Don't confuse this restaurant with La Poblana that is nearby as we nearly did trying to find it. I haven't tried the other one yet, but this was probably the most authentic Mexican I've had since being in Florida (from there originally). The portion sizes are gigantic and the prices are reasonable for what you get. Stepping into the place you're not really sure if you're in a grocery store or restaurant, as there is a whole wall full of stuff you can buy. That is actually a great idea in my mind! The dining hall doesn't seem like much but the service was good throughout the time. It would have been better if the waiter refilled my water. I got the Combo La Poblana, which was carne asada with four chicken fajitas. The carne asada was decent with enough flavor on its own, but I am used to more lime and cilantro that keep the beef from being too dry. The fajitas were excellent, stuffed full of chicken - although the chicken was unseasoned. The portions were huge and I ended up taking two fajitas home. Note they do charge for the chips and dip. That is not something they tell you up front. But given how far north of Mexico we are in Rochester, it was surprising to have some truly authentic cuisine. read more

Um, yum? Perla Poblana is a fantastic addition to the Rochester restaurant scene. Casual, authentic Mexican food, made fresh in front of your eyes. The server/chef is a really nice guy, too. Yeah, it's in a grocery market, and seems like futbol plays in loops on the television, but I think this all adds to the experience. Just be sure to mention how hot you want your food. This place serves the real deal, not the weak Minnesota hot sauce. I was fairly certain I would die of the hiccups after a particularly spicy bite. Luckily, I survived to tell you about it, so now you can go and experience tasty horchata, tortas, burritos and more, right here in Rochester! read more

This place is over priced and the food is not that great ! Chicken fajitas is $13 and the portion is ridiculously small! And they have potatoes in the rice. Tacos is $2 each Horchata taste like radish water ! Ew ! We are so disappointed ! read more

This local joint is delicious! Flavorful and large portions! We tried the enchilada, steak & chicken tacos, tamales, rice & beans. Every item had tons of flavor and not bland. Pretty authentic & a gem to not miss out on. The steak tacos are delicious! The queso dip is also superb! Chips have the perfect crisp and salt combo. Would definitely check this spot out & will stop in when we are visiting again! read more

Tasty, fresh, authentic Mexican food. Definitely one of the top Mexican restaurants in Rochester. Have been here at least half a dozen times and the food is always delicious. Don't get too filled up on the chips and salsa :) Only downside of La Poblana is the atmosphere. Part grocery store, part restaurant. If you're looking to take someone out for a first date or are wanting to sit, chat and relax for a while, probably not the best. But if you're looking for delicious food and friendly service at a reasonable price... this is definitely your place! The owner is delightful to talk to... always enthusiastic and super accommodating. They offer take out as well which is a nice bonus. read more

Big fan! This is a combo market and restaurant, which I understand a lot of people don't like, but I love it. I can come here, grab a quick bite by myself or with my wife, and be on my way. The owner/chef is super nice and the food is ranges from good to excellent depending on what you get. Rice and salsa are perfect. My personal favorites would be a tie between tacos and enchilada's. I always eat far more than I should here, but that's just another reason to go for a run on one of the beautiful trails in the area...after the food digests of course. I shall return. read more

Awesome tacos, unique tomatillo salsa, guac mostly tomat cilantro onion where's the avocado? Decent taco size meager rice & beans. I can't believe I'm saying this, but their beef tacos (asada) are the best soft tacos I've ever had. The meat was nicely diced, very very well seasoned, and that green salsa packs a kick! It's definitely not mexican food from a truck cheap, but a nice treat to have from time to time! I just wish the portion was a little bigger to justify the price charged. Nice people working the register. read more

