La Sierra Restaurant
1637 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL, 60613
La Sierra Restaurant Menu
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Appetizers
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Soup
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Salads
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Traditional Mexican Dishes
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Traditional Ecuadorian Dishes
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House Specialties - Grill Specialties
Healthy Meal suggestions for La Sierra Restaurant
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Appetizers
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Soup
-
Salads
-
Traditional Mexican Dishes
-
Traditional Ecuadorian Dishes
-
House Specialties - Grill Specialties
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Address :
1637 W Montrose Ave
Chicago, IL, 60613 - Phone (773) 549-5538
- Website https://www.lasierrarestaurant.webs.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
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Kevin K.
Took a date there on a Sunday night a few weeks back. It was a nice night so we sat outside and enjoyed the Pacifico we had brought with since it's BYOB. The guac was good as was our food ( I had the goat stew, which actually wasn't very stew-like). They close at 10, and even though we were the last ones there by a good hour, they didn't try rushing us out, just let us enjoy the relaxing evening.
(4)Burt F.
We love this neighborhood spot. Consistently good food and reasonably priced! We order for pick up and it's ready in 5-10 minutes. Owners and staff are very friendly. It's BYOB with no corking charge. Quality of food is very good. Outdoor area is nice on Montrose.
(4)Jose G.
I went to this place a couple of times a while back, just for quick lunch or a snack. Can't wait to go back for a full meal. I was lucky to find one of the owners at the front. A funny and sociable Ecuadorian guy, he and and his Mexican wife pool their countries quite different cuisines to create a great little spot. All I remember is the patacones (salty-style fried unripened plantanos), which is enough to make me go back.
(5)Carri C.
4 stars for the vegetarian burrito, the byob, the location and the friendly staff. If you are hungry for traditional Mexican fare, this is a good option. I've gotten take out quite a few times as well as sometimes dine in.
(4)Sarah-jayne M.
This is an interesting place because it's Mexican and Ecuadorian food. My friends and I ended up here after three failed attempts to eat elsewhere (90 Miles closes at 6pm on Sundays, Sabor a Cuba was closed for remodelling and Mexiteco was just plain busy). This little place was a light house in the storm! And it was BYOB!!! The food was really delicious and very reasonable. I had a combination plate, an enchilada, a taco and a chile relleno. Everything was really good. The meal came with rice and beans as well as a small salad. The staff were really friendly and service was quick. The decor is fairly sparse but who cares when you are tucking into a good old plate of beans? Total meal was about $15 per person. We'll be back!
(5)E M.
Like many of the places around the Montrose stop, they're family owned (I think), and treat you like part of the family. This makes them happy and it shows, which makes me happy. La Sierra is bright, open, clean, comfortable, friendly and inexpensive. Servers are kind and experienced in both attending to you and letting you have your space. Food is all excellently prepared, so you can't go wrong. Choose Ecuadorian if you're adventurous; stick with Mexican if you're not. BYOB and cut down on your bill. It's the perfect balance of everything good, here. The chips, btw, are obviously homemade right then and there. The salsa is OUT OF THIS WORLD AMAZING and fresh! When my boyfriend and I get a craving, we walk down to La Sierra and order chips and salsa to go. They never balk at my less-than-$3 order and always package it up neatly to go so it doesn't drip or slip. Hmm. I think I'm not the only one who's made this request.
(4)Eric X.
La Sierra offers good food at a reasonable price. The owner and staff are very friendly and interested in building relationships with repeat visitors, which is always great for a neighborhood. If Mixteco is too busy for you, come to La Sierra and be treated well.
(3)Maggie R.
i wasn't completely blown away, but this place seems to have a lot going for it... 1. BYOB 2. outdoor seating 3. cheap menu 4. friendly service
(3)Marta M.
Really nice, clean with enjoyable decor. Staff is really friendly and makes you feel welcome. The food is tasty although my dish was a bit too dull and mild. I liked my boyfriend's better. I would recommend it for a quick bite in the neighborhood.
(4)Kathy B.
Yay! I love love love La Sierra! Their cheese enchiladas are AMAZING. Their service is always really good, and the prices are great. I still can't believe people line up for crappy Mixteco when La Sierra is just up the block, and a million times better.
(5)John B.
C and I have been going here for several years. We considered it our little secret because it's very inexpensive, BYOB, has outdoor seating, has good service, and the food is good. But the owner must have hired a consulting firm or something because the menu has changed rather dramatically. The food has moved from $ to $$. And the owner was going from table to table, personally talking to patrons and making small talk. Clearly, he is trying to drum up business and to a slightly more affluent crowd. We continue to like this place and plan on returning.
(4)Matthew B.
After living nearby for almost a year, we finally came here last night and were pleasantly surprised. While the facade of the building is nondescript or even sketchy, the inside was pleasant, clean, and nicely decorated. I had a decent churrasco; my wife had a very good fried fish. And the milkshares were great! The service was excellent--exceptionally friendly and gracious.
(4)Mary S.
Excellent Mexican food at great prices. While waiting for another place down the block we literally stumbled starving into this neighborhood place. We were seated in a lovely little dining room with Latin flavor. The waitress explained that in addition to Mexican we could get Ecuadorian specialties. We had excellent guacamole and chips while trying to decide. We sampled a couple of the Ecuadorian dishes recommended by the waitress. The owner stopped by to make suggestions. The food was great! They did not have a bar but he suggested someone step down to the liquor store on the corner. A lone guitarist started to play. We had an excellent time and went home with $$$ in our pockets.
(4)Jules W.
Instead of dealing with Mixteco's poor management...come here! It's BYOB and has a large menu featuring Mexican and Ecuadorian food. I had a delicious vegetarian combination with a chile relleno, cheese enchilada, cheese & bean taco, and rice and frijoles. Lots of fresh, yummy food and very inexpensive. Four of our 6 diners were vegetarian and we had many options. Freshly made chips come with pico de gallo, salsa verde, and salsa rojo. I'll be back!
(5)Odette O.
i love this place!!!!
(5)Kimba M.
After not getting into Mixteco, we decided to give this place a try. It is BYOB, cute and the food was good. Large portion sizes and very inexpensive. The service was friendly, and I also liked the chips and salsa. The food was fresh and tasty.
(4)Simone G.
La Sierra you've converted me. I now choose you over garcias... don't get me wrong garcia's is still my spot, but I'm a pico de gallo junkie and like the composition of it here. The al pastor meat is much better and less greasy than almost any other place i've tried. Novices might try to give this place less credit than it deserves but its good. Having been raised in both a mexican/ecuadorian household I feel right at home here. One of the waitresses seems a bit sullen, but other than that I'm liking this place more every time I visit.
(4)joanne y.
i love fresh salsa and that's what they serve with your complimentary chips. i have been here twice and both times the service was less than mediocre. the first night we went, the server never came to check on us and refill our water. the Ecuadorian food we had was a bit salty so we were thirsty for some water. we waited forever for our check. i would be understanding if the place was busy but there were only three couples at the dining area. oh well. i guess i've had worse service. the food is definitely worth coming back for. just bring your own water...just kidding.
(4)Erica I.
In honor of Cinco de Mayo, I thought I'd let everyone know how great and delicious this place is! We went last night for dinner, brought a couple of PBRs, and ordered the chicken fajitas and chicken chimichanga. We were one of 5 tables in there, so it was a little quiet at first. But once it got late in the evening, the owner came out and turned the lights down so it was a little more comfortable. The waitress was very nice and attentive, and the food tasted ahhhmazing. Huge portions, too! Fresh slices of avacado with both entrees made it even better. The owner came out and made sure everything was okay. He shared with us that they were going to try changing up the menu to have more Latin American and Ecuadorian foods, as well as a Bossa Nova jazz ensemble out on the patio once it warms up! I will definitely bring my friends here to when I want to avoid crowded restaurants and have a good mexican dinner.
