This place was quaint with about 6-7 tables. Menus and condiments on table. Chips and Salsa were brought out quick. Sodas, waters etc came in bottles. Food: Quesabirria Tacos with Consommé- 4/5 Asada Taco - 3.5/5 Al Pastor Taco - 3.5/5 Rice and Beans were great! The Asada and Pastor was just a smidge dry but flavors were good! Quesabirria is a must try here! Service was great! read more

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Absolutely love this hole in the wall. Very true authentic Mexican. Has about 6-7 tables in the whole restaurant. Open til 6 daily. It may be small inside but their flavors are mighty! You cannot go wrong with anything on the menu from sopes, tacos, burrito, tamales, soup even the chips & salsa is amazing especially with their hot chili yummm definitely stop in if you're in the area! No pictures at this time but will update next time we go! read more

Small hole in the hole place, but want real homemade authentic comfort Mexican food you found the place. Handmade tortillas, fresh salsas, made to order chips. Haven't been you're missing out Des Moines metro people. Cáiganle a La Peña you won't regret it. read more

AMAZING best Mexican I have had in Des Moines period Everything I tried has great flavor, hot sauce was spicy and flavorful Will hit as many times as I can before I leave Des Moines read more

La Pena - #5 - Mexican Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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My biggest regret is not coming here sooner! I've been a southsider my whole life and have only drove past. Located right off of Indianola, the parking can get a little tight. The spot is super small with only about 6 or so booths. A majority of customers take their orders to go but we decided to sit and eat there since we went for a late lunch (around 2:30 on a Sunday). We ordered an asada burrito, adobada sopes, asada gorditas, and birria. OMG- everything was amazing!! The burrito had lettuce, rice, and beans inside. The gorditas were hot and cheesy. The adobada was so saucy with such a deep fried chile flavor. The birria was by far my favorite. This was a first for me and it was literally- the richest, meatiest, most comforting soup ever! It comes with lime wedges, cilantro and onions to add as desired as well as some chili oil which I opted out on because the soup itself had a warm kick to it. Not totally sure of the hours but I know the close a bit early. They accept card and cash! The menu is small but they seem to make everything well! Can't wait to be back!! read more

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Great food, fresh and reminds of being back home in Texas. Must go but go early it fills up fast

I guess I have just one thing to say -- and that is hand made tortillas!! If you've never had them before they are incredible and an experience that you're missing out on. My favorite thing to order here is the soup - amazing Pozole, Birria that just absolutely warms my soul. The sopes and gorditas are wonderful too. Order some aguas frescas or some Mexican Coke and you've got a match made in heaven. The menu is small, but what they do have on the menu they make well. Eating here it will definitely change how you feel about Mexican Food and you'll never eat a hardshell ground beef taco with cheddar cheese again. Once you raise the bar you can't go back! read more

