This is a review from a vegetarian perspective (a vegetarian who is willing to eat lard, because all authentic El Salvadorian food probably has lard, let's be real). This is one of the cheapest tastiest places to get food in my neighborhood. I think even when I ordered food for five people, the total bill was about $30. I always tend to get take out here and then gobble it down at home with friends. I always order one pupusa con frijoles y queso (bean and cheese pupusa) and then the frijoles con platanos and crema (refied black beans with fried plantains and sour cream). I am full and very happy every time I order this. I also think my total bill is under $5. The masa the pupusa is made from is flavorful and tender and the bean and cheese filling is excellent. The refired black beans are also extremely flavorful. I am particular to the included red sauce that comes with all meals-- my husband prefers the included green sauce. I am not a fan of the included pickled cabbage, but my dad likes it a lot. So, there's a lot of included toppings. Overall, super-tasty and authentic tasting, every time!
(5)
Tiffany L.
First and last time trying an entree. Carne Asada 11$. No good. Tacos are 2.50$ a piece. My fave is beef tongue taco. Chicken and reg beef is good too. Honduran taco is like.. A taquito with a pickled cabbage dressing on top of it.. Didn't really like. Pupusas are alright.. Just under 2$ a piece.
(3)
Amaresh S.
It's called Irene's pupusas, so if you come here get pupusas. That's all I've ever gotten when I come here, and I haven't been dissappointed. I usually go for the bean & cheese and loroco pupusas, and they taste the way they're supposed to. Usually when I come here I'm the only one who doesn't speak spanish, so you know the plae is authentic and legit. Make sure to load up on the curtido and hot sauce, and you get a solid pupusa experience.
(4)
Kensey W.
maybe it's because i rarely get to have pupusas, but i really liked it here. came here with my friend and i'm pretty sure we were the only ones in here who didn't speak spanish, and therefore couldn't understand the tv showing a spanish-language award show. the place is small and bare and pretty full on a sunday night - lots of families and children. i had cheese and bean pupusas and they were hot and delicious. we also had a sort of fried taco with weird sauce (sorry, this is not helpful) but it was really good! the tamales were moist and corny, just the way they should be. we also ordered a couple normal tacos, but i think those were just okay. we were beyond stuffed and the bill was fifteen dollars. this is dirt cheap yummy food, people. the service seemed to be on the slow side, but that may have just been because we were hungry and tired. i wish there was a place like this around me. i would be there entirely too much.
(4)
Crystal H.
I was in the area today, so I thought I would give it a try! The outside is ok, inviting, I guess! But inside, it is just tables and chairs!! No frills at its best! I wanted to get my food to go and when I went to get a menu, the waitress/hostess told me that they don't have takeout menus!! No biggie, I just ordered from the regular menu!! I ordered a beef taco, a chicken taco, a chicken tamale, and a pork and cheese pupusa!! The food was ok!! I found the beef in the taco and the chicken a bit dry. I had to put the green sauce on it that was provided with my order. I sincerely LOVE tamales, so I had to order one! The tamale was good! It was light and flavorful!! There wasn't a lot of chicken in it and it had a slice of potato in it!! I wasn't used to that,but it was still just good!! Not amazing, just good!! The pork and cheese pupusa was good! But I am not IN LOVE! Food was good, but not Amazing!! Just good!
(3)
Shawn B.
As someone who loves latin foods, I was STOKED to come here and try it out. As most local joints, this place feels like home to those who have traveled to spanish speaking countries. No fancy decor, just families having a homemade dinner while watching telenovelas. I had a pork pupusa, chicken tamale, and rice and beans. My friend had a pork pupusa and corm tamale. We had 3 juices. All only for $16. That is DIRT cheap, fyi. The pupusa's were great, the tamales were light, fluffy, and FRESH. There is nothing worse than a dried out tamale. The delicious addition is the pickled cabbage they give you. It taste good with everything and gives the food extra level of flavor otherwise lost. The wait staff helped my refine my Spanish and provded good service. Will definitely be back.
