Restaurants in Western El Salvador
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Paso de Alaska
This good, friendly restaurant is located in Los Naranjos, El Salvador's highest town, in the shadow of Volcán Santa Ana and at the top of a scenic mountain pass between Santa Ana and Sonsonate (Hwy CA-12). The climate is cool, and you can see all the way to the ocean from the upper-level dining area. Hamburgers and sandwiches leave something to be desired - better to go with a typical lunch plate, like a quarter chicken with rice and garlic bread. Follow signs from the highway.
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Tienda San José
Inside this ordinary chips-and-soda minimart hides a surprisingly pleasant dining area with a sunflower motif and picnic tables. Friendly service and large plates of well-prepared típica make this a good choice. In the evening it becomes a popular meeting spot for locals and travelers alike.
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Taquería La Guadalupana
Classics like tacos al pastor (seasoned rotisserie pork) and chicken mole are served along with burritos, nachos, fajitas and other Tex-Mex faves. The daily special is a bargain, consisting of a large main dish, rice, salad and a drink. The restaurant has two floors and - lest you forget you're eating Mexican food - little caricatures of jalapeños, sombreros and tomatoes dance along the brightly painted walls.
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Restaurante Pollo Rico
What started as a simple chicken stand in 1990, has over the years become a Juayúa institution. Chicken is still the specialty, but the menu has grown to include cabrito adobado (chili-marinated goat), tenquiques (wild mushrooms, served grilled, in soup or ceviche), and even grilled frog's legs - they taste like chicken, right? Upstairs is a patio and great view of Volcán Santa Ana.
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Cafeteria Emanuel
A spotless eatery near Iglesia El Carmen, serving four different típica (regional specialties) main dishes: chicken, beef, pasta and a vegetarian option. After 15:00, Salvadoran antojitos - irresistible snacks like empanadas, pastelitos (small meat pies) and platano y nuegado (plantains and fried yucca smothered in honey with a dash of cinnamon) - are served. Two thumbs up.
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Café Fiesta
Possibly the biggest disco ball in all of El Salvador - at least the biggest one hanging next to a life-size poster of Pope John Paul II - is the centerpiece of this popular restaurant. Get here early to get the best of the típico dishes, which are served cafeteria-style. Pupusas are also patted out all day - an unexpected treat. Note: the disco ball is activated during private parties only.
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Lover's Steakhouse
Don't leave Santa Ana without treating yourself to a dinner at Lover's. The menu ranges from Italian to Chinese, but the specialty is meat and seafood. Dishes are amazingly affordable. A rambling dining area includes an open-air courtyard, complete with tiki torches, and beers come with your pick of no less than 34 different bocadillos (appetizers), from ceviche to wontons to Buffalo wings.
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El Sin Rival
What started out as a two-tub street cart in 1953, has become a collection of great ice-cream shops - truly 'without rival.' It boasts 16 homemade sorbets made with natural ingredients - no chemicals or colorants here. Mora (blueberry) and tres leches (sweet milk) are the original flavors from the street-cart days, and are still local favorites.
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Restaurante Los 44
Smaller and somewhat less charming than Lover's, Los 44 is still a reliable place for a steak, and is closer to the town center. The front room and a little nook left of the door have a nicer ambiance than the long sterile back room. There's live music - well, a guy with a mic and keyboard - on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
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Laura's Comida a la Vista
This long narrow restaurant is especially popular for breakfast, but is busy most mealtimes. As the name implies, it's all comida a la vista, all the time - choose from various dishes displayed in steam trays. It's nothing fancy, but the food is homemade and consistently good.
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Bar y Restaurant Doña Amelia
Other than the tiled walls and the black light over the bar, the ambiance is actually rather pleasant: tablecloths, air-con, lively music (unless there's a game on the big-screen TV), even plastic flowers. Steak is the specialty and comes in large portions with soup and salad.
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La 31
A big busy pupusería within walking distance of the Casa Frolaz - the owner Javier often joins guests there for a late-night snack. Pupusas come in many varieties, including chicken and loroco (squash).
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Pastelería Ban Ban
A good bakery just south of Parque Libertad, Ban Ban serves up fresh pastries, simple sandwiches, and coffee all day. Air-conditioning and a children's playroom are big pluses.
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Pupsería Doña Cony
You can't go wrong at this busy pupusería, which many say is the best in town. It's especially handy if you're staying at Doña Mercedes's across the street.
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Pip's Carymar
A fast-food feel surrounds this cafeteria-style restaurant, which serves just about every standard Salvadoran meal going, and then some. Great grilled chicken, pupusas or even just a slice of pizza are standard options. Indoor and outdoor seating is available.
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Food stands
A row of food stands are set up along the eastern edge of the plaza almost daily. It's busiest at lunchtime and on weekend evenings, but you can get a burger, chicken sandwich or fries any time.
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