Our Story

El Golfo is a family-owned restaurant at 8739 Flower Avenue in the Long Branch neighborhood of Silver Spring, where the same short conversation has repeated for years: “Where do you want to meet?” — “El Golfo's.” It's locally owned and there is only one, which their own story page states plainly: the welcome from the owner and her staff is sincere because it's theirs.

The menu runs wider than the Salvadoran label on the door: pupusas and sopa de res share the kitchen with Mexican fajitas and birria, Cuban masitas de puerco in bitter orange, Peruvian lomo saltado, and a seafood list — whole pan-fried rockfish, salmon Acapulco, ceviche mixto — that earns the gulf in the name. A dedicated vegan and vegetarian section runs seven entrées deep.

The dining room hosts private parties of 25 to 100, and on fundraiser nights — Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays — 20% of marked checks goes back to local schools, churches and community groups. Call for upcoming events or to plan your own gathering.

Google rates it 4.4 across 732 reviews, 491 of them five-star. The reviews keep repeating the same few words — family, friendly, live music, vegan options, margaritas — which is about as honest a description of the place as anyone has managed.