Recently a local Salemite mentioned that La Perlita, like La Margarita Express, has pupusas. That's all the encouragement needed, I wanted to give them a try. N and I took advantage of our latest "blood date" to head on over to Chemekata to see how they compare.
It was 6:30PM on a Wednesday evening when we entered the restaurant. We were the only customers and they were happy to see us. Instead of a menu with pages and pages of choices, like many of the Mexican restaurants I've been to, their menu is a single page, printed on both sides. I chose the Carne Asada and one pork & cheese pupusa, ala carte. N decided on a Mole Burrito with one bean & cheese pupusa, ala carte.
After the delivery of our pupusas, I took the side of pickled slaw and spread it over the top. Mmmm! Very nice! And it wasn't just the pork, N said his also had a nice flavor. He did learn that the sliced chile in the slaw was a hot one, though! My carne asada had been left on the grill just a tad too long, but I enjoyed the addition of the grilled onions, tomatoes and a squeeze of lime on top. N had sat quietly eating his Mole Burrito, until I asked for his opinion, "Delicious! Want a bite?". Oh! Now those are the flavors that I remember from the mole we used to make--spicy, nutty and chocolaty.
While La Perlita is lacking in the festive environment category, it's obvious by the recent coats of cheerful paint that they are trying. N and I think the restaurant is worth a visit. Their service was very attentive and the bargains are hard to pass up.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sun. through Wed.
11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.
635 Chemeketa St. NE
(503) 371-3968
Go here to read another review on Willamette Live.
After failed attempts, both yesterday and the day before, I found them open today. Contrary to what their posted open hours indicate, they are now closed Saturdays and Sundays. When I mentioned this, I was told "We forgot to change the sign." This was not framed as an apology for my inconvenience, rather as a statement of fact. HHMM. Stick with me, it does get better. Following K&N's advice, I ordered two Pupusas with Cheese and Pork from their Salvadoran menu. These tasty temptations I can best describe as a cross between a Pork Quesadilla and flat Tamale. They came with beans and rice and a wonderful pickled Cole slaw for which I will offer, yet another, convoluted description. Try to imagine a cross between Cole slaw and sour kraut. Sorry. Ya just gotta taste these things. The decor was no surprise and the service was good. The carpet could have used a Hoover, but otherwise the place was acceptably clean. This is the second restaurant in a row I've visited with no hot water in the Men's room! (They do not accept American Express)
ReplyDeleteMy thanks to K&M for the tip!