Hello dear
Welcome to La Cuscatleca East
At La Cuscatleca East, located in the heart of Des Moines, you'll experience the vibrant flavors of Salvadoran cuisine. Our story is rooted in passion, tradition, and community, bringing authentic dishes like empanadas de camarón and flavorful pupusas to the table. With ample seating and a casual atmosphere, we welcome families and friends to savor every bite together. Our continuous commitment to fresh ingredients and affordable prices ensures that each visit is a delightful journey through Salvadoran culture. Whether you're enjoying a hearty breakfast or indulging in our signature carne asada, La Cuscatleca East is where wholesome flavors meet heartfelt hospitality.
Today's Suggestions
Explore the featured selections!
Carne Asada
Camarones a la crema
Pescado Frito
Desayuno Cuscatleco
About
La Cuscatleca East
Welcome to La Cuscatleca East, where authentic Salvadoran cuisine shines bright in the heart of Des Moines, Iowa. Located at 1240 E 14th St, this quaint eatery has gained a reputation for its hearty portions and vibrant flavors that leave diners craving more.
At La Cuscatleca East, the menu is a delightful journey through traditional Salvadoran dishes. A must-try is their Shrimp & Cheese empanada, an explosion of flavor at just $3.00. Or savor the comforting warmth of their famous pupusas, particularly the pork and cheese or the jalapeño variant, both praised for their freshness and ideal balance of spice. Customers rave about the salsa roja that pairs beautifully with these dishes, enhancing the dining experience, as noted by satisfied patrons.
- Entrees: Indulge in the signature Carne Asada for $12.00, expertly grilled and seasoned, or try the Camarones a la crema, succulent shrimp in a creamy sauce also priced at $12.00.
- Breakfast Served All Day: If you're in the mood for breakfast, the Desayuno Cuscatleco is a hearty choice that includes steak, casamiento, eggs, and plantains for $11.00.
- Affordability: La Cuscatleca East delivers big flavor without the hefty price tag, ensuring that even a modest budget can enjoy a fulfilling meal.
The ambiance here is casual and inviting, perfect for families and groups alike. With outdoor seating available and amenities such as Wi-Fi and on-site parking, it offers a relaxing place to gather and enjoy good food. Reviews highlight the fast and friendly service, making each visit a hassle-free experience.
One customer, Jr G., describes it as a "great local hidden spot" and urges fellow food lovers to experience the "great flavor of pupusas." Meanwhile, Erin L. insists that "everything seems to be made fresh" and appreciates the establishment's focus on authenticity.
In a world packed with dining options, La Cuscatleca East stands out as a place where flavor, affordability, and authenticity converge. It’s the ideal spot for those wanting to savor the rich culinary traditions of El Salvador right in downtown Des Moines. Give it a try; you won't be disappointed!
For inquiries, you can contact them at (515) 262-1158. Don’t miss out on this culinary gem!
People talk
Our Guestbook
“ The salsa roja is a perfect complement, and you'll find yourself savoring every bite. ”
“ This restaurant is now located in the old AIB College building so there's plenty of seating inside with window views of downtown DSM. Everything seems to be made fresh. They had constant DoorDash orders. The prices are so affordable and you don't need much to fill you up. I got the pork and cheese pupusa and my husband got the jalapeño one with fresh jalapeños and cheese. He loved it. We love the spicy slaw and pickled onions. The shrimp and cheese empanada is so filling and flavorful. Definitely give this place a try. We've never been disappointed and it's very authentic in flavor. ”
“ Great local hidden spot. Great flavor of pupusas. Service is good and fast. Very highly recommended. ”
“ Great price point for good portions. Counter service. Simple setting, but nice. I got 4 pupusas and had plenty leftover. Their curtido is excellent too. ”
“ I typically don't post reviews unless I am highly impressed. With that said, I just moved here from San Diego and I would have never thought to find such good planos and pupusas in Iowa. Great place I highly recommend it! My mother is from El Salvador if this matters. ”
“ Don't let the old diner decorations fool you, this place is Salvadoran to its core. It's situated with a fantastic view from the patio, as well. The service was cheerful and quick. They didn't even roll their eyes at my Spanish. The pupusas (I had a bean one and a pork one) were unfancy and perfectly delicious. The curtidos (cabbage slaw and spicy pickled veggies) we authentic and yummy. Oh, and the price is right! Satisfy your cravings here! ”
“ I love their pupusas here! I normally get the bean and cheese pupusas. Just ordering two is very filling for me because these pupusas are big and are at a great price. Plus they give you their slaw and sauces on the side, so you can put however much you want. The service is friendly and the food smells great from just walking in. I will definitely be back for more in the future. ”
“ Had a pupusa craving so we found this really cool spot located where AIB was before. The pupusas were delicious. I had the bean and cheese and the mixed one which consists of bean, cheese, and chicharrón. Also we tried the plantain appetizer with black beans and sour cream. I fell in love with the combo. The combination of sweet plantain, the beans and the creamy sour cream made it very savory. Definitely sufficed the craving. The lady serving us was very nice and helpful. Overall we found a cool new spot for pupusas with a great view of the city. Highly recommend for anyone to try. ”
