Pupusas, tamales y más: A dozen local restaurants to visit during Hispanic Heritage Month

JaNae Williams, The Oklahoman
·4 min read

Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month, an opportunity to celebrate the beauty and diversity of cultures belonging to our neighbors hailing from Latinx countries. One way we can do that is by celebrating the food from these places.

Of course, you can eat tacos — after all we were ranked among the best cities for that and we've shared a list of great places to go for those in the past — but what about options outside of that? What Hispanic cuisines does Oklahoma City have to offer that branch beyond tacos or traditional Mexican food?

Turns out there are great places for pupusas from Honduras and El Salvador, lomo saltado from Peru and so much more waiting for you across the metro area. Here are 12 restaurants to try that serve up dishes with Central and South American influences.

Guatemalan coffee is a specialty at both Cafe Kacao and Cafe Antigua.
Guatemalan coffee is a specialty at both Cafe Kacao and Cafe Antigua.

1. Cafe Antigua, 1903 N Classen Blvd.

Guatemalan influence is found throughout the menu at Cafe Antigua inspired by the owner's heritage, and has led the restaurant to become a popular spot to grab coffee and a flavorful breakfast, brunch or lunch seven days a week.

Hours: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily

Ceviche Mixto at Peruvian restaurant Naylamp in Warr Acres. [Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman]
Ceviche Mixto at Peruvian restaurant Naylamp in Warr Acres. [Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman]

2. Naylamp Peruvian Restaurant, 2106 SW 44

Find plenty of beef, chicken, pork and seafood dishes made with aji amarillo, a classic Peruvian yellow chile pepper, and other flavorful sauces and spices at Naylamp.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday

3. La Criolla Restaurant, 2913 N May Ave.

La Criolla translates to Creole in Spanish and is often used to describe sauces from different countries throughout Central and South America. La Criolla specializes in Guatemalan food and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Hours: 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday

Veronica Del Cid prepares Guatemalan-style tamales at Cafe Kacao in Oklahoma City.
Veronica Del Cid prepares Guatemalan-style tamales at Cafe Kacao in Oklahoma City.

4. Cafe Kacao, 3325 N Classen Blvd.

In addition to Guatemalan food and coffee, the owners of Cafe Kacao provide diners with menu items inspired by El Salvador, southern Mexico and Brazil.

Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday

5. Fonda K-Tracha, 4612 N MacArthur Blvd. in Warr Acres

A Honduran restaurant serving up baleadas, a traditional breakfast "taco" and pastelitos, similar to an empanada, alongside plenty of other hearty dishes.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday

La Brasa International Cuisine serves Pollo a La Brasa, charbroiled chicken seasoned with 20 spices and marinated 24-36 hours in citrus juice.
La Brasa International Cuisine serves Pollo a La Brasa, charbroiled chicken seasoned with 20 spices and marinated 24-36 hours in citrus juice.

6. La Brasa, 1310 NW 25

Open only for dinner service, La Brasa is a higher end restaurant with a menu that lets diners choose between Peruvian and other global flavors in dishes ranging from ceviche and lomo saltado to grilled platters and more.

Hours: 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday

7. El Fogon de Edgar, 7220 S Western Ave.

For a taste of Colombia, El Fogon de Edgar is open seven days a week offering up options that include Colombian steak, fish, chicken and chorizo dishes.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday

Zarate's at 706 S Broadway is pictured March 28 in Edmond.
Zarate's at 706 S Broadway is pictured March 28 in Edmond.

8. Zarate's Latin Grill, 706 S Broadway in Edmond

Zarate's boasts flavors from a number of Hispanic countries, including Mexico, Cuba, Argentina, Chile, Venezuela and Bolivia.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday

9. Misasa Latin Grill, 3001 N May Ave.

Misasa Latin Grill serves up Honduran food including pupusas and a number of other dishes.

Hours: 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; 5:30 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; 5:30 to 11 p.m. Friday, 7 a.m. to 10:45 pm Saturday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday

10. Paladar Cubano, 2323 SW 29

As you may have guessed from the name, Cuban food is on the menu at Paladar Cubano, including ropa vieja, a shredded beef dish known as the national dish of Cuba.

Hours: Noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday

Lomito Saltado from Mamaveca, the restaurant's version of the classic Peruvian dish lomo saltado.
Lomito Saltado from Mamaveca, the restaurant's version of the classic Peruvian dish lomo saltado.

11. Mamaveca, 2551 Hemphill Drive #6343 and 2130 E Alameda St. in Norman

The whole family can delight in a variety of Latin flavors when you choose from a selection of Peruvian or Mexican dishes at Mamaveca.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday

12. Pupuseria Mi Chalateca, 2416 NW 23

Salvadoran food, especially pupusas — thick corn tortillas stuffed with various fillings — are on the menu at Pupuseria Mi Chalateca, where on Tuesdays you can even buy three and get one free.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, except Wednesdays

Do you know of more restaurants featuring foods from Latin American countries that we should highlight? Send me an email at jbwilliams@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in OKC at these restaurants