Menu
La Emperanza
PosDo

© 2026 PosDo · v3.0

Freetown

La Emperanza

★★★★★ 4.5 · 133 reseñas

At La Emperanza, we're passionate about sharing the flavors of Mexico with our community. Classic Mexican eats are what you'll find on our menu, made fresh daily by our family-run kitchen team. Our colorful dining room is a vibrant reflection of the country's rich culture, comple...

La Emperanza

Mexican · Freetown

4.5 · 2,053 reviews Google

Deals available

Be flexible, save more

Be flexible, save more

mexicanhope.com
Yelp 3.5 (485) TripAdvisor 4.3 (149)

About La Emperanza

At La Emperanza, we're passionate about sharing the flavors of Mexico with our community. Classic Mexican eats are what you'll find on our menu, made fresh daily by our family-run kitchen team. Our colorful dining room is a vibrant reflection of the country's rich culture, complete with lively decor...

At La Emperanza, we're passionate about sharing the flavors of Mexico with our community. Classic Mexican eats are what you'll find on our menu, made fresh daily by our family-run kitchen team. Our colorful dining room is a vibrant reflection of the country's rich culture, complete with lively decorations and warm lighting. We take pride in serving up delicious margaritas, beer, and more to complement our dishes. Our friendly staff are always happy to recommend their favorite favorites, from tender carne asada tacos to spicy homemade salsa. Come taste the difference for yourself at La Emperanza, where every meal feels like a celebration.

What Customers Say About La Emperanza

La Emperanza is a well-regarded, family-run Mexican restaurant known for its authentic cuisine, friendly service, and generous portions at good prices. Customers rave about the margaritas, steak tacos, and guacamole. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends.

Popular Dishes

steak tacos (4) guacamole (3) margarita (3) burrito cinco combo

Best For

Families Groups Locals Celebrations Casual

Tip: Make reservations ahead of time, especially on weekends, due to the restaurant's popularity.

Features

🅿️ Parking Accessible 🍽️ Lunch 🌙 Dinner 🥗 Vegetarian Coffee
🎯 Casual 🛋️ Cozy Trendy 👨‍👩‍👧 Family 👥 Groups

Frequently asked questions about La Emperanza

La Emperanza is located at 40 E Gibbsboro Rd, Lindenwold, NJ 08021, Freetown.
La Emperanza offers mexican cuisine.
La Emperanza has regular opening hours. Check their profile for updated schedules.
La Emperanza offers the following services: dine-in, takeaway.
The most recommended dishes at La Emperanza based on customer reviews are: steak tacos, guacamole, margarita, burrito, cinco combo.
La Emperanza is ideal for families, groups, locals, celebrations, casual dining.
La Emperanza is a well-regarded, family-run Mexican restaurant known for its authentic cuisine, friendly service, and generous portions at good prices. Customers rave about the margaritas, steak tacos, and guacamole. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends.
Make reservations ahead of time, especially on weekends, due to the restaurant's popularity.
2,053
Reviews

La Emperanza Freetown Reviews

4.5
2,053
5★
72%
4★
16%
3★
5%
2★
3%
1★
5%
R
Renu Patel

Super friendly and attentive staff and awesome food!

J
Jasmin Lopez

The guacamole was amazing 🤩 I can’t wait to go back

D
Danielle Degirolamo

This may be my new favorite restaurant. The food, service and atmosphere were incredibly delightful. The portions are large. The drink selection was a variety of alcohol and sodas in glass bottles. Truly the only thing I would add to this restaurant is the drink choice of Brisk iced tea or a plain fruit punch. (I am very picky with beverages) If they have either of those and I am unaware, I do apologize.

D
David Lawyer

This place always blows my mind. I had a burrito the first time I went and it was great! I went again a week or so later and had the Mole Poblano without ever having mole anywhere else and it quickly became my favorite mexican dish. I have tried it in other places since and nowhere had come close to how delicious it is here. Highest praise to this place and I can’t wait to go back :)

C
Christina Marshall

Authentic Mexican restaurant that is sure to please! Friendly staff as well a great environment.

A
Ashlee Tinley

Food is always amazing and exactly how I order it! And the drinks are huge! 10/10 would recommend

G
G_ rebmA

Used to go here all of the time (recently moved) the food was always great 👌☺️ and I was addicted to their chips and salsa for a WHILE there! 😂 It also had a nice atmosphere. I don't think I've ever seen this place not busy, says a lot!

R
Regina

Delicious and authentic! Friendly service! 100 recommend!

H
Hops Hooks

Great food and service. Awesome bartenders

B
Brittany Phillips

I’ve gone to La Esperanza for years and always recommend it to people looking for authentic Mexican food. The staff has been so friendly with my baby whenever I’ve brought her with me and the food has never disappointed. The drinks are also so good, especially the spicy ones!