(4)Scott C.
Really neat Ecuadorian/Mexican restaurant. Make sure to specifically ask for the Ecuadorian menu, or you'll just get the mexican one. Really nice food here, very pleasant and clean atmosphere. They have a satellite and show soccer games all the time, so they always have some people there for that. The mexican food is fine, but the Ecuadorian restaurant is really good, fresh and interesting. My favorite dish is a kind of Ecuadorian spaghetti, with noodles, peppers, steak and a light white sauce. Their steak and other meats are also very good. Good service, and the owner is extremely friendly.
(4)K S.
The food was fresh and very tasty. My husband and I were looking for somewhere to eat and found this while driving around. The service was great! We tried lots of little sides to sample many different dishes. The empanadas were great, salsa & chips were great too. The salsa was spicy! We tried the fried plantains with cheese. The flan was superb! I also had a veggie burrito that was HUGE and awesome. My hubby tried their chicken and steak tacos and tostados and really enjoyed them. I'd like to go back again and bring a bottle of wine. It's BYOB! The interior is decorated festively, but the exterior is a bit bland and was probably the reason we drove by so many times. Wish I had discovered this place sooner.
(4)Clayton J.
I really liked the Ecuadorian flavor in their food, it distinguishes the cuisine from the plethora of "other" Hispanic restaurants in the city. I ordered the blackened chicken and it was pretty good. It wasn't amazing, but it was good to the extent of the long black hair I found in my food. That made my appetite decrease a bit, but I"m not a big hair-in-my-food-makes-me-vomit type of guy. We actually went to Ashland and Montrose with the intention of going to Mixtecco, but ironically it was closed on Mondays, although there were people walking up to door and looking inside with amazement? Anyway, I would come to La Sierra, it's good. You won't be disapointed. They are really nice and friendly to their customers, and they go out of their way to serve you. I did not have any problems with the staff, I just felt they could have done more with my chicken dish, as I paid more than I though was required for a half chicken breast. Nonetheless, I continue my journey through the endless abyss that is Hispanic cuisine in Chicago.
(3)Naseem J.
I wish I had known how awesome this place is before I moved from the area. My roommate and I went there and it was delicious. One of the owners personally waited on us and basically gave us a home cooked meal. My roommate ordered a shrimp dish and I got fish from the Ecuadorian menu. CANNOT RECOMMEND THIS FISH ENOUGH. I'm blanking on the name but it was one of the best ways I've ever eaten fish--lightly crispy and with raw red onions, tomatoes, and lime. The shrimp was also very good, but it was really spicy--lots of pepper in it! We also got yuca fries which were delicious... definitely would like to wander back up here again.
(5)Loni K.
Wow. We were here fairly early for dinner and the service was absolutely outstanding. So on point and friendly which can be a rare quality. Then we get to the food - awesome! From the fresh salsa to the amazing entrees we are happy to have stopped by and will be back soon.
(5)Tom F.
Very friendly service and tasty fresh food. I'm not familiar with Ecuadoran food so the menu was new to me. In the end, I wimped out and went with a Mexican favorite -- the Pastor burrito. It was delicious but a little different than the Chipotle-style. Just as good, but different. Nice outdoor area. I recommend it for a casual, tasty meal.
(4)Charles T.
Great pollo! Everything is freshly made and it BYOB....no corkage fee! My wife had the steak which was prepared perfectly. Definitely going to eat here again. The chopped salsa is the best!
(4)Hannah H.
A great neighborhood restaurant that offers Mexican and Ecuadorian cuisine. The tortillas are so nice, puffy, and crispy, and are always served hot. I love the pico de gallo that it comes with as it does not contain any cilantro (yay!) - it is finely diced red onions, tomatoes, and jalapenos - very awesome with the chips. I got their steak chimichanga, that is filled with shredded beef; it is very cheesy and delicious - I Just hope they're consistent with the quality of it as sometimes it can be really runny and soggy! I was impressed with how well they fried it and how flavorful the meat was with the spices and the tomato-based sauce. I've also tried their horchata, which was good, and finished it up with the flan - this flan was very nice in terms of its flavor and texture - it's one of the best flans I've had as it was creamy and delicious! The service is wonderful and friendly. +steak chimchanga +fresh chips & salsa +flan
(4)Livvy O.
Loved this place. This was my first time trying Ecuadorian food. Was very impressed, kinda reminded me of a meal I had while in Costa Rica. I got the Carne Frita Con Maduros - skirt steak with rice and plantains. I also ordered a side of black beans. All was very good and everything tasted fresh. Gotta say this place is a winner. Prices also reasonable. The service was good and staff friendly. The only bad thing is don't go on a hot day because there is no air but I saw it as a true Equadorian experience lol. Also, the bathroom is pretty tiny and broken when I went in (No, I did not break it!). Will definitely come here for Latin food while in the area. It's been hard to come by on the north side!
(5)Carl F.
Very good neighborhood spot. The family is delightful and attentive and offer simply good food. All of the dishes are fresh and tasty - the chips and guac are made to order. Everything is good, nothing to avoid but definitely try the empanadas and burritos. For dine-in, their Ecuadorian specialties are worth trying.
(4)Dave L.
This is the perfect place for a relaxing Friday evening dinner with friends after a long week. We brought a good bottle of wine-no corkage fee. I ordered the Carne Asada which came with tortillas, rice, and beans. The meat was very flavorful and delicious. Service was attentive yet didn't rush our meal at all. The price was right too!
(4)Bri A.
I've tried dishes from the Mexican and Ecuadorian menus and they have all been delicious! The goat stew sounds intimidating but it's very tasty. Goat cooked in beer...mmmm. Last night I had the chicken stew which is in a peanut sauce. It was so good that I wanted to lick my plate! Service has always been great, even when we have a large group. The prices are reasonable and this place is BYOB! I was appalled at the one review where someone said this place served "peasant food". dafuq is wrong with you, girl? Yes, the food at La Sierra is simple, but that's what makes it so great. If I wanted fancy Mexican food, I would go elsewhere. If I wanted to cook some simple, peasant food, I would not be going out to eat. herp derp.
(4)Meegan H.
This is a regular spot for my boyfriend and I. We love la sierra! Food is really good and the prices are excellent. The staff is amazing as well. I recommend the empanadas for appetizer. There are two main menus: Ecuadorean and Mexican. Both are great. On the Mexican menu, the fajitas are delicious. The spicy pork option in a tostada was also delicious when I got the combo meal and tried different meats with my taco, tostada and sope. The Ecuadorean menu is usually our go-to. Any of the options with the steak are great. So much food and quality meat for such a cheap price. We recommend the cariucho and the carne de maduros. If you haven't tried this place, you must go! Friendly staff, cheap prices, lots of food and authentic dishes!
(4)Bob C.
What a lovely, comfortable place to have a unique Latin meal. The Ecuadorian special dish -- tripe -- was excellent and the more traditional mole beef and guacamole were equally good. This was a fine meal at any price. Factor in the price and the BYOB, and it may be the best value in Chicago. Roberto di Respighi
(5)James P.
I order from here all the time for pickup. They're fast, friendly and the food is always great!
(5)Gino W.
