Excellent quality food, fantastic price, friendly service, tho it seems to be entirely family run, so it can take a bit of time when packed. Never had a bad meal there! New Decor' is a HUGE improvement! :)
(5)
Keith H.
The mexican food was OK, but the reason that I am even making the effort to write a review - THE SALSA. WOW - I would go back to dip the food, chips or even cardboard in this stuff. Don't expect too much and bring a six pack of Corona! They even gave us a nice portion of Salsa to go.
(3)
Sam P.
I've not been especially impressed by this place, but I wouldn't discount it entirely. The restaurant itself didn't appear to be that clean or welcoming -- it's always sort of dimly lit and barren-looking in there when I go in. As for the food, it's not bad, but I've had better in terms of Mexican food. The free chips and salsa are nice and very delicious. I had one bad experience involving finding a rubber band in my lettuce (eww), which kind of turned me off to the place. I was also there one of the nights when the Mariachi band was playing and the speakers were blasting the music so loud that you couldn't even carry on a conversation with the person next to you. It was rather unpleasant.
(3)
Robert F.
While others have included comments on the decor, I am so enthusiastic about the food that I barely notice anything on the tables or walls except to say that there's nothing about which I'd complain. After ordering several delicious items from the varied menu, I have pretty much settled on the Mexican Flag combo since it gives me a bit of everything I like most, including chicken, cheese, chopped beef, and tasty rice and beans. The always available salsa is the best I've had in the Lehigh Valley ... in fact, this is my favorite Mexican restaurant within easy traveling distance within and surrounding Bethlehem. Although most people who order their combos will probably not have room for dessert, if you do, by all means order the outstanding sopepillas (spelling?), this being the only place where I'd order this dish because most other places offer this dessert with an overwhelmingly strong taste of honey--and this version blends the honey and ice cream in such a way as to create a heavenly ambrosia. I've been served by several different people, and they have all been friendly, capable, and helpful; how different from staff in so many less desirable eateries!
(5)
M. D.
Good authentic mexican food, the tacos are always great and the burritos are good, though both could use more flavor. The rice has lima beans in it which I'm not sure is very authentic.
(4)
stephanie f.
We've gotten delivery from here twice and loved it. Finally, we checked it out in person :) Brought along some Coronas and we were set. Their guacamole was excellent and the servers were both very pleasant and accommodating. Very casual atmosphere with lots of Lehigh kids. While we were there a huge thunderstorm hit and the lights went out. Luckily, everyone already had their food. They brought our candles for the tables and everyone was in good spirits just watching the storm. Power came on just as we were ready to go, so it was perfect timing. Really nice first visit.
(4)
Chadwick T.
Anyone who knows me, knows there is one weakness in my culinary armor....TACOS. I absolutely adore La Lupita. I go to eat here for lunches, dinners and even get take-out on my lazy nights that I want good food in front of the TV. That alone should tell you how good this authentic Mexican restaurant is. The location is interesting, right on a corner about a block from Lehigh Campus and sandwiched between two bars. The decor is simple and open with tables and booths. The menu is straight forward and really fair priced. I won't speak on anything on the menu except for the tacos. Frankly, I have told myself on the way over that I will try something different....and I do....a different meat on the tacos! They are that good. You have options of chicken, steak, shrimp, fish of the day, chorizo and lenguas (personal favorite). Little tip: The tacos come with two tortillas and you are encouraged to make two tacos out of each order! Oddly, most people think they are double wrapped so they don't tear. The food is fresh and the quality is good. The homemade guacamole is killer and the chips rock too. Bang for your buck, this could easily be the best authentic Mexican restaurant in the LV. I would be curious to hear the runner-up options! If I had to give a con, as a beer and tequila lover, they do NOT have a liquor license. So don't build yourself up for tacos and cervezas, just enjoy the food!
(4)
Steve S.
This is a great place for authentic Mexican food in Bethlehem. I've eaten here at least 40 times and the food has always been very good. I've never had a lunch with anyone that didn't like their meal. Rafaella really tries to take care of everyone but she is the ONLY server! I will miss not being able to eat here on a regular basis anymore!
(4)
Casey G.
This is the best mexican place! They are so friendly & the food is so good!!
(5)
Scott H.
Stopped in the late evening on Sunday. I had not been there in 4 or more years so I was surprised to see the refreshed decor. I had low expectations but we have two very good meals. The chili relenos were sans egg batter but were fresh and perfectly cooked. They were stuffed with a very flavorful seafood mixture and over a delicious sauce. Steak enchiladas were also delicious. Worth coming back more often.
(4)
Brooke Y.
Delicious authentic Mexican food at a reasonable price. Great atmosphere, friendly wait staff.
(4)
Carla C.
the best thing about this place is their service! :D not only is a great BYOB but the food is good too. The servers are great and accomodate to what a big party needs. The music is great for the atmosphere. I feel like the place needs more light though since its a bit darker than regular restaurants.
(4)
Rick G.
The most authentic Mexican restaurant in the area. One thing about real Mexican food is it is not spicy, but has subtle flavors and layers. ie. Mole Negro Pollo! Chiles en Nogadas! Enjoy great place! Don't expect Don Pablos or Taco Bell but real Mexican.
(4)
Eric V.
It was our first time here and we were pleased overall with the experience and food. We were greeted immediately and served promptly. The menu had a good selection and every one at the table enjoyed their dish. The chilli rellano was probably the best dish at the table...and the green sauce on the burrito was good as well. My biggest complaint was with the prices they charged they do not refill the tortilla chips even if you order the guacamole.
(4)
Chien-Rong C.
I really want to give this place 4 stars but I'm going to give them 5 stars for the following reasons: I ordered an el Grande burrito ($9) which comes with either chicken, beef, or pork. When they asked me which meat I wantes I couldn't decide so I just told them to pick for me. When I got my burrito it came with ALL the meats, plus steak plus chorizo, because the lady couldn't decide as well! And it tasted great! One downside is that the rice which came on the side was quite bland, but that's a minor downside compared to their generosity. Also they came to check up on me at least 3 times to make sure the food was good and I was generally satisfied. Top notch service!
(5)
Justin H.
The food is bland and not that much flavor. Very mediocre. Won't be back anytime soon.
(2)
Flavia L.
I recently moved here from NYC & this place is already a favorite. Friendly service, great food & good prices !!
(4)
Kelsey M.
Conveniently located next to Lehigh, I decided to give this a place a try during my lunch break. I figured I've walked by it enough times - might as well finally walk in! The first thing I noticed was that the service was going to be great. The waitress who greeted me was super friendly and said I could sit anywhere. She was attentive throughout the entire meal, came over many times to make sure the food was good and that I didn't need anything else, and was just generally very nice. Service gets 5 stars. The homemade chips and salsa were great! While I wish the salsa could have been a little spicier, the chips were so good I wish I could have taken some home with me. The entree, on the other hand, was just average. I ordered the enchiladas mexicanas, and if I remember correctly, the menu said the chicken would be spicy (maybe it said spiced?). Either way I was expecting some good flavor but I found the dish to be a little bland. Same goes for the rice and beans on the side. (Although the enchiladas tasted much better the second day when I reheated it - perhaps it gave it some time for all the flavors to soak in?). I definitely want to come back and try something else. A lot of people seem to rave about this place and the wait staff was so friendly, so it's worth giving it another try! But perhaps I'm just spoiled (or too used to) by the Mexican food in California.
