Chalateco

Always delicious 🤤

Great for eating

The food was amazing and the staff was very friendly,

Food and service was very good. Restruant lacks appeal. but who cares, it's about food quality and sevice. I definitely will go back.

Papusas are a MUST!! You could never go wrong with them from here!

Service is slow, but man the food is worth it! Absolutely delicious!

I love the food here. Their, Pupusas, tacos and soups are freaking amazing.

I come to have lunch sometimes and there is always the same service and food

Great food, great environment.

We went to grab popusas really great .

I've been eating here most of my life and trust me when I say these are the BEST pupusas I've ever had!! Nothing comes close to this quality and consistency in the bay! A great hearty meal for the whole family! The menu is a mix of quality Mexican and Salvadorian dishes you must try! Aside from the pupusas I recommend the burritos, platano balls filled with creme, and alambre especial!! Don't miss out!!!

Very good place. Food looks just like the pictures!

Came here for the taco Tuesday deal. I love the way this location makes there chicken and carne asada tacos. Tastes and feels less greasy then most places

The pupusas where big for the price. My waitress was very nice. It takes a little time to get the food bit it's worth it. Most important the food is good. I like this place and I can wait to come back and try something else in the menú.

The food has been great considering its a new restaurant. Delicious flavor all around just be careful with the delicious salsa. Sometimes its mild and sometimes its spicy. Definitely recommend.

Excellent El Salvadoran style food, only one that I know of in the south Bay. Some cool variations on the typical Mexican restaurants we have. First visit since the COVID craziness, they have survived well, apparently had to move locations though.

We had their famous pupusas, which were great, as always. We had a side of platano frito with crema and frijoles, too. The platanos were too charred, but the edible parts were good and the frijoles are alway exquisite. This time we also ordered enchiladas poblanas, which were doused in a thick red mole. Omg...they were so good I neglected my pupusas! The mole was as good as my Tías!

Food was great service was great and the size of the pupusas were HUGE very worth it. Price is very reasonable too. Will recommend

Love the popusas here I ordered 3 and I was surprised with how big they where I think 1 would had been good enough but all 3 where delicious

Love their pupusas.. the tacos al pastor are soo yummy.

Pupusas are always good, and the price is fair. Whenever we feel like eating salvadorian food, we know this is the spot. Not only they serve pupusas, but the Mexican menu is tasty as well, and they have to many options.

The food is delicious and of such good quality. The service is great. Staff are so attentive. The classic pupusas are always a great choice but they have such an extensive menu but you've gotta try other menu items... haven't been disappointed! Yum!

I always get my pupusas to go, baby. It's not that I don't like sitting down to eat there. I just prefer to eat like a happy little piglet within my own 4 walls. 😆 I'm addicted to the pickled veggies. There. I admit it.

It was pretty damn good and the serving sizes are big

There is no prices on the menu or anywhere, which is quite awkward. Similar thing by Peter’s Bakery. It is quite awkward to ask for the price of the things in the menu! It could be nice if this can get improved. Service was slower than expected. Place was quite clean. Food was quite delicious though :) I would recommend for authentic food testing. Enchiladas were awesome. Tacos very quite okay as well. Not my most favorite though.

The shrimp here are out of this world!!!!! Got them on a michelada to start & we had to have more. So we got a plate of just the shrimp. 5 pieces for $10! The sauce on them is amazing, I want that sauce on everything I eat!!

Chalateco on N Jackson Ave in San Jose is a hidden gem serving authentic Salvadoran cuisine. The pupusas are deliciously savory, and the atmosphere is cozy. Friendly staff add to the welcoming experience. A must-try for lovers of Central American food!

Semiha Caliskan

There is no prices on the menu or anywhere, which is quite awkward. Similar thing by Peter’s Bakery. It is quite awkward to ask for the price of the things in the menu! It could be nice if this can get improved. Service was slower than expected. Place was quite clean. Food was quite delicious though :) I would recommend for authentic food testing. Enchiladas were awesome. Tacos very quite okay as well. Not my most favorite though.

Gabby Gonzalez

The shrimp here are out of this world!!!!! Got them on a michelada to start & we had to have more. So we got a plate of just the shrimp. 5 pieces for $10! The sauce on them is amazing, I want that sauce on everything I eat!!

