Marquez Pupuseria & Taqueria in Baltimore: Salvadoran Pupusas from a Food Truck in Highlandtown
Marquez Pupuseria & Taqueria is a food truck specializing in Salvadoran pupusas and Mexican tacos, operating from a fixed location in the Highlandtown neighborhood on Baltimore's east side. The truck serves made-to-order pupusas (thick corn tortillas filled with cheese, beans, loroco, and meat) alongside standard taco offerings, positioned as a casual, affordable alternative to sit-down Latin restaurants and competing food trucks in the city.
What Marquez actually is
The operation runs as a single food truck with a service window, focusing on pupusas as its core product. Unlike taqueria trucks that treat pupusas as a side item, Marquez leads with them. Pupusas arrive hot and pressed, with a crispy exterior and soft interior, served with curtido (pickled cabbage slaw) and tomato salsa on the side. The truck operates in a neighborhood with limited full-service Salvadoran dining, making it a primary source for this specific dish in the immediate area.
Menu and pricing
Pupusas run $2.50 to $3.25 per order depending on filling. A cheese pupusa (quesillo and beans) costs $2.50, while meat-filled options (chorizo, chicharrón, or loroco with cheese) range from $2.75 to $3.25. Tacos are priced at $1.50 to $2.00 each. Sides like curtido and salsa are included with pupusas. Drinks and additional sides cost extra. Prices may shift seasonally; confirm at the truck before ordering.
How Marquez compares to other Baltimore food trucks
Baltimore's food truck scene includes Señorita Pupusas and various Mexican taco trucks concentrated in neighborhoods like Fells Point and Canton. Señorita Pupusas also specializes in pupusas but operates from different locations on a rotating schedule, making Marquez's fixed Highlandtown spot more reliable for repeat visits. Mexican taco trucks (such as those near Patterson Park) offer lower per-item costs but less consistency in Salvadoran preparation. Marquez fits the niche of someone wanting made-to-order pupusas without traveling downtown or waiting for a rotating truck.
Who Marquez suits and who it does not
This truck works well for Highlandtown residents and those passing through who want authentic pupusas at food-truck pricing and speed. It suits people seeking a quick lunch or dinner between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. It does not suit diners wanting to eat at a table, those with limited cash (no verification of payment methods available), or anyone seeking full Salvadoran entrees like yuca or enchiladas. Groups larger than four may create a bottleneck at the service window.
What the first visit involves
Walk up to the service window, place an order by filling type, and wait 5 to 8 minutes while pupusas are pressed and cooked. The truck provides small containers of curtido and salsa; you assemble the bite yourself. Seating is nonexistent, so plan to eat in your car, at a nearby bench, or walk away with your order. Cash appears to be the primary payment method, though this should be confirmed.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Marquez operates Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (closed Mondays). Exact address and parking details require confirmation, as food truck locations can shift. The truck typically parks in Highlandtown near retail corridors; check social media or call ahead to confirm the current spot. Street parking is usually available in the neighborhood.
Marquez fills a specific gap: Salvadoran pupusas prepared fresh in a neighborhood without walk-in Salvadoran restaurants, at a price point inaccessible in sit-down venues, with enough consistency to become a local default.
