More News

The restaurant, serving Frederick for five years, is situated on Frederick’s Golden Mile at the far end of the Blockbuster Video shopping center.

Los Trios is attractively decorated and inviting and able to seat parties of any size. Sombreros, decorative hanging vegetables, and postcard pictures of El Salvador all add to the festive setting.

In addition to tables and booths, several half-wall enclosures are available for larger parties.

We watched the large television, but were unable to understand the program as it was tuned to a Spanish speaking channel.

Servers were neatly dressed in black pants and red shirts imprinted with the restaurant logo.

It was a cool, rainy night when my husband and I visited Los Trios, and the restaurant was bustling with people who were either dining at tables or coming in for takeout. This is always an encouraging sign.

Los Trios specializes in Salvadorian, Latino and American food — thus the name. We found a generous array of traditional, unique and affordable choices.

The customary basket of crispy chips and salsa were extra warm and salty. Need I say that we requested another serving?

Not only is a traditional, printed menu presented to diners, but each table also features a helpful laminated sheet complete with photos. It helps me to see the item before ordering. It sure beats peering at other diner’s meals.

It did take us some time to make our decisions. Our server willingly explained some of the entrees.

My husband’s choice, Pollo encebollado ($10.99), is a serving of chicken sautéed with onions, peppers and tomatoes. Rice, refried beans and two tortillas accompanied the meal.

I was more than pleased with my Tres Tacos Dorados ($7.99). Three crispy beef tacos were prepared with large pieces of meat instead of the usual ground variety. It was a pleasant change enjoyed with rice and refried beans.

Tacos can also be made with shredded pork, chicken or tongue, or can be grilled — all at the same price.

The restaurant also offers a wide variety of hearty appetizers, soups, Salvadoran specials and sandwiches.

Many appetizers are large enough to provide a light meal or be shared by a group. Soups full of seafood, tripe, or beef are served with two tortillas.

Dinners, all under $16, are served with rice, salad, beans and two tortillas. Chicken and fish can be ordered separately or in a combination with many entrees.

Pork or chicken stew with potatoes and carrots is a nice selection.

For a plentiful meal, Combinacion Salvadoran ($13.99) should fit the bill. This dish is a combination of beef two eggs, avocado, rice, fried plantains and Salvadoran cheese. Now, that is a meal!

Twelve additional Salvadoran specials are on the menu. You might enjoy Chile Relleno, a green pepper stuffed with ground beef and covered with eggs and served with beans, rice and salad ($8.99), or the Steak Ranchero ($13.49) — Ranchero-style steak sautéed with onions, Jalapeño peppers, and tomatoes served with rice, beans and a salad.

Fajitas ($10.99 to $12.99) can be made with beef, chicken or shrimp — or a combination of all three — and are served with rice, beans pico de gallo, guacamole and sour cream, while burritos and enchiladas ($6.99 to $7.99) with chicken or beef make good meals.

A kids’ menu consists of chicken fingers, papas fritas, or a hamburger.

Two of my favorite desserts, Tres Leches ($3.99) and flan ($2.99) are on the menu, along with banana cake ($3.99).

‘‘Our flan is excellent,” our server assured us when asked for a recommendation. She was absolutely correct. A large, creamy flan was served with a sweet cream sauce over the top.

A small card at the restaurant reads: ‘‘Venga y visitenos, sera un placer atenderlo.” Loosely translated (by me), that means, ‘‘Come and visit. It’s my pleasure to serve you.”

Los TriosRestaurant

1360 West Patrick Street

Frederick

301-624-1711

11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday

10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday

10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday

Visa and MasterCard

Handicapped accessible

Non-smoking