(4)
Jennifer W.
The only items I've had at Irene's are the chicken tacos, which are awesome. Great corn tortilla, fresh chicken, cilantro, onion...and some great seasoning. I keep coming back for more though, and they're only $2.50 each. Great last minute dinner!
(3)
Marc G.
I tried this place because it's right next to where I live. The tacos aren't the best I've had in this area, but they are quite good. The pupusas are also tasty. The salsa verde is a bit oily and tame, instead of the creamier and spicier salsa verde at some other local pupuserias. Still, it's not bad. The frilojes are very tasty. It's difficult to justify rating this place under other comparable restaurants around the Hyattsville/College Park area, because the complaints I have are pretty trivial. Irene's Pupusas has some good food. It's just that some of the other nearby places are a little better, such as Pupuseria La Familiar on U.S.-1 in College Park.
(4)
Courtlani M.
great price - fantastic food. Baliadas w/ Everything chicken or steak - both are tasty and you have to get that Plantain - Fried Served with sour cream and beans.
(4)
Kevin W.
It was ok. I had a pork/cheese pupusa, a chicken tamale, an empanada, and a coke. The pupusa and tamale were good, not great. The empanada was just plain weird. I guess there is a big difference between Mexican empanadas and Salvadorian empanadas. I have no idea, but it wasn't what I was expecting. It was mushy and sweet instead of crunchy and beefy. Food aside, it was way too hot in there. It seemed like there was no AC, which is a major factor when it is 90+ degrees outside. The service was friendly but didn't seem to speak very much English. She understood everything I ordered, though. The place is kind of dumpy but not horrible. I was the only non-Hispanic person there during my stay. I probably won't go back, considering there are so many other alternative places to go that have better service, better food, and of course, AIR CONDITIONING!
(2)
Brittney V.
Pupusa? What is a pupusa? Well, let's head on over to Irene's to find out. This no frills joint hit the spot with it's bean and cheese pupusas. Everything else was...meh. My husband got the chicken pupusas, which barely had any meat in it at all and also included an added bone! We both got a tamale with our dish, which I was not impressed with. My grandpa would always bring us tamales on Sunday mornings when we were visiting... so it is really hard to top those. Irene's didn't even come close though. I give it three stars just because it is cheap and you can tell they make everything fresh to order.
(3)
Farida A.
Irene's pupasas are fabulous! Granted, my only experience with pupusas is from Irene's, but still. Irene's must have recently (within the last few years?) upgraded from selling pupusas out an RV to having a real restaurant, because I only remembered the RV w/ the pupusas sign when my coworker suggested we try it for lunch one day. Boy was I surprised to find a nice, clean restaurant! The pupusas are fresh, quick, and yummy. I've only ordered veggie dishes, but the best I've tried so far is the carrot pupusa. The zucchini one is kind of bland, but the bean one is decent.
(4)
Vikash S.
My advice: stick to the classics. the Pupusas are filling and flavorful, and cheap too! (~1.50/pupusa). The fried plantains are dry though, so i recommend sticking to what irene's does well: the pupusas. Never disappointed with them, and I LOVE their curtido (fermented cabbage). definitely a place you have to try if you love latin food. the tamales are pretty darn good too, fresh, creamy, and fluffy. It's definitely a hole-in-the-wall kind of place, but for good food at that price, i've got no complaints.
(4)
Aparna K.
If you ever find yourself in Hyattsville (original Irene's Pupusas) or Wheaton (Irene's Pupusas III) you need to try a pupusa...or two....or six. We ordered 6 pupusas (cheese, cheese+beans, cheese+zucchini, cheese+carrot, cheese+loroco which is a type of flower bud, and rice flour pupusa) and 1 order of fried plaintains for 4 of us. We were definitely full at the end. Menu: Veg items not clearly labeled so you have to read the descriptions and ask the waitress. Vegetarian Items: 1 tamale, 5 pupusas (maybe more), plaintains (we just got plain because I'm not sure if the beans are veg) Tricky Items: Irene's does have a lot of meat and seafood items so just read the menu carefully to make sure there are no meat or meat products in your order. The Verdict: We loved it. It is a very casual place that feels homey and most importantly is delicious. The pupusas are made to order so they come out hot and fresh. Irene's is definitely kid-friendly. We were one of few groups in the restaurant so our food came out quickly but if the place is crowded it will take some time so I suggest ordering whatever you want right in the beginning.
