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Amelia's Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Latin American Latin American [Edit]
2042 Broadway StRedwood City, CA 94063
(650) 368-1390
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 10 am - 9 pm
Fri-Sat 10 am - 9:30 pm
Sun 9 am - 9 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
136 reviews for Amelia's Restaurant
Review Highlights
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"The 'chopped fruit drink' is a must try." In 8 reviews -
"We would def come back again for the papusas." In 17 reviews -
"Finally, found a great el salvadorian restuarant." In 4 reviews
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136 reviews in English
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Review from Jonathan A.
Burlingame, CA
3/9/2012
I have been coming here for pupusas since I was a child. This is the only place I go to get them. I you don't know/haven't tried a papusa...get your rear end into this place ASAP! I would suggest ordering a few of the chicken, cheese and beans pupusas. And I never knew until I saw someone doing it, but the pickled cabbage tastes really good on top, too! Don't forget to stop by the salsa bar, the red ones are great. Another thing to get is their horchatas. Mmm mmm good!
Besides their pupusas being amazing, they also have a full menu of typical Mexican food options. I haven't tried many other things here, but I can tell you that their tamales are also good. -
Review from Brian C.
Mountain View, CA
5/20/2012 1 Check-in Here
What in the world is a pupusa?!
If you really want to know, Amelia's Restaurant is a great way to be introduced to this Salvadorean specialty which is pretty much a quesadilla-empanada-pancake-patty thingy stuffed with your choice of meat and/or cheese and/or beans, etc. with cole slaw included on the side as an optional topping. Amelia's may have the best local offering of pupusas. But this is not exactly breaking news - it seems to be a well-established fact around these parts!
Which pupusa fillings are the best? Not sure. But I recommend at least one cheese-only pupusa for a beginner. It's least likely to disappoint you. Carne asada may be the best meat option.
The free tortilla chips here can be decently fresh and crispy as they were on our most recent visit. To accompany the chips, I recommend the salsa verde (green salsa) for the best balance of flavor and spice. But if you can't hang with spicy things, please stick with whatever you can handle (mild?).
The platanos / fried plantain plate is always enjoyable. It comes with a side of cream and your choice of pinto / black beans. It's an odd combo conceptually, but it actually does help to distinguish it from other fried plantains served by non-Salvadorean restaurants.
As much as I love fried plantains as it is traditionally served, I'm starting to think that it has untapped potential. I'm thinking that somebody (Amelia's?) might need to break out of the mold and try a dessert version of fried plantains with cinnamon ice cream on the side or something....
I digress....
Please note that Amelia's sells ENTREE-SIZED servings of plantains! So prepare to share if you are just looking for a side.
They also serve a delightful, refreshing fruit salad drink (ensalada de frutas). I recommend keeping a spoon or fork handy so that after slurping up as much healthy goodness as you can through a straw, you can make sure that the chopped fruit left at the bottom of your cup doesn't end up going by the wayside....oink-oink....
Amelia's sells at least one other "exotic," non-alcoholic beverage that is easy to miss if you don't already know about it - it's a Salvadorean orange and cream soda which my Salvadorean buddy always gets....sorry, I forgot the name....but it's sort of orangish-red in color, and it's served in a bottle.
On our most recent visit, we pretty much played it safe by ordering pupusas, platanos and fruit salad drinks based both on Yelp reviews and past experience. Thankfully, we all enjoyed a very pleasant, casual dinner at this family-friendly (albeit somewhat noisy) restaurant. Next time, I might have to bust out and try some other things on their fairly extensive menu. -
Review from Susan L.
San Francisco, CA
2/14/2012
i love pupusas, thank you to my friend ron for introducing me to this place. the only con: the place isn't that clean. so, if you're into good food but with a C rating for cleanliness, this is the place to go! will i go back? probably while i'm pregnant and craving Salvadoran food.
make sure to order their fruit drink, can't miss it when you're at the register. -
Review from Robert B.
San Jose, CA
4/29/2012
The tables are NOT sticky, the chips are NOT stale, the bathroom was clean, the dining room is comfortable taqueria ambiance.