This restaurant is a gem. After only a first visit, I can say with certainty that I will be going back on a regular basis. Complementary corn tortilla chips with pico de gallo. Llapengachos. Camarones en salsa picosa. I have been to one other Ecuadorian restaurant in Chicago and the llapengachos were delicious. The ones at La Sierra were addictive. I could have cancelled my entrée order and requested another plate of llapengachos. But the camarones en salsa picosa that I had for the entrée was outstanding. Spicy, but not "hair on fire" spicy, the plump shrimp with Spanish rice and frijoles were a marriage on a plate that I think deserves and encore. Let me just say that I give thanks to Yelp on my Android for pulling up La Sierra as a nearby restaurant where I was.
(5)Daniel S.
Excellent Mexican and Ecuadorian style food. The grilled half chicken with white rice and simple salad is amazing. The complimentary (and home-made) pico is so fresh-tasting you'd swear they chopped the vegetables only moments before bringing it to your table. The guac is delicious...creamy, fresh (and if you'd like, slightly spicy). The chips can be a little on the "greasy" side, but what do you expect out of homemade? This is one of our favorite little "spots" on the north side of the city. Affordable (who doesn't love a BYO), fresh, friendly and delicious. Mixteco (a few doors down) is great...but this low-key, unassuming little space makes a great "let's meet on the way home from work" option during the week. We've been going here for years...and hopefully for years to come! Oh oh, I almost forgot. Ask for their homemade salsa's (which I think they're reinventing all the time). The red and green are great...fairly standard, but delicious and robust. Last year, the chef was experimenting with habanero...they brought us some after warning us repeatedly. Soooooooo good (but incredibly spicy...definitely not for the weak-of-heart). Most of their food is flavorful without being particularly spicy. Adding the salsas to most everything on the menu can give it that little extra kick if you're looking for it (which I usually am).
(4)George K.
This place is awesome. Really good fresh Salsa and home fried tortillas. Salted Plantain appetizer was great, not on menu but this is staple. The dual Mexican/Ecuadorian menu is equally as awesome. Can't wait to go back and try more items. Love finding gems like this in the City. 5 STARS because this place gives you more than your typical Chicago Mexican place
(5)Jennifer C.
So SO good! The food was amazing and the service was better! Whatever they're doing - they're do it right. A lot of people love Mixteco, and I get it, but I would never choose Mixteco over La Sierra. Way to go La Sierra!
(5)Gabriel A.
went again because i really liked the chimichanga , and our family is mexican/ecuadorian. chips were kind of stale. humita was a bit dry, my wife's seco de chivo was a bit salty. my sons taco was forgotten. and the chimi was ok. they have the crispy factor down. it's just lacking a sauce to it. we may go again. but honestly i was a bit disappointed. our server was ok, but she seemed a bit distracted. i think she was the only waitress there and there were several tables. so as much as i like the restaurants theme, we might cross it off the list.
(3)Sam C.
Hands down my favorite place. Best burrito in town, no question. Their staff is amazing and salsa is incredible. Authentic Mexican and Ecuadorian foods made to impress. You have to try this place - haven't even wandered down to Mixteco Grill which is supposed to be good. I'd consider myself a regular here, never been disappointed. My favorite is the veggie burrito which I've had at almost every place in the city (not as far off as you might imagine) and this place takes the cake. Horchata is very good - like it with ice. Please do yourself a favor and try this local joint. YOUR WELCOME! Happy eats.
(5)Sara V.
Must stop forgetting how good La Sierra is...must stop forgetting how awesome La Sierra is...must...stop...forgetting... Seriously. I celebrated a friend's birthday here a few years ago and upon remembering how good the food was, how great the service was, and how much our group enjoyed themselves overall, I chose to celebrate my own birthday here year before last. And for some unknown reason that is the last time I partronized this gem. The food was excellent. Given that the last time I ate here was well over a year ago I cannot at this time give specifics but I remember the menu being extensive with both Mexican and Ecuadorian options. I also remember seriously loving everything I ate/stole from friends' plates. The service was stellar. They had tables pushed together and set up for us when we got there both times. I think I even remember some extra, fancy touches on said tables, in honor of the special occasion(s). Or maybe I just remember all the BYO-BOOZE we had sitting out. BYOB is a gosh-darn requirement for a birthday celebration! And I'm 99.99% positive there was no corkage fee. They were attentive, welcoming, friendly, and you felt honestly cared for throughout the meal. I definitely recall them going above and beyond, although again I can't remember specifics. This place is perfect for a large gathering, a low-key but nicer-than-hole-in-wall dinner, or a date (although maybe not a first date). Now that I've remembered that this place exists, I will be returning post-haste!
(4)Heather L.
They called it a Humitas but it looked like a tamale and it was the best damn tamale I ever ate! Usually I find the corn meal bland and heavy. I didn't even want to try it until my girlfriends prodded me. It was amazing, light and sweet and perfect. I could have eaten 10 of those. We also shared an empanada and a Queso something or other appetizer that were both superb. In fact these three appetizers were my favorite part of the meal. I ordered the goat stew called Seco Chivo which was very good and a bite of my girlfriends Carne Madura was also quite tasty but my other girlfriend's Pollo en Salsa was a little bland and dry. One Humitas, one Empanada, one large Queso appetizer dish thing and three entrees totoalled out to $56.33 and we were stuffed. Easy paid parking out front on a Thursday night. And it's BYOB with no corkage. Always a good thing.
(4)Paolo D.
This little unassuming place has been one of our favorite BYOB's for several years now. Located conveniently right off of the Brown Line Montrose stop one block west of Ashland. There is also plenty of street parking on the side streets, and a cute little patio to sit outside to enjoy your dinner. Everything from great service to great super affordable dishes... there really is nothing on the menu I have tried that I haven't loved. LOVE the chargrilled chicken and they have an awesome guacamole. I recommend this place at least once a week to someone looking for a low key laid back place with great food and great service.
(5)Sara L.
I have been here at least half a dozen times....but have never looked it up on Yelp. Glad to see that it gets so many good reviews. The food and service are consistently good. Easy going atmosphere (we go in for early dinners with our toddler....who is not consistently good). Will continue to make this a consistent 'go to'.
(4)Katie S.
When I moved from the loop to Ravenswood, I challenged myself to find new restaurants to frequent since I love food so much. I wasn't terribly familiar with the neighborhood when I relocated here, but the first order of business was to find a place with good guacamole. Found La Sierra, mission accomplished. La Sierra is a hop and a skip from my apartment which is dangerous because I often dream about their chips and salsa and I am liable to show up there at 1 am sometime licking the glass in my pajamas. I walked in on a Saturday night expecting a full dining room to find the waitress with the warm smile instructing me to sit wherever. I chose a cozy little table near the back and was almost immediately greeted with water and some seriously delicious chips and salsa. Maria, who I think lives there, was my waitress and was nearby throughout my visit but not overbearing in any way. The great thing about La Sierra - well, one of the great things - is that it's Mexican and Ecuadorean food. There's a delightful mixture of the classic Mexican cuisine I love so much and a brand new adventure for my palate with things like fritadas, goat stew, and sweet plantains. La Sierra is reasonably priced and BYOB. You can really get in and get out without standing up from the table and pulling your pants pockets inside out to a sad trombone. The atmosphere is warm, the food enticing, and the waitress will wink at you and make you feel special. La Sierra is a real gem.
(5)Frank C.
