La Perla Restaurant
734 S 5th St, Milwaukee, WI, 53204
La Perla Restaurant Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Milwaukee for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
734 S 5th St
Milwaukee, WI, 53204 - Phone (414) 645-9888
- Website https://www.laperlahot.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Loud
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
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Matthew H.
Good place. Especially if it is sunny out as they have an outdoor patio
(4)Babs H.
This was a huge let down. A customer of mine told me that I HAD to go to this place because they have the best Mexican food, margaritas, and a mechanical chili pepper (I was sold at the mechanical chili pepper). My bf and I were slightly warned by a local, but he was trying to be modest and said, "you'll have fun, check it out." We showed up with crickets chirping. We were the only people in here besides a bachelorette party. We should have taken that as an omen. Bf had the enchiladas and they were by far the most bland enchiladas we've ever tasted. I had a stuffed poblano pepper and it tasted like nothing. How? How can that be? The margaritas were almost undrinkable because they were so damn sweet and where was the tequila? Couldn't tell you. $40 for bland food and crappy margaritas. Our server was really sweet and our order came up quickly, but the food and drinks were pretty bad. If it weren't for the friendly staff and the mechanical chili pepper this place would only have uno star. P.S. To make matters worse? When driving back to the hotel we saw four or five other Mexican restaurants that were packed and we are willing to bet that's because the food is 100 times better.
(2)Meena V.
The food is just so-so. None of the dishes we ordered were particularly flavourful, and were cheese-y, greasy and just ... bland instead. I mean it's palatable, but certainly not really great food, and certainly not worth the $2 over market price for similar food in the area you're going to be paying. But hey, the service was super-fast and efficient (at lunch) -- but the space is HUGE, and I'm sure a lot of fun at night, especially after a margarita or two or five.
(3)Heather T.
What I remember them doing WELL, was making a virgin Pina Colada. But that's way back when I was in high school. Who knows if they can do that well now? All those years ago, the food was mediocre--and I was a teenager who thought that! The food would be bland sometimes, cold other times, or both, usually. They were also more expensive than all the other 50 Mexican restaurants within a 5-block radius. The reason they're so hyped is that bucking bronco chili pepper. Woohoo? Don't eat here.
(2)michele w.
Excellent margaritas and fantastic service. The food isn't so out of the ordinary for Mexican food, but it's consistently good-did I mention the margaritas? The outdoor seating-rooftop or patio/deck is very nice with a four sided fireplace, lights, and beautiful flowers.
(4)Belinda J.
Beat Margaritas in town and super fast service. I love the customer service, they are super friendly and attentive to the customers. And the food....the food is authentic Mexican and REALLY GOOD! The restaurant vibe is loud and fast paced. A perfect place if you're looking for a fun night out.
(5)Richard N.
Well, I guess this is what you should expect from a margarita bar.
(2)Ashley L.
Cheap, middling Mexican food. Delicious Margaritas. Decent atmosphere (take a ride on the pepper!). Efficient service.
(4)Bruce S.
Great Mexican can be had here for cheap. Over 400 types of margaritas and tequila. Saaaaweeet. Get er' drunk! the portions are more than generous so you won't leave hungry. Definately 5 stars!
(5)Nana H.
I went there last summer and enjoyed myself so much. The portions are fairly large- go there with an empty stomach. Its great place to take out of towners. They have a shuttle you can call and they will pick you up and when you're done they can take you anywhere you want to go.
(5)Craig N.
The mexican food here is pretty darn good (not fantastic, but pretty good). If you're looking for a fairly inexpensive place to go for dinner, check out La Perla.
(4)Brian G.
My girlfriend and I have eaten here twice now; sub par chips and salsa. I very much enjoyed the atmosphere, but the tamales were not memorable on the second trip, and the super-burrito was above average, but not by much on the first. I realize it's a small thing, but the iced tea might as well have been water it was so weak. Seems like it would be a good margarita bar though.
(3)Anne H.
While La Perla has slowly taken over the block (used to be only the building on the corner, now has three connecting buildings), it's growth has done nothing for me. Overcrowded and not all that great! But where else can you ride a mechanical chili pepper?
(2)Nick P.
I was quite dissapointed with LaPerlas food. Had the enchalatas. The problem is that the meat was not seasoned. Good mexican food has the meat seasoned or soaking or marinated in special sauces or spices. The chicken in our two dishes was white and dry. Take a hunk of plain chicken, put it in a tortillia, cover with sauce and cheese or whatever and you have LaPerla chicken dishes. I don't know, maybe the rest of the menu is better but I won't be going back to find out.
(2)Allyson U.
La Perla is definitely a place everyone from Milwaukee should go once. Its a fun restaurant and they have great margaritas. There food isn't the best Mexican food, but you go more for the experience.
(4)Jan G.
Went for just margaritas, chips and salsa. Was disappointed that they wouldn't let us sit in the patio down stairs unless we ordered appetizers. So we sat at the north bar and had a great time with the doors open. Yummy drinks and chips/salsa. Will have to go back for the food sometime soon.
(3)Carolyn E.
A couple of lady-friends and I needed a restaurant with fairly large portions and margaritas. We definitely found a place to satiate those desires and encountered nothing but great drinks, tasty chips & salsa, and great dishes. Our server was friendly, fun, and attentive. He offered to dance with my shimmying friend-- but she suddenly became bashful. As a recovering (fish-eating) vegetarian, I found the Tacos de Pescados quite tasty and my Margarita Real was gone in about 5 minutes. (amazing, amazing) My dining companions also enjoyed their food throughly. I would describe the food as mostly authentic Mexican. It is most certainly more authentic than Pedros/Chevy's/Chichi's, but it's not necessarily Madison's El Pastor. This means you will have to get your tongue tacos elsewhere, but there is chorizo. My friend ordered the Premium Margarita which comes 50/50 instead of sour mix , and it tasted a little too boozy for her (and me), but our server was more than happy to top it off with sour mix, and then it was gone. I'm definitely coming back here for dancing, drinks, or food in the near future.
(5)Brian W.
Average Mexican food that costs a bit more than you'd expect for average Mexican food. The only reason anyone comes here is because of their marketing department. Thanks, billboards.
(3)J L.
just average and somewhat disappointing in cleaniliness
(3)Angie O.