Vinay Grover

Chalateco on N Jackson Ave in San Jose is a hidden gem serving authentic Salvadoran cuisine. The pupusas are deliciously savory, and the atmosphere is cozy. Friendly staff add to the welcoming experience. A must-try for lovers of Central American food!

I had the enchiladas and guacamole appetizer. Absolutely delicious and worth everything! I'll definitely be going back !

I tried this restaurant for the first time last Saturday and was so impressed with the quality of the food and extensive menu. I think it is my new favorite local restaurant and I plan to visit often. I wanted to try everything! We got the blue corn quesadilla with huitlacoche, and another quesadilla with squash blossoms (flor de calabaza), and mushroom papusas (hongos). Those were all vegetarian. The huitlacoche was my favorite, the flavor was really good and just the right amount of filling and cheese. Very good quality and the portions are huge, well worth the price. I also tried the huarache with pastor, it was the best I've ever had (and I've had a lot, including in CDMX). I also got an order of birria papusas, the meat and consume were perfect, again, some of the best I've ever had. Lastly, we tried the plantain empanadas (empanadas de platano) for desert and they were also delicious. We really liked the salsas as well, the orange one is spicy. I can't wait to come back. Wish I took pictures for the review but I was too busy eating!

My wife and I visited this restaurant for a quick bite to eat. We had never been to this place and decided to try it out. The food here was delicious and authentic to the El Salvador cuisine. we definitely would return and would recommend our friends to this place. Ramon

Raul Guererro

I had the enchiladas and guacamole appetizer. Absolutely delicious and worth everything! I'll definitely be going back !

Angelo Kaplan

I tried this restaurant for the first time last Saturday and was so impressed with the quality of the food and extensive menu. I think it is my new favorite local restaurant and I plan to visit often. I wanted to try everything! We got the blue corn quesadilla with huitlacoche, and another quesadilla with squash blossoms (flor de calabaza), and mushroom papusas (hongos). Those were all vegetarian. The huitlacoche was my favorite, the flavor was really good and just the right amount of filling and cheese. Very good quality and the portions are huge, well worth the price. I also tried the huarache with pastor, it was the best I've ever had (and I've had a lot, including in CDMX). I also got an order of birria papusas, the meat and consume were perfect, again, some of the best I've ever had. Lastly, we tried the plantain empanadas (empanadas de platano) for desert and they were also delicious. We really liked the salsas as well, the orange one is spicy. I can't wait to come back. Wish I took pictures for the review but I was too busy eating!

RAMON FLORES

My wife and I visited this restaurant for a quick bite to eat. We had never been to this place and decided to try it out. The food here was delicious and authentic to the El Salvador cuisine. we definitely would return and would recommend our friends to this place. Ramon

Guesadillas gus are my favorite!!

Ok place, no much to say.

Excellent service.

Easily accessible location. Parking available. Friendly staff. Clean establishment. Great menu options with fair pricing. Good food.

Good food Don't look like much but don't let looks fool u . Food was delicious

I called in an order and picked it up. The food was great and the service was to go. So not to bad. Lol thanks guys!!

I love alambre dish. Green salsa my favorite. Horchata drink taste good

Good food, okay service. I recommend the Popusas

Very good pupusas but I wish it wasn't cash only :/

Good food. I like the pupusas food.

Great place for Salvadoran food all there meats have good flavor.

Good food just overpriced especially on DoorDash

The only reason I can't give this spot five stars is they're not very bilingual. I'm Hispanic so I'm able to order with them understanding me. Parking is good The food is fantastic and it's right off the freeway.

Good pupusas revuelta reasonable price. The waitress and cashier were friendly. Definitely recommend to family and friends.

Best pupusas in town. The price isnt bad either. Only down side is that it is cash only and nowadays who carries cash? But worth trying for sure.

