Stopped here while passing by. I was hungry and just wanted…read moresomething quick but fresh. The pupusas were delicious. I wish I would have tried the plantains. I am not from the area but will definitely be back as I'm still thinking about them a day later.

If you want to find 2 in of wrapped paper towel or some type of paper good in your c u r t i d o,…read morethis is the place to go. The pupusa was absolutely delicious but halfway through enjoying the c u r t i d o, I started chewing on something tough. I thought it was just part of the Cabbage core but then realized after I spat it out that it was some type of paper good, up here to be a world of paper towel. Disgusting. I didn't mind waiting 15 minutes for a fresh pupusa, but the young woman working at the counter could not have been less friendly. I waited around for my small order and she never bothered to speak with me, not one word. Young people need to learn people skills, like being friendly and personable to your paying patrons.

I drove by here and was so excited to see a pupusa shop! The store is small, only about 50 seats…read more It was very busy when I went there for a weekend night to get take out. I should have ordered ahead as it appeared many people did. None the less I am very happy with the wait! The service was great and they were very helpful with recommendations. I feel like pupusas are meant to be kept simple and they mean a lot to me. They are made to order and you can tell by the quality. The Revuelta has a lot of delicious fat and salt from the pork. It's a grounded pork. It combines really well with the beans and cheese. It has a very unique flavor profile. I can see why it's so popular. The Frijol and Queso was my absolute favorite. SO creamy!! I love the thickness of the maiz. And it wasn't too oily! My favorite part was the cabbage salad. It is slightly fermented. It kind of resembles a very very mild kimchi or sauerkraut. Super flavorful and bright. I thought the bag of red sauce would be spicy but it's actually quite sweet. It pairs perfectly with the pupusas. It is tomato based. I always feel very healthy after eating El Salvadoran food. I especially felt great after eating here. The quality and balance is all there.

This is the place if you are patient and have extra time. They take a LONG time as most items are…read moremade to order, especially the pupusas. I don't like that none of their prices are listed, probably because it is a bit overpriced. The pupusas were pretty good and I appreciate that they have a spicy sauce option, since most places only offer the traditional tomato sauce.

Super authentic Salvadoran food with great prices and friendly service! Even had special vegetarian…read moretwists on classic dishes. Highly recommended!

I ordered a papusa, fried bananas, a tamale, and horchata. The food was very, very greasy, which…read morewas odd. I would never have considered Salvadoran food greasy before. I'm married to a man from El Salvador, so I know Salvadoran food. The horchata was brown and did not taste like horchata. They probably sent me the wrong drink... I didn't drink it.

Delicious pupusas. I tried the loroco & cheese. I ordered the combo and it came with sausage,…read morebeans, cream and plantains. Plenty of seating and parking. They also had the soccer game on which was a plus!

I went to this place to try Chilate with Nuegados but the plátanos is con miel had a really bad…read moretaste so I call the waitress and ask him if they can give more nuegados and take away the plantain that taste really bad like spoil old food ! So the guy told me they were cook in the morning and I was there like 7:30 p.m so I told them that please give me another order or nuegados cause those taste fresh and he told me that the plantain where in the order so I have to pay them . I ask the guy where is a manager or owner and he act like didn't heard me . I told him I will pay them but I don't want them , then the guys was happy about it ? But this is sad to pay for a food that it tastes like old bananas or plantain. it was a really sad experience . They don't want to be responsible for a bad food they sale ? Is our money , our hard work , and if we desire to try something that you don't cook at home , it should be worth your money right ? I feel very disappointed and sad . I think I will never go back to that place ! My apologies to the owners of this place but the guys that works there don't care about making people feel happy about your food . They don't care about clients , they just want to make their hours and leave . I hope they make it better one day . We are Salvadorian and we should be more kind to people . We are human beings you know ! So sorry for saying all this but it has to be said . Thank you

I've been coming here for years, and it's a fantastic mom-and-pop spot for delicious homemade…read morepupusas. The restaurant itself is a bit run-down and small, so I usually order takeout. The food is always packaged well and still warm by the time I get home. The bean and cheese pupusas are a 10/10, perfectly cooked, flavorful, and generously sized. The curtido is the perfect complement and really brings the whole meal together. The caldo de res is another standout. The portion is large enough for two meals and comes with all the traditional accompaniments, including freshly made tortillas. If you're looking for authentic comfort food and great value and sweet attentive owners, this place is definitely worth a visit.

