From June 2005 Cheap Eats

Whether it's tacos al carbon or a pungent bowl of tripe soup that you crave, this Salvadoran cantina will take care of you. Color-splashed walls and vivid paintings dress up this intimate space; Central American bands play on the tiny stage on weekends. Familiar Tex-Mex fare includes first-rate deep-fried taquitos, soft or crispy chicken tacos, and beef fajitas.

The best of the Salvadoran offerings are custardy steamed tamales filled with pork, pupusas spilling cheese, and soups like the tripe and the even headier shrimp with bits of hard-cooked egg bobbing in the briny broth. Quesadillas and pork ribs have their fans, too. Order a round of fresh guacamole--it's much better than the dabs that show up on the combo platters.