The best Mexican Restaurant in Rochester, that we've been to so far, and very authentic for being so far from our Southern Border. We ordered the Chile Relleno Platter, Tacos Dorados Platter, and a Horchata. I love Horchata and was stoked that they serve it. It tasted great and was very refreshing. It's something that I vary rarely see at Mexican Restaurants in the States. We were served chips and salsa with our lunch (there was no charge for it). The salsa was thicker with a consistency that we were not familiar with. It was very good, just a bit different. The chips were hot and fresh. The food was amazing. Some places stuff their Chile Rellenos with ground beef or don't use poblano peppers.... ick. At La Perla Poblana, their poblano peppers are stuffed with only cheese and deep fried to perfection. Our only complaint was that we didn't order more food. It was so good, that we almost put in two more orders. It would have been too much food, but it tasted so good. The restaurant is small and the front of it is a general store. It might be a little crowded for a large group, but perfect size for a small family or couples. Great place for lunch, but probably not intimate enough for supper. The eating area is clean. We didn't check out the restrooms. Their prices are about $2-3 more than other places we've eaten at, but this isn't an issue. All of their meals come with guacamole or avocados on the side. Most other establishments charge $2-3 extra for these items. We typically order guacamole on the side, so the price was negligible for us. Make sure you read the menu carefully too. They do charge extra for some items when you get their plates. For example: they charged us 50cents more for chicken on my Tacos Dorados Platter. It was posted on the menu, but they don't mention it when they ask you what type of meat you'd like when they take your order. The didn't charge us extra for more chips/salsa or for my Horchata refill (some people complained about hidden charges in older posts, so we made sure to check our receipt and everything came up correct). read more

Try their seasoned red chili pork! Out. Of. This. World. The service has always been quick and the help has always been pleasant for me. The only real gripe I have is that they seem a little stingy with their salsa. No salsa bar, and it can be a bit like pulling teeth trying to get a cup of something on the side for your meal. When you can get it though, their thick green salsa is an amazing compliment to an already delicious burrito. For my money, probably the best Mexican food in Rochester. read more

Worst place we have ever been to!!!! Beans were rotten and rice was old. We got there right when it open so I'm assuming it was the night before rice! We are Hispanic and we know authentic when we see, smell and taste it, but nope not authentic at all! I had tostadas and it's one of the easiest made and they were so freakin disgusting! We live in Mankato they definitely need to get some pointers from La Terraza's. We will never be back to La Poblana. ‍‍ I had to put one star for rating but that they don't even deserve the one star! read more

Just OK, saw the reviews had it at 4 Stars but I have been to better places. Actually the taste of everything was kind of bland and I didn't feel it had much flavor. Had never been here before but tried it because of the reviews but wouldn't recommend it, better Mexican places in Rochester, for sure. Everyone was nice and the atmosphere was great so it wasn't all bad. read more

The best Mexican we have had in a while! We got the enchiladas rosas and verdes and they were wonderful! The rice was very authentic and flavorful! They also sell pastries that look amazing. My friend, who lives near Rochester, says it's the best she has had in Rochester. You should come try it! The only downfall is the environment. It doesn't feel like a cozy restaurant. The service also wasn't great. We had to ask for refills and where to pay. By the way, you pay up front! read more

Sharing a Mexican Restaurant w a grocery store IS authentic as many restaurants in Latin America share space w a Mom n Pop grocery. The tamales are good and they accommodated the dietary needs of my daughter in law. Warm and friendly a good place for lunch. read more

Staff is extremely friendly. Not what we expected to eat driving through Minnesota but we are glad we stopped. Food is fresh and it's obvious they care about what they are doing. It's clean and have every flavor Jarito you could think of. Anyone who is in the area and has yet to stop by is missing out on some exceptional Mexican food. read more

La Poblana - Enchiladas Verdes...DONE RIGHT! - Mexican Near Me - Rochester, Minnesota

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It was off to a bumpy start when they only had one torta bun, and no Anaheim peppers. However, the torta bread was fantastic and massive. The flavors were exciting and vibrant, but everything was a little greasy. The only thing I didn't like was their complimentary salsa. But I've never been one to complain about free food. I'd go there again, for sure. read more

We came to Rochester and decided to try La Poblana after reading about the place on a magazine. We loved it so much that we had to go again before we left Rochester. Food is delicious and the service is great. Very tasty and fresh. They are so good with kids also which is always a plus for us. read more