(5)
Andrea L.
Delicious, hot, oozy cheesy pupusa goodness. The loroco and squash were better than the chicken, which didn't have enough cheese. We had a side order of plantains with cream and beans; the plantains and cream were great, the beans were cold and not very interesting. The curtido (coleslaw-like cabbage side that comes with the pupusas) is served without sauce, but the red ketchup dispensers on the tables provide the necessary sauce. Unfortunately they don't seem to offer yuca as a side without meat, so we didn't try any. It's not fast, because they're making the pupusas individually to order -- have some patience, it's worth the wait.
(4)
Jorge S.
Good pupusas!! and tacos de lenguas ( tongue tacos)are awesomeorder from here every Sunday!
(4)
Chris W.
No one spoke english when I tried to call to place an order. First, I was hung up on, then had to call back to find out why. I'll take my business to El Comalito - their staff speaks english, and the food is fantastic.
(1)
david q.
2.5 stars. Erring on the side of 2. Lake Wobegon, College Park is not. Everything in or around College Park seems average or below average. In this trend Irene's (evidently a chain--if you go further down 193 there is another) follows suit in that it is decent, but not great. Better pupusas can be had in DC. Look for a place that has little to no seating--bang, that's the pupusa for you. Look for a truck--bang, get em' while they're hot (and they're always hot). If you are not the adventurous type, however, and Irene's in the only one you can track down and time is not on your side, then go for it. It is, at the very least, not horrendous, and popular with the locals during the evening hours--and the (h)orchatas are as friggin' awesome as anywhere (i think it must be the rice thing).
(2)
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
Address :2218 University Blvd E
Hyattsville, MD, 20783
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes
Annie B.
This is a review from a vegetarian perspective (a vegetarian who is willing to eat lard, because all authentic El Salvadorian food probably has lard, let's be real). This is one of the cheapest tastiest places to get food in my neighborhood. I think even when I ordered food for five people, the total bill was about $30. I always tend to get take out here and then gobble it down at home with friends. I always order one pupusa con frijoles y queso (bean and cheese pupusa) and then the frijoles con platanos and crema (refied black beans with fried plantains and sour cream). I am full and very happy every time I order this. I also think my total bill is under $5. The masa the pupusa is made from is flavorful and tender and the bean and cheese filling is excellent. The refired black beans are also extremely flavorful. I am particular to the included red sauce that comes with all meals-- my husband prefers the included green sauce. I am not a fan of the included pickled cabbage, but my dad likes it a lot. So, there's a lot of included toppings. Overall, super-tasty and authentic tasting, every time!
(5)Tiffany L.
First and last time trying an entree. Carne Asada 11$. No good. Tacos are 2.50$ a piece. My fave is beef tongue taco. Chicken and reg beef is good too. Honduran taco is like.. A taquito with a pickled cabbage dressing on top of it.. Didn't really like. Pupusas are alright.. Just under 2$ a piece.
(3)Amaresh S.
It's called Irene's pupusas, so if you come here get pupusas. That's all I've ever gotten when I come here, and I haven't been dissappointed. I usually go for the bean & cheese and loroco pupusas, and they taste the way they're supposed to. Usually when I come here I'm the only one who doesn't speak spanish, so you know the plae is authentic and legit. Make sure to load up on the curtido and hot sauce, and you get a solid pupusa experience.
