Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    El Jefe Authentic Mexican Cuisine

    4.3 (24 reviews)
    Open • 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

    Order El Jefe Authentic Mexican Cuisine Takeout or Delivery

    El Jefe Authentic Mexican Cuisine Photos

    Business Info

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - El Jefe Authentic Mexican Cuisine

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    California burrito

    THIS IS THE BEST MEXICAN I THINK IVE EVER HAD!! I got th shrimp tacos and they were perfect!! The shrimp was cooked amazing and the sauce and onions were amazing!! My friend got the California burrito with steak and the steak was so good and the burrito was delish!! Best Mexican in Ames by far!!

    Mole poblano enchiladas. Amazing!!
    Kelli R.

    Food was amazing. Just as everyone has said, the service is on point. Their chips with their salsa are the best I've had in a long time. So thin and crispy. Everyone enjoyed their meal and left full. I look forward to going back again.

    Came across this restaurant on a road trip from mall of America to Des Moines. I'm from cali so I wasn't expecting to find a restaurant with so many wonderful reviews on google. Yelp had very few reviews surprisingly, but I still decided to give it a try. I'm glad I did because it was as good as an excellent Mexican restaurant in Cali. The chips were exceptional extra thin and warm. The star of the restaurant. All the other food was very good as well, but I will be dreaming of the chips.

    Chori-polo

    The food was delicious! We had the lunchenu which had some items most tex-mex restaurants don't have. The frozen margarita was huge as a lunch item.

    Chori Pollo and a dinner combo
    Steve P.

    Adding another photo. Fabulous place. Chori Pollo is enough for 2 meals. Great service.

    Molcajetes seafood- spicy!
    Janine C.

    We had the corn on the cob appetizer.... melt in your mouth! The burrito was stuffed with delicious chicken and flavor-filled sausage. The fish tacos were better than any I had along the Gulf of Mexico. Someone in Iowa who knows how to cook crispy, tender fish? Yes please! If you want a bargain, go across the street. if you want authentic flavor... this is your place.

    Our first visit. The atmosphere is perfect. And the food was delicious. The servings are big, so bring your appetite. We took home our leftovers for lunch the next day. The employees are so nice and professional. I love seeing all the smiles and enthusiasm

    7/07/24-Why is this place not on Yelp?
    Lobster ..

    Tried to Check-in to this place but, for some reason, it didn't show up on Yelp. I hope that changes because this place was really good. Friendly, helpful, and very attentive waitstaff. Solid Mexican fare as well as intriguing offerings at decent prices (everything seems to STILL be going up in price). I ordered the chimichanga, which was packed with tender, JUICY shredded beef, and left feeling more than stuffed.

    I had a Shrimp salad. Couldn't believe how many shrimp were on my salad!

    See all

    6 months ago

    What a great place with friendly staff and ambiance. I loved the food and will be back again.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of M D.
    0
    118
    144

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Steve P.
    14
    193
    72

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of D B.
    0
    22
    5

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Absolutely love it here! Food, service and ambiance is so great. Came here with a big group of girls and had so much fun! Highly recommend

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tracy F.
    145
    14
    9

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Aileen A.
    199
    34
    12

    2 years ago

    Everything we got was amazing! We had the queso, fajita bowl, carne asada, and churros. All 10/10!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Happy to recommend this new restaurant in Ames. Best Mexican food I've had in a while and fantastic service as well.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Ask the Community - El Jefe Authentic Mexican Cuisine

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Mexican 319 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Sweet Caroline’s Kitchen & Cocktails - Kids cheeseburger and baked beans

    Sweet Caroline’s Kitchen & Cocktails

    3.2(80 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    •$$

    7/9/26 6:45 p.m…read more Call-in/Take-out Food: Everything we ordered was absolutely delicious! The quantity for the price is awesome, and the quality of the food is great. All of our food had great flavor, and there was plenty to share. The brussel sprouts are definitely a newfound favorite. Service: When we called in, the person that answered the phone was very happy and polite. She was patient and quite informative as well. Our food was ready fairly quickly, and nothing was just thrown into the takeout boxes. Upon arrival, we were greeted with a smile and did not have to wait for service. Ambiance: Inside is so fun! This is definitely a place to spend quite a bit of time at. Not only to eat, but to look around and enjoy all of the merchandise that they have. This is definitely a great spot to go with a group of people for a night out.

