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#SundayFunday: Salvadorian Cuisine in Worcester

Hacienda Don Juan

In the mix of the diverse Central American palettes, the El Salvadorian cuisine stands unique with its distinct influence from the Spanish and Native American traditions, including those traditions from domestic Lenca, Maya, and Pipil cultures. With the major ingredients of corn, flour, and maize, the El Salvadoran combination of meats like beef, pork and chicken blend well together in an array of authentic dishes. At Hacienda Don Juan, these dishes are transformative and speak to the cultural influences of El Salvador and Mexico. These flavors coupled with the full immersion of the Spanish language makes Hacienda Don Juan a truly bona fide #SundayFunday destination.

Hacienda Don Juan
Hacienda Don Juan

Dramatic telenovelas play in the background as you walk into Hacienda while your attention is immediately grabbed by the aromas lingering from the kitchen. El Salvador is on the west coast of Central America with seven million people pinched together into a country the size of Massachusetts; dining at Hacienda definitely gives you that same tight-knit community feel. The brightly painted walls, the lined wooden tables with enough seats to fit up to 40 adventurous eaters, and the simple wall decor depicting El Salvadorian and Mexican images make Hacienda a gem in the heart of Main South. For many, Main South in Worcester is an uncharted area with few visits from local foodies but if you talk with students from Clark University, you will quickly learn about the treasures Main South holds with Hacienda Don Juan at the top of the list.

With corn at the epicenter of the country’s mainstays, Hacienda caters to the authenticity of its corn loving dishes with pupusas, tortillas, and tamales. Pupusas, sold for less than two dollars, are thick tortillas stuffed with cheese, beans, pork or other ingredients, and are, without a doubt, the most iconic El Salvadorian food. Accompanied by a cabbage salad called curtido, the pupusas are often served as a lunch option or a side with the main dish. Like beans, another side served often with an array of dishes in both whole and puree form, Pupusas are a treat that takes many forms. Hacienda Don Juan maintains a menu of iconic dishes like the tostadas – two flat crispy tortillas with beans, chicken, lettuce, salsa, sour cream, tomatoes and cheese – and tacos – ranging in meat choices like chicken, steak, carnitas, birria and al pastor – but also branches out to include heartier meals like the pollo empanizado – breaded boneless chicken breast with your choice of green or red sauce, a side of rice, beans and warm tortillas.

#SundayFundays are about exploration and breaking outside of the norm and Hacienda Don Juan helps you make that mark in the most delicious way possible.

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#SundayFunday Boston’s Barking Crab

The summer days are beginning to make their mark on every aspect of our lives – from how we spend our leisure time to where we eat with friends. It is impossible to talk about summer in Boston, especially as a foodie, without discussing the full New England experience of the Barking Crab. Located in the newly revived Boston Seaport on the edge of Boston’s historic Fort Point Channel and in sight of the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum, this busy, open-air seafood shack embodies the Bostonian culture with its focus on fresh seafood in a traditional yet urban coastal clam shack.

The Barking Crab has been in business for over twenty-four years. This is a place that speaks to the needs of the locals and the cravings of visitors. With access to the marina and within walking distance to the bustling streets of Boston, The Barking Crab offers a captivating experience that leads visitors to wait in long lines during the summer months without a hint of complaint.

On any given day, the patio tables are lined with patrons enjoying the summer breeze and the distinct smell of the sea as they order signature items like the Crabby Coolers – a 32 oz drink of choice, usually with alcohol – or admire the King Platter – a 10lb lobster and mixed crab bowl as it is served to a nearby table. The outdoor seating offers both a buffer for wait times and a breathtaking view that only a city can provide but much of the magic that happens inside the Barking Crab is on account of its communal seating. Shared seating was originally popularized by European cafe Le Pain Quotidien and has allowed restaurants to provide more seating for customers while creating an authentic and subtle social experience. This seating style has become an integrated part of the dining experience at the Barking Crab, as strangers – both local residents and tourists – come together to share their common interests and their love of seafood.

Based on the big city backdrop, the easily accessible marina, and the live reenactments sometimes viewed from the windows seats in the direction of the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum, the Barking Crab is a destination full of #SundayFunday material but it is the extensive menu that truly makes the Barking Crab more than worthy of our seal of approval. Starting with the Ahi tuna tacos – topped with spicy mayo and avocado – or the fresh mussels – cooked in white wine, garlic, herbs and dressed with crostini – eating at the Barking Crab is an easy way to grab the attention of any appetite and prepare it for a true New England indulgence.

Famous coastal flavors and recipes like lobster rolls, the fisherman’s platter – a dish filled with fried clam strips, scallops, shrimp and haddock – and king crabs line the menu at Barking Crab in hopes of appealing to the inner seafood lover but that is only accomplished when the dishes are paired with one of the signature cocktails like the inevitably named, Tea Party – made of deep Eddy peach Vodka, lemonade and iced tea. Adding to the social atmosphere and communal dining style, the cocktail and food pairings raise the bar of what it means to be a #SundayFunday destination.