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La Esperanza Restaurant & Bar
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 11 am - 9 pm
Fri-Sat 11 am - 10 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
48 reviews for La Esperanza Restaurant & Bar
Review Highlights
"The guacamole fresh and stone ground is a nice touch too."
(in 18 reviews)
"I've had their pastel de tres leches and their flan."
(in 3 reviews)
"The enchiladas verde is my favorite dish."
(in 3 reviews)
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48 reviews in English
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Review from Rob C.
Berlin, NJ
11/30/2011
The worst part about this place is that my wife doesn't want to eat here as often I would like because she'll only eat their burritos. I can usually sucker her into going on special occasions or when I have friends from out of town visit. I don't like it when people go here and don't invite me.
At the end of the meal, they generally don't ask you if you would like any dessert. It seems reasonable though, because they give you a lot of food. Their food usually reheats well, so don't be afraid to bring home leftovers. When you go, you should save some room for dessert. I've had their pastel de tres leches and their flan. If you get the tres leches, be careful. You won't want to share it.
On Friday and Saturday nights, make a reservation. -
Review from Rachel L.
Manhattan, NY
11/17/2011
I have been coming to La Esperanza for about 9 years now back when it was a tiny restaurant with about six tables, and the food is still as amazing today as my first bite back then.
The food is hands down the best mexican fare that I have ever had. This is what I get every time... Toastado, Empanada, Guacamole to share with table, and alas the main event, Carne Asada in a warm toasted pita with all the dressings--sour cream, cheese, lime, cilantro. PERFECTION! I always end up passed out in the back of the car dealing with my food coma/food baby on the way back home but it is well worth it.
The staff is very friendly and the Cordova family is amazing! It feels like I'm home every time I walk into the restaurant, saying hi to old family and friends. I always try to make a trip here whenever I am back in the area. -
Review from Devin C.
Somerdale, NJ
10/6/2011
La Esperanza is a fun and casual mexican restaurant.
the wait staff were very friendly and attentive. there were 5 people in my party.
drinks were great, especially the sangria and margaritas. for an appetizer we got the numero uno combo (cant remember the exact name) but it was perfect for 5 people and had chicken quesadillas, nachitos and taquitos along with sour cream, lettece and tomatos. all very good.
for dinner we all got something different, my mom got some steak thing cooked medium with a brown sauce, she said it reminded her of salsbury steak, but it was very good. my step dad got the fajita combo which had chicken, shrimp, and zuccini with a side of beans and rice. my sister got steak tacos which she liked. bf got the bistec a la mexicana, he got his spicy which he liked. and i got la pechua a la mexicana basically chicken with sauce similar to my bfs but i got mine not spicy which im glad they gave me that option.
overall everything was great. way to much food, we all had food leftover but thats good cuz we like leftovers. and it was well worth the money for the more authentic mexican food feel. cant wait to go back. -
Review from Stephanie R.
Cherry Hill, NJ
2/4/2012
Fun atmosphere. Pretty authentic Mexican. Food is delicious!! The burritos are about the size of a football! Come hungry!
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Review from Andre V.
Clifton, NJ
12/21/2011
There's no way you can miss this place...its Pink! Haha interesting paint choice aside its a nice lil place to grab a bite to eat if you feel like some Latin food. Even though we got there just under an hour before closing the staff was very nice and the food pretty good. I can't say that there was a particular thing that stood out, but the meal on a whole was good.
-
Review from Patrick M.
Washington, DC
12/25/2011
I was up last week visiting my mom and we used Yelp to find some decent local Mexican places. Yeah, La Esperanza is deserving of the stars. Fresh guacamole that is easily among the best I've ever had, tender pork and beef and damned tasty margaritas. The menu is smaller than other places, but what they do, they do very well. The only little quibbles I have are that the Cantina decor needs a bit of an update and I would love to see more than two beers on tap. Seriously, go here!
-
Review from Danielle N.
Millville, NJ
If you want great tasting real authentic mexican, this is the place!! Try the tres Leche cake! It is out of this world! The steak is fresh and juicy, and the service is quick and accurate.
-
Review from Superfly T.
Moorestown, NJ
8/14/2011
To start, excellent fresh margaritas, with many margarita options, my favorite is the fresh lime non-mix, which is tart, tasty and refreshing.
