Cafe Guanaco

Reviews

• Drew R.

  star star star star star 1 July 2026

  I've driven past this place with their papusa sign and never stopped. One day my coworker mentioned this place and told me how great it was. Well that's all the convincing I need. After work I just went straight there and ordered some for dinner.
  
  What are papusas? Well best way to deceive papusas is a thick home made tortilla stuffed with cheese and/or meat of your choice. It comes with a side of pickled cabbage. It will be a crime you don't add this to your papusa. It is the final touch to a papusa.
  
  They have a wide range of papusas with multiple stuffing.  I went for the classic cheese only, one with beef and a herbal one. My favorite is the beef one. The cheese one is very good as well. The herbal one was good, but not my favorite.
  
  Something I recommend if you are ordering take out....call ahead. The papusas are made fresh, on the spot, so it does take a while. If it was a beautiful weather then sitting outside isn't bad...but for me sitting inside was slightly overwhelming.

• Austin B.

  star star star star star_border 27 June 2026

  Everyone built it up so much I was a little disappointed. I got the Rojo Mole which came with some mediocre rice and tender chicken. The mole was definitely the star, as far as moles go, this was one of the best I've had. The chicken was pretty good but a bit hard to eat since it was drenched in mole.
  
  The homemade tortillas that came with it tasted like empty pupusas (which they probably were) and were fantastic as well.
  
  Definitely coming back, will probably try the flautas or tamales next time.

• Marcus C.

  star star star star star_border 25 June 2026

  For the price and quality of the pupusas, it can't be beat!
  
  Sometimes they can get backed up and the wait time can be fairly long, but I still find myself coming back here, so I don't care too much.

• Hector G.

  star star star star star 16 June 2026

  I moves far far away from an area of the country where Salvadoran food is pretty common and very easy to find. I never imagined the best papusas I've ever tasted would be found in Salt Lake city UT, but that's what was in the cards.
  
  Papusas are not complicated at all and they are actually very simple. They also require a very experienced set of hands and making the fresh to order is truly the only way to go. I've had papusa that were made a day or so ahead and they were bad. I've had some that were made earlier in the day and they were ok. The ladies at this location make them once you've ordered them, which is my preference. You can tell which method a restaurant uses based on the time it takes for your food to hit the table.
  
  At this spot, when you order papusa, it takes some time because..... you guessed! They make them fresh and to order.
  
  Plain cheese is what you should get if this is your first time. As the plate hits the table, you can smell the intoxicating aroma of fresh masa and gooey, gooey cheese. Very simple, few ingredients but this packs a very specific flavor punch.
  
  If you've done this before, you've likely ordered chicharrone and cheese, which is my go to. The pork is not too salty, it's well seasoned and shredded perfectly. Marched with that funky Mexican cheese and boy this is where it's at!
  
  They serve curtido in a large stainless steel container and it's the best curtido I've ever had. Fresh, crispy, crunchy cabbage seasoned with vinegar and spices and enhances the pupusa experience.
  
  Horchata is a really special drink that plenty of places do the lazy way. Not at this spot. They have two options available. Salvadoran style of Mexican style. I've ordered the Slavadoran style both times and it's incredibly flavorful. Really nutty flavors but the taste changes as it crosses your tongue and begins its journey down the hatch. Creamy, rich, not too sweet and wonderfully delicious horchata. I could drink it by the gallon.
  
  I absolutely love this place and wish that every single Yelper in SLC visited them at least once. I also wish I could walk in the kitchen and hug the ladies who do the cooking because they deliver flavors that remind me of my childhood and that's such an amazing experience. Tip well folks. They deserve it!!

• D R.

  star star star star star 16 June 2026

  Cafe Guanaco is delicious, the Pupusas de queso con ayote (Cheese with Zucchini) are the best in Utah. A Salvadorean Cuisine, Do not get it confused with Mexican.