M
Mizuki Hazuno

Señora Claudia was amazing! She checked in and made great suggestions, checked in just enough, and always made us feel like our enjoyment was catching. She was quick, cheerful, and endlessly kind. I highly recommend the Barbacoa if you love tender, flavorful meat but aren't in the mood for steak. Not gamey at all. 100/10

J
Judith Bates

We went there to eat an early dinner. We were enjoying the best chips and salsa with to die for guacamole!!! We got too full to get dinner. Guess who can’t wait for more guacamole!!!

D
Dennis Gibbons Jr

Good Mexican food. Reminds me of my Great Grandmother's cooking growing up and visiting her in St.Thomas. Family is primarily Spanish, but we learned the cuisine due to hosting people for work on the island at the various restaurants.

l
loopy825 Gaming

Fantastic food at a fair price and generous portions

M
Mona Charrouf

Such an amazing place! Cozy, cute, friendly atmosphere! Very accommodating staff. Everything we ordered was good and we have plenty of leftovers too! Chips & salsa complimentary! Almost every table had guac so I highly recommend!! We also got esperanza combo, chicken tamal, steak tacos, enchiladas rojas, mole poblano, and pechuga mexicana, maduros, rice & beans come with mains! Oh and fresh & frozen margs!! So, so, SO good. Please go. 100/10

D
Dee Brown

They have the best Mexican food I have ever eaten in New Jersey. The last time I enjoyed Mexican food like that was over 20 years ago in Columbia SC. I look forward to coming back. ... I've been driving by this place for over 10 years, I can't believe this is the first time eating here. I took my daughter for birthday dinner, that's where she wanted to go. You won't be disappointed, what are you waiting for get here already!

T
Tammy Rhoads

This was our first experience at the restaurant, we stopped for lunch on a Saturday afternoon and it was AMAZING! The guac is the best and the chicken tortilla soup was so flavorful, a bit spicy but not overly spicy . Terrific service , quaint atmosphere. 100% will be returning for dinner (very soon) * edit 07/17/2025 STILL THE BEST!! The ladies work hard to give you a good experience, this place is like coming home after being away for a long time ... very comforting and welcoming . They have been so kind to me since my throat surgery and have gone above & beyond to help me find foods that I can easily and comfortably enjoy. I adore these women and all.of the staff at La Esperanza

K
Katie Grant

Great family-run place to get Mexican food and drinks.

M
Marissa

Everything was awesome! Will come back. Bartender Anthony was nice

D
D Ruiz

Love love this place! My teacher and friends went for dinner and it was great authentic mexican food and the prices are awesome! Piña colada was also great! Servers are friendly

E
Ezrial Silva

I come here all the time! I'm obsessed with their affordable food that taste excellent and authentic! My favorite meal is the Bistec a la Criolla but everything is fabulous. My favorite waitress is Norma!! She's the best!

D
David Wesolowski

Amazing Mexican Food. Try the takillya margarita it's about the size of your head and the Fat Alex, a super burrito the size of your arm. Insider Tip: ask them for there extra spicy hot sauce.

D
Darryl Turner

Love this place. The only disappointing thing is that it is always packed! That is a great problem to have. Great, huge drinks. The food is more authentic than many other places I've been. It has a real roadhouse feel without being tacky. The food is bountiful and fresh! I highly recommend you try it.

S
Sobrina Worthington

La Esperanza is the BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT IN SOUTH JERSEY!! Very courteous staff and very reasonable prices.

A
Alisa

Great portion sizes! We received a huge portion of guacamole and it was fabulous! They do have a bar if you’d prefer to have apps and a drink. I got the chicken enchiladas and they were delicious!

R
Rich Conroy

I would like to share my recent experience. First and foremost, I have been a patron of La Esperanza for over a decade and I have never had a bad experience. The staff is friendly, caring, and attentive. Especially Oscar. He is such a hard worker and doesn’t sweat, not even under pressure of being the best bartender. I arrived at 6pm. The busiest time at the restaurant and waited patiently for my food, like a good patron would. The food came out hot and delicious and the drinks were phenomenal. 1000/1000 recommend! Thank you Oscar, a true American Hero!

W
William Gill

La Esperanza serves excellent food; decent portions of food and drink; prices are reasonable; very good service. This is why I will choose an independent restaurant over a chain any day of the week.

d
daisy chille

Best restaurant in the whole area!! Telling you this as a chef! The food is absolutely amazing, great owner, and a classic vibe 💯

L
Liza Kiszivath

Excellent place to have dinner. The food was delicious, clean, and very kind personel!!!

J
J

Recently had dinner here for the first time and the food and margaritas were phenomenal. Probably the best Mexican Food I’ve ever had. Will definitely be back here soon. Highly recommend.

