The Salvadoran community in Chicago dates back to the late 1920s, when middle- and upper-class students began steadily arriving to study or work in the city. Despite a population boom in the 1970s and 1980s, the Salvadoran community is not centralized in one specific neighborhood. Instead it is dispersed throughout the city, particularly in suburbs are that popular with other Central and South American immigrants, such as Rogers Park and Logan Square. Today, Chicagoans can enjoy traditional dishes at a number of authentic Salvadoran restaurants.
Located in the Hegewisch neighborhood near Chicago's East Side, Pupuseria El Salvador is tucked away in the basement of an office building and has a nondescript appearance with a handful of tables and a few bar stools. That hasn't stopped the small eatery from gaining a reputation for its tasty, authentic Central American cuisine. Its specialty is pupusas, an El Salvadoran dish that is like a cross between a Mexican quesadilla and a South American empanda. A pupusa is a cornmeal cake filled with beans, pork, vegetables or cheese. They are filling, inexpensive and delicious. Other menu items include tamales filled with zucchini and cheese, Salvadoran-style eggs with chicharones, or crispy pork cracklings.
Pupuseria El Salvador
3557 E. 106th Street
Chicago, IL 60617
773-374-0490
Located in Chicago's Brighton Park neighborhood, El Salvador Restaurante is a small, cozy eatery that serves los platos tipico Salvadoreno -- or typical Salvadoran fare. Diners will find an array traditional dishes to sample, including Tamale Pastel Yuca, which features a platter containing a tamale, a pupusa, fried plantains and black beans. The Pasteles De Masa Con Carne plate features three fried flour pockets stuffed with spiced ground pork. The Yuca Con Chicharron is a plate of fried casaba topped with pork cracklings and tangy Salvadoran coleslaw. Enjoy your meal with one of the restaurant's fruity imported sodas.
El Salvador Restaurante?
4125 South Archer Avenue
Chicago, IL 60632-1812
(773) 579-0405
Birreria Reyes de Ocotlan? is located near Chicago's Little Italy neighborhood and is known for just one thing: Birria -- or goat meat. Diners won't find an extensive menu or variety of choices. Instead, they'll be handed a generous platter of tender goat meat prepared using a traditional Central American technique. The meat is steamed for several hours in clay pots until it is tender and falling apart. It is served in a savory broth flavored with tomatoes, onions, cilantro, lime and a side of corn tortillas. While Birria is unfamiliar to most Americans, it is popular within the Chicago's Latin community. Those who like to explore exotic new dishes can find the real thing at Birreria Reyes de Ocotlan, although timid diners should be aware that they won't find pupusas or tamales here.
Birreria Reyes de Ocotlan?
1322 West 18th Street
Chicago, IL 60608
312-773-2613
