Welcome to La Penca Mexican Restaurant
La Penca Mexican Restaurant, located at 1821 S Park St, Madison, WI, offers an authentic taste of Mexico in a cozy, unpretentious setting. With a commitment to homemade ingredients, the menu features crowd-pleasers like flavorful enchiladas, tender carne asada, and delightful ceviche. Diners rave about the perfectly crafted salsas and fresh tortillas, while the friendly service creates a welcoming atmosphere. Despite occasional wait times, the dining experience is characterized by smiles and satisfaction, making each visit worth it. Whether you crave tamales or tacos al pastor, La Penca is a must-visit for anyone seeking remarkable Mexican cuisine.
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1821 S Park St, Madison, WI 53713, United States Hotline: +1 608-819-6662
Welcome to La Penca Mexican Restaurant, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Madison, Wisconsin. Located at 1821 S Park St, this charming eatery invites you to indulge in an authentic Mexican dining experience, complete with vibrant flavors and a welcoming atmosphere.
Despite its modest exterior, which some might overlook, La Penca promises a culinary adventure that captivates the senses. Here, every dish tells a story of tradition and passion. Patrons rave about the caldo de res and enchiladas poblanas, both of which showcase the culinary expertise of the owner and chef, whose dedication to quality shines through in every bite. As one satisfied customer notes, the ceviche and fajitas are also worth a mention, ensuring a diverse menu that caters to your cravings.
La Penca prides itself on its commitment to authenticity. The ingredients are carefully sourced, emphasizing homemade freshness that begins with the very chips served alongside your meal. Reviews highlight the mole chicken enchilada, which pairs beautifully with a dollop of sour cream, and the immense satisfaction of the well-portioned steak tacos. Diners consistently delight in the robust flavors found in every dish, making their visit a worthwhile culinary escape.
But beyond the delectable food, the atmosphere at La Penca is also a draw. As customers have noted, a smile and a warm welcome await you upon entry. The friendly service, coupled with a sense of community, enhances your dining experience, making it feel like a home away from home. Whether you opt for a quick delivery after a long day, as new parents have done, or choose to dine in and soak in the ambiance, every visit promises to be rewarding.
Beverages like horchata and Jamaica drinks complement the meal perfectly, and the attention to detail, even in drinks, speaks volumes about La Penca's ethos. From the tamales that have garnered rave reviews to satisfying tacos of all varieties—al pastor, carnitas, and more—every dish is designed to entice and satisfy.
In Madison's competitive dining scene, La Penca Mexican Restaurant stands out for its commitment to authentic flavors, homemade dishes, and an overall experience that keeps patrons returning. From the bustling Cinco De Mayo celebrations to a relaxed weeknight dinner, La Penca is a culinary destination you'll want to revisit time and time again.
So, if you find yourself in the area, don’t let the humble facade fool you. Step inside La Penca, where every meal is made with love, and every flavor resonates with the heart of Mexico.
Great caldo de res and enchiladas poblanas. Also recommend the ceviche and fajitas. Service a little slow sometimes, but accurate and friendly. Highly recommended.
Wonderful, amazing dinner! This place is the epitome of not judging a book by its cover. If you saw outside you might just drive by as it is not fancy at all, and next to a laundromat, but it is an fabulous restaurant. The owner/chef is kind and gives wonderful service. All of his food, including the chips are made from scratch and are so incredibly yummy! I got a side order of mole chicken enchilada with sour cream. Our boys each got a a burrito, and my husband got a chili relleno el pastor. Each of us loved our meals. I would highly recommend Arandas if you are ever in Madison and looking for good Mexican food. Maravillosa, increible cena! Este lugar es el epitome de no juzgar un libro por su portada. Si viste afuera, podrias pasar, ya que no es nada lujoso y esta al lado de una lavanderia, pero es un restaurante fabuloso. El propietario / chef es amable y ofrece un servicio maravilloso. ¡Toda su comida, incluidas las papas fritas, estan hechas desde cero y son increiblemente deliciosas! Tengo un pedido de enchilada de pollo con crema agria. Nuestros hijos recibieron un burrito y mi esposo recibio un chile relleno el pastor. A cada uno de nosotros nos encantaron nuestras comidas. Recomiendo encarecidamente Arandas si alguna vez estas en Madison y buscas buena comida mexicana.
My Wife and I Uber/eat from here while in recovery after delivering our first born child... it was delivered so fast the price was right and it tasted absolutely amazing. upon going home and coming back the next day for a doc appointment we decided to go dine in. The atmosphere gave true authentic Mexican dining the owner greeted us with a smile. I ordered the steak and shrimp quesadilla flavor and portion 10/10 My wife got Steak Tacos 10/10 I will recommend everyone I know. And for those of you reading..you will not be disappointed. Thank you again for the great food and great service!
We had tacos, pastor, steak, bbq, carnitas, and chorizo. Favorite ones where chorizo, bbq and carnitas. All great taste, authentic Mexican. Their salsas are amazing. We also got Jamaica and horchata drinks, very big glasses! Totally recommended and will come back!
Best Cinco De Mayo dinner & margarita! They were so busy, but wait staff was so sincere and did their best. Chips and salsa were excellent! Finished off with a shot of tequila, a fist bump and a smile. Will return over and over again!
We ate there but the pics are from where I ordered delivery SEVERAL times. Food is great. Tamales are amazing
I got 4 tacos - al pastor, asada, carnitas, and campechano. Insanely good, might be my new go to for tacos.
Really good food and margs. Great prices, and i had left overs for 2 days from the veggie quesadillas. A bit warn in the restaurant. But very nice.