I heart La Perla! It is one of my favorite Mexican restaurants.... ever. It is probably because I always have such a great time when I am here. Their rainbow margaritas are amazing, and they do sneak up on you ;) I have never had anything I did not like on the menu. I do recommend ordering a combination so you can try a little bit of everything. The "chunky beef" is by far my favorite meat to get on my dishes. The wait staff are always friendly and efficient. Sometimes too efficient. As soon as you are seated they present you with fresh chips and salsa. I love the salsa because it's zippy without being spicy and it is evenly blended/chopped and not super chunky. They always give you water without having to ask. Drinks and food is served very fast! Even when this place is busy on the weekend, it is never a long wait for a table. I often have a a full margarita to drink after my meal and I appreciate how the wait staff does not come around and pester you to leave. La Perla is definitely a fun place to take out-of-town visitors, or the place to go when you are craving a margarita and some yummy Mexican food! Also a very nice place to go on a warm, sunny day when you can sit on the roof-top patio.
(5)James K.
Americanized Mexican. Tasty, good variety but lacking that authenticity. Order a hand made margarita instead of the rainbow of mass produced ones. Order a dish that you've never ordered before. Maybe then you'll get more excitement than I did. Try Riviera Maya next.
(3)Amy K.
Do not eat here. Go to one of the other nearby places in either directions. Salsa and chips are gross along with the quality of food.
(1)Paul D.
Chicken tortilla soup is my favorite side along with their enchiladas. Best Mexican food in town!
(5)Bartleby F.
They've dropped their awesome lunch menus and the food seemed blander than usual. It's still good, but it was not as good as it's been the in the past. It was dead so the service was fine. We weren't drinking since it was lunch time, but I do really enjoy their Green Iguana margarita.
(3)AJ R.
Lost large group reservation, less than average costumer service, and food is just ok.
(2)Jay S.
The service was decent but not exceptional. I could barely taste the tequila in the Margaritas. The food was passable, but I've had steak tacos at other area restaurants that were much much better.
(2)Jen Y.
I appreciate local business owners that go out of their way to set things right. Thanks La Perla for filling me in on your home made sauces. Looking forwad to coming back.... you're right for at least the people watching! ;)
(4)Christine F.
Nick, You are missing the point of my review. This was on our third visit. No one knew who we were. The restaurant was empty and the service was still horrible. Nothing with service had changed. Issues that are not important to you may be to your customers. I feel very insulted. If a customer doesn't feel like the service is good, you may not ever see them again. I have a feeling you want return customers? The better the service, the more money your restaurant gets and the better tips your servers get. We didn't even get basic service this last visit. Really? Something as simple as drink refills? Not even a "How is your food?" I don't care where I go, if the service is bad I am not going to give it a second and thrid chance. If I didn't have another Groupon to use I would have never come back. I even let a drink Groupon expire. I NEVER let Groupons expire! I have purchased hundreds of them. It just wasn't worth it. This is not an isolated issue as you can see by previous bad reviews by other customers. There are so many restaurants in that area. Why give your customers a reason to never come back? There is so much competition in your neighborhood. I would think you would want to change things and listen rather than make your poor service the customers falt? Conejetios is half your price but let me tell you the service and food is awesome! I have been going there for 20 years plus and have yet to have a bad experience. A pricey place isn't always better.
(2)Ross B.
Margaritas were too sweet and syrupy. Service was pretty average, our waitress got all of our plates wrong upon delivery. Food is OBVIOUSLY pre-made and it tastes like it. Chimichangas were greasy and soggy, not crisp like they should be. It was also just-plain bland. No seasoning or spice at all. Years ago, I remember La Perla being a decent place for a good, authentic Mexican meal on Milwaukee's south side. Not anymore, unfortunately. My suggestion: Go elsewhere.
(2)Deliah T.
Thanks for an awesome Saturday night again!!! Margaritas yes! I really liked the steak burritos and chimichangas. My servers were great! IT was really a fun night! Lots of people were there. So glad to see a place with fun, excitement and great food!
(5)Derek K.
Great food, friendly service. We've been there numerous times and while it might take a little longer to get a refill once in a while, life goes on. The Groupon they run regularly doesn't hurt either. Sitting outside on a weekend is a great time, but honestly we've never had a bad experience at La Perla.
(4)Linda N.
Made the mistake of going to La Perla when my favorite Mexican place GTO (Guanajuato) was closed. Had seen the La Perla sign several times when driving past and suspect that was why I made the assumption that it was a good restaurant. Obviously a big visible sign must mean great food. Well, I was very wrong. The food was not good, the horchata was not good. In addition, non of their "Mexican" drinks were made in-house, and I wouldn't be surprised if that also goes for a few other things they serve. On top of this, the restaurant was cold the day we visited, which didn't improve the overall experience. Maybe I would have been happier with the experience if I wasn't expecting Guanajuato standards, but I really don't think so. Avoid La Perla if the goal is to get good Mexican food - there are so many much better alternatives.
(2)Dee D.
Check your bill! Service and food were ok, but we were confused when the bill total didn't add up correctly (plus there was an extra drink charge on there). What pissed us off was the waiter argued and insulted us about the discrepancy for 5 min until we called the manager over ( who said we were correct and that they had been having problems with their machine recently and that this had happened before). What annoyed us the most was that the waiter brought over a phone to make us add the bill up again ( and we were correct) and still couldn't say what the extra mysterious $10 was for. He kept saying tax , except there was a clearly stated line showing out tax on the bill.
(2)Roberto R.
No idea why La Perla has an average of 2.5 stars. I've never had a problem there. Food tastes great, good sized portions, service is fine, and haven't had to wait in recent memory although I haven't been there since 2012 I believe.
(4)lake p.
If I give this place a 0, I would. I usually eat at Botanas, but there was a line so I opted for this place. I was seated quickly, but it took some time before a waiter appeared. The tables next to me which had people that were seated after us waiter appeared before ours. The food was quick. We ordered burritos and chimichangas which were marginal. Waiter was very attentive when she finally arrive. I think I'll stick with Botanas down the street.
(1)Vicky B.
Nick, the manager at La Perla has responded to my post. He has invited me back to give La Perla another try. His professionalism and follow up to my complaints has demonstrated a true professional and I look forward to meeting him and giving La Perla another shot. Hopefully on a warmer day to enjoy the patio! I will post a review after my return back.
(4)Maura S.
The margaritas were fantastic... I thought the service was pretty good, they were packed and I thought they managed to keep up pretty well... so I have nothing bad to say there. However when the food is mediocre, and when that happens I feel that the whole experience of the meal goes down :(. Some how lacked that true Mexican flavor. Portions were good I thought *Shrugs* we fat American's over eat anyway :D.
(3)Darina H.
- Taxi ride to La Perla from Hyatt Hotel in downtown = $10 - No wait for a table (awesome) - La Perla pitcher of margarita for four people = sweet and perfect (about $20) - La Perla combination dinner (chimichanga, taco and enchilada) = DELICIOUS =$12 - R
(5)Timothy H.
