La Palapa Grill & Cantina Menu (Update 2025)
Welcome to La Palapa Grill & Cantina, a culinary gem nestled in Ellicott City, Maryland, at 8307 Main St. This vibrant eatery is renowned for its authentic Mexican flavors and a laid-back atmosphere, perfect for any occasion. The menu showcases a delightful array of dishes that cater to diverse palates, featuring highlights like the hearty Chicken Tortilla Soup, topped with corn tortilla strips and guacamole, and the zesty Mexican Salad, bursting with fresh ingredients.
- Guacamole La Palapa is a must-try, featuring chorizo and queso fresco, ideal for sharing.
- On weekends, indulge in their captivating Mexican Eggs Benedict for a unique brunch experience.
Customers rave about the delicious food and friendly service, making La Palapa a perfect destination for unforgettable dining moments, whether on the patio or indoors. Save room for your next visit; you’ll want to try everything!
Sopas Ensaladas
Bowl Crema De Maíz
GF Grilled corn, bacon, tasso ham, cream.
Cup Crema De Maíz
GF Grilled corn, bacon, tasso ham, cream.
Bowl Chicken Tortilla Soup
GF* Classic mexican soup, topped with corn tortilla strips, guacamole, cheese.
Cup Chicken Tortilla Soup
GF* Classic mexican soup, topped with corn tortilla strips, guacamole, cheese.
Mexican Salad
GF V Mixed greens, avocado, tomato, onion, cucumber, queso fresco, house-made mexican vinaigrette.
Caesar Salad
GF * V* Crisp romaine, real caesar dressing, corn tortilla strips, queso cotija.
Taco Salad
GF* V Flour tortilla bowl, rice, black beans, crisp iceberg, pico, cheese, sour cream, corn bread.
Guacamole La Palapa
GF Guacamole chorizo queso fresco. Served with corn tortilla chips.
Guacamole Dip
GF* V Ripe hass avocado, tomato, onion, cilantro, lime, sea salt. Served with corn tortilla chips.
Guacamole
Brunch Specials
Mexican Eggs Benedict
Tacos De Pescado
GF Grilled fish, creamy habanero slaw, pico, queso fresco.
Tacos De Camaron
GF Garlic shrimp, roasted tomato salsa onions peppers, avocado.
Tacos Al Carbon
GF Grilled chicken, lettuce, pico, cheese, sour cream, guacamole.
Tex-Mex Tacos
GF* is Crispy corn shells, topped with lettuce, pico, cheese, and sour cream. choose one: chicken tinga, ground beef, green chile pork, or refried beans V
Tacos De Rajas Con Hongos
GF V Roasted poblano peppers, mushrooms, onions, green tomatillo salsa.
Asada Tacos
GF Marinated steak, cilantro, onion, green tomatillo salsa.
Birria Tacos
GF Slow braised beef, melted cheese, onions, cilantro, radishes, consomé for dipping.
Tacos
Non Alcoholic Drinks
Jarritos- Mandarin
The pioneer of mandarin sodas packs a powerful combination of tangy and sweet that will reawaken your palate with every sip.
Agua De Tamarindo
Sweet, tart, and refreshing Tamarind drink.
Horchata
Horchata (or-CHAH-tah)- Sweetened Mexican rice drink made with cinnamon.
Mexican Coca Cola
Bottled in Mexico and made with real sugar cane.
Bottled Water
B.A.L.T. W/Egg
Bacon, ripe avocado, lettuce, tomato, two fried eggs, and mayo on multigrain bread. Served with fries.
Huevos Rancheros
GF* Two fried eggs served over crispy corn tortillas layered with refried beans, topped with salsa ranchera, queso fresco, sour cream, and fresh avocado slices. Served with Mamá Lola beans.
Belgian Waffle
V Served hot off the griddle, topped with fresh fruit, whipped cream, and powdered sugar. Served with maple syrup.
French Toast
V Thick Texas toast grilled golden brown. Topped with flambéed granny smith apples, cinnamon, whipped cream, and powdered sugar.
