Latin Love Kitchen (PUPUSERIA) Kingsport's Pupusas — Restaurant in Kingsport

While I am a sucker for the southern food in my area, I must say that LLK is a beautiful breath of fresh air.

This unassuming, family-owned, hole-in-the-wall in downtown Kingsport was such a happy surprise to find in this neck of the woods in Appalachia. Our server was the owner’s daughter and was a joy to talk to. She recommended the Complete Salvadorian breakfast plate, along with several of the pupusa flavors. (Pupusa for the uninitiated is corn tortilla stuffed with cheese and/or various meats/veggies. We were graciously guided by our server through some of the different items we were not familiar with.)

My dad and I both got the Complete Salvadorian (eggs w/ salsa, crema, refried beans, fried plantains, queso fresco), 4 different pupusas (chicken, pimento and bacon, loroco, and one with pork/cheese/beans), and a scratch-made blackberry ‘natural juice’ for each of us.

The main plate was presented simply but well, with strong hints to dress the plate with the cheese and crema as we saw fit. Salt and pepper were at the table; all I needed was a bit of salt to make everything pop. The pupusas were griddled perfectly and gushing with cheese and filling. The drink was surprisingly well balanced, not being overtly sweet.

After our meal, we were able to talk with one of the owners, who gave us a brief history of the restaurant and their goals while running it. Everyone was very nice and was happy to answer questions.

If you want something new for your palette, I highly recommend coming here. If you have friends/co-workers/family of the Hispanic persuasion, I would HIGHLY recommend bringing them here. LLK has a winning combo of backstory, family, great taste, and street side location. Please come with an open mind for ethnic food and humble people. I know I will be coming back and showing everyone I can...

I chose to visit Latin Love Kitchen for a late lunch and my friend and I were the only customers in the restaurant- so that does change the vibe a bit. You don’t get the busy chatter or staff running around (white noise) that comes with a full or partially full restaurant, that being said that has nothing to do with them. It just happened to be the time of day that we were in there.

We were greeted by the owner, I believe, who is incredibly nice and helpful. And the restaurant itself is colorful and visually active. I found myself looking around the entire visit, finding new decor every time I looked in a different corner!

We started with some agua fresca drinks. I chose blackberry and my friend chose hibiscus. They were both so yummy and huge (think super big gulp iykyk)! It was a hot day so it was nice to have enough left over to take with us when we left.

We started with some tamales for our appetizer and weren’t disappointed. We inhaled them! My friend ordered the Chicken Breast in Chipotle and I had the Combo 1 Pupusa’s special. While the flavors of our entrees were good, we both had excess grease within our food that made our entree’s feel super heavy. We both could only eat about 1/2 of our plates, but it is a lot of food.

Overall, I would like to come back and visit Latin Love Kitchen in the evening, during a slightly busier time, so I can get a feel for what the restaurant is like when it’s buzzing. I definitely want to get the Salvadorean tamales again - they were so good!

If you’re in the area and want to try something new & different (if you’ve never had pupusa’s before) stop by and give Latin Love...

Latin Love Kitchen in Kingsport is an absolute gem! From the moment you step inside, you’re greeted with warm, friendly service and a vibrant atmosphere that immediately sets the tone for an amazing dining experience. This family-owned restaurant, run by some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet, specializes in authentic Salvadoran cuisine.

The menu is packed with delicious dishes, and their pupusas are the true stars of the show. These stuffed corn tortillas, a Salvadoran specialty, come in a variety of flavors, each one more mouthwatering than the last.

If you’re dining with a furry friend, you’ll be pleased to know that Latin Love Kitchen is dog-friendly outside. There are two cozy tables on the patio where you can enjoy your meal with your pup by your side. It’s the perfect spot to relax and savor the rich flavors of El Salvador.

What sets Latin Love Kitchen apart is the attention to detail in every dish. You can tell that the ingredients are fresh and that the chefs pour their heart into the food they create. The portions are generous, and the prices are reasonable, making it a great value for the quality of the meal.

Whether you’re a fan of Latin cuisine or just looking to try something new, Latin Love Kitchen is a spot you won’t want to miss. It’s a taste of El Salvador right here...