La Penita

Great seasoning on the food, a busy place, faster customer service, reasonable prices and my servers always making me feel special, plus is about 500 feet's away from my house

I went to have dinner with my wife on a friday and we had the green enchiladas and the seafood cocktail, this was the best diner I ever had in months, the beer was really cold and also they bring cold glasses all was perfect I strongly recommend this place.

Great food and service. A must try

Delicious food! Good prices! Small, casual, family restaurant. Home made corn tortillas are yummy! Not crowded on Friday night because they do their main business at lunch. I'm already looking forward to the next visit!

Fantastic food!!! , its very delicious, but the elderly waitress was bit rude, grumpy , a piss ass, and not welcoming. I had to go up to the front and pay my check and take my own plate up to the front to ask for a box. To top it off she never once asked throughout our meal if everything was ok, she only asked other tables. But since the food is outstanding, i will return. See you soon.

Delicious burritos both for breakfast and lunch or dinner. Everyone working is super nice and are wearing masks. I have eaten at this place every day for a week now and I am super happy with the consistency of quality of food and kindness of everyone. Also, the salsas are delicious.

Good old fashioned authentic Mexican food great customer service fair prices I'm going to this place for over 20 years

First time here and I was not disappointed. Coming from central California was a little skeptical about how authentic their Mexican food was and they completely exceeded my expectations. Will definitely come back when visiting the area. The chilaquiles are amazing!!

I went here on a recommendation from a co-worker. The albondigas soup is awesome. They're liberal with the chips, the salsa is good. It's on the south end of downtown so it's a little quiet, which I prefer. They also have a liquor license

I’m visiting from Texas and had such a great experience at Penita Restaurant! The food was absolutely delicious — full of flavor, fresh, and cooked perfectly. You can really taste the love and authenticity in every dish. The service was warm and welcoming, which made the whole meal even better. If you’re in the area, I definitely recommend stopping by. As someone from Texas who appreciates good food, I can honestly say Penita did not disappoint!

Perfect spot for some traditional Mexican dishes. I loved the enchiladas and the caldo de res. Some other items worth mentioning: the horchata and concha’s. Be sure to try the pozole and menudo on the weekend's!

Great home made food! Hand made tortillas flour and corn! Great home taste dishes shredded chicken is tender and full of flavor. Soups taste almost as good as my father in laws! Place is small and could use a make over to be prettier but its hard to find authentic food this good! This small place is the definition of a “hole in the wall” but in the best way!! Their specialties are NOT to be missed. No dedicated parking but easy to access. There is a bathroom and a bar and highchairs. They do normally take cards but were cash only today

We love this place! It's one of our favorites, they serve authentic Mexican dishes. Our favorite to eat are the shrimp and garlic plate, my husband usually has the menudo. It's delicious 😋let's not forget the agua fresca or orchata!

Cozy place for great food. The facility is dated but the food is definitely worth it, great tasting dishes, good portions, competitive prices, try the Cocido de Res (beef soup) for a wholesome meal.

Best Menudo in town! Seating around back of corner, Call ahead to reserve this because of its popularity a ask for Pigs feet to add. lmk what you think?

cristian garza

I’m visiting from Texas and had such a great experience at Penita Restaurant! The food was absolutely delicious — full of flavor, fresh, and cooked perfectly. You can really taste the love and authenticity in every dish. The service was warm and welcoming, which made the whole meal even better. If you’re in the area, I definitely recommend stopping by. As someone from Texas who appreciates good food, I can honestly say Penita did not disappoint!

Angelina Sepulveda

Perfect spot for some traditional Mexican dishes. I loved the enchiladas and the caldo de res. Some other items worth mentioning: the horchata and concha’s. Be sure to try the pozole and menudo on the weekend's!

Jillian Crespo

Great home made food! Hand made tortillas flour and corn! Great home taste dishes shredded chicken is tender and full of flavor. Soups taste almost as good as my father in laws! Place is small and could use a make over to be prettier but its hard to find authentic food this good! This small place is the definition of a “hole in the wall” but in the best way!! Their specialties are NOT to be missed. No dedicated parking but easy to access. There is a bathroom and a bar and highchairs. They do normally take cards but were cash only today

linda macias

We love this place! It's one of our favorites, they serve authentic Mexican dishes. Our favorite to eat are the shrimp and garlic plate, my husband usually has the menudo. It's delicious 😋let's not forget the agua fresca or orchata!