Pancakes
V Two fluffy buttermilk pancakes, topped with fresh fruit, whipped cream, and powdered sugar. Served with maple syrup.
Breakfast Tacos
GF Three soft corn or flour tortillas filled with scrambled eggs, chorizo, cheese, and pico.
Breakfast Burrito
Large flour tortilla stuffed with scrambled eggs and chorizo. Topped with salsa ranchera and melted cheese. Served with fresh guacamole, pico, and Mamá Lola beans.
Garden Omlete
GF V Mushrooms, avocado, tomatoes, onions, spinach, and queso fresco.Served with a small caesar salad.
Steak Eggs
GF NY strip, two fried eggs, rice, Mamá Lola beans, corn or flour tortillas.
Southwest Omelet
GF Chorizo, bell peppers, pico, and melted cheese. Topped with salsa ranchera and sour cream. Served with Mamá Lola beans.
Avocado Toast
V Toasted multigrain bread, mashed avocado, evoo, everything sprinkle. Topped with two fried eggs.
Brunch Entrées
Fajitas
Portobello Fajita
GF V Portobello mushroom served sizzling with onions peppers. Accompanied by pico, fresh guacamole, sour cream, corn tortillas GF or flour tortillas, rice choice of black or refried beans.
Steak Fajita
GF Grilled steak served sizzling with onions peppers. Accompanied by pico, fresh guacamole, sour cream, corn tortillas GF or flour tortillas, rice choice of black or refried beans.
Chicken Steak Fajita
GF Grilled chicken steak served sizzling with onions peppers. Accompanied by pico, fresh guacamole, sour cream, corn tortillas GF or flour tortillas, rice choice of black or refried beans.
Fiesta Fajita
GF Grilled chicken, steak, and shrimp served sizzling with onions peppers. Accompanied by pico, fresh guacamole, sour cream, corn tortillas GF or flour tortillas, rice choice of black or refried beans.
Chicken Fajita
GF Grilled chicken served sizzling with onions peppers. Accompanied by pico, fresh guacamole, sour cream, corn tortillas GF or flour tortillas, rice choice of black or refried beans.
Salmon Fajita
GF Grilled salmon filet served sizzling with onions peppers. Accompanied by pico, fresh guacamole, sour cream, corn tortillas GF or flour tortillas, rice choice of black or refried beans.
Shrimp Fajita
GF Grilled shrimp served sizzling with onions peppers. Accompanied by pico, fresh guacamole, sour cream, corn tortillas GF or flour tortillas, rice choice of black or refried beans.
Mamá Lola Beans A La Carte
GF Flavored with bacon and chile de arbol.
Refried Beans A La Carte
GF V
Black Beans A La Carte
GF V
Small Guacamole A La Carte
Ripe hass avocado, tomato, cilantro, lime, sea salt.
Bacon (4) A La Carte
RIce A La Carte
GF V
Avocado Slices A La Carte
French Fries A La Carte
Brunch Sides
Handhelds
Avocado Bacon Burger
All beef patty, grilled to order, bacon, swiss cheese, avocado, lettuce, tomato, onion, chipotle aioli.
Queso Burger
All beef patty, grilled to order, tomato, pickled jalapeños, sautéed onions, smothered with queso sauce.
Avocado Bacon Chicken Sandwich
Grilled chicken, bacon, swiss cheese, avocado, onion, lettuce, tomato, chipotle aioli.
Chile Verde
GF Tender braised pork simmered in a zesty green tomatillo salsa, topped with fresh cilantro and a dollop of sour cream. Served with rice, beans, corn or flour tortillas.
Camarones A La Mexicana
GF Jumbo shrimp sautéed with peppers, onions, and tomatoes. Served over a bed of rice.
Carne Asada
GF NY strip, grilled to order, topped with a garlic infused butter. Served with rice, beans, corn or flour tortillas.
Chile Relleno Shrimp Chorizo
GF Roasted poblano pepper stuffed with chorizo shrimp, roasted tomato sauce, queso fresco. Served with rice and beans.
