First, ignore the comments about the menu. They have plenty of authentic dishes and options for those who want variety. We had a burrito esencia and it was delicious. It had more flavor than most of the Mexican restaurants in the area. The burrito sauce was very good and their homemade chips were excellent, super crunchy, fresh and hot. We chose beef and it was a high quality ground beef, flavorful and not the cheap stuff so many use. The veggies were fresh and the guacamole had good flavor. I hope they work on their outside lighting and atmosphere, but honestly the food was great and that’s what really matters. The burrito was so large, my wife and I split it and still took home enough for another meal.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chips and Salsa
Jerri Rose
Food dry & awful, stale chips. Cocktails week! Took 27 minutes to get served nachos with only 2 other people there.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
Paul Marshall
Went for the first time. There was one other couple there. Wait person was very friendly and promptly brought a plate of chips and salsa. We ordered steak quesdilla and pork salsa Verde. 45 minutes later, our meals showed up. My wife's steak quesdilla was good. My dish pork salsa Verde was the worst meal I have ever had. I have never sent a meal back, but this was so gross. I tried 2 very small samples had my wife try it to make sure I wasn't just tasting it wrong. She gasped and suggested it was spoiled or something. Long story short . I won't go back, probably. The wait and marginal food just isn't worth the money paid.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Chips and Salsa
Kathy 2122
Mostly Mexican food on the menu. All three of us ordered different things and it was all delicious, very flavorful. Reasobly priced.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chips and Salsa, 5 Tacos Dish
Allen White
My wife and I recently visited La Esencia for date night, and despite my initial reluctance about the cuisine choice, I’m thrilled we ended up there.
The first thing that caught my eye was the $4 tacos. Initially put off by this, I found the rest of the menu reasonably consistent with the area, meaning prices were still inflated but manageable for a treat. After experiencing the quality of the meal, I was more than willing to pay for a taco.
We started with chips and salsa. The chips were solid, and the salsa was good, though nothing extraordinary—likely just pico de gallo.
My chicken fajitas arrived on a sizzling platter, looking, smelling, and sounding fantastic. The freshly made corn tortillas were piping hot. These were the best-seasoned fajitas I’ve had in Kitsap. The seasoning carried through to all the veggies on the plate as well. The sour cream, chunky salsa, and guacamole were decently seasoned too. The refried beans were a slight disappointment for me—they tasted fine but were too loose for my liking. However, they got the job done. The rice didn’t have a bold flavor like the fajitas but was well-cooked and included corn and carrots, which I loved.
The Pollo a la Crema had a much milder taste. It was less punchy but extremely well-balanced and paired nicely with both the rice and the flour tortillas.
I appreciate the relatively diverse menu at La Esencia. The inclusion of options like burgers is a nice touch, and I look forward to trying one in the future.
I rated the atmosphere a 3, which is my main criticism. The interior is clean and nice-looking but lacks character. It feels like they haven’t fully made it their own yet, reminiscent of the Outback Steakhouse but with less Outback props.
Overall, this was a great experience. Every part of the meal felt intentional and well-thought-out. It’s definitely a bit pricey, so not an everyday spot, but absolutely worth it for a special treat. I’ll be coming back—and I’ll probably get a taco.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Octavio Mendoza (Chiky)
To begin with, it was closed, according to the fact that on Tuesday it was already open and when I arrived it was closed, if they are going to have advertising, keep updating. They are very behind.
Derrick
La Esencia is a hidden gem in Bremerton! The food is authentic, flavorful, and made with fresh ingredients. The staff is friendly and welcoming. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting. They offer both American and Mexican entree's. I highly recommend it! 5 stars!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chips and Salsa
Mendoza Matias Matias
I don't recommend this restaurant. When I went there they took a lot of time giving the food. I ordered a chicken sandwich and the chicken was very dry and it had a sweet sauce that didn't taste good. The roast beef didn't taste good either, it was very dry! and please improve the service and the people who work there don't care at all!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Jessica Donaldson
Great place in Bremerton. They have really made the inside better than it was from when they first bought the building. The bar is nice , and they have a good menu and even included a USA kitchen section of the menu. Hope this one sticks around!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Gabriel Marquez
Went in with a party of 4 expecting to have traditional Mexican food but it was not that. The menu threw us off at first. It does have Mexican dishes however it's more of a fusion. Chips(homemade) and salsa were great but definitely not traditional by any sense either. Had cheese curds for the appetizer and they were awesome. Breakfast is served all day which 2 in my party loved. Burger and fries(SO CRUNCHY AND GOOD) were GREAT! Last member had Chicken Alfredo Pasta, comes blander(on purpose) but was great with some salt and pepper added.
Overall the menu and food was not what any on my party was expecting. However, it was exceptional. Service was killer and atmosphere is great. We'll definitely be back and I'd recommend you give this place a shot at least once.