I had the chili verde plate for dinner, it was tasty an tender and a nice level of heat. The little salad that came with it was good too. Also liked the hot red sauce from the salsa bar.
Definitely would come back. No beer though, but not a show stopper for me. -
Review from Jason W.
San Mateo, CA
12/22/2011
When I used to work in Redwood City, I must have passed by this place a million times and not noticed it. When my friend suggested we meet there for dinner, I was like, "where?" Seriously though, it's a very nondescript restaurant: small sign, bare dining area, few decorations, seat yourself, old furniture, faded paint, etc. Oh shoot! I just described it, didn't I?
Anyway, the restaurant is mainly standard Mexican fare, but with a few Salvadoran options. I felt horribly indecisive while looking at the menu, so I just went with the carnitas dinner. Carnitas is my standard to measure against for any new Mexican restaurant I go to. I look for preparation (fried vs. roasted), flavor (stew meat or nicely seasoned), variety (regional flavors like cochinita pibil) and funny bit ratio (some fat is understandable). In the Bay Area, it's hard to find carnitas that aren't fried and flavorless.
When my meal showed up, it came in a neat little stone bowl; kind of like some prop you'd see Mola Ram put a beating heart in. The bowl was stuffed with roasted pork with a small amount of pico de gallo and what may have been a little chicken broth. Around the edge of the bowl were three large plantains. The meat was very flavorful and tender. Yeah, there were funny bits, but nothing that really freaked me out. The plantains were awesome and a nice touch! The meal came with rice and beans, avocado, and some corn tortillas. Yum! My wife and friend all tried papusas which they really liked.
Criticisms? A few. The staff are friendly and attentive, but they don't all speak the best of English, so it's hard to get some things sorted out in a timely manner. The place could use a coat of paint and some new furniture. The bathroom was kind of scary. The salsa is alright (the hot one is great, but the other two are blah).
I'll definitely come here again and try the Salvadoran dishes next time! -
Review from Ava V.
Chicago, IL
4/11/2012
I decided to go to this restaurant upon the great deal from groupon. However I did not care for their food , its over priced and tasted bland. My friend and I ordered the shrimp in the spicy sauce and the also the green mole sauce...yuk...the rice was bland needed salt, and the shrimp tasted like rubber BUT the best thing of the meal was the tortillas. I would say this place is not at all authentic but trying to be an upscale kind of authentic mexican restaurant. I will never eat here again but hey "KUDOS" for trying to be Mexican with a non latin, mexican kind of I don't know what flare......
P.S. the prices were minimum $21.00 and for that not even a little bit of chips or bread etc....the service was slow there was one waitress for the entire section... -
Review from Crystal K.
Los Angeles, CA
11/22/2011
I'm not a fan of Amelia's. I'm a fan of hole the wall establishments but this place is just gross. Think sticky tables and stale chips that have been sitting on the table for who knows how long...
The food is below average. They're supposedly known for their pupusas. The pupusas are so greasy to the point where I had to blot the oil off with a napkin. I haven't tried anything else on their menu and probably never will. -
Review from Randy W.
Half Moon Bay, CA
I tried the pupusas on a recommendation and although they tasted good they were extremely greasy. I ate one & half of another and within an hour I felt queasy enough to require some soda water. It's a great deal; for less than $8 you can pack in a bazillion calories.
The dining room itself is pretty shabby looking and I found myself just trying to focus on my plate for fear of losing my appetite if I looked around.
The staff is friendly with minimal English spoken. -
Review from Bebe W.
San Mateo, CA
1/1/2012
I would give this place 3.5 stars if I could. Basically, the draw here is the food and not the ambiance. I had a pupusa and a pinto bean tamale. This was the first pupusa I had so i don't have anything to compare it to. i liked it enough to try it again. the salvadorean style tamales are a little more savory and thinner than the mexican style that I am used to.
When you go, you need to head to the back and place your order. Then once your order is placed, you'll receive a number. you can then pick a table, and get your water, chips and salsa. Although they have two front doors, only one of them is operational.
Pros
1. homestyle authentic salvadorean food
2. really affordable
3. unlimited chips and salsa
4. easy parking
5. deceptively spacious
6. good for groups - affordable for all
Cons
1. minimal English here. Get ready to do a lot of menu pointing.