Me and my partner first came across El Chalateco at the Alum Rock location down the street across from the Mexican Heritage Hall when I saw a Taquero outside grilling Al Pastor on a trompo. I can’t resist pulling over to get some tacos when I see that lol. Fast forward to more recently when they closed down that location and focused on the Jackson at Alum Rock location in a former Carl’s Jr space. They still have the same Taquero, Luis, but in the evening starting from Friday through Sunday. There are other Chalateco locations, however, the Jackson location seems to be the main location and their quality is much higher than the others. They have many dishes on their menu, including pupusas, enchiladas, tortas, Birria, and much more. They are decent but what I will keep coming back for are their Al Pastor Tacos. The tortillas are nice, thin and double layered. The flavor has that nice bit of tanginess and oily meat to go with the diced onions, cilantro, and flick of pineapple. The quality of their tacos is higher from Friday until Sunday when Luis the taquero is doing his thing. The waitresses will bring the tortillas and fixings out to him, and he shaves the pastor straight off the trompo onto the tortilla then brings it straight to your table. Some might find the prices to be off-putting compared to some of the other Mexican or Salvadoran restaurants in San Jose. Can’t say that I blame them. For my birthday party a couple years ago, the bill came out to quite a bit more than expected. So keep an eye on what you are ordering or it could add up fast. They finally got a card machine, so you don’t need to withdraw money from the ATM to pay if you don’t have cash on hand. In my opinion, El Chalateco on Jackson & Alum Rock have the best Al Pastor Tacos that I’ve found in San Jose, by far. They hold up against street tacos I’ve had in East LA. They make the tacos at the massively overrated Nuevas Generaciones taste flavorless in comparison. Beyond that, the service, the cost, and all the other stuff doesn’t really matter to me as long as I can get my tacos.

We love coming here for our pupusa fix! Our favs are the revueltas (pork, fried beans & cheese) with all the fixings and I love them extra toasty. We always order the Volcanes (almost like tostadas with cheese, choice of meat & loaded w/ pico de gallo) and they never disappoint. My husband loves the consomé de pollo - it's a must for him no matter what the weather is like. Just FYI - Cash only, but they have an ATM.

Food is good. Place has an small parking behind it. Service is ok. It was a bit slow but it was decent. Food was ok and portions are ok. I did feel that it was a bit pricey. Menu doesn't contain prices. Bill was over $30 not including tips

We ordered a large steak torta and fries. It was very good and enough to feed 4 people or 2 very hungry persons. 😋

Danny K (DSKO)

Me and my partner first came across El Chalateco at the Alum Rock location down the street across from the Mexican Heritage Hall when I saw a Taquero outside grilling Al Pastor on a trompo. I can’t resist pulling over to get some tacos when I see that lol. Fast forward to more recently when they closed down that location and focused on the Jackson at Alum Rock location in a former Carl’s Jr space. They still have the same Taquero, Luis, but in the evening starting from Friday through Sunday. There are other Chalateco locations, however, the Jackson location seems to be the main location and their quality is much higher than the others. They have many dishes on their menu, including pupusas, enchiladas, tortas, Birria, and much more. They are decent but what I will keep coming back for are their Al Pastor Tacos. The tortillas are nice, thin and double layered. The flavor has that nice bit of tanginess and oily meat to go with the diced onions, cilantro, and flick of pineapple. The quality of their tacos is higher from Friday until Sunday when Luis the taquero is doing his thing. The waitresses will bring the tortillas and fixings out to him, and he shaves the pastor straight off the trompo onto the tortilla then brings it straight to your table. Some might find the prices to be off-putting compared to some of the other Mexican or Salvadoran restaurants in San Jose. Can’t say that I blame them. For my birthday party a couple years ago, the bill came out to quite a bit more than expected. So keep an eye on what you are ordering or it could add up fast. They finally got a card machine, so you don’t need to withdraw money from the ATM to pay if you don’t have cash on hand. In my opinion, El Chalateco on Jackson & Alum Rock have the best Al Pastor Tacos that I’ve found in San Jose, by far. They hold up against street tacos I’ve had in East LA. They make the tacos at the massively overrated Nuevas Generaciones taste flavorless in comparison. Beyond that, the service, the cost, and all the other stuff doesn’t really matter to me as long as I can get my tacos.

Andrea Lerma

We love coming here for our pupusa fix! Our favs are the revueltas (pork, fried beans & cheese) with all the fixings and I love them extra toasty. We always order the Volcanes (almost like tostadas with cheese, choice of meat & loaded w/ pico de gallo) and they never disappoint. My husband loves the consomé de pollo - it's a must for him no matter what the weather is like. Just FYI - Cash only, but they have an ATM.

