El Caracol Cafe
- http://www.elcaracol.vancouvertravelonline.com/index.htm

Located at Victoria and 36th, El Caracol is one of my favorite Latin-American restaurants.
The owner is El Salvadorean, and so therefore she makes Pupusas!

I don’t know how to explain why I love pupusas so much. It might be because I was introduced to them as a kid. I used to sleepover at a friends house when I was younger, and his aunt would make them.

Anyways.. I should explain what pupusas are. They’re basically corn-flour pockets with cheese, black beans and pork fillings.. cooked on a hot skillet till they ooze of goodness. There are variations on it, such as chicharrones, queso, frijoles refritos…

One order of Pupusas. 3 per order at $7.50. Add more for $2.50/each.
To be truly authentic…pick it up and eat it. I don’t do it cause it’s messy and it’s also really hot! but..if you want to…

With anything you order, you get three “sides”.
Curtido, salsa de tomate, and salsa verde [spicy!].

I don’t really know how to explain Curtido, so wiki says this…

Curtido (pronounced coor-tee-tho) is a type of relish. In Salvadoran cuisine, it resembles sauerkraut and is usually made with pickled cabbage, onions, carrots, and sometimes lemon juice. It is commonly served alongside pupusas, the national delicacy. …It is used to accompany virtually any dish and is commonly found at numerous taquerías.
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curtido

Pupusas are so important and are a big part of El Salvador cuisine, that they have even declared November 13th “National Pupusa Day.”

One day soon, I’ll try to make these myself at home.

El Caracol doesn’t have just pupusas, but that’s really only what I would be going there for.
My mom ordered tacos last time we went.
This is the Taco con Carne Asada

Service – you shouldn’t have trouble communicating, the menu is in English.
Food – you can take a look at the kitchen when you head back to the washroom.
Overall – 10/10. I have a soft spot for latin food, and this one definitely tugs at my heart.