For how diverse Annandale is claimed to be, options for Hispanic dining are very limited. Other than Chicken Pollo, a local Peruvian restaurant, there aren’t many other restaurants that allow you to taste and see different Hispanic cultures in the area. So why not make an extra ten minute drive to Doña Azucena in Springfield to give your taste buds a new experience?

This restaurant doesn’t have many branches in the area, making their Salvadoran meals, like their location, extra unique. Upon stepping in you can hear different types of Hispanic music playing, from bachata to salsa and merengue. The waiters primarily speak Spanish, but they also speak English and are very kind. If you end up sitting close to where the food is prepared you can see your entire meal being fixed, in the kitchen.

Besides the average soda and coffee that most restaurants offer, Dona Azuceña has four different types of Hispanic drinks, including horchata, tamarindo, maranon and melon con pina. The horchata, made from mainly from almond nuts and sesame seeds, is one of the most well known drinks in El Salvador and definitely one of the best overall.

While their menu may not be packed with a large selection of entrées, everything is quite filling. If you are a steak lover, then the carne de res asada is certainly for you. The plate contains a big, well-spiced piece of steak, traditional yellow rice and a choice of either salad or beans as a side along with two tortillas for $9. The second entrée on the menu is yuca frita o salcochada con chicharon, or in other words, fried or boiled cassava with pork chops, for $5. The pork is a bit overly chewy, but the crisp fried cassava is very good.

Even if you are not in the mood for something too big, there is pan con pollo. This is basically a Hispanic version of a chicken sandwich. Lastly, the sopa de mondongo or tripe soup, is only served on weekends

What this restaurant is most known for is their mouth-drenching pupusas, which are served four different ways. There are pupusas made of only cheese, cheese with Salvadoran plants, cheese with beans and cheese with green squash/zucchini. These cost only $1.50 per pupusa.

If you are not already full from just your entrée and have a sweet tooth, try a delicious pastry which include quesadillas (cheesecake), budin (bread pudding) and empanadas de platano con leche (plantain turnovers filled with milk-pudding). It is the perfect way to end a great meal that will fill you up, enrich your cultural taste buds and, overall, make you happy.

Location: 6961 Hechinger Dr,

Springfield, VA 22151