La Poblana - Chips and salsa - Mexican Near Me - Rochester, Minnesota

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This is like, legit Mexican food. Not a bunch of ground beef slimed on a flimsy tortilla drowned in some random rice and pre-chewed bean meal with a glob of sour cream. Hellllll no. This is 'I have juice from the chicken in my taco running down my chin, omg that salsa is hawt but it's OK because the fresh avocado cools it perfectly, I'm not sure what that cheese is but it's delicious, I was the only white person in there and didn't care' I didn't recognize anything on the menu, just took a swing for the fence, and am totally going back next time I'm in town. Got it 'to go', chips n salsa came too, and the waitress was nice enough to give me a bag AND silverware which is more than I can say for a lot of places in town. Like, damn Gina. This is not your suburban cantina. read more

La Poblana - Candy for sale - Mexican Near Me - Rochester, Minnesota

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Absolutely phenomenal food!! I ordered the fajitas and asked them to make them mixed with chicken and steak. I also like jalapeños slivers in with the bell peppers. The fajitas came out and they were incredible! They also tossed in a Habanero as well which my server made sure I was aware of; a good thing to know if you aren't a chili head, which I am. I also ordered the he guacamole which was fresh and awesome as well. The red salsa is great and they also brought me some very tasty green salsa. Absolutely quality food and great service! Some of the best Mexican food I've ever eaten! read more

Very good authentic (as far as this gringa can tell) Mexican food. I've had tacos and a huarache here. I like how they leave whole beans in the refried beans. The red chili pork was good. Some people say the portions are small, but usually when I eat at a Mexican restaurant (especially the more Americanized places) they give so much food that I end up feeling like I need to be wheeled out. Along with the complimentary chips, my lunch was plenty to keep me full for the rest of day. I'm willing to pay a couple bucks more for people to bring me tasty, authentic food, get the building's rent paid and support their families, so that this great business can continue. Most of us on Yelp wouldn't think twice to pay the same prices at a burger joint. We need to stop thinking that just because it is Mexican food, that it can't be quality dining or only worthy of rock-bottom prices. read more

Had an excellent experience with an engaging and enthusiastic owner. The recommendations were great (Enchiladas Verdes, Tamales) ... We'll be back! read more

La Poblana - Enchiladas Verdes! - Mexican Near Me - Rochester, Minnesota

Not an authority on what is authentic, but what is arrives on the plate is always great. Service has been consistently good and friendly. Recently had the Camarones a La Diabla. Shrimp with a She Devil sauce (my wife's googled translation?) was hot and "smooth" is the best way to describe it. Might ask for it with my taco or burrito orders. The side beans and guacamole are simply good too, better than most other places. read more

I'm probably spoiled because I have some of the best Mexican food right near where I live. The food here was good, but not as good as I was used to. It's certainly not fancy, but the people are friendly. My wife did have some gristle in her pork and I thought there could have been a little more meat on my entree for the price. Plus the place is a cute little Mexican grocery store. I'm not sure we'll be back, but it was a decent experience and I'm not sure there would be any better mexican choices in the area. read more

La Poblana - Huarache Pastor - Mexican Near Me - Rochester, Minnesota

The food was very greasy today. The chips had too much salt and the carne asada didn't have enough. read more

I felt desciminatedd against when I called to place an order. I don't speak Spanish but they answered I Spanish and where pretty rude. I tried to tell them the name of the dish I wanted, but the was no English translation, and this womanwas pretty rude. I like most of them hbut food, by don't like being treated as he Emmy as hey make my food. I sent m I've that is not white or us citizen to be the food, caus I don't know how safe I will be there. M wifs speaker perfec Spanish nu why can't I ord r Mexican food in United States without being treated like I'm a racist? read more

I usually go to la poblana by 37th st, we decided to go to this other branch by civic center, not a single doubt the food was pretty good, good decoration and they even had some mexican bread by the entrance. When we received our food it was the size of a "kids meal" smallest portion of rice, beans, and tlacoyos were the tiniest ive ever seen compared to the one by 37th st. Each plate was around 11 plus dollars, when we should have been charged at least half for what we ate.... i will never go back to this restaurant... read more

Favorite Mexican place in Rochester. Great food. I only wish there other location was still open.

