La Pena Restaurante

I advise if you go for drinks and dancing to ask the bartender for receipts. I believe in the honor system but this place does not. I paid cash for two rounds and then with a card for a 3rd. My card was charged for the third round and one before that I had already paid for by cash. The food is good but overall the service and shady business practices are something to be aware of. You will never see a smile on any of the staffs faces.

Love their empanadas and ceviche , probably the only thing I can complain about they forget to put the fish and I only got shrimp. But the flavor are so good.Il come back here again. 🤗

Very good food, music and cocktails on this Wednesday evening

Great food!!! Delicious drinks!!! Pleasant service!!! What more can you ask for🤩(that was in 2020)A year later (2021) I still would say this same stuff about La Pena. Great consistency..food and drinks are still fantastic. Service with a smile(behind the mask) is swift. Quality of the food superb...sea food and meats grilled to perfection.

Came to watch the soccer game. It was fantastic 👏. Food is not good, it was great. Service was really good. It was not one server, it was a team everyone stopped by to see what you needed. Have been here before will be here again.

I attended an event there one evening and tried the seafood soup. I have been back twice since, one ordering carryout and the last time with a group of friends. The servings are plentiful and the food is on point. There is something for both meat and seafood lovers on the menu. The menu is based on El Salvadoran dishes which is a cross between Columbian and Caribbean based recipes. I thoroughly loved it!The best times on the weekend is early evening because it can get crowed after 8pm and the cocktails are on point too. Street parking only, no parking lot but the food is worth searching for a spot.

My partner and I traveled all the way from Houston, Texas. To Chicago looking for some Ecuadorian food and We ended up going to La Peña Restaurante. We got a Llapingacho, Menestra, Empanadas de Plátano and a couple drinks afterwards. The customer service was good, the girl whose name is Tamara was very friendly. They play some live Latin and Andean music in the restaurant. I recommend you to go have a nice dinner. Keep up the good work, guys!

Came to watch the game, wasn’t that busy yet. Server had an attitude and was slow. They pride themselves on Ecuadorian but didn’t have any traditional Ecuadorian beer as listed on the menu. The food was ok with flavor but small portions. Reason for 3 stars and not less is because they had plenty of screens for the game.

Very rude people work in this place... be prepare they will tip themselves and the service is the really bad we were very disappointed I did hesitate to come to this place from the very beginning it was our friends birthday.. the server was not friendly and welcoming at all but had the odasity to tip themselves %30 on the total of the check...prices on the food are extremely high for the money we spend we could have gone to a great steak house .. definitely not worth to go back ever ...

THE BEST PISCO SOUR IN THE MIDWEST!!If you haven’t tried this extraordinary drink, sorry but you just haven’t lived your life to it’s full potential .... yet! Easy fix though.Their “Encocado de Camarón” (shrimp with coconut rice) is arguably among the top 5 dishes you can taste in Chicago. Fidel and his family own the place and will make sure you’re happy and well served. Dancing? YES, Fridays and Saturdays. Just a very inspiring restaurant!

Amazing Ecuadorian food and the portions are huge. Have been eating here for a long time and it never disappoints (:

Love this place! Excellent food and drinks!! And kareoke nights sunday ... canciones en español!!!

Food is delicious, atmosphere too. Only reason I gave 4 stars was because we had to get up to the bar and get some drinks. On Saturday night they are badly coordinated. Prepare to stand for 1 hour just to wait for a table. They have no reservations either.

Came from Wisconsin... and ordered Seco de Pollo, and the Mango smoothie... Delicious.. definitely coming back to try more stuff here...

Ive been there several occassions for dinner and live music. Food is good in taste, but it needs a little improvement in presenting and serving the dishes. Staff is friendly and efficient.Only reason I am giving 2 stars is because the washrooms are always messed up. They should schedule a service person to visit and clean them every hour when place is full.

Food was good. La Pena serves the best Ecuadorian food I have had in Chicago. The ceviche was fantastic and really liked the avocado salad paired with this dish. Husband had lomo saltado. He thought it was delicious but skimpy on meat. A bit pricier than expected.

Love this place! Awesome service, great food, and always a good time and vibes in there! Whenever me and my fiancé have a dinner date, this is our first option because we just can’t get enough of their churrasco !! Mind you we travel all the way from Mchenry just to eat here! Also the plantain chips and salsa are so delicious while waiting for your food!! Love that salsa!

It was my first time trying Ecuadorian food. The waiter was patient and explained the menu. I got the seafood spaghetti that has shrimp, asparagus, and noodles with a great sauce! Perhaps one of the best spaghetti’s I’ve ever tasted. In addition, I recommend the beef and chicken empanadas! Great place to hang out and drinks with friends!