First, I have to say. If you're looking to eat Mexican food, this isn't the place. The menu threw us off. Their menu had some mexican dishes, but mostly American food, some seafood, and even pasta dishes. Some food had Mexican fusion, but not enough to really interest you. At least for us, it didn't. Today is Cinco de mayo, so they had a special menu. The options were good, so we just ordered from that menu. Lol the funny part was the chips and salsa, except it wasnt salsa. It was more like a tomato basil soup dip lol. I mean it wasnt bad, but it just threw us off. Tonight, I just got nachos, and my girlfriend got the 5 taco fish. The flavors were pretty good. I thought about getting dessert, but they were too pricey, especially for the choices they had. To be honest, a majority of the items were pricey. Overall, it was a let down. Maybe if they had more Mexican dishes to choose from, but i don't really see us coming back, unfortunately. I give them a 2.5
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
R E L ARMY
I strongly feel that the service at this place has utterly, entirely, and completely failed me. The day we visited was an awful experience. The waitress was very unprofessional and lacked good manners, not very polite. The grilled chicken I ordered, besides taking a loooooooong time to arrive, was undercooked, If you eat undercooked chicken, you can get a foodborne illness, also called food poisoning, We as customers have the right to expect that the food served to you at a restaurant is safe to eat and properly cooked. When I took a bite at the chicken it felt like I was chewing on a piece of raw fish ( this would've been good only if I was eating at a sushi place ) but grilled chicken? come on !!!! I just decided to put it aside and asked for the check. (Which by the way was expensive, not reasonable prices for the terrible service and food)The raw food and the rude waitress is enough to NOT be back. This was my experience, maybe you'll have it different, good luck.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Carolyn Wood
Cauliflower tacos are the bomb!! Chicken wings are great, and sweet potato fries are crispy. Good drinks as well. Enjoy a new restaurant experience! LOTS OF CHOICES.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Adam Hunt
Just tried this new Mexican restaurant that opened about a month ago in Bremerton right on Highway 303 and it was great! Ordered online for pickup but will definitely be back as the dining area and bar were spacious and nice. The food was great -- had steak tacos, cauliflower tacos, a caesar salad, chile rellano and a quesadilla for the kiddos. They also had lots of seafood dishes (didn't try), and (randomly) had some pasta dishes too (didn't try). Would definitely suggest giving this place a try -- highly recommend!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Caleb Aguilar
Great food there. I had the chicken alfredo, it was yummy. I would come back again.
First, ignore the comments about the menu. They have plenty of authentic dishes and options for those who want variety. We had a burrito esencia and it was delicious. It had more flavor than most of the Mexican restaurants in the area. The burrito sauce was very good and their homemade chips were excellent, super crunchy, fresh and hot. We chose beef and it was a high quality ground beef, flavorful and not the cheap stuff so many use. The veggies were fresh and the guacamole had good flavor. I hope they work on their outside lighting and atmosphere, but honestly the food was great and that’s what really matters. The burrito was so large, my wife and I split it and still took home enough for another meal.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chips and Salsa
Food dry & awful, stale chips. Cocktails week! Took 27 minutes to get served nachos with only 2 other people there.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
Went for the first time. There was one other couple there. Wait person was very friendly and promptly brought a plate of chips and salsa. We ordered steak quesdilla and pork salsa Verde. 45 minutes later, our meals showed up. My wife's steak quesdilla was good. My dish pork salsa Verde was the worst meal I have ever had. I have never sent a meal back, but this was so gross. I tried 2 very small samples had my wife try it to make sure I wasn't just tasting it wrong. She gasped and suggested it was spoiled or something. Long story short . I won't go back, probably. The wait and marginal food just isn't worth the money paid.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Chips and Salsa
Mostly Mexican food on the menu. All three of us ordered different things and it was all delicious, very flavorful. Reasobly priced.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chips and Salsa, 5 Tacos Dish
My wife and I recently visited La Esencia for date night, and despite my initial reluctance about the cuisine choice, I’m thrilled we ended up there.
The first thing that caught my eye was the $4 tacos. Initially put off by this, I found the rest of the menu reasonably consistent with the area, meaning prices were still inflated but manageable for a treat. After experiencing the quality of the meal, I was more than willing to pay for a taco.
We started with chips and salsa. The chips were solid, and the salsa was good, though nothing extraordinary—likely just pico de gallo.
My chicken fajitas arrived on a sizzling platter, looking, smelling, and sounding fantastic. The freshly made corn tortillas were piping hot. These were the best-seasoned fajitas I’ve had in Kitsap. The seasoning carried through to all the veggies on the plate as well. The sour cream, chunky salsa, and guacamole were decently seasoned too. The refried beans were a slight disappointment for me—they tasted fine but were too loose for my liking. However, they got the job done. The rice didn’t have a bold flavor like the fajitas but was well-cooked and included corn and carrots, which I loved.
