Gloria’s Pupuseria

Gloria’s is definitely a «mom and pop» restaurant. I went there having never found good pupusas in DC proper. Walking in the small restaurant you are immediately greeted by a blaringly loud telenovela on tv and not too many customers. Undeterred, I ordered 2 cheese and 2 cheese and pork pupusas and am happy to say that they were delicious. I got them to go but would consider eating in next time to try some of the other things on the extensive menu. It’s also insanely cheap for how much food you get. Those 4 only ran me $ 8 and that’s about as much of a bargain meal for two as you are going to find in the District.

Let me tell you, if youre going to come it would be an injustice, a travesty NOT to try their pupusas. It is absolutely amazing. It hada nice crust where it was crisp on the outside and beautifully soft and melty in the center. I recommend getting the mixed pupusas that have cheese and pork, its just heavenly. I dreamt about it afterwords. I also got the carna asada which was good but mediocre in comparison to the pupusas. I enjoyed the pickled cabbage that they put with the pupusas as well. It worked very well together and is an El Salvadorean tradition. When i go back (and I will), I plan on getting only pupusas because that wqs far superior. The rest of the dishes are nothing special. I also recommend trying the drinks like horchata (a rice milk blend) and my personal favorite: tamarind. The restaurant is very hole in the wall, ma and pop but its charming. It will definitely be loud because of their juke box, but its all good! EVERYONE AND ANYONE who loves pupusas must come here!

The best pupusas, hands down in DC. This is one of three places I try to go to for pupusas in DC. The last time I went, I got the full dinner – two cheese pupusas (perfectly hot, not too greasy), black beans and rice. Most places don’t do a lot with beans, which is sad, because they can be delicious. Gloria’s does black beans a major justice by seasoning them to perfection. They remind me of when I used to live in Miami. Rice is buttery, so if you aren’t in to that, then you are out of luck. Super filling meal, and I would return in a heartbeat.

Puposas were really, really good. Chicken tamales tasted subpar. The Chicken stew was «okay». A downgrade for the atmosphere. The kitchen is next to the dining area and the entire staff was chatting and laughing very loudly through the entire experience. Maybe takeout?

Great little Salavadoran restaurant. Very authentic. We got the #2 special– taco and a pupusa. We also got the #1 special, plantains. All delicious, especially the pupusa and plantains. I also had to do a Spanish project about pupusas, and the staff was friendly and willing to help me, let me take pictures, and ask questions. Would return!

There is something special brewing in that kitchen at Gloria’s. I would compare it to some sort of a healing pharmacy, akin to those makeshift old world corner stores you could pop into, and stumble upon the cure for just about any modern ailment. From a hangover, to workday stress, and even relationship issues. I typically don’t write reviews, but I would be remiss if I didn’t completely vouch for the incredible magical experience my boyfriend and I had early today. Typically we have gone for those delicious, generously cheese soaked pupusas, however this morning we opted for the tamales and plantains. Wow! There has got to be something in those plantains! They had my boyfriend saying «Que Riccooo» several times in a row, in under 2 minutes, and he’s not even Latin. I think it’s safe to say that was the most potent aphrodisiac I’ve ever experienced, and it was for under $ 8. oh, and the music is on point too :)

Not the best place for vegetarians. Most of the menu is relatively overpriced, but the pupusas are just $ 2 – definitely the way to go.

Food is delicious. seems like a family restaurant. The lady that took our order was a little rude and pushy. But the steak was great

Great, tasty, and cheap pupusas. Great cabbage salad and sofrito. Strongly recommended. Also, the sound of the pupusas being hand made is just what you expect if you’re used to pupuserias in El Salvador or Guatemala.

Gloria’s had amazing pupusas, fun atmosphere. The music was a bit too loud and it was hard to converse over the jukebox. Nice service and it was fun to see the pupusas being made by hand. Cash only!

This was my first time trying a pupusa and they were delicious! Overall, our meal was very tasty with the exception of the corn tamales being a bit too sweet! Also great deal on giant margaritas and piña coladas but there was little alcohol in them at all.

Gloria’s is probably the best Latin, home-​style restaurant in the area. Great food, good-​side portions and great price. I’m a big fan as you can tell, though!

Almost everything you want in a neighborhood pupuseria. Friendly staff, Spanish-​language TV blaring, and heaping helpings of food that you can watch being cooked (if you’re nosy). The sides are a little generic, but if you stick to pupusas and meat dishes, you’ll be satisified. Oh – and thick, chewy tortillas that make you ashamed of the stuff you bought at the grocery store. Not a space that you’d want to take a first date, but there are plenty of places that can fulfill that function.

Great el Salvador food, with a very soulful mood. Amazing black beans and tortilla. Loved the fajitas.

