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Kaliente Restaurant
Categories: Restaurants Mexican Restaurants Latin American Mexican, Latin American [Edit]
3803 San Pablo Dam RdEl Sobrante, CA 94803
(510) 223-8015
- Hours:
Tue-Thu 10 am - 9 pm
Fri 10 am - 10 pm
Sat 9 am - 10 pm
Sun 9 am - 9 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
55 reviews for Kaliente Restaurant
Review Highlights
"Pupusas were cooked just right and not too greasy."
(in 20 reviews)
"Burritos, papusas, tacos are all amazing."
(in 9 reviews)
"Great huevos rancheros (fried eggs, over beans, cheese and..."
(in 2 reviews)
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54 reviews in English
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Review from Ria T.
El Sobrante, CA
1/7/2012
Good food at a good price. Superb papusas. My husband was a big fan of the vegetable soup there too. My foodie friend loves the place. She can get vegetarian papusas there, and, they're mild enough for folks who can't tolerate spicy food.
The owners are friendly and seem genuinely kind. The ambience is definitely relaxed and appropriate to families. Something that speaks well to me is the numbers of El Salvadoran 'transplants' there whenever I go there.
The service isn't always perfect, but, it's good enough to prevent frustration generally, and it feels kinda like visiting an unpretentious friend's home, relaxed and friendly.
Speaking of friends, my Mexican immigrant friend perfected her restaurant's dishes on her gringa friends, including, fortunately, me. Ever after I'm spoiled from having "her" dishes most places, so I don't even try those things at Kaliente. And, why should I, when they have perfect papusas? -
Review from Stephan Vladimir B.
San Pablo, CA
8/21/2011
The pupusas are excellent, and the burritos and enchiladas are decent enough, though certainly not the best.
I would rate this place more highly, except that they have now screwed-up our take-out order calls enough times that we are no longer willing to order out from them. Also, their table service, while still fine, isn't quite as good as it was two or three years ago.
I feel bad writing a relatively negative review, because it's a local business we want to support,a nd we really loved this place when it first opened -- but the service is not as great as it once was.
It's still worth going for sit-down meals in the restaurant (get the fantastic pupusas), but we've totally given up on take-out. -
Review from quiahuiteuh a.
El Cerrito, CA
3/23/2011
Honestly I don't ever remember having a "bad" pupusa anywhere. I think they're pretty hard to mess up. Take some dough, cheese, beans, and or your choice of meat, fry it up and BAM! Salvadorean comfort food! (Disclaimer: I have never actually attempted to make a pupusa in my life so sincerest apologies if I totally trivialized the process.)
At any rate, this place was recommended to me by a friend who really knows her pupusas. I have to say I was impressed. I could definitely taste the difference between this place and others. Pupusas were cooked just right and not too greasy. Masa and cheese tasted fresher and more flavorful than most places I've been to. The curtido and salsa were also tasty. Needless to say, I am now a big fan.
We have been back a few times. The Guanaco breakfast was really good and so was their chorizo and eggs. Girlfriend got the fried fish once and it was o.k. Service was consistent every time we went. They don't rush to your table as soon as you sit down and we have had to eye or wave down our waiter a few times, but it's never been that big of a deal.
Their location is not super visible and if you are like me, you will see it at the last minute and brake hard to turn into their tiny parking lot. So if there's a car behind you, it might honk or or curse you out as you slow down to pull into their driveway. However, if you can navigate this driving feat at the risk an impatient honk and or flipping of the bird from the car behind you, it will be totally worth it once you bite into their pupusa goodness! -
Review from NATASHA F.
Santa Rosa, CA
7/30/2011
Very excellent pupusas!!! I love the fact that they have a pretty good variety of food there not just limited to pupusas (which by the way there are about 6 different choices of pupusas to try)
I would love to go to this place more often if it were close by. A little dive-ie on the inside, but overall, great place to eat -
Review from JV V.
Pinole, CA
7/3/2011
Awesome food! Try the papusas! Very vegetarian friendly with lots of options.
Only negative is the waiters don't come by often enough to keep your glass full sometimes. Depends who is working I guess.
But over all 5 stars for the great food! -
Review from Sooner S.
CA
1/26/2011
I really like this place. For one, it's down the hill from my house. Second, the food is very tasty.
