Salvadoran Immigrant Opens New Restaurant In El Cerrito

Oralia Posada received her U.S. citizenship two years ago.

Now, she's trying to live the American Dream.

Last week, Posada along with her husband, Jose Hernandez, and her brother, Miguel Posada, opened Oralia's Kitchen at 11775 San Pablo Ave.

The small restaurant is in the old Happy Donuts facility, nestled between Trevino's Mexican Restaurant and Honda of El Cerrito.

Although Posada has cooked for 40 years, this is the first time she has owned her own restaurant.

Oralia's Kitchen features Salvadoran cuisine such as pupusas, but it also contains traditional Mexican food such as tacos and burritos. There's some southern fried chicken on the menu, too, as well as vegetarian dishes.

The restaurant is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

The Posada family saved money and borrowed money to open the business.

They are getting some assistance from John Chow, whose father, Dan, owned Happy Donuts.

They are leasing the business from the Chow family and Chow is doing some of the publicity and social media for the new restaurant.

Posada immigrated from El Salvador to the United States in 1990. She has lived in the Bay Area since then and worked at several restaurants.

Her reason for opening up her own place is simple.

"I love to cook," she said.