The food (tacos) were highly disappointing at La Pena! I was attending a conference in Austin and I did a quick search during lunch hour to see what places looked great and were close to me. La Pena stuck out to me, cool place with beautiful artwork. I figured it would be a fun place to kill time before the next workshop. I was unfortunately wrong. This place was bizarre. I walked in and it was empty, just one woman behind the counter. There was no kitchen I could see so was wondering where the tacos came from. They are evidently catered in. They only had one type of taco left and it wasn't even late in the day, carne which was disappointing. A guy came out with another case with some black bean tacos so I took one of each. I was so confused as to where these tacos came from. I took a seat and unwrapped the tinfoil around my measly tacos and add salsa which was the best part. The woman who worked behind the counter was not inviting in the slightest, it almost felt like she didn't want me to be there. There was no music playing, no one in the joint and the woman working started vacuuming the space when I was still there which was so loud. I quickly grabbed my stuff and headed out. Really disappointing, and not quite sure what it even was. Two stars for the art. read more

La Peña - Sad tacos - Art Galleries Near Me - Austin, Texas

See all

Was visiting Austin for QuiltCon and wanted to try somewhere local for breakfast since we had time before our flights. Their breakfast tacos are top notch, absolutely delicious and really affordable. The art was really cool and we loved the tradition of the exhibit. Would definitely recommend stopping by this gem! read more

See all

Wow, lots of undeserved negative reviews for La Peña. I think if you are expecting something akin to Torchy's -- ie, covered in cheese and smothered in sauce -- you may not like what these guys have to offer. The tacos offered here are simpler as breakfast tacos should be! And yes, they are pre-made but I think they are still plenty fresh tasting at 8 or 9am. Now I hadn't been here in a few years but recently started a new job downtown and am shocked at the limited taco options downtown. There's a Taco Deli a block away, which I am a fan of, but La Peña has a secret weapon: their veggie chorizo and egg taco! Oh man, it's just as good as I remember, whatever they use for veggie chorizo is so flavorful and has just a hint of sweetness -- maybe it's just me but I think this is the best veggie chorizo I've tasted. Another shout-out to their green salsa, which has a nice kick to it. It's similar to Taco Deli's doña but even more similar to the green sauces at Taco-Mex or Tacolote -- same salsa family but a little thinner, a little sweeter, and just a tad less spicy than the famous doña. It's really good!! So for those of us who like simpler breakfast tacos and... hate Torchy's bastardization of the breakfast taco, La Peña is a great option in the downtown insanity. read more

Delightful taco shop/art gallery to stop by for a quick bite. They have many options of vegetarian / bacon friendly tacos for $2 each. There are your usual red/green salsas and pico de gallo all with a good level of spice. Flour tortillas. There's also coffee and pastries like pan dulce. Love the featured artist area in the back, by the tables. read more

See all

Hands down, the best place to go for some good cheap $2 tacos! It helped that my hotel, the JW Marriot, was literally right around the corner. I came here 3 days in a row. It was definitely worth trudging through a couple rainy mornings. I tried the Chorizo & Egg, which was by far my favorite. It had plenty of flavor and eating two of those filled me up. I also tried the Egg & Cheese and the Sausage & Egg, which just weren't quite as good. The sausage seemed a little too tough to chew. The owners of this fine establishment were very nice and will talk to you if you have the time. Of course, you will probably need to get out of the way constantly because so many locals come through. They also have art showings which I did not have the chance to check out but it's just another neat little thing they do for this town. I will be back again if my job leads me near! read more

La Peña - Chorizo & Egg Tacos from La Peña - Art Galleries Near Me - Austin, Texas

I don't get ANY of the negative reviews here. I popped in to this unassuming spot to get exactly what I found; a super affordable, quick, warm, authentic meal to start my day. They pre make their burritos and tacos but each is fresh and labeled clearly for diet and allergy aware humans. I get some people who are staying at the nearby swanky hotels could turn their nose up at this local charmer, but I got a full, happy tummy for 3 bucks. I'm sure you could go around the corner and pay $20 to have the same thing on a pretty plate, but who needs that noise? I've got shit to do. In fact, I'll take one for the road. Thanks, La Pena. Sincerely, A Hungry Traveler. read more