If you're ever in the mood for some good papusas and platanos, check out Kaliente.
I can't wait to go again! -
Review from Karen E.
Mountain View, CA
9/30/2011
Great huevos rancheros (fried eggs, over beans, cheese and tortillas). Tried a salad (the "Mexican"?) and it was great, too. I am a regular, pretty fussy about my food and I like this place. I don't care for papusas in general, so I am not basing my ratings on them
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Review from Lara M.
El Sobrante, CA
5/18/2011
We've been here twice now and the food has been really good. My husband thinks its the bomb.... absolutely loves it. I think its pretty good. My only complaint was that their "cruncy taco" is in fact a premade mass produced shell. I prefer the actual home fried taco shells that are a tortilla fried right there on the spot... not the mass produced shells. But thats just me. The rice is awesome. I had the nachos once too and they were REALLY good.
And the salsa they serve on the table....... addicting. I would go just for the salsa.
What I would improve (other than the taco shells): the chairs. Each time I had to look around for a chair that didn't feel like it was going to have the legs break off. The legs were "moving" before you even sit on them. If you are even slightly heavy...like over 150lbs... this might make you a WEEE bit nervous..... If it wasn't for chairs, I would give this an extra star.
But good food and ther servers are very cool. -
Review from E G.
Pinole, CA
6/5/2011
Outside is not the cutest place but inside is very clean and artsy. Great cheap tasty pupusas. Definitely a good place to eat when we want to stay local.
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Review from Melissa R.
American Canyon, CA
10/26/2010
The food is excellent, but the service is not so excellent...PUPUSAS are one of my favorite comfort food. Unfortunately, I have no great restaurants around where I live. So, I travel to Kaliente in El Sobrante once in a while for my lunch break! I'd recommend that you order your food ahead of time and ask to eat there. That way you're not waiting a ridiculous amount of time for your food. If you lime shrimp, mango, and papaya, try the Kaliente Tropical Salad, it is to DIE for!
I hope the service improves more due to all the bad reviews on the service. Otherwise, GREAT job on your menu!!!
I hope to be back soon! -
Review from Greg G.
Richmond, CA
12/12/2010
The food was good, the server was way overworked. Just him for the whole place. Parking was a little tight, the atmo inside was nice. 23.50 for two before tip.
They Charge for Chips and Salsa, which is fine, except they are not special. Not warm, not made there, just the giant bag COSTCO sells served in a bucket. -
Review from T S.
Pinole, CA
7/9/2011
Took a good friend here yesterday cause I was craving 'pusas. Doesn't look like much from the outside but pretty clean inside. Not crowded, pusas kinda expensive then other places I've been but still good though, as always. Got some plantain desert with custard inside..ehh. I'll prolly end up here again when I need a pusa fix, pusa fix? ya a pusa fix! Oh ya they have happy hour for beer.
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Review from Tim C.
Berkeley, CA
7/13/2007
Rinky and her "plus-1 and me and my "plus-1" came here today to eat pupusas and catch up on old times when we were younger parents. Good times, good food. Younger Yelpers: this is what to expect when you get older: comparing how alike your stubborn kids turned out, and how lucky you are that nothing serious happened to them (yet!)
Anyway, if you are looking for Salvadoran food in a friendly setting, Kaliente's the place. Across the street is a Peruvian place, in case you need some aji hot sauce. Thanks for the recommendation and the company Rinky! -
Review from Rinky N.
East Bay
Updated - 9/27/2008
We've lost count of the number of times we've been here. We've brought almost all of our friends here. All have given them a thumbs up.
I don't feel it's as pricey as it's sister restaurant, Platano. or some other Pupuserias I've been to. It seems to be a local favorite. Lots of families and large gatherings on the weekend.
Today I had the taco salad (romaine lettuce, black beans, guacamole, cheese, lots of tasty grilled vegetables in a fried tortilla shell--I've declined the sour cream). Hubby had an ENORMOUS size regular size burrito with grilled vegetables. We each has a pupusa. I had a lemonade. Total was about $19 including tax). Not dirt cheap but you get your money's worth!