(3)
Haley G.
Went awhile ago on a slow night. Not a seafood taco. I was not pleased with the taste or consistence. There are several Mexican places in Bethlehem to dine, and I would prefer them (even Moe's) over this place
(2)
Gianluca P.
Great guacamole and the option to have Mexican coca cola! Their burritos are quite authentic, and their pork option is good (a bit on the fat side). The place is nice and clean and the staff is friendly. Street parking, but well worth the stop! Walking distance from Lehigh University.
(4)
Drooling N.
For an area rich with a sizable South American population, La lupita thoroughly disappoints. For a restaurant that looks authentic, its a taco bell equivalent to mexican food, just more expensive. I have been here several times when I did not have a car and it was the only mexican restaurant I could walk to from the South side. I give it one star purely based on how the food here compares to other fabulous South American restaurants in the vicinity. The usual mexican fare of tacos, tamales, burritos are decent but nothing to rave about. I would even go ahead and say they are pretty bland and the store brought tortillas do not add to the insipid flavor. The bistek enchebollado and ranchero(beef steak grilled or seared), Carnitas (pork) are inconsistent in their texture and cook. I once tried their fish with mole sauce and the sauce was not cooked well and was too bitter for my taste. Also 2.50$ for dry, bland empanadas! I suggest D'Williams over on the North side. $1 empanadas and simply awesome! The flan at la lupitas is decent and so is the tres leches cake. But would you come here just for the dessert? The answer is no. For the price I would strongly recomment against La Lupita. Go try Peruvian at Machu Pichu (also on 4th street) or Borniquen if you want something on the South side. If you want something different check out Cuquita on Broadway and have some nice Columbian food. If you still want mexican, go to Mexico Lindo on the North side (main street). Or maybe some el salvadorean with Francesco's. Why not some Dominican food at D'William's? The reason for this extensive list of South American food, is to urge people to come out of the usual boring fare. Explore some new cuisine! I promise, you will NOT be disappointed.
(1)
Marc R.
My kids love the food here, simple and elegant tacos, guacamole. I love it too, especially the Mexican Flag sampler. Must have patience, the food will arrive and be delicious.
(3)
John B.
Definitely a lunch regular now. Enchiladas verde ftw! Prices are quite reasonable, food is fresh made. Small place, often lunch specials. Green salsa with chips for the table is excellent (also a red variety with a chilli flavor typically, but I prefer the green).
(5)
Jon B.
I've been going here since they first opened about once a month and I've never had one complaint. Great food great prices kind people.
The food was good but my husband asked for more chips and salsa and then noticed the $4 extra charge on the bill. When asked, the server stated that each extra chips and each extra salsa was a dollar each! Who does that? Any other Mexican restaurant has unlimited chips and salsa. So, beware, if you ask for extra chips and salsa, that will be $2 each time.
(3)
Gina B.
Came here during acceptance day at Lehigh for my brother. We were starving but I wasn't completely satisfied after eating here. There were only 2 waitresses working with a packed house so it seemed a little chaotic, although they were cheerful and kind! The chips and guacamole was splendid as it should be in an authentic Mexican restaurant! My family ordered the chicken and shrimp fajita, and the tacos! All tasted good but nothing spectacular. However I was surprisingly stuffed by the time I finished my chicken fajita. The fajitas come with nice side condiments and they are generous with their portions. I also ordered an horchata which was a cool drink during that hot day. My brother and I were sad that there was no music playing at all during our stay! The atmosphere seemed to lack that special touch without any Hispanic music playing in the background.
(3)
Carrie R.
Having just moved here from Philadelphia, and having lived in New Mexico for quite a while, I had low expectations for a Mexican restaurant in Bethlehem. La Lupita, however, thoroughly exceeded my expectations. The service was great, the atmosphere was casual and comfortable, I could hear the person sitting across from me without having to raise my voice, and most importantly, the food was delicious. I only took a star away because the portions were a little small & the restrooms could have been a little cleaner. I'll certainly be eating here again, though, and bringing friends.
(4)
Carole M.
Our favorite Mexican Restaurant. We've been here so many times we can't count. The food is always fresh and delicious.
(5)
Alicia S.
Why is it that there can't be a decent Mexican restaurant in the Lehigh Valley? This place was okay. I really enjoyed the guacamole. The chicken in my enchiladas suizas was very bland and contained several bones. Despite my food not having a lot of flavor or spice, I had heart burn and stomach upset for going on 12 hours after eating there. I am not too picky when it comes to Mexican food, but I won't be back here. On the upside the staff was really friendly and nice, and the restaurant had that hole-in-the-wall, but clean atmosphere.
(2)
Billy D.
Do not try and go with a big group! I went last night for a friend's birthday and it was a truly awful experience. yes, I understand the concept of a minimum order quantity when dealing with large groups, not having to have half the people just wanting to eat chips and order water, but their terms were ridiculous. for the set price of $15, you get a fountain soda and 1 plate off the menu, which range in price from $7-$15 (the only $15 meal being the combo fajita platter). want a Mexican soda? too bad. want 2 tacos and some nachos as your meal? too bad.
(1)
Lauren W.
It's a somewhat popular place to go to for Lehigh students but I'm not a huge fan. The food is okay and the prices are okay. I won't go on my own, but if a group of people go, I won't necessarily fight it.
(3)
Azx P.
I love Mexican, good Mexican food. I lived in Arizona for 12 years and had some of the best. BUT, nothing, and I mean nothing, was as good as the dish I had at La Lupita! The Chicken Ranchero, with a very generous portion of chicken breast, thinly sliced serrono peppers and a lovely green sauce was hands down the best Mexican dish I've ever had! Did I mention I was in Bethlehem, PA? What? PLEASE do yourself a favor, and run to this restaurant! It doesn't serve alcohol, so bring your own. What a gem! P.S. A good indicator of a good Mexican restaurant is homemade chips and salsa...they have that too!
(5)
Jessica K.
I ordered the enchiladas. They were alright at the first bite, then just bland. Casa toro is much better.
(2)
Ruby M.
I love Mexican food, but I am Mexican American and grew up in Southern California half my life and the other half here so I know what Mexican food should be, this restaurant failed me. ¡Pozole ni tenia flavor! Tacos estuvieron simple tambien, que tipico :( maybe for the people who have only tried Americanized Mexican food will find this place good, but for me I am used to the real thing I have had better in Allentown. Although it is Allentown, I would rather travel the extra few miles and eat on 7th street or 6th street restaurants than return here. I am disappointed, but the people are friendly and that is probably the only reason I am rating this place 2 stars and not just 1.