Went with friends... had a groupon... orders were wrong, but they fixed them. Food was eh.
(2)Jeff C.
The sign out front says "Fine Mexican Cuisine", and the name roughly translates to "The Gem". If this is what passes for fine Mexican food, then I'm swearing off of it for life. My dining companion ordered a "fresca" margarita, and given its name, I thought it would be made fresh, i.e., fresh squeezed limes, agave nectar, tequila, and maybe a splash of triple sec. It was whisked to the table in less than a minute (great service!), but it was clearly not "fresh". At about $9 a pop, they should be ashamed! Queso Fundido with Chorizo came out equally quickly. Unfortunately, it was equally disappointing - dripping with grease, a wet mess of yuck. I ordered one of the house specialties, burritos. It was served with rice and beans. I didn't think it was possible to ruin refried beans, but La Perla has done it. They had an odd taste, kind of gamy. The pork burritos were no better, lacking flavor and tasting somewhat "suspect". I've enjoyed good Mexican food all over the United States, and I don't enjoy writing a bad review, but if the shoe fits... The decor is "interesting" - a couple of very large peppers protruding from the ceiling/walls, and a couple of ride-able peppers.
(1)Stephanie L.
Patio Perla. The restaurant is getting that moniker for the draw, the pull it had on me with the warm weather. I would have preferred a jaunt down several blocks to visit my little goat friend, but alas, no patio meant I had to make sacrifices. My husband and I chose deck seating to bask in the rays and sip a few margaritas. The folks at La Perla make them strong, even the slightly more expensive ones with simply tequila, lime juice, and triple sec. The casa margarita may be green. This one is clear, a.k.a., La Perla's version of moonshine. The server was polite, but nothing out of the ordinary here. They tend to be robotic, and serve food too quickly. I think they are programmed to move dining along, so as to free up tables on a busy night. Speed and efficiency do not receive high marks in this case. The salsa, now, that is an area that redeems a few points, but the chips are poor companions and taste transparent, not even like the corn from which they are made. Let us say that we went through more salsa than chips on this visit. I must note that the shrimp tacos were substantial and memorable, though. I enjoyed the spices in which they were cooked and the sweetness of the shrimp themselves. The individual shrimp were also meaty enough to take at least two bites from each. Although we happened on La Perla thanks in part to their al fresco accommodations, I know that there will not be planned visits in the future. It was not a poor dining experience, but there are far too many authentic, family-owned taquerias that deserve a try, patio or not.
(3)Lisa E.
The food was not that great but the staff was attentive and refilled our drinks frequently. I still prefer and recommend Café Corazon.
(2)Brett N.
Delicious food. Friendly staff. Great margaritas. The mole enchiladas are fantastic. Sit outside if you can.
(5)alan w.
We went most recently with my wife and mother for Mother's Day. We had a wonderful meal and experience. The staff was very kind and very attentive. The food was fabulous as always. Great place to take the family, the staff is SO good with kids!
(4)Sarah H.
Came here twice in a few weeks and I have to say it's just OK Mexican fare. The margaritas were not cloudy (looked like they were not made with fresh lime juice and possibly Rose's lime instead - pet peeve of mine), but my friends said they tasted good. We tried: guacamole - pretty good, could've used some onions or a little kick. steak fajitas - delicious marinade shrimp soup - OK, would have been better if I ordered it cold, but went with the waiter's suggestion of ordering it hot tostadas - delicious and hot, but needed some sauce (bland) Not sure I would come back unless I had another Groupon.
(3)Richard S.
I am glad to see that most Yelpers don't fall in line with the massive PR machine that is La Perla. La Perla's food is nowhere near as good as many places in its same neighborhood. As others have said, come here to drink and ride the pepper, but eat somewhere else.
(2)Katelyn G.
Today was our second trip to La Perla. I must say, I was intimidated to try and venture into a Mexican restaurant at 7pm on Cinco DE Mayo. We were pleasantly surprised. Immediate seating, with a full house. Quick, friendly service, with many tables turning and bodies flowing in. I can't thank the owner enough for providing us with some of their new bottles hot sauce!! Yummy :) Thank you La Perla for giving us a family friendly Cinco de Mayo.
(5)Kip G.
La Perla suffers from a fate of being located in Milwaukee's Latin Quarter and having better options surrounding it. If you're in the mood for an appetizer and a drink, the Mango de Gallo (amazing stuff and the only reason I ever return) washed down by a margarita would be worth your while. After a few margaritas, you're bound to be able to talk someone into hopping up on the pepper for a photo opp. If you're in the mood for a meal though, you're better off heading to Conejito's or Botanas. To each their own though.
(3)Heather S.
This place used to be so good & I loved the steak taco's. That was a few years ago, last time I was there. Went today for lunch and it was terrible. There were 5 of us and all of our dishes were horrible. The steak on the taco's had far on them - gross. The chips & salsa were awful. My kid's didn't touch their food and they usually finish their plates. Rice was dry & uneventful. Very few people in the restaurant. No wonder why they have to put out Groupons/Perk deals. I just hope they turn things around, because they were the place to go.
(1)Sam H.
La Perla is one of those places where if you are completely starving, it will fill you up. However, I can say that the food was pretty much standard Mexican fare, nothing special. While the portions were big, it did taste pretty bland. The atmosphere is great though, and I can see why some people like to go here. The food itself is not even close to any "real" authentic Mexican food.
(3)Colin D.
Worst. Service. Ever. The place wasnt even busy and we waited 15 min for our bill. The food was not worth the wait and I suspect some of the positive reviews are written by staff that work there.
(2)Mark S.
This place has some redeeming qualities, but food isn't one of them. With much more authentic Mexican restaurants very close by, go elsewhere if you want food. With a fun atmosphere and a lot of booze to be drank, come here to drink.
(2)Meli S.
Food is always delicious. LOVE the fish tacos. Wait staff is a crap shoot. Love the outdoor seating and rainbow margaritas!
(3)Julia M.
Solid standard Mexican food in a fun but loud downtown-ish location. Chili pepper is a conversation starter. No complaints.
(4)J M.
With all the advertisements around town and everyone telling me to visit here, I thought it would be delicious. Nope. The food was extremely bland and the service was pretty slow. I ordered tacos and the meat had hardly any seasoning at all. No flavor. The salsa was ok, but the chips were beyond stale. Will not be visiting again.
(2)Johanna L.