They have Mexican and Salvadorian dishes, American breakfasts till 1pm. A kids' menu. Lots to choose from!Listed in: My Mexican and Latin American…, Yes! Let's go out to eat at:, Tinkle, Twinkle Little Star,…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/1/2006 First to Review
Update on 2/08
Following review is revised.
We've eaten here 20 times and it is becoming one of our… Read more »
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Review from Midnight W.
Pinole, CA
6/3/2011
Their pupusas are delicious and the kids meal is a great deal. Yes, the service can be painfully slow, but they are nice and the food is always tasty and not super pricey.
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Review from marie k.
Berkeley, CA
1/17/2010
Into the burbs in search of pupusas. I like La Bamba on San Pablo but it's always cold in there in the winter so looking for a place with a bit more ambiance, shall we say. Or a door that closes at least.
We went specifically for the pupusas, though the Salvadorean tamales looked good as well at 2 for $5. Next time. My daughter and I each ordered 2 "extra filling" pupusas and when they arrived at our table, we realized we'd over -ordered. These babies were huge. But we gave it a serious try and only left a little.
Marina had the chicken and cheese which had an unidentifiable yummy herb inside and the black bean, pork and cheese , which is my favorite. The cornmeal outer part was perfect, light, chewy and well-browned on the outside. I had a cheese and loroco, which I was told was another kind of cheese and though I was concerned it might be bland, it was really tasty, again with some chopped up herbs that enhanced but didn't overpower the cheesy flavor. Love the little brown bits of cheese that leak out and harden on the grill. Yum.
Prices were good; pupusas are $2 each or extra filling for $3 each. Wednesday the chalk board indicated a special of pupusas for $1 each!
Service spotty but friendly. House cofee, well, I'll pass on that. -
Review from Edi B.
Vallejo, CA
8/7/2009
It's no Balompie or El Zocalo but it'll do.
You know I have the hardest time finding good pupserias on this side of the Bay.
That being said for a non SF place it really does have good food. The restaurant is clean and colorful. Try it. -
Review from Lyzbeth S.
San Francisco, CA
4/26/2007
The fourth star is for one of the better pupusas in the Bay Area. Corn masa or rice flour pupusas can be ordered with extra filling which makes them extra good.
Here's a link to the lunch menu with all the fillings
http://www.kalienteres...
PUPUSAS: Both rice and corn are good, served hot off the grill the outsides nicely charred and the inside oozing cheese. The rice shell a little crispier.
The curtido or slaw was perfectly wilted and not squeaky crisp with a good balance of oregano, cabbage and carrot.. The tomato was not too watery or too thick.
EMPANADAS DE LECHE: two fat little fried dumplings made plantain enclosing a custard center and were crisp on the outside and tender inside.
PASTELITO: Corn masa dumplings stuffed with shredded pork, potatoes, peas and carrots are also some of the best in the Bay Area. Not as leaden as other Salvadoran restaurants. There are also sweet versions that look like turnovers and filled with fruit like pineapple.
The chips are thin and they have a great green salsa
CHILATE CON DULCE: Yucca Masa fritters fried and served with syrup and chunks of plantains. Served with a hollowed out gourd of atole, a masa-based drink with allspice and ginger.
Definitely an acquired taste. There is only one restaurant where I liked these and it isn't Kaliente though it is better than most here. Two pancake-like yucca fritters are on a plate with chunks of fried plantains. There is a little syrup on the dish. After a bite of the sweet syrup/plantain, take a sip of the atole to cut the sweetness. This is a bland drink/fritter.
COSTILLA FRITA ENTOMATADA : Spare ribs prepared with onions, tomatoes & green peppers. The veggies were only fair and the ribs, three small, grisly ribs, tasted stale.
It came with plantains that were hot and pleasantly sweet. The green salad which is little more than crispy chopped romaine. Get it with Cilantro Vinaigrette. The Italian tastes bottled.
They have three Salvadorian beers. I had the Regia which was ok. They have some tropical sodas like tropi champan, described as bubble gum flavored, fresta (strawberry) and Uai (grape). -
Review from Gail N.
10/28/2009
There's no where decent to eat in El Sobrante. NO WHERE.
Well..except here.
This place is the sister restaurant of Platano's in Berkeley, and since I'm a huge fan of Platano's, I shall give this one credit, too. They practically have the same menu, but not as fresh tasting. The papusas and cole slaw are flavorful, but don't excite me as much as others.
