Cuisine Scene: Pupusas

Pupusas are deliciously stuffed corn flatbreads originating from El Salvador. Flavorfully filled with all manner of ingredients–cheese, beans, meats, veggies–they are quickly gaining popularity beyond their traditional roots. In Long Beach, demand for this comforting dish continues to grow, fueled by the authentic, sometimes innovative offerings of eateries such as these.

MARILU’S BAKERY

Don’t be fooled by the name. Though Marilu’s Bakery (1400 Cherry Ave/2608 E Anaheim St) has all the requisite cakes, pastry and bakery items, it also features a full menu of food including a rather comprehensive offering of pupusas, about half a dozen, actually. Though Marilu’s menu is pretty large, many people will tell you the reason they come here over and over again is for the pupusas.

LA ESPERANZA

Serving authentic dishes from Guatemala, El Salvador and Mexico, La Esperanza (1626 Orange Ave) has a voluminous menu, featuring breakfast, lunch and dinner items, desserts, juices and agua frescas. So, it’s not surprising that their selection of pupusas includes a wide range of ingredients that not only include the usual beans, chicken, shrimp and pork, but also zucchini, loroco, spinach and pineapple.

PUPUSERIA BRISAS DE ACAJUTLA

Pupuseria Brisas de Acajutla (5303 Atlantic Ave) makes its pupusas fresh to order and always with a generous amount of filling. Besides the requisite bean and cheese, there is pork, shrimp, and squash, along with multiple choices of salsa for every palate and heat tolerance. The pupusas are so large that many say one or two is more than enough to feel fully satiated. Oh, and just a heads up, Pupuseria Brisas is a cash only establishment.

ROXANNE’S

A Cal Heights mainstay, Roxanne’s (1115 E Wardlow Rd) is well-known for its amazing cocktail program, including the Exhibition Room speakeasy hidden somewhere in the back of the establishment. But Roxanne’s is equally committed to pupusas. How committed? Not only do they offer traditional versions of the Salvadoran staple but also Pupusa Burgers–a fire grilled Angus beef patty in between two cheesy pupusas–(Pu)Tacos–pupusas topped with carne asada or shredded chicken–and Pupusa Chicken Sandwich.

LA CEIBA

La Ceiba (400 E Anaheim St) is celebrated and frequented for its wide selection of comfort food, ranging from Honduran to El Salvadorian to Mexican. But, it is especially celebrated for its signature pupusas, which are laden with ingredients: the revueltas with a ton of pork, another heavy with cheese and jalapeno. La Ceiba is also well known for its longaniza as well as tacos made to order.

About the Author

Steve Lowery

Steve Lowery is a longtime local. Over the years he has written for the Los Angeles Times, ESPN, and others. If you're looking for the hidden gems of Long Beach, Steve is your go-to.