I went to La Perla two years ago as a tag-along because my friend's roommate was convinced that if we went there, she could get alcohol without being carded (we were college freshmen). I went with because my friend was being dragged along and desperately wanted moral support, as she doesn't agree with her roommate's choices but wanted to make sure she was safe. Anyway, they were carded. Kudos to La Perla. The atmosphere on the bar side is colorful, and of course there's the giant pepper you can ride, so that's fun. I haven't been back to experience the bar, but their liquor collection looks extensive. Nothing on the menu looked appetizing to me, so I had chicken tortilla soup, which was mediocre. But hey, the price was decent enough. One redeeming point is that you can get the shuttle bus to come and pick you up. However, you may have to wait a good long time for it to come.
(2)Michael L.
I've been to all of the restaurants in MKE's Latin Quarter. La Perla is ALWAYS the BEST! When I was there for a friend's birthday, our server Roberto was AWESOME-so friendly and prompt! He introduced us to the manager, Steve, and he made sure everything was FAR BEYOND OUR EXPECTATIONS! We will be back!
(5)Bobby E.
Great service/drinks food ok .worth checking out. Check out the chile,ride it
(2)Andrew P.
Not enough room! I was also very dissatisfied with the salsa, very bland and watered down. Pork was really salty and the chicken was average. The positives are that it was a fun environment, fast and cheap. Oh yeah the chimichangas are awesome!
(3)Angela M.
The margaritas are good but no different from La Fuente's or Bontana's. The food is Americanized and pretty bland. If you want real or flavorful Mexican food, get to know its surrounding area.
(2)Jenn R.
The food was fantastic and the drinks were delicious. The owner was super friendly, dropped by our table to have a quick chat--he was even helpful enough to help me find a specialty supermarket in the area (I'm a New Yorker and was visiting Milwaukee at the time). The service is a bit slow and the server forgot to put in part of our order (fortunately we were so full we wouldn't have been able to enjoy it.) I'll definitely be back the next time I'm in the area.
(4)Kevin R.
Definately does not live up to the hype. It is really crowded, service is mediocre (largely because they are so busy) and the food is average. There are several more authentic, better tasting mexican restaurants in the city. It makes for a better place to drink than to eat.
(2)Christy K.
After years of not having been to La Perla, I have now visited this establishment twice in three weeks. Both times the service was incredibly slow. The second time our waiter was rude, forgot part of the order and had two mistakes on our bill. I only went back the second time because I had a Groupon to use, but I won't be back again.
(1)Kathy G.
Average food, average margaritas, for too high of a price. It's crowded and over-rated. Take a walk to the other side of 5th Street (either south or west) and you won't be disappointed.
(2)Karla N.
Horrible - has been going down fast! We walked in 7pm on a beautifual Thursday night. the restaurant was empty, the first floor deck had some space, the second floor deck not open --- RED FLAGS. Our waiter seemed stoned, service tooks hours - at a mexican restaurant. Food was brought to our table of 10, the items were closish to what we ordered and several were not prepared per menu description. Plus it was not really hot and just tasted bleck. Restroom had no toilet paper and the restaurant had a dirty look, feel to it. This place should have been jumping on the Thursday before Labor day. It was dead. Food and service horrible. We will NEVER be back
(1)Michael H.
We ate at La Perla last night. My wife and I ordered shrimp fajitas. The shrimp were over cooked and rubbery. The vegetable mix for the fajitas consisted of 3 pounds of onions, 4 strips of bell pepper, and nothing else. Although they were not crowded (no waiting line), the waitress really rushed us. She even tried to clear my plate while I was lifting a forkful of food to my mouth. The blended margarita was commercial and really sweet. All in all, a really lousy experience.
(1)Ronald T.
I wish I had more to say about my review but the food was just so uninspired that I really do not have much to say. There was a pillow of lettuce and tomatoes on everything and a tad too much salt everywhere. Very disappointed.
(2)Ryan F.
Service was really good. We got our food really quick. Chips & salsa were average. I had steak tacos the steake was juicy but lacked flavor. My girlfriend got burito, chimmy, rice and beans she didnt like any of it, but chimmy was okay I tried it I liked it lots of cheese.
(3)Dax P.
The service is very attentive, and the margaritas are delicious, however, the food is standard Mexican fare. Nothing out of the ordinary on their menu, and lacking taste in my opinion. For all of the restaurants in the area, La Perla fails the mark.
(2)Josh B.
This is a good place to go if you want cheap Mexican food. Now, you get what you pay for, as the food's not the best out there, but it's good if you're not a Mexican food connoisseur and just want a good place to get some food. Plus, the service is really quick. As for the atmosphere, it's pretty good. It is true that it's sometimes overrun with underage college students, as they will be served alcohol here. It's also very crowded at certain times, but it's still a fun place to bring a bunch of friends and people watch and talk over good food. Make sure to try a margarita while you're there.
(4)Anissa B.
Yuck. Food was bland and the service was seriously lacking.
(1)Roxy R.
when i saw the mechanical chili pepper i knew i had to ride it. which i did and it was super fun and also i got a bumper sticker for riding which was the best part of the whole experience. we didn't eat anything, just drank house margaritas which weren't great. all in all, friendly staff and fun for an afternoon happy hour margarita. and the chili pepper ride, of course!
(3)Robert Y.
La Perla.... You only have 2 reasons to come here. If you want to get wasted with a group of people or your friends are dragging you here on a birthday party. I think they intentionally keep the food tasteless so it appeals to even the pickiest children. Hard to complain when it all tastes bland and the same. If you want a fun, crazy atmosphere with a long wait on the weekends, come here. If you want good food, go somewhere else. It's hard to up the ante on your quality control when you have so many 'tourists' (even from around Milwaukee) to come and pay high prices for mediocre food.
(1)Jon A.
It's been years since I've been to La Perla, but my wife had never eaten there, so I went again. Yep, the food still fails to deliver. I've never had more bland Mexican food in my life. Even their salsa is dumbed down in terms of flavor and heat. This place proves that advertising works. You'll notice that most of the 4 and 5 start reviews are from people who are from out of town and probably chose La Perla because they heard the radio ad or saw the big sign on the freeway. And let's face it; when you eat at a new place in a new city, you automatically think it's good because, hey, it's different! Still, I probably won't ever be eating here again. The place is clean, the service is good, but there are tons of other places to get better Mexican food.
(2)E p.