Franco Ruelas

Cozy place for great food. The facility is dated but the food is definitely worth it, great tasting dishes, good portions, competitive prices, try the Cocido de Res (beef soup) for a wholesome meal.

Rafael Loera

Best Menudo in town! Seating around back of corner, Call ahead to reserve this because of its popularity a ask for Pigs feet to add. lmk what you think?

Great service, delicious food, 100% recommended

A friend brought me here for the first time. I had the beef Soup? It was delicious. They serve a big portion. With homemade tortillas. I will definitely be back. And I would definitely recommend this place.

I just wanted to share a fantastic find with you. There's this amazing restaurant in San Jose that serves the most authentic Mexican cuisine. Despite its humble appearance, the food is absolutely genuine and delicious. My personal favorite is the Cocido de Res, which, believe it or not, even surpasses my mom's recipe. I totally recommend giving this place a try. The only thing is, I wish they would extend their operating hours.

Best Cocido! Add to that homemade corn tortillas and fresh squeezed oj. The service can be slow as it's a small restaurant with one woman running the front and maybe 2 cooks. She is also very chatty with customers.

Great authentic Mexican food!! Homemade horchata and a cozy atmosphere. The red chili is spicy and delicious. Just moved to downtown San Jose and kept seeing the place at the corner. I was a little hesitant but after two friends recommended it I was ready to try. Glad I did.

Nice mom and pops restaurant Awesome home cooked food Caldo de restaurant with handmade tortillas is the best.

A must try if you want to experience very good, authentic Mexican food! I was in the area with associates and the request was for great, authentic Mexican food. After a little researching, this was the spot. A diverse menu, authentic, good prices, and wonderful customer service. We felt the passion and love from the family/workers which translated to an overall wonderful experience! Check it out!

cain cazarez

Great food and service. A must try

Nicolas Leguizamon

Great service, delicious food, 100% recommended

montserrat leal

Nice mom and pops restaurant Awesome home cooked food Caldo de restaurant with handmade tortillas is the best.

Linda Esquivel

Best Cocido! Add to that homemade corn tortillas and fresh squeezed oj. The service can be slow as it's a small restaurant with one woman running the front and maybe 2 cooks. She is also very chatty with customers.

Carlos Zaragoza

I just wanted to share a fantastic find with you. There's this amazing restaurant in San Jose that serves the most authentic Mexican cuisine. Despite its humble appearance, the food is absolutely genuine and delicious. My personal favorite is the Cocido de Res, which, believe it or not, even surpasses my mom's recipe. I totally recommend giving this place a try. The only thing is, I wish they would extend their operating hours.

Paul Hooker

A friend brought me here for the first time. I had the beef Soup? It was delicious. They serve a big portion. With homemade tortillas. I will definitely be back. And I would definitely recommend this place.

Joe G.

A must try if you want to experience very good, authentic Mexican food! I was in the area with associates and the request was for great, authentic Mexican food. After a little researching, this was the spot. A diverse menu, authentic, good prices, and wonderful customer service. We felt the passion and love from the family/workers which translated to an overall wonderful experience! Check it out!

Great place! We go there often. My one complaint is that they don't always have white wine in stock. Everything else is good though!

Really good food! Came here to get a quick bite from Crunchyroll Expo. I had ordered chicken flautas and it kept me really full 😊

Food was wonderful. Service left a little to be desired. Would give a 4.5 & definitely go back if I'm in the area.

The food was good but the customer service was ehh. We sat In the corner right at the front window and were waiting to order when two more people walked in and sat on the left hand side of the restaurant. She walked directly over to them and took their order. They got their food before she even took our order. We ordered menudo and Mole and it seemed like forever before we got served. After we finished, it took a long time to get her attention to pay the bill. Even thought we had to pay cash because their ATM wasn't working we still tipped 10 bucks. Going to try again this weekend. Fingers crossed.

At OCP and needed some quick food to quench the hunger. Had about 30 minutes including the walk to and from the convention center. Found this place down the street. From Texas so we have an eat a lot of Mexican food. Ordered the light lunch chicken taco plate. It was 3:30 and you can still order the light lunches. Very good soft chicken taco. The beans were good as was the rice. Good stuff . Nice lady serving. Definitely a small place worth eating.

Came on a Thurs afternoon for lunch takeout. Pretty busy, tables were available to seat. Staff was attentively quick to serve and amicable. Ordered a chorizo burrito and it was good albeit was inundated with grease which made the eating experience messy. Establishment was clean.