The salsa is gourmet, I wish they would offer it in a jar, I'd buy some for sure! I had the Enchildas Verdes and was impressed, flavorful, with a peppery edge, yet nice and light and not a mex food overdose. The guacamole fresh and stone ground is a nice touch too.
Prompt and friendly service. Decent prices. This was my first visit, and I can't wait to go again. -
Review from Kurt F.
Blackwood, NJ
7/3/2011 13 Check-ins Here
If you're interested in authentic Mexican, specifically Poblano, La Esperanza is your best bet in the South Jersey area. In what could be described, at best, as an unassuming pink building in Lindenwold, NJ, you will find good-size proportions that are reasonably priced and well made.
My favorite dish, that I force everyone to have when they first go there, is the enchiladas de mole poblano. Mole isn't for everyone (it's complex stuff) but they make it better than anyplace else I've ever had. It varies in spiciness depending on the night your catch them, and this will sound odd; but the lack of spice consistency is part of the charm since the mole is made from a 100 year old recipe everyday. Other items of note: (1) guacamole is good (but El Vez in Philly makes it better), (2) Napoles ranchero (grilled cactus with chicken and over-easy egg) is really tasty (3) all grilled steak and chicken dishes are tender.
Some misses from the kitchen have included chili relleno and cactus stewed with tomatoes and jalapeno.
Regardless, they have great drink specials ($3 Modelo drafts on Fridays!) and do a good job with their margaritas. If you're a super-hungry eater, then the Fat Alex burrito is the way to go. It is huge and delicious. You won't leave hungry! Take it from me and the crowds that line up there every weekend. -
Review from JR C.
Cherry Hill, NJ
5/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
La Esperanza guac FTW! So, so good. I've made what I thought was really good guac before, but it doesn't come CLOSE to touching theirs. It's awesomely garlicy, and cilantroey, and creamy, and avacadoey, and a little spicy. Just so, so good. It might seem a little expensive, but you get a HUGE portion, and the chips are nothing short of amazing.
I've been there probably five or six times, and I've had burritos almost every time. The Fat Alex is MASSIVE, and delicious. It's a pretty standard burrito, just 100x more delicious than any other burrito you've ever had. The last time we went, we sat at the bar, and I had steak tacos, and they were great. The only thing that I didn't like was that the tortillas they used were a little too thick, and were a little too traditional. Call me a gringo, but I like the thinner flour tortillas you'd get elsewhere.
Margaritas are delicious, though they tend to be a little weak sometimes. Also, the place is small, and service can be a little slow, so if you go with more than two people, make a reservation! -
Review from Milo J.
Philadelphia, PA
12/30/2010
Mencken has decided to bestow a five-star review on La Esperanza this chilly day in December, which is quite impressive since he only two weeks ago had a Mexican dinner in the capital of Mexico, Los Angeles.
Lunch at the pink house (which means something else in Las Vegas) was delicious, authentic, tasty, and happy, dammit.
Note: I did not have a margarita, instead opting for a good ol' fashioned coca cola, which tasted a little funny, and I'm not sure why. It could be generic cola. So, if you're into the taste of Coke, I suggest Jersey water, which may actually have more calories.
I had the Pechuga a la Mexicana (sliced chicken breast, diced onions, jalapeño peppers, tomatoes & cilantro cooked in a spicy sauce) which was served with rice and beans, which I happily slathered on some fresh corn tortillas. Tasty, and highly recommended. I've had it before, and I'll have it again. The menu said you'd "lick your fingers clean" which reminds me of Vegas for some reason.
My lunch date requested something off the dinner menu (what is it with these Jersey women?) which turned out to be the delightful "shrimp something." Yes, I can't remember the name, but it was served in a large chalice with shrimp, lime, diced onions, tomatoes, and avocado. Delicious!
Chips were good, salsa very fresh and tasty but lacking a kick which, as I've pointed out in other reviews, isn't the end of the world. Universally, a pleasing salsa I'd have to to say.
Didn't have dessert, but did have the guacamole which was good but not enough for the price, which equaled Los Angeles. This in itself is stupid because there are avocado trees in every backyard like there are in East LA.
If you've read a bad review, it was an off night. I've been here no less than five times and it's a "must" when I visited South Jersey. So go. -
Review from Tim P.
West Deptford, NJ
8/14/2011
This was a rebound meal after one of my favorite Mexican taquerias disappointed me yesterday.... But that's another story that I'll have to update on their page....
