El Salvador native opens new Bradenton restaurant with pupusas, tacos and more
Maria’s Pupusas & Tacos brings the authentic, savory flavors of El Salvador and Mexico to the Bradenton area, served in a cheerful, friendly setting.
Maria’s opened March 15 at 4832 Cortez Road W., in the Pinebrook Commons shopping center near the Bealls Outlet store.
The family-owned-and-operated business is a reflection of its owner, Maria Vasquez, who brought the dream of opening a restaurant from her native El Salvador.
She has worked in the restaurant business most of her adult life, including 12 years at Hurricane Hank’s on Anna Maria Island.
She and her husband, Raul Vasquez, who has a drywall and painting business, raised their children in Bradenton.
The menu
Maria’s menu is in English and Spanish and includes breakfast (desayunos), snacks (antojitos), main dishes (platos fuertes), sandwiches, children’s dishes, and seafood specials.
Did we mention pupusas? They are thick griddle cakes stuffed with cheese and available with other ingredients (your choice) including beans, pork, jalapeno, garlic or a combination of them.
Pupusas originated in El Salvador and Honduras. They are served with pickled cabbage and sauce.
The wildly popular and omnipresent taco needs no introduction. At Maria’s, they are served with onion, cilantro and guacamole and come in steak, chicken or pork versions.
Maria and Raul’s son, Josue Vasquez, 20, works at the restaurant and says guests often ask for pupusas, but also Sopa Mariscada Salvadorena (Salvadoran seafood soup with rice and tortillas).
Also popular: Carne Asada (grilled steak with rice, beans, salad and tortilla) for $18 and Pan Con Pollo (Salvadoran chicken sandwich) for $12.
Guests will find a lot to explore on Maria’s menu, such as how does the Cubano compare to the Salvadoran-style pressed sandwich with ham, avocado, coleslaw, cheese, mayo and ketchup?
A family restaurant
Maria’s husband, Raul Vasquez, owns RC Drywall & Painting, and completed extensive renovations in the restaurant space to get it ready for opening. Raul also helps at the restaurant on weekends.
Maria puts considerable time into preparing meals, but guests also see her at the front of house.
“I am happy because I am realizing my dream. It makes me happy because my whole family helps,” she said.
Also lending a hand are two sons, a daughter, and two daughters-in-law.
Good to know
Maria’s Pupusas & Tacos is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, offering dining in and takeout. The restaurant is closed on Tuesdays.
For more information, call 941-241-8326. Maria’s is also on Facebook.