2. sticky menus and tables
3. like another yelper said, the place is "shabby looking" - not shabby chic but just shabby. -
Review from Y r.
Daly City, CA
Updated - 8/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is a updated review. Me the wife decided to try Amelias again. I haven't had good luck with my other pupusa place and I being feenin for some.
Wow pupusas were off the hook. They were really good even the wife like them and she's hella picky.
But they were really good, cheesy of course but had the flavor that you know it should. I had the bean and cheese. Also had the fried plantanos with beans and sour cream damm that was good.
Upgrade from a 2 to a 4. I'm out.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/15/2009
So I recently had lunch at Amelia's. Last time I was there was at least 3-4 years ago. I used to buy… Read more »
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Review from Nic C.
The Bay
11/17/2011
Down home restaurant, with great pupusas. If you're adventurous try the
Salvadoranean tamale, it's wrapped in a banana leaf. No frills type of place, with great homestyle food. -
Review from Kay M.
Belmont, CA
8/2/2011
Oh Amelia's, how I love your never-ending tortilla chips, tasty pupusas, and decadent 'fruit drink' (that's what it's called!). Come here for the pupusas, cause I can't vouch for any of the other stuff. I've had the plain cheese, bean and cheese, chicken n bean, loroco and cheese, whatever, they're delicious.
One thing I miss is the Christmas decor. For years it was ALWAYS Christmas in Amelia's, and just recently this tradition seems to have gone the way of the dodo. -
Review from Jen H.
6/7/2011
There arent' that many Salvadorian restaurants around in the Bay Area.
Papusas FTW!
One order ($7.50) comes with 2 pupusas, rice, beans, and a tiny cup of salad (more like cole slaw). Salsa and chips are comp--self service.
I tried two different pupusa:
1) Beef and Cheese (4.5/5)
2) Pork and Bean (3/5)
An alternative to quesadillas and burritos :) -
Review from Adam T.
Oakland, CA
7/31/2011
If you come to Amelia's and order anything but the pupusas, you are making a mistake, both because the pupusas are SO good and because other things are SO bad.
The boy and I did two pupusa plates - two pupusas on each, with rice and beans for about $7. We did the chicken, cheese, chorizo, and loroco pupusas. Each was good, but the chorizo and the loroco were the best of the four. The chicken had a slightly strange consistency, that I think I'd avoid in the future.
We also got an order of fried plantains. They were just the right amount of sweet and crispy. Perfect. Really.
They have unlimited chips and salsa that you serve yourself. The salsas were good, nothing stellar, but good.
The place itself is cute. A little kitschy, but overall, cute. Would be back if I weren't leaving the peninsula next week. -
Review from Nathan E.
San Francisco, CA
Great local play in RWC. I'm not impressed by most of the menu. For example, on my first visit I tried the super burrito with chicken. But It just isn't my type of burrito. Too big, flimsy and bland.
However they have one item which keeps me returning over and over again; The Bean, Cheese, and Pork Papusa. These are so delicious. The outside is perfectly cooked to have a crispy texture and a smooth flavoring. The inside balances the outside with moist filling and protein. Add some spicy hot sauce and a Corona and you're totally good to go.
Perfect papusas take a while to prepare and so I like to order in advance on the phone. It can be really funny because the person who takes the order has extremely limited English. Be prepared to repeat the order 5 or 6 times and when she asks for you name, just say yes to whatever she calls you. -
Review from Michelle C.
Belmont, CA
1/20/2011
I'm not going to say that these papusas are my favorite, because they aren't. Felt like they were way too greasy for my taste. They were good and tasty, but the overall feeling that I felt was heavy after eating them. I liked La Fiesta's papusas more for some reason, also in RWC. Think I'm strange.
I will come back here for more, but I need to make sure that I have a strong stomach that day. Got the Bean & Cheese, Cheese, and Cheese and Loroco (green chili). Think they were $2.20 each? -
Review from Moe H.
San Mateo, CA
12/26/2011
yes, their pupusas are good. They were not greasy like other reviewers have previously noted. Perhaps Amelia and staff are reading our comments and complaints and making the necessary adjustments?