Had the fajitas mix plate with fresh tomatoes jalapeños and onion sautéed with beef and shrimp ... too bad only get 3 handmade tortillas with order... the chile relleno was too soggy with too much salsa on top it for my taste... their michelada and horchata were on point

Le Penita is home to authentic Mexican cusine and offers quality Mexucan style foods pocket friendly prices. Its located nearby South Market street in San Jose and remains open till night hours. Place is compact and has simplistic approach with main focus on Food quality.

Great Mexican food, friendly service at great prices.

yoR sivaD

At OCP and needed some quick food to quench the hunger. Had about 30 minutes including the walk to and from the convention center. Found this place down the street. From Texas so we have an eat a lot of Mexican food. Ordered the light lunch chicken taco plate. It was 3:30 and you can still order the light lunches. Very good soft chicken taco. The beans were good as was the rice. Good stuff . Nice lady serving. Definitely a small place worth eating.

Nate Ulsh

Came on a Thurs afternoon for lunch takeout. Pretty busy, tables were available to seat. Staff was attentively quick to serve and amicable. Ordered a chorizo burrito and it was good albeit was inundated with grease which made the eating experience messy. Establishment was clean.

DaysMar Barraza

Had the fajitas mix plate with fresh tomatoes jalapeños and onion sautéed with beef and shrimp ... too bad only get 3 handmade tortillas with order... the chile relleno was too soggy with too much salsa on top it for my taste... their michelada and horchata were on point

The Foodmad

Le Penita is home to authentic Mexican cusine and offers quality Mexucan style foods pocket friendly prices. Its located nearby South Market street in San Jose and remains open till night hours. Place is compact and has simplistic approach with main focus on Food quality.

Juan Sanchez

Great Mexican food, friendly service at great prices.

Food was good. Prices a little high but what can you do anymore. Food was very tasty and though we were there during a very busy lunch hour, the service was very good, with a wonderful smile to boot.

I ordered 3 Tacos with beans and rice on the side. I got 3 tacos with beans and guacamole on the tacos. I hate guacamole. Not very happy. The woman taking my order clearly doesn't understand English in America.

Paul Arkuski

I ordered 3 Tacos with beans and rice on the side. I got 3 tacos with beans and guacamole on the tacos. I hate guacamole. Not very happy. The woman taking my order clearly doesn't understand English in America.

Bob Reinecke

Food was good. Prices a little high but what can you do anymore. Food was very tasty and though we were there during a very busy lunch hour, the service was very good, with a wonderful smile to boot.

My wife and I went to this restaurant because we heard the menudo was good..... it was not good all, The menudo had fat and no honeycomb and not flavorful at all, My wife felt sick when we left the homemade corn tortilla was not cooked all the way through either. Also this place is cash only, but they do have an ATM inside. The only thing good was they were friendly and service was good

Made me sick. Diner beware. Ordinary mole plate. Good tortillas. Pricy for what it is. $20 entrees.

Never buying there anymore

We came here and weren't greeted nor seated and were left to seat ourselves at a dirty table while the server walked past us numerous times. We then received 3 menus for 4 people. And our food tasted subpar at best. After we were done, we didn't receive the check until after we asked for it 3 times. Then the server accidentally gave my card to another customer. I would not recommend this place to anyone in search of a solid Mexican spot.

I dont usually leave a review. But damn. The plate was hot like it just came out from a microwave. I had tacos... the whole plate shouldn't be hot. And the tortillas were steaming to a point they stick to the plate... because it was microwaved. Too much moisture... chicken and beef tacos. Had 1 bite of each and stopped. The chicken tasted like canned tuna. Had a very similar composition as well. The "carne" was extremely rubbery. All around disappointing. I was really looking forward to "real" tacos. Dont let this places good reviews fool you.

Horrible customer service after coming here as a guest multiple times. Ended up talking to the owner who was unprofessional and didn't even offer any accommodation. I never received my food or a refund. Do not recommend

I had been here a few times before in the food was okay so I thought I would come back with my aunt and my cousin from out of town they wanted Mexican food with homemade tortillas the service was bad they gave me a chili relleno with chili verde sauce and pork meat on top the chili relleno had the seeds inside and it was not made with the right Mexican cheese I asked to cook if they could make me a new one without that sauce as I don't eat pork and she says I'm sorry we prepared it already and we can't throw it away I thought really wow so I left without paying for bad food and bad service I'll never return there I don't recommend this place at all at least not for chile rellenos