Solid 4 star rating for a late lunch and early dinner. We ordered carry out around 2:30 pm and still caught the lunch prices until 3pm. We ordered a Speedy Gonzalez (chicken taco, chicken enchilada with a side of rice) and a #6 (chicken chalupa, chicken enchilada with rice and beans). We added a side of sour cream. The sour cream was an extra 1.75. Both lunch specials were 9.00 dollars each. The chips and 1 side of salsa were free. We added another side of salsa for a 1.75. Overall, a good value for the portions and food quality. We really liked our meals. The chips and salsa are good here. I have been here in the past and it was not a good experience. This was a good experience today for a late lunch. Sometimes, you have to give restaurants another chance or another couple chances to see if they are a good place to eat. read more

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I don't know what happens to others that gave this such a low rating, but we love this place and have always had good service and food. Been close to 100 times. It's a safe bet that food is gonna be read more

Amazing food, wonderful service!!! 10,000 stars! Service was quick, food was hot and fresh!

First time ever trying today, permanent choice for Mexican now, can't go anywhere else because it was so good. The service was instant, as soon as I walked in I was helped. The portions are good, the prices even better. Two entrees, a chips and salsa and a small side of queso for 30$ Quality is amazing so much better than any Mexican restaurant I've ever had. I got my food quickly and it was very busy for a Saturday. I absolutely LOVED the hand painted walls of the restaurant, lots of bright colors. The staff were extremely helpful and friendly, I will definitely be back again next weekend! read more

Food was amazing, the carnitas were so juicy and delicious. Best I've had since leaving Texas. Brayan was super friendly and speedy, very attentive and kind. The vibe was great, I only wish they had music, but it was kind of early dinner so maybe later it gets going. Will definitely be back soon read more

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Review Visit: March 28th, 2012 Lorena's was a lotta fun! Lorena's was an early stop for my friends and I. We managed to get a giant group of people together for a night of laughs, chips and salsa, full bellies and memories. We descended upon Lorena's at the beginning of the dinner rush and we didn't leave until nearly close. We took over a large table for the 6+ of us that were there. It was a fun group consisting of Danielle, Jeremy, Tim, Rod, Brian, and a few others. This is one of those places where I don't remember much about the eating experience as the camaraderie was the thing I remember most. I know we went through a ton of chips and salsa, a ton of cheese, and tons of drinks. The one thing I do remember was how good the food was and how it wanted me to try other Mexican restaurants. I guess I can blame Lorena's for getting me hooked on giant burritos, chips and salsa, and feeling stuffed. I miss days like this when adulthood hadn't fully kicked in yet but we had enough money and time to go out and enjoy life. Cherish it while you can. read more

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Have been going to Lorena's for years now. Always really good. Definitely more catered to American style Mexican food. They have hard shells and really good queso/side cheese. The prices are also really great as well. They have a ton of combinations of tacos, enchilada, burritos ect. The menu is huge and everything is really good. The servers are always quick and knkw what they're doing. Always pleasant when we eat here! read more

We decided to make a return here after having a pleasant experience last year. We found them to still be offering prompt and friendly service. Our server was quick to get drinks out, leave us chips and salsa to snack on, and brought our plates out hot and clearly freshly prepared. We arrive just in time for the lunch combo menu which was still a fulfilling size for me. He kept our drinks full and was kind enough to take our cards at the table so we did not have to wait in line at the register. A pleasant experience as always. read more

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Food is good services however is bad. Can't get refills in less you stop someone other then your server. Second they up charge when you use some that as convenient for them as you. A CREDIT CARD. DONT SHOP WHERE THEY UPCHARGE YOU!!!STOP IT read more

I love the ambiance and quick service. The food is always good. I pay with cash to avoid the extra fees.

Very Rude service. Didn't want to bring us a menu and big boy waiter had a pissey attitude. We left fearing he might spit in r food

They must get a lot of customers who don't know what Mexican food really is. who the hell serves mole with fucking chopped up strips of chicken Must have been chicken left over. And the chalupa was even sadder I won't waste time on it . Won't be back,get a new chef who cares about what he/she puts on a plate read more

Lorenas Mexican Restaurant - Holy mole - Mexican Near Me - East Peoria, Illinois

Not so good. The basic chips and the best salsa. I ordered basic vegetable fajita. According to the menu i got only half the item. They fajita plate had very little quantity veggies and firat thing I noticed mushrooms were not there and he don't give me rice, when I asked him. He said " it dush nat cum wit it my frien" first of all I am not your friend, second go bring back the menu and see. You should have seen the look in his face. Then he bought some mushrooms. The taste as such was not that great anyways. I won't miss. Not going back. read more

