Seydi’s Pupuseria & Grill

Fast-casual north Valley eatery Seydi's Pupuseria & Grill has Phoenix hooked on El Salvador's most famous dish: the pupusa. This mother-and-son-operated pupuseria is run by Usulutan, El Salvador-born Seydi Flores and her son Jose Flores. At the straightforward ordering counter, you can choose from 12 pupusas — some with shrimp, some with green peppers, and some with jalapeños or beans, all with melted queso and tucked inside soft, grill-kissed, handmade enclosed sandwiches the size of a compact disc. We recommend the pupusa heavy with loroco — an edible flower common in El Salvador and Central America, sourced from a Spanish market in Los Angeles. Before you envision a weed, we're here to tell you it's more like artichoke, which vibes well with the cheese, jalapeño and corn dough. Other menu items are already favorites at Seydi's, such as the fried yucca, banana-leaf tamales and coconut water.