El Norteno — Restaurant in Maryland

THEY HAVE NO LUNCH SPECIALS AND THEY DON’T GIVE YOU FRESH FOOD! It says on the menu to call ask about lunch specials and when the order was placed, the woman working there said it was on lunch special on one of the items that was order (the chicken fajitas). Upon arrival, the lady working there, which whom was the person who placed the order (3 pupusas, nachos with no jalapeños, lunch chicken fajitas, and two orchatas). She asked for the order to be repeated which was done. When she told that the order was $42, it was shocking. When asked about the lunch fajitas price, she then said there’s no lunch special on it (but yet she said on the phone and upon arriving it was) that it was $12.95. She said it says on the menu which on are (which on the menu it says to call and ask about lunch specials), which she got mad asking if the food was still going to be purchased or not. I had to end up paying it since it was bought for a big group. Once home, the group opened up what was bought. THE NACHOS WAS OVERLOADED WITH THREE CHOPPED UP JALAPEÑOS WITH BARELY DICED COLD CHICKEN, THE LETTUCE FROM THE FAJITAS WAS NOT CLEANED SINCE THERE WAS SMALL DEAD BUGS ON IT, AND THE ORCHATA HAD SPOILED MILK IN IT! When called to complain, they can only switch it out and not get a refund since the food was “cooked”. I wouldn’t recommend coming here unless you’re drunk or high enough to not realize they give you overpriced cold...

Honestly this place has 3 stars for a reason. After a long day we visited this place with high hopes that it would be a "hidden gem" with delicious food. Honestly it wasn't. The food is good to okay and a little over priced in my opinion. I don't understand why they charge $2.50 extra for rice and then $2.50 for beans. In my opinion, you shouldn't have to pay $5 to have a small side of beans and rice. I got a popusa with chicharrón, rice, and cheese. However, I straight up got a cheese popusa. My popusa had NO rice or chicharrón inside of it. My husband got one too and said the same thing. Also, the tacos are wayyyy too over priced. $10+ for 3 small tacos? No way, make them a little bigger! Overall it was okay honestly. I wouldn't say it's horrible, it's good but it could be way better. The customer service could be better too. The lady seemed to speak Spanish but didn't understand half of the things I was saying. So maybe she didn't speak Spanish? I don't know. Anyway, 3/5...

After a failed first breakfast attempt we happened to walk by el norteño and decided to give it a shot. We walked away full and very happy. This no frills neighborhood place gives off a hole in the wall vibe, but the food is seriously delicious and well priced. The staff was friendly but not overly attentive as we sat out on the patio—which is honestly the way we like it. They had excellent food recommendations and everything came out fast and hot.

The pupusas were made to order and when they came to the table they were hot hot lava, but after the heat subsided they were absolutely delicious. Just the right proportion of masa to filling.

My partner can’t stop raving about the crema that came with the desayunos tipicos. And the yucca with chicarones were also excellent. We wouldn’t hesitate to come here...