The co-owner of La Ingrata – a Mexican Restaurant in Camden – named the business after a song by Café Tacvba. To Karla Torres, the song has deeper meaning beyond the words, and is tied to fond memories with her mother. So when it came time to name their restaurant, Karla and her husband Ernesto Ventura knew just what to do.
The track, released in 1994, is about a man’s love who has been unfaithful and ungrateful, leaving him heartbroken. But despite the lyrics, Karla Torres and her mother would often sing and dance to the song. As for the restaurant, La Ingrata combines food from Mexico City and the Puebla regions; which is where Karla and Ernesto are from.
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The menu features dishes that Karla’s mother and grandma made during her childhood. Karla knew right away she didn’t want to open a typical taco place. Instead, La Ingrata reflects her own individual tastes, as well as her family, memories, and homeland. The restaurant is BYOB, but they also plan to introduce a zero-proof drink menu that includes mocktails.
Popular menu items include fresh guacamole, choriqueso (homemade chorizo), and gringas. At La Ingrata all tortillas, cheeses, and breads are handmade, highlighting their culture and traditions. Ernesto enjoys the taco arabes, made with shawarma-style chicken, a favorite since his childhood. Meanwhile, Karla prefers their tacos, tortas, and traditional dishes they often offer as specials of the day.
Ernesto and Karla’s family also play a crucial role at the restaurant. For instance, Ernesto Sr. has an Italian background, which inspired La Ingrata to serve thin-crust “Mexican” pizza. Their signature pie is topped with Mexican sausage, avocado, and bacon. As for dessert options, they serve Mexican favorites such as tres leches, flan, and Karla’s signature pan dulce (Concha).
About the Restaurant
Guests dining at La Ingrata will find televisions broadcasting movies in black and white from Karla’s childhood. The walls feature large black-and-white pictures of Mexican film stars and singers. (Watching films is also a fond memory, as a way for Karla to spend time with her father and grandparents). The restaurant can seat 32 diners inside, plus 36 additional diners on their patio.
Prior to opening the restaurant, Karla spent much of 2020 making and selling traditional Mexican breads, and desserts. Then, while delivering an order to a customer in Camden, she found a former pizzeria space up for lease. Now, they use the pizza oven to create Mexican-Inspired pizzas in options like Carnitas, pastor, mole, Birria, and more.
Future plans include weekend brunch, the opening of their patio, and growing their own vegetables. They also plan to sell grab-and-go meals Monday through Friday.
Visit La Ingrata at 1999 Federal St in Camden. (See them on Google Maps.) To learn more:
| Follow on Instagram | Follow on Facebook | Call 856-203-3424 |
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La Ingrata FAQs
Yes, they accept reservations.
Yes, they have gluten-free options.
La Ingrata offers vegetarian options yes.
They offer takeout, yes.
Yes, they offer their own delivery and also use DoorDash.
No, but they are BYOB and will soon offer mocktails.
They have a kids’ menu, yes.
All Photos: © La Ingrata
