Cold, very small portions. Better to get real Mexican food in the southern states. Will never go in or order food from here again. Food has no flavor, tastes like frozen shit. I can get better food at a taco truck than this place. read more

This is my favorite Mexican food in the metro besides their other restaurant La Casa in Indianola. Their Burrito California is my husband's favorite as well. I always get the Chicken Tip Quesadilla and never leave sad. The service is usually pretty good and it seems they're always busy. Sundays and Mondays are $2.99 house margaritas. read more

El Mariachi - Mexican Near Me - Johnston, Iowa

The Restaurant is very busy at lunch time, our party of 6 was seated quickly. Service was good and all of us enjoyed our meals. There were no issues with this visit and I would recommend it to anyone. read more

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This is our go-to family style Mexican restaurant. Prompt service, family owned and good food it has never disappointed. They have a patio, but it's on the south side of the building and can be hot in the afternoon. I really enjoy Pollo Loco or tacos carne asada. This is a great place for families or large groups. It has a huge parking lot and is ADA friendly. It gee ts busy on weekend nights, but is almost empty during the afternoon. There are drink specials all day Saturdays $2.99 margaritas read more

Excellent food, fast service, was greeted as we walked into the restaurant, had chips and salsa 2 minutes later, We had the chicken al a cart tacos and the tacos de carne asada and we believe it's the best we've had in Iowa, great pricing. We will definitely be back!! read more

I Usually am not the type to write reviews but I feel like this would be important to inform others on. I ordered food for me and my family on Sunday Jan 22nd and woke up the next day weak and nauseous with a case of food poisoning. We called the restaurant to inform them on the issue and their response was "sorry your the only one" not like I expected them to magically make everything better but that was definitely a waste. Now me and my 2 year old daughter have been vomiting. Please be aware before eating here. read more

One of our "must" restaurants when visiting Iowa. Great margaritas, fajitas are plenty for two to share. Waiters work super hard. Quick service, food comes out hot and plenty of flavor. Always busy, so be prepared to wait a little. Table turnover is quick though. read more

Stopped here last night with my cousin & a friend. It was rather quiet as we went around 9 but greeted right away & food came quickly. I got a couple steak tacos & wasn't disappointed. My friend made me try her fries yes fries lol. They were very good also but I enjoyed my tacos even better. My cousin got a couple beef tacos & he kept saying how good they were. Are friend suggested this place & needless to say we will be back soon rather by myself with my cousin or with her or the three of us again. read more

Went here because we were short on time and knew they get food out quickly. We weren't wrong! Food was out quickly and gave us time to relax when we were thinking we'd need to be in a hurry before our meeting commenced. I am Celiac and had no issues with the corn tacos with rice and beans. Also ordered the guacamole--excellent with their corn chips! read more

The service is fast and the people are very courteous. They have a lot of great menu items. We ordered delivery service once and the driving service forgot to bring one of our bags and when I called, one of the waiters hopped in his car and had it to us in 5 minutes. read more

I moved to Johnston in the summer of 2006 and I've driven by El Mariachi many times a week since then, but it was pretty recently that I started frequenting them. I think part of why I was turned off is because there are so many quick-serve style Mexican restuarants in the Des Moines area (El Rodeo, El Auguila Real, Plaza, La Hacienda,...) and El Mariachi is in a building that used to be a Hardees and it shows. Often the employees will park at the drive thru window. I don't know what exactly was the reason I finally stopped, but I'm glad I did. The food is similar to the other similar styled restaurants, the prices are the same, similar combination dinner numbers and lunch numbers so it's definitely familiar, but there's a few pieces that make El Mariachi stand out. One is the salsa. The salsa is made fresh with obviously fresh cilantro, peppers, onions and it's appreciated. The margaritas are strong and on special a few days of the week. The service is excellent. It's always welcoming to be greeted as amigos and given food almost faster than the drinks. The meat is never dry like it's been sitting warm waiting for serving either. This week I visited with fellow yelper, Mike T., and we stayed for maybe an hour or more after our food was done and they were never rushing us out and continued to refill the chips/salsa for us. Good stuff. The outside can be a put off when you probably already have a favorite restaurant of this style, but give them a chance and you may find a new favorite. read more

The food was awful! Ordered a combination plate, a enchillada and a burrito...basically hamburger rolled up into flour torts. Not seasoned beef...just plain ole hamburger! Ordered 2 Azada{steak} taco's...got 1...and all what was on it was just steak...no vegies!!! wth!!! I am not happy at all, never again! Wish I could have ordered from El Rodeo...put this place to shame! read more

