La Familia Cafe and Cantina
733 New Hampshire St, Lawrence, KS, 66044
La Familia Cafe and Cantina Menu
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Address :
733 New Hampshire St
Lawrence, KS, 66044 - Phone (785) 749-0105
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : 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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Jacob B.
I have a thing for Mexican and Latin American cuisine. I can't explain it, but if a new place opens up I feel a deep sense of obligation coupled with an almost carnal need to eat there. And for every time I have been disappointed by a new venue I have returned to La Familia to cleanse myself. La Familia merits five stars, that fifth star being something I give reluctantly to any establishment. Why does La Familia merit it? The overall experience you have there. I've had shoddy service there before, and the establishment is nothing to look at, but they have a few key things that really turn my crank: -Bottomless chips and salsa. A must for any place serving this kind of fare, in my opinion. What La Famila does is offer you four different kinds of salsa--the mild to hot set, and my favorite, the sweet salsa. And they do nothing to evict you from your seat if you show up for a drink and the free chips. -An a la carte menu that features every item on their menu. I'll admit, I instinctively flip the menu over every time I am there and order strictly off the a la carte menu. It is guaranteed that any plate put in front of me has exactly what I want on it. Nothing fancy, nothing overproduced. It is simple, honest comfort food of the highest order. Eat here. Do it now.
(5)Justin F.
La Familia only gets 4 stars from me because of their chips and salsa. Order 1 sweet salsa and 1 spicy salsa, combine and enjoy. The food is pretty typical of cheap mexican. Don't go expecting an explosion of flavor or technique. Go and get some chips and salsa and a margarita and have a good time.
(4)Amanda S.
It has been a huge disappointment to dine here because the food of long ago either was never really good or my tastes have changed or possibly both. I have been back several times and each time I order different items. Every item, though indicated as spicy, isn't spicy at all. The food is just ok; nothing outstanding or has a wow factor. The one saving grace is their hot salsa. Now it packs a punch. If you have a sweet tooth try the sweet salsa. It's more on the spaghetti sauce side. Why the 3 stars? The chips & salsa are unlimited and a star is for nostalgia. Otherwise, I would move on but my family is all about Lawrence nostalgia.
(3)Justin L.
Best And quite Possibly Cheapest texmex In Lawrence. Thank you La Familia.
(4)Sean S.
I would not even send Hitler to this place, maybe Satan.... So, two beef tacos (hard shell) and rice = a chunk of molar (back right side) being broken off....as I ate my taco, felt something hard as I chewed and hoped it was just a bit of bone from the beef...it wasn't...how in the wide world of sports can a beef taco break one of the strongest teeth that you have....who the truck knows...I know this...I won't be back...even though they have some of the best salsa in Lawrence.... greasy food, bring a cup, fill it up and use the grease to oil your truck! #stanks!
(1)Vanessa C.
Being a Mexican gal from SoCal, I never have high expectations when going to a Mexican restaurant, just so I'm not disappointed. La Familia is only 5 minutes away from my work. My friend and I went there for lunch today (first time for both of us), and it didn't seem busy. Our waitress brought us our drinks, then returned a pretty long time after to take our order. I ordered steak tacos, with onions only. After a long time, we finally got our food. She brought me (greasy) tacos with lettuce and cheese, and I asked if it'd be possible to get them the way I'd ordered. She didn't want to at first, and said that I had ordered them that way, then finally went back to the cook and yelled out, "Apparently she didn't want nothing in her tacos, just onions." Few minutes later, I got my tacos - without onions. By this point, our lunch hour was pretty much over, so I had to pack up my food. If my friend's husband hadn't picked up the tab, I don't think I'd have tipped her. I'm picky when it comes to food, and I know it, but seriously. She didn't even have a notepad, she was kind of aggressive when I let her know about it, and she was yelling about it. Plus, my friend's husband and his coworker have been there before, and they told me she's gotten their order wrong a few times. I've had better food, and better service, so I think this'll be my only visit.
(2)Nikki H.
My favorite hole-in-the-wall in Lawrence! It's cheap and delicious, with the best bottomless chips & salsa in town. Take advantage of their Al-a-Cart menu. The spinach enchiladas are stuffed and creamy, as is their queso dip. To be honest, that is all I know and need to know about this place. Fancy? No. Groundbreaking? No. Satisfyingly delicious every time? Yes!
(4)Jennifer H.