This is the best Mexican restaurant in Bethlehem, maybe the Lehigh Valley, I try to make it in at least once a week. First off, after their recent renovations, the quality of the decor has begun catching up to the quality of the food. The new pink, orange and yellow color scheme, brick accents, attractive light fixtures providing mood lighting and a large portrait of General Zapata give this place a better ambiance than any corporate chain (e.g.Chilli's). They start you with free home made tortilla chips and salsa, whether you're there for lunch, dinner, or even a take out order that is not quite ready. The waitresses are attentive and the food prompt. I never have an empty beverage glass or have been stuck waiting for my food. Everything I've tried here is good, but as a tip, I'd recommend going for the more ethnic option instead of stuff like chicken wings and fries and glorified grilled cheese (aka quesadilla). The tacos are a great deal at $2. You get two corn tortillas your choice of meat (I recommend the beef tongue, its as tender as fillet mignon and tastier) onions and cilantro with a lemon (or lime) wedge and mildly spicy jalapeno sauce. The soups are phenomenal. They are make from scratch in house and you get an enormous portion (I always take some with me). My favorite is the pozole (hominy and pork), the seafood soup is chocked full of mussels, squid, baby octopus and shrimp in a delicious red broth, and even the plain chicken soup is mouth watering as a result of their rich home made stock. Their mole sauce is rich savory, almost decadent. I'll get their tamal, just for the cup on the side, but any dish topped with this is lucky and sure to be great. My favorite? The enchilada de mole. Usually I'm too full from gorging myself on lunch or dinner to order their dessert, but its also a cut above. Their homemade caramel flan melts in your mouth; the apple pie a la mode has a flaky fresh crust and an apple cinnamon filling that is neither too sweet or too tart; though I've never tried their fried ice cream I'm sure it meets similar standards. The only negative is the short amount of vegetarian options, but there are good ones like the vegetarian chimichanga. This is a must try for anyone in the Bethlehem area.
(5)
Brian L.
Met up with an old friend for lunch while stopping back in the area. Once walking in we were greeted with a smile and were given the choice of seating. The woman brought over the delicious chips and salsa to snack on while we were figuring out what to order. They changed their menu around since the last time I've been here. The menu items seem to be more "organized" than last time. Though it still took me forever to figure out what I wanted to get. Succumbing under the pressure of being the last one to order, I ordered the taco supreme which my eyes had landed on as it came to be my turn. I am no disappointed though. No way. The food came out and looked beautiful. Most importantly it was extremely tasty. I also added this chipotle sauce they had on the table. Damn that was good too....side note: I need to figure out what sauce that was cause I want some. There were three tacos served with refried beans and rice. I accidentally poured too much hot sauce on my last taco which led me to ask the woman for sour cream to help cool my tongue...she smiled as she saw me with my empty glass of water and urgency for something to cool my tongue down. Despite my foolishness with hot sauce. this place has always put a smile on my face...since freshman year at Lehigh till my post Lehigh time now.
(4)
Moe R.
Got a $20 in your wallet? Well, then come ready to eat. Taqueria La Lupita has become a standard in our restaurant rotation. The service is always friendly, even if there is a slight language barrier. We've found that the staff is always willing to customize the level of spice (Hot for me - mild for the hubby), and to substitute beans for chicken or beef to make vegetarian friendly dishes. We love the free homemade chips and salsa and have considered sneaking in Tupperware to smuggle some home. Be sure to save room for the main course, though. We've tried a number of dishes, all of them good, but the chicken fajitas remain a favorite. This isn't Taco-Bell Mexican. The flavors are rich and complex. A cilantro-lover's dream! Don't skip dessert, either. The sopapillas are amazing, and one order is definitely enough to share. The ice cream is delicious in its vanilla simplicity and accents the homemade tortilla chips dusted in powdered sugar.
(4)
Vanessa W.
I finally made it over here when I was craving some cheap Mexican food. Firstly, the decor as others have mentioned, leaves much to be desired. But if you eat ethnic food regularly you know that that rarely means anything about food quality. I found the people to be personable and the food to be fairly authentic. It wasn't the best Mexican food I've ever had, but it wasn't the worst either. Portions were HUGE so the plates offered good value. Complimentary chips and salsa was awesome. Free margaritas helped their cause as well. I wouldn't drive far to go here, but if you're in the neighborhood it's a viable, cheap options.
(3)
Slevah R.
Great Mexican food and salsa!!!
(4)
Jess M.
Whenever I've got a craving for Mexican, my thoughts immediately turned to the cheese enchiladas at La Lupita. It's on a nice-sized corner restaurant in the downtown section of South Bethlehem. The complimentary tortilla chips are salsa provided as soon as you sit down are so tasty! The chips have to be made in house from fresh flour tortillas -- they're thick and crispy and have the most delightful taste that, coupled with the salsa, are addictive. I haven't done it [yet], but i wouldn't put it past myself to be able to sit in a booth all day eating nothing but these chips and their smooth and tangy salsa. Luckily, I've been able to move on to the menu items -- the Mexican Flag (3 enchiladas, two meat one cheese, with red, green and white sauces) is amazingly delicious and extremely filling. I haven't been able to make it past two of the three enchiladas - the cheese being my favorite but it's sooo heavy; a corn tortilla wrapped around a log of melted cheese probably an inch thick and 8 inches long covered in the white (mole?) sauce. Yum! For the veggies among you, you can also just get two cheese enchiladas with rice and beans and be good to go for the day. The burritos are also very good -- filled to the brim with rice, beans, cheese, and whatever else you want stuffed in there. The theme of the menu has to be "no one goes home hungry and without a box of leftovers." The decor is very colorful - lots of sombreros, Mexican Zarape blankets and string lights cover the walls. The waitstaff, despite some limited English, are all very friendly and provide great service. This past CInco de Mayo, I was not so surprisingly craving some of my favorite cheese enchiladas so I called ahead to place my order for pickup. Big mistake -- I should've tried to dine in, if there had been room. It took pretty much forever to get my food, but the place was packed, some Lehigh band was there playing music and the local news was covering the event. Busy, busy Cinco de Mayo. Make reservations (not sure if you can?) or get there way early if you ever want to go for Cinco de Mayo. Since I started writing this, I am really in the mood for some La Lupita. Luckily I'm headed to Bethlehem tonight. Oh, and it's BYOB so bring some Corona or Dos Equis or *good* beer.
(5)
Ethan A.
You know, I really want to love this place. I just can't, though. The salsa tasted like tomato paste. The chimichanga I had was overfried and flavorless. They did have Mexican Coke, so I can give them points for that, though. I'll probably try it again sometime, but not sometime soon. I'll stick to Mexico Lindo on Main Street.
(2)
Tim O.
Some of these reviews are ridiculous. The portions are really small for a mexican restaurant, the prices are high, and the taste is mediocre. I'm not sure if people are calling it the best in the area because its only competition is Taco Bell or something but it left a lot to be desired. The fajitas that I had on my first visit were poor, again, the portion was maybe half of what I'm used to at real restaurants but the price was the same if not more expensive. Maybe I just had bad experiences, but if you really know Mexican food, I can assure you that you'll be disappointed. I don't remember the decor or service being anything special either.
(2)
Kyle S.
A few friends and I went to La Lupita this evening, as it was one of the few restaurants open during the snowstorm. Due to the storm, they only had two people working: 2 chefs, one who was acting as the waiter. It took a long time to get our food, which I can't fault them with, as there were quite a few people there for such a small staff. However, the food just wasn't very good. My three tacos were really lacking in flavor, and my friends said similar things about their food. Worst of all, 2 of my friends found several chicken bones in their food (quesadillas and burritos). Disgusting! Also, the place just feels dirty when you walk in. There was a strange smell, and the restaurant just isn't kept up very well. On the positive side, their salsa is absolutely delicious, though it was the only thing with much flavor in the entire meal. Also, they have Mexican Coke in bottles, which was pretty good. It was also nice they let us pay separately. I definitely won't be going back again, though. The bones in the food just grossed me out too much.