This place is like my own personal Dream Cafe. Every time I come in here, it's deserted, or nearly so. The waitress is incredibly nice and always seems to be standing just over my shoulder the whole time, just in case I need another soda or more chips. Since it's so close to my house, I feel obligated to try to keep it open single-handedly. I don't understand why this place isn't a madhouse all day, every day, because it's awesome. The food is reasonably priced and always delicious, and the portions are massive. That's the same whether you're getting a little funky with some Ecuadorian catfish stew, or playing it safe with Mexican restaurant staples like enchiladas or burritos. I've never had anything here that wasn't delicious, and I've sampled a shamefully large portion of their offerings. Plus, they serve Pepsi products instead of Coke! They seem to do a pretty brisk carryout trade, so maybe this place isn't the hidden gem I think it is, but you owe it to yourself to give them your business WHENEVER POSSIBLE.
(5)Aimee B.
Citizens of Ravenswood - if you want some excellent, authentic latin american food, without the high prices of Mixteco or Chilapan, come here! Another reviewer mentioned the humitas appetizer - excellent, a must-try. I got a nice equadorian goat stew, while my boyfriend ordered an excellent equadorian skirt steak. On a Saturday evening around 8pm, there were only a couple of other tables here (c'mon, people...I don't know why this place isn't more hopping!). Service was excellent; our server, possibly one of the owners, was so warm and friendly. Decor isn't the fanciest in the world in terms of furniture (not that I'm expecting it to be), but is very cute - there are plenty of little decorations and nice tablecloths to make it feel authentic. Very clean bathroom too - I always appreciate that. There's also a little takeout area separate from the restaurant. I'm sure I'll be back for takeout soon!
(4)Seleen T.
Awesome food. I ordered the carne asada and we ate at the patio.. love that it's byob!! good service and great food. Also appetizer we tried was the humita. A perfect place to sit outside and enjoy the Chicago weather!
(5)Alex P.
Very affordable and our food was delicious. The free chips and salsas were a nice bonus and BYOB is sometimes necessary. We left totally stuffed and a bit buzzed for about $15/person, including a nice tip! Our server was very sweet and attentive as well, and we liked that it was easy to walk right in and get seated even on a Saturday night (it's very low key).
(5)Dustin G.
I pass by this place on my way to the EL every day. I noticed their lunch special sign and decided to finally try it the other day. Their $5.95 lunch special is a great deal. You get grilled steak/chicken/fish/pork with beans, rice, tortillas, lettuce, tomato, and chicken soup. I had the grilled steak. They use a good spice rub on the meat. Also, they use the good kind of Mexican cheese. I don't know what it's called but it's the good stuff and they use it. I definitely want to go back for dinner to try some of their more unusual Ecaudorian items.
(4)Melanie V.
Beef and chicken empanadas for $1.50! The ground beef filling definitely had a good flavor and it wasn't overstuffed (like some other ones I've had). The crust was also good as it was more bread-y than flaky. For as cheap as these are, I would order from here again! Thanks to a GrouponNow deal, we arrived at the cute, corner restaurant excited to indulge in some tasty empanadas. We got them to go and they only took about 5 minutes before they were ready. The actual restaurant is pretty spacious...and I loved that it's BYOB. The cutest lady took our order and she seemed like she wanted us to actually come back (even though we were convinced that she hated us due to us barging in there with a Groupon).
(4)Jessa P.
Talk about a downgrade... I went here and ordered nachos to-go. I stood by the front counter and had a nice view of the kitchen. Boy was I disappointed. 95% of the food they "cooked" was thrown into the nuker (microwave). Literally everything... including the tamales... It was one of the saddest moments of my gastro life.
(2)Jane M.
Wonderful restaurant. Great service Food was terrific. There were 10 of us and we all had something different. All was good Ecuadorean shrimp soup was subtle and good. I am so glad my daughter lives near here.
(5)Patrick S.
I LOVE La Sierra Restaurant! They are a great family owned business in the neighborhood. The owners are a husband and wife, he is Ecuadorian and she is Mexican, they combined their culinary heritages to create an authentic and delicious menu. They are the most welcoming and genuinely friendly family. Every time I bring friends or family they always remember me and are happy to see me and provide a great meal! On top of the great food and staff, they are BYOB. A night her ends up being really satisfying and fun, all with out breaking the bank. Super affordable for what you are getting. Conclusion, give this place a shot you won't regret it!
(5)Emily H.
This Ecuadorian restaurant is a hidden gem. Tucked away on Montrose just west of Ashland ave, it's casual enough to spend the afternoon playing dominos and sipping horchata in, but with enough evening ambiance to make a fine summer date night happen. They have some Southwestern fare and some Ecuadorian takes on classic south of the border meals. The owner was a jolly young man of 60, who took the time to talk with us and develop a rapport. Had I not stopped in for just a quick bite, I would have stronger opinions of this place, no doubt. But as far as their tacos go, they are top notch. I'll be back for the tilapia.
(3)Angela D.
Everything I've ordered here has been amazing. I highly recommend the cheese empanadas (put sugar on top & you'll thank me later), spinach & mushroom quesadillas, steak burrito, & flan. La Sierra is BYOB and a great value. Don't know why there is no line out the door. I've never had a problem getting a table on a Friday or Saturday night. They also accommodate large groups very well. Go there!!!!!
(5)Emily B.
I absolutely love this place. I think I have the Echiladas de Michoacanas at least once a week and the mole is top-notch. Not only is the food great, but the staff is friendly and lovely.
(5)Megan K.
Out of selfishness I'm almost afraid to write this review. La Sierra is Ravenswood's hidden gem of a Mexican restaurant, and I don't want people to know about it. My boyfriend and I arrived around 7:30 on a Saturday night to a nearly empty restaurant, which surprised me. When you walk into the restaurant you can go left for pickup/takeout orders or go through another door to the right for the dining room. The atmosphere is typical of what you would find in any Mexican restaurant--a bit of gaudy artwork, a HUGE tv in the middle of the dining room wall, and the brightly colored painted walls and placemats. For some reason I thought that La Sierra was going to be "nicer" on the inside, but atmosphere doesn't really play a huge part in my foodie adventures. Definitely no frills, but I'm totally fine with that--it just may influence the decision for a "nice date night" for some people. Anyway, onto the most important part--the food. We knew it was BYOB so we brought a nice bottle of red wine with us to go with the meal. There is NO corkage fee here, which is nice. Upon being seated we were attentively waited on and the waitress immediately brought out glasses and poured our wine. She returned within a minute with chips and their chipotle salsa and their pico de gallo, both of which were fantastic. The chipotle salsa was a deep red and was very spicy on its own, and the pico de gallo was extremely fresh and also packed a nice spicy punch (probably due to all the fresh jalapenos in the mixture). The chips were freshly made and the great balance of fluffy/crunchy that a lot of Mexican places can't seem to get down when they're deep frying their own chips. The only way these chips could have gotten better is if they came out warm, but oh well. We started out with the guacamole which came out in one of those pasta boat dishes. The guacamole was pretty good--it could have had a bit more seasoning to it, which we fixed with salt and pepper. It could have easily fed 4-6 people, but we ate about half as an appetizer and used the rest to accompany our main entrees. As for the main entrees, my boyfriend and I both ordered off of their special menu and we were blown away. We shared the following entrees: 1) Chipotle Carne Asada: The presentation on this dish was GORGEOUS! Three fair sized pieces of steak smothered in chipotle sauce and topped with a sprinkling of cheese. It was served with rice and lightly pureed black beans and a few sprigs of asparagus. The meat was incredibly tender and juicy, and it wasn't a fatty cut of meat that you typically see at restaurants that don't specialize in serving steak. They also gave us some corn tortillas to make tacos out of the steak, which was a fantastic way to enjoy the dish. All of this for a low price of $14.95. 2) Enchilada Special: Four enchiladas (2 chicken, 2 steak) topped with the same chipotle sauce as the Carne Asada dish sprinkled with queso fresco, sour cream, avocado slices, and corn. The chicken dish ones were alright, nothing too special, but the steak was absolutely to die for. The flavor combination of all the ingredients was spectacular. Again, the presentation on these dishes were amazing, and the chef was extremely detail oriented. I definitely felt like I was at Frontera with the way these dishes came out. As an aside, the service was fantastic. It was run by three women who were the waitresses, bus boys, dish washer, and presumably the cooks. Granted there were only 3 other full tables in the restaurant, but the food came out quickly and they were always checking in on us. Like I said, I want to keep this place a secret (especially since it's two blocks away from my apartment) but it is just an incredible find that you Yelpers should venture out of your way to go to for some cheap and delicious Mexican-Ecuadorian fare.
