“ Really good food and service. Will definitely try again when we are in the neighborhood. ”

“ It's always easy to get a table at this delicious and dependable Salvadoran restaurant. We go whenever we need a pupusa fix. The all-day lunch specials are now $24.99 but still a good way to try a few things on the menu at once. I like the combo with one pupusa, the green salad with avocado, and perfectly ripe plantains with sour cream. Plenty of food, quality ingredients, efficient service. I also enjoy the cinnamon-y Salvadoran style horchata. I don't know why this place isn't busier! ”

“ The pupusa's are really outstanding. I loved the tamales as well. I had no idea this fantastic restaurant existed, I cannot wait to go back. Thank you for your wonderful cooking!!! ”

“ Came here to try pupusas for the first time, and it definitely won't be my last! I love that they serve their lunch specials all day so that you're able to try a little bit of everything. Service was super friendly. Our waiter explained the proper way to eat a pupusa with their curtido and salsa. We asked for their house made spicy salsa as well, and I think that's a pro move. I ordered the lunch special that came with one pupusa, plantains, and a salad with avocado, beans, tomato, cheese, and tortilla strips. I got a pollo pupusa that was lightly griddled but perfectly warm and satisfying. The filling was honestly nothing special, but the crisped masa is craveable and their curtido slaw was the best accompaniment. I could eat the whole jar and take another home to-go. Everything else was solid but nothing crazy. ”

“ I enjoyed a late lunch/early dinner here today. We arrived at 5. There were about five to eight other tables occupied. The ambience was cheerful and it wasn't too loud. We were greeted immediately and permitted to choose our table, since it wasn't too crowded. My daughter had a lunch special that included two pupusas, a tamale and casamiento (rice and black beans cooked together). She chose the queso and the carne pupusas. The casamiento was a new dish for us; my daughter didn't particularly enjoy it, but she isn't fond of beans. I ordered a revuelita (cheese and pork) and a cheese with loroco pupusa. We shared some fried yucca and she had a sangria. The pupusas were really fresh and flavorful and the fried yucca was delicious...perfectly fried with a light and crispy exterior and a fluffy interior. I definitely recommend Platano if you're seeking good Salvadoran food in Berkeley! ”

“ I stumbled upon this place randomly. My dad is Salvadoran and although my mom has learned to cook all of his favorite Salvadoran meals, he also sometimes likes to eat out and find a really good pupuseria! (Place where they sell pupusas). One day we were in the area and got lucky enough to find Plátano! This was one of our favorite local Salvadoran spots for a very long time. We went back to eat there more than a few times and although we haven't visited the area recently, I've been wanting to go back just to eat here! Their food tastes so authentic and delicious. Their drinks are rich and flavorful as well and my favorite dessert was of course the empanadas de plátano! (Plantain empanada). I wish there was more Salvadoran restaurants available, I also wish I lived closer to plátano to satisfy some cravings here and there. If you're in the area give them a visit. Expect friendly and attentive service, a clean restaurant, and the best darn Salvadoran food you'll try in Berkeley! ”

“ A fan favorite for Berkeley students in the mood for pupusas, I got the chance to meet with a friend for lunch here. We ordered their combo specials & I got 2 pupusas (1 pork & cheese, 1 loroco) a chicken tamale and casamiento (beans & rice). They brought out the jar of curtido and I was in heaven. Everything was a solid portion and so flavorful in each bite. I was especially surprised by the casamiento which I've never tasted before. The service is friendly and they have a lot of seating indoors. The ambience is pretty casual so you could go here for all occasions from family dinner to a date. They also do amazing catering so if you're looking for someone to prepare food for your event, Platano is always a hit! ”

“ The place was packed when we got there. We went their during lunchtime, so we tried their lunch specials #3, #4, and #9. Lunch special #3 comes with 2 pupusas, plantains, casamiento, and sour cream. Lunch special #4 comes with 2 pupusas, casamiento, and chicken tamale. Lunch special #9 comes with 2 pupusas and a small tropical salad. We also tried their horchata, atol de elote, fried yucca, and chicharrones. Pupusas were good but needed a little bit more flavor, so we all pretty much used up an entire bottle of the sauce they provided us. Plantains were cooked really well. Chicharrones was delicious, too. Overall, it was a good experience. ”

“ I'm not well-versed in Central American food by any stretch of the imagination, but even a simpleton like me can recognize the iconic pupusa. I've been meaning to try this dish for the longest time, and I finally had the pleasure to at Platano. I have an obsession for restaurants with less imposing interiors, because you'll often find the best food in such hole-in-the-wall establishments. I can say this phenomena still holds true after my visit to Platano. The lunch specials are a bit pricey (you'll spend around 20 bucks including tax and tip) but very worth it. The pupusas come out piping hot and made-to-order. And, if you're lucky, some of the cheese will seep out the sides, resulting in a crispy, salty skirt around your pupusa. I ordered the Revuelta (Crispy and Tender Fried Pork with Cheese) and the Queso con Loroco (Cheese and Salvadoran Flower). Though the Revuelta Pupusa is the most popular, the Queso con Loroco was my favorite. The flowers added a great, leafy contrast to the decadent cheese, while the other pupusa's pork was just pedestrian and a bit dry. The portions here are quite large; the side salads could almost serve as an entree even! The food was incredible overall, and our waiter was very attentive throughout our whole visit. Honestly, I don't understand Berkeley Social's foot traffic when the better food is just next door. ”