Cheap Eats 2007: Sergio's Place

Reviewed by Cynthia Hacinli , Michele Kayal , Todd Kliman , Ann Limpert , Don Rockwell

Sergio's Place

11324 Fern Street
Wheaton, MD 20902
Phone: 301.962.7066

Cuisines:
Salvadoran

Opening Hours:

Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes

Nearby Metro Stops:
Wheaton

Price Range:
Inexpensive

Dress:
Informal

Noise Level:
N/A

Reservations:
Not needed

Special Features:
Kid Friendly

Price Details:
Entrées: $4.95 to $13.95.


Weekdays feel like weekends at this colorful diner as the jukebox pumps out a bachata, a bolerolike ballad, and Salvadoran couples and families dine on big plates of enchiladas guanacas, fried tortillas piled high with sautéed chicken, pickled cabbage, and shavings of cheese.

The kitchen turns out pupusas in more than a dozen variations—chorizo and loroco, a zucchinilike vegetable, are especially savory. But the pleasures of eating here are not solely Salvadoran. The Cuban sandwich is one of the area’s best—the secret seems to be in the ham and pork, both roasted in-house, then grilled before being tucked and pressed. Tortas are smartly done—the Milanesa with fried chicken bits and a slather of guacamole and sour cream is especially good. Ditto for the kitchen’s foray into regional Mexican, tender chicken mole with a chili-infused red sauce that is spicy yet not searing. For dessert, try atol de elote, a sweetish corn soup, or the creamy tres leches cake.

Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.