(2)
Nina P.
THE BEST TACOS IN CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA! Every time we go to Bethlehem we come here! Hands down some of the tastiest tacos I've ever had in the U.S. (and that's ironic cause I use to live in the Southwest)! The Latino and Portuguese contingent in the area are really bringing great things to this old steel valley! We get the steak tacos and load up on fresh lime juice and the salsa verde - it's awesome! What this place lacks in exciting decor it makes up for in inexpensive tasty food! Go here if your dropping the kids off for college and you'd rather die than go to Perkins!
(5)
Laura K.
Try the "Mexican Flag." Bring your appetite. YUM
(5)
Jennifer P.
The food was excellent - serving size was plenty - probably enough for two. They often have coupons in the local saver books (as if the price wasn't good enough to begin with) Definitely worth a try. Its in a nice location near the university. Can get quite busy. I believe they also have late hours. I need to try it more often.
(4)
Adam H.
Food was ok. We got it a la carte, came in styrofoam boxes. Had we stayed we would have been given complementary chips and salsa while waiting for our food - instead we were just ignored until it was time to pay. My chicken was overcooked and slightly dry. The broccoli was also overdone. Beans were ok. My friends burrito was more like an enchilada, but he said it was flavorful. May or may not return, but won't be my first choice.
(2)
Sarah C.
Try the tacos! They have an assortment of meat choices and they're only $2, can it get better? Forget Taco Bell
(4)
DC C.
A true gem in Southside Bethlehem. Pro: Good food, good portions, good prices. Excellent and free chips and salsa. Nice service. Con: The decor. As far as I know, it's the only reason why it's not as popular as it should be. I normally get the burrito, either the beef-tongue or the spicy chicken version. Both versions are great: a huge portion of meat and cheese filled inside a tortilla (they appear to wrap them in a box configuration nowadays), with rice and beans on the side. It will fill you up, no questions about it. Ask your server for a side of green chile sauce to spice things up - it's not too hot and really adds a delicious kick to the meal. But you also get free chips and salsa? The chips can range from excellent (thick and crisp) to mediocre (thin and stale) from trip to trip, but the salsa is always excellent - not salty like the Tostitos salsa I recently bought, and thick and full of veggies. The wait-staff is friendly and attentive, but because of their limited numbers, will be overwhelmed if too many patrons are eating in. So what's holding La Lupita back? The decor is generally uninspired and drab. The tables all have a bright, rainbow-colored blanket/tablecloth on them. This same rainbow-colored blankets serves as window curtains as well. It does have an authentic indigenous-weavings feel to it, but it's not the best choice for a restaurant IMO. But that's far from the worst part of it. The rainbow-colored tablecloths are in turn covered by a cheesy urethane-y cover, a relic of the 80's or 70's - whenever it fell out of fashion, it fell out of fashion for a reason. I know - it's supposed to protect the indigenous rainbow-colored tablecloths, but geez. It feels so rubbery and plasticky. Can you think of a cheesier thing to use? But even worse than those plastic table covers is the lighting. Sometimes, there is no lighting to save on electrical bills. I once went to the restaurant for a late lunch, saw no lights inside, and gingerly opened the front door to ask if it was open - the waitress said it was. But when the lighting actually is on, it's of the rather institutional long-bulbed filtered-fluorescent office variety. With only painted concrete walls and the rainbow-colored curtains and tablecloths reflecting this depressing lighting arrangement.....let's just say the food saves this place big time. If the restaurant hires a restaurant design and decor consultant (the entrance and exterior design isn't the best, either), it would do wonders for their business.
(4)
Deanna W.
Really, if you are looking for even half way decent Mexican food in the area, I would not recommend this restaurant. Coming from CA I am sort of used to good, flavorful, authentic style Mexican food. The food here was bland, absolutely NO flavor. The rice looked and tasted like Rice a Roni or some other boxed rice mix. I know there are other Mexican restaurants in the area but have yet to try them and am hoping for better results when I do.
(1)
Brett B.
My Choice for Mexican in Bethlehem. Guac is fresh and awesome along with the salsa, chips are housemade. Everything speaks to home cooking. Nothing is obliterated in cheese and sauce. Watch out for the "el yucateco" hot sauce that have. I asked for hot sause and they gave me something midly hot, I asked for something , "caliente", and they brought me a bottle of this stuff.... I'm sure they were laughing at the stupid gringo sweating profusely after eating it.
(4)
s s.
Ok mexican food, They redecorated the interior, which is an improvement. The only big problem, as others mentioned Thier service is Ever So SLOW~!!
(3)
Yi H.
I love Yelp and appreciate the reviews I get from it. At times, it's really helpful. After seeing the place when I was in the South side I decided to look it up and the reviews are mix so i took a chance with it. It's actually not bad. I LOVE the chips and salsa. It's ashame that some people do not know how real salsa is supposed to taste like. They are so used to the commercial kind with the added preservatives. The salsa at La Lupita was so fresh and you can actually taste the herbs! The chips are so crispy and good. The funny thing is i ate so much chips and salsa that when it came to my main course which was the Poncho villa, I couldn't finish it. The portion was beautifully presented and you get a good amount. It consists of enchiladas, a taco, rice and beans. The sweet waitress thought I didn't like the food when i asked her to wrap up the leftovers. I reassured her that i really enjoyed it. Apparently, it's a culture thing when you don't finish the food, it means you might not like it. Overall, it was a good lunch and the price is very reasonable.
(4)
freddie d.
You know I cannot believe I passed by this place as many times as I have for the past 4 years. Finally, today, I took my family to this family-owned restaurant to try their cuisine. The space is somewhat small with only 20 tables but has a very comfy atmosphere. Shades resembling Mexican blankets partially cover the windows, most of the surroundings are surrounded with the colors of the Mexican flag (Red ,White, and Green), and a large portrait of Our Lady of Guadalupe hanging over the far wall makes this environment as South of the Border as it gets!! Portions are well -sized, very fresh ingredients, and the Rolled Chicken (Chicken breast stuff with mild sauce and Broccoli) is to die for! My daughter adored their Spanish rice and finished her whole plate (that in itself is a miracle) and the misses had a wonderful roasted pork dinner with Mexican spices and Spanish rice. Amazingly enough all 3 of our meals came to $25. A steal of a deal considering the excellent quality of the food. One thing that did let me down was the lack of Alcohol beverages. No matter tho. Their is an assortment of bars all along W.4Th street to satisfy ones drinking urges anyway!! If you want tasty, appealing, delicious Mexican food at an absolute bargain of a price you should definitely try Taqueria La Lupita
(4)
Cici C.
Um... so hilariously enough, I tried to indulge in some midday La Lupita yesterday only to find that they're closed and performing extensive construction to the inside. I guess this will most likely solve my issue with the decor being a tad on the sketchy side, but now where am I supposed to eat a delicious Mexican meal on the southside? My advice to all is BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR. First world problems are a doozy.
(5)
Da S.
perfect for an affordable mexican lunch
(5)
Lily S.
Really really slow service! Foods just ok, doesn't deserve a good dinner time.
Takes Reservations : No 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 : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
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.
W D.
