La Penca Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in Madison

My wife and I were planning something completely different for Valentine's day, but then the urge for tacos hit and we decided on a whim to go to Arandas. It looks like a hole in the wall from outside, but it's nicer and more sizable inside than it looks. We enjoyed the chips, salsa, and hot sauces that were brought to our table; the chips are more crunch than crisp, and very tasty. We each ordered tacos; my wife had two steak tacos with rice and beans, and I ordered two steak and one lengua. After taking our order, the gentleman who waited on us (I think he may have been the owner?) came back and said they were out of lengua, so I chose carnitas instead. That turned out to be a great thing, as the carnitas was the most flavorful, moist, perfect carnitas I have had --- one of the best tacos I've had. The steak was very good too, simple, but seasoned just right. My wife was pleased with her tacos, and said the rice and beans were both the way they were supposed to be. It's a good restaurant that serves straightforward Mexican food prepared well at a good price.

Speaking of a good price, they ended up giving me my carnitas taco free because it wasn't what I initially ordered, so the already very affordable meal was almost embarrassingly cheap. The owner is very friendly, and seems very concerned to run a good business and serve good food. If you're concerned, English and Spanish are spoken fluently. I intend to go...

Wonderful, amazing dinner! This place is the epitome of not judging a book by its cover. If you saw outside you might just drive by as it is not fancy at all, and next to a laundromat, but it is an fabulous restaurant. The owner/chef is kind and gives wonderful service. All of his food, including the chips are made from scratch and are so incredibly yummy! I got a side order of mole chicken enchilada with sour cream. Our boys each got a a burrito, and my husband got a chili relleno el pastor. Each of us loved our meals. I would highly recommend Arandas if you are ever in Madison and looking for good Mexican food.

Maravillosa, increíble cena! Este lugar es el epítome de no juzgar un libro por su portada. Si viste afuera, podrías pasar, ya que no es nada lujoso y está al lado de una lavandería, pero es un restaurante fabuloso. El propietario / chef es amable y ofrece un servicio maravilloso. ¡Toda su comida, incluidas las papas fritas, están hechas desde cero y son increíblemente deliciosas! Tengo un pedido de enchilada de pollo con crema agria. Nuestros hijos recibieron un burrito y mi esposo recibió un chile relleno el pastor. A cada uno de nosotros nos encantaron nuestras comidas. Recomiendo encarecidamente Arandas si alguna vez estás en Madison y buscas buena...

Very good soft chicken Tacos! Fresh, flavorful and ample fillings. The second menu item was delivered as a ground beef (instead of shredded beef) quesadilla with a liquid cheese sauce (not melted cheese topping). Although still a totally edible meal, just not what was ordered or expected.

Nice beer selection, all drinks seen being served looked refreshing and delicious.

It was very chilly inside, the outdoor temp was 37°, and inside felt like 50°. The ambiance is definitely "hole in the wall", but it was clean in appearance. Seating was adequate and in good repair. Tables, booths in the back dining room,, and an 8-10 bar stool counter in front with a few tables & booths in smaller front entrance dining area.

The cook and waitstaff know how to hustle, food was delivered within 12 minutes of ordering. The other large customer table showed the steamy hot bowls of some soups and sides of rice that were added. It looked and smelled wonderful.

Will definitely return! Small parking lot, shared with ajoining business, parking might be difficult at...