Open daily; M-F 11AM - 11PM, check weekend hours
(609) 394-9698 Google Maps
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(Covid Update Dec 2021 – in business) Mauceri’s is an “old line” Chambersburg pizza joint now under Latino management (as most are within the new Chambersburg). In our limited sample, the pizza is pretty good… the ingredients taste fine but the crust is disappointing. * It’s one of the better pizzerias within Trenton city limits, but not a place that you can compare to the elite tomato pie restaurants for which this city used to be famous. So, why are we reviewing this joint?
In a word: Pupusas. Mauceri’s boasts a growing Latino menu, and the chef is from El Salvador, the traditional home of these wonderful, stuffed tortillas. Derived from the Pipil (Aztec) words for “stuffed” and “tortillas”, pupusas have taken Central America by storm, similar to how hamburgers are now an international staple. Most of the Guatemalan joints in town make them as well. But Mauceri’s makes them the traditional, El Salvadoran way on a Comal (a stove-top griddle) without any oil. The fillings are tasty, and the traditional salsa roja is homemade and thick with pureed onion. The curtido (the traditional cabbage accompaniment, a cross between sauerkraut and cole slaw) is the best in town, redolent with cilantro and herbs.
We’ve tried some of the other Latino items on the menu, and they’re competently prepared. But if you’re looking principally for Latino food, it’s a fairly limited menu, and only the pupusas stand out as truly exceptional.
Mauceri’s boasts a pleasant-enough dining room separated from the pizza counter. The waitress is competent and friendly, but speaks little English. The manager is quite fluent, and will usually try to take your order if he sees that an Anglo is in the house.
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* The crust is made with flour that is too “soft” (i.e. too low in gluten content) to provide a crisp, chewy base that won’t get soggy. Of course, Mauceri’s charges $11 for a large tomato pie, compared to $15+ at one of the premiere tomato pie restaurants. Hard gluten flour is expensive, and it’s not surprising Maurceri’s cuts corners there. But, for me, I’d rather pay more for a better pie, and I’m sure most HT readers feel the same way.
Just saw “papusas”on a food show on a cable channel,they reminded me of the “pasteles”that I had in Colombia,pasteles though are fried,papusas are grilled,look great though!!
dont speak english ridiculous
Actually, Maryann, if you have the right attitude, it’s part of what makes visiting these restaurants fun. Far from being ridiculous, these folks are making a major contribution to the revival of this city.
then they should learn to speak english and sadly the city is continuing to go down hill which breaks my heart since i live there and will not be able to sell my house which i have owned for over 20 years
It’s part of a process, Maryann. Do you think that when Chamberburg was settled by Italian immigrants around the turn of the 20th century, that they all spoke English? Not a chance. The second and third generations, of course. But not the first. And you’re seeing the same pattern in Latino neighborhoods, now.
Wow, someone is wearing their racist hat today! Smh
not racist at all im ist generation born here from an italian immigrant who made sure she came her legally, learned the language and became a citizen by not speaking english these establishments dont really want you or i to visit them
Never tried one but i def want too!!!
Yup, I get mine from here. Definitely, the best pupusas in the Trenton area.