Typically I enjoy restaurants like this but not on this occasion. I had a breakfast burrito and it was horrible. The food was spoiled so I'm hoping it was just a bad day. I'll go back in support of a business like this but it won't be for a while. read more

Unfortunately, the covid crisis must have gutted the restaurant, because on my first visit back since before covid, it was a changed place. There are no "deals," no taco platters (tacos are not even listed on the overhead menu!), no red or green sauces are provided, and there's no water dispenser, so either pay for bottled water or go without. I ordered refried beans with my meal and got what looked like a cup of brown pudding, lukewarm, without a single bean. On the other hand, the place was not crowded at lunchtime like it used to be, I think that reflects the higher prices, which are becoming unaffordable for this area. read more

My favorite store in st Paul mn. Miss them so much now that I'm in Oklahoma. Miss the friendly faces

$1 tacos on Tuesdays but they only offer steak or chicken. Both were kind of underwhelming as far as tacos go. The beans were amazing though. I have a feeling they had a LOT of fat in them though because no bean on it's own tastes that good. Also, fried plantains! A bit expensive, but delicious! read more

A delightful surprise. On my way to Woodbury, saw a sign that states taco platter $4.99. I was hungry and can't say no to fresh taco. The restaurant is situated within the back of a grocery store. There are enough seats for 20 people, it's cute and a classic family run shop. Price: you can't go wrong with 3 tacos, rice and beans for $5. Simple ingredients prepared straight forward. The tortillas were made fresh since I saw a lady in the back grilled them in the back. It has a nice cheewy yet crunchy texture. The beef was marinated with salt, pepper, cilantro and lemon juice. The combination of onion, more cilantro, and the red and green sauce was sublime. I didn't eat the rice since I'm trying to stay away from the carbs. The best part of the meal was the bean. It's weird for me to conceptualize and get excited over beans. But yet, these beans had some great depth of flavors. You could taste the pork flavor, cumin, and oregano that has been soaked into the beans. It was good enough that I ordered an extra portion to go. Damm, it was good!!!! Life is strange sometimes; I've been disappointed on various occasions dining at high end establishments, yet only to be swept off my feet as something as simple as beans!!! If you're driving on east 94 in downtown St. Paul, get off the 7th exist and make your way to this gem!!!! read more

Supermercado la Palma - Wednesday taco platter special $5: - Grocery Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

Very racially profiling, I sent my son there to got some snacks. My son came back tells me that some guy ask him "Are you stealing" my son said no, I have my moms card to pay but decided to keep following him in the store until he went up to the register. I asked what he look like so I can go to the store to talk to him, when I got there and ask one of the employees, she said it was the owner but it's here now. Never given my money there. Zero for stars read more

the ladies that work here, that are at the register along with the man named Luis are racist. not only did they talk among themselves in Spanish about my husband calling him a monkey. but they got upset when he told them that he understood them and called over this Luis guy and what did he do nothing. he made it seem like we wanted the food for free and we didn't the payment no this was done wrong and we just wanted a refund to charge the correct card but what was the problem was his employees and the whole time my husband is speaking to Luis he had his hand on his gun just ready. don't go here if you are black or don't speak Spanish because not only do they get away with their behavior but you might end up getting shot at for defending yourself. I guarantee you that 9 times out of 10 they are talking about you. read more

Love this place! Food is all very authentic Salvadoran food! Love the pupusas are amazing! I've also had and enjoyed very much the beans and rice, tacos, and not sure what they do to their refried beans, but they are to die for!!! Go check it out - LOVE IT!!! read more

Supermercado la Palma - Beef tacos, delicious! - Grocery Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

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Great value for money at the cafe. Little hole on the wall cafe that has affordable prizes. If you like Salvadoran food this and Mañana restaurant are food options. read more

Supermercado la Palma - a view of a restaurant counter - Grocery Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

Doordash driver. Slow AF. Waited over 20 mInutes for the food that was supposed to be ready on arrival. Not the end of the world but holy shit I'm trying to make a living and the customers are getting served left and right while I sit here waiting like an asshole losing out on other delivery opportunities. read more

