El Cuscatleco

Great hole-​in-​the-​wall type of place for authentic Salvadoran food and some more American-​accessible types of pseudo-​Mexican/​Latino food. I’d go with the authentic stuff, myself, as that is far and away the best. In particularly, the soups are really, really good.
The place can be loud, particularly when they have had live music, so if you like a quiet dining experience you’ll want to go at off-​hours and/​or when the music isn’t playing.
The staff has always been friendly and attentive. English competency varies, but there’s almost always somebody around who speaks good enough English and if you’re just a little patient, you’ll get what you want.

The papusas are great here, the yuca fries are crispy and delicious. The rest of my food was good and the service was friendly.

Unfortunately, I’m going to have to lower my rating for El Cuscatleco. As much as we had enjoyed this place, the last two times we’ve eaten there, the Boy has ended up with serious stomach problems an hour later — that lasted 36 hours each time! I don’t know if it’s just a problem with the beef burrito in particular or what, but it’s a serious enough problem that I don’t think that he’ll be back. I may still stop in from time to time just for a tamale for myself — yum! — but it concerns me that a dish that never bothered him before has suddenly — and, apparently, consistently — changed in such a way as to make him ill. :(Bummer!
Also, they’re ALWAYS out of watermelon juice. ALWAYS.
Disappointing! This had really become our go-​to place!

I was searching for a mexican restaurant as we were craving some good mexican food and I came across this little place. I noticed it said Salvadorian/​mexican and since I jusy came back from El Salvador I was curious to see if they had any papusas and sure enough they did! Restaurant is a little hole in the wall place but the food was good. we ordered the papusa and el creama pollo and beef enchiladas. The papusas def was pretty close to the ones I had in El salvador. The chicken was good. Lots of flavor. The beef enchiladas were also good but nothing spectacular.

A friend recommended this place and since I was in the area, I went by to give it a try. The food is FANTASTIC and the prices are unbelievable!!! I took my food to go as I had been out on errands and had groceries to get home. I drove 25 minutes from the restaurant back to the house, unpacked my groceries and sat down to eat and my food was still hot! They got my order wrong, they gave me a pork taco and chicken enchilada (I think) but it was so delish I ate it anyway, since I hadn’t eaten lunch. It was probably the best mexican food I’ve ever had! And it cost me under $ 5!!! I WILL be back and soon.

Great food! Their yucca took me back to Panama where I lived for a year and a half. My daughter loved their plantains. Everything we had was great. We will make the trip from Fayetteville again.

I don’t know what these bad reviews are about. I took my chances here with my three year old son today and am SO GLAD I DID! I ordered the ceviche, bean and cheese as well as plain cheese pupusas, fried plantains, and horchata. All was very good. The horchata was so flavorful and uniquely spiced (not just cinnamon), unlike Mexican restaurants. The ceviche hit the spot, though I did add lime juice to it (they provided a wedge of lime on the plate) and would probably add a dash of salt next time. Still though, very good! The pupusas were BIG and cooked well. The traditional cabbage relish was delish. The fried plantains were SWEET! I have had some bland plantains in my life so it means a lot to have some tasty ones! They use pinto beans instead of black beans too, and I prefer pintos so that’s great as well. I will be back with my son (who adored the cheese pupusa)!
This whole meal cost me UNDER $ 20 and with how huge the servings were, I had enough for two leftover meals even after stuffing my (21 weeks pregnant and extremely hungry) self.
Give it a shot. The prices are so cheap there isn’t much to lose!

Good and authentic salvadoran food. I liked the quite loacation and their service was also not bad. I would love to come back to this place. On a lighter note I still don’t know how to pronounce the name of this place

Pupusas!!! El Cuscatleco makes great pupusas and other Salvadorean specialties. I recommend the Carne Guizada (beef stew) or El Campesino plate with a side of cheese pupusa. This is hearty, filling, home-​cooked food — nothing too spicy or rich. The waitresses are friendly, and bachata music is always playing. This would be a fun, inexpensive date spot if your date is adventurous and likes to travel.

Very affordable and delicious Mexican place
I went there with my friends for four straight weeks!

