Welcome to El Chinaco Restaurant
El Chinaco Restaurant, nestled in Costa Mesa, CA, is a cherished culinary gem specializing in Salvadoran and Mexican cuisine. With a menu celebrated for its mouthwatering pupusas—freshly made to perfection—diners rave about their generous portions and savory toppings. Beyond pupusas, the restaurant offers an array of seafood dishes, tamales, and flavorful specialties that showcase the rich heritage of Central American flavors. Customer reviews highlight both the delicious meals and the warm, friendly service, making El Chinaco a beloved destination for comfort food enthusiasts. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, you’ll find a welcoming atmosphere and delightful dishes worth savoring.
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560 W 19th St, Costa Mesa, CA 92627 Hotline: (949) 722-8632
Welcome to El Chinaco Restaurant, a culinary gem nestled in Costa Mesa, California. Known for its vibrant mixture of Salvadoran and Mexican cuisine, El Chinaco is a must-visit destination for brunch lovers and food enthusiasts alike. Located at 560 W 19th St, this beloved eatery boasts a menu filled with authentic flavors and hearty dishes that will transport your taste buds straight to Central America.
Specialties & Highlights:
- Pupusas: As the crown jewels of El Chinaco, these handcrafted corn tortillas filled with a variety of ingredients are a revelation. With options like frijoles (beans) and pollo (chicken), every bite bursts with flavor and is perfectly complemented by their signature cabbage and carrot slaw, along with zesty red and green sauces.
- El Chinaco's Tamales: Don’t miss out on their sweet and savory tamales, available in both chicken and pork varieties, which have earned rave reviews from loyal customers.
- Seafood Delights: For those craving a taste of the ocean, El Chinaco offers an assortment of seafood combination plates such as the Camarones Al Mojo De Ajo and Mojarra Al Mojo De Ajo, ensuring that there's something for every palate.
One of the restaurant's standout features is its dedication to freshly made, authentic dishes. Customer reviews consistently highlight the large portion sizes and affordability of the pupusas, making them a stellar choice for both solo diners and families. Gabriel R. noted, "I always call my order in for pickup with no issues," showcasing the excellent service provided at El Chinaco.
While there may be some minor inconveniences—such as the wait time for pupusas and language barriers—the overall dining experience at El Chinaco is highly rewarding. Anita C. beautifully captures the essence of the restaurant when she says, "Freshly made pupusas just hit differently." With a decade-long history and a passionate following, this restaurant has truly stood the test of time.
El Chinaco Restaurant is not just a place to grab a bite; it’s a culinary experience steeped in rich traditions and exceptional flavors. Whether you’re a local or just passing through Costa Mesa, be sure to stop by for a taste of their beloved pupusas and other authentic dishes that are sure to leave a lasting impression.
Contact Information: For inquiries or to place an order, call (949) 722-8632.
Indulge in the warmth and flavors of Central America at El Chinaco—your taste buds will thank you!
Great pupusas. I always call my order in for pick up with no issues. I don't know about any other food items because I always order pupusas but they are delicious.
Tip: come for the pupusas. Likes: + Scrumptious pupusas along with the side cabbage and carrot and yummy red and green sauces. + Polite, helpful staff. + In recent years, they've diversified their pupusa menu. + Pupusas are large yet cheap. Totally get your money's worth. Non-likes: - Pupusas take 20-30 min to make. Wish they had a fast way to dish out pupusas just as hot and good. - Have to ask for the key everytime you wanna use the restroom. - The kicker: for some reason if you don't speak their language, they don't take you seriously. When I called and asked questions in English, they ignored and hung up on me. I called again and asked again, they hung up again. Hope they have bilingual staff soon. - For the past 8 years, they still haven't fixed the parking spot uprooted by a tree.
Freshly made pupusas just hit differently. I haven't had fresh made pupusas in over 10 years, so I was really happy when my friend recommended this place for lunch last week. The pickled veg + hot sauce that came with our pupusas were just *chef's kiss* so delish. My friend has been coming to El Chinaco for the past decade or so, and I can see why he keeps coming back. Also, I ordered some more pupusas to go as well as 4 carne asada tacos. These were not street tacos - these were giant tacos! Glad I found a yummy pupusas place close to home. Will def be back for more!
We drove all the way from Riverside because this place has the best pupusas. It didn't disappoint! Used to come here around 20 yrs ago when I worked in CM and it's still worth the drive. Btw..the pupusas are huge! And customer serve is awesome!
I got the frijol pupusas and pollo quesadilla. I was hungry when ordering and definitely had lots of leftovers after this, so it was great for 2 meals. Both were really really good, they seem to be known for their pupusas so I'd try another type if I were to return