CRITICAL VIOLATIONS Standard not met: Time/temperature control for safety food that is cooked to a temperature and for a time specified under §§ 3-401.11 - 3-401.13 and received hot shall be at a temperature of 135° F o... Read more Standard not met: Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food, disposition - A food specified in ¶ 3-501.17(A) or (B) shall be discarded if it: (2) Is in a container or package that does n... Read more Standard not met: Permit filthy or unsanitary conditions in a food establishment. Standard not met: Packaged and unpackaged food - Food shall be protected from cross contamination by: (1) Separating raw animal foods during storage, preparation, holding, and display Standard not met: Hot and cold holding - Time/temperature control for safety food shall be maintained: (1) At 135 °F or above or (2) At 41 °F or less Standard not met: Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food, disposition - A food specified in ¶ 3-501.17(A) or (B) shall be discarded if it: (1) Exceeds the temperature and time combina... Read more Standard not met: When to wash Standard not met: Adulterated or misbranded food may not be produced, sold, offered for sale, delivered or held. read more

Tried La Perla for a picnic dinner at the park . The food was very good...I had carnitas tacos...and my wife had tacos all pastor. They came with a spicy salsa and green salsa. It was very good...as good as any taco I have had from a truck or tacqueria in a city. The service was so so. The menu is only a full menu on the weekends apparently...theres no beans..no lengua and no barbacoa etc. Just tacos al pastor....steak....chicken or carnitas . Literally no one speaks english...and I speak terrible spanish so it takes a minute to get an order across....and the guy at carryout wasnt terribly interested in being helpful. Nice enough but too busy to be bothered much by a couple of anglos with no spanish skilz. The store had a good array of hard to find favorites...nopales and huitalocoche even. I will return for the tacos but would probably try to go at a less busy time so ordering was a littlw easier on everyone. read more

A return visit for afternoon takeout. The asada torta is large and delicious with plenty of meat. Very fresh vegetables. A great place! read more

If you happen to be in Michigan near the Wine Trail and craving some AUTHENTIC Mexican food, then this is the place for you. My friends and I came to Michigan for the weekend for a Bachelorette party and this place was on a small side road on our way there. We had lunch/dinner plans all weekend but we knew once we left we had to stop here on our way back. The taco stand is attached to a Mexican convenience store. There's casual picnic tables outside (probably 4) and not a ton of parking (VERY small lot), but if you can find a space then you should get in there and try their food. There were only 5 kinds of tacos - a few I've never heard of - but the main one people got were asada and barbacoa. They had salsa verde and salsa roja along with some limes for you to grab at your discretion. Tacos came standard with onions and cilantro with a choice of flour or corn tortillas. Tacos are $2.00/each. NOTE IT IS CASH ONLY! They have an ATM inside the convenience store, but it's always best to have cash on you for it. I'd definitely go back! It's a classic authentic mexican spot in an area where I never thought I'd find one. A pleasant surprise and great end to a fun weekend. read more

La Perla - Asada! - Mexican Near Me - Benton Harbor, Michigan

Order the fajita combo (shrimp, steak, chicken). You will not be disappointed! I love the chicken quesadilla with guacamole. Their steak is also tender. Yes it's a grocery store so order and shop a little - it's authentic with good prices. Try the homemade drinks, they always have many options. read more

This is the best Mexican food I've ever had, hands down. Living in Chicago, I'm amazed that NOTHING in the city even holds a candle to this taqueria in the back of a Benton Harbor convenience store. If you're going for the first time, do yourself a favor and try three tacos, al pastor (pork, the best), steak and chicken. Order them "a la Mexicana" for the best experience - just cilantro, onion and a squeeze of lime juice. Wash it all down with a "hecho en Mexico" Coke - made with sugar, not corn syrup! There's no better lunch anywhere on the earth. And it will cost you only ~$5... read more

La Perla - The sign above the counter advertising some of the unique dishes... I need to take some more pics next time I'm in! - Mexican Near Me - Benton Harbor, Michigan

Hands down best tacos in SW Michigan if not all of Michigan. I work across the entire state and have had many authentic tacos but none have matched the flavor of La Perla tacos. read more

Best Mexican menu for miles around. My kids took me here to have their fish tacos which were awesome. Just two were enough to fill you up. Get them with avocado on them!! They also make their own Agua Fresca- it comes in about six flavors. The strawberry and lime flavors were awesome! This place is a gem - eat here! read more

Authentic Mexican. Food comes out fast and always excellent. I'm a sucker for the carne asada tacos.

Amazing!! Authentic - no joke; in house made sweet breads, donuts, meat counter w/amazing tacos, burritos - friendly staff as well. read more

La Perla - Steak/corn taco (normally would come w/onions & cilantro also.. None for me though ;) - Mexican Near Me - Benton Harbor, Michigan

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I agree with William. There's assorted other Mexican soft drinks in glass bottles as well. The Coke in Mexico is made with cain sugar not High Fructose Corn Syrup, that's what you're buying. The thing that sealed the deal for me was after coming back from Mexico I went to La Perla and it smelled just like a La Tienda I had been to in MX. It's the real deal, check it out. oh, one correction: They're actually located at 1231 Pipestone, in Benton Harbor. I also found the same address that William found when I searched for them, but you won't find them on Napier and M-140. It must be an old location or an office or something. read more

Yeah ambience isn't the best if they would update their outdoor seating it could be really remarkable but the food is good