J
Jeff Podwats

Long wait to get a table but the food was good. Our waitress Norma was awesome. Service really makes a place better!

R
Ryan Chaffin

The best family owned and operated Mexican restaurant in the area. Their beautiful family treats you as if you are a part of their family. Great service. Great food. I highly recommend!

M
Margaret Hickey

I had La Esperanza cater dinner at my family reunion last weekend. I can't say enough great things about them from the planning of the food, delivery, setup and quality of the food. Everything was perfect. Thanks to Saul and team!

G
Gregory Wake

I’ve been going to La Esperanza since 2008. They have the best Mexican food in the entire Philadelphia Metro region. This is an authentic Mexican restaurant. The people here treat you like family and offer five staff service. A woman I was dating introduced me to this place. I was so thankful for her introducing me to this restaurant that I married her to show my gratitude.

A
Andrea Becker

Authentic. Beautiful. My favorite restaurant by far.

G
Gwenynah Bee

Guacamole is amazing. Pico is so fresh. Nom noms. Put the green hot sauce on everything!!! It's delicious

J
Johadane Pierre

Love their guac. Their margarita have a kick to it. Parking is available in the back. Cards are accepted as forms of payment. I tried the beef tongue taco at my last visit and the watermelon margarita (pictures are included). The watermelon margarita waa the special of the day. I left extremely satisfied. Service was excellent. If you're in the South Jersey area, check it out. Bon appétit!

S
Steve Zullo

Traditional Mexican food place, very generous portions for the price! The te-kill-u margita is definitely worth the 25 dollars If only my stomach had room for more food 😂 Enjoying the tacos I took him for lunch today!

R
Robert

My wife and I's favorite restaurant (now our twin girls too). Been coming for at least 5 years. Fantastic food and everybody is so friendly. Prices are beyond fair given the insane amount of guacamole and large burritos you can get. Quality of the food is phenomenal. Order the combo six then you'll be guaranteed a "wow!" from everybody at the dinner table

K
Katie Ieraci

Best Mexican food I’ve ever had. It’s always crowded so you know it has to be good.

D
Danielle Gallo

The ABSOLUTE best!! Authentic food, family run, and absolutely delicious. The portions are enormous. The fat Alex burrito can feed a small family. The guac is perfect! Family friendly. Great bar. My favorite place in the world to eat!

M
M C (MelloDeeCee)

As always, EVERYTHING was excellent! Staff, drinks, food and ambience was wonderful. Can't wait to visit again!

E
Eric Gibbs

Easily the best guacamole I've ever had in my life and I'm from Arizona. Better than anything I've ever made. Food is absolutely delicious. The orange spicy margaritas were delicious.

T
Tina Melissa Finch Turvin

Had steak 😋 burrito. It was delicious you sure get your money 💰 worth. Huge portions. Great place to eat.

E
Elizabeth Danley

This was by far, the most authentic Mexican food I've had for years. The tamales are so good. I mean everything was really good, but I grew up in Louisiana surrounded by people who were from Mexico and they cooked many times for my family. This place is phenomenal and everyone was really nice.

L
Lauren Correia

Staff was so friendly! Chips were perfect. Food was AMAZING! Margaritas hit the spot. Will be returning!

4
462 Hookies

We came from out of state and wanted some legit Mexican food and this place hit the spot. As soon as we saw the pink building we knew, our waitress was fantastic, the food was amazing and the margaritas were just as good as other reviews say. Don't skip this one.

J
Joseph Scarduzio

This place has great food. It's always good,and always fresh. We go there a lot. The food is reasonably priced, and the staff is always friendly. They do limited reservations and walk-ins. We tend to go by 5 because by 6PM it's usually an hour wait. Which is no surprise because the food is really good. If I didn't have hungry little ones, I would go there and wait and enjoy a nice margarita at the bar.

J
Jay Carroll

5 stars aren’t enough. First, I just have to say margaritas say no more just get them heady old-school margarita, one of the best I’ve had in my life as far as the food goes even better than the drinks, if that is possible, and then polished off a piece of très Leche cake as a decadent dessert, just sweet enough to satisfy a sweet tooth and heavy enough to sink a ship owner if you’re looking for a extremely reasonably priced Mexican meal, I strongly recommend

E
Eryk Venafra

Took our teenagers for lunch agter going to the Berlin mart. The food was amazing like always. The kids insist we go back asap. My 18y old tried and failed to conquer one if their burritos and cant wait to try again

S
South

Not only do they use a better cut of meat than other Mexican restaurants, the spice on the meat makes it more flavorful. I recommend the carnitas; my wife had the meal, I had the burrito. The only improvement in today’s meal would be warm tortillas chips.