I had been trying to get to La Esperanza for about a year now. I don't live far away, but not close enough for convenience either....
My wife and I started our meals by ordering margeritas and the guacamole... Both were excellent. I have to add that the hostess and wait staff were all pleasant and attentive... The salsa and guacamole both were very good, with plenty of garlic and just the right amoount of cilantro.... I got the combo fajitas, while my wife ordered the cinco de mayo combo, which came with a steak taco, chicken tostada, and a quesadilla.. Both dinners had excellent rice and black beans as part of the meal... We had a great time eating and talking... Can't wait to visit again.. They have their daily drink specials and meal specials for the week on the tables so you can know ahead of time what will be going on there... It was raining today, but I'm sure that I saw an area on our way in for outside dining..... Elegant, no..... but fun and casual, definitely.. -
Review from Jason C.
1/7/2011
So consistent! Had dinner here last night for the first time in a while. The entire place was filled, including the bar. Happy to see that my favorite Mexican restaurant in the area is doing well on a random Thursday night.
Our table started with the Guacamole. It was good, and tasted fresh, although it was slightly under seasoned. I had the Enchiladas Verde with Pollo. I remember it being much hotter the last time I had it, even though it was delicious! I actually added a blend of their house Tomatillo and Chipotle hot sauces to my dish (so manly). Everyone at our table had a great meal and really enjoyed themselves. The black beans are much better than the pinto beans.
P.S. Clean that aquarium near the door, yuck! -
Review from Allie A.
2/7/2011
My sister and brother in law love this place and come often. They have prided themselves that twice, they were here with friends for so many hours that management asked them to leave because they needed the turnover. Okay, folks, maybe that's not so much a badge of honor.
It's a weekday, late lunch, and we have just spent a few hours at the Lindenwold traffic court. We demolished the chips and salsa which landed on our table a few minutes after sitting down. I ordered the carnitas lunch special, and it was MUY BUENO. Not too heavy, so a food-induced coma wasn't in the cards.... until my sister insisted on ordering the flan for dessert (hey, aren't you supposed to be on Weight Watchers?) and ordered me a coffee with Bailey's to warm up.
Time for a nap. -
Review from Anne G.
Voorhees Township, NJ
4/3/2011
La Esperanza
Bistec ranchero - steak, fresh grilled nopal leaf, one egg, avocado w side of rice n beans. Served with unsweetened tea.
Total came to $16.75 pre-tax.
The salsa wasn't so much salsa as it was a heavier sauce with cilantro and seeds. The taste and fire were good, though I prefer veggies in my salsa.
I like pouring salsa over certain foods as a sort of sauce and the taste of this liquid is great for that, but not what I would prefer served with chips. The chips were crunchy and fresh.
The tea was fresh and outstanding. It reminded me of tea made in the sun. It wasn't watered down like you find so often and was served with lime.
The egg over-easy (actually over-medium) was perfectly done for my tastes as I don't like runny egg. The cactus was beautifully grilled and delicious. If you've never had it before, the taste is reminiscent of asparagus.
The seasoning of the steak was very good but it was not tender at all, was tough actually, a bit dry and a real disappointment. Being that it was the main ingredient in the dish, I just can't give a high rating.
The rice and beans were very good. Rice included little peas and teenie chopped carrots adding to the gorgeous flavor.
This is a very heavy meal owing to the cactus and egg. For such a shrimpy girl as me, it is too much for one sitting. And due to the toughness of the meat, I will not be eating the leftovers.
Overall, the tastes and presentation were authentic though I was very disappointed that the steak I ordered was actually served. The chef ought to have known how tough it was and not allowed it out of the kitchen, particularly since it is one of the most expensive dishes on the menu.
The food here seems to have potential due mainly to the wonderful seasoning and my nosiness in peeking at others' plates as they were being served discovered burritos here are a specialty - and enormous.
The portions are a good size, be prepared and come with a real appetite.
Servers were good, friendly, and attentive. -
Review from Meghan C.
1/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place is getting four stars because I like it so much, it's allowed to piss me off occasionally. Have been here many times and the food is always top notch. The service, however, is definitely hit or miss. I can probably knock back 4-5 margaritas throughout a dinner...the last time I was there, I was waving my hands just to get a second one. It wasn't busy. Es la verdad!! Por que?? Donde esta la tequila? Te amo, tequila! Donde???!!