Definitely good spot for Ecuadorian food, great service and clean restaurant,I recommend to try the The octopus it’s amazing, the pork is delicious too. The price are medium .

I tried to enter the restaurant and at the entrance there was a man with a bad attitude, he was aggressive and spoke badly to my wife and we decided not to enter the place. We realized that he was the owner. I will never go back to that place again, because he doesnt know how to treat customers.

Food and service were great! True to Ecuadorian flavor! Definitely gonna come back....!

Love Love Love this Restaurant! Their food takes me back to my Abuelitas Traditional South American Food seasonings taste and Flavors!

Weve been there quite a few times and its always delicious. My personal favorite is the seafood soup. Its amazing. The rest of the menu is extremely good as well. Service is pretty good as well and the alcohol selection is top notch. Definitely recommend

The environment is warm and welcoming as are the staff! They have a nice menu selection for food and drinks. The empanadas were delicious! Im looking forward to returning to try more!

The vibes are great, and the karaoke guy is excellent. The only downfall is that they make the gratuity tip mandatory (the tip is automatically charged on your receipt) even if you only come to this restaurant with just 1 person. This restaurant automatically includes a specific amount of money that you have to give as tip on your receipt – no ifs, ands, or buts.

Just careful. They’re going to charge you gratitude on Saturday even if you are only one person.

Went to meet a friend for her birthday with a small group. The place was lively and packed, but unwelcoming. A man who worked there told us we should have waited outside before being allowed in. A waitress to my friend to fix his cap. There was no place to sit and no place to stand. The place was clearly over capacity. We bought one round, said Happy Birthday to our friend and left. You only get one chance to make a good 1st impression. This place failed at that.

Very expensive be ready to pay gratuity included in your bill for everything even if you only one two or more

Good food. Good music. Service is below mid. Servers will not check up on you. Waited 30 minutes for drinks. Server came back to apologize but never brought drinks

This is a calm place to visit and sing your heart out. The vibe is nice, there is no judgemnet. Ive tried the chicken wings here and they were delicious! I loved that by the time I finished them they were still hot, thats fresh for you. This is for outgoing people that like to sing and hear others with no judgement. Enjoy!

Good food, although I wish their chips appetizer came in a bigger bowl. A really fun environment. Great place for Karaoke and if youre in the mood to dance.

I picked this place although Im from California, becausei was craving Paella; I wanted us to try something different. My siblings were kinda hesitant but Im always very adventurous with my palate. Well!!! Lo and behold the Chicken Consomme was nice and light yet full of flavor!!! Then Paella was served and it was DELISH!!! My sister ordered something kinda soupy, she wasnt used to something like that but everyone like the Paella and the Grilled Meat Platter. We actually said wed go back again when I come back to town. Great service as well!!! I wish we couldve stayed for the Karaoke.

This was ok, nothing fabulous but was decent. For the price was disappointing. Several other options in town that are much tastier and less money.

BE CAREFUL THEY ADD AN AUTOMATIC GRATITUDE FEE EVER-TIME YOU PAY. We order multiple times different transactions and were getting charge a gratitude fee. A tip is at the guest discretion and should not be added automatically specially for just two guest.

Excellent! Clean and open place. We ordered some chicken wings and they were fresh and juicy. Plantain chips were also fresh and crunchy. The sound system was good and music was ok. I would come back again.

Great food, very very lively atmosphere!!! Come when the band is here. Its just two guys but they play authentic Ecuadorian music and as the night goes on they play other Latin stuff. Everyone was so hype and everyone was dancing on the dance floor. I dont speak any Spanish but the staff all knew English and menu was translated too

Place is very over priced. The servers are terrible. The food is bland. They charge for water. They automatically add gratuity for such a terrible waitress. They don’t care about their customers. They lie. They cheat. They steal.

Great food they had short staff but what place doesnt now a days

I totally totally love this place!!! First, the service is awesome, the staff is very friendly and attentive. The food it’s tasty and good portions. The live music it’s something else. The dj got the right taste of music. Great place to eat, drink and dance all nite!!! Will go back every weekend

The food is good, but I felt the food was a little too pricey. Large portions are good for splitting. I went for 5 PM dinner, and the restaurant was empty.

Mothers Day visit. Service was quick, food was delicious. Large portions. Mom and her friend had been before, not me. They even had karioki after 7pm. Kid friendly. Equidorian menu, full bar.

They have great Ecuadorian food and Karaoke and dancing nights fridays and sundays, dj every Saturday night! I love it!!

