La Perla Restaurant

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734 South 5th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53204

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(414) 645-9888
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La Perla Restaurant - Milwaukee, WI
Reviews
( 9 )
( 4 )
( 3 )
( 6 )
( 8 )

Best

Had a great time! Loved the atmosphere, food and service. Can't wait to go back! I am new to Milwaukee and some people from work took me there. Tuesdays' may be La Perla night!

Worst

After being seated outside on the ""patio"" which we had specifically asked not to be seated in, we froze outside throughout the night. The food served looked like it might have ...

We took our daughter there to 4/28/2012

We took our daughter there to celebrate an event and it was a big disappointment. First they wanted to seat us in a back room all by ourselves. The room was freezing cold. We got a table in the main dining area (bar) which was at least warm and there was activity. Service was super slow and indifferent. The chips for the salsa were stale. Food was OK but nothing special. Our daughter wanted the fried ice cream for desert and they were out of it. She got regular ice cream but we were still charged for the fried version. Refiles on the diet soda where $2.50 each. Don't think I saw that anywhere else. We used a Groupon coupon and still spend over $40 for 2 adults and 1 child. That was with a $20 discount! No alcohol either!! I would say don't bother. There are plenty of other options within walking distance with much better food and service for the same or less money. 1 star is being generous. more
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Don't believe the hype. 1/7/2011

I had heard good things about La Perla from many people, so I decided to give it a shot. Boy, was that a... more
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Doesn't even come close.... 8/15/2010

La Perla doesn't even come close to La Fuente or Botanas. Their food is so so. Sometimes it's hot,... more
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No thanks 8/13/2010

We had a party of 7 and made reservations at least a couple weeks in advance, and we still had to wait for an hour n 1/2. We were practically shoved into a back corner/closet kind of thing. The food was good, but I've defineetely have had better. This is like a college kid restaruant, and not for people looking for a decent meal more
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Can We Sit On the roof? 8/9/2010

OK, The 2 most wonderful women in my life and I want to sit on the roof top. She came up out of breath...we were ready to order. Guac, cheese Ques, and Mango Salsa. 45 min for a wait. Margs were Neon green. Never going again. We knew that Botanas would be better but tried. Never again! more
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La Perla - Not as good as it used to be 1/11/2010

La Perla used to be one of my favorite restaurants but it's gone downhill. It used to be this little whole... more
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Good drinking environment; Fun atmosphere 1/9/2009

Food is just okay. This establishment makes its money on the Margaritas (they are good). There are better places for Mexican, but this place has an energy that I enjoy. The tortilla soup is really good. I like lunches here better than dinners. Pros: Fun environment; great margaritas Cons: Food is just okay more
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Don't believe the HYPE! 8/15/2008

When I moved from Chicago to Milwaukee one of the things I told everyone I would miss was the great Mexican food. I would have to say that at least 9 out of 10 people I asked for a recommendation said ""go to La Perla, it's the best!""... So eager to try Milwaukee's best I went... the food was pitiful at best. The atmosphere was a like a frat house and the Margaritas were watered down. Now to be fair, maybe I'm just too old for this place considering I am out of college for almost a decade now... but for me I won't be back nor will I probably ever go back to any of the places at 5th & national...if you not just trying to take care of your pre frat party needs and your over 24 yrs old, do yourself a favor and pass on this place and go to Cempazuchi instead. Pros: low prices Cons: Everything else, Bad food, bad service, rude crowd, dirty tables...need I go on? more
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Best place to meet and eat! 9/12/2007

Had a great time! Loved the atmosphere, food and service. Can't wait to go back! I am new to Milwaukee and some people from work took me there. Tuesdays' may be La Perla night! more
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Best time - Great food - Good looking crowd 3/2/2007

Best time -- busy place but worth the wait. best margaritas and excellent combo platters. new bar attracts great crowd. I had only been there for lunch before; dinner was awesome and a lot of fun to sit, drink and watch the different scenes. then plenty of food to take home for breakfast. Pros: good food. great service. everyone having good time Cons: crowds more
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Horrible food and presentation 12/27/2006

I have passed this place couple of times and it seems to be crowded all the time. so i ASSUMED the food must be good. What a mistake !!! Pros: Large portians (if you can eat bad food that is) Cons: Bad presentation of food, bad taste, cannot be categorized as Mexican more
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Someone hijacked the adjective ""Mexican"" and applied it to this food. 11/2/2006

