"Bib Gourmand Salvadoran cooking over live fire — book Popoca in Old Oakland for chef Anthony Salguero's freshly milled-corn pupusas."
About Popoca
Popoca is chef-owner Anthony Salguero's first standalone restaurant, in Old Oakland directly across from Swan's Market. The name means ‘to emit smoke’ in Nawat, the native language of El Salvador, a nod to the live wood fire at the heart of the kitchen. Salguero cooked at Saison, Commonwealth and the Plumed Horse before running Popoca as a 2020 pop-up and moving it into bricks and mortar in 2023; the Michelin Guide now awards it a Bib Gourmand.
It sits among Oakland's best newer tables. Compare the Mexican Bombera, the Peruvian Limon and the modern Mago, or browse the full Oakland dining guide.
The Kitchen
Salguero calls it progressive Salvadoran — traditional flavours given a freewheeling Californian sensibility and built around live wood-fire cooking. The signature is the pupusa, made from freshly milled corn and filled with tender lengua or the earthy, nutty loroco bud, its edges crisped with browned cheese. Beyond that, an Estilo Popoca tasting menu lets the kitchen lead through seasonal Bay Area produce given a Central American accent.
It is mid-to-upper priced but fair for the cooking: most diners spend around $50 to 70 a head, with the tasting menu the way to see the kitchen's full range.
The Room
The room is a narrow Old Oakland dining space painted the soft green of palm fronds, warm and intimate with the wood fire close at hand. Service is friendly and knowledgeable about the Salvadoran roots of the menu. The mood is lively rather than hushed — a neighbourhood restaurant that happens to cook at a serious level, well suited to a relaxed dinner or a celebratory night.
Best for a lively dinner or relaxed date in Old Oakland
Popoca suits a lively occasion — the intimate room and warm cooking make it a strong first date, a memorable birthday and a sociable team dinner over shared pupusas. For more of the city's tables, see Bombera or browse the full Oakland dining guide.
Not for
Not for diners after a quiet, formal white-tablecloth dinner — Popoca is a lively, narrow neighbourhood room built around live-fire cooking and shared plates, not a hushed occasion.
Frequently Asked
What is Popoca known for?
Progressive Salvadoran cooking over live wood fire, especially pupusas made from freshly milled corn and filled with lengua or loroco, at a Bib Gourmand restaurant in Old Oakland.
Who is the chef at Popoca?
Chef-owner Anthony Salguero, who cooked at Saison, Commonwealth and the Plumed Horse before opening Popoca as a pop-up in 2020 and a brick-and-mortar in 2023.
How much does Popoca cost?
It is mid-to-upper priced but fair for the cooking: most diners spend around $50 to 70 a head, with the Estilo Popoca tasting menu the way to see the full range.
What should I order at Popoca?
The wood-fired pupusas from freshly milled corn are the signature; for the full picture, take the Estilo Popoca tasting menu through seasonal, fire-cooked Salvadoran plates.
Where is Popoca?
At 906 Washington Street in Old Oakland, directly across from Swan's Market; it is closed Sunday and Monday.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Popoca
Book via the Popoca website; the room is small, so reserve ahead and note it is closed Sunday and Monday.
Affiliate disclosure: Restaurants for Kings may earn a commission when you book through our reservation links, at no cost to you. Our scores are editorial and never paid for.
Practical Information
Address906 Washington Street, Old Oakland, Oakland, CA 94607
NeighbourhoodIn Old Oakland, directly across from Swan's Market
CuisineSalvadoran
PriceA la carte and the Estilo Popoca tasting; most diners spend around $50–70 a head
Dress CodeCasual
SeatingNarrow Old Oakland dining room with a wood-fire kitchen; booking advised
ReservationBooking advised; the room is small and weekend tables go quickly
