Joe Pena's

I should preface this review by saying that I think it's probably a pretty tall order to find good Mexican in Munich in the first place....and that this is coming from someone who is used to eating in the US and Latin America.

Pros: Great service - we had a table of ten and she managed well; English menus; Nice decor (just the right amount of kitsch for me); drink specials (5.60 euros for cocktails)

Cons: I was not at all blown away by the food. We had the appetizer mixed plate, which was pretty greasy and pretty standard for what you'd expect from a fast food type restaurant in the US. I had the pollo y platanos as my main, which to my disappointment came with fried bananas rather than plantain, and chicken that had an over salted peanut sauce.

Again, considering where this restaurant is, it's OK and probably one of the better choices in the city.

Having spent most of my life in Texas, I say this place wouldn't have lasted a month in any town...except in Germany. It has the hopes of being authentic but when you haven't had Mexican food in two years, it was pretty damn good!
The atmosphere felt like a cozy cantina sans humidity. The bar was complete with Corona, San Miguel, and even tequila with a scorpion. We ordered the table side guacamole. Fresh and creamy but bland.
The hubs ordered chicken and beef fajitas. We paid 5€ extra for a second person but it didn't look like it. Maybe because there were extra tortillas?? Those were store bought...obviously.
I ordered the corn fritters and taquitos. The fritters were more like hush puppies with no trace of the chilis that were mentioned in the menu. The sweet chili sauce was good though. The taquitos were missing something that I can't put my finger on. It came with a side of cheese whiz...I mean cheese dipping sauce.
The service was prompt. No waiting even though it was Saturday night. The ambiance was more than we hoped for. It was relaxing.
Like I said, it wouldn't last a day even up against On the Border but compared to the other options 2000 miles away from Tex Mex heaven, this is the place to be.

As far as Mexican food in Germany goes, it is definitely one of the better restaurants in Munich. They make the guacamole at your table, which is the first time I have seen that in Germany. It was really great, too! The margaritas were also good, I love that you can order them in a pitcher. It was a friend's birthday and they served her a free cocktail with sparklers in it, which was pretty cute. I had the chorizo and beef fajitas and I was shocked at how good the chorizo was!

I would say the food was 3 stars, but the service is why I gave it 4. Our waitress was so nice and attentive. It was truly some of the best service I have ever had in Munich. The location is also great, so I will be back for sure!

I always hope for a pleasant surprise when it comes to non-European cuisine in Munich. Sadly, Joe Pena's (with a name like that for a Mexican restaurant, I should have known) failed to please.

We spontaneously called for a table for 2 one hour ahead on a Saturday evening and were fortunate enough to get a table. The restaurant was lively, packed, loud, and warm (ambience-wise and literally). Service was slow and sparse. We saw several large groups of diners, and perhaps that'd be one way to get better service??

One positive note was the daily happy hour from 17:00 to 20:00, when all cocktails cost 5.60€. I went for one of 'Joe's Famous Margaritas' with strawberries. I was disappointed when the margarita came in a tumbler glass (sorry, I'm a snob...), salt-less, and that it had a lot more juice than liquor.

The meal was, by no joke, a mental challenge. I ordered 'Carne Asada á la Tampiqueña,' which came with marinated beef cubes doused in mole sauce along with two cheese-filled quesadillas, a cup of beans, 2 spoonful of guacamole, and a small salad served in a crispy tortilla cup. As I began eating my entree, many possibilities came in my mind:
* Do I eat the beef with the already stuffed quesadilla?
* How should I eat the guacamole? With the mole-soaked beef or the quesadillas or the beans?
* Should I combine the salad with the beef or the others?
I know that I was probably over-thinking the approach to my entree, but that's the point. One shouldn't have to think about how to eat one's meal. I got this impression that the chef just made 4 little dishes and combined them into one meal without any thought. At the end, I ate most of my components separately -- just spoonfuls of beans and guacamole. At least the food tasted decent.

We also got the Quesada de Pavo (turkey strips with vegetables wrapped in a soft tortilla), which we also thought was a disjointed meal and could use some salt.

I did get my surprise at the end when I found out that Joe Pena's is an international chain, so this place will do just fine without my patronage, no harm done.

This is THE best Mexican food in Munich. I lived on the west coast of the United States, where Mexican food is very abundant, but not always delicious. I've eaten Mexican food in Mexico, California, Texas, and New york City; Joe Pena's can give them all a run for their money. They have a new Chef who specializes in Mexican food so if you have been there before and it didn't impress you, go again and I am sure it will now. It is one of the few Mexican Restaurants that make Guacamole fresh at your table. The ingredients are fresh, and I've never been disappointed. There is a reason it's always busy; the drinks are stiff, and the food is awesome.

It is just a big ammount of "mexican" food for a high price. When it started, it tasted better...now it has lot the flavour. Very sad :D

Joe Penas is the worst Mexican in Munich. The staff are deliberabley rude to non german speakers. I have been warned by a number of friends that their cocktails may not be "full strength" I would recommend looking elsewhere. Food is poor.