B
Berenize Cortez Cortez

I love the food and the place they have great service and the waiter really nice 👍😊❤100%

E
Ellyn Davis

Very pleased with this restaurant. The food was delicious and there was plenty of it. My tacos were stuffed to the brim, and so was my husband’s burrito. The chips and salsa are very tasty. Our server was very nice as well. I would go back here for sure.

L
Lauren P

This place never disappoints. No matter what you get, it's something amazing. My personal favorite is the Burrito Al Pastor. So much flavor. But last night, I tried the Fat Alex and it was a monster of a burrito. This place deserves everyone's patronage!

D
Dan McNelis

It is great food at great prices. Very authentic! And the service is outstanding, very professional and pleasant. I love it here. Me encanta!

T
Taryn Kerper

I have to be honest, I’m not a fan of Mexican food but this place is above and beyond DELICIOUS! EVERYTHING! The drinks the food! We loved it!!!!! The staff are friendly and funny!!!! Had so much fun!

L
Lauren

Always delicious! Try not to fill up on the most addictive chips and salsa. We always order a side of Pico and Guacamole with Combo 6 (fat alex burrito, steak taco, steak tostado) and the mixed fajitas (chicken, steak, shrimp). Enough food to feed our family of 5. And don't forget to save room for flan!

L
Laura Davidow

Loved my tacos! The server was attentive and polite. I would love to try more on their menu.

M
Michael DiMunno

My wife and I ate here as part of a larger party on Saturday afternoon. The place was busy, but not overly packed - and there is lots of space inside so you're not sitting on top of anyone else. The restaurant places freshly made chips and salsa on the table, which was great - but we opted for an order of the guacamole as well for a starter. The guacamole was hands down the best I have ever had, and everyone else in our party agreed as well. Simply amazing. For the main course, I ordered the enchiladas rojas (enchiladas in red sauce), which were the best enchiladas I've had in years. I've had some others at some local establishments and in some cases the red sauce had a strong tomato base, which I do not care for - the red sauce in use at La Esperanza was a chili base with just enough (relatively mild) heat to give it some good flavor. My wife had the Carne Asada, which was incredibly tender and cooked to perfection. The rice and beans were nicely done and very flavorful. The portions were huge, and neither my wife nor I could finish our meal and had enough for another meal at home. We finished the meal off with a serving of flan, which was again huge and some of the best I've ever had. Our waitress was very nice and super attentive to our needs before and during our meal. I have only positive things to say about La Esperanza - and plan to return soon.

paul murray
paul murray

Very good food and service! I think the waiter was great. He even made suggestions to help us make a decision. The music was modern Mexican. If you don't like authentic, then I wouldn't recommend it.

Laura T.
Laura T.

The food portions are great! The burrito was bigger than my arm! Sangria was delicious. Our server was absolutely wonderful! This was our first visit and we can't wait to come back!

Lou Marandino
Lou Marandino

This is a great Mexican spot with a good amount of seating. The ambience is typical of this type of restaurant, but can get a little loud with the seating dispersed around the bar. But there's enty of room! Service is quick, attentive and hospitable. For dinner, I ordered the Pechuga LaMexicana and my wife ordered the a chicken dish with a green pumpkin seed sauce(which for the life of me I can't find the name of). We also ordered an Al Pastore Burrito to go for my daughter. The food is outstanding. My dish came out with chicken strips swimming in this spicy red sauce. My wife's dish was a full bone-in chicken breast with this green, semi spicy, pumpkin seed sauce. Both dishes were delicious. My daughter loved her burrito and the taste I had was a fantastic Al Pastore (which happenes to be one of my favorite). The bill was around $80 for 3 meals and there were plenty of leftovers. We still have the El Impossible to enjoy later, with the portion sizes, they don't leave much room for dessert! If your in the mood for Mexican, then this place will not disappoint.

Ashley Smith
Ashley Smith

First time here and can’t wait to come back! The food was fantastic. Some of the best margaritas we’ve had! Our server was so kind and sweet. It felt very homey. On the way out, another server flagged me down to give me our boxes, since I accidentally left them on our table.

colette caruso
colette caruso

Beautiful restaurant & atmosphere. Food & service was great! Haven’t been there in 10 years but, will definitely be back.

Bill Larson
Bill Larson

I had never been in La Esperanza before but you bet I will be going back. They have an incredible tortilla soup, to which I added chicken. Delicious. And then...we split this Fat Alex Burrito...which you can absolutely do. Its huge and more than enough for two people. The atmosphere was what youd expect from a authentic Mexican restaurant, and our server was great. I cant wait to go back and try more things from their menu.

