Lupita's Restaurant

Great variety of food I'm definitely coming back to have a traditional breakfast and have salpicón for dinner. A must try in Costa Mesa, I got pupusas and had to wait a little because they are made to order and fresh. Very delicious and good salsa and repollo. Support local businesses and give this gem a try 👍😁

Pupusas were filling and really good. I had 3 and I was stuffed! Chicken tamale had good taste to it

Great food. Zucchini and cheese pupusa was delicious. Sweet corn tamales were moist and flavorful. Workers were nice. Took about 25 min, exactly what they told me, and makes sense for a big order. Small place to sit but perfectly packed to go with all the fixings. Browsed at the 99c store while I waited.

Wow! The popusas blew my mind ! I ordered 3 popusas to go and they gave me an option of spicy sauce or regular. Spicy sauce was on point. This is going to be my go to for lunch !! Great portions and price was reasonable.

Jon Rucinski

Really good pupusas. We tried 4 of the 10 types and I always pick the eclectic options. The pumpkin, loroco, and jalapeno were mild in flavor but had fabulous cheesy goodness. The chicken added a better contrast and their table hot sauce was tasty. We got a bowl of curtido, too, which was also good. They do make everything fresh, so if there is a line, expect to wait a little, it is worth it. I will return and test other interesting options.

Daphne Hernandez

Great variety of food I'm definitely coming back to have a traditional breakfast and have salpicón for dinner. A must try in Costa Mesa, I got pupusas and had to wait a little because they are made to order and fresh. Very delicious and good salsa and repollo. Support local businesses and give this gem a try 👍😁

francisco Castro

Great food and service!! This place is great ! Highly recommend!!!

David Reyes

Pupusas were filling and really good. I had 3 and I was stuffed! Chicken tamale had good taste to it

Philly361

Wow! The popusas blew my mind ! I ordered 3 popusas to go and they gave me an option of spicy sauce or regular. Spicy sauce was on point. This is going to be my go to for lunch !! Great portions and price was reasonable.

Dan B

Great food. Zucchini and cheese pupusa was delicious. Sweet corn tamales were moist and flavorful. Workers were nice. Took about 25 min, exactly what they told me, and makes sense for a big order. Small place to sit but perfectly packed to go with all the fixings. Browsed at the 99c store while I waited.

Alysa Bragg

I pork and queso pupusas w/ rice & pinto beans on the side. The service I got was great, the food tasted phenomenal. Some of the best pupusas I have had in Orange County. 10/10 highly recommend! I will for sure be back really soon to explore more of the menu.

William Wedgeworth

Got exactly what I wanted with pleasant friendly service. Even though I came towards closing no negative energy whatsoever. The workers seemed to be having a blast singing and dancing in the back which is always a good sign.<3 pupusas on point!

KALII GIIRL

Their Pupusas are Bomb is all ill say about that. And best pricing so far, also like that they are close to other stores near by like the 99cent store. So if I need drinks or ice or extra snacks yum yum. Worth it trust 😊

April Escamilla

I've only ever ate the pupusas and let me tell you they are so darn good. I love the loroco and cheese with white rice masa. The cortudo is really good and the salsas perfect. Everyone who eats in this small little hidden place will feel like you're eating at grams. It looks very humble, with modest decor, but the the food is beyond delish & salvy authentic. It's all freshly made so have a seat, because it's SO Worth it!!! 🤤 💵Cash only

The food is Ok, the only recomendation is to improve the 40 min waiting time for the pupusas.

Alex SB

The food is Ok, the only recomendation is to improve the 40 min waiting time for the pupusas.

Possibly the most authentic Salvadorean restaurant in OC. Great value. Clean, not oily. Spanish speaking. Crisp, easy to slice, great fillings. Long wait for-cook to order.

Dennis Ashendorf

Possibly the most authentic Salvadorean restaurant in OC. Great value. Clean, not oily. Spanish speaking. Crisp, easy to slice, great fillings. Long wait for-cook to order.

The food is fabulous but the service is only mediocre. On a sunday, We ordered 3 different pupusas and were brought all 3 of the same. When we advised staff, they eventually corrected the order but it took 20 mins; while we watched 2 other groups, who came after us, receive their orders.

R Andres

The food is fabulous but the service is only mediocre. On a sunday, We ordered 3 different pupusas and were brought all 3 of the same. When we advised staff, they eventually corrected the order but it took 20 mins; while we watched 2 other groups, who came after us, receive their orders.

