(773) 545-7022
4212 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago,
IL
60641
41.9573
-87.7518
Neighborhoods: Northwest Side, Portage Park
What People Are Saying About La Pena Restaurant
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The Scene – This family-owned restaurant is bright and colorful, with tables covered in fuchsia cloths and tropical bird figurines mounted just about everywhere. Latin bands perform on a small corner stage weekend nights, when diners turn to salsa dancing. – – The Food – La Pena specializes in ceviches and other seafood dishes, plus traditional South American platters of grilled steak, chicken and lamb. Begin with a passion fruit or mango shake while munching on homemade plantain chips and spicy salsa. Shrimp ceviche is a refreshing start: four plump shrimp with onions…
02/13/07
The Worst Service I Have Received Anywhere.
by ingbadabing
I went to La Pena as part of a large group. Everything started out alright, the service was a little slow and the waitress wasn't very friendly but our appetizers and drinks were delicious so it wasn't a big deal. I ordered a seafood dish as my entree and it was fishy, i had my boyfriend try some to see if it was just me and he immediatly agreed it was bad. I hate sending dishes back but i didn't want to risk eating bad seafood, so i very nicely told the server that i couldn't eat it. She then rudely argued with me telling me it was fine. I ordered a chicken dish next, which was good. My boyfriend ordered a steak topped with a fried egg which was excellent. However, after appetizers, drinks and sampling other peoples food i started to get full and really didnt eat much of my chicken. The server approched me and said, "what? is that bad too?" and walked away. She wasn't very friendly to begin with and was just horribly rude all night. The good food is not enough to make me go back there. I couldn't believe the service we received after spending so much money! After getting home and more closely looking at the bill, we also noticed there were a couple of extra drinks on the bill. Never again!
- Pros: Most of The Food
- Cons: Service, Hard to Find Parking
01/06/07
Good Food, Horrible Atmosphere
by jbs4310
La Pena has a nice menu and the food is flavorfull. However, the live music is so lound in intrusive that I will never return. I am not an overly sensitive person and we have been to La Pena several times, but the music ruins the experience. Specifically, they have a full band with amps crammed into the space of a large living room, plus small bar. Several people have asked several times for the amps to be turned off as they are not necessary, but the staff never complies. The food is good, but I'm not willing to leave a restaurant having paid, in essence, for a huge headache and sore throat from yelling.
- Pros: Most food items are good.
- Cons: Entertainment is horribly loud.
04/24/06
Great Value!
by jrb531
Brought family there this weekend based upon the reviews here. We were a little nervous as it looked very fancy (read: expensive) but we braved it anyway and what a surprize! Not only was the service fantastic but the prices were very reasonable. The food was outstanding and we came away very pleased!
- Pros: Great Price, Service, Food Quality
- Cons: Street Parking
The Details on La Pena Restaurant
The Extras:
La Pena's stage hosts traditional Latin American folk music,Thursday through Saturday starting at 7:30pm. Karaoke starts Sunday at 8:30pm.
What to Drink:
Try tropical martinis with flavors like passionfruit, mango, black raspberry and narangilla, a sour, kiwi-like fruit.
Smoking Permitted:
At Bar
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