My girlfriends and I have decided to come here for a bachelorette's party dinner. As previous reviewers have stated, there are better options to go to. We came from Illinois and other Milwaukee natives, that we have talked to, have told us that it was better for us to avoid this place but we wanted to see the chili pepper ride. It was not worth the free shuttle or our time. The food has much to be desired (most of us felt gross a day after) and service was horrendous.Granted there were 8 of us but the restuarant was half empty. Times like these I hate the mandatory 18% gratutity. The food was mediocre and the salsa tasted like spaghetti sauce. The hyped chili pepper ride was a kiddie ride and its a joke. At the rate its going, I don't think the restaurant will survive for another year unless they trained their servers better and hire better chefs. We should have listen to the locals and gone elsewhere. You know its a bad sign when a restaurant offers free shuttle to large groups.
(2)Ryan S.
Ambience: 4/5 (seating is divided between two sections: the left side is nothing special, the right side has a bar and more decor (including the infamous mechanical chili pepper); I recommend the right side; the only downside is that the place is sometimes overrun by obnoxious, under-age college students) Food: 5/5 (I can't speak to the whole menu because I always get the pork chimichanga plate and it is always fantastic, as are the sides; the blended margaritas are amazing: deceptively strong; undeniably smooth and flavorful) Service: 5/5 (I've been there dozens of times and the servers are always friendly and service is always freakishly fast) Value: 5/5 (very reasonably priced considering how big the portions are and how good the food is; basically, I always order the two chimichanga plate and always end up taking the other one home because they are both so big; it's like a two-for-one deal) Verdict: I lived in Milwaukee for four years and went here regularly; I admit that there is a lot of hype surrounding the place, but I think it lives up to it. I've lived in Tucson, Arizona (45 minutes from the Mexican border) for the past 2 years and I have yet to find a Mexican restaurant here that compares with La Perla: fun ambience; complimentary chips and salsa, stellar margaritas, consistently good food that is cheap considering the mammoth portions and that comes out fast and hot. I highly recommend it.
(5)Brian S.
Please don't think this place is worth the hype. Unless you're (1) a 19-year old female college student desperately looking for a place to use your fake ID or (2) middle-aged, semi-alcoholic and wanting to "have a crazy night out with your best girls," this place is among the most overrated Mexican places in the greater Milwaukee area. The food is average at best; within a few miles there are at least five Mexican places that are less expensive and more authentic that you could enjoy more. Once you step inside after an hour-long wait, try the chips and salsa, order a nice margarita (will admit those are good), and sit back to enjoy the novelty rodeo chili pepper that inevitably ends up being the medium for a public sh**show put on by someone's sloppy ex-wife. Then you've pretty much experienced all there is to experience about La Perla. Props for their free shuttle that picks you up, and the food is not really bad...it's just not deserving of the hype when there are so many other good Mexican places in MKE. Go to Botana's, Cielito Lindo, Cempazuchi, Guanajuato or La Fuente first (in no particular order, I guess).
(2)Ben F.
OVERPRICED!!! I love authentic Mexican food and as a chef myself I am a stickler for quality of service and quality of food I have been to La Perla a few times (lucky to get a second chance) and have tried several menu items including; tacos, fajitas, shrimp fajitas, and a few more. All the items are overpriced for the quality of ingredients an the quality of staff preparing the food. The ambiance and drinks and ok but still pricey and leave something to be desired. Hopefully I can find that authentic place I am looking for!!
(1)Claire D.
La Perla has THE best margarita pitchers I've ever experienced! Sure, they can be pricey for the top shelf tequila, but it's worth it and they make it worth it by blending the right amount in there for you (ie. they're potent). The food is standard Mexican fare for the Milwaukee area. It's enough to satisfy your craving. The outdoor patio is a nice area to hang out on a Friday or Saturday night pre-whatever it is you're doing. The inside dining area leaves much to be desired, but go outside! That's where all the action is.
(4)Erin L.
I came for a Rotaract and Fuel joint networking event so this review is based of the patio and the drinks only. There was a nacho bar, but I am not quite sure if this is something normally on the menu. The patio was wonderful and makes the oh so sought after Milwaukee Summer nights enjoyable indeed. Lots of space for bigger parties as well. it was the perfect space for our event and everything was well organized. Also parking was no problem as there was quite a bit to find in the area. The drinks were eh, nothing to write home about and they had a nacho bar as well that was average. my biggest disappointment was that the bar only took cash which wasn't communicated well before-hand, and the service was a bit slow. Either way if I came back to La Perla I think I would come for rooftop patio drinks only and pass on the food.
(3)George T.
We stopped in for dinner for 5 requested the roof. Saturday night. I guess it wasn't busy enough to open the roof. But we were offered the patio instead. We requested the fireplace table as it was getting colder later. Chips and salsa was good starter along with a pitcher of regular margarita $30. Premium was $38 which yielded over 5 servings. They were strong and prefer if the pitcher had no ice like Guanajuato does. It will help to keep the flavor from getting watered down. Especially as summer is around the corner. We had ordered chimichanga taco arriero taco salad and special order tacos plate and carne asada taco. Food. 4 giant menu for those looking outside the bun. Amb 5 Service 3 good attention. Location 4 Value 3 the prices for everything seems a little higher. I'm not sure if this is inflation or if traditional Mexican styled food has become expensive to make. 32/2015
(4)Manny R.
Food is good, margs are strong and who doesn't want to give the pepper a ride. Not a bad idea to start your night here with some drinks and add some carbs for the rest of your night.
(3)Don R.
Meh. Let me start by saying I'm from Chicago. Admittedly, Chicago have some slamming Mexican joints and I know where most of them are located. Therefore, by coming here today, I know that in Milwaukee I couldn't expect to have as good as back home but I was expecting it to be close. The salsa that came with the chips was ok. The original one wasn't hot. The hot one was flavorless. However, the chips were very fresh and had a nice texture to them. For dinner I got the Super Burrito, Pork. While it wasn't terrible, it's want even close to what I'm used to in the Chi. For starters it wasn't huge. It was moderate size. Then it wasn't fully wrapped tight. It came loose quick and it was a lot of liquid inside. The flavor wasn't bad though. I also had a mango Margarita. While it didn't taste the best, it was very potent. But what ultimately saves this from being two stars is that the food came out relatively quick and the server was nice.
(3)Bill C.
I came with a group of friends awhile back. We had good time. The patio was great. This was on weekday evening and we were on the only folks there at the restaurant. The food itself was fine; nothing to particularly to rave about and may have been a little on the saltier and smaller portion side for the price. Overall, a standard fair. Can't really go wrong.
(3)Mike P.
Was a very cool place the food was good service was excellent . The prices were very fair . They had a lot of specials and lots of tequila to drink look alike a fun place to eat in the evening time
(5)Danielle I.