Im Mexican living in MN for the past 16 years in Twin cities area, I been to many Mexican restaurants but nothing like this one. so authentic just like eating back home!!! read more

La Poblana - Mexican Near Me - Rochester, Minnesota

Delicious enchiladas verde and al pastor tacos! Didn't get the avocado topping on the enchiladas but they were tasty regardless. Will be coming back! read more

I'm all about great authentic Mexican food, but when the seasoning is bland I don't have high hopes. An attached grocery store gives you the feeling you are about to experience some great cuisine, but this isn't even on my top 5 for Rochester, MN. The food portions were an okay size, but the flavor lacked severely. Service was good, atmosphere was pretty casual, dinner didn't have much depth beyond a little salt and some cumin. Bottom line, I won't be returning. read more

The Tostados de Tinga is described as "Thin crisp shells topped with seasoned pork", but the dish actually included chicken rather than seasoned pork. read more

The most authentic Mexican food in Rochester, MN. Been there many times and never disappointed.

The best Mexican in Rochester, hands down. We've eaten at several. This place had friendly staff, great service and fresh ingredients. The food was out in about 7 minutes. If you want cheap mass produced Mexican, go to Taco Bell. The bill for 2 was $20 with a $30 value all included. Five Stars. read more

La Poblana - Mexican Near Me - Rochester, Minnesota

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BEST sit down, vegetarian mexican in Rochester! I get the Burrito Bandera, vegetarian. They always ask if cheese and sour cream are ok which is great; it shows that they actually understand that some people also don't consume dairy! SHOCKIING! That seems to be a rare knowledge set 'round these parts. "No meat? How about some fish or chicken then?" Der...lets see...I think those are dead beings as well. No, thanks. It is a wee bit on the "spendy side" as Minnesotan's like to say. But it's fresh, authentic, TASTY, food. Every once in a while, the wait is a bit longer than I'd like but the food is so delicious that I look right on past that to my oh, so, delectable burrito. Cute little place with character. You can almost pretend you're in Nogales at some hole in the wall Mexican place. It used to have a tiny grocery store up front but now they've removed most of that and added some additional tables. Because their food's BOMB and they needed more seats. Good sign? I'd say yes. Now I'm hungry. The people who left crappy reviews have probably only ever eaten at Carlos O Kelly's or their mommy's' taco Tuesday..... read more

Went here today for dinner for the first time. My boyfriend and I absolutely loved the food! It was fresh and tasty. The enchiladas Rojas were absolutely amazing! However, the service was the worst I have ever experienced. The waitress was very rude and I felt completely uncomfortable the whole time I was there. This is for the location by hyvee Barlow read more

Best tacos in town. I felt like I was gonna be OK living in Rochester after I ate my first meal here.

Now open.... We enjoyed everything about this place. They just opened and everything was very clean and fresh. We ordered two meals, Tacos combo and Steak Rancheros. Excellent service and great tasting, fresh and authentic foods. see all our full reviews at www.eatingrochester.com read more

A bit pricey for what you get. Having moved from a relatively expensive and hoppin' area, Mexican food averaged a few bucks cheaper per entrée than this place. read more

We ordered enchilada rojas and one there was no scalpel slices and some of the stuff was soggy. Definitely will not order or eat there again. Would rather eat a cardboard box than this. Sorry for any rude comments. read more

They got my order wrong, but the extensive and sincere apologies made up for it (the people there are really nice). I asked what kind of meat I should get on my burrito - they suggested the spiced pork, and it was a great choice (absolutely delicious). I tried a bite of my friends meal and was unimpressed by the chicken. 4 hours ago, I paid ten dollars (plus a $3 tip) for a burrito, rice, beans, guacamole, and endless chips and salsa, and I'm still full. read more

This is by far the worst food and worst service I have ever had at a restaurant. The food had no seasoning, the chips were stale, the sour cream looked like mayonnaise and was most likely expired, and the meat was all fat and gristle. The service was even worse. The waitress had no personality, never checked back to see how we were doing and when we told her the food was horrible, she did nothing to make it right. Not only would I never go back here and not recommend it to others, I would request that the health department go in to check on the quality of the food they are serving to their customers. If I could give this restaurant negative 5 stars, I would have. read more