on a food truck with a woman that made authentic papusas and have spent the last 13 years looking for some that are as good. I HAVE FOUND THEM!!! These are fantastic. NOT greasy. Perfect balance of of items you pick for inside. Just the right amount of dough/stuffing. Fresh. The portion of cabbage they have on the side is just right. And they were bigger than I expected. I would have been filled with just one but.... When it's this good you eat two! I prefer fresh brewed iced tea. They did not have any made but were ready to brew up a batch just for me if that was what I wanted. I was impressed and decided to save them all that extra work. Can't wait to try their other menu items! They had nice outdoor seating. Parking spots specifically for them so you won't have to fight with In & Out peeps next door. read more

The food is excellent, as the service! They even had a live Flamenco show, a great place!

Authentic Central American food in this area! The service is fast and the staff is super friendly. The ambiance gives you a true Central American restaurant. I come here quarterly minimum , great food!! read more

this place is a joke ! I called just to ask if the pickled vegetables come included to door dash or if I have to order it separately from the papusas . guy hung up on me & then I call back n he's only speaking Spanish trying to act stupid: how wierd ! I was gonna order over 50$ worth of papusad for me and my team ! lost a customer read more

Do not order from here! I was the only customer in the place and waited 30 min for a burrito. The workers didn't acknowledge me or say sorry. On top of that the girl over charged me and accused me of paying with credit card (they charge extra for credit card purchases). I told her I paid with cash and showed her the change. She gave me attitude on top of everything and accused me of lying! Not recommended to come here! read more

Just went to the new location. Small but clean and inviting. The pupusas were made to order, large and very delicious. We will definitely be a regular. Easy parking in back. read more

A local "dive" worth checking out. Good quality food, but customer service & accuracy needs a bit of work. I ordered a pupusa and two enchilada plates. When the food came out, there was only one enchilada. Not a huge deal, but I was in a hurry and could not wait for an additional to be made. The gentleman serving me seemed apathetic about the mix-up. read more

Llame para hacer una orden 15 minutos antes de que cerraran, y la cajera María José me atendió con una actitud negativa. Al final de la orden me colgó el teléfono. Luego nos cobraron por unos plátanos con todo, cuando nosotros sólo pedimos el plátano y el frijol. Solemos frecuentar este lugar pero debido a la mala atención al cliente uno ya ni disfruta la comida pues con temor de que le hayan escupido a la comida. La atención al cliente es muy mala! read more

The pupusas were so authentic and so flavorful. Not greasy at all and totally made with tons of love & care. Highly recommend stopping by and trying this gem when in town. Thanks for the great experience Rosa!!! ​ read more

Pupusas were worth the wait to eat them! Had the shrimp&cheese, pork&cheese, pork&beans, zucchini&cheese and all were oh so good! Horchata was very good as well. The best part was the Maranyon (cashew apple fruit) drink! Sooo good!!! read more

Melys Pupuseria - Pupusas - Salvadoran Near Me - Pasadena, California

Delicious food, great service, although the wait time for a order is a little long. The deliciousness of the food makes up for that. Overall great atmosphere with both a place to eat inside and outside. read more

Love this place! Super delicious and clean! Not too many Salvadoran places in Pasadena but came here from La Caravana since I found bugs in my food last time. This place is clean and super delicious! read more

Bad experience in this place... 1st Pupusas are too pricey for the quality. 2nd Terrible... Terrible Service!!! if you visit salvadorean restaurants you will notice service is not their best skill. So this waitress was number one in terrible service. I say Hi good morning, she just ignored me after she took my order, I said thank you no answer again. Every time I said thank you, no answer. Then when I finished my coffe I waited 20 mins I've finished my pupusas no refill. I walked to the counter I asked her do you have refills or I need to pay for another coffe? Then she said ohhh do you wanted more coffe I did not know that (she never asked me) I just smiled at her then I said nevermind. I asked for my bill and left. Never ever come back to this place. read more

My favorite local pupusería! Delicious fresh pupusas that are well priced as well. Love the plátanos fritos with beans and cream. Definitely recommend! read more

This place makes some amazing authentic pupusas! The bean and cheese is a must make sure to call ahead as everything is made fresh to order. read more

Melys Pupuseria - Pupusas - Salvadoran Near Me - Pasadena, California

The craft of the popusas is something. You can tell it comes from alot of experience. Well seasoned and it taste as though you're getting a insight if their culture and how it should taste. The prices are bit higher than most popusa places coming in at $4.50, as compared to most selling it for around $3.50-.75. If they're going to charge more, atleast invest more money into remodeling the place up. It's aesthetically more run down and needs a bit more investing into reviving the place up. Also they should advise people if there's surcharges instead of seeing a $4.50 surcharge for a side of sour cream. The size of popusas was rather small compared to what you pay for. But the taste of it its there, the garnish that goes on top was rather bland but the actual food was good. read more

Great food, Great Service , Great ambience. I went there I was starving, when I left there I was full and happy. read more

Melys Pupuseria - Pupusas - Salvadoran Near Me - Pasadena, California

Everything here is so delicious. I come here weekly for my papusa and sope. All of their food is made fresh to order. Not canned food. Whole beans. Whole tomatoes. You can hear them making the papusa. Be prepared to wait an average of 20-30 minutes per order. The food is made so fresh so it takes time and they are busy. I usually catch up with my NetFlix or YouTube. Or I order in advance. The staff is extremely friendly and parking is in the rear. Their Horchata is delicious if you like that homemade taste. The owner is very hands on and nice and you will always leave happy and full. read more