El Comando
El Comando

I love coming to this place food so good everyone so friendly I got the steak tacos with everything omg 🤤 so good can’t wait to go back

Grace Morgan
Grace Morgan

Amazing authentic Mexican food at a reasonable price. My kids are always excited to head to the "pink" building for dinner!! We went for Cinco De Mayo and the vibe was amazing! (And under a 10 minute wait to be seated despite how busy they were)

Casey James Scheiner
Casey James Scheiner

I’ve been coming here anytime I come down to south Jersey for years and I realized I never wrote a review! Food: I always end up getting the Fat Alex burrito, which is a massive burrito packed with flavor. I can’t comment on the other foods cause I never actually tried them haha Aesthetic: awesome Mexican vibe with a lot of appeal, definitely a fun place to hang out in. Service: I have always had exceptional service throughout the years.

Likhitha Reddy
Likhitha Reddy

Very cute/well decorated restaurant with great flavorful food! We got the guacamole, pork quesadillas, mole poblano, bistec salvadoreño, and the house margarita. All were 10/10! Love that it's family owned and operated. Will definitely come back again!

Darren Shelburne
Darren Shelburne

I needed some fajitas and fried fish on a Saturday night. You understand! lol. I had been hearing about La Esperanza for some time, so my wife and I made a trip. The food was wonderful! I would definitely recommend this restaurant. The service was very friendly. We loved our server. The food took some time to come out but it was a Saturday night, so I don’t hold that against them. All in all a great dining experience.

Dan Miranda
Dan Miranda

La Esperanza is a great choice for authentic Mexican food. The rice and beans, al pastor tacos are delicious and must try. Drinks are great here as well.

Tomiya Coleman
Tomiya Coleman

First time dining in the restaurant in many years, and I was not disappointed. The server was attentive and pleasant, and we were immediately given chips and salsa to munch on with a follow-up on taking our drink orders. It took us a minute to figure out what we wanted, but our server kept checking in to ensure that we knew we were not forgotten about. We ordered the Centro Americano, Fajitas De Lujo, and side of Fried Plantains.. everything was delicious! The food came hot, and in a timely manner. The portions were huge, so the price to the amount of food was pleasing, and we had food to take home. We were pleased with our entire experience and will be back again soon. Note: my favorite to order used to be the Fat Alex's Burrito.

Mark Midmark
Mark Midmark

Had an excellent meal here the other day at a reasonable price. The guac is fantastic here, really creamy, and they give a bunch for the price. The al pastor burrito I had was tasty and enough to feed me for 2 meals. The flan desert was creamy and rich. I will be back!

A. “BackSeatRider” W.
A. “BackSeatRider” W.

This is our go to place for authentic Mexican cuisine. They have the best and biggest burrito (Fat Alex). My kids enjoy the mini Alex from the kids menu which is still large enough to feed an adult! The bar serves many types of Margheritas and beers as well as all other liquor creations. This restaurant is very popular so I advise you call in advance and make reservations. We were told when we called, reservations were not needed, but when we arrived, we were asked if we had reservations, which we did not. We were lucky to go early enough to get seated without one, but it could have been a long wait if it were busier.

J
Jason M.

Steak tacos were great, guacamole was also fantastic. Love the food here. Drinks are good as well

J
Jason M.

Steak tacos were great, guacamole was also fantastic. Love the food here. drinks are good as well

J
Jason M.

steak tacos were great, guacamole was also fantastic. Love the food here. Drinks are good as well

D
David B.

Amazing food, well prepared hot and served with love. The wait staff is so awesome always attentive they will get you what ever you need. If you are looking for quality authentic mexican food s…

D
David B.

Amazing food, well prepared hot and served with love. The wait staff is so awesome always attentive they will get you what ever you need. If you are looking for quality authentic Mexican food sta…

D
David B.

Amazing food, well prepared hot and served with love. The wait staff is so awesome always attentive they will get you what ever you need. If you are looking for quality authentic mexican food stay …

A
Angelina G.

everything was soooooo good and service was amazing. adorable restaurant and felt so at home and comfortable

J
Jon F.

What a great place. Went for dinner a few times and always amazing. Great service & drinks. It's so close too, just across the pike from us. If you want paramount Mexican food this is a must

J
Jon F.

What a great place. Went for dinner a few times and always amazing. Great service & drinks. It's so close too, just across the pike from us. If you want paramount Mexican food this is a must

J
Jon F.

What a great place. Went for dinner a few times and always amazing. Great service & drinks. It's so close too, just across the pike from us. If you want paramount mexican food this is a must

A
Anthony M.

I've been going to this place for years. Always friendly, amazing food-real authentic Mexican cuisine. It's always clean with a friendly vibe.

T
Timothy Shannon S.

Great family run business food is always out of this world nice ambience, but you should make reservations on the weekends

T
Timothy Shannon S.

Great family run business food is always out of this world nice ambience, but you should make reservations on the weekends

A
Ashlie A.