(4)Kensey W.
maybe it's because i rarely get to have pupusas, but i really liked it here. came here with my friend and i'm pretty sure we were the only ones in here who didn't speak spanish, and therefore couldn't understand the tv showing a spanish-language award show. the place is small and bare and pretty full on a sunday night - lots of families and children. i had cheese and bean pupusas and they were hot and delicious. we also had a sort of fried taco with weird sauce (sorry, this is not helpful) but it was really good! the tamales were moist and corny, just the way they should be. we also ordered a couple normal tacos, but i think those were just okay. we were beyond stuffed and the bill was fifteen dollars. this is dirt cheap yummy food, people. the service seemed to be on the slow side, but that may have just been because we were hungry and tired. i wish there was a place like this around me. i would be there entirely too much.
(4)Crystal H.
I was in the area today, so I thought I would give it a try! The outside is ok, inviting, I guess! But inside, it is just tables and chairs!! No frills at its best! I wanted to get my food to go and when I went to get a menu, the waitress/hostess told me that they don't have takeout menus!! No biggie, I just ordered from the regular menu!! I ordered a beef taco, a chicken taco, a chicken tamale, and a pork and cheese pupusa!! The food was ok!! I found the beef in the taco and the chicken a bit dry. I had to put the green sauce on it that was provided with my order. I sincerely LOVE tamales, so I had to order one! The tamale was good! It was light and flavorful!! There wasn't a lot of chicken in it and it had a slice of potato in it!! I wasn't used to that,but it was still just good!! Not amazing, just good!! The pork and cheese pupusa was good! But I am not IN LOVE! Food was good, but not Amazing!! Just good!
(3)Shawn B.
As someone who loves latin foods, I was STOKED to come here and try it out. As most local joints, this place feels like home to those who have traveled to spanish speaking countries. No fancy decor, just families having a homemade dinner while watching telenovelas. I had a pork pupusa, chicken tamale, and rice and beans. My friend had a pork pupusa and corm tamale. We had 3 juices. All only for $16. That is DIRT cheap, fyi. The pupusa's were great, the tamales were light, fluffy, and FRESH. There is nothing worse than a dried out tamale. The delicious addition is the pickled cabbage they give you. It taste good with everything and gives the food extra level of flavor otherwise lost. The wait staff helped my refine my Spanish and provded good service. Will definitely be back.
(4)Jennifer W.
The only items I've had at Irene's are the chicken tacos, which are awesome. Great corn tortilla, fresh chicken, cilantro, onion...and some great seasoning. I keep coming back for more though, and they're only $2.50 each. Great last minute dinner!
(3)Marc G.
I tried this place because it's right next to where I live. The tacos aren't the best I've had in this area, but they are quite good. The pupusas are also tasty. The salsa verde is a bit oily and tame, instead of the creamier and spicier salsa verde at some other local pupuserias. Still, it's not bad. The frilojes are very tasty. It's difficult to justify rating this place under other comparable restaurants around the Hyattsville/College Park area, because the complaints I have are pretty trivial. Irene's Pupusas has some good food. It's just that some of the other nearby places are a little better, such as Pupuseria La Familiar on U.S.-1 in College Park.
(4)Courtlani M.
great price - fantastic food. Baliadas w/ Everything chicken or steak - both are tasty and you have to get that Plantain - Fried Served with sour cream and beans.
(4)Kevin W.
It was ok. I had a pork/cheese pupusa, a chicken tamale, an empanada, and a coke. The pupusa and tamale were good, not great. The empanada was just plain weird. I guess there is a big difference between Mexican empanadas and Salvadorian empanadas. I have no idea, but it wasn't what I was expecting. It was mushy and sweet instead of crunchy and beefy. Food aside, it was way too hot in there. It seemed like there was no AC, which is a major factor when it is 90+ degrees outside. The service was friendly but didn't seem to speak very much English. She understood everything I ordered, though. The place is kind of dumpy but not horrible. I was the only non-Hispanic person there during my stay. I probably won't go back, considering there are so many other alternative places to go that have better service, better food, and of course, AIR CONDITIONING!
(2)Brittney V.