(5)Becca C.
I love, love, LOVE this place!! The service, food and prices are amazing. I usually get a little annoyed at BYOB places because they charge such crazy corkage fees but they don't even charge one! Major plus. I've tried a variety of things on the menu, all delicious. The only odd thing is the american cheese on the burrito; a bit bizarre but not a deal breaker. I actually live just down the block, so I'm in once a week. I love that the waitresses know me and always bring me an extra glass of ice! The alfresco seating is wonderful on a nice summer night! The inside is also very comfortable and interestingly, yet tastefully decorated. Large group, girls night or romantic dinner for two, La Sierra is one of my go-tos for all occasions!
(5)Kirsten P.
I used to like this place until I saw that all the food is basically reheated. mainly their half chicken dish. I noticed this while watching it be prepared waiting for my carry out. One of the waitresses is so very very sweet, but the younger one is an inattentive, "ruin your dinner"kind of gal. Okay in a pinch, but, they need to cook fresh.
(3)Thongsy S.
This place is just mediocre. The food is good but nothing extraordinary when you consider being able to get fresh, also very good Mexican food for half the price elsewhere in Chicago. However, I don't know too many places that serve Ecuadorian food so I am still glad that I tried this restaurant. They give you complimentary chips and salsa. The salsa is pretty spicy so be careful. I love spicy food so I was very happy. The service was okay. I liked that the server asked if we wanted ice or non-iced water since my friend prefers his water without ice. However, my glass of water only had 2 cubes of ice which melted pretty quickly in a glass full of room temperature water. We ordered the cheese empanada, beef stew, strip steak, and a side of sweet plantains. The portions were pretty large. The beef stew and cheese empanada were just meh. Next time I'll order the beef empanada instead. The strip steak was pretty delicious. It came with these potatoes in a peanut sauce...amazing! The plantains were good but overpriced for the portion ($2.80 for about 3/4 of a banana). I also didn't like that the restaurant cut the plantain into pieces before cooking it. It made parts of the sweet plantain very dry. I'm used to getting a whole intact piece of banana so this was different. Our water was not refilled at all during our meal. I guess they expect you to do that yourself (since they drop a pitcher of water on the table at the beginning). In overall, I wasn't particularly wow'd by the experience but I still think the food is decent and it's one of the few places you can get Ecuadorian food in the city.
(3)Alex W.
Great food. Friendly staff. I had the fajitas and my girlfriend had the bistek. They were both great. The pico was very good and spicy. My favorite was the guacamole, it was very fresh and tasty.
(5)Jessica G.
Very tasty food - fresh and plentiful chips and salsa, and cheap lunch specials. And they're BYOB! Perfect for a work lunch if you are lucky enough to work nearby (which I am!) and have a chance to swing by Rayan's for some cervazes! The staff is friendly, especially the owner - who now knows us on sight and greets us with a hearty "MY FRIENDS!" whenever we stop in.
(4)Jessica V.
TENGO HOMBRE! ( I'M HUNGRY) my tum tum speaks Spanish! Everyone has their favorite Restaurant and I am starting to consider this my little boo boo spot. I crave this spot. My really good friend, who I no longer see took me here because he knew the family that owned the Restaurant and still does. It is neat because, I think the husband is Ecuadorian and the wife is Mexican or vice versa. That is why the menu is half Mexican/ Ecuadorian. Also, all there decorations and painting come from Mexico or Ecuador. I appreciate that about a place. It makes it more welcoming and homey! The workers are always incredibly nice. And the food... oh my lord the food.. I love their steak tostadas, but their GUAC is soo good. The homemade pico de gallo is spicy but with those salty, oily chips it is all way too addicting. Their salsa is homemade which is a plus and so are there chips. I hate going to restaurants and they give you premade tortilla chips or they give you stale chips. That is the worst. For me, I always judge places like this on their chips. I don't know why but I constantly crave their chips.... ima chipper kind of gal! Their horchata is sweet and cinnaminy =) so order a LARGE one so you can take it home. The last time I visited here my guy ordered an Ecuadorian dish that consisted of a large piece of tender steak, refried beans, rice, avocado, salad, and an over-easy egg. I am not sure what this was called but you MUST get it. It was only $11-$12 which is a steal! Everything is so fresh and fast, and I have been here many times and it is consistently mouth watering. Yeah, you can go to other places and get tacos from a takeout joint, but there are not many "joints" where you have the option between Mexican and Ecuadorian. That is what sets this place a part from taco joints. Also, La Sierra is a sit-down/ carry out place and it is clean. When I hear "taco joint" I think of some roach infested place where drunks go at 3 AM. So if you are a drunk mess do not come here look for your greasy fill. Come to La Sierra for yummy, decent-priced food,inviting service, BYOB, and easy-to-find street parking.
(5)kris k.
I struggle a little bit on how to rate this place. The food was pretty good. Would I search it out? No. Would I eat it again? Yes. The main problem with La Sierra is the atmosphere. It has a cafeteria-like feel. The staff were all super friendly and attentive, but it is unlikely I would dine in at this place again. If I lived a little closer, I could see getting take-out though. On the flip side, it is BYOB, so bonus points for that. Eh...maybe I'll give it another try someday.
(3)Nicole G.
This is my go-to place for some sit down Mexican food. It's also Ecuadorian so they have delicious sweet fried plantains in addition to your Mexican favorites. They have the best vegetarian tacos I've ever had! The tortilla is pretty much a quesadilla! Brilliant! Why doesn't everyone do that!? My friend says they have the best Mexican steak for your buck. It's BYOB with a liquor store right down the street. I've never been there with a crowd which always make me worried they might disappear one day, so please go so that they stick around! I love this joint.
(4)Chris J.
Steak Chimichanga...YUM
(4)Joseph H.
I ate at La Sierra for the first time yesterday and they made a really good first impression. They offer a collection of Mexican and Ecuadoran entrees. I had the goat stew and it was terrific! Snarfed down every last speck. Also tried the catfish soup - very, very good. And the flan was way, way above average. The no-frills décor is spotless clean (bathrooms too). Some reviews commented on not so many patrons, but there were only about four empty seats last night at 7:30. I certainly go again. Next time I'm ordering the tripe soup!
(4)Jess O.
La Sierra, te quiero mucho. I've dined at La Sierra many times over the past several years. The restaurant was highly recommended by my sister and it did not disappoint. I've enjoyed every meal, both the food at the atmosphere. We even held a pre-bachelor/bachelorette party here for my sister and her now-husband - everyone had a great time and the servers were so friendly! They were easily able to accommodate the 20 of us with a reservation. There's usually a steady crowd but I don't think I've ever waited for a table, either. BYOB is a big plus.
(5)Cathy B.
