Order a pupusa at El Arepazo y Pupuseria, and you’re bound to learn something new. Soft, griddle-marked masa discs stuffed with eight different filling combinations, the relaxed Colombian and El Salvadoran eatery’s signature dish packs discovery into every bite.
Take the Pupusas de Chicharron (one for $2.99, three for $8.49). Despite sharing a name, these lightly spiced chicharrones have nothing to do with the popular Mexican pork rinds. Instead, pork shoulder is simmered for an hour with garlic, onions, bell peppers and tomatoes, then put into a food processor until shredded into a paste to make a tangy, rich filling. Next, learn about the loroco flower.
Nutty and herbaceous, this bud of a common Central American vine is combined with provolone, mozzarella and spices in the Fairview Park spot’s Pupusas de Queso con Loroco (one for $2.99, three for $8.49).
The recipes are the same ones co-owner Yanira Aguilar learned growing up in El Salvador, and are beloved by Cleveland’s Central American transplants, says Wilfrido Cubas, Aguilar’s husband and co-owner. “Many people say it’s the closest thing they can get to their home country.” Luckily, they’re willing to share. 22799 Lorain Road, Fairview Park, 440-716-1961
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Best Of CLE: Pupusa
El Arepazo y Pupuseria's pupusas are the flavor-packed stuff of heaven.
