Charlottesville, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Charlottesville’s Salvadoran food scene is growing, and Simon Davidson of Charlottesville29 highlighted its presence in his weekly segment on Cville Right Now Live. While discussing an upcoming trip to El Salvador, host Adam expressed excitement about trying authentic cuisine, prompting Davidson to share insights into the local Salvadoran food culture. “So here in Charlottesville, we’ve got several that are explicitly Salvadoran, which I think is really cool,” he said.

Davidson pointed out that El Salvador is home to the largest foreign-born population in Virginia, surpassing 100,000 residents, according to 2022 data. “A lot of folks fled civil war in El Salvador over the years and settled up there and elsewhere in Virginia too,” he explained. This migration has influenced Charlottesville’s food landscape, where Salvadoran staples such as pupusas, thick, stuffed corn tortillas, have become increasingly popular.

For those eager to sample Salvadoran flavors, Davidson recommended El Tio on Ivy Road, known for its authentic pupusas. He highlighted varieties stuffed with cheese, beans, and even loroco, an edible flower with a “pronounced vegetal taste” and “mushroom-truffle hint.” With local enthusiasm for these dishes growing, Charlottesville continues to embrace the depth and diversity of Salvadoran cuisine.

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