The fruit juice ('fresca de fruta') is also a must try, its a Restaurant special type of drink. Contains sliced strawberries, apples and a ton of other fruits and the combination is always consistent and delicious--a healthy alternative to coke or pepsi.
Jorge (George) the food-server/bus-boy/matradee/all-around-friendly-a ttendant always works hard to ensure you have everything you need. This guy runs the floor pretty well--very hard worker.
We also tried their Sopa de pata (beef soup), its was good and warmed us up from the cold weather.
Great to have this family restaurant in Redwood City, hope they continue to stay in business for years to come. -
Review from Daisy R.
Redwood City, CA
10/19/2011
This place is gross! Its dirty looking and I'm not a big fan of the chips sitting on the tables just waiting for someone to sit at the table. The pupusas are way tooo greasy and leave a funny after taste, perhaps its lard they use? I once ordered a chicken chicken burrito and MAGAWD it was OVERLY salted. I had one bite and I was done with it! Ive been here several times thinking "maybe next time it will be better" but nope it still hasn't changed my perspective on this establishment.
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Review from Joseph J.
Palo Alto, CA
12/15/2011
A reliable, affordable place to get Mexican/Salvadorean food. It definitely has a local, family-run atmosphere ;-)
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Review from Jessica V.
San Jose, CA
12/6/2010
First, let me say that the five star review is a reflection on the pupusas ONLY. It's the first thing I ever ate there (on recommendations from others) and, as they were OUT OF THIS WORLD, I never tried anything else. I can assume that the rest of their menu is fine, but have no idea.
Frankly, you may not need to try the rest of their menu either, if you have a pupusa first.
Friends, the pupusas at Amelia's are The Best in the Bay Area. I'm not kidding. I've tried a bunch of other places from SF to San Jose and haven't found anyone's as good.
The keys here are the freshness, choices, service, price and sides.
Your pupusas are handmade fresh when you order them with whatever filling you want (I am a fan of beans, cheese and lorocco, but my husband swears by the pork), served by friendly folks for a decent price (the plate which has beans, rice and slaw is under $10) with excellent side items (slaw is outstanding!) and you can always get a real Coke in a bottle.
The owner (Amelia? Is that you?) is a part of the community there and can be found feeding the less fortunate who straggle in, between taking orders and serving paying customers.
And, before I end this rave review, let me say that the ambiance is not to be missed because there's nothing more amusing than enjoying delicious food in a restaurant that's perpetually decorated for Christmas while listening to Latin covers of American 80s tunes. Hysterical!
I would move in here if Amelia would have me.Listed in: Best Pupusas
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Review from Rylan C.
12/29/2010 1 Check-in Here
The food is good but they forgot our friends' orders. They made it right though by comping their meal and offering a free meal when they return. It was very nice of them. Besides that little gaffe, the pupusas were delicious and the fruit drinks they had were yummy. The unlimited chips and salsa were also a nice touch.
I would come back if I'm in the area but it's not really a place I'd go out of the way to go to. -
Review from Amanda S.
Campbell, CA
11/10/2011
I had never even heard of a pupusa until I came here, once I tried one I was a huge fan! I get the pork, beans and cheese pupusa with curtido and guac. Since I've been here I've tried other places for pupusas in the south bay closer to home and so far no one comes even close to Amelias. Very addictive! Not a very fancy place..but great food!
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Review from Tarra R.
San Jose, CA
4/29/2009
Went here with a co-worker. I had read some reviews and invited her to try it. She has had pupusas before but this was my first time. I enjoyed the variety they offer here and decided on a plate that came with 2 choices of pupusa, beans, plantains and the toppings for the pupusas of course.
I saw a plastic cup in the back and the guy that took our order told us this was their version of aguas frescas and they make it fresh daily. I had to order one.
I loved everything. Note above this is my first time trying a pupusa so I cannot compare it to anything else. All I know is they were yummy! The agua fresca was awesome. once the water was gone there were a ton of little pieces of fruit at the bottom of the cup that i spooned out and ate as dessert. A refreshing end to a very filling meal (Lots left over) -
Review from Nelson W.
