La Cuscatleca South

This place has just become one of my favorite places in Des Moines to eat.
Everything is home made and so well prepared.
The sauces are a wonderful burst of flavor.
The food was plentiful for the price.
The service was friendly and greeted everyone who walked in.
The location is on the west side of the building.
Hard to see until in the parking lot.
There is also a great view of down town Des Moines.

A friend recommended it and we didn't know what to expect other than some tasty papusas and anything else we struggled pronouncing correctly.
It is located in one of the old AIB college buildings and buildings and it's entrance and parking is on the south side.
The bathrooms are down the hall in a shared corridor and were recently remodeled and we're fairly clean. It was just my wife and I and we went in with big eyes.
It was about 5:30 on Wednesday.
The space was furnished like a 50s diner but with Central American decor and music, which was cool.
We were greeted with an 'hola' which I liked.
Maybe 10 people eating in there but could seat 100.
It looked like there was also patio seating which looked north and had nice views of Gray's Lake and downtown. Excellent service and the server took time explaining the menu options.
We ordered the appetizer sampler, two different kinds of papusas, and shrimp and cream entree.
Everything was tasty with the tubs of slaws (one spicy one not) and hot sauce.
The hot sauce was seriously about as good as tasty tacos. We got water to drink and our bill was maybe 40 bucks so not too bad considering everything we got.
We will be back.

Excellent El Salvadoran restaurant in a defunct school building (AIB).
Nice views of downtown and the lake with a big patio and a retro interior (happy days meets saved by the bell).
The sampler platter was very tasty, the sweet pastry was a stand out and the papusas are addictive, especially with the house made pickled veggies, cabbage slaw and salsas.
The atmosphere is relaxed and the service is great, 10/10