The atmosphere was good. The service started out poor. They seem to ignore us at first. My boyfriend said his food was terrible. Mine was good. read more

Do I expect too much when I order Mexican food in Iowa... I guess coming from Los Angeles my expectations run very high when I get Mexican food. Now I know we were smack in the middle of Iowa, and ingredients can be hard to get, I get it. Overall our food wasn't exactly what I would call great, it was tasty and cooked well but the flavors were just not there. Maybe they adjusted their recipes for the local plain Iowa diet, but this is not what I would stop for if i ever run through Iowa again. Prices were good and the service was o.k, it was just the food was so plain and lacking of flavor that I honestly could not give them more than 3 stars, but I'll let you decide for yourself, Aloha read more

Casa Margaritas - Shrimp burrito - Mexican Near Me - Grinnell, Iowa

It was ok, nothing special. We were just passing through, and were starving. English seemed tough for them, wife had to explain how she wanted her margarita. read more

First off, my expectations of Mexican food in the middle of Iowa were very low. Just being realistic. But the service was extremely friendly and accommodating. And when their English is difficult to understand you know you're getting authentic. Queso was good enough. Recommend the small, the portion was spot on. The tortillas tasted fresh made. Got the Hawaiian fajitas and it was one of the best I've had. Tons of shrimp and bacon. The only thing they were missing was a mandatory soccer game on one of the TVs. Atmosphere, service, food...you could mistake this for a place in Del Rio TX. read more

Authentic Mexican food on the plains of Iowa. Gringo twists too. Great Food, good margaritas. Perfect for a college small town. read more

Casa Margaritas - Pomegranate margarita with Burrito Abodabo - Mexican Near Me - Grinnell, Iowa

I think I'm going to have to drop a star, unfortunately. The past couple dining experiences at La Casa Margaritas has emphasized the spotty level of service. The most recent time, we stood for about five minutes before being seated. When we were seated, it took about 15 minutes for the waiter to come over to ask us what we wanted to eat. In the interim, a 10 year old boy that was dining with his family came over to our table and got us our drinks and chips + salsa. It was an extremely weird experience. After eating, we had to grab our own boxes and we never received our check, so we had to go up to the counter and tell the cashier which table we were sitting at so she could pull up our bill. This boxing and paying experience has happened a couple times so far. Basically, the food is still pretty good but on the expensive side. I'd still recommend going, but the service has proven to be extremely hit-or miss, mostly leaning towards the missing tendency. It is unfortunate because La Casa Margaritas has great food, but interacting with the staff can be troublesome. read more

See all

Recently under new ownership. Ignore all previous reviews (whether good or bad) except as pertains to location. We just had a late lunch there and it was great. We asked the waiter what his favorite dish was. What would he order? He said the molcajete was his favorite also tacos de carne asada. We scanned the menu. No molcajete. He came back and we ordered molcajete and the tacos. Big mistake. Both were delicious, but the molchajete was a meal for two plus leftovers ($25 fyi since it is not on the menu). I highly recommend it. Fire roasted jalapenos were spicy. Older ladies next to us got shots of tequila and seemed pleased with the selection. I would love to seem more authentic options like ceviche and lengua tacos, but perhaps I should just order them even if they are not on the menu read more

It is a small town and there are few places to eat here. The food was nothing to write home about. I ordered #42 which was supposed to be a favorite. It had 3 slices of American cheese on top. Really slices of cheese, not appealing, I would have preferred shedded cheese. I don't know if there are better choices in town, but I wouldn't go out of my way to go there. They were open during the Coronavirus and that is appreciated. read more

Service was slow. Chips were good but bring your own salsa. House salsa is awful. Very mediocre if you think toco bell is good Mexican food this place is for you. read more

Casa Margaritas - Chile Riano and burrito combo. - Mexican Near Me - Grinnell, Iowa

This was the best restaurant to start our cousin reunion weekend. Great food and friendly service! Jose was the best server. He made us feel so welcome! read more

