Written by Staff Writer-Now Moments TIMES
The smell of pupusas on the grill drifts out to the sidewalk. Inside, a new kind of neighborhood space is coming to life, warm, rooted, and ready.
San Alejo, the Salvadoran Restaurant renowned for its homestyle pupusas and community spirit, is opening its second location this Friday, September 5, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at 7643 New Hampshire Avenue in Takoma Park, situated in the heart of the Langley Crossroads corridor. This marks the restaurant’s first move into Montgomery County and a new chapter for a family-run business that has quietly built its reputation since 2016 in West Hyattsville.
But what sets San Alejo apart goes beyond the food. Nearly all of its staff are women, many of whom are either reentering the workforce, pivoting careers, or building new paths in hospitality. The restaurant was built as both a kitchen and a community hub, a place that creates opportunities, not just orders. From offering jobs with purpose to hosting free cooking workshops and supporting local schools, San Alejo’s mission is simple: serve good food, hire with intention, and give back to the communities that show up.
Chef Carlos Alvarado started San Alejo with one goal: to keep the flavor true. That meant using loroco, morro seeds, and silk beans straight from El Salvador, not because it was trendy, but because it mattered. The original location grew into a trusted staple for locals who craved real Salvadoran food made with care.
Now, nearly a decade later, Carlos is expanding. But he’s not doing it alone.
Mario Garcia, who has managed Carlos’ other Latin concept, Cocineros, since 2021, is stepping into co-ownership for the first time. The Takoma Park opening marks Mario’s shift from managing someone else’s vision to helping shape one of his own.
“I’ve worked in kitchens for years,” he says. “But this feels different. This one has my name on it.”
The new space is designed with walk-ins and community in mind. It’s smaller than the original, but it is intentionally so, meant to feel casual, comfortable, and easy to return to. Pupusas, tamales, and side dishes will remain central, but so will the heart behind the counter.
The team’s impact doesn’t stop at food. Plans for community cooking classes, nonprofit partnerships, and neighborhood events are already underway. For Carlos and Mario, San Alejo isn’t just about feeding people; it’s about building something that feeds the block.
Whether you’re coming for lunch, picking up dinner, planning a birthday, or looking for a local partner that puts culture first, this space was designed to be more than a restaurant. It’s a new home for Salvadoran flavor—and something Montgomery County hasn’t had until now. Visit San Alejo at https://www.sanalejomd.com
