My EPG colleagues and I had dinner right before our second session of our Social Media workshop and "La Pena" is where we decided to go. La Pena is a Mexican restaurant that serves delicious food made to order in a timely fashioned. I am very picky and my colleagues know that by now. Mexican, Chinese and other foods outside of American are usually way out of my league, but I opened up to La Pena when they gave me a different approach of just how lucky I was to get out of my comfort zone. I ordered a grilled chicken salad there. Now you're probably thinking how can I determine the quality of the food and guest service without having a real meal. Well, I'm going to tell you. It was the meat that was mouth watering; the service that was was unbelievable; and the atmosphere that was welcoming. The grilled chicken itself was seasoned so good. I was served with a large portion of the salad and a substantial amount of grilled chicken strips. The service was QUICK. Grant having to serve 21 people. We got our food in a decent amount of time and the orders were all correct. Great place to dine. Ever since my experience there, I each dining opportunity I get to La Pena's. You should try La Pena's Restaurant. It won't be a disappointment. read more

The La Pena Mexican Restaurant is a very good eatery located within Hazard, KY. I have been to many Mexican restaurants and I can honestly say this one is by far a top favorite. I ordered the Burrito Steak Supreme and it was very filling and delicious. It came with an order of rice and beans, guacamole and lettuce, and with two medium sized steak burritos with melted cheese on top for only $8.99. This place has a lot of variety on the menu and it will be hard for you to decide what you would like to eat because of all the tasty options. The service on the other hand was great and the waiters served my college internship group and I greatly with amazing hospitality and respect. They were really nice and even taught us a little bit of Spanish, which was unique. The food was served to us rather quickly and this was great, especially, being with a large group as ours. The scenery is authentic and there are several portraits and art that symbolizes Mexican pride. Also there are several flat screen televisions there so you can enjoy a game or watch a television show. I recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting Hazard and has a craving for delicious Mexican food and a pretty good price. Five Stars !! read more

This was one of my favorite places to eat out so far on our EPG journey. The staff was extremely friendly and funny. A lot of the waiters were eager to teach us Spanish and tested us on how much we already knew. They made us feel as though we were just a bunch of friends coming in for a meal. I ordered the Mexicano Special. This consisted of nicely grilled chicken, shrimp, and rice on the bottom. I normally do not enjoy eating shrimp but the texture and the way the shrimp was cooked tasted phenomenal. They brought out the chips and salsa right away. The salsa was really good if you liked it spicy you could add your own spice which does not happen all the time. They were quick to arrive with our food. I was expecting a long wait due to the big group of 15 people we had. The place was very comfortable. However, I did not enjoy the cold AC, I felt as though it was to cold. read more

Cohort 8 EPGers were served in a long table together in La Pena Mexican Grill in Hazard, KY. Our orders included Grilled Steak Fajitas, Taco deAzada, four specials, Buritto la Pena, and Burrito de Puerco , and three Vegetarian Plates. I orders the vegetarian mix and to my suprise it came with a plate full of lattuce, beans and rice. It was all hot, spicy and delicious. I was already full by the aroma of my order. I had to get it to go because they serve a huge amount per serving. They were well prepared to serve us and it was well done. I appreciate their fast service. So for visitor who love Mexican food and any one starving this place would be an ideal place to swing by. I am sure you will be happy with their services and exquisite cooking. Luwam Okbazion read more

Walked in as part of a large group of students from Berea College and orders were taken fast and efficiently. I ordered the chicken quesadilla and it was tasty with good presentation. It also had a very colorful and sophisticated decor. What made the mark however is when a friend of mine who was not feeling good prior to our visit and had to leave without getting to eat his food. I had his food boxed and intended to take it with me for him but forgot as we walked out. Not long after walking out I remembered. When I walked inside they had already bussed the food but they quickly offered to make him a new order to take with him. We were all impressed by their level of customer care. I would definitely be a regular here if I lived nearby! Good food and good service definitely! read more

I'm always a fan of chips and salsa while waiting for your meal and for your fellow dining members to choose what to eat. The service was fast, the interior was brightly light and colored, it wasn't noisy, and there were many options to choose from on the menu. I ordered and shared a chicken chimi-changa(?) and we still had left overs! The prices were great for the huge portions. Most dishes really didn't differ too much, just depended on what type of meat or vegetables you got. Every dish seemed to include shredded lettuce, sour cream, rice, beans, and cheese. I wouldn't expect anything too special but its your typical Mexican restaurant. I would come back. read more