And..the casamiento does not compare to Platano's! It's not crispy!
I do like how they give you chips to enjoy before hand (which Platano does not do), and the service is very homey and friendly.
Only thing I have not enjoyed here is the horchata -- has a weird burnt taste to it...So, don't get that.
Place environment is kinda small and a little plain...but I blame that on being in El Sobrante... -
Review from Linda C.
Rodeo, CA
12/31/2010
The chewy cheesy goodness of their pupusas are so worth coming here for! The platanos and tamales are great too. I can't wait to eat here tonight before bar hopping for new year's eve!
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Review from jose c.
Richmond, CA
8/15/2011
my Friend had told me about this place so i decided to check it out . it was actually really good i had some Yuca Frita and Chicharron and some Pastelitos de Carne . never had the Pupusas so next time i will try them . my only complain was i wish they had more Salvadoran plates on the menu seems like they have more Mexican foods . but over all the service was good and the staff friendly i would definatly come here again .
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Review from Larry L.
Hercules, CA
10/3/2011
Loving the pupusa, plantain with refried beans, sour cream plate with salad. Service is nice and friendly and they keep the chips coming. the dip for the chips are good too!
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Review from ashley d.
El Sobrante, CA
8/1/2008
I've been a customer for about 2 years, and it's always good. It's small, so it gets crowded. The parking isn't situated very well.
The food's delicious and the waitstaff are friendly. It's always clean.
Pupusas are awesome. Try a pupusa revuelta when you go! -
Review from Wolfgang S.
11/2/2007
Just don't let the End-of-Days surroundings of El Sobrante fool you... I'm not really sure what El Salvadorian food is, but I know a great dish at an awesome price when I get one. I ended up with something from the Mexican end of the menu, actually, which are also on the menu.
The service was excellent, the place is a gem in El Sobrante and there is no over-pricing to be found here.
The best part? It's just two block from where the boyf and I live, so finally we have discovered a quality restaurant in walking distance! -
Review from Laura M.
San Francisco, CA
1/1/2010
We eat here about once a week.
Correction - we phone in orders here about once a week.
While I live and die by the pupusas and wouldn't shake a stick at one of their crispy tacos either, there is, of course, a reason we phone in.
The service is friendly but totally discombobulated. And really, why am I talking about how friendly they are? We order once a week yet they never give any sign of recognition when I come to pick up our pupusas. I even tip a little on phone orders! No extra complimentary extra curtido? A nod? Regardless of what I order, they tell me 15 minutes and regardless of when I get there, I wait for all to be assembled.
Yet, the truth of the matter is - we go back again and again and again because:
a) there isn't a lot around here
b) their pupusas are better than anything far and wide
c) whether they know me or not, they do smile kindly -
Review from Bill H.
Berkeley, CA
9/12/2011
The moment I walked into the restaurant there was someone to ask if they could help me. I was there for a takeout so I looked at the menu for a short time then was ready to order. My order was taken promptly and accurately and I was even told how long it would take to complete! The food was prepared with a lively spicy taste,just the way I like it. All in all a great experience.
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Review from Reg P.
El Sobrante, CA
7/26/2011
Super nacho was decent. Got some for takeout and it didn't take long. Restaurant looked nice enough to eat in so when we go back to try the borritos we just might. Wouldn't go back for the nachoes though.
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Review from Jes L.
Rodeo, CA
8/18/2010
Awesome grub. I especially love their Mexican hot chocolate. It's amazing. First and best papusas I have ever had.
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Review from Catherine M.
Richmond, CA
8/1/2010
We showed up 10 minutes to closing and they graciously took our to-go order of platanos con frijoles y crema, yucca con chicarron, pollo guisado, and bistec encebolloado. Kind of a lot to order when the kitchen was closing so I didn't expect too much. We got home and unwrapped a delicious bounty obviously made with care. While we waited for our food we were chatted up by one of the family/owners who told us a little of the history of their business. It was a lovely experience all around.
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Review from Jose C.
El Sobrante, CA
8/10/2011
Excellent food, great atmosphere. The service is lacking, took our order never came back to check on us for refills or anything. Had to request the check.
