Review La Penca - North Riverside

Small place in a strip mall but unexpectedly good authentic food! Taco salad was great and actually just the right serving size though the shell/bowl appeared more than half empty… Was good, wouldn’t hesitate to stop in again if in the area!

Decent Mexican food and decent service. Prices were a bit high but it could just be Biden's economic impact on prices. I had the flautas. The chiken was tasty.

This is the best authentic Mexican cuisine around. We have been eating from here for over a year and have never had any issues with the food. I love the Al Pastor tacos, they really are delicious. Not bad prices also. 6/5 stars.

From out of state and lady at the liquor recommended La Penca. I have love and have eaten Mexican food all over the country and in Mexico. First bit of the chimicanga and immediately in my top five! Extremely friendly and great conversation... Food was great and place was spotless. If ever in town again, it is.on my.go to.list!

I’ve been here 3 times. The first time it was great. I came back a few weeks later and my food was cold. They reheated it on the grill, vegetables, sour cream and all, it was disgusting. Needless to say, I didn’t eat it. I came back tonight 30 min before closing and the waitress Informed us the grill is off, if that would be ok. Well, of course I don’t want cold food so we left. If you want to close early, then turn off the lights and let us all know you’re closed. I will not return to this establishment.

All of my other tacos spots where closed on Sunday. Then I found this spot and it was right in my backyard! You'll miss it if not paying attention especially with the mess of construction don't let that detour you. When the pandemic hit little places like this need our business to stay floating. Ordered a bunch of steak and al pastor and nachos with rice water. Me and my son where so happy to have such a good meal. The girls inside to where very friendly good customer service. Hopefully I can grab lunch one day there and dine in.

Wow!!! The chicken mole is sooo authentic! The taco de pastor just like the tacos of calzada de Tlalpan in Mexico City!!!

Very wonderful Mexican food I would recommend this place to a lot of people I love their food and their Hospitality the owner is very very polite comes around the table to check how everyone is doing.

I hit this place for "lunch" while working second shift nearby. I could joke that this must be a good mexican place because of Latino families dining there, but in fact there many different local families enjoying dinner there. Menu is easily laid out, with some basic entrees and the different meats they can be made with, plus their specialties, including some seafood plates. Though I'm a sucker for huge burritos, I went with a gordita, with meat, cheese and lettuce sandwich-style between two thick tortillas, and found them quite yummy. Convivial atmosphere among those dining in, clean, bright and cheery. No bar, but bottled mexican and megabrand American beers. A fine place for takeout or dining in, with the family.

Love this place. Great food, really friendly service. Frijoles con Chorizo is a delicious appetizer.

Fabulous!!!. I don't know who the owner is but I heard he is a famous mountain bike racer from another country. But, what I can tell you is this place has the best mexican food I have tasted. So fresh, such good spices chosen. My favorite is "Al Pastor". OMG - every time I eat it I feel like thanking them for serving it to me. You will surely never be disapointed. Great food, great service, great place!!

Awesome food. We visited La Penca over the weekend. We ordered a variety of food including Taco's, enchilada's, and chile relleno. Everything we had was excellent. My personal favorite was the Al Pastor Taco's. The pork was tender and the seasoning was fantastic. I highly recommend it.