See all

Hmm...came here to try the breakfast tacos because of the great reviews. At first we thought we might be in the wrong place because when you walk in all you see is a tiny area and what looks like a to-go counter. The tacos are pre-made and kept in a heated cabinet. I tried the potato egg and the chorizo egg. They weren't bad either but nothing special...definitely not worthy of the 4 star average they had on yelp. Even though there was only one other person in the restaurant and the guy at the counter looked bored before we got there, the tables were dirty - which was a big turnoff. The one cool thing was the art on the walls - it looked like the place has potential to be a cool little hangout but they need to improve the tacos and train the staff to keep up w the cleanliness of the place. IMHO, I'd pass on this place if I were you....lots of other good options for breakfast tacos in Austin. :-\ read more

I was utterly charmed by this place as I walking by and had to stop. I almost overlooked it, but I'm glad I entered this art gallery / taco shop. The art show they were hosting features the artwork of students From a local elementary. The lady who attended to us did a great job of explains what exactly they were about. If I wasn't merely visiting Austin, i would definitely return... not only is the art great but the tacos were delicious. A great little surprise. read more

We went here for breakfast tacos, which were okay. The bacon and potato choice was better; the chorizo and potato wasn't as tasty -- the sausage was ground quite fine and was surprisingly bland. Both were enlivened with squirts of Valentina hot sauce. There is also a little attached art gallery, catering to local and folk art: one section was kids' art from a school project. This is convenient to downtown but not the greatest choice, I feel. read more

Favorite place to grab a simple, authentic breakfast taco downtown! I'm obsessed with the black bean and cheese! The only bad reviews sound like they're from tourists who probably should have gone to Tacodeli or Torchy's. read more

What a great find. Located on Congress Street near all the hotels and a great alternative to the pricier eateries in the area. Their breakfast tacos are only two dollars each and they are tasty. If you're looking for something quick affordable and delicious I highly recommend this place. read more

La Peña - Art Galleries Near Me - Austin, Texas

See all

Such a hidden gem. My friend invited me to a poetry reading at La Pena this past weekend and it just reminded me of every reason that I love locally owned and operated shops in town. After hearing the owner's story of how they had to move from another location in downtown and how they had to change their vision to keep their business going, I was amazed. This is the kind of place where you can tell that they clearly put heart into every detail, customer service, and supporting the arts. When you get the chance, I would highly recommend checking the place out for their breakfast tacos (about $1.50 each which is a total steal) and art pieces. This place is a glowing 10/10! read more

Great little hole in the Wall spot with super cheap ($2) breakfast tacos. The worker actually gave us a third taco for free when we bought two because she wanted to see what we thought of the veggie chorizo (it was good!) read more

I spent a week in Austin and the cheapest breakfast I could find was about 10 bucks until I found La Peña. The tacos were hot and fresh, the green sauce is unbelievable. If I could buy the green sauce in bulk I would. One taco and a coffee was just under four dollars. Two tacos and a coffee came to $6.50. read more

La Peña - Awesome Food got Unbelievable Prices. - Art Galleries Near Me - Austin, Texas

See all

During SXSW, it got late one day, and I had not had lunch. I spied La Pena - I had never been inside before - and there I purchased two soft tacos. They were fresh and truly wonderful. I'll definitely be back. Most people know La Pena for its art and cultural presentations, smiles - but don't forget the tacos. Website: http://www.lapena-austin.org/. read more

I skipped Taco Deli tacos across the street for this place as it the yelp pictures made it seem more authentic. Employee behind the register had no desire in offering any advice and think he was half asleep. Its not often you find a place with bad breakfast tacos. I mean how can you screw up bacon and eggs. Well, this place succeeds perfectly at it. Tacos were about as bland as I've ever had. Bacon tasted like it was heated up in a microwave. Actually the whole taco tasted like it was made a day ago and put in a warmer. There wasn't a bug in my food so it gets an extra star for at least being editable. Not worth the money at all! You're better off going across the street to the coffee shop to get Taco Deli tacos. read more