Decided to check out this place based on the reviews. I ordered take out. The three taco meal was average. They were not shy on the meat for sure. The two taco sauce were flavorful. I decided to order two pupusas. Pork with cheese. It's my 1st time trying pupusas- I thought they were good. Although, i prefer the tacos. Customer service was okay. When we got there, two other customers jumped ahead of us as if we were not in line. We assumed they were regulars. The food took a bit to come out but since we were not in a rush we did not mind. Overall rating average. read more

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I waited for 1/2 hr for tamales. I ordered to-go at 1202 pm for a dozen tamales and 8 pupusas, and they forgot about me even though I was standing by their register drinking my horchata with my daughter drinking her lime Jarrito. I understand there being a lunch rush but they literally didn't even put in my order. I received COLD tamales and had to reheat them at home. Not a satisfied customer and will not be returning. Which is a shame because I do enjoy their pupusas. read more

Went for dollar tacos have never had an issue . They must have gotten a new cook because there tacos where terrible . Flavorless steak wasn't cooked . Tacos had more vegetables than meat . I feel sick . This place is terrible . After read more

Supermercado la Palma - Look how poorly they put the tacos together - Grocery Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

First of all - not Mexican food. Jeez - get it right. I mean it even says Salvadorean on the yelp page! Not every brown person from south of the United States is Mexican and not all food from Spanish speaking countries is Mexican food. If you don't come with these assumptions you'll save yourself a lot of trouble and have an unforgettable meal. This is Salvadorean food - so for beginners get the Pan con Pollo. The top dog of all Central American sandwiches. Delicious moist chicken, toppings piled up so high that they practically dare you to smash the thing into a sandwich that can be consumed with two hands (it cannot - use a knife and fork)- salsa and oh that creamy mayo. The market is awesome and a lifesaver in a metro area bereft of Latin groceries. Old school meat counter where you can get fresh or marinated cuts. Very fresh produce with a great variety of fruits and vegetables that can be hard to find elsewhere. read more

Nice small restaurant in the back of a well stocked Latino grocery store. Was here for breakfast- made from scratch, had the Divorciados- 2 eggs, red & green sauce, refried beans, avocado, fresh cheese, tortillas for $8. A good meal to start a snowy day! They also do take-out and catering! read more

I've tried their asada tacos (steak) and chicken enchiladas which come with rice and beans on the side - they were not good, believe me! If you want to try authentic Mexican food, do not come here. There are better options in the Cities for that. I have also tried their pupusas revueltas (mozarella cheese, pork and refried beans) which come with curtido (cabagge topping) and extra mild salsa on the side (wish it was spicier) - they are to die for!!!! HIGHLY RECOMMEND THEIR PUPUSAS! They're my favorite Salvadoran food and will be yours too once you come to this spot to try them out! Sincerely, Mexican guy in love with Pupusas read more

Friendly, clean and nice. The music can be a bit much, even for the semi hispanic in me. I've yet to try the cafe but it is always packed. Got some decent meat here and stocked up on supplies. I find myself going to burrito mercado more often...if only for the aesthetic and better vegetable selection. read more

Supermercado la Palma - Grocery Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

This was the worst Mexican food I've ever had in my entire life. I ordered a simple Veggie Burrito and my wife had the Steak&Shrimp Fajitas. My Veggie Burrito was flavorless and the steak in my wife's Fajitas was practically all gristle. Our food was too expensive for being such bad quality and took forever to be served. You could taste that the beans came from a can. My wife and I were so disappointed with our meal that we were both in bad moods for the rest of the day. We talked about how we wished Chef Gordon Ramsey would show up to this place and curse them out for the terrible disaster they call food. After eating there today, my torso feels like it should be in an episode of Law and Order. Ever seen the Movie ALIEN? Yeah, that's what I feel like. read more

The cafe inside this store makes some amazing food. I had pupusas for the first time and fell in love. What an amazing food experience. Great prices, lots of food and great flavors. Tacos were also great and I can't say I have had a better Gordita. It was an amazing meal. This is a must try restaurant. read more