I love love love La Perla! strong margaritas and sizzling delicious food. Portions are generous and I feel price aligned well. So I mean really it has everything you want, 1. Awesome bright interior. with plenty of windows and a gigantic chilli pepper ( i mean really its like me size ) 2. Strong generous poured margarita ( i had 2 with brunch and I felt a little day drunk... thanks babe for driving me home ) 3. Delicous fish tacos with plenty of fish. No shrimping on the fish here haha ? guys? is that crickets I hear ? 4. Also wonderful attentive waitresses So check please I cant wait to come again.
(5)Pamela M.
This is my 300th review on Yelp. Here is my personal breakdown out of 300: 35% - 5 stars 20% - 4 stars 19% - 3 stars 15% - 2 stars 10% - 1 star (1% left due to rounding) It's fact that my reviews are more positive than negative cause being Happy is Happy and I'll give Top Props for ANY style as long as you do it well :) "Elite" Yelpers tend to more heavily give 4 stars and that means we really like it but are leaving some extra wiggle room to improve. Personally, I've worked hard at my mind set and giving more 5 stars for bar food when a place is only trying to serve bar food, etc. On the flip side, 2 or 3 stars when a place is trying to charge me a premium EVEN IF my company is paying. No matter. I'm still your customer. That's the background I needed to explain and now to let this one rip... Most of my friends both foodies and non-self-proclaimed foodies all seem to say that La Perla isn't that good. Last time I have eaten here was so many years ago and I don't remember it being terrible. Why does everyone keep saying that it's not good? The location is great. The (HEART) of the Latin Quarter sign -- Love It! They expanded with the night club THE CHILI PEPPER THAT YOU CAN RIDE??? WHAT. La Perla has the makings of success. This evening I brought a group of 8. And I didn't finish one taco. Problem 1 - no choice between corn or flour tortillas. Authentic are corn. When the menu didn't stipulate and the server didn't ask, I ASSumed corn. Wrong. The choices for my tacos were steak, chicken or pastor (pork). I decided on one of each. My God, all 3 tacos came out looking exactly the same. They were all tossed in some terrible, Americanized, sweet barbecue type of sauce. The pineapple in my pastor (pork) was baffling. What is happening? This is not at all good nor authentic Mexican food. I ate about 15-20% of my plate. I grew up not wasting food but this was so bad that not only could I not finish it, there was no way that I'd ever want to eat it again. La Perla - I try hard to give credit where credit is due and judge places for what they are attempting to be, even if it's not "popular" but there is no way I'd choose this food over what I can make at home. over what I can get at a picnic, over what I can get at a food truck. Basically, you name it - it's better than yours. With that said, our server was kind and in no way should his tip reflect the food. He worked for his wage and his abilities to serve food that he didn't personally make was enjoyable to where 20% was earned. As a matter of fact, the server earned the second star in this review.
(2)Megan C.
As if my experience wasn't worse enough the actual after effect may be more mind boggling . I had received a nice message from nick , followed by a public comment from him that is not only rude but insulting . If a restaurant has posted hours that are until 10 pm , what time does the restaurant close ? By publicly commenting you kept the kitchen open when 3 customers come in at 8:20 and are asked to order rite away , you arn't doing the customer a favor , your giving the customer shitty service . You saw video of us laughing and having fun , I don't know how that relays to our service ? We were laughing at the experience of what was happening to us and how poor it was . You then continue to state in your comment that we had lied about what your servers did ? I have actual picture evidence of the plastic cups they gave us to take our drinks to go ... Did I make those up and pull them out if my purse ?! Why would I make that up ? We even asked her twice if it was legal to do that in Wisconsin , am I making that up as well ? The cherry on the top is some bullshit comment about me being at the restaurant at 3 AM? What is that even about ? How would I be at your restaurant at 3 am , I was at home in bed at 3 am . You referred to video evidence , clearly you can see when we left and it was before 10pm ... I am beyond outraged . I never made the orginal comment to be a liar , I made it to help inform people . For a business employee to comment back how you did is unacceptable and disrespectful . As far as your continued responses you contacted me one time , and offered me a free meal , I don't want a free meal ,that's not what I'm trying to gain from this . From being in the service industry I have learned It shouldn't matter when a customer complains , have it be during , a hour after or weeks after you should take their experience and care about it .
(1)Angela M.
Ok, maybe you do go to La Perla for the best Mexican food of your life. As I'm transitioning into a vegetarian lifestyle, I am increasingly aware of vegetarian menu options. For instance, at a lot of Mexican places, their vegetarian options consists of solely bean and cheese. Not here! I just received a heaping skillet of delicious vegetables! Like so good I didn't want to stop eating.. but I ran out of tortillas and figured that was a sign! Wonderful service as well. Attentive (yet not nosey) and nice server. *This is not the margaritas talking!
(5)Amber L.
I hadn't been to La Perla in quite some time, maybe 6 years? I can't say what I ate there last time but I wasn't that impressed...it took me awhile to go back obviously, but I'm glad I did. Anyhow I purchased a Groupon and took my boyfriend and friend there a few Saturday nights ago. We were seated right away and brought water and chips/salsa quickly. With it being a Saturday night around 8 pm I figured we might have to wait. Although it was busy we got lucky and they had a table right away. Overall, I think the service was good and we all really enjoyed our food. I read another review from last year with the owner's response about adding more vegetarian items. Being vegetarian, my friend and I really appreciated the options on the menu. I had the taco/chimichanga/enchilada combo and everything was very good. Our server accidentally charged us for one more drink than we had but was nice enough to offer my friend a shot for the trouble (and of course removed it from the bill). I realize that there are A LOT of Mexican food places in the area and sadly, a lot of them are just too alike. But when I go out to eat Mexican I am looking for just plain tasty food. La Perla hit the spot for us!
(4)Adam C.
It is what it is. Despite the promising "Heart of Milwaukee's Latin Quarter" sign and the mechanical pepper, La Perla is really the sort of Mexican restaurant that could be dropped on any street in any city or town and no one would know the difference. It's not that it's bad--quite the contrary, actually--the food is perfectly edible--but there's nothing that sets it apart from any other Mexican restaurant anywhere. Everytime I've been here the service has been perfectly fine, no complaints there. There was a time when their GrubHub hours didn't match their actual hours so a take our order didn't get fulfilled and that was a big problem (I think this would have been the occasion to give out a $20 gift certificate and an apology if I managed the place, but that didn't happen and I have a policy of never asking for goods or services to be comped--it says a lot more about a place when they're proactive about making things right rather than just reacting to angry demands), but with the exception of that one incident things were have been fine in that department. I can forgive one incident in 10 or so transactions. On the topic of food: is it the best in Milwaukee? Certainly not. It's not even the best in the immediate neighborhood. A decent cook could probably do better in their own kitchen. There is, however, plenty of variety, and I could see coming here with a friend here when one of those "oh, why not?" moments hits. I do get sick of seeing "Turn around, you missed La Perla" (or whatever the sign actually says) all the way up near the Bradley Center.