Lorenas Mexican Restaurant - The veggie fajita, with sides. - Mexican Near Me - East Peoria, Illinois

This is the third time I've been to Lorena's. I have tried a different dish each time as I have yet to find one with any flavor at all. Very bland. Chips and salsa are so-so, nothing exciting. Staff like to socialize with each other A LOT! All you can hear most of the time is them laughing and joking around since their break area is a booth in the back corner. Not impressed and actually, very disappointed. read more

Been coming here for at least 10 years and always excellent. No problem if the wait is an extra few minutes when they are busy, because food always comes out very fast. Most people don't come here for fast food anyway! If you come to a Mexican restaurant, it's more about family and friends, enjoying company, good food, putting your phone away and TALKING to each other. Lorena's meets my expectations of a 5-star restaurant for the atmosphere, cleanliness, quality and service, every time I've been. read more

Absolutely disgusting food, everything seemed like it came out of a can, runny gross refried beans flavorless over salted crapola! Avoid this place! :( Staff was nice but seemed machine like, no personality just take the order and sling the slop type of place, won't be back, gross! read more

This is place has Really good food!The seeting arrangements are the best!Overall 5.5 stars. read more

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Just had a great meal here. I think they make there own chips. For sure on there salsa. Unapologeticly spicy. Margarita was excellent. Fajitas were fab. read more

*3.5* Due to waiter. Here on business and had a group of 7 for dinner. Since our original choice was closed and some of the group are local and had been here, we decided to have Mexican food. Everyone seemed to enjoy their large flavored margaritas. The queso was better than I expected. I ordered the carnitas dinner - the pork was flavorful and most of it was slightly crunchy on the outside as it should be. The beans and rice were average but the guacamole salad that came with wasn't something I would order. 3 people ordered the pollo Yucatan because one of them said they had it before. The others had fajitas and tacos. No one complained about their food but no one seemed to think it was better than average. The waiter was great. He checked on us and refilled my tea whenever it got low. He made sure to make separate tickets and wasn't put out when he was asked to break the alcoholic drinks out on to new separate tickets due to our business expenses. If I am in town again, I would probably eat here again to give it another chance. read more

I usually don't like Mexican food, but this place blows that out of the water. I was allured by the salsa and found myself eating the best quesadilla I have ever had. The fiesta burrito is a MUST TRY! Overall a great restaurant with great service. read more

Margarita was good and service was ok. BUT my food was awful it had a bone in the enchiladas. Yuck. Won't ever go back. read more

Lorenas Mexican Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - East Peoria, Illinois

Frequent this place often as Maria is a nice woman and the service is good. I've never written a complaint about a restaurant before but tonight I can't believe I paid $11 for a glass of water. It was supposed to be a margarita on the rocks but there was no alcohol whatsoever and barely any mix. Must've been the bottom of the mixing container. A woman seated next to me said the same thing when I asked her about her's. I'm getting angrier the more I think about it and as to why I didn't say anything read more

Food was good. I had fajitas Mexicana which I liked a lot. It had grilled peppers and onions with cheese inside. Chips and salsa was good. Margaritas was ok. Not much booze as I had a large and was sober as a judge. My husband had the burrito special which he liked.He had a Modelo on tap. Do not get the fried ice cream. It was served nicely but I couldn't find any ice cream in it. I think it was condensed milk poured on ice. Still I will go back. Bill was $42 without a tip. read more

This is my current go-to place for Mexican when visiting Peoria; I have been a few times now. Nearby, you'll find a Chili's and a Taco Bell and I always wonder: why would ANYONE go to those places and eat factory made food when good authentic Mexican, made fresh by Mexicans, is available near by, at similar or lower prices? Most of the menu is various things made from tortillas - essential Tex Mex, though the taste is more like the real Mexican places (not American Mex) you find in Chicago or California, the way I prefer it. They have huevos rancheros and variations. The lunch menu has many combination choices for around $7. Things are not always exactly as I expect. This time I ordered a pork burrito. Usually burritos are wrapped in foil and you pick them up to eat them. This one seemed like it was put on a plate and baked, then they added salsa verde and crema (a Central American light sour cream sauce) around and some on top. I liked it a lot, even if it was not how I imagined it to be. The place is clean, friendly, kept up well. With the shopping center construction, it was hard for my GPS to find it, so here are some directions: from Camp Street in East Peoria, turn right onto Riverside. Just past Lowes, look for it on the right in the same building as a Radio Shack. read more

Nope, if you are looking for Mexican food... look the other direction!! Quite disappointed....