Salmon A La Veracruz
GF Seared salmon filet topped with a vibrant tomato, olive, and caper sauce, infused with fresh cilantro and lime. Served with rice and mixed vegetables.
Chimichanga
V Refried beans, rice, and cheese wrapped in a large flour tortilla, fried crispy. Topped with shredded lettuce (sub queso sauce 1), pico, and sour cream.
Camarones A La Diabla
GF Jumbo shrimp cooked in a bold, tangy chili sauce with a kick of heat. Served with rice and mixed vegetables.
Sunken Burrito
V Refried beans, rice, cheese, and lettuce wrapped in a large soft flour tortilla, topped with green tomatillo or roasted tomato salsa (sub queso sauce 1), crema drizzle. Served with pico and fresh guacamole.
Camarones Al Ajillo
GF Jumbo shrimp sautéed in a garlic infused lemon butter sauce with a touch of white wine. Served with rice and mixed vegetables.
Chicken Cantina
GF Charbroiled chicken breast in a roasted tomato sauce with sautéed onions, mushrooms, and broccoli. Served with rice and beans.
Gilberto's Specials
Mocktails
Spicy Zero Rita
serrano infused almave blanco, fresh lime, agave, tajin, rocks.
Ranchito
almave blanco, muddled lime, topo chico, tajin.
Palomita
almave blanco, muddled lime, grapefruit, salt.
Zero Rita
almave blanco, fresh lime, agave, tajin, rocks.
Salsa 8oz. To Go
Mild
Beef Taquitos
Shredded steak, crispy corn tortilla, lettuce, pico, sour cream, fresh guacamole.
Wings
GF* 8 Jumbo wings tossed in BBQ, Old Bay, or Buffalo. Served with celery and ranch or blue cheese.
Nachos
GF* Corn tortilla chips, refried beans, salsa roja, melted cheese, pico, sour cream, pickled jalapeños.
Salsa 16oz. To Go
Mild
Mexican Street Corn
GF V Fire-roasted corn off the cob, fresh lime, house tajin, mayo, queso cotija, crema drizzle.
Chips Salsa To Go
GF* Corn tortilla chips and mild red salsa (8oz.). Serves 4-6
Chicken Taquitos
Pulled chicken, crispy flour tortilla, lettuce, pico, sour cream, fresh guacamole.
Pork Tamal
GF Corn masa green chile pork steamed in banana leaf, topped with lettuce, pico, crema, fresh avocado.
Chips To Go
GF* Corn tortilla chips. Serves 4-6.
Ceviche
GF* Fish, shrimp, fresh lime, tomato, red onion, cilantro, chile serrano, corn tortilla chips.
Stuffed Jalapeños
Pulled chicken, breaded and fried golden brown, sour cream.
Queso Dip
Blend of cheeses, chilies, dos equis ambar, corn tortilla chips. add ground beef or chorizo 3
Appetizers
Margaritas
ToGo Red Sangria
House-Made / Red Wine / Fruity / Rocks.Food must be ordered with alcoholic beverages.
32oz. Cadillac Margarita ToGo
32oz. No Ice (serves 5 drinks) of our Cadillac Margarita Ft. 1800 Tequila. Ready to serve over ice.Food must be ordered with alcoholic beverages.
ToGo Cadillac Margarita
Reposado tequila, gran gala premium orange liqueur, La PaLa Palapa mix, rocks. Food must be ordered with alcoholic beverages.
Mezcalita
400 conejos mezcal, triple-sec, fresh lime, agave, rocks.
ToGo Spicy Margarita
Habanero infused blanco tequila, cointreau, agave, fresh lime, rocks. Food must be ordered with alcoholic beverages.
32oz. La Palapa Margarita ToGo
32oz. No Ice (serves 5 drinks) of our La Palapa Margarita Ft. José Cuervo Tequila. Ready to serve over ice. Food must be ordered with alcoholic beverages.
