I believe the words appropriate for my feelings for El Tazumal #2 are, In Love.
I don’t consider myself a worldly type of guy, I’m okay with that. But if I had to judge a country by their people, El Salvador is right at the top. The restaurant & grocery next door are family run, the shopkeeper is always there. Not only are you greeted with smiles, but if nearly any type of conversation ensues, he’ll ask you would like to see pictures of his country? And it isn’t pronounced, el salvador. Throw out your hands and chest and exclaim, EL SAL VA DOR !!! Pound on that last “dor” there. The twinkle in his eyes is very apparent as he pulls out a ragged coffee table book and flips through it. “Here is MY country!” And continues, with huge amounts of pride, to show you around. His voice drops and as he says that politicallly, “It’s not so good.” All I was looking for was a simple lunch and I feel as though I should run home and pack my bags and visit, EL SAL VA DOR !!! In Love.
I walk next door and am quickly seated for my lunch. While the decor is simple, it’s exceptionally neat and clean. The chips come right away and are homemade rigs that snap with warmth. I can usually gauge my meal if the chips are made in-house and my meal comes before I devour said chips.
Not a problem, both happen. And brother, or sister, I know. I’ve been eating lunch & dinners here for about 2 months now.
Check this out, see that large container on the right there? I’ve never been offered this at the table before. This my good friend, is a large container of curtido. It’s a spicy pickled cabbage action that makes your mouth giggle. And you know what? I can have all I want !!! And I do, each and every time.
Here’s one of my earlier meals. It’s a marinated flank steak with shrimpies. While the flavors were excellent (spicy shrimp doused with butter), the meat was just > < this much overcooked. Too bad, but I ate it anyways. That's El Salvadorian rice right there. It's got some extra things in there that Mexican rice doesn't. And this, to me, looks like that converted rice. Uncle Ben's er something. I think. I haven't had their Mexican version yet, mebbe soon. The refried beans are a rich and creamy wonder, slurp! Those and a stack of warm tortillas would be a meal within itself.
See this here? These tacos are worth driving for. Yes, it’s a Destination Taco. Why? Because this version of carnitas is tender juicy. I haven’t spoken with the chef, but if I had to guess it’s a traditional carnitas (simmered in lard all day). Most of what we see in this area are roasted porkses, a tad bit dryer. And if you’re lucky, after roasting it gets pan fried with crispy pork bits! But I digress, this taco tastes as good as it looks. Even got a red tomato too!
Somewhere under there is another set of carnitas tacos. I ordered this version, Grande Taco. Holy crap! Sure it was excellent, but too damned much. My tummy was sore for 2 hours after consuming these mounds.
The sound you just heard was Chandler falling out of his chair, clutching his gut. Do you know what that flat, round, toasty thing is? He does, I do. What’s missing? 4 quarts of grease you get with most other pupusas. These discs of love are made to order each and every time. Inside you’ll find your choice of meat, vegetables and/or cheese. There’s a special sauce you are served only with pupusas. If you don’t order a pupusa, you don’t get it. It’s kinda light and more like a friendly dressing than a sauce. In Love.
El Tazumal #2 has a pretty vast menu and I haven’t tried most of it. They do the simple things so damned well, I don’t care to move on, yet. I would drive from Berkeley or Oakland for this food. Probably not from The City (San Francisco). But if I lived in The City, was visiting Berkeley, then I would drive to Richmond for this food. Most certainly.
In Love.
Biggles
El Tazumal #2
12545 San Pablo Avenue
Richmond, CA 94805
(510) 235-5315
ps – Plan on visiting the market next door, Joya de Ceren. They have house-made chorizo sausage that’s tied off with wisps of corn husks. It’s easily some of the best I’ve ever had.
Nice photos! Thanks for all the details …. I’ve had their pupusas and thought they were great. NIce folks.
I think I may go have dinner there tomorrow!
That sound you heard was Chandler crying. Biggles, I feel like a German soldier guarding a farmhouse in France that is full of German Officers. You, Johnny Biggles American Green Beret, sneak up behind me and stick your sharpened steely knife into my chest between the 3rd and 4th rib. I look at you for oh so brief a moment and then, with the tiny hint of a smile on your face, you thrust upward with you knife hand, and rotate the blade 90 degrees, turning my still beating heart into a gooey mess.
By the way, Dog, if they have Platanos con Crema, you must give them a try. Ay Dios Mio!
Just catching your latest dining adventure and I haven’t had breakfast yet! I could sure go for some of that carnitas in a taco along with some of that delicious looking tomato and greens! It’s a good thing for me I’m not still overseas in that place where such food is available only in magazine pictures! Now, my appestat is rigged for an EL SAL VA DOR-an meal, as we speak! This need will torment me all day!
This place sounds fantastic. Maybe there’s something in the water in El SalcaDOR, because a restaurant I found here in Marin has the same sort of family ownership and friendliness and pride. The curtido is always refreshing, they make everything from scratch and there’s an all-women staff. Hmmmm. Maybe I’ll head there for lunch today — you’ve inspired me.
Hi Everyone !!!
Kudzu,
I din’t mention it, but everyone in the kitchen there are smiling womens. Lots of happy chatting while making pupusas!
Biggles
I lived in El Salvador, at two different times, for about 1 yr. total as a boy. The people of El Salvador are as friendly, and as pleasant to be around, as any group of people that I have ever encountered. It’s unfortunate that they’ve had such political turmoil down there because it tends to scare away tourists. It’s beautiful from the tip of its mountains to the shores of its wonderful beaches. And the food could not be any more delicious.
Looks like my kind of place.I love pupusas.
Man I am full!! The Curtido and Pupusa’s was something new for me. Most excellent!
Those pics are just mouth watering….
Carnivore’s delight. 🙂
THE PLACE IS GROSS!
I ATE THERE ONCE AND HALF OF THE TABLES HAD CHAIRS UP WHILE PEOPLE WERE STILL EATING!! OUTRAGEOUS!
THE PLATES WERE CHIPPED… NOT TOO CLEAN.
THE WAITRESS DID NOT PAY ATTENTION TO ME BEACUSE I AM NOT LATIN… WHILE MY OTHER FRIENDS WERE.
WON’T GO THERE AGAIN.
DO NOT RECOMMEND IT.
GO TO PLATANO IN BERKELEY INSTEAD!!!!!!!!!!
A GIRL NOT LATIN.
iam suprise el tazumal #2 is always friendly the food is always fresh and it is always clean
The store next door is really great they have the lowest prices in the area and the workers are allways friendly and love to help
{HERE IS THE NUMBER I SUGGEST CALLING IT IF YOU WANT TAKE OUT (510)-235-5315}
AND VISIT THE STORE TO OK BYE =)
It’s a great place to get food on the go, it’s not the most glamorous place so if you decide to eat here don’t expect a 5 star restaurant, otherwise the food is fresh and excellent, the Pupusas are delicious, they come with some sort of cabbage relish, lightly fermented and a savory salsa, if you eat Pupusas you will get the extras too. Breakfast are good too. Thank for this little place in Richmond.
i love the food there it delicious and the service is great
I love this place! I usually get Number #60, A salvadorean Tamal and a Pupusa, rice and beans. I’ve also had their Carne asada plate. It was great too!