I ordered some pupusas, different fillings, yet all the pupusas were put all together in one box. It was really hard to tell which were which and also flavor wise not so much.

Liliana Flores

I ordered some pupusas, different fillings, yet all the pupusas were put all together in one box. It was really hard to tell which were which and also flavor wise not so much.

Wanted to try their pupusas but stood at the register to order for a long time. No one came to take my order or even say sorry for the wait. Is there only one person working there? Who knows. Saw one lady cooking who didn’t even acknowledge my presence. I’ll have to try a different place for pupusas.

During the pandemic I like to support businesses who do their part in slowing the spread. I had placed my order by phone so I was disappointed when I got there to pick it up and No masks were being worn by anyone preparing the food or any of their employees. That should've been enough to walk out. I ordered based on the reviews but I think they are confusing this restaurant with the one that is two blocks away on Harbor as well..... I mistakenly ordered here too. The order was ready when I picked it up but not sure if the person making the pupusas was new because they looked like they had been prepared by a child. They didn't have the same flavor or even appearance that you'd expect from a Salvadorean pupusa. I also ordered platanos which were hard, and a plate of yucca with chicharron. The yucca had a great texture but the chicharron was over cooked and hard. Big NO for me - would not try again.

For a place that just expanded it looks alright.. The food was awful today... maybe it was just my day! The owner was eating and getting her food ready while I waited and did not tell me that her tamales are cold and they need to be warmed up. I thought as many places they have a few already warmed... I waited and then goes by she asked if I needed help. Your telling me the person who took my order is also the one who had to heat them up.. while you eat with your guest...

I'm really sad to make this review being Salvadorian myself. The restaurant is located in the same lot as the 99c store that is closing. My husband and I bought some pots and gardening decor that were a steal, but we had to leave asap because he didn't want to use the stores restroom. I cook all the time at home, and I cook fast. I just don't like cleaning up after. We decided to support the store that used to be a storage small size shack. However, it was huge! It surprised me. Apparently they bought whatever store was next store and expanded the place. I was confused on where to sit, but not knowing how to get food, we went to the register lady. We asked to use the restroom to which we were told was for customers only. We are the customers....I told her we are ordering, and she still didn't offer my husband to use the restroom. I told the young girl that we wouldn't be ordering if my husband can't use the restroom. She said "ok". Then I ordered... I ordered 4 pupusas revultas, gallina en crema, and horchata. After I ordered I set my purse down, and when I went to use the restroom which is snug next to the kitchen, I hear the girl that took my order and the kitchen lady say "Well you didn't tell me what kind of pupusas before". I thought it was an odd comment (in spanish) because who cooks a pupusa or any meal without knowing how the person ordered the dish??? I too have worked in restaurants. I thought it was a funny interaction until later... Afterwards, my husband and I waited an hour later until the food came in. My husband was just about to ask about our order when it came out. By this time I would have been cleaning my kitchen. It took so long for such an easy meal. 😪 My husband still has to continue working the night, so this was exhausting. We ordered at 6:45pm and we got our food at 7:30. During this time, I saw her go over to people who came in and sat them down while coming over to give them drinks in cups. I go my drink in a foam to-go cup. That's highly toxic... When we finally began to eat the pupusas were only cheese filled...all..three..of..them. I was going to say something, but we decided to just leave. When my husband decided to have his chicken dish home and get a to-go box, he found a black hair in his cream chicken sauce. We don't have black hair. At the end of one of my bites of my pupusa, I tasted a sand texture loud grinding pieces. I had to spit it into my napkin. We just wanted to leave. I forgot to mention that right after we sat down to wait for our order, a man started working on the blinds of the store. They had no blinds. There was a huge latter in the restaurant, and a man walking to and fro the window to measure the window sill to then cut them and put them on right then and there. When we left the later was still there. Also, other customers arrived waiting for their meals. This was so sad because the last time we had dinner at the restaurant, it was a small little place but the front lady was grandma aged lady who was so kind and attended us right away. The girl who took our order looked around 19 to 22 years old if I was to guess or high school age. She attended kindly to known customers. My husband and I will not be returning. He did not want me to make a reciew, but I told him this is how businesses get better. Attend to customers respectfully, Check ln the tables, Get the order right, Stay clean and hair back while cooking, Don't make labor changes to the open restaurant, And be courteous especially when the order is taking a long time. This was the first time we didn't tip. I only realized it when I looked back at our receipt because we weren't asked to tip, and we didn't pay after we ate. We always tip, and we tip more than 20% usually. I'm so sad. I love my guanacos...I'm so disappointed!

