El Salvadorian restaurant Mi Chalateca thrives in Federal Way

Family business serves homemade pupusas and other classics.

By Max Burchi • August 4, 2024 8:30 am

Mi Chalateca transports Federal Way citizens back to El Salvador.

Mi Chalateca has been serving El Salvadorian food right off Pacific Highway for over two decades. The restaurant is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week at 1610 S. 341st Place — and provides a taste of home to immigrants and residents with Central American connections.

“People miss their country, so having a Salvadorian restaurant here, they feel like they are transported to El Salvador when they are here in the states,” said the restaurant’s front of house team speaking on behalf of owner Martha Jimenez. “When they try the food, it’s like the way their mothers used to cook.”

The restaurant was founded in 2004 by Ana “Chayito” Jimenez, an immigrant with a dream of success. She left her hometown of Chalatenango in El Salvador in 1995 and worked hard to save up enough funds for her first restaurant, Mi Chalateca.

The name of the restaurant comes from Ana Jimenez’s hometown, Chalatenango, as people from that region are called Chalateco or Chalateca.

Today, the restaurant is owned and run by her daughter, Martha, but the direct connection to El Salvador has never left.

“We are the only restaurant that only sells Salvadorian foods,” Martha said. “Others sell a combination of Mexican and Central American foods, Honduran or Salvadorian, but we are the only one who only offers Salvadorian food. Because of that, the customer has a special connection, they feel like this is a part of El Salvador.”

Mi Chalateca has experienced huge success over the past decades, she said. Their popularity has led to a call for expansion, and the owners are happy to oblige.

“We planning to open a second location next year,” Martha said. “We are working on the contract right now, and we are hoping to open in February next year.”

Mi Chalateca serves tamales, seafood, soups and various Salvadorian dishes, but by far the most popular dish is the pupusas — griddle cakes that can be filled with ingredients including cheese, meats and beans.

When asked about her favorite dish, Martha said, “The pupusas, of course. It’s a stuffed tortilla. Inside you can get anything. My favorite is revueltas, cheese, beans and pork.”