Cinco de Mayo NOT! First I want to clarify that I have eaten here in the past and the food was good for American/Mexican food. Good size portions at affordable prices for lunch in Grinnell. I talked my wife into going here for Cinco de Mayo for dinner and that was the best part of the dinining experience. First they sat us in a booth by the kitchen and the bathrooms, bad sign! We arrived at 6 pm before the BIG crowds arrived for the evening. We waited 15 minutes for one of the wait staff to bring some chips and salsa and take our drink orders to get started. Another 15 minutes go by and a young man came over and asked if we ordered yet? We told him we hadn't seen anyone, no drinks yet plus we were out of chips and salsa. The salsa tasted BAD, too much cilantro etc. and not enough sauce. Another 15 minutes go by and we finally get our drinks from another waitress that was assigned to our section according to the owners son. She took our order and we never saw her again. The owners son came back again to see if we were done eating because they were really getting busy, we told him we hadn't gotten our chips & salsa or our food and he said I will check into it. In the meantime numerous couples came into our section got their food and left that came in 15-45 minutes after we arrived! Several tables told the wait staff why aren't you taking care of this couple? Their reply was they aren't in my section, including the son of the owner. The table of 6 next to us had 6 people, when their order came 4 of them were WRONG! Anyway we got up and left after 1 1//4 hours, my wife left her car keys on the table and our waitress appeared again to give her the keys but NO apology for not waiting and serving us? Unfortunately we are probably done giving OLIVIA and the rest of the gang our business, My wife prefers the NEW mexican restaurant, better food, better prices and warm bean dip, salsa and chips when they bring your warm chips and drinks to get you started. NO delays and a LESS confused wait staff, plus they don't just take your order and disappear for the rest of the night. read more

love the food, service and margaritas. jose and his team were outstanding!!!!! muchas gracias

Absolutely delicious!!! Great service and soooo friendly!!! Guacamole was amazing!! Jose was the best!!! We had a blast

Tradional Mexican dishes. But the ingredients are very good quality and very fresh. Service was excellent. Close to highway 80.

And so the Great Grinell Guitar and Gymnastics Restaurant Tour begins! Huh? We live 35 minutes away, but my son takes guitar lessons and my daughter takes gymnastics in Grinnell. My son's lesson is over an hour before my daughter, so to kill time (and to fill our bellies too) we decided to take a tour of the city's restaurants. Each week for about 8 weeks we tried something new in Grinnell. What a ride it was! Our journey began at Casa Margaritas. An "authentic" Mexican restaurant, Casa Margaritas is well-lit, colorful and spacious. Warm chips and fresh salsa were quickly brought to our table and we dove right in. The salsa tasted fresh, unlike the canned varieties we've experienced at so many chain restaurants and the chips were crispy with a hint of salt. Perfect for my salt-shy palate! I really wish I could remember the names of the dishes we ordered. Mine was some type of bacon-wrapped shrimp with cheese, tortillas and side dishes. My son's was a steak burrito. Both portions were HUGE and delicious! We cut our portions in half and boxed them up right away to share with the rest of the family. The service was good, not exceptional. But I do give high marks to the server who brought us our food. My son is taking Spanish and I encouraged him to speak to our waiter in Spanih. Although my son felt quite shy to speak in Spanish, the waiter was very patient, thoughtful and helpful. He even pulled over the manager who was very animated and fun, teaching us new Spanish phrases. We left the place laughing and looking forward to returning. read more

Went for lunch on a weekday. Good experience. Quick. Food was what you would expect from a full service sit-down Mexican place. No complaints. read more

Mexican restaurant with no fresh jalapeños. Also never heard of spicy margarita. Food was very bland but make sense since they had no jalapeños. read more