San Francisco, CA
6/16/2007 ROTD 9/13/2007
I'll confess up front that I didn't try the pupusas. I had a chille relleno and a taquito al pastor. Both were excellent. My dining colleague had a deep fried red snapper. The whole fish, head and all, was served. He liked it.
We went in mid June, so I think it would be safe to assume that the Christmas decorations are up year round. Not only were there Christmas lights, but there were red bows, fake holly, and a pretty good sized nativity scene over the front door.
You can expect that ordering from the cashier and getting food delivered to your table will take a while, but the overall experience was pretty good. Next time, it'll be the pupusas for me.Listed in: R-O-T-D in the USA
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Review from Flor D.
1/22/2008
SUPPORT FAMILY OWNED LOCAL BUSINESS JOINTS
Its' funny how the name states "Amelia's Mexican Restaurant," but I have grown up to know it as a good place for El Salvadorean cuisine. My family has been coming here for years, and I think my dad even knows the owner. Either way...we are fans of the food. Love the Christmas decorations in the window...and the flavorful food. Definitely like that they have an option between Mex and EL Sal food. Like the variety of choices, the chips on the table, and the food. Try the ensalada drink for something unique...and don't forget to say hello to Amelia ;)Listed in: Mom and Pop Shops, Si Se Puede...estilo VIVA…, PUPUSANATOR
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Review from Earl G.
2/12/2009
Stumbled into this place because I was looking for a new/different place to eat while I had to serve (everyone's favorite) some jury duty. Yay. The courthouse isn't too far away and it's mostly hot dog stands and chains restaurants around so this family run restaurant was a welcome sight.
You'll probably need a passport if you wanted some pupusas and tamales this good and legit. Oh my, the tamales are soo good and you can order them either El Savadorean or Mexican style. With El Salvadorean being just plain, without anything dressing whatsoever. I decided to go Mexican and have my tamale drenched in red sauce and melted cheese. Wow, the maza for the tamale itself had a different texture from other tamales I've had in the Mission or wherever but I like them.
These tamales are guilty of being buttery, soft, airy, light, and overall damm tasty. Perfect for making other perspective jurors in the courthouse jealous.Listed in: Good Mexican Eats, Non-Mexican Latino Food
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Review from Luz P.
Redwood City, CA
Updated - 4/21/2009
I have been coming here for many years... but I don't think I'll ever come back again. During my last two visits I have been overcharged twice! Is that a mistake or is Mrs. Amelia trying to rip people off?
The first overcharged was in December. We always usually get the same amount of pupusas; however, we noticed the total was about $5-6 dollars more than usual. My mom being the smart woman she is... decided to add up our total, and it did not match Mrs. Amelia's! We brought this up to her attention and she returned $5.50 back to us. And of course, she was upset and didn't even apologize for her mistake.
The second overcharged was about 3 weeks ago. Once again, my mom and I came in to pick-up some pupusas to go. We ordered 4 pupusas, an order of platanos and 2 drinks. We went sat down to wait for our order and as we checked the receipt we noticed that she charged us for 3 drinks and something else for 1.50. We went back to the counter and asked for clarification. She said sorry for charging for the extra drink, but the $1.50 charge was for cheese. Anyways, we ended up getting our money back.
I honestly can't trust coming to this place again....Listed in: Only in Redwood City...
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/28/2009
It always feel like Christmas at Amelia's! If you're wondering if the decorations haven't been taken… Read more »
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Review from Shannon L.
Fremont, CA
4/5/2010
3.5 stars for solid pupusas. I've had it at various establishments and I'm either dissatisfied with the maza or the filling. Maza because it can get dry and the filling because sometimes it's just not flavorful enough. But here, they make all the elements satisfyingly. I got the loroco/queso and the pork/queso one. Both were so delicious! The cheese is gooey, the maza is fluffy, and the meat is seasoned adequately. I believe the best part is when a little of the cheese leaks out as they are grilling it and forms a crusty edge. So lovely.
The only sadness is that it's really oily and if the edges of your pupusa curls up at all, then all the oil will collect in the middle. Also, it didn't come with the cabbage mix that you usually eat with it. Instead, it came with a side salad; at least that was fresh. Lunch Special = Two pupusas + beans + rice = $7.95.