Just went here last night to pick up three pupusas. I got all pork and cheese, three for $ 6 and an Horchata for $ 2. They were all delicious.
I didn’t eat there because I actually cooked dinner, but was craving some pupusas for my appetizer. Being new to the neighborhood, I had to check it out.
I am glad I did. Got a chance to look at the menu and I will definitely be back!

First time I’ve had pupusas and Salvadorian food in general. I thought it was okay. I am not really and enthusiast of things cooked in lots of oils, so perhaps pupusas and I are just not meant to be.
Ordered the dinner special no 2. I don’t speak a lick of Spanish so I have no idea what it’s called on the menu. The chicken taco was alright. Did not like the seasoning if the chicken… so perhaps that’s why.
I did really like the beans and rice, if that counts.
If I’m back in the area I’ll definitely give it another try. I don’t speak Spanish, so ideally I will take someone who does with me. The jukebox is loud, so avoid the corner seat. And despite the visa MasterCard sticker they do not take credit card.

I can’t believe that I haven’t reviewed this place yet and some of the other reviews I am reading are really pissing me off! Don’t go to Gloria’s if you’re expecting to sit in a trendy restaurant surrounded by beautiful people and top notch service. This place is about the food and that’s it. Also do yourself a favor and bone up basic on Spanish too because most of the servers don’t speak very good English, although they try. I always feel embarrassed that I can’t order in Spanish, but I know some people for whatever reason expect to speak in English, so you’ve have been warned.
I’ve eaten at my share of El Salvadorian spots in the city over the past 15 years, and this Gloria’s is one of the best and my personal favorite.
The breakfast is best at Gloria’s. My most-​ordered item is the huevos con chorizo. Nothing short of amazing. A huge portion of usually perfectly scrambled eggs sautéed with mild but fatty chorizo, served with an accompaniment of avocado, a charred jalepeno, and some kind of hard salty cheese, and with a side of perfectly seasoned rice and beans. When I am feeling really naughty, I’ll order a carb busting platter of fried plantains served with an unctuous crema and beans. Definitely the kind of comfort food that will start your day off right. My daughter prefers the cheese pupusas, which are also quite good. The curtido (cabbage slaw) that it is served with is fresh and balanced.
I’ve sampled some other items at Gloria’s that were far less impressive, but I’ve honestly never had anything bad here. I come back at least once a month for my favorites and if I still lived in the neighborhood would be there at least a few times a week.
The only thing I avoid at Salvadorian restaurants (including Glorias) are the tamales and anything made with tortillas (other than pupusas), including tacos, burritos, and enchiladas. I prefer Mexican tortillas and tamales, but I think that is just a matter of cuisine and taste preference.

This is an amazing restaurant. You’d be remiss to believe many of these ADD hipster reviews below. Some people miss the mark on… everything.
This is home style, family recipe food, done perfectly. If you’re looking for pupusas this is my favorite rendition I’ve found in DC so far, mainly because they really understand how to caramelize the cheese. They’re wonderful. So are their cabbage and tomato sauce toppings. You can eat three for roughly $ 6.
Their tacos are also noteworthy because the tortilla is basically a very thin pupusa with extra-​charred steak. It was a bit different of a taco flavor than I’m used to and I loved every bite. Of highest interest are their beans and rice. A perfect balance of mild chicken stocky flavor and mild stewed extra large black beans.
This is wholesome, traditional, affordable food prepared with respect. I’ll be back often. The hipsters can go eat whatever new thing they were told to stand in line for last week.
Highest Recommendation.

WTF gloria. return a second time and you serve me a chicken sandwhich with bones.
Don’t look and me and answer yes, if you don’t understand my questions.
Is this white meat … «yes». Lies
How the hell do you think you can get away with leaving bones in a sandwhich. You could have killed me. A sandwhich is meant to eat and trust the innards. I’ve lost all appetite and desire to eat sanwhiches. Gloria, you gave me a sandwhichphobia. I’ll never be able to eat one again.
STOP WITH THE BONES IN THE SAMMYS !!!

My quest for good pupusas continues…
Overall on the pupusas, not bad, a solid 3.5.
Service was ok, placed and order (in solid Salvadorian Spanish) and when I got there they had messed it up, proceeded to say I was wrong. It’s OK, customer service expectations have already set this bar way lower, they are still at 3.5. Besides, they were super friendly while saying I was in error.
Corrected the order and when I got home it was wrong again. Whatevz, I’ll live.
Open up the curtido (pickled cabbage) and by the grace of God if a fish stink didnt knock me to the floor it’s because I have good balance. The stench was so bad I threw out the curtido and ate the pupusas without it.
Experience ruined, down to two stars.
I’ll give them another try, just based on the pupusa’s merit. Hopefully, this was a one time thing.