Excellent quality food, fantastic price, friendly service, tho it seems to be entirely family run, so it can take a bit of time when packed. Never had a bad meal there! New Decor' is a HUGE improvement! :)
(5)Keith H.
The mexican food was OK, but the reason that I am even making the effort to write a review - THE SALSA. WOW - I would go back to dip the food, chips or even cardboard in this stuff. Don't expect too much and bring a six pack of Corona! They even gave us a nice portion of Salsa to go.
(3)Sam P.
I've not been especially impressed by this place, but I wouldn't discount it entirely. The restaurant itself didn't appear to be that clean or welcoming -- it's always sort of dimly lit and barren-looking in there when I go in. As for the food, it's not bad, but I've had better in terms of Mexican food. The free chips and salsa are nice and very delicious. I had one bad experience involving finding a rubber band in my lettuce (eww), which kind of turned me off to the place. I was also there one of the nights when the Mariachi band was playing and the speakers were blasting the music so loud that you couldn't even carry on a conversation with the person next to you. It was rather unpleasant.
(3)Robert F.
While others have included comments on the decor, I am so enthusiastic about the food that I barely notice anything on the tables or walls except to say that there's nothing about which I'd complain. After ordering several delicious items from the varied menu, I have pretty much settled on the Mexican Flag combo since it gives me a bit of everything I like most, including chicken, cheese, chopped beef, and tasty rice and beans. The always available salsa is the best I've had in the Lehigh Valley ... in fact, this is my favorite Mexican restaurant within easy traveling distance within and surrounding Bethlehem. Although most people who order their combos will probably not have room for dessert, if you do, by all means order the outstanding sopepillas (spelling?), this being the only place where I'd order this dish because most other places offer this dessert with an overwhelmingly strong taste of honey--and this version blends the honey and ice cream in such a way as to create a heavenly ambrosia. I've been served by several different people, and they have all been friendly, capable, and helpful; how different from staff in so many less desirable eateries!
(5)M. D.
Good authentic mexican food, the tacos are always great and the burritos are good, though both could use more flavor. The rice has lima beans in it which I'm not sure is very authentic.
(4)stephanie f.
We've gotten delivery from here twice and loved it. Finally, we checked it out in person :) Brought along some Coronas and we were set. Their guacamole was excellent and the servers were both very pleasant and accommodating. Very casual atmosphere with lots of Lehigh kids. While we were there a huge thunderstorm hit and the lights went out. Luckily, everyone already had their food. They brought our candles for the tables and everyone was in good spirits just watching the storm. Power came on just as we were ready to go, so it was perfect timing. Really nice first visit.
(4)Chadwick T.
Anyone who knows me, knows there is one weakness in my culinary armor....TACOS. I absolutely adore La Lupita. I go to eat here for lunches, dinners and even get take-out on my lazy nights that I want good food in front of the TV. That alone should tell you how good this authentic Mexican restaurant is. The location is interesting, right on a corner about a block from Lehigh Campus and sandwiched between two bars. The decor is simple and open with tables and booths. The menu is straight forward and really fair priced. I won't speak on anything on the menu except for the tacos. Frankly, I have told myself on the way over that I will try something different....and I do....a different meat on the tacos! They are that good. You have options of chicken, steak, shrimp, fish of the day, chorizo and lenguas (personal favorite). Little tip: The tacos come with two tortillas and you are encouraged to make two tacos out of each order! Oddly, most people think they are double wrapped so they don't tear. The food is fresh and the quality is good. The homemade guacamole is killer and the chips rock too. Bang for your buck, this could easily be the best authentic Mexican restaurant in the LV. I would be curious to hear the runner-up options! If I had to give a con, as a beer and tequila lover, they do NOT have a liquor license. So don't build yourself up for tacos and cervezas, just enjoy the food!
(4)Steve S.
This is a great place for authentic Mexican food in Bethlehem. I've eaten here at least 40 times and the food has always been very good. I've never had a lunch with anyone that didn't like their meal. Rafaella really tries to take care of everyone but she is the ONLY server! I will miss not being able to eat here on a regular basis anymore!
(4)Casey G.
This is the best mexican place! They are so friendly & the food is so good!!
(5)Scott H.
Stopped in the late evening on Sunday. I had not been there in 4 or more years so I was surprised to see the refreshed decor. I had low expectations but we have two very good meals. The chili relenos were sans egg batter but were fresh and perfectly cooked. They were stuffed with a very flavorful seafood mixture and over a delicious sauce. Steak enchiladas were also delicious. Worth coming back more often.
(4)Brooke Y.
Delicious authentic Mexican food at a reasonable price. Great atmosphere, friendly wait staff.
(4)Carla C.
the best thing about this place is their service! :D not only is a great BYOB but the food is good too. The servers are great and accomodate to what a big party needs. The music is great for the atmosphere. I feel like the place needs more light though since its a bit darker than regular restaurants.
(4)Rick G.
The most authentic Mexican restaurant in the area. One thing about real Mexican food is it is not spicy, but has subtle flavors and layers. ie. Mole Negro Pollo! Chiles en Nogadas! Enjoy great place! Don't expect Don Pablos or Taco Bell but real Mexican.
(4)Eric V.
It was our first time here and we were pleased overall with the experience and food. We were greeted immediately and served promptly. The menu had a good selection and every one at the table enjoyed their dish. The chilli rellano was probably the best dish at the table...and the green sauce on the burrito was good as well. My biggest complaint was with the prices they charged they do not refill the tortilla chips even if you order the guacamole.
(4)Chien-Rong C.
I really want to give this place 4 stars but I'm going to give them 5 stars for the following reasons: I ordered an el Grande burrito ($9) which comes with either chicken, beef, or pork. When they asked me which meat I wantes I couldn't decide so I just told them to pick for me. When I got my burrito it came with ALL the meats, plus steak plus chorizo, because the lady couldn't decide as well! And it tasted great! One downside is that the rice which came on the side was quite bland, but that's a minor downside compared to their generosity. Also they came to check up on me at least 3 times to make sure the food was good and I was generally satisfied. Top notch service!
(5)Justin H.
The food is bland and not that much flavor. Very mediocre. Won't be back anytime soon.
(2)Flavia L.
I recently moved here from NYC & this place is already a favorite. Friendly service, great food & good prices !!
(4)Kelsey M.
Conveniently located next to Lehigh, I decided to give this a place a try during my lunch break. I figured I've walked by it enough times - might as well finally walk in! The first thing I noticed was that the service was going to be great. The waitress who greeted me was super friendly and said I could sit anywhere. She was attentive throughout the entire meal, came over many times to make sure the food was good and that I didn't need anything else, and was just generally very nice. Service gets 5 stars. The homemade chips and salsa were great! While I wish the salsa could have been a little spicier, the chips were so good I wish I could have taken some home with me. The entree, on the other hand, was just average. I ordered the enchiladas mexicanas, and if I remember correctly, the menu said the chicken would be spicy (maybe it said spiced?). Either way I was expecting some good flavor but I found the dish to be a little bland. Same goes for the rice and beans on the side. (Although the enchiladas tasted much better the second day when I reheated it - perhaps it gave it some time for all the flavors to soak in?). I definitely want to come back and try something else. A lot of people seem to rave about this place and the wait staff was so friendly, so it's worth giving it another try! But perhaps I'm just spoiled (or too used to) by the Mexican food in California.
(3)Haley G.