Alejandro would LOVE this place! Not because it is a Hole-​in-​the-​Wall (it is) but because the Food is So Salvadorian! What we got here was just like where he took me and said it reminded him of Home!
My eBay Bride and I got Plato Tipico
Pupusa, Yucca, Plantains, Tamal, Pollo and Pastelito and an extra plate of Pupusas My Favorite part was the Cabbage
My Friend got? and his Wife got Steak Tacos
Most of the Flavors were mild though some of the Tacos came with a Hot Sauce
Mens Restroom is Small! Too small to change your mind! Made me glad I could STAND!
I would say this is Closer to Authentic than the Super Designer places I attend the majority of the time

The hidden gem of South Durham. I remember this place used to be a convenience store years ago, still can’t believe a restaurant is crammed in here. Don’t let the looks fool you though, this place is amazing! The food is delicious (and surprisingly cheap), and the service is always great! I was introduced to Salvadorian food here with the Plato Tipico and loved everything on it, highly recommend that if your unfamiliar with Salvadorian. They have the best Pupusas I’ve ever had and under $ 2 each, just try them! Now they also have your standard Mexican food as well, and I’m yet to have something I don’t like. Definitely try their yucca its awesome here and I love their salsa cause it’s unique. I would recommend trying their Salvadorian dishes and their «Especialidades de la Casa», but gotta mention their lunch specials are a steal, great place for lunch.

The beans, that is all I have to say about this place.
Unlike Nanas, this place actually has pilaf for rice… or something similar to that texture. The beans with the rice, a very simple combination, is undoubtably the best I’ve ever had at any Mexican or Latino restaurant.
I had this catered (they did a wonderful job, I definitely recommend catering this place for an event) so I didn’t experience the service or location of the main store, but the meat was hot, tender, and everything was fresh right up to the point we unopened each tray for serving!
I will definitely go to the main store (which I heard was not the best looking from outside but def homey and more importantly, delicious!) when I get the chance!

I am so glad that I was here eating food.
I needed a quick to-​go lunch near Durham and I Unilocaled latin american food and this café came up. I went there and ordered a triple sample dish to go. It took like 10 minutes and the food was awesome. I love the yuca fries and plantain which tasted exactly the same when I had my food in latin american!
I will revisit this place for more delicious food!
P.S They have weekday lunch special!

One of the best, most affordable latin american restaurants I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting. The digs are nothing special, the TV is loud (ours was playing Spongebob, vomit)…but DAMN the food is amazing. The tamales were some of the best I’ve ever tasted, and the burrito and enchiladas were just to die for. Parking was easy. Do yourself a favor and try it out!

oh man. i was in durham for an interview and i almost just want to move here so i can eat here more often. the portion sizes are generous and the pupusas are incredible. it is a bit too oily for you waistline conscious.
there is a reason why this place is bustling at lunchtime and it’s a good sign of authenticity to have latinos eating here.

This Salvadorian place is pretty great. I’ve been several times and the service and food have been consistently good. It looks like a hole in the wall kinda place but most places with excellent and authentic food usually are. The building is a bit small but every time I’ve gone, the parking lot is completely packed. They have several tv’s and are usually playing soccer, so this is a good place if you’re looking to catch a game and eat some good food. Everything I’ve ordered has been good but the pupusas are AMAZING. I often times go just to order that and get whatever else. I will definitely be back. Highlights:
Pupusas!
Affordable (easily $ 10 or less per person depending on order)
Authentic atmosphere
No wait to get a seat
Friendly staff

I realized my old review was 4-​star, so it’s time for an update. It’s 5-​stars in my book, one of my favorites in Durham. Keep in mind that it’s a «hole in the wall», but the food here is consistently great and the prices are unbeatable. My go-​to dishes are usually the chicken fajitas or the chilaquiles. I usually call in my order and do take out.

This doesn’t look like a great place to eat from the outside, but like a previous Unilocaler said, don’t judge a book by its cover. I was thoroughly impressed with the food and the price. If you like Mexican food and you are looking for the best enchiladas in Chapel Hill or Durham you must visit this restaurant.
To top it off, it is very affordable. You can easily eat for under $ 10. I think I got three chicken enchiladas and a sweet tea and my bill was around $ 8 or $ 9. The only concern is the parking. When we went for lunch on a Sunday there was no parking in their packing lot. The parking lot only holds about 10 cars and all spots were taken. Interestingly, even though the parking lot was full it did not mean we had to wait a long time. We had a five minute wait and it was well worth it.
We did not try the desserts but that is something I will try the next time I return. I can promise you that I will be back.

Tasty authentic Salvadorian cuisine.
Service was excellent. Prices were reasonable… Tried the bistec cuscatcleco and the plato typico. BEST DISHES ON THE MENU!!!
Looking forward to my next visit!

I am in love. I ordered carne asada tacos con cilantro y limon es muy delicioso! Seriously my new go to spot in the Chapel Hill area. A full dinner cost me less than 5 dollars. I would recommend this to everyone. Great place to practice your spanish as well!