(3)Renee P.
There are too many other good Mexican restaurants in Milwaukee to waste your time here. I do believe the food has become progressively worse over the years. For example, I went for a friend's birthday three years ago and found my chicken tacos to be decent fare. Not the best, not the worst, but for the atmosphere and how easily they accommodate a group, it was fun. Recently I went and could not even finish my chicken enchiladas the meat was so terrible. Looking at it once cutting it up, I couldn't stomach it. Skip it - you won't be missing out on anything. And frankly, if the food is inedible, the atmosphere and service really don't matter.
(1)Kristin G.
Amazing food! Great atmosphere! The only downside for me is no Americanized kids menu. My little ones are picky, so this has to be a date night place for us. I'd highly recommend it. Service, food, and drink were great!
(5)Andrea H.
I will never eat here again. I was completely disappointed with service and food. I will never eat here again. Food came out within 2 minutes of us ordering it and it was cold (obviously re-heated) and the guac was awful!
(1)Christina L.
5th street mexican restaurants are like pizza joints, everyone has a favorite one and is defensive and dangerously loyal to it. My joint of choice is La Perla. Let's clear the air, no it's not authentic, yes it caters to gringos, but it's my guilty pleasure. I find the house margaritas to be decent. The vegetarian fajitas are very good. The guac is pretty good too. I love the patio. Here's what I know...I'm going to get yummy, bad for me food served quickly by super nice servers in a friendly environment and often after a hard day at work on a Wednesday, that's just what a girl needs.
(4)Aubrey G.
Had dinner on the patio with a group of folks Friday evening, 5/31/14. Over the years, we have been here on numerous occasions, the most recent time because others have chosen La Perla; not us. La Perla lived up to my expectations based on previous experiences.... below average Mexican food and certainly not anywhere near the quality or authenticity one can obtain at other Mexican restaurants in MKE. Questionable pricing of drinks both at the bar and on the final dinner tab; i.e., menu and bar special prices listed were not what was charged; albeit, only a dollar here or there, but that type of experience adds to the already negative vibe we have about this place. Traditional Mexican dishes are missing from the menu and others, like Steak Picado, come with a pile of the same vegetables found in their "Fajitas" dishes, but with a different sauce accompanying it. Most importantly, though, and as a phrase in an old burger commercial became famous, "Where's the beef?" Terrible.... if you looked hard, we could find and taste a few tiny ribbon strips (1/16" x 1") of meat that were dry and over cooked. Seriously, just a pile of diced peppers and onions. The tables and chairs on the patio are very uncomfortable, spartan, in dire need of an update and, minimally, repair of the broken and cracked table tops. The young lady who served us was very nice and efficient, but food and comfort is what it is all about when one goes out to eat and, if I can help it, I'll never have a drink or order a meal at La Perla ever again.
(1)Lisa A.
Eh, La Perla's ok. I'm updating. The menu's kind of large so study it well. I suggest gettin a combo ( one of those #4 one flauta, one chimichanga, one taco etc ones they have on menus a lot of time.) The patio in back is pretty inviting and the touristy group in the restaurant today would've spent the whole afternoon takin pictures riding that giant pepper had they been allowed too (seriously, these people had iPads out for pictures - they were intense.) They had $5 banana margaritas on special for Saturday brunch (sold!) They generally have a groupon so it's usually a good deal. I don't know what my whole issue was last time, so making a slight upgrade. Its alright.
(3)Tim S.
All of the staff is so helpful and courteous. The food is absolutely delicious. It is however Americanized a lot. Frozen margaritas are amazing. Two and u r trashed. My only complaint is they serve way too much food. Oh well can't hate that.
(5)Nick M.
My opinion of La Perla has drastically improved over the last 2 years. Glad I came back because the more I visit the more I like it! I love their lunches. Many choices for $8 makes it a great bargain. Service is friendly and speedy enough that I've never had a problem getting back to work on time. I've also had some nice dinners here recently with friends. Plenty of variety on the menu, quiet enough that we can converse, and we occasionally have really friendly waiters who add to the fun. Finally, I'd like to call out my interaction with the owner JoAnne the one time I had a problem (more of a question actually). She was very generous with her time to make sure I walked away happy. I also gained appreciation for her pride in the restaurant, her hard work in building it up, and her commitment to a clean, well-run, customer-friendly restaurant. This made me like the restaurant even more!
(5)Mike C.
It's crazy to think that nearly a year ago I was going to give La Perla a good review. When La Perla opened their doors about a decade and a half ago, despite its popularity, I never found the food to be that good, so I avoided it for many years despite only working a few blocks away. However, last Summer ('12) I decided to try them again. I was impressed. My go-to dish - chunky beef tostadas - were prepared on a fresh grilled tortilla and the flavors were very full. The service was good and I dined there a few times that Summer. Yesterday, a few coworkers and I decided to give our beloved Walkers Point Mexican restaurant a break and try dining at La Perla. What a disappointment. Because it was my idea to go there, I kept saying, "I know the service is poor, that the chips are stale and unsalted and that the salsa tastes like watery ketchup, but trust me, the entrees will be pretty good." Womp, womp. The entrees turned out to be not only as bad as the chips and salsa, but they were much more expensive than our beloved south of the border eatery down the street. The grilled fresh tortilla that I expected my tostada to be served upon was replaced by some flat, stale yellow corn chip. Totally Ortega, which is fine for suburban family taco nights, but not what I'd expect from a restaurant that describes itself as being "the heart of Milwaukee's Latin Quarter." My colleagues were equally unimpressed. The comparisons to our favorite restaurant overflowed. "Too expensive, stale food, bland salsa, unhappy wait staff, poor service. Why are we here again?" La Perla was on the losing end of every category. Worse yet, La Perla destroyed my restaurant critic credibility. What the heck happened here? I suspect they lost their manager last year. In fact, I know they did, but did he take the recipe for success with him? He must have, because this place is now positively the pits. There's three other Mexican restaurants within a 6-iron shot of La Perla - you'd be wise to visit any of those before you dare set foot in the Heart of Milwaukee's Latin Quarter. As for my coworkers, they returned to our normal hangout this afternoon to "right yesterday's wrong." Excellent choice, fellas. Excellent choice. Now can I get my credibility back? ;)
(1)Holly B.
Within a few days of this posting, I was contacted. They took responsibility for the language barrier / lack of communication. I was sent a gift card within a week.
