Welcome to Balompie Cafe No 3
At Balompie Cafe No 3, we celebrate the rich flavors of Salvadoran cuisine, particularly our renowned pupusas. As a proud women-owned establishment located in the heart of San Francisco, we combine tradition with a modern twist. Our menu highlights an array of pupusas, crafted with fresh ingredients and a passion for seafood and authentic dishes. Patrons can savor classics like the cheesy, savory chicharrón pupusa or explore unique offerings like shrimp pupusas. With options for takeout, outdoor seating, and a commitment to sustainability, Balompie Cafe No 3 invites you to experience a vibrant taste of El Salvador in a welcoming atmosphere perfect for families and groups alike.
-
3801 Mission St San Francisco, CA 94110 United States Hotline: (415) 647-4000
If you’re yearning for authentic Salvadoran cuisine in the heart of San Francisco, Balompie Cafe No 3 is your culinary destination. Nestled at 3801 Mission St, this women-owned restaurant serves up a vibrant array of seafood and traditional dishes that showcase the rich flavors of El Salvador. With a casual atmosphere that fits perfectly for everything from family dinners to cozy lunches, Balompie Cafe No 3 ensures that every dining experience resonates with warmth and community.
The star of the show here is undoubtedly their pupusas. These delightful corn tortillas are stuffed with a variety of fillings that cater to both classic and adventurous palates. Some highlights include:
- Queso con frijol pupusa - A comforting blend of cheese and beans.
- Chicharron, frijol y queso pupusa - A savory mix of pork, beans, and cheese.
- Pupusa de arroz - For those seeking gluten-free options, these rice flour pupusas maintain the same delicious flavors.
- Special variations like Chorizo y Queso pupusa and Camaron y Queso pupusa invite spice and seafood lovers alike.
Not only does Balompie Cafe No 3 serve exemplary dishes, but they also cater to a variety of preferences. The restaurant offers takeout, allows reservations, and accepts an array of payment methods including credit cards and even cryptocurrency. Families will appreciate their kid-friendly menu, while dog owners can bring their furry friends to enjoy the outdoor seating area.
What sets this cafe apart is its commitment to sustainability. They provide compostable containers and reusable tableware, ensuring your meal is not just satisfying but also eco-friendly. The happy hour specials offer a perfect opportunity to unwind with friends over local beers and wines, all while enjoying the moderate noise of a lively atmosphere.
As you take in the charming decor and welcoming vibe, you’ll find Balompie Cafe No 3 to be more than just a restaurant; it is a celebration of flavors and cultures. Their commitment to quality, community, and authenticity shines through each dish, making every visit a delightful experience. Whether you’re a local or just passing through San Francisco, make sure to stop by and savor the rich, comforting tastes that only a place like Balompie Cafe No 3 can offer.
Been coming here for a few years now. But it's been a good two years since I came back. I was craving their Salvadoran tamales. They menu has changed and this was not on it anymore. But they were able to make it happen. Pro: pupusa still hit! Con: tamales got smaller :(
Never disappoints! Their pupusas are consistently good - not greasy. Their breakfast plates are reasonably priced and delicious. We've tried other pupuserias but always come back to Balompie.
Balompie Cafe No. 3 is my favorite neighborhood pupusaria. The owner and all the staff are kind and very helpful. Even when the restaurant and outside seating is packed, the wait time is not that long and the food is always delicious!!
The food is always delicious It's fresh and excellent quality... we love it!! Definitely will recommend the Pupusas made out of Arroz flour!!!
I had the pork and cheese, chorizo, and the pork and beans pupusas. Super good portions and it came with a tasty sauce. The filling felt like it had a good portion too. They were pretty crispy and didn't feel too oily. If you're not a cheese fan, maybe go for the non cheese option as they do pack it with cheese. Very solid 3 that filled me up. Pretty cheap too
Really enjoyed my meal! Overall, I would give this place a 9.2/10! 1. Taste: 9.4 I ordered the pupusas with cheese and Loroco. Both of the pupusas were evenly cooked. The soft comforting doughy masses went well with the salsa and curtido. The salsa could have been a little bit more flavorful (I mostly only tasted tomatoes) but overall, i can't ask more from the pupusas themselves! I got mine with rice and beans. The rice was nothing too special, but did the job. The beans, on the other hand, were super flavorful and added a creamy texture to the chewiness of the pupusas. 1. Customer service: 10/10 The customer service was great! I was sat immediately and had a glass full of water before I even ordered. The preparation did take about 25 minutes, but I think it was well worth it considering how good they were. 1. Appearance: 9/10 The restaurant is a cute little place. It's somewhere that feels local and welcoming. It's a great place for a casual lunch or get together. 1. Value: 8.5 Everything was well priced. With just the two pupusas and side of rice and beans, I felt pretty full. I definitely think it's worth the money.
I liked Balompie. The ambiance was a mix of local Salvadorian diner mixed with football bar vibes. I got the Salvadorian Sampler which includes a pupusa, pastel, chicharrons, and fried yuca. The meat and cheese pupusa with beans was fantastic. It was soft and generously stuffed with filling and paired really well with their red salsa. You could taste the sweet corn in the pupusa which was fantastic. The pastel was also great. It came out piping hot and was so crunchy and savory. I also loved the yuca which was perfectly soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. I was a little impartial on the chicharron because it was a little salty for my taste.
The two pupusas I ordered to go were piping hot and they give you a good sized baggie of a nice and tangy cabbage slaw and a container of salsa that complemented the pupusas perfectly. The price is very reasonable for the pupusas; each one being under $5. One was really filling, so the other one will be saved for another meal. Everything was delicious and well worth a stop. The only slight downside was that the woman who took my order wasn't very friendly. It was my first time there and I wasn't sure what to order; her impatience made me feel rushed.
The consistency of this place, over the last 10 years I been visiting, is great! I love the grilled shrimp plate the other grilled meat plates& of course the lorocco pupusas! Service can be slower pace but always friendly and love the football vibes in there. Prices have gotten so high bc I remember getting the pupusas for 2.00-2.50 back in 2013. I will continue to return here for good authentic Salvadoran food.
This place is busy busy busy! It's located in a congested area so parking can very difficult, however the area has great access to public transportation. The service works really hard to keep up with the fast pace environment, you can tell. I normally place my order for pickup and it's never been wrong. The wait time is normally around 20-25 minutes, nothing has ever exceeded 30 before. The pupusas are amazing, much like their other location on 18th. Highly recommend!