This place is A-OK, but is not the mesoamerican bomb other reviewers suggest it is. Especially at its price. I've been twice -- once for lunch, and once for dinner. Had I written this review after my lunch experience, I would have given the place more stars. I thought it was a reasonable price with appropriately portioned plates. But then I went back for dinner and felt it was extremely overpriced for what I got. Especially, especially since it is just a few doors down from La Mixteca, which is leaps and bounds beyond La Sierra, but is at a similar price point. I found the service lacking when I went for dinner. I was there by myself, and am sensitive to any restaurant that treats a solo diner differently than previous experiences when he or she had been there with others. My service there during dinner was slooooooooooow. unapologetically slow. With other tables getting seated AFTER me, but ordering BEFORE me. The food is fine enough, but not terribly memorable. And, when you plop down nearly $20 for a "meh" meal, you feel a little gypped. Sure, it's an advantage that you do not need reservations, I don't care what night of the week it is. But, maybe that should tell you something, too.
(3)Amy J.
I got the wrong order first and then the waitress argued with me about it. I really don't care about this if the food is good, but it was not. My food was barely lukewarm (the 1st and the 2nd time it came out). It looked like a tv dinner chile relleno and rice were reheated. There was not much flavor. Also, my sister found a hair in the chips. My sister's burrito looked standard, but came w/American cheese inside. She liked it, but that's not Mexican to me. The resataurant is cozy, but who cares if the food sucks. I paid $10.95 for a tv dinner when I could have gone to a taco joint on Clark and hade the same meal for 1/2 the price, but actually hot! We did not try any of the Ecuadorian dishes so maybe that was the problem, but I think I coud've cooked a better chile relleno at home.
(2)Emily M.
What a nice little place. It's got a nice outdoor patio, and it's BYOB. The menu is divided up so you can choose between Mexican and Ecuadorian cuisine. We all had different Ecuadorian choices, and everything was full of flavor, yet simple in its design-- just like it's supposed to be. There are great vegetarian options, too. There is a review on here that incorrectly labels the menu as being like "peasant food"-- an incredibly offensive take on what is actually authentic simplicity. I will be back to try the Mexican side of the menu.
(4)Mike P.
Been here a couple of times and always thought that this was the kind of place that does everything well, but nothing great. Which, in my book makes a fine choice for a nice low-key dinner out. Tonight, my perceptions were changed. We were visiting for a friend's birthday (11 people, service was very good). I decided on the Tacos Al Pastor. Holy Bucket, they were extraordinary. Maybe the best Pastor I've had in the city and definitely in this neighborhood. La Sierra is a great place to come with a small bunch of friends. BYOB and pick something you haven't tried from the menu. It's all good.
(5)Cody W.
This place is in the shadow of Mixteco Grill but don't let that fool you. I encourage anyone to take the extra half a block to La Sierra. The staff is always friendly. They great you right away and the service is always good. Now you may say this because there are not a lot of people here at times and that's just fine for me. I like having choice of seating. Their homemade chips alongside their homemade salsas or guac is amazing. The food is Mexican so it's pretty standard unless you are going to an upscale place like Topolobampo. On top of the service, chips and salsa/guax, they are BYOB! Bonus! Next time take the walk for the extra half block. You won't be disappointed.
(4)Viv C.
As a loyal Yelper, I always check restaurants' review and decide whether I should visit that restaurant; Yelp also helps me to make a decision when seeing a good deal on some price stealing websites such as Groupon or ChicagoShopping. It was our first try tonight and it did surprise me. A positive one. I arrived first and was hesitated to go in because, at 8pm, the restaurant was empty except for their staff. I double checked those Yelpers' reviews and tried to get some comfort from those words in between. Finally, I went in and grabbed a seat. My boyfriend and I ordered Inka-Kola and empanadas. Those are great! I ordered some strip steak with potato, that wasn't that great as I imagined but my boyfriend's charcoal chicken (Ecuadorian style) was awesome! Big portion and very decent quality. I have to admit when I was having dinner there, I was a little worried not only their business but also their food quality. However, I am as healthy as a horse after dinner and we are so satisfied with this restaurant. We will definitely go back and truly hope more and more people visit this restaurant.
(4)matty z.
Excellent service and great food. I haven't ventured into the Ecuadorian choices yet on the menu, but that's my next step. I also love it's location-- this strip of Ravenswood is so calm and quiet and that makes it all the more enjoyable. Additionally, the menu is extremely affordable as compared to local competitors.
(4)Wendy K.
Last night. Saturday night, we enter at about 7:15 pm. Place almost empty. Good? bad sign? idk. 5 of us. Apps were LLapingachos. Good but needed much more flavor. I had to put a lot of pico de gallo on it. Meat sopes needed flavor too. Everyone ordered steak, pork dish, goat stew, and fish. I ordered the CORVINA! as it said on the menu. Then Idk HOW! but I was asking more detail on it and the waitress casually said it was tilapia. UHHHHH!!!!! look lady, maybe it's not important in Ecuador or Mexico (since majority of dishes are obviously based on lack of food and poverty problems in the past) but if you're going to open a restaurant in a city, then you should fix the typo or say at the beginning "BTW! we don't have corvina, only tilapia" Of course after deciding tilapia was fine, she brings me out a shrimp dish. They didn't forget, they just brought me another table's dinner. My fish was EXTREMELY SIMPLE! someone just fried it up, put onions on top and served it with white rice-the simplest version of a rice possible. My husband threw up his goat stew later on but he thinks it was because he ate too much hot sauce. I know there are many dishes one can learn how to make at home that come from restaurants. But, at least!!!!! don't serve me something that ANYONE without EVER opening up a cookbook or turning on an oven in their lives can figure out how to fry up in 5 minutes and charge me $13 for it I'm sorry my fellow caucasian friends and/or those who have not really experienced a wide variety of latin american foods but.......I hate to say that the reason for the high stars are really because people don't know any better. Most of the food was essentially peasant food which really shouldn't open up as a restaurant in the first place. But I guess if there is a majority of people who are ooohhh...ahhhh.....about it and don't know any better then inevitably places like these will keep opening up.
(2)John A.
Hands down the best service I have ever received in a restaurant. Our server was very thoughtful, pleasant, and attentive. The food and the price point is great. I would definitely return.
(5)Michelle H.
Really wonderful surprise! As many have done before us, we found Mixteco closed on Mondays and roamed down the street to find our dinner! La Sierra welcomed us and seated us to enjoy our wine. The chips were served hot and salty! The guac we ordered was really, really wonderful. The 3 of us ordered different meat dishes form steak to chicken - all from the Ecuadorian side of the menu. Wonderful food! The steak I enjoyed was flavorful, tender and well-prepared. Mostly, I loved the salsa and the fact that while the server was attentive, she also left us alone to enjoy our evening catching up with friends!
(4)Donna L.
Delicious! No kidding about the hidden gem! Never heard of this place.. Just happened to drive past and see the outdoor seating on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Took a seat and brought some wine. Best beef stew I've ever had! I thought it was going to be an actualy soup stew but it wasn't and turned out to be the best dish they have there! Though everything was awesome. Appetizers were amazing- try the humitas, the empanadas, and of course their guacamole is fresh and creamy every time. They don't put a lot of extra mumbo jumbo in their guacamole like many places. Just clean, fresh avocado. Flan was maso menos.. Not sure why everybody liked it, but the plantains were sweet and delicious also. The horchata is AWESOME. A must.
(5)Erin B.