ToGo Fruitarita On The Rocks
La Palapa Margarita on the rocks with choice of one of the following: Mango Peach Pomegranate Raspberry Strawberry.Food must be ordered with alcoholic beverages.
64oz. Jug Cadillac Margarita ToGo
64oz. No Ice (serves 10 drinks) of our top shelf Cadillac Margarita Ft. 1800 Tequila and Gran Gala orange liqueur. Ready to serve over ice. Food must be ordered with alcoholic beverages.
64oz. Jug Red Sangria To Go
64oz. No Ice (serves 10 drinks) Jug of Red Sangria. Ready to serve over ice.Food must be ordered with alcoholic beverages. No
64oz. Jug La Palapa Margarita ToGo
64oz. No Ice (serves 10 drinks) of our La Palapa Margarita Ft. José Cuervo Tequila. Ready to serve over ice. Food must be ordered with alcoholic beverages.
ToGo La Palapa Margarita
José Cuervo Gold Tequila / Triple-Sec / La Palapa Mix / Rocks.Food must be ordered with alcoholic beverages.
ToGo Skinny Margarita
Blanco tequila, cointreau, fresh lime, rocks. Food must be ordered with alcoholic beverages.
Blackberry Margarita
Maestro Dobel cristalino, blackberry, fresh lime, agave, lava salt.
Passion Fruit Margarita
maestro dobel cristalino tequila, passion fruit, fresh lime, agave, rocks, chamoy tajin.
ToGo Fresh Agave Margarita
Reposado tequila, cointreau, agave, fresh lime, rocks. Food must be ordered with alcoholic beverages.
Grilled Chicken Quesadilla
GF
Shrimp Quesadilla
GF
Cheese Quesadilla
GF V Plain cheese quesadilla.
Rajas Con Hongo Quesadilla
GF V Roasted poblano peppers, mushrooms, onions
Steak Quesadilla
GF
Birria Quesadilla
GF
Quesadillas
Enchiladas
Pollo Enchiladas
GF Chicken tinga, roasted tomato salsa, queso fresco, crema drizzle.
Molé Enchiladas
Grilled chicken, molé poblano (blend of chilies, nuts, dried fruit, hint of mexican chocolate), sesame seeds, queso fresco, red onion.
Enchiladas De Carne
GF Ground beef, enchilada sauce, queso fresco, crema drizzle.
Enchiladas Coloradas
GF V Melted cheese, diced red onion, enchilada sauce, queso fresco, crema drizzle.
Enchiladas Verdes
GF Pork in a green tomatillo salsa, queso fresco, crema drizzle.
Mexican Crema A La Carte
Creamy Habanero Slaw A La Carte
Mild
French Fries A La Carte
Chiles Toreados (2)
Grilled serrano peppers. Spicy!
Refried Beans A La Carte
GF V
Corn Tortilla A La Carte
GF
RIce A La Carte
GF V
Mixed Vegetables A La Carte
Black Beans A La Carte
GF V
Green Tomatillo Salsa A La Carte
Mild.
Shredded Cheese A La Carte
Avocado Slices A La Carte
Small Guacamole A La Carte
Ripe hass avocado, tomato, cilantro, lime, sea salt.
Pico De Gallo A La Carte
Queso Fresco A La Carte
Crumbled Mexican cheese.
Roasted Tomato Salsa A La Carte
Mild.
Jalapeńos Pickled A La Carte
Habanero Salsa A La Carte
Spicy!
Corn Bread (3) A La Carte
Sour Cream A La Carte
Flour Tortilla A La Carte
A La Carte / Sides
Brunch Aguas Y Refrescos
Agua De Tamarindo
Sweet, tart, and refreshing Tamarind drink.
Mexican Coca Cola
Bottled in Mexico and made with real sugar cane.
Jarritos- Mandarin
The pioneer of mandarin sodas packs a powerful combination of tangy and sweet that will reawaken your palate with every sip.
Horchata
Horchata (or-CHAH-tah)- Sweetened Mexican rice drink made with cinnamon.