Went awhile ago on a slow night. Not a seafood taco. I was not pleased with the taste or consistence. There are several Mexican places in Bethlehem to dine, and I would prefer them (even Moe's) over this place
(2)Gianluca P.
Great guacamole and the option to have Mexican coca cola! Their burritos are quite authentic, and their pork option is good (a bit on the fat side). The place is nice and clean and the staff is friendly. Street parking, but well worth the stop! Walking distance from Lehigh University.
(4)Drooling N.
For an area rich with a sizable South American population, La lupita thoroughly disappoints. For a restaurant that looks authentic, its a taco bell equivalent to mexican food, just more expensive. I have been here several times when I did not have a car and it was the only mexican restaurant I could walk to from the South side. I give it one star purely based on how the food here compares to other fabulous South American restaurants in the vicinity. The usual mexican fare of tacos, tamales, burritos are decent but nothing to rave about. I would even go ahead and say they are pretty bland and the store brought tortillas do not add to the insipid flavor. The bistek enchebollado and ranchero(beef steak grilled or seared), Carnitas (pork) are inconsistent in their texture and cook. I once tried their fish with mole sauce and the sauce was not cooked well and was too bitter for my taste. Also 2.50$ for dry, bland empanadas! I suggest D'Williams over on the North side. $1 empanadas and simply awesome! The flan at la lupitas is decent and so is the tres leches cake. But would you come here just for the dessert? The answer is no. For the price I would strongly recomment against La Lupita. Go try Peruvian at Machu Pichu (also on 4th street) or Borniquen if you want something on the South side. If you want something different check out Cuquita on Broadway and have some nice Columbian food. If you still want mexican, go to Mexico Lindo on the North side (main street). Or maybe some el salvadorean with Francesco's. Why not some Dominican food at D'William's? The reason for this extensive list of South American food, is to urge people to come out of the usual boring fare. Explore some new cuisine! I promise, you will NOT be disappointed.
(1)Marc R.
My kids love the food here, simple and elegant tacos, guacamole. I love it too, especially the Mexican Flag sampler. Must have patience, the food will arrive and be delicious.
(3)John B.
Definitely a lunch regular now. Enchiladas verde ftw! Prices are quite reasonable, food is fresh made. Small place, often lunch specials. Green salsa with chips for the table is excellent (also a red variety with a chilli flavor typically, but I prefer the green).
(5)Jon B.
I've been going here since they first opened about once a month and I've never had one complaint. Great food great prices kind people.
(5)Tonia C.
The energy there is great...from the cozy, colorful décor to the comfortable style of service. Feels like your a guest in their home. Food was great from the salsa which was perfectly balanced to the homemade churros. Prices are reasonable. Our new favorite Mexican restaurant.
(5)Mary Ann A.
The food was good but my husband asked for more chips and salsa and then noticed the $4 extra charge on the bill. When asked, the server stated that each extra chips and each extra salsa was a dollar each! Who does that? Any other Mexican restaurant has unlimited chips and salsa. So, beware, if you ask for extra chips and salsa, that will be $2 each time.
(3)Gina B.
Came here during acceptance day at Lehigh for my brother. We were starving but I wasn't completely satisfied after eating here. There were only 2 waitresses working with a packed house so it seemed a little chaotic, although they were cheerful and kind! The chips and guacamole was splendid as it should be in an authentic Mexican restaurant! My family ordered the chicken and shrimp fajita, and the tacos! All tasted good but nothing spectacular. However I was surprisingly stuffed by the time I finished my chicken fajita. The fajitas come with nice side condiments and they are generous with their portions. I also ordered an horchata which was a cool drink during that hot day. My brother and I were sad that there was no music playing at all during our stay! The atmosphere seemed to lack that special touch without any Hispanic music playing in the background.
(3)Carrie R.
Having just moved here from Philadelphia, and having lived in New Mexico for quite a while, I had low expectations for a Mexican restaurant in Bethlehem. La Lupita, however, thoroughly exceeded my expectations. The service was great, the atmosphere was casual and comfortable, I could hear the person sitting across from me without having to raise my voice, and most importantly, the food was delicious. I only took a star away because the portions were a little small & the restrooms could have been a little cleaner. I'll certainly be eating here again, though, and bringing friends.
(4)Carole M.
Our favorite Mexican Restaurant. We've been here so many times we can't count. The food is always fresh and delicious.
(5)Alicia S.
Why is it that there can't be a decent Mexican restaurant in the Lehigh Valley? This place was okay. I really enjoyed the guacamole. The chicken in my enchiladas suizas was very bland and contained several bones. Despite my food not having a lot of flavor or spice, I had heart burn and stomach upset for going on 12 hours after eating there. I am not too picky when it comes to Mexican food, but I won't be back here. On the upside the staff was really friendly and nice, and the restaurant had that hole-in-the-wall, but clean atmosphere.
(2)Billy D.
Do not try and go with a big group! I went last night for a friend's birthday and it was a truly awful experience. yes, I understand the concept of a minimum order quantity when dealing with large groups, not having to have half the people just wanting to eat chips and order water, but their terms were ridiculous. for the set price of $15, you get a fountain soda and 1 plate off the menu, which range in price from $7-$15 (the only $15 meal being the combo fajita platter). want a Mexican soda? too bad. want 2 tacos and some nachos as your meal? too bad.
(1)Lauren W.
It's a somewhat popular place to go to for Lehigh students but I'm not a huge fan. The food is okay and the prices are okay. I won't go on my own, but if a group of people go, I won't necessarily fight it.
(3)Azx P.
I love Mexican, good Mexican food. I lived in Arizona for 12 years and had some of the best. BUT, nothing, and I mean nothing, was as good as the dish I had at La Lupita! The Chicken Ranchero, with a very generous portion of chicken breast, thinly sliced serrono peppers and a lovely green sauce was hands down the best Mexican dish I've ever had! Did I mention I was in Bethlehem, PA? What? PLEASE do yourself a favor, and run to this restaurant! It doesn't serve alcohol, so bring your own. What a gem! P.S. A good indicator of a good Mexican restaurant is homemade chips and salsa...they have that too!
(5)Jessica K.
I ordered the enchiladas. They were alright at the first bite, then just bland. Casa toro is much better.
(2)Ruby M.
I love Mexican food, but I am Mexican American and grew up in Southern California half my life and the other half here so I know what Mexican food should be, this restaurant failed me. ¡Pozole ni tenia flavor! Tacos estuvieron simple tambien, que tipico :( maybe for the people who have only tried Americanized Mexican food will find this place good, but for me I am used to the real thing I have had better in Allentown. Although it is Allentown, I would rather travel the extra few miles and eat on 7th street or 6th street restaurants than return here. I am disappointed, but the people are friendly and that is probably the only reason I am rating this place 2 stars and not just 1.
(2)Megan S.
Absolutely delicious, authentic Mexican food!! Highly recommend!
(5)Leo A.