Sorry, was really sad about the lack of margarita that evening and just had a flash back.
Another time, we sat, and sat...and sat...for someone to even give us water. I've witnessed this happen to other tables, as well.
Other times though, it's positively grand and you couldn't want for anything else. One time it was a crazy busy night, but they had a beer tent/margarita stand outside so you could hang out and have some cocktails - total win!
It is small inside so this was great thinking on their part. Also, their bartenders are wonderful, so if you're not with a big group, just sit at the bar. The carnitas are phenomenal...chilaquiles verdes are beastly, all of their burritos are huge - one of the people with me got the Fat Alex and they weren't lying. Dude's fat as hell!
Not exactly cheap, though. -
Review from Michael D.
Sewell, NJ
8/15/2011
Fantastic! Can't wait to go back!
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Review from Melissa C.
Berlin, NJ
Best guacamole I've ever had. Order the guac.
Free chips and salsa which are delicious. Not a fan of the margarita that tastes like pure sour mix but I still order it when I go. Delicious steak burrito. Ordered the chicken tacos but was surprised it was all dark meat which I'm not a fan of so I stick with the steak. Gets packed on a Friday/Saturday night so I try to go on off hours. Great service love the people that work there. -
Review from Lisa Marie D.
Collingswood, NJ
8/16/2011
No bueno! The food was horrible I order "grilled chicken tacos" and received sloppy joe stewed chicken that soaked the shells. It was literally soup. I asked for flour tortillas, was given corn. Not to mention everything was lukewarm at best. My fiance is a big mexican food advocate and his was totally bland. The guac was the only good thing, but how can you mess up guacamole? Will not be back.
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Review from Anthony G.
Sicklerville, NJ
5/25/2010 1 Check-in Here
I first discovered this place when it was fairly new. My wife and I walked in to this grocer/restaurant and were ready for disappointment, little did we know it would turn out to be one of the best authentic Mexican restaurants we have ever tasted. Someone else must have thought the same, because they have so many "best of" and articles up around their newly designed building that they are locally famous. No more Mexican store, but same old lovable staff. They also serve brunch now so if you want a Mexican spin on eggs, Ole!
OHHH!! and the Margarita's are great, they have this big one that is all you need for a good night! In other words the bar is fantastic. If you are going for Cinco de mayo come early to the party if you want to get a seat inside. People come far and wide for that party.
My favorite dishes are Cinco de mayo combo, the fat Alex (the biggest burrito ever) and the chicken pablano. Everything is good though I haven't had a thing I didn't like there. -
Review from Jeff D.
5/14/2011
What can be said about La Es that hasn't already been said? It's amazing. It's fresh. It's delicious. Damn, pretty sure that has all been said. In all seriousness, you can't go wrong here. NJ isn't exactly close to Mexico so we are stuck with knockoffs such as Don Pablo's and On the Border, but La Esperanza is a diamond in the rough! As a matter of fact, if you don't live in the area, you would probably drive right by this place. When I heard about the Fat Alex burrito, I just had to try one...and another...and another. Let me tell you AWESOME stuff! Their steak tacos are also to die for. The owner actually travels to Mexico to bring back bottles of Tequila! I've never had a margarita but I hear great things. Oh and please try the guacamole.
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Review from Lee M.
Philadelphia, PA
11/14/2009
What a great find!
My friends had asked me if I wanted to grab a bite to eat and the idea of going Mexican came up. Well for a second I cringed and hoped that one of those "chain" places would come up. To my surprise it didn't.
La Esperanza is not fancy and looks pretty cheesy from the outside, but what this places lacks in decor or atmosphere is made up for in it's food.
I ordered the Mole Enchiladas. I have had mole at many different places including down in Mexico and this is the real deal. So flavorful and they give you plenty of it.
I also ordered for the table the guacamole and chips. I thought the guacamole could have been a little better but it was fresh and there was plenty. How many times have you gone to a chain and asked for guacamole and they essentially give you a tablespoon of it. Not here.
I would go again... the menu had plenty of items that I would like to try. Look for an update sometime in the future.
Interestingly enough -- they have tequila tasting parties... Just throwing it out there -- Maybe a UYE??? -
Review from Nicola B.
Lindenwold, NJ
1/26/2009
I LOVE this restaurant. I've been eating here since before their expansion (and pink paint job) and adore just about everything about it.