Um, no thanks. The food isn't bad, but I wasn't expecting it to be exactly the same as La Tropicana: school cafeteria style "Mexican". Service was pleasant, and hot & regular salsas were tasty.
(2)Mick D.
Good atmosphere and good food. I always make it a point to stop and have a chicken quesadilla and a chicken taco when I'm driving through Lawrence. Their salsa and queso blanco are pretty tasty as well.
(4)Chris S.
La Familia is a small restaurant with friendly service and decent food. Being a Mexican food junkie from SoCal and used to some of the best Mexican food north of the border, I have high standards. La Familia failed to meet those standards, at least on our first visit. I ordered the large guacamole, trusting the server when she said it would be "just right" for two ... it was enough for four and at $7+ not a total bargain. It was tasty even though we ended uo taking half of it home. I also tried the margaritas, an impressive 16 ounces for $5 but lacking ANY noticeable alcohol content (isn't that the whole idea?). My wife is Italian and not a big fan of Mexican cuisine, so she usually orders a quesadilla and did not surprise me here. An Italian that hates tomatoes, does not cook (thankfully, I am quite a good cook) and does not drink wine, she makes a great designated driver. Trying to find Mexican food WITHOUT TOMATOES is like trying to find a beach in Greenland ... Good luck! The quesadilla was stuffed with tasty sauteed mushrooms, but little, if any, cheese. The name "quesadilla" comes.from the word "queso", meaning cheese, so you would expect cheese. There was none that we could find, but my wife liked it nonetheless. I always order the staples, tacos and enchiladas, when trying a new Mexican restaurant because if they cannot get those right, there is little chance the rest of the food will be with trying. Store-bought chips and pre-fab tacos shells are another dead give away and La Familia did again disappoint, although the tacos were tasty and the shells the large variety, beating out any Mexican restaurant in Lawrence so far (Fuzzy's Tacos being the exception), but that is not saying much. The cheese and onion enchilada was nothing special. Finally, the "sweet" salsa I had heard so much about was awful, but thankfully they have two other savory and spicy options. In all, when a bunch of gringos run a Mexican restaurant, you cannot expect authentic recipes and that was the case at La Familia. We will return and give them another chance only because they are so convenient and my wife liked the cheese-less quesadilla. Asta la vista baby! La Familia gets 5 Out of 10 Bombs ... Bombs Are Good!
(3)Michael P.
You wouldn't know it from its crammed in location on New Hampshire street in Lawrence, but La Familia is an excellent option for Mexican food while in the capital of Jayhawkville. LFCaC brings great Mexican taste to this college town and the eats don't disappoint. Most of the items are named after people, presumably regulars or friends of the owners. These combos combine classic tex-mex fare with beans and rice. I found my tamal to be moist with just enough sweetness. Get the spicy pork sauce on the side instead of on top of the corny delicacy.
(4)Huckleberry F.
Went back last night after many years of absence and still as good as ever. Service was friendly and quick. Food was as good as Tex-Mex gets in the area and the prices are reasonable to low.
(4)Breeze R.
There are many vegetarian options, wonderful salsas, freshly made chips, and a family-friendly atmosphere. This is one of our favorite downtown restaurants & a staple for out-of-town guests!
(5)Sarina G.
Is priced low and it's tasty enough.
(3)Michael T.
This place is nice and cozy but the prices are not that great, nor is the food anything to write home about.
(3)MD K.
Chicken empanada is excellent and very flavorful, but in a good way!
(4)Adinah C.
I love this place! So far I haven't found Mexican fare in the Lawrence area, but this place is my favorite. It's very cheap and very filling... and just delicious. Sweet service too, and I love the ambiance.
(4)Joi B.
Just a quick update to mention the excellent service we always get in La Familia. We always have the same waiter (serving the back booth in the first room) and he is friendly, keeps us in chips/salsa (I practically *drink* that amazing hot sauce, it's so good and definitely spicy. I am a hot sauce addict, after all) and is generally one step ahead of the game in a way that not every server in town is not. I'm going to miss being a regular here. To be honest, it's the best Mexican I've had in the KC area hands-down and the cheapest. The vegetarian options are plentiful and you're not stuck with a boring cheese enchilada (or nothing at all, as I've experienced at a couple places on the Boulevard. I get it, they're authentic). You can get a freaking *pint* sized top shelf margarita (made with Patron or Sauza Hornitos...a few more choices I'm forgetting) for less than 10 bucks and they have regular specials on margaritas and beers, too.
