El Salsabor Restaurant

522 S Lorena St, Los Angeles, CA 90063, United States
+1 323-266-1400
$$$ Salvadoran restaurant , American restaurant , Bar & grill , Family restaurant , Latin American restaurant , Spanish restaurant
(938 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

El Salsabor Restaurant offers a casual, family-friendly dining experience rooted in Salvadoran and Latin American flavors right in the heart of East Los Angeles. This spot feels like a neighborhood staple where the kitchen keeps tradition alive with dishes like corn flour pupusas—especially the chicharrón and revueltas varieties—and hearty Salvadoran breakfasts featuring huevos rancheros with crema and frijoles.

The atmosphere is straightforward and unpretentious, with a focus on comfort over sleek design. Recent updates have made the space brighter and more open, although some visitors notice minor wear on seating and flooring that adds a lived-in character typical of beloved local diners. The staff tends to be polite and attentive, helping the place feel welcoming for both families and individuals who come for a reliable, home-style meal.

El Salsabor also doubles as a bar and grill, so you might find yourself enjoying a cold michelada alongside fried mojarra or shrimp prepared in several classic styles—from garlic to ranchero sauces. Freshness is a highlight here, especially with house-made tortillas that remind many locals of family recipes. The drink menu includes creative fresh juices like “El Vampiro” (orange, carrot, and beets) adding a colorful companion to the savory plates.

Patrons looking for quick bites or casual dining mixed with authentic Salvadoran comfort food will appreciate how El Salsabor balances casual lunch and dinner options. Weekday mornings and weekends tend to be best times to visit—ideal for breakfast or brunch when the kitchen is fully stocked with favorites like caldo de pollo or huevos con chorizo.

Parking can be tight, a common challenge in this busy Los Angeles neighborhood, so allowing a bit of extra time is wise. Overall, this is a place where the focus remains on solid, freshly made food served without pretense—perfect if you’re craving a taste of Salvadoran homestyle cooking in a straightforward, community-minded setting.

Highlights
Has fast service
Has great beer selection
Serves great coffee
Good for watching sport
Popular for
Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
What they serve
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves happy-hour drinks
Serves happy-hour food
Serves healthy options
Serves late-night food
Quick bite
Has salad bar
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves wine
Best for
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Somewhat difficult to find a space

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

07:30 AM - 10:00 PM

Tuesday

07:30 AM - 10:00 PM

Wednesday

07:30 AM - 10:00 PM

Thursday

07:30 AM - 10:00 PM

Friday

07:30 AM - 11:00 PM

Saturday

07:30 AM - 11:00 PM

Sunday

07:30 AM - 11:00 PM

938 Reviews
Brenda Vivar

08 Jan 2026

The food ordered was good, everything was freshly cooked. The tortillas were the highlight, reminded me of my grandmother's tortillas. Customer service was excellent. Parking is limited.

Rosie Richardson

10 Dec 2025

Chicken foot yum First time here nice affordable food and friendly environment

Psl 001

27 Nov 2025

Food is amazing , loved the chicharrón pupusas and breakfast was on point , regarding the service waitress was very polite , this restaurant have a great potential , the only thing for us was that the floor was a little dirty and tables and chairs are deteriorated , but other that everything was amazing.

Arlete Aivazian

01 Nov 2025

I’ve tried Salvadorian food at various places, but this restaurant is by far the best. The quality of the food is amazing, with reasonable prices and excellent service. They’ve also recently remodeled, making the space bigger and more modern, which adds to the overall experience. I highly recommend this place

strong boi

18 Sep 2025

Love the popusas from here! The only thing is they take about 25 minutes for an order of 1-2 popusas. This last time I placed a phone order my food was ready 40 min after I placed the phone call. Here are the updated prices as of 12/22/2025

Hugo Aguas

13 Sep 2025

I had the caldo de res and it was delicious! Plenty of other people were ordering it too. Staff is hit ot miss, but overall fairly nice place. The pupusas are the best in East Los Angeles. I'll definitely continue to frequent this establishment.

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