La Pena - Mexican Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

With today being Cinco De Mayo, there was NO WAY the sun was going to set without Mexican food being consumed by yours truly. My dilemma? I was traveling for business and my journey had taken me to Des Moines, not exactly a hotbed of south-of-the-border cuisine. Or was it? As my business colleague and I entered the greater Des Moines metro area, our Yelp search to find salsa-infused sustenance began in earnest. Overlooked were taquerias and a bait shop (not even kidding) as we settled upon a well-reviewed eatery somewhat close to the airport, La Pena. I called to confirm they were indeed open (meaning "not closed down"). A pleasant woman answered the phone and had no understanding of a word I said. We had found our place. Driving just north of downtown, our trusty navigation system indicated that our destination was a mere 500 feet past the intersection and there, next to a Hispanic clothing store in need of renovation, was La Pena. Looking through the window, one could see from the front to the back, the entire seating area of 10 booths as well as the kitchen. No doubt a family affair with no parking. Not because they were busy, mind you, but because they literally had no parking (fortunately the clothing store had a couple of spots open. Can't imagine what this apparent oversight had done to business, but that is a conversation for another day...). Upon entering, we seated ourselves in one of the booths not containing what one can only expect to be the future generation of La Penaians. One young boy got up from the group of laughing, yet well-behaved children to bring us menus. With his confident gate and deft placement of the restaurant's offerings, this was clearly not his first rodeo. As expected, the menu contained more authentic items such as tortas and chile rellenos with no ground beef in sight. My colleague ordered the three taco meal while I ordered the gordita/taco combination plate, hers with chunked pork and mine with shredded beef. Two Mexican Coca Colas in glass bottles provided the liquid refreshment for both our meals. While we waited, we received a complementary basket of what La Pena terms as "chips and salsa." In reality, we received a basket of four tostada-size corn shells and two squeeze bottles of sauce, red and green in color (the sauce, not the bottles). The verde (green) sauce had a vibrant flavor of of green tomatoes and cilantro while the rojo (red) sauce was simply hot, with little flavor. However, when the two sauces were combined on a single tostada chip...pure amazingness! Armed with this saucing technique, I promptly devoured my two "chips," eagerly awaiting the main event. With the kitchen/food prep area approximately twenty paces from our seats, we were acutely aware of when our meals were to be delivered. We watched as tortillas were heated on the flattop while beans that had probably been simmering for a number of hours were dipped onto our plates. Finally, our food was in front of us. In a very authentic style, the tacos were simply dressed with a few sprigs of fresh cilantro. No cheese, no lettuce or guacamole, just shredded beef and cilantro in a soft corn shell. The gordita was minimalist as well with shredded beef and melted queso blanco served in a soft corn shell pocket of steamy goodness. Beans and rice rounded out my combo plate. Now, authentic Mexican food traditionally has little flavor. Our uneducated gringo, Tex-Mex-infused palates would tend to cry, "foul," but that would be to sell this meal extremely short. The tender, shredded beef was melt-in-your-mouth amazing while the flaky, corn shell did its best to hold the filling. With the one, two punch of the rojo and verde sauces applied, one would be hard pressed to find a more delightful taco/gordita plate with 100 miles. Combined with lard-infused beans and fluffy rice that was extra orange in color (?), this was a meal to remember...and to revisit. So the next time you're near the airport in Des Moines in the middle of the afternoon on Cinco de Mayo with time to kill and you're wanting an early dinner, look no further than La Pena. You'll be glad you did. read more

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Small hole in the wall place is just how I like them. Prices are ok and staff was friendly. The only reason I'm giving three stars is because my gorditas had as much fat as meat in them. I did enjoy the flavors of the adobada and carne asada meat though. read more

What a revelation. The fresh tortillas are making me daydream about tacos hours after lunch. I know of no other restaurant in Des Moines where the tortillas are this fresh and tasty. Everything seems handmade and with loving care. Will definitely be back... read more

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This is really, truly authentic and the only place we've found in Des Moines so far that makes tortillas "hechas a mano" (handmade tortillas) and that alone makes a Mexican restaurant 100 times better! My husband ordered the menudo and I ordered a torta. Both were delicious! We're so happy our friend showed us this place. read more

I hate to review it as it's a hidden gem I love so much. Best Mexican Food in DM. Guacamole is out of this world good

Delicious dive on the south side! Went here today for lunch as I haven't eaten here in many years since I've moved from the south side so I decided to try again today. It is super busy during lunch time so beware there is no place to park! Walked in to a tiny tiny kitchen area and maybe four booths all packed with people. I vaguely remembered having chorizo there which is my favorite Mexican meat but when I asked the gal said they did not. I settled on two steak tacos, rice and beans. I saw on Yelp that they don't really have chips and salsa which is disappointing but that's okay. When I got my food it was only $6.36 including tax which is awesome! I decided to chow down in my car and I'm happy I did! The steak was super flavorful and tender and the homemade corn tortillas are soft and warm! Delicious! The rice and beans are a bit off but I will be back for more tacos! read more

Tacos were great, served w lime and cilantro/onion. Burrito was delicious. The chips were disappointing- just the generic salty kind out of a bag. Salsa was good tho. Served two kinds in bottles. read more

La Pena - a menu on a table in front of a window - Mexican Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