(4)Kerry M.
Sweet salsa oh my! Nothing quite like it. The staff is really friendly & welcoming. They have lots of specials worth partaking in. Super fair prices.
(5)Deandra A.
I don't know if ownership has changed or there has been a turnover in the kitchen, but the food has been lacking the past couple of times I went. One time I ordered the chicken tacos, when the brought me beef, I notified them of the mistake and the waiter tried to convince me that it was chicken and took the 'opinion' of another server to get the correction made. The food also just isn't fresh anymore. It's very disappointing as this used to be one of my favorite places to go. I hope they can get their act together again.
(2)Magan T.
I really like this place. I usually get a burrito, but I have to tell them how I want it. They don't have the red sauce I like to put on it though. I also really like the salsa. I like to put a spoon of the hot salsa in the regular to kick it up a bit. Yes, it's a hole in the wall place, but they have good food for a great price.
(3)Richard C.
Sorry La Familia you let me down tonight. Normally good food, but unique. Tonight, we had the typical unattentive college student server, but add to it tables that needed bussed for a LONG time and a table that we were at that had been bussed, but needed it again. Dirty freaking place man. But if you're looking for one of those dirty little Mexican hole in the wall places because they always have the best food - here ya go. Their margaritas are WAY overpriced as well - they're definitely from a mix, not fresh. This place has made a deal with the devil to have survived with such rave revues.
(3)Britta E.
There just isn't any good Mexican food in Lawrence. La Familia doesn't help that. The food is pretty much all the same, though there is a list of 40 different combination plates. Fairly cheap, but the quality is just not there.
(1)Emily K.
Very tasty Mexican food. Having lived most of my life in California, I struggle to find good Mexican in Kansas. La Familia is where you go if you're looking for great hot salsa, and a good portion of tasty food. Definitely drink while you're there, because it's really not fantastic food, just good.
(4)Ali A.
I used to live in Lawrence and frequent this place on a daily basis. Their hot salsa in amazing and just the right amount of burn. It looks like a hole in the wall and it is, small and quaint... ok service, great food.
(4)L F.
The short of it is the food is pretty good or comparable to other Mexican Style you would find in Kansas. The service is what kills my rating! I had horrible service the time before the last I was there. So I thought, I really like the food and need to give it another go around before I dismiss it. I was just as disappointed as the last. I had not gone to La Familia in about a year on account of poor service. I thought by now maybe staff and turned over and I can go back.:( We did get there during a busy lunch hour on a Saturday if that matters. We found a table and waited 5 minutes before seeing our waitress. She brought us chips but no salsa. Another 5 minutes passed and she came to ask what type of salsa and drinks we wanted(the sweet is great to mix every other chip with hot). 5 minutes later she brought the salsa, no drinks. After waiting several more minutes my wife eventually went on a hunt to find her and ask for our drinks. She did promptly bring them when she realized she forgot. She came back 5 min. later to take our order. The food was ready quickly and was delish. I had the Bernadette special(spinach enchiladas) . After the food arrived the service seemed to improve with our waitress returning several times for drink refills. All in all I enjoy the food but the service will probably keep me from returning any time soon. Sad!
(2)Colleen Z.
Thoughts that come to mind when I think of La Familia: small, intimate, casual, cold beer, oh! the tamales, combos named after locals, downtown Lawrence, longtime employees, free chips and salsa, order the white cheese dip, cheap, and watch the Jayhawks on the flat screen in the bar that seats about 10. And it is non-smoking to boot!
(5)Lydia A.
If you want cheesy-greasy Tex-Mex (and believe me, I remember and understand the appeal!), La Familia is worth a try. But if you're someone with unfortunately restrictive dietary options due to crazy allergies and health problems, it's not worth it. My partner and some friends dined there last night. Since I was already downtown, I thought I'd join them. I can usually cobble something together from a menu, even if I have to ask for something that doesn't appear as an actual entree item. Perhaps it was my bad luck getting an unhelpful waitperson, but ours was unwilling to let me order anything that wasn't a specific item on the menu. When I asked if I could just get a side of fajita chicken on grilled peppers (no beans, no rice, no cheese, no tortillas--just meat and vegetables), she said she could, but it would be the full price of the fajita dinner ($14.99). Um, NO. Finally I settled on the taco salad--minus the tortilla, beans, cheese, sour cream, and cheese. Out came an a-la-carte plate with a decent size serving of chicken and (I kid you not) about a quarter cup of shredded iceberg lettuce and some onions. The chicken was mushy and flavorless, and the iceberg lettuce was iceberg lettuce. She never even came back to ask if we'd like a refill on our salsa bowls (which I emptied onto my plate in an attempt to achieve some flavor). Worst. Salad. Ever. I can't believe they charged us $8.99 for that tiny plate of flavorless food. My dinner companions very much enjoyed their meals. I, however, went home and made myself a spinach salad for dessert.