Authentic Mexican food , friendly service, great atmosphere... I do recommend making a reservation.

A
Ashlie A.

Authentic Mexican food , friendly service, great atmosphere... I do recommend making a reservation.

R
Ryan C.

Great food. Great service. Great atmosphere. I would highly recommend this local family owned and operated authentic Mexican restaurant!

E
Eugene A.

Very good authentic Mexican cuisine with many daily specials. Full bar with beers on tap. Very large space but best to make a reservation ahead of time. Very friendly attentive service. Definitely …

F
Fran P

I have been here many many times. We were some of their first customers when they opened and the restaurant was much smaller. This family continues to not only run this business but are hands on in…

b
beckster1967

We celebrated my son’s 27th birthday with dinner. The margaritas are delicious as is the food. The combos are fairly priced and the portions are generously sized. Will definitely return. The bill was…

b
beckster1967

We celebrated my son’s 27th birthday with dinner. The margaritas are delicious as is the food. The combos are fairly priced and the portions are generously sized. Will definitely return. The bill…

b
beckster1967

We celebrated my son’s 27th birthday with dinner. The margaritas are delicious as is the food. The combos are fairly priced and the portions are generously sized. Will definitely return. The bill w…

L
Lauren C

Casual place, great food, so good! Big portions, very friendly and efficient waitress. We will definitely go back! We had the cinco combo, burrito, and margarita/beer.

L
Lauren C

Casual place, great food, so good! Big portions, very friendly and efficient waitress. We will definitely go back! We had the cinco combo, burrito, and margarita/beer.

L
Lauren C

Casual place, great food, so good! Big portions, very friendly and efficient waitress. We will definitely go back! We had the cinco combo, burrito, and margarita/beer.

m
misty1

One of the few restaurants that has been consistently good before and during the pandemic. Dine in or take out, the food is excellent. Great food at good prices. Never been disappointed.

m
misty1

One of the few restaurants that has been consistently good before and during the pandemic. Dine in or take out, the food is excellent. Great food at good prices. Never been disappointed.

l
lorrainewK7207DW

The waitress was very helpful the place is very nice and it is clean! The food was really good and you get very large portions. I highly recommend this Restaurant!!!

l
lorrainewK7207DW

The Waitress was very helpful the place is very nice and it is clean! The food was really good and you get very large portions. I highly recommend this Restaurant!!!

J
Johnny 99

We have eaten there a few times. Always a good hot and tasty meal. Wait staff are always very nice and care if you are have a good experience. That said, have had the hosteses really act like they are bothered when you step up to get a table. First time I figured she was having a bad day... but it it has been like that 1multiple times and I don't feel the first person I talk to should make me feel unwelcome. This visit I had the El Salvador steak. Marinated thin cut steak with onions and peppers. Side of rice and beans. Wife had the mole combo, which she likes alot. Well prepared and delivered. it just got off to a bad start... again. Eating out isn't cheap, so the experience matters.

h
haronn hicks

I love La Esperanza!!! The service is great whether lunch or dinner. I order the tacos, burritos, guacamole, etc. everything i try is good here.

B
Blazin Barbie

1st time visit! The Guac! You must get the Guac!!

A
A Marshal

Authentic Mexican at very reasonable prices. Large portion sizes and friendly staff.

M
Miguel Mendez-Ramirez

Great Mexican food, albeit a little Americanized. Prepare to wait to get a table as they're always busy. Definitely one of the more authentic places for South Jersey.

J
Jeremy Proto

An excellent Mexican joint with authentic dishes. Just about anything you order here is going to rock your tastebuds. Their tacos Al Pastor and house made guac are absolutely to die for. Don’t pass up on a freshly made margarita either, they are the best here!

V
V Iannacone

First visit was in 2008 (I think), and it was amazing. The waitress was lovely and the atmosphere also, but the food was not the same as all those years ago. It was good food, but we came back (travelled out of our way to come) thinking it would be as magical as it was the first time. If we were local, this would be a great spot, but not for traveling 45 mins. The drinks (Pink Sangria) were awesome, too.

B
Brittany Ledger

Cute little restaurant with very enchanting decor. My friend and I both got chicken enchiladas, it was good. We arrived around 530p and by the time we were finishing our meal there was a line practically out the door. They were also giving away free beer to tables as a promotion on Friday night.

M
Marquita Nunziato

The noise decimals were like 90. There was a large table of men maybe celebrating something and made our dinner experience uncomfortable.

Cheerio
Cheerio

Sort of weird parking lot. Quick turn in off the road, but there's a back entry. Food was okay. Pretty authentic I think because it was unseasoned and simple. Guacamole was good. Worked will with the fat Alex's burrito and the Carnitas de puerco. Carnitas de puerco was fairly plain. Should have taken notice of the salt and pepper shaker being well used. Rice and beans were fairly plain too. Horchata was good. 1 stall, 3 urinal restroom with paper towels.

