37064 Tue Jun 14 19:56:17 -0700 2005 2 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 172059 Had brunch at Balonpie this past Sunday and for the first time something clicked with me about popusas. Had been to Panchitas #3 where they pile them and drizzle crema and salsa over them like a Jackson Pollock painting. The masa gets drenched and the flavors diluted. Also had them several years ago at Zocalo where I recall them as being heavy, doughy and not that interesting. The popusas at Balonpie had a wonderful corn flavor, were light, crisp on the outside, and filled with good quality cheese, loroco vegetable or chicharron or beans. The slaw that they serve with it (repollo I think is the name) was better than any other. Their eggs with chorizo and the rice and beans were also very competent. But the popusas were the stars. Overall a great low key place to have brunch or lunch in the Mission. It is at 18th and Capp in SF. Tue Jun 14 19:56:17 -0700 2005 0 Amy G 1 172064 Sorry for the spelling correction in the subject line, but gotta help out search engines. The vinegary slaw served with pupusas is called curtido. All the pupusas I've tried have been mild and a bit heavy after the first one. There's where the slaw helps to cut down on the greasiness from the grill and cheese. Crema on top is a bit much for me. There does seem to be a variation in quality between the various branches of pupuserias [?] in the Mission. Tue Jun 14 20:03:57 -0700 2005 172059 0 mty 1 172095 Friends and I did a pupusa crawl years ago. . .Zocalo, Panchitas, Los Cocos, etc. Balompie won hands down - not only are their pupusas superior but their other dishes are very good as well. They make both the corn masa and the masa de arroz - in both categories they are the best. Highly recommend their caldo de pollo - doesn't look like much but the stock is made with great skill and care. Also suggest the pasteles and any breakfast is great - they have eggs with green beans which is a childhood favorite - get my fix there when I need it! Tue Jun 14 23:03:16 -0700 2005 172059 0 lainielou