My boyfriend and I always order two items religiously: the margaritas and the guacamole. The guacamole, in my opinion, is some of the best I've ever had. It's just delicious. The enchiladas verde is my favorite dish. Be warned, don't order this if you do not like extra heat.
The service is always wonderful and the staff are always friendly and helpful. I can't say I've had any complaints whatsoever in the years that I've visited.
Overall, very good authentic mexican cuisine. -
Review from Johnny D.
Collingswood, NJ
3/23/2009
Great family-owned Mexican restaurant with a lot of character. There's a warning about the hotness of the enchiladas verde on their menu, and they aren't kidding. I eat Indian food several times a week and this dish still made me sweat quite a bit. Painfully delicious.
The restaurant seemed clean enough to me and the margaritas were tasty, though I'll admit I'm not an expert on them. Servers and staff were all very friendly and attentive.
This is the best Mexican place I've found in either South Jersey or Philly. I hope to be back soon, and often. -
Review from Sarah B.
Philadelphia, PA
6/7/2009
Authentic, family-owned, zero pretension; good, simple food. The Spanglish menu is awesome: it more or less states that because English is their second language, the menu is not going to be in MLA format and they don't give a god damn. Three cheers for them!
I like the decor, too; it's in a converted house, and rather than seeming tacky, it seems cozy.
There are plenty of vegetarian options. The tres leches cake is fantastic - we once made a trip to La Esperanza just for the cake and nothing else after having a sub-par dinner at a different Mexican place a few miles away. Should have just gone to La Esperanza! -
Review from Nisha S.
Jersey City, NJ
3/9/2010 1 photo
My three stars are based off the fact that I'm attracted to tex mex cuisine versus more of the authentic stuff. If you like Don Pablos, you might be with me on this. If you're sick of the tex mex onion and cheese in the same sauce with different toppings and reversed entree names deal, then check this place out.
I was really excited about going here, but It didn't do it for me or my friends. Our enchilada dish with mole was DRENCHED in mole sauce, like woah, I mean covered.
The prices are a bit higher than most tex mex restaurants, but I can't really deduct points on that considering their ingredients were much fresher. Smaller portions. You should never leave a Mexican place without having the feeling that you ate too much, never.
The house margarita was nothing special, tasted like the mix. I can't vouch for the other drinks.
Overall, I didn't love it. I'm going back to Don Pablos for more bang for my buck, sorry.
Maybe I'll check them out again for drinks and appetizers after I'm tired of the same old tex mex. -
Review from Fred x.
Bellmawr, NJ
5/16/2011
After hearing so many positive reviews, I was very dissapointed after my recent visit.
Almost every single entree served to my party was very unappealing. The guaccamole was fresh, but had almost no solids / texture to it at all. It almost had a whipped consistency. The salsa just tastes like a plain tomato broth with cilantro. The carnitas tacos were very bland, and the steak in the steak taco was inedible and dry.
Finally, I was at least expecting an above average margarita... but sadly that Too was not the case. It tasted heavily of sour mix, not fresh, not unlike any margarita from a casual chain type restaurant.
I truly expected at least one item to be special, exceptional, or fresh tasting. I was very disappointed. I will not likely return. -
Review from Cheryl M.
Mount Ephraim, NJ
6/18/2010
If you want Mexican food in SJ, this is the place to go. Its a bright pink building is a so-so area, but it is the real deal when you want good family style Mexican food.
The service is great, the guacamole is out of this world and the entrees are plentiful and extremely tasty. -
Review from Michael M.
Collingswood, NJ
La Esperanza ('Hope') is probably the best Mexican food I've ever had short of my father in law's home cooking. The only reason this place isn't 5 stars is I've yet to try the drinks here, but the food is top notch.
I've eaten here several times now and each time my guests and I have been impressed with the quality (and quantity!) of the food. Each time we've dined here we've enjoyed the cerviche, here made with shrimp, onion, tomato, avocado, and a tiny bit of Jalapeno in a perfect lime dressing. The avocado is a nice touch, especially as it's a large chunk verses the petite chop of the other ingredients. The shrimp were nicely large, probably a 20 count.
Guacamole is rich and dense, with a bit less lime that I prefer but still delicious.
El Vez and you Tequilery Wanna-Be's take note, they have 105 (yes - one hundred and five) different tequilas running from the $65/shot Patron Burdeos to your good old 1800 coming in at a measly $4! Drink special every night, plus an equally impressive beer selection make this place my next stop for party night. Oh, they have four different Mezcal's too.