Ansar M.
Ansar M.

Very good food and their margaritas are delicious! Citrus cilantro Margarita was incredible. The bartenders are very friendly and hilarious - good people and food vibe. Fat Alex Burrito is tasty and MASSIVE - probably weighs 5lb, LOL! And if you are not afraid of Goat; you MUST try their Barbacoa. The Barbacoa was tender and juicy. And while the Barbacoa is not the most visually attractive dish, it absolutely makes it up and then some with FLAVOR!

Valerie C
Valerie C

First time at this location for Mexican cuisine. Was met with an unfriendly hostess who advised that my party of 3 couldn't be seated within 5 minutes until the others arrived... The place had empty tables. 🙄 Regardless, our waitress (a friendly older lady) made up for the initial rude encounter. She was friendly and made some suggestions for our first time there. I had a watermelon margarita, which was perfect for the summer and tasted like a candy. Ordered guacamole to accompany the free chips and salsa. Also ordered the Cinco de Mayo combo with a pork tamale to split with my friend. Definitely enjoyed the dinner, and the opportunity to catch up with 2 friends. We lingered after dinner to continue chatting, and didn't feel rushed to leave (which was very nice). Definitely would recommend for a good, inexpensive Mexican meal in south jersey. Oh! And I was able to charge my car during dinner as they have a level 2 charger (Blink/Chargepoint) in the parking lot. There were 2 plugs, but one spot was ICEd out. Anyway, that was a nice surprise for me! ⚡️

Migdaliz Trenche
Migdaliz Trenche

The food was delicious 😋 drinks were also good and strong! 💪! I give it a 4 because the bar tenders where not to attending while we where there never asked if we wanted anything else we constantly had to get there attention to get another drink ! They were only attending there clients that obviously 🙄 go there a lot! Other than that it was good i will be back!

B
Baby_Dreadz

The food is very bland has no flavor whatsoever too be called spanish food take out orders are served in separate containers so you literally have to build your own food after you buy it and …

S
Stacy E.

Expansive menu offering delicious, authentic mexican food in a nice setting. Service can sometimes be a bit slow but food comes out freshly prepared and temperature appropriate. They offer deliciou…

N
Nicole

Food was edible but that's it. (Bland rice, and runny beans- my husband had the waitress remove them from he table bc he didn't want to eat them) service was slow but the place was busy. Dark and crowded atmosphere.

s
scott walsh

Foid is very good.... Food is actually better than most other Mexican restaurants. The service was very good also. The staff were attentive and friendly. Drinks were weak,and sugary. The tequila is definitely watered down. I know what Patron Tequila should taste like.

o
oscarhvargas

Some hits or miss, most plates ordered were good. The Salvadorean steak was a miss. Too much oíl on it. This is regular questin that I always ask and does not affect ranking...do you do a Mil discount. Short answer is no.

A
Ansh Dhelia

Drove pretty far to come eat here after being recommended by a friend. The service and atmosphere was very nice. The food is a little overpriced and felt slightly bland, but good for the most part.

T
Tony Wiltshire

Carnitas were the driest and most tasteless I have ever experienced. Appetizer salad was really just sad. Not even a slice of avocado. The beans were pretty good but the rice was just not fresh either likely day old. I’ve made carnitas more times than I can count so I think I have a pretty good idea.

Tiffany Gonzalez
Tiffany Gonzalez

After having past by this restaurant countless of times, I finally decided to stop in for dinner. It was honestly exactly what I expected given the location. It had a bar atmosphere to it with tables for a more traditional dining experience. You get complimentary chips and salsa, which were tasty. The overall menu was solid with an array of Mexican dishes to try. Many of the dishes are a bit Americanized, as expected, but the food was savory, nonetheless. The guacamole and chips are very good and I highly recommend. I got the burrito with steak and the meat was incredibly flavorful and delicious. The burrito itself I wasn’t crazy about and can’t pinpoint why. All in all, I would come back here again for one of those lazy nights where I know I could get a solid meal for a decent price point.

N
Nicki P.

Came here on a Saturday night and was seated right away, the restaurant was only about three-quarters full. I ordered the watermelon margarita, which was delicious and not overly sweet, though it did…

N
Nicki P.

Came here on a Saturday night and was seated right away, the restaurant was only about three-quarters full. I ordered the watermelon margarita, which was delicious and not overly sweet, though it d…

C
Courtney Poole

We got the Carne Asada and the Pechuga Chicken. Both were very very tasty. However the Tres Leches we ordered for dessert was horrible. Tasted like a Shoprite pound cake with milk poured on top. So disappointing

C
Christine Smith

What a major disappointment 😞 at a restaurant that used to have pretty good Mexican food. I've never had such bad enchiladas....dry stringy tasteless chicken , no melty gooey cheese on top, like it wasn't even heated or melted I would never go back And extremely overpriced for the quality

F
Frank Myers

The food was just okay. I had steak fajitas. It was served luke warm. It should have been sizzling. Plus it did not have much flavor. The service was slow but the server was friendly.