The menu shows vegetarian items, yet when I ordered I was told they offered only meat dishes. Really, what meat is in a corn tamale? I was actually turned away. No thanks! read more

I totally love their shrimp tacos and their burrito combo. Of course I ordered my burrito with shrimp as my meat choice. The portion was great. The flavors were delicious and the prices here are vey decent. This place has got my taste buds wanting to come back everyday. Damn, now I am hungry. read more

To all of you, this is not a Mexican restaurant so don't expect to get good Mexican food, but if you are trying to get Salvadorian food from El Salvador, well this is the right place. Pupusas are the best dish that you can get here but also the food in the deli is really good the wait is a little big longer but the food is fresh and it feels like homemade food. read more

I'm really trying hard to write shorter reviews, but brevity just isn't my long suit. Guess we'll see how I do this time.. First point - this isn't a Mexican place. The folks who run La Palma are primarily Salvadoran, and their menu offerings reflect this fact. Naturally, Salvadoran food does share a great deal in common with Mexican, but they have their own take on a number of dishes - and offer several things you'll just not find in a typical (Tex) Mex or Mexi-Cali eatery. Like what, you ask? Like pupusas, I reply. What's a pupusa? It's a somewhat thick, corn masa pancake that's filled with any number of different meats and/or cheeses, and frequently a combination of several. They are traditionally served with a two-part condiment of mildly picked shredded cabbage (think Central American cole slaw) and a thin, runny tomato sauce. The idea is to use the sauce as a dressing for the cabbage - adding it just prior to eating. (If the two were mixed beforehand, the acids in the tomato sauce would soon wilt the cabbage into an unappetizing pulp). So which kind should you order? I'd suggest the *ready* kind; just ask what's in the pupusas-of-the-moment and call a yea / nay on it. The best I've had so far were filled with a mixture of veal, pork and cheese. This advice holds for the place in general - in my experience, unless you have some time on your hands, you're best off ordering right from the cafeteria line, on your way to the cash register. This isn't to say that I haven't enjoyed several wonderful meals prepared-to-order, just that you're going to wait a while if that's what you'd like to do. On the upside, when I have had to wait for my food, the food both appeared and tasted unhurried - and came out piping hot. Having said this, there are so many great, ready-to-consume options, that this isn't much of an issue. But I do hope that they eventually find a way to streamline their kitchen operations, as the menu is quite large, and offers quite a few dishes that I've simply never encountered before - and they call to me, every time I visit.. Because the food, here at Cafe La Palma, is fabulous! Everything I've seen, smelled, tasted or touched has come across as highly authentic and very much home-made-y. My advice? If it looks good, it IS good - you'll love it, and you'll have plenty of it. If you're unsure, don't be shy - ask for a little sample, and they'll come through for you. The portions are full-days-work generous, and only once have I been able to finish off everything put in front of me in a single sitting. Plain and simple, this place sets out some really serious grub. Prices are quite reasonable, though a few of those mysterious menu offerings, some with lovely photos, do rise into the $10-15 range. My only potential gripe with this place is the language barrier issue - which is not so bad, really, but I do sense that it's limiting my full enjoyment of everything they have to offer - and has resulted in a couple of screw-ups that proved somewhat tedious to correct. 4/5 stars for fab food served by friendly people, and a menu that has something for everyone. read more

I am going to be honest, I got food poisoning from the food there a few days ago. Avoid this place! Cheap Mexican food that made me ill!

This place tends to get ignored when people rave about the gentrification and food establishments on Payne Ave. Unfair. It's a unique, yummy restaurant. Best bets: The pupusas and their "buffet" sort of offerings right at the register. For around $8 you can choose several items including unique meats, stews and vegetables. There is a small bit of a language barrier, but not too bad. It's in the back of a market, so space is limited, and it's not fancy or anything. I've been here several times, though, and it's always been yummy. read more

Fast service but low quality food. Made us pretty sick. Do not order the quesadillas! The cheese is too much and gut retching! Did not sit well with us. Don't know if it was old or what... read more

Just Like a Cafe in Mexico and not the Tourist parts! great Authentic Mexican Food with the feel of being in a neighborhood cafe in Mexico a Must Try! read more

