Authentic Salvadoran food in Sacramento for less than $25? I tried this cozy spot
Near a tire and auto repair shop and a barbershop in Sacramento’s South Natomas neighborhood, a sign with bright red letters spells out the words “Pupusas Central.”
The Salvadoran restaurant at 3408 Northgate Blvd., Suite 1, has a simple, unassuming white exterior.
Inside, the business buzzes with life.
Walls are adorned with Latin American flags, art depicting El Salvador’s landscape and scattered signs with statements such as “I love pupusas” in bubbly front..
Salvador Gomez and his wife, Digna Gomez, started Pupusas Central in 2023. Both hail from El Salvador.
“I think the U.S. is a really great, big melting pot of different cultures,” said Salvador Gomez, who worked real estate before he decided to focus on bringing Central American cuisine to Sacramento. “We have everything, and one thing that really unites everyone is food.”
A Sacramento Bee reader recommended Pupusas Central as part of The Bee’s On a Budget series, a reader-driven series focused on finding fun and affordable ways to connect with the community.
Here’s what I found:
What is Pupusas Central in Sacramento like?
I visited Pupusas Central about 15 minutes before the restaurant’s lunch rush began on a recent weekday and grabbed a seat.
At first, there were just a few customers enjoying their meals at medium-sized tables covered with white tablecloths.
By the time my meal arrived, the small, cozy restaurant was filled with people waiting to pick up orders or get tables.
Part of the menu focuses on authentic Salvadoran food including soups, corn tamales, traditional sandwiches such as panes con pollo and pastelitos de carne, pockets of deep-fried dough filled with seasoned meat.
However, pupusas — thick cornmeal griddle cakes that are stuffed with beans and cheese — are the stars at Pupusas Central.
The restaurant also serves up a variety of traditional Mexican dishes including tacos, burritos, carne asada fries and quesadillas.
Drink options include passion fruit juice, sodas, agua frescas, horchata, coffee and Kolashanpan, a carbonated Salvadoran beverage that’s similar to cream soda.
Salvador Gomez said his daughter, Tiffany, enjoys coming up with new recipes and ideas for the restaurant. These include experimental twists to classics such as pupusas bomba — deep-fried pupusa balls.
The restaurant co-owner said he sources fresh, high-quality ingredients through distributors from El Salvador including spices, silk red beans and loroco, an edible white flower that’s native to Central America.
Gomez said people who are unfamiliar with Salvadoran cuisine should try a classic bean-and-cheese pupusa.
Customers who want to expand their palates can try savory pupusas made with loroco or revuelta pupusas with ground pork, beans and cheese.
Pupusas Central doubles as a store, selling imported ingredients and goods from Central America. Customers can pick up items ranging from chips and fruit to soccer jerseys.
“We have all tried different foods just to get a taste of what every different culture brings,” Gomez said. “I’m just bringing that to the masses to our Sacramento community, so they can try out our little bit of Salvadoran culture that we bring here.”
Customers can find limited parking for Pupusas Central and other nearby businesses in front of the business.
What I got for $25 at South Natomas Salvadorean restaurant
I spent a total of $20.19 before tip and tax at Sacramento’s Pupusas Central.
For that price, I got enough food to easily satisfy two people.
I ordered a pupusa combo meal that included two bean-and-cheese pupusas and a side of beans, red rice and pickled cabbage for $11.95.
I also got a plate of fried plantains, or, platanos, that came with a hearty side of red silk beans, Salvadoran-style sour cream and a piece of fresh cheese for $4.99.
Finally, I ordered a cup of hibiscus-flavored agua de jamaica. I ordered the smallest cup size, 20 ounces, for $3.25.
To say I enjoyed my meal would be an understatement. The food was absolutely comforting to eat, smell and even see.
The pupusas were warm, soft and so packed with fillings that some cheese had burst out of the dough during cooking, turning delightfully crisp and brown.
The sweetness of fried plantains perfectly complemented the savory and cheesy pupusas, while the beans were well seasoned — a surprising standout.
The rice was simple and savory. It was different from rice I grew up on but was overall good.
Meanwhile, the agua de jamaica was a sweet and refreshing treat that conjured up memories of meals with my family in Veracruz, Mexico.
Is Pupusas Central affordable?
The short answer is “yes.”
Prices for individual dishes at Pupusas Central range from $3.95 to $19.95, with plates averaging around $10.
Drink prices range from $1.50 to $3.99.
There are two desserts available: arroz con leche for $5.50 and empanadas de platano for $9.95.
The Sacramento restaurant is designed with families in mind and has a children’s menu that includes simple items such as quesadillas, chicken nuggets and fries. Prices of kids’ meals range from $4.95 to $8.99.
The food portions at Pupusas Central are large, as if lovingly served by my grandmother. It’d be difficult for anyone to leave this restaurant hungry.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Pupusas Central and would recommend the restaurant to anyone seeking an authentic Salvadoran meal at a great price.
Got suggestions for a future “On a Budget”? Let us know in the form below or email us at servicejournalists@sacbee.com.
This story was originally published May 10, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