Goat birriera = delicious x2…read more Good service clean and reasonably priced Would come back for sure

Amazing Salvadoran Experience in Santa Ana!…read more I had one of the best meals I've had in Orange County at this Salvadorian spot! From the moment I walked in, the aroma of authentic pupusas and traditional dishes made my mouth water. Every bite was bursting with flavor -- the pupusas were perfectly handmade, fresh, and cheesy, and the tamales were rich and satisfying. The portions were generous, and the prices were more than fair for the quality of food you get. The staff were welcoming, attentive, and truly passionate about the food they serve. It's clear they care about giving customers a real taste of Salvadoran cuisine -- I'll definitely be coming back soon and bringing friends to share this hidden gem. Highly recommend if you love authentic Latin flavors and great service!

The food here is good been here twice but today the place was already packed to begin with, and…read morethey keep taking orders to go for so many which made the food take longer to the people already waiting inside to eat they took forever to bring my eggs which I had asked before if was going to take long and then said no so I said okay I waited 30 mins and still they brought no eggs so I got up to ask if they were going to take longer to cancel my order which she immediately cancel I'm assuming she forgot about it. Which would've been fine but I think if there under staff they should've be taking so many orders they can't handle some guy was told 1 hour for just a bread with beans and to top it off the wait was ridiculous and they have no public restroom for the costumers and the people working there this lady with blonde hair just seems so annoyed to be working there.

Majorly moist tamales! I can't even decide which are my favorite...the green sauced chicken, the…read morered sauced shredded beef, and pork are all equally deliciously! The corn, strawberry and pineapple are also really good. And thankfully they are labeled, that way if you get a dozen to take home, you are left guessing which is which. I also tried the menudo, which is only served on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The flavor is excellent and includes limes, seasoning, and tortillas. The place is small, but very cute inside. From the outside it looks like a hole in the wall, but behind the doors it's like a little cafe. They even have two designated parking spots right in front of the entrance. There are several tables inside, and a coffee bar with sugar packets and honey. Next time I will have to try their horchata, and champurado. So looking forward to another flavorful meal here!

Hidden gem for tamales! The last time I ordered tamales from here was back in 2021 during Covid. I…read morealways knew it was in Orange and I happened to be in the area so decided to give it a try. It's located in a strip mall and nicely updated inside. I originally had my mind set on an elote and pork tamale, but they were out of elote so I decided to try a breakfast burrito and pork tamale. - breakfast burrito has beans, rice, chorizo and egg and was good. It paired well with the salsa included. - pork tamale - just as I remembered - their tamales are the best in the area. Nice and juicy and full of flavor. It's a party in your mouth. I think the one thing that won me over was the kindness of the gentleman taking my order. He was helpful and humble. I'll be back - but next time I'll order my elote tamale in advance.

Found this place a little while back and honestly so glad that I did…read more Food is fresh. Quite an eclectic menu with items I don't typically see at other places. They have the huitalacoche (corn fungus) quesadilla that I really enjoy as well as their pupusa loroco y queso. Trying out their Lengua taco and taco jaracho which I have been eyeing for a while. All their food is tasty, made fresh. All bursting with flavor. Salsa bar is probably one of my favorites having literally a salsa made for every kind of taste bud. Don't let the small restaurant deceive you. Small restaraunt but with bit flavors. The tortilla made with the quesadilla is nice and soft but with a good chew to it. Tastes like a homemade corn tortilla versus flour. The cheese is rich and has a wonderful pull to it. The lengua is extremely tender, little skimpy on meat portion, but overall good taco. The jarocho taco which is basically a shrimp taco on a cheese crusted tortilla is excellent. Service is what you would expect at a ma and pop shop. The cashier was patient enough to explain to me what a jarocho taco was and also spoke English which was nice for me. Last time I dined I just used butchered Spanish and got by with that but thats on me with practicing more Spanish.

(I came been coming here on consistent basis for the last 6 months and I feel its finally time for…read morea review, I guess i cant keep this to myself any longer, Last revisit on February 03 2026) Some places don't announce themselves... they whisper to the people who are meant to find them. El Habanero is that kind of spot  the ultimate hidden gem. You walk in expecting a quick bite and somehow leave feeling like you discovered a secret the city has been quietly protecting. I ordered the carne asada torta and immediately realized this wasn't just a sandwich  this was architecture. The bread? Perfectly toasted, soft inside with just enough crisp to hold the universe together. It cradles everything like it knows how important its job is. Then the carne asada shows up  tender, juicy, smoky, and seasoned like someone's abuela personally supervised the grill. Every bite releases layers: char, citrus, salt, and warmth all hitting at once. The toppings don't just sit there either they collaborate. Creamy, fresh, bright, and balanced so the meat stays the star while everything else plays the perfect supporting role. The sauces? I'm convinced they bend time, because the torta disappears way faster than logic allows. This isn't just food  it's the kind of meal that makes you pause mid-bite and look around to see if anyone else realizes what just happened. El Habanero didn't just make a torta... they made a reason to come back.