Loud music up in here. I probably wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't already had a huge, allergy-induced headache from all the nature outside. The folk here are so friendly! -
Review from Moxy T.
San Leandro, CA
7/15/2007
In my humble opinion the pupusas were to die for! The boyfriend was not as impressed as I. He agreed they are some of the better he has had..whatever I was shoveling that stuff in! My belly was nice and round when we left and I was counting the minutes I could come back! It's hit or miss w/the chips, could be fresh could be stale.
There is always a little ol'man in the corner, DO NOT SIT AT HIS TABLE..I REPEAT DO NOT SIT AT HIS TABLE! He is definitely family in this family owned business and you may in fact be taken in back and shot. He is in fact fun to watch. About every 15 min or so he gets up slowly from the table and shuffles in to the kitchen carrying his bowl of ( I assume) Menudo. Once I was there for 45 minutes and he went back and forth from the kitchen 5 times! And he is skinny!
I have not branched out to anything other than the pupusas but friends are pretty happy with the tacos. -
Review from Charlene E.
Placentia, CA
3/3/2009
I love Amelia's! I haven't had anything but Pupusa's but both times I've been there, I've left very full and very happy. I've tried the cheese, chicken & cheese and pork & cheese and found them all equally yummy. The rice and beans are good too. I am a chips and salsa fanatic and I think my husband and I went through 2 entire baskets by ourselves the other night. So good!
We were there last Saturday night with a very large party and I was impressed that we all got exactly what we ordered without much of a wait. -
Review from Tony A.
10/11/2009
Last Thursday (10-8-09), me and some co-workers had to attend a training class. When we broke for lunch, we all himmed and hawwed where to go for lunch. I suggested we walk the four blocks to Amelia's, since I had not been there in over six years. I told my co-workers that from what I remembered, they had some of the best tasting Pupusas around.
We made it to Amelia's, I ordered a Pupusa, rice and beans ala carte. The total cost of my lunch, including the Snapple ice tea was $9.99.
When my lunch made it to the table, it looked and smelled great. And when I dove in, man it was good.
These are still some of the best Pupusas around IMO. The beans were good and the rice okay, but I didn't go there for either.
I left 100% satisfied that I got my $$$ worth. -
Review from Laura 'jinx.tv' K.
Redwood City, CA
11/8/2007
Amelia's is a great place to go if you've had a little too much to drink. The only problem is, they close at 9pm every night. You have to start drinking early if you want to be buzzing by the time you get here.
Fortunately, Savvy Cellar is located right next door to this place, and Sunday afternoons are the perfect time to go to the wine tastings at Savvy and then they will kick you out about seven and you can hop over to Amelia's for some delicious papusas. You will probably even have your order taken by Amelia herself. AND you could even keep drinking with some beer or sangria, although I recommend the horchata instead.
However, alcoholics take note: this is really more of a family restaurant. It can be quite busy and full of families sometimes, which is probably why I walked by here hundreds of times before I ever set foot inside. I want to see that a place is busy enough that it probably doesn't suck, but isn't so crowded I feel my personal space being encroached upon. Plus, I generally prefer places where they take my order right at the table. (I'll make an exception for Amelia's, though. I kind of dig the way you order at the counter, get the food brought to your table and then are left mostly in peace to enjoy the picnic table and eternal xmas decoration ambiance.)
The first time I came here, I had kind of forgotten that we did by the next morning. Blame it on an amazing red blend tasting with some very generous pours at Savvy Cellar. We drank so much red wine that we even decided going to see "Lars and the Real Girl" was a good idea. Then, a vague memory of the tasty, tasty papusas came flooding back to me and I knew we had to go back, even though my bf tried to claim we were 86'd from this place after I danced on the tables. If we're around Broadway in Redwood City on a Sunday, I don't even have to say anything. I just turn and look at my bf and he says "Noooo...not Amelia's AGAIN!"
All hail the mighty cheese and bean papusa. -
Review from Lolia S.