El Mariachi - This is their Azada Taco! - Mexican Near Me - Johnston, Iowa

Not sure how everyone else is giving this place such high marks. It certainly isn't cuz of their food! Completely bland! I have noticed that Mexican restaurants in Iowa seem to tone down the flavors considerably. I was told by am owner that it is to appease the more subtle tastes of people around here. Being from Los Angeles, I have tasted some great Mexican food. This one is a 2 at best, and that's only cuz the service and prices were good. read more

El Mariachi - Mexican Near Me - Johnston, Iowa

Mmmm... We were looking for a new habitual Mexican place. It's basically the same menu and style as El Cerro (for people down south) or Los Tres Amigos (for people up north). So you get a big messy platter with plenty of sauce and rice and beans. I love it so much. As others have said, the price is great. The place was packed when we went in on a Saturday night, so clearly the community agrees with us. A good spot to bring the family but also order a margarita. We got a vegetarian platter and an enchilada platter. Both were delicious (cheese enchilada was one of the best I've had in a while). The margarita was good--my partner thought the liquor tasted cheap, but it wasn't an expensive margaria... so that would make sense. We'll be going back regularly. read more

I went for an early lunch with my best friend who ordered a cheese enchilada. The sauce tasted like plastic! We informed our waiter that he should have the chef taste the sauce because it didn't taste right today, His response was it's the same as it always is. Our response was "so he enchilada sauce always tastes like plastic? "The lack of concern and the fact that he left it on our bill secured our decision to never return ! Guess I will stick to Abelardos for my Mexican cuisine and friendly service :) read more

My family, and I have been regulars at ElMariachi for 10 years and by regular I mean we eat here at a minimum of twice a month. I've ordered nearly everything on the menu but have settled into a few favorites and really enjoy the Carnitas, & Tacos Carne Azada (I ask for corn tortillas and they always accommodate) My son loves the Chicken tips quesadilla. The salsa is mild which my husband and son prefer and I always add a few drops of green sauce from the table to spice it up. They bring you a couple of carafes of salsa for the table and separate bowls for each person. ElMariachi is affordable, very fast, consistent and efficient, they do not mess up orders, they refill drinks timely and you will not be waiting long for your food. Tables are cleared quickly & the bathrooms are very clean. read more

The guy behind the cash register is often rude and no one is excited to seat you when you arrive. But they give you a little cold container of salsa and separate bowls so you don't have to share. Most restaurants don't do that and I really appreciate when they do. Salsa is consistent and good. Everything comes out pretty fast except shrimp cocktail which is good but takes a little more time to make which is good because you can tell it's fresh. The shrimp is warm and tomato sauce isn't too cold. Not the most flavorful or the best service, but consistent. Ask for spicy and they'll add jalapenos to your fajitas. read more

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My family and I came here for the first time and a number of flies swarmed us and our food we literally packed up our food Togo to eat it at home, we couldn't enjoy it there without flies getting on there. We kept trying to get them away and the staff clearly saw them as well but neglected to do anything or accommodate. The little girl at the table behind us was clearly counting how many landed on her food. I'm sure it was because the front door was wide open. If there's that many flies that are visible in the dining area I can't imagine the actual kitchen... read more

Excellent Mexican dishes! Service is sometimes a little lacking but overall, great place.

Very much American food .. I go have Mexican to eat Mexican and lettuce should be green not brown :/ sorry never again read more

Ate here twice and both time we have had great service!! I recommend getting a pitcher of margarita if your sharing. There food is good and cheap:) this is not tex mex read more

El Mariachi - Mexican Near Me - Johnston, Iowa

Everything I have ever ordered in this restaurant has been good. El Mariachi has excellent enchiladas and this is usually my first choice on the menu. My favorite is the Enchiladas Mexicanas which is four enchiladas, one beef, one cheese, one chicken and one bean. This combo has red sauce, spiced just right with a lettuce, tomato and sour cream salad garnish. The beef enchilada has a great flavor, much better than some other local places and the cheese enchiladas are the best in town. The service here has always been good. I like this place a lot. No complaints! read more

Good queso, good salsa, good prices, great staff, cool environment! Margs are good - strong but good price. Always seated quickly!

