Pupuseria El Mana — Restaurant in Gainesville

Welp. We were passing through checking out the area and happened to see this place as we were stopped at the red light. The other Google reviews were stellar but by the looks of the pictures of the pupusas, I could tell something was off.

They are obviously popular here and the locals seem to really like it. However, these pupusas are definitely NOT legit. Pupusas are not cooked by frying them in oil. They are cooked without oil on a hot blacktop or skillet or pan. These pupusas are greasy, crispy and golden brown. This completely changes the flavor profile. The curtido or pickled cabbage slaw that is typically eaten with pupusas was absolutely bland and flavorless.

We were really hoping that this place would be good.

My mistake for having my partner go in for take out while I stayed out in the car with the dog. As soon as she told me that they only sold the pupusas in sets of 3s and not individually, I knew that they would not be good.

Yes, I...

Well culture has made it's way to little town Gainesville, Ga, and this little Central American restaurant has rocked the taste buds of these folks. The food is cooked fresh right in front of you using the flare of that home cooked Spanish charm. I would try the papusas first they are excellent. Get the spicy sauce...oh by the way all home made. Even the fountain drinks are a home made concoction that will make your taste buds skip the light fadango. The restaurant itself is inside the Texaco gas station, but don't let that stop you...

I’ve never really had an issue here before, but the experience today was frustrating. The woman at the register was rude from the start. I called in to place a to-go order, and she asked me to hold — which I was fine with. But then I just kept hearing her ring up order after order. I lost count around 5 or 6 before I gave up. If you’re going to take phone orders, please don’t leave customers...