So just as a back story, I'm a Mexican-American born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. My family spent a lot of time in Corona, Queens where all you see is Mexican Restaurants. Having said that, I must say that this food is the closet to home that you will get. These women cook really Authentic Mexican food and my wife & love it. A definite must try. Get the hand made corn tacos. Simply amazing read more

Excellent service and delicious food at an affordable price. The Mexican food served at this restaurant reminds me of the food that my mother use to make. If you want great homemade Mexican food, this is the place to eat. read more

La Pena - a close up of a painting of blue and yellow - Mexican Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

I was super excited to try this place after reading raving reviews on yelp, and news articles written in the past year about how this hole in the wall was the best Mexican they've had! Maybe I went on an off day or maybe didn't order the right thing, but I wasn't impressed. My fiancé ordered the tamales, which tasted like they were warmed in the microwave (that chewy texture food gets when it's been warmed too long), and I ordered a torta with pork and a side of beans. The beans lacked any flavor, and quite honestly tasted like they had come straight from a can. I will probably give this place another shot and try to get the barbacoa, as they were out when we got there at 5. Now I need to find that elusive delicious Mexican spot I know is hiding around a corner :) read more

La Peña is some of the best homestyle northern mexican food on Des Moines' south side, if not in the city. The tortillas are hand made and cooked to order. The sopes and gorditas are a great snack. Their tamales are made from scratch and change daily (get the tamal de raja if available). The service is attentive and friendly. This hole in the wall is definitely a place where food is the focus. It's reasonably clean, but shabby and mismatched. Seating is all four top booths, and with room for 20, not a place for crowds. read more

I eat here regularly. Great local place with authentic Mexican cuisine. Salsa is a little spicy but made homemade every day. This is a great little family restaurant where the food is cooked to order. Decor is a little shabby but the food and service are excellent. Five stars. read more

This is a small place...only 6 booths. The chips come out of a bag. The service can be slow and the staff speaks limited English. No alcohol. None of that really matters because the food is amazing. The tortillas are made when you order them and come off the grill tasting delicious. The chicken, however you have it (taco, gordita) is amazing. I had a chicken and a steak gordita for lunch today and mourned because they were good too soon. My wife is the slowest eater I know, but put away 3 tacos like a cheetah takes down a wounded gazelle. read more

Hands down, the best taco you'll ever eat in your life. Was even better than when I went to Mexico. The gorditas are the best thing I've ever tasted. We go weekly. This is a hole in the wall gem. read more

Whenever we try a new Mexican restaurant we consider it a good sign when: A: It is a "hole in the wall" place B: Mexicans are dining and not just working there. This was definitely the case at La Pena and of course the food was terrific! Other good signs were an open kitchen manned by women who looked like they enjoyed what they were doing, and the waitress asking if you want fresh cilantro and onions on your tacos. Watch out for the salsa, though fresh, it is very hot and a little goes a long way. Oh yea, and the price is reasonable too. read more

Good authentic mexican food. The handmade corn tortillas are the best. Definitely recommend

AUTHENTIC Mexican. Tiny place and does not look great from the outside. You might be reluctant to go in but go........it's fine and the food is really good. And, as I've already said, it's authentic! They also have the very best corn tortillas anywhere! read more

Needs to be ZERO stars. Went in for a quick authentic lunch and was greeted by 2 ladies sitting, full-on eating their plated food at the prep-counter. No hand washing, no greeting, just a greasy menu handed to me. They could not understand shredded beef vs. ground beef. I started to just point to item to communicate, when a Spanish speaking person walks in, waitress leaves my table, gets him chips and salsa and takes his order. Really? The place is filthy and I'm sure crawling with roaches gauging by the unsafe-food handling practices of the ladies. GROSS. read more

This restaurant does not disappoint!! We stumbled upon it by chance; from the outside it looks like it could have been a laundromat in a former life. Anyway, I ordered the steak tacos, and while I normally don't like corn tortillas, these were delicious. My friend ordered the gorditas and said they were one of the best he has ever tasted. Everything is homemade and customizable which is key for me. They serve three different types of homemade salsas upon arrival with chips. I'd venture to say this is one of the best, authentic Mexican restaurants in Des Moines. The only downside is they do not serve alcohol but the food overrides this one drawback. read more