Jose Perez

Food is good. Place has an small parking behind it. Service is ok. It was a bit slow but it was decent. Food was ok and portions are ok. I did feel that it was a bit pricey. Menu doesn't contain prices. Bill was over $30 not including tips

Sandra Rosas Olden

We ordered a large steak torta and fries. It was very good and enough to feed 4 people or 2 very hungry persons. 😋

Good service, food hmmm... not much to talk about.

40 min to get your order. Food is ok

Food is koo . But 15$ for 3 tacos with cheese is expensive. And I didn't even get a bag of chips they told me extra 1.50. Remind you I just got 3 Lil tacos for 15$ just saying I saw the chips they have they Same ones you get at store for 2.00 a bag not 1.50 for a sandwich bag of chips

They don't give you an itemized receipt 🧾 they just charge you whatever they feel like. I asked for a a fish fillet with no oil, they still cooked it with oil. I didn't want the rice with fries, but I wanted a nopal (cactus instead) it was a very small cactus. So for that it was it was $31.17 with mineral sparkling water, Waiter is not very detail oriented. It was only myself at that moment.

This cash-only Chalateco located at corner of Jackson Street and Alum Rock Avenue in San Jose, boasts a spacious dining area and plenty of easy parking. It actually has a pretty cool street view at night of traffic and nearby buildings. The bathrooms however could be cleaner and in better condition. Also, none of the menus have prices. This is a big turn off as it can lead to staff charging people different prices for the dish if they want. The service is stern and the food is okay. Overall they get an M as a grade. M is for mediocre.

Cash only spot, luckily there’s an ATM inside this restaurant. This place is really clean inside. Unfortunately I was not impressed with their food. We ordered the bistec ensebollado, chorizo and potato pupusas, and a michalada. Perhaps other menu items are tastier so my review is based on these items I ordered. The food was okay, not super flavorful to me. I also have a high bar for Mexican food so keep that in mind. Worth trying out this spot if you live nearby.

Joe Macias

This cash-only Chalateco located at corner of Jackson Street and Alum Rock Avenue in San Jose, boasts a spacious dining area and plenty of easy parking. It actually has a pretty cool street view at night of traffic and nearby buildings. The bathrooms however could be cleaner and in better condition. Also, none of the menus have prices. This is a big turn off as it can lead to staff charging people different prices for the dish if they want. The service is stern and the food is okay. Overall they get an M as a grade. M is for mediocre.

Ana Tyler

Cash only spot, luckily there’s an ATM inside this restaurant. This place is really clean inside. Unfortunately I was not impressed with their food. We ordered the bistec ensebollado, chorizo and potato pupusas, and a michalada. Perhaps other menu items are tastier so my review is based on these items I ordered. The food was okay, not super flavorful to me. I also have a high bar for Mexican food so keep that in mind. Worth trying out this spot if you live nearby.

Muy caro...super caro ..the price to high

All it's very expensive.

I ordered dinner here today and they forgot my mega quesadilla. It was too far to bother driving back to pick it up. So I'm upset I wasted money for food I never got.

Didn't like it at all. Food to go took forever instead of 10 min and burritos with lettuce? Didn't like the flavor of the meat too. Maybe someone like it but not me.

I had a good concept about this restaurant but I don’t see the point on increase the price of the papusas and make them smaller if ur increasing the price you should keep the quality you used to had

We are going with a duty clothing because we are done for work, the lady forget my water 3 times , we finished never came n ask if we need something, when im pay I said I need my water n she said ooo im sorry but she is more nice with other people with a nice clothes, sorry but you no need to be like this because we have money to paid the clothes not define the person

I went to eat here with my family and didn't like the food. Everything was too salty, and they took out their own tip without letting me know, charging me $15 for a beverage I didn't order. Trying to get a second tip, of which the service wasn't good. I wouldn't recommend this place.

Service was bad, and the server was rude.

it costs to serve the food late

Don't recommend at all

Very bad customer Service, One of the waitress was very RUDE to my Family and I. Would never go back to that place.

This is the worst restaurant and ignorant that I have been into. They resell the food when is not pick up.