San Francisco, CA
8/1/2007
Love the kitschy decor - Christmas year round mixed with Mexican relics. There's an illuminated Nativity scene inside, in the nook above the entrance. My friends like the upbeat music. We were excited to find a self-serve salsa bar with three kinds of salsa and those pickled carrots and peppers that I like.
I like the pupusas. They're filling - all that masa and you can choose from about ten different fillings (some vegetarian ones as well, including beans and cheese, as well as cheese with some Salvadorean vegetable). They come with the shredded cabbage slaw. Good slaw, though I've had better slaw with more tang.
I did have a bad grilled chicken burrito. It came with a lot of chicken but the chicken didn't have much grilled flavor and it was dry. It was also in huge pieces rather than cut up into small bits. I've never had a chicken burrito with such large pieces of meat. It came with rice and beans. Even after dousing it with salsa, it was bland. My friend didn't like his enchiladas at all.
You order at the counter (cash only) and they bring you your food. Tables are plentiful on the inside and there are a few outside tables. Help yourself to the water and the free chips and salsa. -
Review from Jessie R.
Arcata, CA
5/11/2010 3 Check-ins Here
The good: Great pupusas. My favorite is the chicharron, queso, y frijoles, though the loroco is good too. Definitely ask for extra curtido (fermented cabbage salad), it's refreshing and delicious with the warm beans and melted cheese of the pupusas. I agree with the other reviewer who loves when a bit of the cheese oozes out during cooking and forms a flavorful crust. It is also economical: two pupusas cost less than $5.00.
The bad: no alcohol, oily chips that sit out on the tables all day, and it's often very noisy inside - which is a perfect reason to eat outside by the flowerpots and people watch in the sun! -
Review from Meg K.
Redwood City, CA
10/11/2011
This place is five stars in my opinion for the FRUIT DRINK! A juice drink swimming with yummy fresh fruit... Also, the papoosas are quite good.
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Review from Misha T.
11/26/2009
I say PU you say PUSA!!!
PU!!! (PUSA!!)
PU!!! (PUSA!!)
PU!!! (PUSA!!)
Yea they're pupusas are pretty good.
But it's their Chicken Encebollado that is facemeltingly tasty. I don't know what it tastes like besides delicious but you should get it. And you shouldn't share because you'll be wanting to keep that delicious chicken for yourself.
folks there are nice too!
I need to get on my salvadoran food more fo realsies -
Review from evelyn a.
San Francisco, CA
6/8/2011 2 photos
I'm from LA Where about 80% salvadorians live ... But man this restaurant beats LA pupusas. I had rebueltas and it was the best I've ever had. Will definitely come here again when I'm up north...
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Review from Amy H.
San Mateo, CA
12/29/2007
Hitting this place last night before seeing Juno, my friends and I found our food tasty and fresh. I loved my cheese papusas, but did not really care for my cheese enchilada plate. Yes, there was a ton of food and it was good, but it was about 3x more expensive than my papusas and not as filling by a long shot. Oh well, serves me right for not ordering more papusa!
Ambiance is loud and bright, warm and friendly! A nice place to stop before an outrageously expensive movie. -
Review from Paul M.
Mountain View, CA
9/13/2011
Amelia's Restaurant is my favorite place to get popusas. I could literally eat a dozen popusas here every day and still come back the next day.
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Review from Katrina O.
Sunnyvale, CA
2/21/2007
Cash and ATM only..
Every time I go and I try something new, my rating drops. Blah.
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Pretty typical and yummy mexican food.
I default to a carne asada burrito... it was good, but not supurb.
Really heavy on the rice (i.e. cheap filler) and the tortilla was really tough, no way to cut it with just a fork.
I'd eat there again, but I'm going to explore around to see if I can find something better.
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Update: 2/23/07
Tried the $6.99 Tamale lunch platter. Good, not great. They overcompensated on the corn in the tamale and shortchanged on the meat.
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Update: April 2007
Tried the Tostada Salad. HORRIBLE. 100% totally HORRIBLE. It seemed like a layer of refried bean JUICE (no actual beans seen) mixed with slabs of beef (not in a good way, in that moms-nasty-roast-beef way), layer of lettuce, and two HUGE piles of Guac and sour cream.