Two stars for the average margarita and good choriqueso. Other than that, everything was sub-par. Service was practically non-existent, salsa was no bueno, and the two plates my teenage daughter and her friend ordered were disgusting. And yes, I took what they said with a grain of salt - alas, they are dramatic teenagers. I tried them, not once, but TWICE, to be 110% sure my opinion was not swayed by the initial disappointment in service. They were, indeed, disgusting. In a nutshell, this was chicken tossed in canned Alfredo sauce, wrapped in a Tortilla with an American Singles melted over the top. Whew. Bad. So bad. I then had to share my burrito, which thank goodness was large and edible, with the two of them. I had full intentions of eating this entire burrito to utter discomfort. So imagine my motherly disappointment when I had to share. I needed another 3 margaritas by the end of this meal. :'( read more

Service was apathetic at best, raw tortilla chips, ordered cheese and chips, they served a plate of melted cheese, they literally melted shredded cheese on a plate and called it queso. Tacos came out with meat and tortilla only(menu said cilantro onions salsa and meat) when I asked the "waitress" she told the table that they just serve it like that because "people like it better that way" and the meat had probably been sitting in a sham since lunch it was almost inedible. The mens bathroom should have been closed it smelled so bad, I assume it was a sewer backup of some kind but was a serious turn off. Spider webs on the fake plants in the windows. I can't think of a worse dinning experience, ever. read more

Stopped for dinner traveling on I80. Great value for price. Generous portions with quick service. Warm, fresh chips started the meal. Delicious guacamole. The poblano sauce was also very tasty. Great option for a quick and tasty dinner! read more

Extremely good food great service I loved it one of the best places I have ever ate at they got my order just perfect and they are extremely friendly Go hear read more

Their Mexican food is very Mexican American. You'll find the typical yellow rice and beans that are definitely out of a can. However, I was surprised to find out that they are ridiculously cheap burgers that come with two patties, fresh avocado slices, a bunch of veggies, and bacon. And it's only like $5! It doesn't get any cheaper than that. Who would have thought that the best burgers are in Grinnell are at a Mexican restaurant? read more

Casa Margaritas - Mexican Near Me - Grinnell, Iowa

The food here is average at best. Salsa isn't anything to write home about and the service could be better. Waitress seems kinda cranky every time we go there. I only go here because I get out-voted by co-workers who really don't know what great Mexican food is. read more

Excellent classic Mexican fare. Salsa is mild but a little Tapatio on table makes it just right, chips are fresh and hot. Portions huge, tortilla soup especially good with almost an entire chicken breast for $3.99. I ordered a pork burrito, I asked if meat was shredded, waiter spoke pitiful English and brought me beef (which I avoid in most Mexican restaurants), but I tried it and very good meat, well seasoned, fairly tender and too much. I'll be back I'm sure and try the pork tomorrow which I did, pork excellent too. Service a little slow, but best Mexican in town.... read more

I was visiting ftom out of town and this place was one of the few open near my hotel. I think this is probably the worst Mexican food I have ever eaten. I ordered the shrimp with garlic and salsa but it tadted like shrimp in canned gravy. No hint of garlic or salsa. Canned mushrooms, canned mushy beans, dried out rice, and odd-tasting salsa with green onions. As others have service is poor. Avoid this place if you can. read more

Mexican? More like Mexican't... Told this was the best Mexican restaurant in town, but I can only hope not. This place was packed, so it took a little time to get seated, but that was cool. We were seated and the place was a playground for unruly children running a muck. Even had a kid throw a straw wrapper onto our table. Finally got ordered and the food took a long while. Strangely when the food came out, it was cold. Ordered nachos and the chips were completely soggy so I had to use the chips that came out with the salsa to eat my food. We also ordered an burrito dish that was loaded with meat and cheese, a glob of sour cream and guacamole but no vegetables what so ever. It was a hassle to get a side of veggie or any kind of soda refill. As we drove down the road we were upset we ate here rather than eating at the Pizza Ranch down the road. read more

Service was slow and the food was average. The restrooms were filthy and disgusting like a dirty gas station. The highlight of the meal was the drinks. Horchata was very delicious on a hot day. read more

This was not even close to what I call Mexican cuisine. Stopped in for lunch and they were very busy. Not sure if that effected the kitchen but food was bland and just not very good. Service was friendly and chip and salsa were fine so that kept it from a one star. read more

The food is decent. The prices are decent. The whole thing is 'okay.' It is definitely never my first choice for dining out in Grinnell.