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Review from Laura B.
El Sobrante, CA
7/21/2011
Walked in on a Wednesday at noon and was greeted very warmly and in a friendly manner by a guy who turned out to be our waiter as well. He had no problem with me leaning my bike against the wall just outside the door, as I didn't have a lock and needed to keep an eye on it during lunch. He brought me a delicious lemonade, which was not too sweet.
My friend arrived and we order food from the Salvadoran part of the menu, which was pretty much a new experience for both of us. The food was very, very "clean" and fresh. Unlike typical Mexican dishes, it was sparse and didn't include the rice and beans etc., so if you want a hearty plate, go with the Mexican, or order sides of rice and beans.
I've lived in El Sobrante for over 25 years and I know the location of this restaurant, which is on a commute corridor, so honestly I've avoided it; however, after seeing the reviews I decided to try it, and I was not disappointed. -
Review from J K L.
San Francisco, CA
2/25/2007
I like their pupusas, very good! They always have decent service. I've tried their tilapia and it's really yummy. I think lunch time is the best time to go, they're usually not that busy.
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Review from SIR R.
Richmond, CA
2/23/2010
Food is good, but service is terrible. Unless the owners son is there, he's great.
But when he's not... yikes! The last time we went... which is the experience that made me give up on them... We had a waiter who ignored us, kept not bringing us part of order (told us we had to be patient) Then!, when he brought the bill, I paid cash, he never brought me my change.(which was about $8) When I went to ask for my change, I also reviewed my bill and saw he had already added a $7 tip AND was trying to keep my $8! Needless to say I made him return all $15. Jerk! -
Review from Kenneth H.
El Sobrante, CA
1/7/2009
food wasn't bad. waited for about an hour for my burrito...
this place gave me the runs :( -
Review from Janice T.
9/25/2008
I come here for the fried tilapia and the Sopa de Patas (tripe soup)....yummy!
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Review from Alicia A.
El Sobrante, CA
9/28/2008
This place is located my hometown and on the main drag situated next to a gas station and the sheriff's office. The atmosphere is low key, the decoration is just right, the food is awesome and the bathrooms are clean. I found this place through a friend because El Sobrante isn't know for its restaurants. I ordered pupusas- cheese and bean, cheese and some plantanos with crema... yum yum.. Everything was just as it is supposed to be robust flavors and greasy!! And if it isn't hot enough for you.. they offer a wide selection of hot sauces to spice it right up. I make a point of stopping in when I am in town to get my pupusa and plantanos fix. PS. There is a fish tank so small kids can torture the fish inside by thumping on the glass to entertain themselves while they wait for the food to arrive.
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Review from Tammy S.
El Sobrante, CA
10/18/2008
Excellent, savory Salvadorian food. Friendly service. Nice ambiance - they have a live coral reef fishtank that just mesmerized us as we ate. I had the cheese pupusa, grilled chicken soft taco plate with beans and rice. My heart still belongs to La Bamba Taqueria, but this place is great for a sit-down dinner. Combination plates were around $9, and they have an extensive menu.
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Review from La C.
San Francisco, CA
9/17/2008
Ok, just ok. This place is hits the spot when you need your pupusa fix and don't feel like going to SF. Their rice pupusas are pretty good with beans. I typically go on Friday and the Sopa de Patas is good as long as its made that day. The handmade tortillas are awesome and the platanos with sour cream and beans are another fav. This place is kinda pricey but if you need the fix probably the best option around.
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Review from Joyce T.
El Sobrante, CA
7/16/2010
I don't know why there where any positive reviews for this restaurant.
Had lunch there for the first time today. The papusas were almost tasteless, the tamale some strange flavor - I barely ate a bite of it, and
the plantados just some plantains fried, almost burned. And the waiter never came back to re-fill my water glass or see if I wanted anything - he was with his back turned in a corner having his own lunch. I had to ask for the check. Would never go to Kaliente again. -
Review from stealingbeauty ..
Richmond, CA
6/25/2007
My first el salvadorian joint so no expert on this particular place, we did have a decent cheap meal though, my first papusas were good if a little oily, tasty but. The mixed meat grill was hit n miss- some items tasty, others tough and dull. Nice plantain action though!
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