This is the best Mexican restaurant in Bethlehem, maybe the Lehigh Valley, I try to make it in at least once a week. First off, after their recent renovations, the quality of the decor has begun catching up to the quality of the food. The new pink, orange and yellow color scheme, brick accents, attractive light fixtures providing mood lighting and a large portrait of General Zapata give this place a better ambiance than any corporate chain (e.g.Chilli's). They start you with free home made tortilla chips and salsa, whether you're there for lunch, dinner, or even a take out order that is not quite ready. The waitresses are attentive and the food prompt. I never have an empty beverage glass or have been stuck waiting for my food. Everything I've tried here is good, but as a tip, I'd recommend going for the more ethnic option instead of stuff like chicken wings and fries and glorified grilled cheese (aka quesadilla). The tacos are a great deal at $2. You get two corn tortillas your choice of meat (I recommend the beef tongue, its as tender as fillet mignon and tastier) onions and cilantro with a lemon (or lime) wedge and mildly spicy jalapeno sauce. The soups are phenomenal. They are make from scratch in house and you get an enormous portion (I always take some with me). My favorite is the pozole (hominy and pork), the seafood soup is chocked full of mussels, squid, baby octopus and shrimp in a delicious red broth, and even the plain chicken soup is mouth watering as a result of their rich home made stock. Their mole sauce is rich savory, almost decadent. I'll get their tamal, just for the cup on the side, but any dish topped with this is lucky and sure to be great. My favorite? The enchilada de mole. Usually I'm too full from gorging myself on lunch or dinner to order their dessert, but its also a cut above. Their homemade caramel flan melts in your mouth; the apple pie a la mode has a flaky fresh crust and an apple cinnamon filling that is neither too sweet or too tart; though I've never tried their fried ice cream I'm sure it meets similar standards. The only negative is the short amount of vegetarian options, but there are good ones like the vegetarian chimichanga. This is a must try for anyone in the Bethlehem area.
(5)Brian L.
Met up with an old friend for lunch while stopping back in the area. Once walking in we were greeted with a smile and were given the choice of seating. The woman brought over the delicious chips and salsa to snack on while we were figuring out what to order. They changed their menu around since the last time I've been here. The menu items seem to be more "organized" than last time. Though it still took me forever to figure out what I wanted to get. Succumbing under the pressure of being the last one to order, I ordered the taco supreme which my eyes had landed on as it came to be my turn. I am no disappointed though. No way. The food came out and looked beautiful. Most importantly it was extremely tasty. I also added this chipotle sauce they had on the table. Damn that was good too....side note: I need to figure out what sauce that was cause I want some. There were three tacos served with refried beans and rice. I accidentally poured too much hot sauce on my last taco which led me to ask the woman for sour cream to help cool my tongue...she smiled as she saw me with my empty glass of water and urgency for something to cool my tongue down. Despite my foolishness with hot sauce. this place has always put a smile on my face...since freshman year at Lehigh till my post Lehigh time now.
(4)Moe R.
Got a $20 in your wallet? Well, then come ready to eat. Taqueria La Lupita has become a standard in our restaurant rotation. The service is always friendly, even if there is a slight language barrier. We've found that the staff is always willing to customize the level of spice (Hot for me - mild for the hubby), and to substitute beans for chicken or beef to make vegetarian friendly dishes. We love the free homemade chips and salsa and have considered sneaking in Tupperware to smuggle some home. Be sure to save room for the main course, though. We've tried a number of dishes, all of them good, but the chicken fajitas remain a favorite. This isn't Taco-Bell Mexican. The flavors are rich and complex. A cilantro-lover's dream! Don't skip dessert, either. The sopapillas are amazing, and one order is definitely enough to share. The ice cream is delicious in its vanilla simplicity and accents the homemade tortilla chips dusted in powdered sugar.
(4)Vanessa W.
I finally made it over here when I was craving some cheap Mexican food. Firstly, the decor as others have mentioned, leaves much to be desired. But if you eat ethnic food regularly you know that that rarely means anything about food quality. I found the people to be personable and the food to be fairly authentic. It wasn't the best Mexican food I've ever had, but it wasn't the worst either. Portions were HUGE so the plates offered good value. Complimentary chips and salsa was awesome. Free margaritas helped their cause as well. I wouldn't drive far to go here, but if you're in the neighborhood it's a viable, cheap options.
(3)Slevah R.
Great Mexican food and salsa!!!
(4)Jess M.
Whenever I've got a craving for Mexican, my thoughts immediately turned to the cheese enchiladas at La Lupita. It's on a nice-sized corner restaurant in the downtown section of South Bethlehem. The complimentary tortilla chips are salsa provided as soon as you sit down are so tasty! The chips have to be made in house from fresh flour tortillas -- they're thick and crispy and have the most delightful taste that, coupled with the salsa, are addictive. I haven't done it [yet], but i wouldn't put it past myself to be able to sit in a booth all day eating nothing but these chips and their smooth and tangy salsa. Luckily, I've been able to move on to the menu items -- the Mexican Flag (3 enchiladas, two meat one cheese, with red, green and white sauces) is amazingly delicious and extremely filling. I haven't been able to make it past two of the three enchiladas - the cheese being my favorite but it's sooo heavy; a corn tortilla wrapped around a log of melted cheese probably an inch thick and 8 inches long covered in the white (mole?) sauce. Yum! For the veggies among you, you can also just get two cheese enchiladas with rice and beans and be good to go for the day. The burritos are also very good -- filled to the brim with rice, beans, cheese, and whatever else you want stuffed in there. The theme of the menu has to be "no one goes home hungry and without a box of leftovers." The decor is very colorful - lots of sombreros, Mexican Zarape blankets and string lights cover the walls. The waitstaff, despite some limited English, are all very friendly and provide great service. This past CInco de Mayo, I was not so surprisingly craving some of my favorite cheese enchiladas so I called ahead to place my order for pickup. Big mistake -- I should've tried to dine in, if there had been room. It took pretty much forever to get my food, but the place was packed, some Lehigh band was there playing music and the local news was covering the event. Busy, busy Cinco de Mayo. Make reservations (not sure if you can?) or get there way early if you ever want to go for Cinco de Mayo. Since I started writing this, I am really in the mood for some La Lupita. Luckily I'm headed to Bethlehem tonight. Oh, and it's BYOB so bring some Corona or Dos Equis or *good* beer.
(5)Ethan A.
You know, I really want to love this place. I just can't, though. The salsa tasted like tomato paste. The chimichanga I had was overfried and flavorless. They did have Mexican Coke, so I can give them points for that, though. I'll probably try it again sometime, but not sometime soon. I'll stick to Mexico Lindo on Main Street.
(2)Tim O.
Some of these reviews are ridiculous. The portions are really small for a mexican restaurant, the prices are high, and the taste is mediocre. I'm not sure if people are calling it the best in the area because its only competition is Taco Bell or something but it left a lot to be desired. The fajitas that I had on my first visit were poor, again, the portion was maybe half of what I'm used to at real restaurants but the price was the same if not more expensive. Maybe I just had bad experiences, but if you really know Mexican food, I can assure you that you'll be disappointed. I don't remember the decor or service being anything special either.
(2)Kyle S.
A few friends and I went to La Lupita this evening, as it was one of the few restaurants open during the snowstorm. Due to the storm, they only had two people working: 2 chefs, one who was acting as the waiter. It took a long time to get our food, which I can't fault them with, as there were quite a few people there for such a small staff. However, the food just wasn't very good. My three tacos were really lacking in flavor, and my friends said similar things about their food. Worst of all, 2 of my friends found several chicken bones in their food (quesadillas and burritos). Disgusting! Also, the place just feels dirty when you walk in. There was a strange smell, and the restaurant just isn't kept up very well. On the positive side, their salsa is absolutely delicious, though it was the only thing with much flavor in the entire meal. Also, they have Mexican Coke in bottles, which was pretty good. It was also nice they let us pay separately. I definitely won't be going back again, though. The bones in the food just grossed me out too much.