Zai ville

I'm really sad to make this review being Salvadorian myself. The restaurant is located in the same lot as the 99c store that is closing. My husband and I bought some pots and gardening decor that were a steal, but we had to leave asap because he didn't want to use the stores restroom. I cook all the time at home, and I cook fast. I just don't like cleaning up after. We decided to support the store that used to be a storage small size shack. However, it was huge! It surprised me. Apparently they bought whatever store was next store and expanded the place. I was confused on where to sit, but not knowing how to get food, we went to the register lady. We asked to use the restroom to which we were told was for customers only. We are the customers....I told her we are ordering, and she still didn't offer my husband to use the restroom. I told the young girl that we wouldn't be ordering if my husband can't use the restroom. She said "ok". Then I ordered... I ordered 4 pupusas revultas, gallina en crema, and horchata. After I ordered I set my purse down, and when I went to use the restroom which is snug next to the kitchen, I hear the girl that took my order and the kitchen lady say "Well you didn't tell me what kind of pupusas before". I thought it was an odd comment (in spanish) because who cooks a pupusa or any meal without knowing how the person ordered the dish??? I too have worked in restaurants. I thought it was a funny interaction until later... Afterwards, my husband and I waited an hour later until the food came in. My husband was just about to ask about our order when it came out. By this time I would have been cleaning my kitchen. It took so long for such an easy meal. 😪 My husband still has to continue working the night, so this was exhausting. We ordered at 6:45pm and we got our food at 7:30. During this time, I saw her go over to people who came in and sat them down while coming over to give them drinks in cups. I go my drink in a foam to-go cup. That's highly toxic... When we finally began to eat the pupusas were only cheese filled...all..three..of..them. I was going to say something, but we decided to just leave. When my husband decided to have his chicken dish home and get a to-go box, he found a black hair in his cream chicken sauce. We don't have black hair. At the end of one of my bites of my pupusa, I tasted a sand texture loud grinding pieces. I had to spit it into my napkin. We just wanted to leave. I forgot to mention that right after we sat down to wait for our order, a man started working on the blinds of the store. They had no blinds. There was a huge latter in the restaurant, and a man walking to and fro the window to measure the window sill to then cut them and put them on right then and there. When we left the later was still there. Also, other customers arrived waiting for their meals. This was so sad because the last time we had dinner at the restaurant, it was a small little place but the front lady was grandma aged lady who was so kind and attended us right away. The girl who took our order looked around 19 to 22 years old if I was to guess or high school age. She attended kindly to known customers. My husband and I will not be returning. He did not want me to make a reciew, but I told him this is how businesses get better. Attend to customers respectfully, Check ln the tables, Get the order right, Stay clean and hair back while cooking, Don't make labor changes to the open restaurant, And be courteous especially when the order is taking a long time. This was the first time we didn't tip. I only realized it when I looked back at our receipt because we weren't asked to tip, and we didn't pay after we ate. We always tip, and we tip more than 20% usually. I'm so sad. I love my guanacos...I'm so disappointed!

Robert Trinidad

For a place that just expanded it looks alright.. The food was awful today... maybe it was just my day! The owner was eating and getting her food ready while I waited and did not tell me that her tamales are cold and they need to be warmed up. I thought as many places they have a few already warmed... I waited and then goes by she asked if I needed help. Your telling me the person who took my order is also the one who had to heat them up.. while you eat with your guest...

Maria Delgado

Wanted to try their pupusas but stood at the register to order for a long time. No one came to take my order or even say sorry for the wait. Is there only one person working there? Who knows. Saw one lady cooking who didn’t even acknowledge my presence. I’ll have to try a different place for pupusas.

Vero Ale

During the pandemic I like to support businesses who do their part in slowing the spread. I had placed my order by phone so I was disappointed when I got there to pick it up and No masks were being worn by anyone preparing the food or any of their employees. That should've been enough to walk out. I ordered based on the reviews but I think they are confusing this restaurant with the one that is two blocks away on Harbor as well..... I mistakenly ordered here too. The order was ready when I picked it up but not sure if the person making the pupusas was new because they looked like they had been prepared by a child. They didn't have the same flavor or even appearance that you'd expect from a Salvadorean pupusa. I also ordered platanos which were hard, and a plate of yucca with chicharron. The yucca had a great texture but the chicharron was over cooked and hard. Big NO for me - would not try again.