Stopped here for a late breakfast, early lunch in the middle of May and was completely blown away by how good everything was, as well as the homemade quality and authenticity of the food. Up until this point, our go to had been Los Machetes on Chester Pike in Prospect Park, but this is easily the best Mexican food that can be found in the area. Hands down.
The place was still extremely new, and despite some work being done on some stucco and painting while we were dining, we ignored the contractor working and really enjoyed ourselves. The service was great, with a down to earth staff that was eager to talk to us about the dishes, the ingredients, their history, and the restaurant and family itself, as well as how their experience has been since opening, and what sets them apart from other places that have opened up locally recently.
Starting with both tamales rojo and verde, I was blown away by how moist and perfect they were and still so light and fluffy. In my experience, going to a restaurant, they usually end up very dense and just slightly off when it comes to them reaching the table, but these were as if they had been made by a family member and then popped right in front of us just as they finished steaming.
Next, everyone had something different. My wife, a seasoned expert in enjoying chilaquiles made from scratch by friends and family, was blown away by her chilaquiles in verde with chicken and my daughter has since been completely addicted to quesabirria from anywhere she can find it; but this place started that all for her. I was simply captivated by the fact that this is possibly the only place I have found outside of Philly that offers tripa in any dish, and even in the city that is still a limited selections of places. Once I saw it was on the menu, I naturally ordered the tacos tripa. They were heavenly, with crispy, perfectly pan fried insides and all the standard toppings you would expect to find on a double corn tortilla street taco set. Unbelievable! Flavor and entire experience completely on point and unmatched by anything nearby outside of either Philadelphia or Wilmington.
La Esperanza is in a strange location wedged between multiple businesses with a small driveway right on Baltimore Pike, and if you blink you will miss it. However, I highly suggest that you glue your eyelids open with super glue and don't pass this place by and get in there and try the real Mexican sprouting up in central Delco now. read more