It's hard to find good mexican on the road. we struggle with it often. something's always too this or too that. enter El Mariachi in Des Moines, IA. It reminded us more of our favorite Nashville local spot, Las Palmas. The service was friendly and fast, and everyone's food looked great. I got a burrito, enchilada, and taco combo that was very tasty. definitely check this place out if you're around the area. read more

El Mariachi - Mexican Near Me - Johnston, Iowa

I have gone here for several years and have always thought It was one of my favorite go-to Mexican restaurants. I went here the other day and ordered my usual fajitas, and they were completely different. It came with chicken, steak and shrimp and there were only two little shrimp and mostly onions and a few yellow peppers. The shrimp were dried up. The salsa was different, almost like it had been frozen and had a weird flavor. I don't know if COVID has something to do with them not being as fresh, but I was not impressed at all. read more

The best local spot in Johnston, and the best Mexican restaurant in the Des Moines metro area. They get through crowds fast, and the food is all on point. You must get the queso. The California burrito is a favorite of some. read more

Chips and salsa were great. The salsa had a lot of flavor. The tacos were perfect. The ground beef tasted authentic. Pina colada was sweet and didn't taste cheap or watered down. It was really good. read more

ita super good it has all the best Mexican food would highly recommend service is great

Waited 10 minutes to be seated; 2 waiters walked by us several times without acknowledging us- asked waiter for hotter sauce , his response " wait" Food was so garlicky- tortillas are Aldis store bought/ not even served warm- onions are cut so big for chip dip- won't return read more

The food was excellent from the fresh chips and salsa to the fajitas jalisco. One thing that stuck out the most to me was the salsa, I could tell it was more than canned diced tomatoes, cilantro, and onion, it seemed like it was fresh made there and it showed. read more

Good food! Serving size was big for their lunch menu. Very colorfully decorated. I got enchiladas which were pretty good.

This is not even close to being authentic. 'Carne Asada' is more like ground beef. Service was good but food was not. Would not recommend this restaurant. read more

I can't believe people give this restaurant any stars. I ordered a chimichanga which was soggy and had this disgusting glaze of cheese over it. The guacamole tasted like something you buy pre made. Desert flan with whip cream and sprinkles?? Ugggg this place sucks will never be back read more

This a place that is very consistent with their food and their service........ perfect. We have been going here for 14 years and never had a bad experience. The food is wonderful and it never takes long for you to get your food. Servers are always very friendly and very accommodating! They have both Inside and Outside seating. Very nice place to eat in Johnston, Iowa. read more

What has changed? Used to be good. Something's happened! Did you just get lazy or just don't care anymore? Silverware had yellowish film on it not clean! Wrapped in paper napkin with green closure but gross yellow film. Also food has gone downhill, used to be good what happened? Enchilada sauce was disgusting tasted like watered down ketchup no pizzazz at all ): Went there last week and definitely NOT as good as it was since the couple of months had been there last blah not sure I will give it another chance as there is lots of competition for my money! read more

Had a #13, chili relleno, cheese enchilada, chicken soft shell taco. The authentic Mexican food was excellent. The rice had onions, peas, and carrots in it. The place was very clean and ultra clean bathrooms. We ordered ahead and picked up the food which was timely and hot. They even packed chips and salsa for us! The gentleman was very nice and concerned we had enough napkins and silverware. Thank you, would definitely go back again! read more

1st Tex mex restaurant in Des Moines area I have been impressed with. Margs were good, service good and place was jammed on Saturday night and we received our food faster than any place I've ever been! Faster than many drive throughs - And food was really good! We had carne asada, chicken fajitas, and el mariachi special (carne asada, shrimp, with grilled mushrooms onions and peppers). All were good choices and would order again. Was really impressed with this place. Now my go to Mexican restaurant in Des Moines area. Afraid to tell too many people about this place but I think the secret may already be out! read more

This is just a little above average. I don't get why it's so hard to do Mexican great here in Iowa? I do like the Margaritas and their steak tacos . read more

One of our favorite date night places to go! Either for take out or dine in! Regardless of them being super busy, we always manage to get a table in decent time, get our food and drinks, and pay our bill! Delicious and who doesn't like a good margarita?? Absolutely love the mushroom quesadilla! read more

Solid Mexican place. Popular for lunch with my co-workers. It's busy at lunch but they are quick and efficient (doesn't it seem like they know what you want before you even order). Prices are reasonable (especially lunch menu). This place has been around a while (an old Hardee's). read more