Lupita's Restaurant — Restaurant in Costa Mesa

I'm really sad to make this review being Salvadorian myself. The restaurant is located in the same lot as the 99c store that is closing. My husband and I bought some pots and gardening decor that were a steal, but we had to leave asap because he didn't want to use the stores restroom. I cook all the time at home, and I cook fast. I just don't like cleaning up after. We decided to support the store that used to be a storage small size shack. However, it was huge! It surprised me. Apparently they bought whatever store was next store and expanded the place. I was confused on where to sit, but not knowing how to get food, we went to the register lady. We asked to use the restroom to which we were told was for customers only. We are the customers....I told her we are ordering, and she still didn't offer my husband to use the restroom. I told the young girl that we wouldn't be ordering if my husband can't use the restroom. She said "ok". Then I ordered... I ordered 4 pupusas revultas, gallina en crema, and horchata. After I ordered I set my purse down, and when I went to use the restroom which is snug next to the kitchen, I hear the girl that took my order and the kitchen lady say "Well you didn't tell me what kind of pupusas before". I thought it was an odd comment (in spanish) because who cooks a pupusa or any meal without knowing how the person ordered the dish??? I too have worked in restaurants. I thought it was a funny interaction until later... Afterwards, my husband and I waited an hour later until the food came in. My husband was just about to ask about our order when it came out. By this time I would have been cleaning my kitchen. It took so long for such an easy meal. 😪 My husband still has to continue working the night, so this was exhausting. We ordered at 6:45pm and we got our food at 7:30. During this time, I saw her go over to people who came in and sat them down while coming over to give them drinks in cups. I go my drink in a foam to-go cup. That's highly toxic... When we finally began to eat the pupusas were only cheese filled...all..three..of..them. I was going to say something, but we decided to just leave. When my husband decided to have his chicken dish home and get a to-go box, he found a black hair in his cream chicken sauce. We don't have black hair. At the end of one of my bites of my pupusa, I tasted a sand texture loud grinding pieces. I had to spit it into my napkin. We just wanted to leave. I forgot to mention that right after we sat down to wait for our order, a man started working on the blinds of the store. They had no blinds. There was a huge latter in the restaurant, and a man walking to and fro the window to measure the window sill to then cut them and put them on right then and there. When we left the later was still there. Also, other customers arrived waiting for their meals. This was so sad because the last time we had dinner at the restaurant, it was a small little place but the front lady was grandma aged lady who was so kind and attended us right away. The girl who took our order looked around 19 to 22 years old if I was to guess or high school age. She attended kindly to known customers. My husband and I will not be returning. He did not want me to make a reciew, but I told him this is how businesses get better.

Attend to customers respectfully, Check ln the tables, Get the order right, Stay clean and hair back while cooking, Don't make labor changes to the open restaurant, And be courteous especially when the order is taking a long time.

This was the first time we didn't tip. I only realized it when I looked back at our receipt because we weren't asked to tip, and we didn't pay after we ate. We always tip, and we tip more than 20% usually. I'm so sad. I love my guanacos...I'm so...

During the pandemic I like to support businesses who do their part in slowing the spread. I had placed my order by phone so I was disappointed when I got there to pick it up and No masks were being worn by anyone preparing the food or any of their employees. That should've been enough to walk out. I ordered based on the reviews but I think they are confusing this restaurant with the one that is two blocks away on Harbor as well..... I mistakenly ordered here too. The order was ready when I picked it up but not sure if the person making the pupusas was new because they looked like they had been prepared by a child. They didn't have the same flavor or even appearance that you'd expect from a Salvadorean pupusa. I also ordered platanos which were hard, and a plate of yucca with chicharron. The yucca had a great texture but the chicharron was over cooked and hard. Big NO for me - would...

For a place that just expanded it looks alright..

The food was awful today... maybe it was just my day!

The owner was eating and getting her food ready while I waited and did not tell me that her tamales are cold and they need to be warmed up. I thought as many places they have a few already warmed... I waited and then goes by she asked if I needed help.

Your telling me the person who took my order is also the one who had to heat them up.. while you eat with...