On to the main courses. The Barbacoa (goat) is served as a large bone in cut, well seasoned in a plate of gravy and pan drippings. The true Latin heritage of this place shows through just in the amount of grease that is left on the plate. A 'new Mexican' joint would never serve it like this. Their loss. The goat is rich and flavorful, and just the right amount to leave you feeling full. When we asked where they get their goat, the chef popped out and informed us they get them directly from a farm in sicklerville. Yay local food!
The tacos come served in a corn tortilla. I love corn tortillas, an these are fresh. Take a moment and try one by itself and you'll immediately see the difference fresh corn tortillas make. Lightly sweet with a more moist texture than flour. The tacos actually come wrapped in two tortillas each, which looking at the picture I've posted you'll see why. It's a HUGE plate of food. The radishes were an extra special touch for me as I love a good radish. The picture tacos are steak, as my stomach was a bit upset today, else I'd have had the pork in chipotle or tongue. I've had these in the past an both are excellent.
My son went the rout of the burrito, which here comes the size of a softball. Filled with steak and beans, he tried mightily to finish it with no success. Our dishes were all accompanied by rice and your choice of beans. Both side dishes were good enough to not waste a bite of, and we took everything we couldn't eat home for late night snacking.
So don't let the pink building or many, many, many banners and signs hanging on the back of the building scare you away. Stop in for the best Mexican food you'll have enjoyed in a long time. -
Review from Adrian C.
Clifton, NJ
8/9/2009
Do yourself a favor and skip On the Border tonight. If you want authentic, fresh Mexican, La Esperanza is your place. I have been several times both for lunch and dinner and never left disappointed. Dont let the pink building fool ya, this place is no frills good mexican. The tacos are my personal favorite, aside from their tequila list. If you are a tequila fan this is also a must visit. This might be one of the best kept secrets of Camden County.
PS- The owners are almost always there and they are very nice. -
Review from lawrence l.
Stratford, NJ
1/31/2011
Though I came here for food which is possibly one of the best Mexican joints here in South Jersey, came here for the tacos & tried their empanada (not expecting it to be so "meaty") and worth the wait. I ordered the taco de lengua (the tongue) and it was very good. I will however bring the family since i had to make sure before i take them over that they were in for a treat!
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Review from Jenn L.
Barrington, NJ
3/31/2010
I have a great fondness for Mexican food, but up to this point Don Pablos was the closest I have gotten to the real deal. Then I was introduced to La Esperanza via a few co workers of mine and I am glad they did. I am always on the hunt for great, local owned places to eat, and this did not disappoint. The food is amazing, and portions are plentiful. It is family run an operated and they are always friendly and courteous when you go.
Considering the surrounding area, La Esperanza really is a diamond in the rough. -
Review from Josh L.
Austin, TX
7/28/2010
The experience was some what ruined by the waitress. She kept chatting with other employees and therefore forgetting us, at one point we had to wave her over. The chips and salsa were great but the food was so so. It looked amazing but was very bland. Lastly if your going to be an authentic Mexican restaurant your margaritas should not contain large amounts of cheap Margarita Mix! It should be fresh lime juice and simple syrup. Maybe I'm just spoiled since I live in Austin, TX for awhile but I'm not impressed at all.
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Review from Peter E.
Astoria, NY
9/2/2010
Great authentic mexican food! I go here all the time when I am in south jersey!
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Review from Mike Y.
Voorhees, NJ
10/6/2010
Very good guac! fast service. Makes you think your back in Jalisco.
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Review from Jim M.
Collingswood, NJ
4/13/2008
i had a pretty decent late lunch here recently. The restaurant is in a bright pink building festooned with beer sales on it. Modelo Mondays, Pacifico Fridays etc etc, which was a little tacky. Inside however, there was fairly tasteful decorations including reproduced pictures of Zapata and Poncho Villa.
I had their chips and salsa while I decided on what to eat. I ended up picking the enchiladas verdes, since enchiladas are one of my favorite dishes. The chips were crisp and yet not overly dried or greasy/oily. The salsa had a little bit of a bite and tasted fairly fresh. I'm not sure I understood why they had whole cilantro leaves in there, but it worked nonetheless.
