Pupusas—El Salvador’s beloved national dish—have quietly won over the hearts (and stomachs) of many U.S. politicians. Whether it’s through outreach in Latino communities, public festivals, or genuine love for Salvadoran cuisine, more and more political leaders are singing the praises of this humble, cheese-filled masterpiece.
In this post, we highlight 10 U.S. politicians who have publicly expressed their love for pupusas—whether on the campaign trail, at community events, or in their own kitchens. From Capitol Hill to the campaign circuit, pupusas are making bipartisan headlines.
🇺🇸 1. Vice President Kamala Harris
At a 2022 event honoring Latino heritage in Washington, D.C., Kamala Harris sampled a pupusa revuelta and was caught on camera saying:
“This is so good—I need the recipe.”
She later tweeted about the experience and called pupusas “a beautiful example of cultural heritage through food.”
🇺🇸 2. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) – New York
AOC, representing a diverse district in New York City, has visited several Salvadoran restaurants in Queens and the Bronx. During a community food tour, she was spotted:
- Eating pupusas de queso con loroco
- Talking to Salvadoran youth about cultural pride through food
She once posted: “If you haven’t had a pupusa, you haven’t lived.”
🇺🇸 3. Senator Bernie Sanders – Vermont
Bernie’s presidential campaign included stops in cities with strong Salvadoran communities. In 2020, he visited a pupusería in California and posed with workers and curtido in hand.
“Working people make the best food—and pupusas are no exception.”
🇺🇸 4. Rep. Ilhan Omar – Minnesota
At a Minneapolis immigrant food fair, Omar tried pupusas for the first time and shared a video titled:
“My new favorite comfort food: pupusas!”
She praised the “deep flavor and warmth” of Salvadoran cuisine and has since partnered with Latinx food entrepreneurs in her district.
🇺🇸 5. Senator Alex Padilla – California
As the first Latino senator from California, Padilla has attended multiple National Pupusa Day celebrations in Los Angeles and praised the Salvadoran community for its resilience and culinary traditions.
“Pupusas are more than food—they’re a connection to home and family.”
🇺🇸 6. Rep. Jimmy Gomez – California
Gomez, who represents a district with one of the largest Salvadoran populations in the U.S., is a frequent guest at local pupuserías.
He’s known to:
- Order pupusas de frijol y queso
- Celebrate Salvadoran-American Day
- Advocate for immigrant small businesses
🇺🇸 7. Mayor Karen Bass – Los Angeles, CA
As mayor of Los Angeles, Bass has attended Pupusa Fest at MacArthur Park and visited vendors on National Pupusa Day.
“Los Angeles is proud to be home to the best pupusas this side of San Salvador.”
🇺🇸 8. Secretary Xavier Becerra – U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Before his Cabinet position, Becerra represented a district in Southern California with a strong Salvadoran presence. He once said:
“If I don’t get a pupusa at least once a month, I feel incomplete.”
He’s also praised pupusas for being affordable, nutritious, and deeply tied to immigrant identity.
🇺🇸 9. Rep. Norma Torres – California
Norma Torres is Salvadoran-American herself, making her one of the most vocal advocates for pupusas in U.S. politics.
- Frequently tweets about her homemade pupusas
- Uses pupusas as a cultural bridge in town halls
- Promotes Salvadoran culture and immigration reform
“Pupusas are Salvadoran soul food—and part of America’s story.”
🇺🇸 10. Senator Cory Booker – New Jersey
A longtime vegan and food lover, Booker once highlighted vegan pupusas from a Salvadoran food truck in Newark.
“Flavor, community, and plant-based goodness—pupusas do it all.”
🎉 Bonus Mentions
- President Joe Biden has enjoyed pupusas at Hispanic Heritage events
- First Lady Jill Biden sampled them during an education visit to a Salvadoran-American school in Virginia
- Multiple state governors (including Maryland’s Wes Moore and Illinois’ J.B. Pritzker) have posed with pupusas during Latino outreach events
Why Politicians Love Pupusas
Pupusas aren’t just tasty—they’re:
- Affordable
- Handmade
- Symbolic of immigrant roots
- A bridge to connect with voters and communities
🗳️ “If tamales win Texas, pupusas might win D.C.”