Great little Salvadoran place at the back of a grocery store. We usually get them via delivery service. The Mexican options are pretty good, but the Salvadoran plates are where they shine. Great pupusas and the yuca and fried pork can't be beat. read more

I go there when coming off my Ramadan fast as I'm hungry as heck and find good things to eat especially the Chorizo. Russ... Minnesota

Tuesday is dollar taco day!! So I ordered for pick up so I don't have to wait lol. I ordered 15 tacos. I went home and opened up the bag and counted 12. So I was short 3 smh. I had gotten steak tacos and it was perfectly seasoned. They use to have a menu, but for some reason they don't anymore. They have other items that is on the warmer that you can pick from. The restaurant is in the back of the grocery store. It's not to big. Probably fits fifty people. I'm only giving them a two star rating due to the fact that the first time I came I ordered ten and they said they had to ring me up by five, which did not make any sense. I basically just paid tax twice. This time I was only charged one time, but was short three tacos. So that's why they got a two star. But for the tacos. I'll give them a four for taste. I'll probably be back to try the other items that was on the warmer, which looked like stews, but if I order tacos to go. I'm gonna make sure they have the correct amount before I head home. read more

I still love this little hole in the wall place. I've eaten hear manny many times and just really like the food.

GREEN SAUCE! LIKE EL TRIUMFO IN NORTHFIELD, MN!!!! lovelovelove Really cheap, really good,awesome food. Pupusas + fried plantains less than $7 (apparently you can't use the less than sign in Yelp reviews. What's up with that???) Full meal. YUM read more

Went there for dinner tonight. We will be back. Was a bit confusing on where to order. Had both menus and a board. Food was wonderful but I am not sure what I ate. read more

I can not believe that after waiting 25 minutes to get 4 taco i had to go back to the cashier and ask what was the problem. I watched them serve about 5-10 ppl in the time i waited on my food. I don't patronize this place because this isn't the first time this has happened. But i was running late for work and needed to eat something quick. I decided to go against my better judgement. I will be reporting this to bureau of better business. read more

I really like this place !! My girlfriend wanted to eat Italian next door at Yarusso's next door, which is an awesome resturant, but I was in the mood for authentic Mexican and this place was great for it. Here is a photo of an awesome meal I ate there... http://www.flickr.com/photos/8394561@N02/5535481009/in/photostream [http://www.flickr.com/photos/8394561@N02/5535481009/in/photostream] read more

The Cafe La Palma staff is really nice, and it is a fun, light atmosphere for lunch. Their pupusas are delicious and, if you are lucky, you can catch a soccer match on their large TVs too. I work for a non-profit, and the Cafe has donated to our neighborhood events as well--so they care about the community (I always love giving a shout out for businesses that get involved). I'll definitely continue to give them my business! read more

I ordered food and never got it. Waited 28 minutes. They wouldn't give me a full refund. They never explained what happened or apologized. I got a partial refund, as they charged me for a coke while I waited. They might have comped the pop for the inconvenience. I never got my food, an explanation or an apology. They were really busy and appeared to be screwing up other orders and making people wait. They're not really good at being busy, but trust me when I tell you that they way I was treated was particularly bad. I suggested this place to others in the past, as well. Never again. I will not be going back. I do not suggest this place, especially if you think you might have somewhere to be within the next 60 minutes or if you might like to receive food when you pay money for it. Plopping some spanish rice that had been languishing under the heat lamp for a few hours on to a tray is not terribly challenging, and when you can't do it. an explanation or apology should be offered to paying customers. I got nothing from this visit except a feeling that we are all alone in a wicked universe being sneered at by uncaring teenagers when all we wanted were two pupusas. Such a simple order. I had to get satisfaction by going for pupusas at a much better establishment that cared about my business. If you go here to the lunch counter, which is what it is, pay attention to how long it takes. If it takes longer than 15 minutes. I would say you're not getting the food you paid for and you should ask for your money back. It's simply not worth the trouble to deal with the staff. Don't waste your time otherwise and do not come here if you have any expectations of speed of service or if you have somewhere to be within the next hour. read more