Take too long to come up and serve you don't even give you chips and salsa unless you ask for it salsa was too hot can of soda is 250 tacos are so small got my order wrong had to wait another 5 minutes after waiting 15 minutes for an order of tacos this place is too expensive meat had no flavor will never go there again waste of time and definitely my money

The service in the phone is so bad when you are ordering they hang up the phone coz they said they are to busy cannot stay more the 1 minute in the phone

They over charged don’t eat here they steal your money

Terrible order taking, it took more than 10 minutes to take my order and they took someone else order that was here after me

If there was a zero star it would be a zero. The food was mediocre and we were way overcharged for 10 taco and 3 beers. Tab was $70. They added cheese to a taco dish that did not advertise it had cheese and they refused to make it right! They said we had to pay for the incorrect dish as well as pay for another dish without the cheese. Visitors in this town very disappointing!!!! Someone posted it was clean! Obviously you didnt use the restrooms disgusting!!!

The service was horrible, this is the 2nd time that the people who help us chargers the 15% tips. Just because 4 people ordered on advance to eat there because we just have 30 minutes of lunch. 2 more people from work arrived after and because they know us they seat with us. And I bring my kids that day but they don’t like this kind of food so I ordered them other kind of food from a place they like and they almost kick me out with my kids because on their policy said no food from another place. I’m agree if I’m not consume anything for my kids here but at least I get them soda and water. 😡😡😡🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬, they can said anything to me but not my kids. Whit all this even if I love Popusas from here I’m no coming back

Food was awful with dry meats, canned salsas, and inattentive servers for a high cost. I'd come back if I'm looking to get sick and have an excuse to not go to work.

Placed an order over the phone and when to pick it up. Got home with the food and when we opened it it was the wrong order. Called to let them know, and instead of apologizing, the woman on the phone blamed us for not checking the order before we left and was unapologetic. We frequent this place a lot but after the last few experiences, I think we’re done. Rude staff and food is mediocre at best. One other time I noticed they had a slide door fridge open the whole time we were there while there was open container of horchata just chillin. A. It’s dairy, it’s warm, it’s no good anymore. And B, the front door was also open, so don’t know how many bugs were In there at that point

Nowadays, who carries cash?. I placed my order then I saw the sign and realized it's only cash. They have an ATM machine inside for the customers to withdraw funds. Don't they know those machines have fees? Of course they do. This shows how much they care for their customers. Plus your bank also charges fees for using a non Bank ATM. Really? another fee!!. I just got up and walked away. I went across the street to El Grullo. Oh my goodness. I'm so glad I didn't, it was so yummy. They accept cards!. Sorry CHALATECO you lost a customer that won't ever know if your food is good or not. Only for being greedy. Cash? because you don't want to report taxes or what else you only take cash?. Your a restaurant not a taco truck. I was even risking to be changed an arm and a leg since they don't have any prices posted anywhere even on their menu. I won't know if your meal will be $1 Or $100 isn't against the law not to post the prices? Anyways, I will definitely never go there again..

Food was not what expected.. popusas over priced.. duty place bathroom disgusting.. service bad never come back again 👎👎

I really liked these place but last time I was here the chicken milanésa was raw from a corner. They didn’t charge me the plate at least but please be careful when you order chicken here.

It was an awesome place, but then all the quality went down. Waitress rude no professional, and the food expensive and tasteless. Disappointed

Rhe waitress that was there the night my family and I went was rude juat rushing us like ahe had a full restaurant it was juat us and 1 other person juat keep asking it that it is that it is that it after each order and food was sooo greasy and was not good at all we stop at this chalateco thinking it was like the one on king and alum rock but was not the same at all I'll keep going to the one I know

Really disappointment, the bathroom pipe its collapsed and all restaurant smell really bad and a lot of fly inside. The place is so hot because their AC not working. Bad experience!!

Sadly my whole order was wrong, they forgot my drink, also side of beans, and overall the food was not the best! Customer service is great 👍

Just like everyone else has stated, the service and staff was definitely the worst part. It seemed to be the younger workers for sure that seemed distracted and inattentive( laughing and talking to each other). I was able to order a Michelada with shrimp which came out pretty fast (took order as soon as I sat down), but after that service vanished. I also did not like that the entire menu had no prices and I was able to get over that. If you have plenty of time to wait, this is the spot for you.

Not what we expected. Definitely not a salvadorian restaurant. I ordered casamiento breakfast and they use mexican rice and Mexican pinto beans which had a totally different flavor and texture to a salvadorian casamiento. Restaurant has 1 menu only. Cooks(male and female)in the kitchen where making out during business hours.Bathrooms are very dirty. Will not return to this restaurant.