K
KJ

Probably one of the better Mexican restaurants in South Jersey. The chips and salsa is great if my server's thumb wasnt in my salsa bathing in glory, and the chips were stale and have sat in the heat lamp way too long. The horchata wasnt bad, but could have used less ice. The stuffed poblano was horrendous with a disgusting after taste on the breading. They messed up the veggie fajitas and turned it into a burrito...which wasnt the worst thing, but the Mexican rice was hard and reheated. To think of it is take my initial comment back, this is NOT one of the better Mexican restaurants...its worse then Taco Bell.

B
Breyah Johnson

Everything about this place is very nice. The food just is not good or authentic at all. We barely ate our food. Ended up paying, leaving and going elsewhere. The rice tastes like boxed rice, couldn’t even enjoy something simple. Would only come here to drink.

M
Mike Scheufele

Maybe an off night, maybe they fell off... but 2 of 4 dishes were cold, the beef in the fajitas was tough. The carnitas tacos were bland. And served cold, and my enchiladas were covered in an inch and a half of shredded lettuce which I shouldn't have ate due to color , but thought this place was awesome a few years ago.... I've been in the bathroom 4x.. service was great.. but wth happened to the food..

M
Mike R.

We had five people in our dinner party last night and the best compliment was that the drink was good. Won't be going back.

J
Jayzee912 Xman

Sorry i had betterMexican food- but I never thought ill have it this bad- food here was almost so mediocre- if not for hot sauce i wouldnt be ablle to shov it down. overpriced and tastless. $13 for a kids meal -4 store bought chicken tender and some fries?? pls do better serving Americans with authentic Mexican food- when ur charging top dollar. they deserve it. We came out of here with regrets.

Sign in to leave a review

Sign in
👑 Is it yours? Claim it FREE!

Remove ads and manage your menu

Explore Your Area

More restaurants in Freetown →
📸

207 Photos

Explore La Emperanza's photos

La Emperanza
La Emperanza
La Emperanza
La Emperanza
La Emperanza
+202 More
📍

About La Emperanza

How to get there

40 E Gibbsboro Rd, Lindenwold, NJ 08021

Freetown, NJ 08021

Loading map...
La Emperanza
Tap for directions

Highlights

Highly Rated
4.5/5 stars
💬
Many Reviews
2053 reviews
💰
Moderate Price
Price level
👨‍🍳
mexican
Cuisine type

Services

🥐 Brunch
🍽️ Lunch
🍾 Dinner
Coffee
🍰 Desserts
🥗 Vegetarian Options
🥡 Takeout
🍴 Dine-in

Dining Options

🍽️ Dine In
🥡 Takeout

Restaurant Info

Status
Verified by owner
🕐 Hours Today
11AM-9PM
Rating
4.5/5
💬 Reviews
2,053
💰 Price Level
$$
⏱️ Typical Visit
People typically spend 45 min to 2 hr here
📞 Phone
+1 856-782-7114
🌐 Website
mexicanhope.com
📋 Menu
View Menu

Amenities

🅿️ Parking
Wheelchair Accessible
🚻 Restroom
💳 Credit Cards
🏘️

The Neighborhood

Location

40 E Gibbsboro Rd, Lindenwold, NJ 08021

Freetown, NJ 08021

📍 Explore the Neighborhood

Weather
24°
Weather updated hourly · Jobs and events refreshed daily
📰

What people say about La Emperanza

🎮

Gaming

🎮 Earn Points While You Explore!

Play Find Me and redeem points for discounts at La Emperanza and other restaurants

🎮

Earn Points at La Emperanza!

Play Find Me and redeem rewards here

Earn extra points and redeem them for rewards at La Emperanza

🏆 Rewards at La Emperanza

💰

10% Discount

At La Emperanza

1000 pts
Available
🍽️

Free Appetizer

On your next visit

2500 pts
Limited
👑

VIP Table

Premium experience

5000 pts
Exclusive

to redeem rewards and earn points

📋 How Do Rewards Work?

1

Play Find Me

Every 100 score points = 1 reward point

2

Collect Points

Workers earn 2x points per game

3

Redeem Rewards

Discounts, free food and VIP experiences

Call
Leave a Review on Google
👑

Is it yours? Claim it FREE!

Remove ads and manage your menu

Sign in & Play

Check your email!

No password needed — we'll email you a link

We sent you an access link

Check your spam folder if you don't see it