I went out with my boyfriend and his parents to celebrate his birthday...and we fell upon this place. I had never tried Ecuadorian food, so I decided to be adventurous and try the carne con maduros...and it was amazing. I'm normally not a huge steak person, but this was so tender and perfectly seasoned. All four of us loved our meals, and I can't wait to go back!
(5)Jill M.
Q: Where does a fat girl get tamales? A: La Sierra! I ordered 2 dozen tamales for take out from here because my mom asked if I could bring some good tamales to the burbs. Well anyways, the tamales were yummy nummy. While they still can't compare to the Tamale Guy's tamales, they were very moist and were filled with an ample amount of pork. Mmmm. Pork. If I had known they hadn't put green or red salsa in the bag, I would have asked for some. I was kinda surprised that we didn't get any sauce for the tamales. I'll remember to ask next time! I would definitely order from them again, and maybe eat there too.
(4)Christopher A.
When I arrived (about 10 minutes before the rest of my party), I felt like I might be at the wrong place. The restaurant definitely doesn't stand out, and I was a little curious how my friend chose it. However, the waitress and I talked for a little while about the different food options and I was immediately sold on it. She was extremely nice, and the food backed her up. The salsa was the perfect level of spicy, and the Ecuadorian menu options were all very good. The plantains were decent, not the best I've ever had but definitely not the worst. I can't remember the menu item that I ordered - must have been the fact that it was BYOB and one of the people in our group brought a pitcher of margaritas! The prices were extremely reasonable, and everyone was satisfied with their food and service. We actually ended up staying a little while after they closed, but the staff was so nice that they didn't even say anything. This is definitely worth a visit.
(4)Aimee R.
Portions are HUGE! The burrito was super big...it could feed 2 people! The food tasted great...The steak I had was super juicy, char-grilled and I loved it, but the sides were not as amazing... A big plus: they sell Inca Kola and humitas! YUM! Peruvians will love this place too!
(3)Dana R.
This is probably some of the best Mexican food I have tried in the city so far. My boyfriend loves Mexican, and we have tried several places; however, this is the only one that seems to serve such FRESH food. The quality of the ingredients were amazing, and the atmosphere was great. Service was pretty good too. I live close by, and I am so happy to have found La Sierra.
(5)Lara T.
We do lots of BYOBs, so it was a nice pick-up to add to our mix. No corkage fees always get an extra "thumbs-up" from me. Notables: all of the ingredients are fresh and the flavors were cohesive. Don't walk in as a 'foodie' and expect epic twists on traditional Mexican food, it's not that kind of shop. I went for the combo platter so that I could try a few things. I definitely recommend the tamal, their tomaltillo salsa and the guacamole. Their pico de gallo is fresh and SPICY. (Loved it.) The decor is nothing to talk about but it is clean. Lastly, the service was really good and parking is free if you park around the corner on the residential street.
(3)Tammy N.
Just OK. The menu looked promising. Wasn't super hungry so opted for the trusty burrito............wasn't that great (maybe I should have tried the goat instead). Asked for no tomatoes.....got tomatoes. Ate half and didn't bother taking the rest home. My girlfriend enjoyed her shrimp fajitas. Definitely would advise ordering a specialty entree. And the Chips & Salsa were excellent.
(3)Jennifer Q.
I was on a "double date" with my favouritist couple (do you like how I spelled that Britishly?) Don and Sarah Jayne (who is British). We actually discovered this place by accident, as we tried 3 other places and they were either closed or too crowded. This is a cute little place and it's BYOB (heeeeeey!) -always a bonus. I ended up ordering a bunch of sides because I wasn't super hungry. Everyone else ordered entrees and was really happy with their orders! It is nice to walk into an unfamiliar place and be surprised. We were in a bit of a hurry, as we were on the way to a club to meet friends. Considering it was such a last minute choice and we didn't stay too long, it was a great little place. I would totally go back!
(4)Lynda J.
Went for a special occasion. The food was authentic Ecuadorean and Mexican. Loved that we could byob. Empanadas were so flakey! Service was less than perfect, but very friendly.
(3)Megan G.
"So where do you want to go to dinner?" You'd think, being a Yelper, this question would be no problem for me and yet, no. I hate picking places - I always agonize over the decision and feel guilty if the restaurant is disappointing. When a friend and I were recently brainstorming possible dinner locations I turned to my trusty Yelp bookmarks and found La Sierra. I couldn't and still can't remember why it was there, but finding it was serendipitous. As other reviewers have mentioned, we were the only ones in the restaurant when we arrived for dinner. We were enthusiastically greeted by the owner, seated, and given (home made!) chips and pico de gallo and salsa. Both the pico de gallo and salsa, incidentally, were incredibly spicy. I pretty much couldn't eat either of them, but they were fresh and tasty (and hot...so very hot). I opted for one cheese and one beef empanada to start and the charcoal chicken. My dining companion ordered a chipotle carne asada that was a special for the evening. The beef empanada was fine (I was particularly impressed by the dough - light and flaky) but the cheese one was amazing. It's really more of a dessert - the empanada is sprinkled with sugar so it's sweet rather than savory. My charcoal chicken was good, though I opted for the Ecuadorian style rather than the Mexican and I think that was a mistake (my understanding is the Mexican version comes with rice, beans and tortillas whereas Ecuadorian only has rice). The menu lists it as a half chicken, but it seemed a little small and I wish there'd been more food. Fortunately, my friend never ever finishes what he orders, so I managed to snag a healthy sample of his carne asada and it was delicious - the next time I go back I'm definitely opting for one of the beef dishes over the chicken. La Sierra doesn't look like too much from the outside and the atmosphere isn't anything to write home about, but everyone was very friendly and the food is very good. Excellent pick, mysterious Yelp bookmark fairy.
(4)Ang R.
This is a really solid little joint. We only tried the Mexican food, save for an empanada (which was fine, but nothing super special), and it was all absolutely delicious. The green salsa is, frankly, drinkable it's so good, and the pastor and steak taco and tostada I had were WONDERFUL. I really love love loved the steak. I'd definitely recommend it. The enchilada that came with my combo was also very delicious (green sauce again!). I really can't recommend this place enough. Definitely a keeper.
(4)Kim A.
Yep, this place is a "fiver". I was here for a birthday... party of 20. They were so ridiculously accommodating a for all these people... splitting the bill right away, jamming together tables to seat everyone, promptly replenishing the chips, salsa and hot sauces and waters. I'd like to note that I probably ate my weight in those chips. Crispy and light and fresh... yum! Someone ordered guac... and passed it around, all agreed that it was top notch. Maybe my one complaint is that the salsa was a little too onion-y, but I don't really like onions. Everything on the menu looked delicious. I stuck to the Mexican side, and I was craving tacos, but ended up with the combination dinner... one chili renallo, one chicken enchilada, and a steak taco. Our food came out at different times, but with 20 entrees, it's pretty forgivable considering everyone food was hot and freshly prepared. No one seemed to mind, and we dug in. All my meats were tender, not overcooked, and and the chicken was spiced to perfection. I hate hate hate underspiced chicken in enchiladas. The steak was grilled, with a little charring... which I love. The breading on the chili renallo was seasoned, which in a nice touch. and the cheese was delightfully warm and melty inside. Overall, this was an excellent experience, and I do hope for the same stroke of luck the next time I go back. There was a lot of sharing, and I'm definitely going back for the Ecuadorian food.
(5)Erica T.