Today was my first time going to this place. I ordered a chorizo with eggs and then I asked the guy at the register for a recommendation. He recommended beef fajita taco since I told him I already have a chorizo with cheese I wanted something else besides bacon and cheese. Walked back to work only to find I got an egg and cheese taco and a chorizo taco... Pretty disappointed. I was really looking forward to the beef fajita... however both tacos tasted great but I would check the bag before you leave just to make sure you got what you paid for. Also their phone number on yelp does not work. Tried calling three times and it's just a busy tone. Would've been a 4 or 5 Star had I got the taco I actually ordered. read more

Meh... You let me down Austin Yelpers, but I forgive you. 4.5 stars for this "taqueria?" 4.5 stars is fake news for fake "tacos" folks, but of course I hail from San Francisco where 4.5 stars for a taqueria means something. (Pancho Villa, Los Coyotes) The "tacos" here aren't even made on the premises and come from a warmer...wtf? But hey! At $2 a pop the price is right! read more

This place opens at 8, not 9 as yelp has it shown. Total amount per taco is $2.50 after tax which is still a solid price. Pretty basic tacos, but tasty and served hot. I'd go back for a quick taco on the go. read more

Breakfast tacos shared with Spanish-speaking-only patrons for $3. Best breakfast in town. And they have soy chorizo! Which, by the way, if you have never tried, tastes precisely like the real stuff, except you have the knowledge that you have not eaten animal parts that are best not spoken of. Absolutely recommend. read more

Had a couple tasty and decent sized tacos for $4 including leaving a modest tip for the dude at the counter. Bacon egg cheese and chorizo and egg were my choices. Good salsa with good flavor and a little kick to it. Gotta level-set your expectations a bit: this is a small corner grocery and Latin activist art gallery, not a full service kitchen. Hence, the tacos are pre-made, but still pretty good. It's a walk for me past Jo's and Austin Java, but I resist plunking down $7 or 8 for a couple smallish tacos at those places. read more

Walked into this place a few days ago looking for breakfast tacos and definitely scored. As the last couple of reviewers said the tacos are really cheap and tasty. I tried the veggie chorizo and it was incredibly flavorful and not too greasy. The pinto bean and white cheese (not sure what kinda - maybe Oaxaca?) taco was great as well. The place has a really nice, cozy atmosphere with a few wooden tables and chairs to sit and look at the art work around. When I was there they had some cool Dia De Los Muertos altars up. Also the lady there is friendly and a good conversationalist. I hope places like these remain in downtown Austin because it would be a shame to lose places that give it personality like this little cafe and gallery. read more

Great breakfast tacos at a reasonable price! But, they were not the best I had in Austin, hence the 4 instead of 5. The salsa is delicious! read more

These tacos r mediocre at best. Cute cafe no doubt but not worth altering ur course for these tacos. Salsa is even more important for me. It was good but too hot...left my mouth EN FUEGO!!! There was no milder sauce. TAKE IT EASY ON US. Definitely nothing special. Just OK. read more

Breakfast taco was already prepared. The food was hot. The pricing is wonderful. The food remained hot until I got back to my desk. Definitely worth a buy. read more

The tacos were $1.40 as of this review 8/22/2012 . In any case, cheap and pretty good. They also had my beloved (refried pinto) Bean & Cheese tacos which the hideout stopped getting in the mornings. The salsa was of the fresh variety as well. There were probably other things in there, but I had The Hunger, and so turned blind eyes to everything else that didn't immediately pique that instinct. read more

Good for what it is. Very cheap breakfast wraps tasting just Ok. Adequate lunch for $4.50; so all is aligned. Space is an art gallery, rough, but interesting. Nice servers. read more