(5)Milwtown D.
Only been here once and I liked this place. I tried Chicken Taco Salad and my friend ordered Chicken Fajitas. We both enjoyed our food. Our server was really nice and had a really good sense of humor. Will go again for sure
(5)Adam K.
The food was great but the service was highly suspect. Our waitress copped an attitude, struggled to keep up with the pace of simple requests, and refused to split up the check. After some negotiation, we were aloud to review the bill and try to decipher everything, but it was cryptically put together to say the least. I had 15 minutes at the table to write this review while the rest of my group did the brunt of the work. I will not return. Edit: the owner does care about his business and made us aware that there were new servers on staff during my visit.
(1)Nicole H.
We went here for dinner recently and had a great time! Great atmosphere, great food, great drinks and great service! We were even treated to a special treat by the owner himself!
(5)Taryn C.
So I got there today for my aunt's birthday celebration with hopes that the food and service is as good as it is at GTO's (Bayview) or the Milwaukee Ale House but I was proven wrong. Any who...we ordered our meal; it was my partner, her son, myself, and my two children. Service was slow and it was not packed, she never came back to ask how our food was and to top it off they charged me an automatic gratuity of 15% for a table of 5. What?! I told the waitress it was against the law to charge me and not give me the option on how I want leave as a tip. She said she could not take off the charge, I advised her to call the manager. Manager came over and said because there was a party of 5 at the table he HAD to charge me the 15% gratuity...no buddy. I told him I was not paying and it was against the law (all in a very pleasant voice) and told him I would call Fox 6 if he did not take off the charge. The manager snatched the bill off the table turned around and stormed out. I remember when La Perla was the place to go. Way to keep it classy La Perla.
(1)Emily B.
Yum! Ive only eaten here one time, but i plan on becoming a regular patron. I had the enchiladas verde and a pina colada. Both were amazing. I was pleased to see the bartender make the pina colada in a blender and not just poor it from one of those awful slushy machines.
(4)Anna K.
Love this place!! Great shuttle service and the margaritas are awesome. Also, they make sure we are always happy.
(5)Jennifer A.
"How do you remove flavor from food?!" I revisited La Perla after about ten years to check an item off my Milwaukee bucket list. It was girl's night out so we were prepared to have a great time. The table started off with a margarita. I ordered the El Fresco Margarita ($7.00) which noted that it was made fresh with Hornitos tequila and fresh lime juice. I thought that would be the best for me because the rest listed that they used "sweet and sour" mix which I am not a fan of. We also started with a basket of chips and salsa along with the Guadalajara Guacamole ($7.95). It was similar to traditional, but chunky versus smooth avocado. The waitress brought the drinks to the table. My friend's Diet Coke was completely flat and my margarita tasted like lemon dishwasher detergent smells. When the waitress came back to take our order I asked if I received the wrong one by accident because there seemed to be sour mix in it. She said that the fresh margarita has sour mix in it. If that is the case, I would suggest they add that to the menu because I would have ordered something different in an instant if I knew that was the case. As I said earlier, the rest listed sour in their ingredient listing. Noted: Fresh = sugar chemical mix. I was still determined to have a good time and a nice night out. We snacked on the chips and guacamole while we waited for our food. The salsa was nothing of note, but not bad. The chips were room temperature and seemed to be unsalted. The guacamole was fresh and had big chunks of avocado, as promised. It wasn't spicy by any means but everyone agreed it was the best thing anyone ordered all night at the table. As we were finishing, our food arrived. I ordered the Mini Combination with a taco and enchilada, both filled with pork for $9.50. It came with rice, beans, sour cream and guacamole. I requested beans only and no rice because I have a (non-severe) reaction to rice. When it came to the table, it was a huge pile of rice with no beans. I started to eat around it until she returned to the table. For a mini-combination, the portions were very generous. I managed to eat the enchilada and a few spoonfuls of the beans (brought to the table later after the correction) before calling it quits and boxing the rest up for home. The pork was cubed versus shredded; did I receive chicken? In any case, the food was not bad but again, it was nothing of real note. The beans were a bit salty (coming from someone who likes salt) and the rest was pretty flat. Everyone decided that it wasn't a bad mean, but it wasn't a particularly good meal either. I thought compared to other restaurants on the same block serving similar food, La Perla clocked in a few dollars higher for similar items/portions. Although there was confusion and mistakes with the order, the waitress did a reasonable job to make corrections. As we were leaving, there was one more thing I had to do: Ride the Pepper. If you are not familiar, La Perla has a modified mechanical bull fashioned to look like a chili pepper in the front window. For one US quarter, you can ride it (with or without the accompanying cowboy hat). My friends and the hostess talked me into riding the pepper and checking it off my 2013 bucket list. It was more "bucky" than I anticipated but after about ten to twenty seconds I began to get a better handle on things. Then I rode through the shame to the bitter end. The hostess really helped convince me. Her service really *was* something of note there - she was pleasant, friendly and a lot of fun. I did offer up my leftovers at the end of the night to thwart a Taco Bell run. The response after eating them was, "How did they remove the flavor from food?" I think that really summed it up. If someone really wanted to go, I would eat the food again but I would stick to water and not bother with a margarita. I will not initiate another visit...unless I feel the need to ride the pepper again. But I think I am good in that department too. Those photos and the video speak a thousand words. Other items of note: It is chilly in the winter near the door. If you are easily chilled, you may want to request a table in one of the other rooms (and away from the large, front windows).
(2)Liane M.
Service was a fairly decent but that's about it. Both sets of chips were stale and almost chewy to go along w the watered down salsa. The queso fundido came out on a plate and was not dip consistency. It was melted cheese w meat dumped on top. The "hot" super burrito (#27) was no where near hot. To top that off, the chicken that was inside the burrito was gray as well as my spouse's chicken. One of our orders was not put in w the rest of the food. The manager looked disgusted when we didn't want our leftovers in boxes but we just couldn't suffer through it again. To top it off, the food was highly overpriced. There were signs everywhere for a Foodie week in August. Save your money for good Mexican cuisine.
(1)Jessica O.
There are too many delicious Mexican places in Milwaukee to waste time with La Perla (like Conejitos, literally two blocks down the road...). My husband and I finally gave in and dined there after the constant barage of commercials, but we should have Yelped first. There were two drinks on special that had fancy sounding names, so we ordered one of each. They came out tasting like cherry and grape cough syrup. When we told the server we weren't thrilled with them, she laughed and said, "I know, me either. Do you want a margarita?" We declined and went with water for the rest of the meal. The food was completely unremarkable. Which is honestly...all I have to say about it.
(2)