Pupusas — the thick, savory Salvadoran stuffed corn cakes – are one of Nicole and mine’s secret obsessions. I first had them on a business trip to El Salvador. We’ve had them many times since around D.C., including at D.C. United games at Audi Field.
It’s a dish you’re likely to buy from a food truck. However, we’ve discovered the place with the best pupusas in Frederick: a small Salvadoran joint named Que Chivo on the north side of town near Fort Detrick.
What Are Pupusas?
Pupusas are a distinctly Salvadorian dish that resembles a burrito, but is totally different. Pupusas are hand-made, flat cakes made from corn or flour, stuffed with goodness.
There are many types, but pupusas are most often stuffed with cheese, beans, or some kind of Latin-spiced meat (chicken, beef or pork).
Que Chivo Basics
It took us some time to find Que Chivo, it’s in an area of Frederick we don’t usually visit. You’ll find it on the north side of town near Fort Detrick:
- Address: 200 Amber Dr, Frederick, MD 21702
- Web: QueChivoPupuseria.com
- Facebook: facebook.com/QueChivo
- Phone: +1.240.575.9583
- Price Range: $$
- Reservations: none!
- Menu: Que Chivo Menu
- Order Online: Clover Link
The Best Place for Pupusas in Frederick
Frederick and the greater Washington, D.C. area, in general, have a large Salvadoran population.
So if you are a fan of Salvadoran food, and specifically Pupusas, you can find plenty of them in our area.
While our research is unscientific, Nicole and I believe we’ve found the best place for Pupusas near us at this somewhat unknown spot – Que Chivo.
Que Chivo is a creation of owners Alex Martinez-Hercules and Nelly Corvera, who founded the restaurant in October 2023. Popularity in the community keep trending up, mainly due to the quality of the service and food.
The Vibe at Que Chivo: Cozy and Colorful
When you walk into Que Chivo, you’re greeted by cheerful colors, a lively Latin vibe music, and a smiling service team.
Photos and decorations from El Salvador firmly establish the restaurant’s roots.
This is a casual eatery, that’s clean, cozy, and bright. It will likely be full of locals.
The Que Chivo Menu: Flavors from El Salvador and Mexico
The menu at Que Chivo has a combination of El Salvador and Mexican entrees, which all look inviting. The main dishes include items like Carne Asada, Fajitas Mixta, and Lomo Saltado.
You can also get a variety of tacos, in orders of 3. We ordered the Tacos Al Pastor (our favorite), which were delicious. They serve theirs with cucumber, radish, and lemon (not lime), which was an interesting twist.
Let’s be real: you come to Que Chivo for the pupusas. These handmade corn cakes are filled with gooey cheese, tender meats, and savory beans.
Served hot off the griddle and accompanied by tangy curtido and house-made salsa, they hit all the right notes.
We tried several, including:
- Frijol con Queso (beans and cheese)
- Pollo con Queso (chicken and cheese)
- The Revuelta (mixed pork, beans, and cheese), hands down our favorite!
You can get these amazing pupusas with either corn or flour tortillas (we prefer corn, but you can’t go wrong with either).
Everything you order comes with a variety of house-made salsas, which you definitely don’t want to skip.
Plan Your Visit
Que Chivo is a casual place, just show up when hungry though it can be busy at peak times.
You can order takeout by ordering online.
There is a fantastic brunch menu, which we definitely plan to return and try.
While Que Chivo serves a variety of Latin-inspired soft drinks and juices (for example, sodas from Jarritos), it does not offer alcoholic beverages. Serving beer with this excellent El Salvadoran food is the only suggestion I have for improving the experience.
Final Verdict: Mucho Gusto
If you haven’t tried Pupusas before, you need to seek out this delicious creation from El Salvador.
With bold flavors, generous portions, and some of the best pupusas in Frederick, Que Chivo is a welcome addition to Frederick’s ever-growing food scene.
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