I loved this place so much. I have been in a Mexican restaurant before in Hazard, KY, and although it was great food, La Pena was greater. What made it stood up is the warm nature of the waiters. I loved the atmosphere, it was so cozy. Many colors on the walls, and Mexican decoration and music in the background. I ordered a grilled steak and shrimp fajita, it was so yummy and big that i could not finish it. Besides, I ordered a pink lemonade, and for once, comparing to other restaurants, it was sweet and really refreshing! La Pena is a really good place to go to for either lunch or dinner. read more

This Mexican place is serving very good food I really loved! I visited this place with other 20 colleagues. they served food to us fast. about in 10 minutes. I ordered Enchilada Grande that contains chicken. usually in other restaurants, I felt that they freeze food in the fridge and cook it later because the chicken is usually stiff and not fresh in other restaurants. however in La Pena, the chicken and food was so fresh that I really liked! the service was also good that waiters were very kind and the place had a good atmosphere. I totally recommend this place for everyone. read more

14 of my colleagues and I went here last night for dinner and it was good. The service was fairly quick, although they got my drink order wrong. The place was very large and spacious with plenty of room and seemed very clean. The traditional tortilla chips were good and fresh, but the salsa was not very good. I ordered papitas mexicanas which are french fries topped with cheese, grilled onions, grilled bell peppers, and jalapenos. It had a very good flavor but did not taste as original as I had expected it to taste. Overall, it was good, but I wasn't impressed with it. read more

This place finally convinced me that I am indeed in love with Mexican restaurants. This one was one of the nicest ones I've been to: great selection of food (Mamacita's Special is to die for), great friendly service (how often do you see a waiter balancing 7 planes with his bare hands and smiling?), great atmosphere (nice Latin music in the background, brightly colored walls and the feel of relaxation). It isn't too flashy from the outside, but if you walk in, you'd simply have to roll out: portions are more than generous! Amazing restaurant, definitely worth visiting! read more

Loved the atmosphere, very colorful and warm. I ordered the steak nachos, which were delicious! The waiters were friendly and the food came quickly even though we were a group of twenty plus. I don't want to stereotype, but Mexican restaurants seem to handle big crowds really well. The group I was with got a little loud and may have annoyed some of the other customers, but the staff seemed entertained by our antics (not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing). Overall, it was a good experience that I would recommend to anyone with a hankering for Mexican food. read more

Polite, speedy and friendly service: The guy delivering our food had 7 hot plates balanced on his arm and he didn't drop a single one! The people around me seemed to really enjoy the food, but I ordered the vegetarian fajita taco salad and it was almost inedible, whatever spic/flavoring they put in the vegetables that made up the fajita part was as far from delicious as humanly possible. This would be one star if the people around me hadn't experienced excellent meals. Verdict: try it out, but don't order the vegetarian fajita taco salad! read more

This place had amazing Mexican cuisine and the atmosphere was great. When you first walk in you'll notice the wonderful assortments of paintings, wall ornaments, and neat lighting in the building. I ordered a "chorizo lovers plate" which tasted amazing. It was chorizo, fried with onions on a bed of beans and rice with guacamole and tortilla's on the side. And just to note, I was their with a group of 20 other individuals and the service was super fast. read more

This restaurant definitely wasn't bad in my opinion. The service here was very good with very little waiting (which is an accomplishment no doubt when you're serving 20 people), and my food was alright. It wasn't bad...it just wasn't extravagantly amazing. I wouldn't say don't go here for sure, as from what I saw among my group members other people really enjoyed it. read more

MMMM. Hands down the best Mexican restaurant in Hazard. I ordered the grilled shrimp and vegetables over rice. It was delicious! There servers were also very attentive and helpful with menu choices. The menu had a variety of choices and prices. While the food was you standard Mexican restaurant cuisine, it was well prepared and very good! read more

I would say that they have a quick service and I ordered seafood salad with water. The chips for appetizer is really good especially with tomato sauce. I love eating seafood salad. But I could not finish it as the amount is huge and I took it home. For Mexican food lovers, I would recommend this restaurant. read more

Really great food! The staff was polite and attentive. I ordered the chicken quesadilla Grande; it had mushrooms, sautéed onions and peppers with guacamole and sour cream. Yummy! The prices are very reasonable for the Mexican cuisine. When I went to the restrooms I noticed that it needed to be clean. read more

I came to La Pena with a college group of about 20. They served us quickly and were funny and polite. The food was excellent. I ordered Camaron Con Queso (shrimp with cheese), which came with rice and refried beans. The restaurant itself was clean, tastefully decorated, and conveniently right in town! read more

Party of 21 here conducting interviews with local independent business owners in eastern Kentucky. As previously reported dinner food is delicious, service prompt and ambience reminds me of central Mexico. Plan on spending $12.00 per person. read more