SALMEX

Hoppen Hierarchy:★★★

Authentic Mexican & Salvadoran Cuisine

Perfect For: Casual Dining; Lunch; Takeout

Standout Dishes: Enchiladas, Rice & Beans; Al Pastor Tacos; Cheese & Loroco Papusas

Ask any in-the-know Omahan where to get the best pupusas in the city, and I can bet what answer you’ll get.

To be perfectly clear, this downtown Omaha restaurant has earned its reputation for its delicious versions of this Salvadorian delicacy. But labeling Salmex solely as a pupusa desination would miss out on some of the other great things this place has to offer.

Located just off 24th and Leavenworth, Salmex is a classic blink-and-you’ll-miss-it restaurant. With a humble storefront and simple signage, we nearly drove right by it even with GPS assistance on our first visit.

The restaurant has simple decor and limited seating, but this isn’t the type of place you come to for ambience. You come because of the smells wafting from the kitchen, scents that are both familiar and new; they remind you of Mexican food you’ve had previously, but authentic spices and Salvadorian influence provide a welcome twist.

Given their vaunted reputation, a trip to Salmex isn’t complete without an order of Pupusas. One bite in and it’s not hard to see why people rave about these frisbees of flavor.

Salmex’s version of this beloved Salvadoran street food starts with the masa exterior. Imagine a grilled corn cake combined with a thick corn tortilla and you get a good idea of the excellent flavor and chewy consistency of the exterior. As your teeth pierce the exterior, a warm flow of cheese, meat, and vegetables (depending on which variety you ordered) oozes forth. These discs alone are worth visiting Salmex for.

But, as mentioned above, you’d be missing out if you stopped with the pupusas at Salmex. The menu is littered with tantalizing options, from tacos to tortas, burritos, hurraches, and so much more.

I’d be lying if I said I’d tried the whole menu (I’m not sure such a thing is even possible), but here are some dishes I can definitely recommend:

Enchilada: These rolled corn tortillas cooked in red sauce may seem simple on the surface, but the cheese makes all the difference. Each bite is packed with gooey dairy, and the red sauce adds a touch of sweetness and acid.
Al Pastor Tacos: These tacos may be small—two bites will do the trick—but they pack some serious flavor. The pork is far less sweet than I’ve found in most el pastor offerings, but Salmex reintroduces some sweetness via caramelized onions.
Tamale: Wrapped in a banana leaf and steamed, these rectangular masa pockets have a soft, fluffy exterior that happily absorbs the provided hot sauces. The chicken inside could have more flavor and be more liberally applied, but this is an excellent introduction to Salvadoran tamales.
Red Beans & Rice: Salmex employs red beans from El Salvador as opposed to pinto beans, so the mash has hints of sweetness and nuttiness. And the rice is well cooked and has a great salt level. I had a friend tell me these were the best rice and beans she’s found in Omaha. I concur.

Carne Asada Sope: Salmex’s steak is diced and cooked to a wonderfully tender. This carne asada is piled into a deep-fried masa bowl then topped with crispy lettuce, sour cream, and salty, crumbly cotija cheese.
Plantain: Soft enough to easily cut with a fork yet holding a firm texture from the deep fry, these plantains have near perfect consistency. And while sweetness is the dominant flavor, this version isn’t cloying. These are as good of plantains as I’ve found in Omaha.
Flauta: Nothing about this offering truly stands out: it’s a rolled, fried corn tortilla filled with meat. Tangy sour cream and fresh lettuce add some freshness and bite, which elevates the dish.

The affordability of Salmex is a major draw. A platter full of pupusas, sopes, tacos, flautas, and enchiladas will happily satiate four hungry adults (trust me from experience) and only costs $23. One could easily leave the restaurant stuffed on $10-12.

In summary, if you want excellent pupusas, Salmex is your place. But don’t limit yourself to the signature item. This restaurant has so, so much more to offer.