This is a hidden treasure tucked away off the beaten path, unless your beaten path brings you to Lowe's or Office Max in East Peoria. You'll pass it as you drive to Texas Road House to wait in obnoxiously long lines. This little place has good authentic Mexican food and has not disappointed me the many times I have gone there. You will ponder the reasonable prices as you totter out the door with the pleasant afterglow that accompanies a fine satisfying meal. In my opinion Lorena's is well worth a visit with very good food, good service, reasonable prices and a relaxed atmosphere. read more

This is in between a bar and restaurant on certain nights just at about 8:30pm they will play hip hop or pop music. The mexican food is decent. Standard issue rice. Two choices for tortillas (great!) with your piping hot fajitas. Not exactly super mexican but definitely better than other stuff in this town. read more

I ordered carry out and ordered two meals only received one I'm new to Peoria since I'm only here due to a loved one being a patient at OSF. The food was cold, do not recommend this place if you need carry out. read more

i'm from texas (my only qualification for judging mexican food) and Lorena's was amazing. it's delicious. highly recommend the shredded chicken tacos, black beans, cheese, and guac. read more

Food is pretty good and the service was fairly quick. The carnitas were very tasty...evidently they're marinated in beer. The tamales did not have much meat inside and it was mainly masa. Enchilada sauce had a little tang to it. Wish they had more draft beer selections. read more

1st time eaters. We ordered food for delivery. We ordered texas fajitas which were tasteless and cold. It looked like it was just thrown together. The veggies were undercooked. Also got the sampler for an appetizer. Also cold and tasteless. I would not recommend. read more

Good food , pretty customer svc. I usually come here when visiting mom from Seattle. Went in tonight to order four meals to go. We waiting a good while as they prepared it. I checked things over as best as I could; being they have pretty good sealed lids. I got home and was so disappointed my chile relleno from my #7 meal was excluded. It's a 40 min drive so I wasn't gonna turn around and go back. Need to pay more attn to clients orders. Especially when we're patiently waiting and paying a good price! read more

Love this place and go there a lot to say the least. Try the Blue Margaritas and Hot Wings for sure as they are the best in town. read more

Lorenas Mexican Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - East Peoria, Illinois

The food is GREAT! The service SUCKS!!! Took them 10 minutes to take our order on a Monday evening when they weren't busy. The music is loud and annoying. We then went to pay and NO ONE came to the register to help us for another 10 minutes!! Abd three men saw us and two other ladies waiting to pay... We were ready to just walk out!! read more

Lorena's is new. It opened in late 2007. It is located next door to Schlotzsky's and across the street from Lowe's, in a little strip mall. Lorena's is owned by the same people who own Fiesta Ranchera at 25xx E. Washington in E. Peoria. However, there are some differences. Although they have the same menu, Lorena's is newer and a bit cleaner inside. That said, Lorena's also tends to skimp on costs. That means you get very little salsa. The heat is turned down: it is cold inside. Drinks are served in smaller glasses. But the food is good. I recommend Alambres with beef. They have a great staff, a bar (with overhead TV's). But because Illinois is entirely smoke free now, inside; that means you cannot smoke at the bar. You have to go outside and smoke 15 feet away from any entrances, as is true now in all of Illinois. (sigh) Lorena's is a good place, but if they don't stop those cost cutting measures listed above, I'm afraid they will suffer for customers eventually. read more

I love coming in here for a tasty quick meal. Complimentary chips and salsa. I especially love the coronarita, which is a beer upside down in a margarita. For anyone who thinks​ a margarita is a little too sweet, you will like this. Also had carne asada tacos and total bill was under $20. Very friendly staff too. I typically eat here in a weeknight and have never had to wait for a table. read more

Lorenas Mexican Restaurant - Corona-rita - Mexican Near Me - East Peoria, Illinois

I ate take out for the first time from Lorena's today for lunch it was amazing, Super fast service and awesome food! I will be ordering again!!! Had it delivered by Door Dash such good service!!! read more

A great place to get good quality Mexican at a great price. The service and the atmosphere were great and the food came out quickly. Portions were not too overwhelming, which makes Lorena's a good lunch spot. read more

Not bad mexican food for e peoria and service was quick

This was definitely a good place for Mexican food. We were three of us ended up having a veggie combo, shrimp tacos and fish tacos. Everything was really good and service was good. As soon as we sat down, we got chips and salsa. (Salsa was definitely more liquid/ground more than what I expected), but we got a small side of guac which was fresh and good. The green salsa was not good - not worth it. The flan was ok. But overall a really good experience. read more