This is not mexican food. If you want mexican food, try ""Azteca"" or ""Botanas,"" but don't expect to get anything mexican from La Perla. This joint mostly caters to the suburban crowds too fearful of the South Side to venture very far from what the television tells them is mexican cuisine. In fact, I'd say La Perla fails even by a Chi-Chi's standard. The tables and seating are crowded, there is no shelter from the cold winter air that fills the restaurant each time the door opens, and the table tops are too small to accomodate the troughs La Perla uses to serve the function of a plate. Pop a Lean Cuisine in the micro and play some Thalia and you'll have a more authentic experience at home. Pros: Everyone knows about it, because La Perla does TONS of advertising. Cons: The food is disappointing, the atmosphere is creepy and not enough tequila can distract me from the fact this is a gringo version of Mexican. more
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Excellant authentic Mexican fare. Great seafood dishes. 7/25/2006

Excellant authentic Mexican. Some unique dishes not found elsewhere. If you like seafood, one of the few Mexican restaurants with good Mexican sea food dishes. Service is great. Very busy, but not overly crowded since the outdoor dinning. Pros: Food, Service, Ambience more
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a good time 4/28/2006

thanks LaPerla. Love your new dishes. the new rooftop patio is beautiful too. I'll be bringing my girlfriends back again this weekend! more
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chile doesn't work 4/13/2006

The salsa is extremely mild and the place looks like a fast food restaurant. The food is not very good either. more
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Did the Chef die in the fire? 3/24/2006

La Perla used to be an outstanding restaurant, full of charm and delicious, hip Mexican fare. The restaurant burned in a fire, however, and took some time to rebuild. We went back there recently and were surprised how bad the food had become. The service was spotty, the salsa was terrible, and the entrees were poorly balanced and barely palatable. We've heard similar reports from other long-term La Perla diners, and, regrettably, the joke is that the chef must have died in the fire. more
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Jealous-Delicious- 4/15/2005

La Perla has been around so long it seems to have made people jealous that it keeps attracting great crowds, puts out high quality service and food and works really hard to come up with the best and most innovative ways to promote themselves and our city. I and the hundreds of people who eat there every day and week HIGHLY recommend it for what it is ---a great place to take a date, a family or a large group for an amazing time. Ride the pepper or their shuttle or sit on the patio by the fireplace. You'll love it just like we do! more
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Service ruins the experience 2/28/2005

The food was very good. The service ruined the experience for me. I felt like the staff could hardly wait for me to leave, so they could seat someone else at my table. If you are going out to eat and not socialize, this is the place for you. I feel that La Perla is merely a cash cow and nothing more. Pros: good food Cons: noisy, bad service, crowded more
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Margarita's 2/17/2004

Ordered their ""SUPER"" drink with dbl Jose Tequila & Gran Marnier(sp???). It was fair, but nothing like the ones we used to get at PJ's Sports Bar in Reno,NV. The shrimp soup was SUPERB!!!!!!!!!! Pros: Food, Service, ParkingDrinks Weak Cons: , Drinks Weak more
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Over-rated 2/8/2004

Beware seekers of the best mexican foods - this place is trendy in atmosphere but only average in tastes. If you're looking for good-looking trendy people enjoying good drinks (the drinks are good - but you're in Milwaukee, there are dozens of places for that) then you'll be happy here. And it is not that the food is bad, it is just nothing special and it is a little steep for the quality. If good food is your main priority then pass this place up and go to one of the ""less pretty"" places right around the corner or down the street. more
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Menu for La Perla Restaurant


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Owner Message

  • Since 1995 La Perla has been serving authentic and homemade Mexican dishes in the style of Guadalajara, Mexico. All items are prepared fresh daily in our kitchen-and for your health, we use no animal fats. Most dishes can be prepared vegetarian upon request. We take pride in offering perfect drinks to compliment the food, including knockout margaritas, many kinds of cerveza, and an incredible range of tequilas. From our complimentary homemade, hand fried chips and fresh salsa to the dessert, you're sure to enjoy the exciting tastes of Mexico! Stop in, bring your friends and spice things up by trying one of our more than 600 hot sauces. Our friendly and attentive staff is always ready... Save up to 50% today by clicking on view website on the right.

Editorial

  • The Scene
    Located in historic Walker's Point, La Perla sets the neighborhood abuzz as the margaritas flow at an alarming pace. Delicious food, an ever-growing tequila collection of 225...

  • 4/6/2004 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Monday 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM Tuesday 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM Wednesday 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM Thursday 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM Friday 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM Saturday 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM Sunday 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
  • Payments: Discover, Visa, Master Card, American Express
  • Neighborhoods: Walker's Point
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