(2)Nina P.
THE BEST TACOS IN CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA! Every time we go to Bethlehem we come here! Hands down some of the tastiest tacos I've ever had in the U.S. (and that's ironic cause I use to live in the Southwest)! The Latino and Portuguese contingent in the area are really bringing great things to this old steel valley! We get the steak tacos and load up on fresh lime juice and the salsa verde - it's awesome! What this place lacks in exciting decor it makes up for in inexpensive tasty food! Go here if your dropping the kids off for college and you'd rather die than go to Perkins!
(5)Laura K.
Try the "Mexican Flag." Bring your appetite. YUM
(5)Jennifer P.
The food was excellent - serving size was plenty - probably enough for two. They often have coupons in the local saver books (as if the price wasn't good enough to begin with) Definitely worth a try. Its in a nice location near the university. Can get quite busy. I believe they also have late hours. I need to try it more often.
(4)Adam H.
Food was ok. We got it a la carte, came in styrofoam boxes. Had we stayed we would have been given complementary chips and salsa while waiting for our food - instead we were just ignored until it was time to pay. My chicken was overcooked and slightly dry. The broccoli was also overdone. Beans were ok. My friends burrito was more like an enchilada, but he said it was flavorful. May or may not return, but won't be my first choice.
(2)Sarah C.
Try the tacos! They have an assortment of meat choices and they're only $2, can it get better? Forget Taco Bell
(4)DC C.
A true gem in Southside Bethlehem. Pro: Good food, good portions, good prices. Excellent and free chips and salsa. Nice service. Con: The decor. As far as I know, it's the only reason why it's not as popular as it should be. I normally get the burrito, either the beef-tongue or the spicy chicken version. Both versions are great: a huge portion of meat and cheese filled inside a tortilla (they appear to wrap them in a box configuration nowadays), with rice and beans on the side. It will fill you up, no questions about it. Ask your server for a side of green chile sauce to spice things up - it's not too hot and really adds a delicious kick to the meal. But you also get free chips and salsa? The chips can range from excellent (thick and crisp) to mediocre (thin and stale) from trip to trip, but the salsa is always excellent - not salty like the Tostitos salsa I recently bought, and thick and full of veggies. The wait-staff is friendly and attentive, but because of their limited numbers, will be overwhelmed if too many patrons are eating in. So what's holding La Lupita back? The decor is generally uninspired and drab. The tables all have a bright, rainbow-colored blanket/tablecloth on them. This same rainbow-colored blankets serves as window curtains as well. It does have an authentic indigenous-weavings feel to it, but it's not the best choice for a restaurant IMO. But that's far from the worst part of it. The rainbow-colored tablecloths are in turn covered by a cheesy urethane-y cover, a relic of the 80's or 70's - whenever it fell out of fashion, it fell out of fashion for a reason. I know - it's supposed to protect the indigenous rainbow-colored tablecloths, but geez. It feels so rubbery and plasticky. Can you think of a cheesier thing to use? But even worse than those plastic table covers is the lighting. Sometimes, there is no lighting to save on electrical bills. I once went to the restaurant for a late lunch, saw no lights inside, and gingerly opened the front door to ask if it was open - the waitress said it was. But when the lighting actually is on, it's of the rather institutional long-bulbed filtered-fluorescent office variety. With only painted concrete walls and the rainbow-colored curtains and tablecloths reflecting this depressing lighting arrangement.....let's just say the food saves this place big time. If the restaurant hires a restaurant design and decor consultant (the entrance and exterior design isn't the best, either), it would do wonders for their business.
(4)Deanna W.
Really, if you are looking for even half way decent Mexican food in the area, I would not recommend this restaurant. Coming from CA I am sort of used to good, flavorful, authentic style Mexican food. The food here was bland, absolutely NO flavor. The rice looked and tasted like Rice a Roni or some other boxed rice mix. I know there are other Mexican restaurants in the area but have yet to try them and am hoping for better results when I do.
(1)Brett B.
My Choice for Mexican in Bethlehem. Guac is fresh and awesome along with the salsa, chips are housemade. Everything speaks to home cooking. Nothing is obliterated in cheese and sauce. Watch out for the "el yucateco" hot sauce that have. I asked for hot sause and they gave me something midly hot, I asked for something , "caliente", and they brought me a bottle of this stuff.... I'm sure they were laughing at the stupid gringo sweating profusely after eating it.
(4)s s.
Ok mexican food, They redecorated the interior, which is an improvement. The only big problem, as others mentioned Thier service is Ever So SLOW~!!
(3)Yi H.
I love Yelp and appreciate the reviews I get from it. At times, it's really helpful. After seeing the place when I was in the South side I decided to look it up and the reviews are mix so i took a chance with it. It's actually not bad. I LOVE the chips and salsa. It's ashame that some people do not know how real salsa is supposed to taste like. They are so used to the commercial kind with the added preservatives. The salsa at La Lupita was so fresh and you can actually taste the herbs! The chips are so crispy and good. The funny thing is i ate so much chips and salsa that when it came to my main course which was the Poncho villa, I couldn't finish it. The portion was beautifully presented and you get a good amount. It consists of enchiladas, a taco, rice and beans. The sweet waitress thought I didn't like the food when i asked her to wrap up the leftovers. I reassured her that i really enjoyed it. Apparently, it's a culture thing when you don't finish the food, it means you might not like it. Overall, it was a good lunch and the price is very reasonable.
(4)freddie d.
You know I cannot believe I passed by this place as many times as I have for the past 4 years. Finally, today, I took my family to this family-owned restaurant to try their cuisine. The space is somewhat small with only 20 tables but has a very comfy atmosphere. Shades resembling Mexican blankets partially cover the windows, most of the surroundings are surrounded with the colors of the Mexican flag (Red ,White, and Green), and a large portrait of Our Lady of Guadalupe hanging over the far wall makes this environment as South of the Border as it gets!! Portions are well -sized, very fresh ingredients, and the Rolled Chicken (Chicken breast stuff with mild sauce and Broccoli) is to die for! My daughter adored their Spanish rice and finished her whole plate (that in itself is a miracle) and the misses had a wonderful roasted pork dinner with Mexican spices and Spanish rice. Amazingly enough all 3 of our meals came to $25. A steal of a deal considering the excellent quality of the food. One thing that did let me down was the lack of Alcohol beverages. No matter tho. Their is an assortment of bars all along W.4Th street to satisfy ones drinking urges anyway!! If you want tasty, appealing, delicious Mexican food at an absolute bargain of a price you should definitely try Taqueria La Lupita
(4)Cici C.
Um... so hilariously enough, I tried to indulge in some midday La Lupita yesterday only to find that they're closed and performing extensive construction to the inside. I guess this will most likely solve my issue with the decor being a tad on the sketchy side, but now where am I supposed to eat a delicious Mexican meal on the southside? My advice to all is BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR. First world problems are a doozy.
(5)Da S.
perfect for an affordable mexican lunch
(5)Lily S.
Really really slow service! Foods just ok, doesn't deserve a good dinner time.
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