A couple weeks ago I passed by this gallery and discoverd and exhibit on display, Generaciones, which represented the art work of women and various high school students from around the city....All of the artwork was very impressive! One piece I quickly took notice to was that of Ana Vasquez which is a watercolor and ink on paper...I had to have it....I asked David, who is the director of the gallery if he would allow me to make two payments on the piece within a short period of time and he arranged that for me...Thankfully! I truly love the piece and I hope that I was able to help this young artist....I think it is of the utmost importance to help support all artists! Thank you Ana and hope to see more of you work soon! read more

Grabbed a couple quick breakfast tacos. They were just meh... They were sitting in a big warming oven and are not made on site. 2 bucks a pop. The guy was friendly! read more

Great location, friendly owner, delicious food, very reasonable price. What else can you want! The store is right downtown, next to the JW Marriott I stayed. At this area, I am pleasantly surprised you can buy a breakfast taco and a beef fajita for about 4 dollars. And it is not a food truck. It is a very neat store with interesting decoration. The owner is friendly and give me some suggestion about the activities I can do while staying in Austin. The taco and fajita are pre made with label. But since I was there early, they were warm and soft just like freshly made. The filling is full and delicious. The beef fajita is very flavorful. The filling of breakfast taco is not salty. With the salsa they are just perfect. At this location with a physical store, their price is more than reasonable. Visiting this place rally make my day. read more

Let me start on a positive note: tasty and vegetarian friendly. Great art inside. SUPER cheap. All good things. But. Are these typical breakfast tacos? They're my first and they're pretty...underwhelming. I mean, they're tasty for sure, but it's literally just the ingredients listed in a flour tortilla. I make these at home all the time so my socks aren't knocked off. I guess since Austin is known for breakfast tacos, I was just expecting more. Maybe I picked the wrong spot for my first day in Austin, first breakfast taco experience. Also, they don't make the tacos here. They're done by a catering company and delivered. read more

Had the breakfast tacos. Neither of us could finish them and later had cramps. Very underwhelming. Not sure why this place is rated so high. read more

This is a great place to get breakfast tacos near downtown. I always get their bacon and egg breakfast taco with the housemade salsa. Most of their tacos are just 2 dollars so it's a great place to get cheap breakfast tacos on the go. read more

A very small art gallery and coffee shop quaint and excellent service would recommend friends and family enjoy. read more

La Peña - Art Galleries Near Me - Austin, Texas

Beautiful art and tasty tacos!! The service was amazing as it's run by two sister and definitely has a family feel to it!! 2384748/10 rec

What a find! Amazing catered fajitas. Love the art. I'm only sorry I wasn't here in the morning for the the breakfast tacos. Steak fajita, chicken fajita, bean & bacon burrito, and a 32oz Smartwater. . . under $8. . . JACKPOT!!! read more

La Pena's breakfast taco shop is excellent, cheap, fast. The salsa and coffee -- which they could easily *not* take any effort to make sure are better than decent -- are both really great. The people who work there are all awesome to boot. I've been coming back to La Pena every time I visit Austin for the past 10 years or so -- and there's a good reason it's become my go-to breakfast spot whenever I'm not having a "sit down" breakfast. read more

It's all right. I mean, there's a lot of good Mexican food around, and there was nothing particularly noteworthy about this place. Solid food, would get them another star in a town with fewer alternatives, but in Austin, well, I've had better. I wouldn't turn down in invitation to eat here, though. read more

This is a review on the delicious breakfast tacos - only $1! They also have Mexican sodas and some delicious looking pan dulce, and fruit empanadas. You can get your morning coffee here as well, though I haven't tried it so can't vouch for how good it is. Cash only - so make sure to have a few dollars on you :) read more

Love this place! Great breakfast tacos and they are always displaying unique and beautiful art. These are the owners of the classic, but now closed, Las Manitas restaurant. Cynthia and Libby are the authentic, activist Hispanic women of Austin's past. Worth a visit if only for a slice of old Austin. read more