Service was slow, but the food was delicious! Loved the corn tamales, plantain turnovers, avocado salad and plantain chips! I could have stopped there and been very satisfied. We got the land meat platter, which was all good, except for the sausage. Im going to try the ceviche next time. This place is definitely worth a try!

The owner is a very nice person but he needs to realize how the bad service and attitude from the servers and the karaoke dj on Sundays is damaging his restaurants image. Food is way overpriced as well as drinks. On top of that, they even charge you for water! I love karaoke but I refuse to go to this place unless its my very last resort, which is rarely the case. Do yourself a favor and try other restaurants with better service and prices.

Drinks and food are DELICIOUS!!! Make sure to try the Coconut Seafood Stew... Out of this world! Great service and atmosphere too. Fidel (owner) is a great host! Dont miss it!

I felt very disappointed at La Peña Restaurant. The prices are outrageous! $27.00 for pasta and steak???I ordered Mar y Tierra Platter for 2 people. That was $54.00. The size of the dish was very small for its price and the taste was nothing out of the ordinary. Definitely not worth it. I rather go to Pueblito Viejo and get me the Picada for $34.00 can eat 3 or people. Rich flavor and great quality

I went by myself and since there were no spaces I shared a high table with other people. Two ladies who chatted with me finished their drinks and left. The guy at the register charged me for their consumption which was around $45. I told him I was not with them and he refused to let me just pay for my own expense. Apparently he was the manager so I couldnt complain to anyone else. I would never go there again.

We celebrated our anniversary in this restaurant. It was a beautiful night! The food was delicious and the people who singed karaoke where just unbelievable!

I was there a few days ago, a Sunday night to be specific. The service was ok, the food was fine. The music was great to dance. The karaoke was even better. For sure I will come back to this place soon.

Excellent food amazing music great atmosphere they have a dancing floor service could be better but was so good

Loved the food and the live music!

I highly recommend the lamb chops... and the chips are from plantains... Smiles!

Food was ok. Service the worst. Definitely needs more personnel. We were a party of 8 celebrating a friends anniversary. We Waited almost 1hr before I had to go find a server to order drinks. Waitress ask are you ready to order I said no we just want some drinks she said Ill go there later. Finally we got drinks. Another long wait to order and get food. I asked for tabasco and I notice she went to the table next to us and took their bottle without asking and gave it to us. Later she came back to our table only to take the Tabasco, again without asking, and gave it to another table. That was just rude. To get more drinks we had to go find her to order. On top of everything when we only tipped her 10% she came after us demanding 18% . My wife a waitress so when we go out we do 20% but for the service we got she should be happy she got $30. Will never go back.

Greedy place. I spent about $300.00 and we had just started dancing, I requested a glass of water and they told me that they only sell bottle water. The greediness of this place is amazing, they want to get as much money from you as possible. Their food is OK but not great. Avoid this place!!!!

Some food is delicious. Others taste really greasy. Service crew was pleasant but we waited too long to get water and get out orders in. I suggest they get more help in order to be able to attend their customers and not have them wait forever.

Great place to dance, great Spanish music selection, food is expensive. Music is loud so if your going there too conversate wrong place to do it. They try their best to accommodate your party with seat/table arrangements.

We have been in la peña for many times and i always thought this was a perfect place for a good meal, drinks and dance since they have a good DJ and sometimes live music as well, but this past saturday we got there at about 11 pm and it was full, so the first thing we did is to ask to one of the waitress(short hair) who was passing by if they have any available tables, she just rolled her eyes on us and kept walking ignoring us completely. we were just standing there for like 5 minutes being ignored and every waitress and even the bartender girl looked so overwhelmed and i work in the hospitality industry so i understand how busy a place can get but i really think that there is no excuse for a waitress to be this rude ignoring us and walk away, she could just said that there was no tables so we were gonna have to wait or something like that but they just left us there standing in the entrance.

Delicious food and outstanding service. My boyfriend and i go there and we love their combo meats. They have plenty of choices of drinks too!

The food is always great, service, music on Friday and Saturday nights are great for dancing. This is a kids friendly environment.

When going with a large group be prepared to not be waited on. We saw our server 2 times, to order and to pay, someone else brought out the food. My sister noticed she only received 6 fries, and when asking the server for the missing fries (compared to my plate and another persons) the server said that was the correct amount that we (me and the other person) got extra. Finally, when asking for the check, the server said we could not split it. Later she did split it and she made sure to include gratuity. Which I understand, but the service did not merit the gratuity. I work at a restautant - the standard 18% is optional - when servers think they will not get a good tip they will include it, but sonetimes you can get better than 18% when you give great service. Our server was never available and never checked on our table. Our glass of water only got refilled 1 time, after we asked for it. All that was beside the fact that the food took over an hour to come out, including an app. And the drinks were not only sub par (mojito) but straight up disgusting (michelada - which was undrinkable).

