Maria's Restaurant

Family run Salvadoran and Mexican counter spot on Cary Avenue with handmade pupusas, tamales de pollo, yuca frita con chicharrón, caldo de res, tacos, burritos, and eggs with loroco at breakfast. Horchata and atol de elote round out the drinks.

Maria's Restaurant gives Salvadoran favorites a prominent place alongside Mexican dishes, making this Cary Avenue spot an appealing San Mateo comfort-food option. We are drawn to the pupusa combination, which brings together chicken-and-cheese, pork-and-cheese, and loroco-and-cheese pupusas with rice and beans. It is an inviting starting point if you want to explore more than one filling. The menu also offers chicken tamales, fried yuca with chicharrón, beef soup, and chicken dishes accompanied by handmade tortillas. Breakfast has its own character, including an omelette with loroco, spinach, and cheese alongside huevos rancheros and pancakes. Horchata and warm atol de elote give the drinks selection something beyond the usual soda. We like that Maria's offers several ways to build a meal around Salvadoran cooking, whether you come for pupusas, a comforting caldo, or a breakfast with a distinctive flavor.