La Penca Mexican - Madison

Very good soft chicken Tacos! Fresh, flavorful and ample fillings. The second menu item was delivered as a ground beef (instead of shredded beef) quesadilla with a liquid cheese sauce (not melted cheese topping). Although still a totally edible meal, just not what was ordered or expected. Nice beer selection, all drinks seen being served looked refreshing and delicious. It was very chilly inside, the outdoor temp was 37°, and inside felt like 50°. The ambiance is definitely hole in the wall , but it was clean in appearance. Seating was adequate and in good repair. Tables, booths in the back dining room,, and an 8-10 bar stool counter in front with a few tables booths in smaller front entrance dining area. The cook and waitstaff know how to hustle, food was delivered within 12 minutes of ordering. The other large customer table showed the steamy hot bowls of some soups and sides of rice that were added. It looked and smelled wonderful. Will definitely return! Small parking lot, shared with ajoining business, parking might be difficult at certain meal times.

Great place, tasty fresh Mexican food, good quantities and well prepared. Layout and decor are a little sparse, and the televisions on the wall give it an odd sports bar vibe that conflicts with a nice restaurant feel, to me. Maybe it was that they were on both walls and there was nowhere I could sit to look at anything but a screen. Still, the food was good and the servers nice, so I will probably get take-out here in future!

This place is REALLY GOOD! We got chicken fajitas and the tamale plate for takeout and man do they both have good flavor! The rice, beans, and house salsa are all very tasty as well. This place scratches an itch that Tacqueria Guadalajara hasn't reached in quite a while. I'm super excited to go back!

If your idea of a Mexican restaurant is brightly painted furniture, pinatas hanging from the ceiling and velvet paintings on the wall, La Penca is not for you. If however you are looking for some of the best authentic Mexican food you will ever taste this place is definitely for you. The location is rather off the beaten path and the exterior appearance is nondescript and the interior is just a ordinary space with tables and chairs, but the service was excellent and the food outstanding. I had the Pollo Supreme and was surprised at the number of shrimp that was included along with the chicken. I don't expect to be back in Madison anytime soon but if I were I would definitely eat here again.

The service was excellent, and our food was absolutely delicious. Truly Mexican (not American/Mexican, which is what I generally find in my area). There were more shrimp in my tacos than I could eat. The flavors were just right, and the drinks were tasty and fun. I will definitely go back and take friends to share the deliciousness!