(2)Sarah G.
I am appalled at the reviews for this place. I cannot believe it has four stars here on yelp--but I guess Lawrencians don't really know Mexican food. I went for lunch today, going way out of my way, just because Yelp promised me 4 Star Food. The food (two enchiladas, chicken, two ground beef tacos [I was looked at weird when I asked if they had carne asada-- sigh], and a chile relleno) came quickly for carryout, but once I got down to open up my food for my boyfriend and I, I was severely disappointed. I am convinced the "hot" salsa and the "enchilada" sauce is canned or premade at some point; the food was edible but not authentic or "good." The chile relleno was pathetic, and they actually had what looked like TACO BELL taco shells. My "to-go" chips did not seem fresh--they weren't even warm, and they still tasted like they came out of a bag. All in all, the good service isn't enough to keep me coming back to La Familia. The quest for good Mexican food in Northeastern Kansas continues.... I wont give up...!
(2)Kelly R.
When I reflect back on my time spent at KU and in Lawrence, La Familia makes me smile. It is the fix for a wicked hangover - all that gooey, oozy cheese, and hefty portions, promptly soothed the soul and put you into the food coma you really needed. The sweet salsa is something of dreams, I have yet to find its equal (and trust me, I have looked) - Yes, it is a hole in the wall, yes you might have to wait to get served as it is tiny tiny tiny, yes the same dude that served you in college will still be serving there when you return with your children and no, he will not have learned English. The service is great, the chips are wonderful, the specials are satisfying and affordable - I adore the cozy atmosphere, and hope it never changes.
(5)Samantha A.
La Familia is one of Lawrence's mysteries to me. The place is so average. Cheap doesn't equal good past the age of 24! So why do my 40- and 50-something friends still frequent this dive? You got me. Maybe I have an issue with everything on my plate oozing together. Maybe I'm suspicious of places that are dark even in the daytime. Maybe I dont want to worry about what my arm will be stuck to if I rest it on the table. I'm really not a clean freak or picky about restaurants. But since the food here is so ordinary, I have more time to think about what I don't like than what I do. This place is an institution so take my advice with a grain of salt. But if you want authentic Mexican food that doesn't look one step from liquified, get familiar with the Yellow Pages, not La Familia.
(3)Thomas W. M.
Simply the best Mexican restaurant in the Lawrence area, and one of the best in the NE Kansas/Kansas City area. The food is inexpensive and very good (I recommend ordering chicken instead of beef for the traditional entrees like tacos, burritos, enchiladas and the like), the service exceptional, though the ambiance is admittedly hole-in-the-wallish. The chips and salsa are a real treat--in fact, I have yet to try any salsa as good as their hot and chunky variety (beware, it IS hot). They offer a number of relatively unusual choices, such as the spinach enchilada, which are all worth sampling. Next to Dos Reales in KC, this is probably my favorite Mexican restaurant.
(4)A A.
Good choice of salsas, decent chips, the beef enchilada plate was good
(3)Ali L.
Good vibes when we walked in but the food was less than great. I love Mexican food and so does my boyfriend, but we won't be back to this joint. Sorry but it just wasn't good.
(1)Lisa H.
Authentic. Its definitely a Lawrence place to come for really good Mexican food. There was a time in my life I ate here once a week, and after that probably twice a month, for years. You get tons of food for cheap, usually good service and its a small, but really comfortable and friendly place. Lots of vegetarian options.
(5)Michael W.
La Familia was one of my favorite places for cheap eats when I was a student at KU. The restaurant is short on atmosphere, with two long, narrow rooms full of booths and a kitchen at the back. But the food is delicious, and needless to say, more authentic than any franchise. The menu offers countless combinations - the hardest part will be choosing one! A great value.
(4)