Review details that bear re-consideration: It's in Grinnell, not "Oakland Acres". Also, it's on the west side of highway 146, not the east at the dot indicates. Whew. Ate here several times this summer with family, and thoroughly enjoyed solid, hot, wholesome food. The staff was friendly, dishes were well cooked, and the atmosphere was very good. Would go back, any time. read more

While visiting my son (a Grinnell College student) we went to Casa Margaritas for dinner tonight (Monday). We were seated by a disinterested bus person. After about 10 minutes our drink and dinner order was taken. We each ordered fajitas. The fajitas came with a side plate of refried beans, guacamole and lettuce. This side plate preceded the main course by 7 or 8 minutes. The food was ok though not exceptional. About 15 minutes after finishing it became awkward because the waitress never returned to offer a drink refill, clear our plates, nor to take a dessert order. We were finally able to get her attention and ask for the check. I would not recommend. read more

While the food was good the service was not! Restaurant was not busy although our waitress never did return after bringing our first drink. Had to ask another for a glass of water. Maybe try again to see if there was maybe a hitch that night read more

Nothing fancy. Food is very typical. Good place to go when you don't want to cook and want to it be filling. They do make some good mixed margaritas though. read more

i love this place .. They are right there with your water first thing you get in the door. Then salsa and chips within minutes.. Food is gggggggooooooood!!! They are very friendly read more

We were on our way back to D-town and we bumped into that restaurant. We really liked it. The portions are large and they have really good service. The food was really good... one of the best mexican restaurants i have ever gone. read more

Last time we went my son's food was COLD! I mean like literally cold! Hubby and I were so pissed. My son was nearly in tears! We used to go here and there but every time it just seems to get worse. What really hurts is when you ask for vegetarian choices, they look at you like your a crazy! We haven't been back for over a year now.... We like the place in downtown better. read more

The quality of this restaurant has dropped in the last year. The food is mediocre, the service is beyond poor. Your drinks do not get refilled, the wait staff only wants to jump into your conversations to gossip about soccer (3 separate visits) and still will not refill your drink. Rarely do you even get a check brought to you, you normally have to go to the register and explain in detail what you ate. I use to be a fan of this establishment now I will not go back. read more

Good food, substantial and flavorful. I was happy with my tamale and my husband and his parents praise their mole and other dishes too. The salsa tasted fresh, and we asked for hotter ones they brought quickly to us. The lady owner said she made a lot of the food from scratch. Certainly it does compared with food in Mexico or other big cities, and their recipe seemed a bit "Americanized" -- Chile relleno for instance was omelette wrapping chile... but I think it is pretty good in central Midwest. Seating was nice too, probably had some recent renovation. read more

This restaurant is in a strip mall, away from downtown Grinnell, but close to I-80 and several hotels. On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, the first Mexican restaurant we called was closing at 7:30 while Casa Margaritas had regular hours which fit our schedule better. We were happy with the switch. The three of us had a Burrito De Camaron with lots of yummy shrimp, Taquitos, and Tacos al Carbon. All came with several additional items, such as guacamole, rice, beans, and sour cream, and all were delicious. My Tacos were softer than I am accustomed to and could not be eaten without silverware, but they were filled with lots of chicken and other goodies. In addition, the waitress was kind enough to tell us that we still had another 20 minutes of Happy Hour with 2-or-1 Margaritas. All of the servers were friendly, and the food was not expensive. The restaurant was family-friendly with several small - but very well-behaved - children enjoying their meals. An enjoyable evening for all! read more

I am a towny , whole family goes there and loves it alawys ggod food and service so far..