Authentic equals crazy delicious. Pros: Authentic, inexpensive, fresh food. Pepsi and Coke in glass bottles. Take Out, takes credit cards. Cons: it's not next to my house. How to guide:Walk inside and head to the right, all the way till you see the food being cooked. Grab a menu from the counter and get in line. Glass bottled soda(pop) is in the cooler past the cafe register across from the tables, and also at the front of the store. Bring it to the register with you or tell them what you want then get it after you pay. Opener is at the register, and they will give you a cup of ice if you need it. Take a seat, they'll bring some chips, food arrives and you're in heaven. read more

La Perla has at least 2 locations as of March 2011 both have both been there for a number of years and have full ethnic oriented Grocery and deli. One in Sister Lakes at M140 & Napier which is a Store and Deli Counter with outside seating... The other is on Pipestone Ave between Napier and M139 which is a larger store with seating inside. (added to cater to the lunch crowd) Both offer excellent, affordable and authentic food and drink.... read more

It's a bit of an adventure. You're at the only intersection around, and on one of the only two developed hard corners lies La Perla. As another reviewer thoughtfully wrote, you walk to the back left corner of the groceria and find a little hot table counter. The carne asada burrito is just terrific. I suggest simple; a little onion, cilantro, maybe a touch of sour cream-add the salsa per bite. While it's being made, glance to your left at the giant pigskins, who in my opinion, served a better purpose as chicerones, than footballs. There're tables outside. This ain't Applebees. Proud of my coworkers for agreeing to try this on a drive to Chicago. I will not travel through here without stopping! read more

Definitely a dive but really great food for a decently low price! The Augua Frescas are a must.

I've been searching for authentic Mexican food ever since my honeymoon in Mexico and finally found a place that delivers. La Perla is all that and a bag of chips (n salsa). There is an awesome deli in the back that gets crowded during lunch time during the week and for good reason. I've had the beef tongue and quesadillas and it was delicious. Can't beat the price and there is hardly any wait (they bring the food to you). And as the other reviewers have pointed out, theres authentic Mexican soda in glass bottles. The party store has everything you could ask for including meats and spices for having a fiesta at your own house. read more

This place is great and the people are from Chicago. Awesome and I mean friggin awesome tacos. I saw a refrigerated meat truck from the back of the yards in Chicago making a delivery. Really if you are in the Sister's Lakes Area don't hesitate to satisfy your hunger for some kick ass mexican food. read more

I had the Pollo Adobado for lunch. Pretty good. Neither too spicy nor bland. Salsa and chips were very authentic. The lines (lunch time) were long but the service was quick. Their plates are small and if ordering a platter get an empty plate to fit all the goodies. Best Mexican place in town like the locals say it. read more

So clean and so nice. I went here 3 times and every time, I got the same thing. Carne asada tacos and a melon drink...the most perfect meal ever. Living in Michigan taught me this place is a huge blessing. You get free chips and dip. What is there not to love? read more

I've been eating at this deli for over a year now. The food is amazing. It is a Mexican grocery store with a deli in the back of the store serving up authentic Mexican food. I always get take out, my wife and my 1 yr old son don't eat meat and they always have good options of the menu. My wife and son usually get the quesadilla sans meat and i usally chicken tacos. We have yet to be disappointed. read more

The best authentic mexican food around. Period. One reviewer indicated an error in address (Pipestone OR Napier). They have locations at BOTH addresses. The Napier one is larger. read more

This place is an absolute gem, tucked away in a Mexican convenience store. They have an extensive menu and the food is fresh made in front of you. The taste is incredible and the prices are extremely reasonable. It really deserves 5 stars and the only reason I have given it 4 stars is that I have never been to Mexico or the border states and hence in terms of authenticity I can't make a comparison. read more

If I could give zero stars I would. Went there August 14 early evening. We went to to order food and realized that we didn't have our act together so we retreated and got it together. When we re-approached the guy at the counter he never asked us if we were ready to order...he just chopped about 5 large white onions on the work area, no gloves, no cutting board, no acknowledgment of our existence. After chopping the eye watering onions right in our face, he asked for the order. My daughter put in her order. Before I could add mine, he hung the ticket. When I asked if I could order too, he says just a moment please and proceeded to work on a pick up order (again no gloves, handling cheese, lettuce, onions, cilantro, etc) that was needed to be ready at 6pm. It was only 5:30. After waiting patiently for about 10 minutes another customer comes to the counter and the guy ignoring us called in Spanish to another guy in the"kitchen" ...the kitchen guy came out and helped the man behind us, guess he was the right color (we are Caucasian). At this point we left. I will never go back to be treated poorly by racists that don't care about health codes. So very, very, very disappointed. Also, nothing in their walk in refrigerator was covered. Gross. read more

The Best authentic Mexican restaurant in South West Michigan. My wife got the tacos americanos with added avocado and I got the arrachera. Both were very good. I highly recommend this to anyone wanting good Mexican food. read more

First they have two locations pipestone near M139 and Napier and M140. Both good prefer the Benton Harbor/Pipestone location bigger selection with indoor seating. Food is the best very authentic and very reasonably priced. Also the Coke from Mexico made in glass bottles with sugar cane is good. Don't let the looks fool place is the best. read more

I love this place. I have tried nearly everything on the menu, and enjoyed almost all of it.

This place is great. Don't let it scare you. Great store for authentic mex stuff and has a butcher counter and produce. Best thing is counter in back where mex dishes are served. Tacos with white corn torillas with everything. read more