Savor the flavors of The Town! From neighborhood gems to Michelin star restaurants, explore Oakland’s global culinary offerings during the 10 days (March 20-30) of Oakland Restaurant Week 2025.
Enjoy three dishes that represent who we are—highlighting where we come from and where we are. A thoughtful and flavorful experience showcasing the essence of Popoca.
See below for menu.
đź“Ť Popoca Oakland | 906 Washington St, Oakland, CA 94607 đź“… Available during Oakland Restaurant Week
Popoca serves progressive Salvadoran food. Our mission is to find and preserve techniques from the past to bring you a new and authentic experience in Oakland.
Popoca means “emits smoke” to the native people of El Salvador, who stoked wood fires to prepare food over a comal for their families. Revered as more than just a means of cooking, smoke represents a prayer or offering to the spirits.
Inspired by traditional Salvadoran wood-fire cooking and recipes, Popoca offers dishes — like pupusas and tamales that use the freshest ingredients and fresh-milled masa — delivering an experience that helps you envision the beauty of El Salvador from the Bay Area.
ABOUT ANTHONY SALGUERO
Bay Area-born Chef Anthony Salguero first fell in love with El Salvador while visiting his grandparents. On each trip back, he sought out old recipes and learned traditional wood-fire cooking techniques, connecting deeply with his roots and the food of El Salvador.
Chef Anthony has built a career in fine-dining kitchens, including Plumed Horse in Saratoga, Saison and Commonwealth in San Francisco, and Quattro in Palo Alto. He served as executive chef at Michelin-recommended Michel Bistro in Oakland, and helped open Bardo Lounge & Supper Club in Oakland as co-chef.
With Popoca, he is realizing his dream of sharing Salvadoran food with his home community in Oakland.
