La Pena: User Reviews

Good flavor
By NoemyW from NoemyW, June 12, 2008

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my friends (from Ecuador) told us to stay away. dishes are a bit expensive, but overall i like it. The bartender, very nice, hugh drinks!!
I had the grill octopus, too much rice but very yummy, i heard there is music on the weekend.

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Flavor explosion
By hbtsgt from Garfield Ridge, January 11, 2008

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The food was the most flavorful I have tasted in a long time. The atmosphere was quiet until 9 P.M. when the salsa music and dancing started. The music was very loud and we had a table on the bar side, which turned into the dance floor. The other reviews were correct about the service being below average but the food was well worth it and the beer was very cold. We enjoyed the grilled lamb steak that was incredible along with several apps., the plantans were the best I ever eaten.

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Authentic Ecuadorian cuisine and music
By geminired from north 'burbs, September 28, 2007

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My husband was born in Cuenca, Ecuador and we had to try this spot as soon as it opened. It has remained consistantly good since. My husband had my 30th birthday party there a few years ago and the food was so plentiful that every one of my guests were impressed. The decor is simple, like the food. The food is exactly as you would find in Ecuador, I know, I've been to Ecuador 8 times before, not fussy, simple and plentiful. I love munching the Chifles before dinner, I recommend trying just about everything on the menu. Make sure you try the natural juices imported from Ecuador, Tomate de arbol, Narranjilla, and Maricuya. (you have a choice of water, which I prefer, or milk and the milk is heavy like a shake) Also they have Inca Cola which is a pinapple soda and Pilsener beer that are also imported, but don't come here for a margarita, although I've heard they aren't at all bad, this is Andean cuisine. The Andean music is absolutely wonderful to listen to and it's not so loud that you can't have a conversation. I recommend everyone to at least try this place.

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We went here on the...
By Simona from Chicago, IL, August 18, 2007

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We went here on the recommendation of our friends, but after reading the previous reviews, I was hesitant to go. I'm so glad I did, though, as it was a great overall dining experience! We went at 7:30 on a Friday night. It was not crowded at all and we were seated right away. We started out with a pitcher of sangria, which was great, and empanadas, which were very tasty. I had the churrasco (med. rare), which was absolutely delicious! The band was extremely talented, a little too loud, but wonderful nonetheless. So, it looks like La Pena has turned itself around since the previous reviews were written. I will DEFINITELY go back.

Went with a group on...
By pv alan from chicago, IL, May 17, 2007

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Went with a group on a Sat res at 7p. Reviews had me worried. Mgmt must have read them too & fixed the problems. Seated on time, though next to band was loud. Waiter prompt to offer drinks & suggest appetizers. Drinks tasty, esp mojito, but pricey. Everything on the drink menu from rum/coke to specialities was $9 each. Apps good as were the dinners though would recommend rare side of medium for meats. Lamb steak tasty but a tad overdone & a bit dry at medium. Huge menu. Saw a big plate of meat at the next table which was a combination of meats/sausages for two,definitely try that next time.

Place was packed at 7p and it seemed as mentioned in reviews, they let the people crowd just inside the door rather than suggest waiting in the bar. Waiter very busy but was checking with us often for refills and anything else we wanted.

Solid 3 star event, would certainly go again.

dont waste your time and...
By Ivan from berwyn, il, March 31, 2007

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dont waste your time and money in this place it is not worth it..service is horrible. if you ask just for a refill , be prepare for a duty look...

WOW. Had reservations for 8...
By Chato from Chicago, IL, March 11, 2007

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WOW. Had reservations for 8 PM, was told it would be 30 min, no apologies. No one told us that we could wait in the bar, so we stood in the front with other parties, receiving dirty looks from the staff and the "permafrown" manager, what a joy that was. Went to the bar, had a drink. Sat us at 9:15, no apologies. Dinner was a "10 oz" (really 5 oz, precooked weight, I'm a butcher, I know) ribeye, with greasy rice, canned beans, and 2 slices of soggy plantain for $17.95. They're really reaching for those Michelin stars. Whoever writes something good about this place is clearly part of the ownership...because it's garbage. Fact, not opinion. With so many other great restaurants in town, why bother with this? No wonder my Ecuadorian friends told us to stay away. The one bright spot was the bartender, very nice, and porurs huge drinks. She should really work somewhere else.

First, the food is wonderful....
By J.Y.B. from Chicago, IL, February 23, 2007

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First, the food is wonderful. And that's really where it stops. The lack of servers really put a sour taste in our mouths. The server came by thrice. Once to take our food order, second to bring our drinks, and third to bring us our drinks. What about ordering more than one beer? We wish we had our bus boy as the server because he saved the day. The food is highly recommendable with the following caveat: do not expect anything but service that disappoints.

I will never go back...
By ingrid from River West, February 13, 2007

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I will never go back here again. The service was HORRIBLE. Our drinks took forever to get, which is fine, i went there to relax, no big deal. I ordered the Paella, which was really fishy. Sometimes these things happen. I hate to send things but I didn't want to eat it in case some of the seafood was bad or something. I was very polite, I'm also a server, and our waitress argued with me that the food was fine. So, I ordered a chicken dish which was good. I didn't eat much of it though since we had already had appetizers and drinks, i was kind of full. Our waitress approached me and said, "what? is that bad too?" Excuse me?!? Our bill was over $300 dollars and she treated us like garbage all night. She was extremely unfriendly to begin with and was overly rude all night, making our whole table feel uncomfortable. The food was good but i would never make the trip back there.

Delicious food. Beautiful entertainment....
By Christine from Park Ridge, IL, January 20, 2007

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Delicious food. Beautiful entertainment. Charming personnel. Incredible value.
I love this place!