The enchiladas verdes came out with a side plate of rice and beans. The rice was pretty decent albeit a tad dry. The beans tasted like they had been handmade and not out of a can. However, the beans were a little soupy and I couldn't taste any chorizo renderings, so I wasn't thrilled with them.
The enchiladas were big and covered with lettuce and grated cheese. The cheese was fairly good, but I"m not sure why they used what to me tasted like muenster instead of queso fresco or another goat cheese. As for lettuce, I was a little alarmed, since most crappy Mexican places use lots of lettuce and cheese to hide the fact that you aren't getting a lot of beans and meat/and or appease the Norte Americanos/gringos. But the enchiladas themselves were very tasty and the verdes sauce tasted homemade(which I have done before so I know what's good and what's been made with canned tomatillos).
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that they had horchata, which I have problems finding in some Mexican restaurants. The horchata was creamy and had plenty of sugar and cinnamon in it. Very tasty.
My only other gripe besides soupy refried beans was that they charged me for water/agua fresco. Maybe I missed it on the menu. Howeve, I would have appreciated the waitress telling me that they were going to charge for water.
One other comment, they had a nice selection of Spanish music playing during the course of my meal. However, they also had English language music, which included your favorite and mine, that Black Eyed Peas song "Lovely lady lumps/My Hump". A little bizarre given that a bunch of kids were there.
Good food, good and prompt service. I'll hopefully get a chance to come back.Listed in: Jersey joints I like, A Gringo's guide to Mexican in…
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Review from Rochelle S.
Palmyra, NJ
7/9/2009
La Esperanza is one of my favorite restaurants ever. The food is fresh and delicious, and the portions are huge. My favorite thing to get is the barbacoa. They are now offering it all the time, as opposed to just on the weekends, like before, which is AWESOME. The barbacoa is made with so much authenticity and love. Goat, by nature, is bony and fatty, but occasionally, you might get a piece that seems excessively so. It happened to me a couple times, and when asked about it, they brought me out a huge additional piece of perfect goat. If you are feeling like incredibly tender, perfectly spiced braised meat, go for the barbacoa!
The other dishes I would recommend are the bistec a la criolla (tender steak with avocado, plantains, and an egg over easy), and the combo gordo (HUGE steak burrito along with a steak tostada and a steak taco). Both truly excellent. The empanadas are delicious and cheap. The guacamole is good, as well, and though I'm no aficionado, I enjoyed their margaritas, too. Also, try the chocolate flan cake--very tasty.
I have never had anything less than an excellent meal here--it is SO much better than the stupid places that try to make Mexican food upscale. -
Review from J. C.
Clementon, NJ
10/6/2007
The place to go for family-operated, local, authentic Mexican food. I give it 4 stars for their lunches alone, you can fill up on dishes like flautas, enchiladas, burritos, tostadas plus sides and soup for $5.99. That's cheaper than Baja Fresh! Guacamole can't be beat. Portions are huge, usually I can get an appetizer for dinner and have leftovers for lunch the next day. They've been around for a number of years and have expanded their dining room capacity; it's a great success story. The only thing I'd ask is to bring back the pollo torta!
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Review from Jenn C.
Woodbury, NJ
6/15/2009
Don't let the bright pink exterior scare you away. The food at La Esperanza is phenomenal!
We started out with the guacamole, which is the best I'd ever had. As my husband described it, it had a very "buttery" texture. For our entrees, I had the Burrito de Vegetales and hubby had the Combo Cinco de Mayo. We both kept telling each other how good our meals were. We had also gotten a side order of fried plantains, which were out of this world.
All of the food tasted fresh and nothing tasted like it was processed. The portions were huge and I ended up bring home 1/2 of my burrito and 1/2 the plantains.
One thing my hubby commented on was the fact that there wasn't a pool of oil around anything, even the _fried_ plantains! Sometimes the oil mysteriously shows up when you reheat the leftovers in the microwave. Not here! There was a tiny bit from the plantains, but that was it.
We will absolutely be returning to La Esperanza and will make sure we bring friends the next time! -
Review from Nicole L.
Arlington, VA
9/30/2009
I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS PLACE-- it's my favorite restaurant in all the land. I've been coming here for about seven years now, and although it's had a pretty serious face lift since then, the food remains as spectacular as ever. Get: the guac, the pollo salvadoreno, and the tres leches. If I'm ever on death row, I want that to be my final meal. But hopefully it never comes to that.