The Pollo a la Crema had a much milder taste. It was less punchy but extremely well-balanced and paired nicely with both the rice and the flour tortillas.
I appreciate the relatively diverse menu at La Esencia. The inclusion of options like burgers is a nice touch, and I look forward to trying one in the future.
I rated the atmosphere a 3, which is my main criticism. The interior is clean and nice-looking but lacks character. It feels like they haven’t fully made it their own yet, reminiscent of the Outback Steakhouse but with less Outback props.
Overall, this was a great experience. Every part of the meal felt intentional and well-thought-out. It’s definitely a bit pricey, so not an everyday spot, but absolutely worth it for a special treat. I’ll be coming back—and I’ll probably get a taco.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
To begin with, it was closed, according to the fact that on Tuesday it was already open and when I arrived it was closed, if they are going to have advertising, keep updating. They are very behind.
La Esencia is a hidden gem in Bremerton! The food is authentic, flavorful, and made with fresh ingredients. The staff is friendly and welcoming. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting. They offer both American and Mexican entree's. I highly recommend it! 5 stars!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chips and Salsa
I don't recommend this restaurant. When I went there they took a lot of time giving the food. I ordered a chicken sandwich and the chicken was very dry and it had a sweet sauce that didn't taste good.
The roast beef didn't taste good either, it was very dry!
and please improve the service and the people who work there don't care at all!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Great place in Bremerton. They have really made the inside better than it was from when they first bought the building. The bar is nice , and they have a good menu and even included a USA kitchen section of the menu. Hope this one sticks around!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Went in with a party of 4 expecting to have traditional Mexican food but it was not that. The menu threw us off at first. It does have Mexican dishes however it's more of a fusion. Chips(homemade) and salsa were great but definitely not traditional by any sense either. Had cheese curds for the appetizer and they were awesome. Breakfast is served all day which 2 in my party loved. Burger and fries(SO CRUNCHY AND GOOD) were GREAT! Last member had Chicken Alfredo Pasta, comes blander(on purpose) but was great with some salt and pepper added.
Overall the menu and food was not what any on my party was expecting. However, it was exceptional. Service was killer and atmosphere is great. We'll definitely be back and I'd recommend you give this place a shot at least once.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chips and Salsa
Restaurantji Recommends
First, I have to say. If you're looking to eat Mexican food, this isn't the place. The menu threw us off. Their menu had some mexican dishes, but mostly American food, some seafood, and even pasta dishes. Some food had Mexican fusion, but not enough to really interest you. At least for us, it didn't. Today is Cinco de mayo, so they had a special menu. The options were good, so we just ordered from that menu. Lol the funny part was the chips and salsa, except it wasnt salsa. It was more like a tomato basil soup dip lol. I mean it wasnt bad, but it just threw us off.
Tonight, I just got nachos, and my girlfriend got the 5 taco fish. The flavors were pretty good. I thought about getting dessert, but they were too pricey, especially for the choices they had. To be honest, a majority of the items were pricey.
Overall, it was a let down. Maybe if they had more Mexican dishes to choose from, but i don't really see us coming back, unfortunately. I give them a 2.5
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
I strongly feel that the service at this place has utterly, entirely, and completely failed me. The day we visited was an awful experience. The waitress was very unprofessional and lacked good manners, not very polite. The grilled chicken I ordered, besides taking a loooooooong time to arrive, was undercooked, If you eat undercooked chicken, you can get a foodborne illness, also called food poisoning, We as customers have the right to expect that the food served to you at a restaurant is safe to eat and properly cooked. When I took a bite at the chicken it felt like I was chewing on a piece of raw fish ( this would've been good only if I was eating at a sushi place ) but grilled chicken? come on !!!! I just decided to put it aside and asked for the check. (Which by the way was expensive, not reasonable prices for the terrible service and food)The raw food and the rude waitress is enough to NOT be back. This was my experience, maybe you'll have it different, good luck.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Cauliflower tacos are the bomb!! Chicken wings are great, and sweet potato fries are crispy. Good drinks as well. Enjoy a new restaurant experience! LOTS OF CHOICES.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Just tried this new Mexican restaurant that opened about a month ago in Bremerton right on Highway 303 and it was great! Ordered online for pickup but will definitely be back as the dining area and bar were spacious and nice. The food was great -- had steak tacos, cauliflower tacos, a caesar salad, chile rellano and a quesadilla for the kiddos. They also had lots of seafood dishes (didn't try), and (randomly) had some pasta dishes too (didn't try). Would definitely suggest giving this place a try -- highly recommend!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food there. I had the chicken alfredo, it was yummy. I would come back again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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