Rarely order from here and I order sea food and as soon as I opened it i see a cockroach. Do your self a favor and never eat from here unless you don’t mind eating cockroaches

Fernando BEST

Just like everyone else has stated, the service and staff was definitely the worst part. It seemed to be the younger workers for sure that seemed distracted and inattentive( laughing and talking to each other). I was able to order a Michelada with shrimp which came out pretty fast (took order as soon as I sat down), but after that service vanished. I also did not like that the entire menu had no prices and I was able to get over that. If you have plenty of time to wait, this is the spot for you.

Evelyn Alas

Not what we expected. Definitely not a salvadorian restaurant. I ordered casamiento breakfast and they use mexican rice and Mexican pinto beans which had a totally different flavor and texture to a salvadorian casamiento. Restaurant has 1 menu only. Cooks(male and female)in the kitchen where making out during business hours.Bathrooms are very dirty. Will not return to this restaurant.

Luis Villavicencio

Rarely order from here and I order sea food and as soon as I opened it i see a cockroach. Do your self a favor and never eat from here unless you don’t mind eating cockroaches

I just wanted a burrito, not one menu with prices that I could find. I wasn't happy about a $16 burrito, when it was an extra $1 to use my debit card I was done. Won't be back. $20 for fast food in 2025 without a drink is too much...

The menu doesn't say what the food cost, the receipt says comida & the price next to it but, it doesn't say what food your being charged for. They add a tip without asking. The customer service is bad. The food is bad. The place is dirty & smells bad. Wouldn't recommend it 👎

First and last time i eat here The service was bad. The food was bad even the drink i ordered was bad. Plus overpriced. Wasted my time and money. Disgusting food. Hateful lazy servers. Don't waste your hard earned money.

Terrible experience from start to finish. The server barely acknowledged us, just stood there waiting instead of taking our order properly. He clearly didn’t care, and I later noticed he clocked out before our food even arrived, which took forever. The food itself was awful! Dry chicken, pupusas with more masa than filling, and everything tasted old. I got a stomach ache right after. Definitely not fresh, definitely not worth it. Never coming back.

They have a special 3 pupuas for 9.99 i came for the last 3 weeks because my family and I are not eating meat during lent. Even though I ordered a large order the last 2 times I came of just pupuas and they gave them to me this time they said it was 3 per person only and that is there policy. I said it doesn't say that but they said well I'm telling you now. I said I bought a large order the last 2 times and said wow that is such horrible customer service. So I guess if you are more than one person you better not order here or they are going to turn you away. I will not go back on principles not a good time be loosing good custo.ers that eat out alot.

Zen

I just wanted a burrito, not one menu with prices that I could find. I wasn't happy about a $16 burrito, when it was an extra $1 to use my debit card I was done. Won't be back. $20 for fast food in 2025 without a drink is too much...

G E

The menu doesn't say what the food cost, the receipt says comida & the price next to it but, it doesn't say what food your being charged for. They add a tip without asking. The customer service is bad. The food is bad. The place is dirty & smells bad. Wouldn't recommend it 👎

Yvette

First and last time i eat here The service was bad. The food was bad even the drink i ordered was bad. Plus overpriced. Wasted my time and money. Disgusting food. Hateful lazy servers. Don't waste your hard earned money.

Nica Nellis

They have a special 3 pupuas for 9.99 i came for the last 3 weeks because my family and I are not eating meat during lent. Even though I ordered a large order the last 2 times I came of just pupuas and they gave them to me this time they said it was 3 per person only and that is there policy. I said it doesn't say that but they said well I'm telling you now. I said I bought a large order the last 2 times and said wow that is such horrible customer service. So I guess if you are more than one person you better not order here or they are going to turn you away. I will not go back on principles not a good time be loosing good custo.ers that eat out alot.

Ængı Šœl

Terrible experience from start to finish. The server barely acknowledged us, just stood there waiting instead of taking our order properly. He clearly didn’t care, and I later noticed he clocked out before our food even arrived, which took forever. The food itself was awful! Dry chicken, pupusas with more masa than filling, and everything tasted old. I got a stomach ache right after. Definitely not fresh, definitely not worth it. Never coming back.