El Viejo, a Central American restaurant in Silver Spring, has been named one of “The Best Cheap Eats Around the DC Area” by Washingtonian.
The recently published list highlights 60 restaurants where diners can get what Washingtonian describes as a satisfying meal for less than $25 per person, excluding drinks, tax and tip. More than 200 restaurants throughout the region were considered for the list.
El Viejo is a casual Central American restaurant from owner Henry Blanco, with a menu inspired by the food and traditions of El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala and other parts of the region. The restaurant’s name has a personal connection for Blanco. “Viejo” was the nickname he used for his father, while El Viejo is also the name of his mother’s hometown in Chinandega, Nicaragua.
Washingtonian highlighted the restaurant’s pupusas, priced at $3 each, along with Guatemalan chuchitos and its Nicaraguan-style fritanga platter featuring carne asada, plantain chips and fried cheese.
The menu includes a variety of Central American dishes such as pupusas filled with cheese, beans, pork, chicken or loroco, along with Salvadoran chicken tamales, tamales de elote, fried yuca, fried plantains and chicken taquitos.
Other offerings include carne asada, pollo asado, pescado frito and breakfast dishes such as plato típico, huevos rancheros, pan guanaco and baleadas.