Woo-hoo! I just moved in the area and I have found my go-to Mexican joint! It was love @ first sight. When I walked in, was craving sopes, tacos, and tamales, and thought, "Wouldn't it be awesome if they had a combo plate with with a sope, taco, and tamal?" And they did!!! (Combo #4, FYI) I love sopes. And this place has kick-ass sopes! They are not too hard and chewy like many places make them, but soft and fluffy like they were meant to be. They also have platanos maduros, which are a must. This review is based on my carry-out experience, and only on the Mexican food. I will probably be back to try the Ecuadorian specialties...
(4)Jamie P.
My friends and I stumbled upon this place by accident after not being able to get into a different place in the area. We were pleasantly surprised! It's not an epic meal to write home about... but it's GOOD, straight forward and comforting. The atmosphere was laid back and the service really was outstanding as were the prices. I've been back several times and my feeling for the place remains constant. oh... and don't forget, it's BYOB and there's no corkage fee!
(4)Edgar P.
I had my birthday event there where 25 of my friends met for dinner.... we had a great time and the staff was very friendly and responsive to our needs. The food selection is great and very good tasting.
(4)Randi R.
This place is really close to my apartment and I have been meaning to go here since I moved into my apartment. The service is really good, the waitress was super nice and sweet, and the place not crowded at all. They provide you with yummy chips, and salsa, and the food is really good and affordable. And they are BYOB! In a way, I hate writing this review because I want this place all to myself, but I do want it to stay in business so go, but dont' bring your annoying loud friends :)
(4)Joe G.
I ate here yesterday for the first time. It was pretty dead in there, but the place was clean and the chips and pico de gallo were excellent. I ordered the churrasco, the meat was tender and really flavorful and the eggs were a nice touch. Definitely recommend this place.
(4)Briggs S.
Great chips and 3 salsas to start! Guacamole is creamy and amazing! And you can't go wrong with the chimichangas! One is probably big enough to share. Yum! Can't wait to go back!
(5)Bev h.
a friend and i eat here so often that they recently gifted us with a frequent customer keychain! 20% off orders of $20 or more? color me excited! the people that work here are some of the friendliest around. we generally show up with at least a pitcher of my special margaritas (byob ftw), and they hook us up with glasses and pitchers of ice and water. the guacamole and house pico de gallo are must-haves, and we're slowly sampling our way through the menu. i have promised myself that next time will be the time that i finally tackle the ecuadorian churrasca. everything we've tried thus far has been fresh and delicious. and even before our discount, it's hella cheap for the quality and service! see you soon, LS!
(5)Maria G.
BYOB. Delicious food. Great service. Ok- to be honest, I didn't want to write a review because I want to keep this place a secret- i loved that we went on a Saturday night and didn't have to wait for a table. However, my conscience got the best of me. They deserve a great review, and if they start getting packed every weeknight- well, they deserve that too. Back to my review: For appetizers we all ordered empanadas. The dough was light and buttery and the filling (we had the beef ones, but they also offer cheese) was seasoned well. My plate was skirt steak (not too different from what I would order at a Mexican restaurant) but it came with an order of broiled potato covered in a light peanut sauce. Loved it! One of our friends ordered the spicy shrimp dish and he raved about it- I think I'm going to have that the next time we go. We got a couple of side orders of their fried plantains and I could not stop munching on them. I have had them at Cuban restaurants and they are a bit soft and soggy- but this place served them in thinner slices and they were crispy. For dessert, we all had flan. This was seriously delicious flan. I have eaten flan at countless of restaurants- but this place got the consistency and the caramel sauce just right.
(4)Eduardo M.
I've been to this place a couple of times now - great lunch place when you need to get out of the office (yes, there are offices around here). I've had a lunch special and one entree. Both were good (tho' the pork chops were a tad dry). In this neighborhood, it's nice to have something a little different.
(4)Brandon B.
Randomly chose this place driving down the cute little strip of shops on Montrose and the Brown line (need to come back one day and wander the rest). Surprisingly cheap and filling food, with an authentic flair; staple charcoal chicken and rice, sopas, chips were more than enough for 2, well under 20$. Super-enthusiastic greeter welcomed us as if we were his long lost brothers, and the waitress was very nice; kind of a family atmosphere with kids running around and being scolded behind the counter.
(4)Donovan H.
My new favorite for Mexican food. This place has great food and it's a BYOB! My friend and I were looking for something great and decided to try La Siera because we pass it frequently and the reviews are good. The service was great thoughout our entire meal. I didnt want for anything. We started off with Guac and it was very fresh and delicious. I had Enchiladas for my main course and the portion size and taste was spot on. We left with full bellys and a great buzz off the pitcher of margaritas we brought...and our bill was under $25 ! If you are looking for a BYOB with great service and food, give this place a try.
(5)Joanne R.
We happened upon restaurant by chance and were pleasantly surprised. The service was friendly and helpful. The place is very clean and comfy. The food was quite good with reasonable prices. I had a skirt steak dinner and it was well seasoned and came with a lot of sides--rice, beans, french fries, tortillas, avocado and salad. We would definitely go back when in the neighborhood.
(4)Justin C.
This is a review of the buffet. Good and hearty home cooked type buffet items. Ecuadorian chicken spaghetti, stewed chickens, stewed beef, some potato-beef hash brown type thing plus other staples such as rice and beans. Plus you get tortillas, fresh made chips and pica de gallo brought to your table. This is great "hangover" type food and also good versatile food that would fit any meal( breakfast to dinner). Also, I ordered a carrot juice, which was made on the spot and came it a big tall glass. yum.
(4)Jessica K.
Amazing chimichangas! Their steak is my favorite out of most of the Mexican food places I've eaten at. It's so flavored. Everything tastes homemade and authentic. Their guacamole is creamy and they serve you three different salsas with your chips- which are warm and freshly made! To add to their amazing food, the service is excellent as well as their prices.
(5)Tory w.
Yummy Mexican in an unassuming atmosphere and neighborhood. Very friendly staff, live music on a Sunday night, and delicious home made chips and salsa. The enchiladas are great, as are the items in the combo dinner, and it's cheap. It's also BYOB. What's not to love?
(4)Eliza M.
We tried going to Mixteco Grill on Friday night, like everyone else who lives within 5 blocks. An hour wait for two people? No thanks. We left, cold beer in hand. Further down Montrose was La Sierra, with a BYOB sign in the window! Taking a page from Colleen C.'s book, we decided to take a chance and try this "less-promising" choice. Is it a bad sign when a restaurant is nearly empty during prime dinner hours? Here come the gueros! The one waitress was attentive and friendly. Salsa had some kick to it and chips were warm. I ordered the vegetarian burrito and the huz ordered fajitas. Mine was good, not great, but the fajitas were surprisingly good, although there wasn't a lot of meat. Total bill came to $18. It sure wasn't Mixteco, but we left happy, full, and buzzed.
(3)Bob K.
Just wanted to add that this place now has a lunch buffet for $8.50. No a lot of variety (beef stew, chicken pieces in red broth, soup, vegetables, rice, beans) but it all tasted very good and fresh. Nice if you want a big basic meal. And the salsa (clear with bits of chopped tomato & peppers) was extremely good in a light way, particularly with the home-made tortilla chips.
(3)Thomas T.
Just had an excellent and cheap meal at the restaurant La Sierra this evening. I've been coming here for years, and the food has always been reliably good - but this meal was something special. I had the Cariucho (basically carne asada w potatoes in a peanut sauce). It was terrific - the peanut sauce was a vibrant orange and tastier than ever, even the beans and tortilla chips were better than usual. Very friendly service, and bright, clean, cheerful decor - much nicer than your average cheap neighborhood hole-in-the-wall. La Sierra might even be my choice if I had a chance to go on Check Please!
(5)