Food was fine, but do yourself a favor and ask for the itemized receipt. The owners wife was the one waiting our table and she gave us the credit card receipt without the itemized receipt without telling us the tip was already included...seemed a little shady

I had a blast on Saturday night with the DJ. Good cocktails but a bit pricey. Otherwise its a normal restaurant with good food. Btw Saturday crowd is more on the mature side.

Today 9/19/2015 the new server told me to stand up from the table and go to the bar where was packed. I wished to order food and drinks but felt rejected by his attitude. I just went somewhere else.I love this place. Good food and extremely good music.

I enjoyed the pasta the music was a bit loud so not a great place for a meeting. I hope they add more vegetarian dishes to the menu soon.

Food was good , but no so much the service. long faces ladys at the door . there was not busy , but they did not bother to asked if we needed somenthing else , at least not for a while . any of the two ladys bother to pick up the plates , or offer anything else . we had to keep waiting and kind of making eye contact with them in order to get service . Ha but on our way out she , i asume it was the owner or her sister , she stop us and asked for extra tips , i had already leave about $15 dollars but she mention that was for taxes but the total was already there including the tips which was $15.00 . i am ok with leaving tips and i always do , but it seemed rude that she asked for more when in reality the subtotal was an amount , then i had left $15 extra but again she asked for more making it about $35 extra . it really seems shady and i gues that same lady does that often with other people according the rivews.

The drink I had was AWFUL for the money they charge. The womens bathroom was discussing. The some of the patrons were rude, nobody know how to say excuse me or thank you. and the music was not the best.

Overcharged and stolen from! Charged for gratuity on the bill and still kept the change from the cash I gave her to pay for our food! And then wrote that she charged less on my reciept when the bill said otherwise. They’re trying to swindle drunk people.

Awesome place to dance and have a great time really enjoyed it 😀

Nice and clean! Drinks and food not too expensive. Cool environment!

Friend told me about this place, went in one day with him because I had a craving for seafood. I got a shrimp and octopus cocktail, and might I say that it was amazing. Definitely will be coming back.

The meat is excellent, we had the land and sea picada and we had to take it home because it was a lot but all of the food was perfectly cooked and tasted great, but the beef was incredible, juicy and very nice tasting.

Horrible place, horrible service, horrible food. I stopped to get a bite food was tasteless the waiter treated me like I was a punk I asked for a horchata (which they dont sell that there) she rolled her eyes at me and said what is that and left my table without my order I only paid for the drinks and the appetizer and left never going back there it was my first and last time there.

The food is good and the service friendly. This is a family restaurant with a smalldance floor. At the end of the night there is music and EVERYBODY dances.

Very delicious food and great karaoke! A perfect dining experience!

Went for a family event. The food was good and the staff was great.

Great place for dinner with live music on the weekends. The llapangachos are really good and the arroz con pollo is amazing. They make a fantastic pisco sour too.

Absolutely stunning place with real south American atmosphere. Great food.. especially see food with the native south American dishes.. great live music on weekends

The food was absolutely delicious and the service great. Parking was easy and not metered. What a great experience.

Very nice place to eat good food from Ecuador, the service is excellent, the food are delicious..they have a man who sing so nice...but the prices are little high 🥴

Great service. I didnt have a chance to eat the food, but I could see everyones for orders coming out and it looked really good.

Be careful because they always add something you didnt ask for. review your receipts always.

Beautiful fun place, delicious food and very kind staff!

Great food, very delicious. Live Latin music. Great drinks. Dont expect craft beer, but thats ok.

Good food , service is ok.Prices on the expensive sideKaraoke night are well knownThe look inside is 8 of 10

Its amazing super good food 🍛🦐 and excellent music 🎶 and serves 👌

It a great place to celebrate a party but eating here just to eat feels they have a slower service

I absolutely love the food here. The overall place is clean. The food is also authentic and well made.

Food is great 👍 One of the better Ecuadorian restaurants in Chicago. Real thing is in Ecuador tho 🤤

Great food. Quaint atmosphere. But a bit pricey for the portion size.

Absolutely delicious.

Excellent customer service, atmosphere was great went there for an early dinner. Food was delicious.

The wait for the food was long but the food was amazing. The smoothie was my favorite thing that I had my hole family and I had a good time and thought the food was amazing.