Pupusa? What is a pupusa? Well, let's head on over to Irene's to find out. This no frills joint hit the spot with it's bean and cheese pupusas. Everything else was...meh. My husband got the chicken pupusas, which barely had any meat in it at all and also included an added bone! We both got a tamale with our dish, which I was not impressed with. My grandpa would always bring us tamales on Sunday mornings when we were visiting... so it is really hard to top those. Irene's didn't even come close though. I give it three stars just because it is cheap and you can tell they make everything fresh to order.
(3)Farida A.
Irene's pupasas are fabulous! Granted, my only experience with pupusas is from Irene's, but still. Irene's must have recently (within the last few years?) upgraded from selling pupusas out an RV to having a real restaurant, because I only remembered the RV w/ the pupusas sign when my coworker suggested we try it for lunch one day. Boy was I surprised to find a nice, clean restaurant! The pupusas are fresh, quick, and yummy. I've only ordered veggie dishes, but the best I've tried so far is the carrot pupusa. The zucchini one is kind of bland, but the bean one is decent.
(4)Vikash S.
My advice: stick to the classics. the Pupusas are filling and flavorful, and cheap too! (~1.50/pupusa). The fried plantains are dry though, so i recommend sticking to what irene's does well: the pupusas. Never disappointed with them, and I LOVE their curtido (fermented cabbage). definitely a place you have to try if you love latin food. the tamales are pretty darn good too, fresh, creamy, and fluffy. It's definitely a hole-in-the-wall kind of place, but for good food at that price, i've got no complaints.
(4)Aparna K.
If you ever find yourself in Hyattsville (original Irene's Pupusas) or Wheaton (Irene's Pupusas III) you need to try a pupusa...or two....or six. We ordered 6 pupusas (cheese, cheese+beans, cheese+zucchini, cheese+carrot, cheese+loroco which is a type of flower bud, and rice flour pupusa) and 1 order of fried plaintains for 4 of us. We were definitely full at the end. Menu: Veg items not clearly labeled so you have to read the descriptions and ask the waitress. Vegetarian Items: 1 tamale, 5 pupusas (maybe more), plaintains (we just got plain because I'm not sure if the beans are veg) Tricky Items: Irene's does have a lot of meat and seafood items so just read the menu carefully to make sure there are no meat or meat products in your order. The Verdict: We loved it. It is a very casual place that feels homey and most importantly is delicious. The pupusas are made to order so they come out hot and fresh. Irene's is definitely kid-friendly. We were one of few groups in the restaurant so our food came out quickly but if the place is crowded it will take some time so I suggest ordering whatever you want right in the beginning.
(5)Andrea L.
Delicious, hot, oozy cheesy pupusa goodness. The loroco and squash were better than the chicken, which didn't have enough cheese. We had a side order of plantains with cream and beans; the plantains and cream were great, the beans were cold and not very interesting. The curtido (coleslaw-like cabbage side that comes with the pupusas) is served without sauce, but the red ketchup dispensers on the tables provide the necessary sauce. Unfortunately they don't seem to offer yuca as a side without meat, so we didn't try any. It's not fast, because they're making the pupusas individually to order -- have some patience, it's worth the wait.
(4)Jorge S.
Good pupusas!! and tacos de lenguas ( tongue tacos)are awesomeorder from here every Sunday!
(4)Chris W.
No one spoke english when I tried to call to place an order. First, I was hung up on, then had to call back to find out why. I'll take my business to El Comalito - their staff speaks english, and the food is fantastic.
(1)david q.
2.5 stars. Erring on the side of 2. Lake Wobegon, College Park is not. Everything in or around College Park seems average or below average. In this trend Irene's (evidently a chain--if you go further down 193 there is another) follows suit in that it is decent, but not great. Better pupusas can be had in DC. Look for a place that has little to no seating--bang, that's the pupusa for you. Look for a truck--bang, get em' while they're hot (and they're always hot). If you are not the adventurous type, however, and Irene's in the only one you can track down and time is not on your side, then go for it. It is, at the very least, not horrendous, and popular with the locals during the evening hours--and the (h)orchatas are as friggin' awesome as anywhere (i think it must be the rice thing).
(2)