    We were so excited to try this place for lunch- we'd heard good things. We were greeted and seated…read moreright away and it was very warm & friendly. Our drink order was taken immediately. We waited over 45 minutes for our food order to be taken. We were so annoyed and hungry! The point at which it was taken was only because I finally called out to our server and asked her if she could please take the order. Our party of four was on the verge of walking out. The food was brought quickly and was very good! The cessation salad was delicious and the BLT was loaded with bacon! They have an excellent bacon game! The shrimp po boy was executed very well! The bacon blu cheese burger was a bit of a miss- way too many raw onions and so much blu cheese sauce that it made picking it up to eat impossible and tasting anything but the dressing difficult. Once I used a fork and pulled out the hamburger patty, I can say it was cooked well. The winner was the sweet & sour bbq wings hands down!!! We needed a tub of that sauce! We had leftovers and were never offered a box. Some serious training and education in customer service is needed here for this place to see us stop in again. We may order the wings to go but that's about it. It's too bad.

    Photos
    Sweet Caroline’s Kitchen & Cocktails - Caesar Salad with grilled chicken

    Caesar Salad with grilled chicken

    Sweet Caroline’s Kitchen & Cocktails - Firecracker Burger

    Firecracker Burger

    Sweet Caroline’s Kitchen & Cocktails - Fried Crispy Brussels

    See all

    Fried Crispy Brussels

    Stomping Grounds - Tomato bisque with bread, olive oil, a mountain of garlic, and a balsamic reduction.

    Stomping Grounds

    3.7(162 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    •$$

    I've driven by a few time and always see a crowd. I finally had time to stop and foot a try. I…read morenever found the right entrance but that was fine as the young waiter said you could pick up a chair and crash through the glass to find your way in if you wanted. Well I wanted but entered through the stage. I sat outside in the shade and it was very comfortable and surprisingly not that noisy with traffic, much to my delight. Weather was great! I had lovely service and although I was dressed haphazardly as I only brought winter cloths in tights and a shirt I picked up at a secondhand store as, surprise, it's hitting the high 70's today ! I ordered tomato bisque and a side of French bread. I asked for balsamic oil and was met with blank stares from the young man and his trainee but he was good and quickly asked for an explanation of what it was and after my disbelief that an Italian place didn't have it, I was served a little bowl(without oil) of a balsamic reduction. Well, that was alright for me and waited for hue bread and soup while I eavesdropped and a watch the college kids walk by. The tomato bisque with bread, olive oil, a mountain of garlic and a balsamic reduction soon was served and I did not go away hungry!! Lovely place!

    My friend and I came here for brunch and were not disappointed. We sat on the patio and enjoyed the…read morenice weather. I had the gnocchi which was very tasty. The sauce is creamy and rich and I savored every bite. I also had a vanilla laté which came in a fun mug that seems hand crafted. My friend enjoyed the BLT and her matcha laté as well. Our waitress was very kind and attentive. Very sweet girl who is newer and doing a fantastic job. There were so many great things on the menu and will definitely come back and try another dish. The photos on Yelp seem to be for a previous business. Unfortunately I did not snap any photos while I was there but here is a few shots of the dinner menu.

    Photos
    Stomping Grounds - Farrow Salad

    Farrow Salad

    Stomping Grounds - Ham & Gruyére croissant, and Berry Mascarpone crêpe

    Ham & Gruyére croissant, and Berry Mascarpone crêpe

    Stomping Grounds

    See all

    El Jefe Authentic Mexican Cuisine - mexican - Updated October 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...