Very nice place, friendly staff and nice food and great atmosphere

Very fun and entertaining. Food was a little over cooked and prices are a bit high for the area.

Food is ok but the music and dancing is great!

Great Food, Good Drinks, Super Fun Karaoke, Love how friendly the waiters are

Great food. Had the ceviche, tamale and Coconut salmon. Then enjoyed a fun live band

Food is excellent and if you like south America music this is the place

Live music was great. So was music selection when they were taking a break. But a tad Expensive.

Becareful, watch your bill because they over charge you. You may end up having a bad experience like i did. Not recommended at all

One of the best ecuadorian place.

Good place to dance and drink and eat with the family. ❤️❤️

I love the large menu and my favorite appetizer is llapingachos. I would recommend it for dinner and the entertainment.

Very, very nice place to eat and dance with Family, kids are welcome 😁

Great food, drinks and music. Always have a great time here.

Food its awesome, but the drink are slopy made. A píña colada without garnish is a sad drink

Fun place to go out and have a good time. There is a dance floor and dj weekends

Live music, floor dance, no cover, delicious food and good service, 100% recommend

Great place for taste my food from my beautiful Ecuador.

Nice place for dinner , good Ecuadorian food, live entertainment weekends is the trade of this place

Están buenos los canelazos. The drink of cinnamon and pure is very tasty

You can have a good meal or if you like to sing karaoke this is the place...

Awesome place, great prices, awesome. Music and karaoke with DJ Lalo

Liked the food but the menu too mixed with American food choices

Great food, great ambiance, great drinks.!! Def coming back, thank you!

Good food, friendly staff.

Excellent service and music to dance. Also good air conditioning.

Delicious Ecuadorian food and live music after 7:00 pm on Saturday

Great food am drinks love the encocado everybody should try it

Simply, the best Ecuadorian food in town 😋 👌 🙌

First time here and the people where nice and the food was good.

The food was great and the environment very pleasant. Thank you!

Food tastes amazing! Pricey but worth it.

They never answer the phone

Delicious food... Seco de Pollo and Ceviche are great

Place was popping!. Great music! Good people

It was a good experience!Couldve been better for the price though!!

Bab service and the as for the manager and the server she told me is naw manager there and I try to call to the restaurant and not body answer the fon .........

Love this place the food is amazing lots to choose from

Great live music and food, a real good vibe

Awesome place great food and service. Will return.

The food in this place is unbelievably good

Great service, I really enjoyed the food.

Very nice decor and great food and service.

The seafood, ownership friendlyness, Music variety, southamerican great spot!

Great food, staff and music

Good food, great family atmosphere.

Best place in chicago ,excellent food ,nice music

Food ok but prices are a very expensive for the quality and the environment

Great music, to dance and do not stop, yayyyy

Good place to do a celebration and more

Friendly service, good food & beer.

Very good place to aet, dance, sing, love it!

Used to be a nice place to eat.... Now a dancing place

Good place to dance and sundays karaokee

Great food made better by the music.

Great but to busy on Sat. No seating

Bunch middle aged over the hill wanna b llayboys. They act stupid where to much CaroLine bunch of losers

Great food great service great atmosphere 👍🏼

Best ecuadorian place nice music nice food

Ecuadorian style cusineI love the Ceviche Marinero

A very good place to eat and good music

Great place,a lot of fun on karaoke night!!!!!

One beer is $13, way to expensive for the place.

Ceviche, chicken churassco, flan= five stars

Great place for drinks and music

A good place to eat and enjoy with the family.

Good music. First Saturday ever

Exelent food best Ecuadorian restaurant in chicago

Great food and dance place

Great music and great food

Delicious food and a great environment

Great authentic Ecuadorian style food

Good food and excellent drinks

Family business. Friendly, clean and pleasant.

Great food !!! Great staff

Yum!

Rude, not clean and not affordable.

Excellent, been missing this place for months

Food is awesome but expensive

MMM yumy, yumy...

The Best Ecuadorian food in Chicago.

Creepy atmosphere... extremely expensive

Excellent food and service!

Amazing food and atmosphere

Very good good food good service

So bad...no comment!

Delicious, authentic food!

Great food and music

Nice place ... good food

Good food

Great and good service

Wonderful Ecuadorian cuisine

Good Ecuadorians food

I love the Latino environment

Great ambiance!

Love the music love the atmosphere

Obsessed with their empañadas!!

.Nice place to visite

Awesome 👍

Great food!

Love is very Good

Very dingy

Where so anwesome night....

Nice

Romantic and karaoke.

Food was good.

Love

Nice environment.