El Paraiso Restaurant and Bakery - Reisterstown, Maryland

Kera M.

I came here because I saw their story featured on Instagram and had to come try the crab pupusa. It was a great size and reasonably priced. The flavor was good but simultaneously underwhelming it that makes sense. I also ordered the shrimp and jalapeño pupusa. I would order it again.

Ana R.

Came in to try the famous crab pupusa and it lived up to the hype. Service was great. I am pregnant and was craving sopa de mondongo and it made me dance a happy dance. My husband had the carne tacos and elote tamale. He enjoyed it. We got a tres leche cake to go and it was delicious. Will definitely be returning!

Tap C.

I ordered two pupusas — one beans & cheese and one cheese — along with a side of rice and a side of fries. Unfortunately, this was one of the most disappointing restaurant experiences I’ve had.

They have TVs on the wall showing bright, high-quality pictures of food. I asked the cashier (a very smiley man with glasses who looks like he was born in the 1970s) if those photos were actually of their dishes. He told me yes. But when I opened my food, it was immediately clear the pictures were straight off Google Images — not their food at all.

Both pupusas were bland and oily, tasting like someone mixed string cheese with beans without knowing the recipe. The fries were the basic frozen kind you buy in bulk and drop in the fryer — not homemade as I was told. And the rice, which the cashier praised as “the best rice he’s ever had,” was completely bland. It honestly tasted like plain minute rice with no seasoning whatsoever.

The customer service was polite on the surface, but the information I was given about the food was very misleading. Overall, the food quality, presentation, and entire feel of the restaurant is stuck in 2004 — which is literally the year printed on their window as their opening date.

In several recent reviews, the restaurant even admits the same cooks and managers have been there since they first opened — and honestly, you can taste the era.

I’ll spare them the pictures, because trust me — the camera would not have helped.

I won’t be returning.

Jennifer A.

My family has been loyal patrons of El Paraíso since they first opened their doors, and it has truly become a staple in our community.

Recently, we had to make a last-minute change of plans for my brother's birthday celebration due to rain. Thankfully, we were able to place a same-day catering order from El Paraíso. Our order included delicious fajitas, flavorful rice and beans, along with individually packed guacamole and tortillas (not pictured). The food was absolutely fantastic, leaving everyone at the party asking where it was from.

10/10 - highly recommend! 👌

Latoya G.

I've previously heard of El Paraiso's crab pupusa and knew this would be an optimal opportunity to give one a try along with some tacos.

I didn't get a full look at El Paraiso's menu, but I did have the chance to look over their delicious looking baked goods and cakes while I waited. I chose the chicken tacos, which were pretty tasty. I love a traditional taco loaded up on onions and cilantro with a squeeze of fresh lime to accompany the flavor of the chicken. The rice was good, a pretty standard side dish to tacos, but I thoroughly enjoyed the refried beans. Creamy and flavorful. Since I was visiting, I of course decided to snag a crab pupusa to go. I love El Salvadorian pupusas with slaw and El Paraiso's crab pupusa was just as good. The slaw was a little different than usual given that it was creamy, almost reminiscent of coleslaw.

All in all, a tasty meal of tacos which I'm always happy to nosh on.

Marleine R.

I came here by recommendation so it was my first time and expensive. I ordered a Mexican torta de pollo and a medium horchata. Within a few minutes of finishing the torta my stomach started to hurt and later in the night turned into me throwing up. I should have known better because the chicken tasted bland, dry and had a funny taste. Overall for what I paid, the torta was not worth it as it lacked other condiments it normally goes with and what is listed on their menu vs what they gave me. This should be better called a grilled chicken sandwich. Check your orders too because they didn't give me my horchata drink so I had to go back and when I did they didn't apologize. Stick to ordering Salvadorian or Honduran food as this is their specialty.

Jake

Super good food, vegetarian options and my wife’s new favorite quesadilla. Definitely coming back

Alan K.

I love this restaurant. The only reason I don't go more often is because the food is too good and I WILL gain weight because I WILL eat EVERYTHING on my plate!