Henry J's has been a staple on the south side of Des Moines for decades. Fresh Mexican food that set them apart from the franchise shops. Their homemade hot sauce is far and away better than you find anywhere else. The flour tacos are delicious. It's a family owned and run business that shows that you can compete in a crowded market if your product is superior. The ambiance needs work but many times we order to go and are never disappointed. Prices are moderate and this unique business represents what a mom and pop restaurant can produce. Try it, you'll like it. read more

The tacos here are far better than Tasty Tacos. I love their salsa as well. One of their sides was Fideo. I was a bit skeptical at first, but it tastes like spaghetti noodles with Mexican Rice seasoning with was very yummy. The service was quick and employees very very kind. I would definitely order everything again. read more

So... I love me some fried flour tacos. Tasty Tacos, Club 2000, Abelardo's, etc. One question that always haunts me... What about Henry Js? Over and over again... I can finally put a pin in it! We ordered six flour tacos, cheddar nuggets, a Mexidog, a Coke, and a water. $28 before tip. It's an unassuming building on a corner. Order at the counter and take a seat at one of the multiple sets of tables and chairs (I didn't notice any booths). Interior-wise it reminded me of another Des Moines institution. My favorite place to get chicken soft tacos at...Taco Casa. Plain jane no frills. After a short wait the food was served hot and obviously right out of the fryer. The young man at the counter (built like a high school football lineman and wearing a Packers shirt) was pretty friendly and brought the food to us at our table. I ordered a Mexidog because even after I asked at the counter what it was I couldn't wrap my head around it. Basically it's a deep fried pig in a blanket. Unique and not too bad. The cheddar nuggets. Pretty good. The star of the show. The flour tacos. The shell was interesting. More like a fried flatbread, or frybread, than a tortilla. Different than any of the others. Heavy on the shredded cheese. Light on the lettuce. The filling was a layer of refried beans and then ground beef. I wasn't picking up on any heavy seasoning. We had a couple that were heavy on meat and light on beans. A couple that were light on meat and heavy on beans. The hot sauce! I'm sure this varies by batch, but today's was FIRE! A little went a long way. This could very well be my favorite hot sauce of the restaurants mentioned above. If it's a big box sauce and isn't made in house I couldn't tell. Every restaurant that does fried flour tacos has their own spin on them and they change them up in their own ways. It's really hard to rate them in an order because even though they're all fried flour tacos it's really still apples to oranges in a lot of respects. I've ticked off this box and I'd go back with no hesitation. I can see why Henry Js has the loyal fan base it does! Good stuff! read more

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1st time here. Hear so much about it so I thought I would finally try it. Well it doesn't hold a candle to Tasty Taco for a fried flour taco. The flavor just wasn't there. The price was reasonable and the size was large but it was lack luster. Not sure I will running back but it was an ok taco in a pinch. read more

The Tacos are great but you should update your internet as it says Tacos are $2.00 each. I ordered 12 Tacos and was charged over $45.00. When I called they told me now they are $3.75 each. I don't think I will be getting them again. read more

I highly recommend this place. Ate lunch there today. Best taco restaurant in the Des Moines area.

My stomach is definitely not a fan of this place. My tacos were very bland so I went to the counter to ask for taco sauce. It turns out that you have to buy the taco sauce. Also don't expect good customer service. The girl at the counter barely talked to us and there was another girl by the kitchen helping and eating. read more

Henry J's Taco House - Taco - Mexican Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Full disclosure, we are fans of Tasty Tacos, but the debate over which was better piqued our interest. We decided to settle it once and for all. We arrived at noon on a Friday. We passed it and had to circle back. There was one person finishing up his lunch when we walked in. Over the twenty minutes we were there, about five more people came in. We ordered three flour beef and bean tacos, a corn beef and bean taco, cheddar nuggets and two drinks. Our total was $14.10. Very reasonable. We got our food pretty quickly. The overall service was good. My husband asked for taco sauce. The server asked what size he wanted. This was perplexing as most places just have a bottle on the table. She brought back two little containers of sauce and explained they aren't usually included unless you get the combo dinner. But she didn't charge us. The tacos were crispy, but lacked flavor. Also, it was difficult to find the beef in them. It was primarily refried beans. The cheese nuggets were standard, out of the box fare. Overall, pretty good service and bland food. I'll stick to Tasty Tacos. read more

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Probably my favorite Taco House around always delicious like they're hot sauce haven't had a bad Taco there yet

Don't let the outside fool you! While a little rundown, and some may consider a "hole in the wall", there is great food to be had inside... or carry out if you prefer. I love Henry J's so much! I always get the two taco meal with rice and beans. The rice is fluffy and the beans are fresh. The crispiness of the shell is my absolute favorite. I could drink their hot sauce. It's cheap, fast, and friendly. Highly recommend checking it out! read more

Henry J's Taco House - Mexican Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Ordered the Taco and Enchilada combo with rice and beans... the taco was mainly beans, cheese and lettuce, and BARELY any meat in there. I could count the tiny chunks of ground meat.. less than 5.. and I mean TINY... the enchilada was filled with meat but the tortilla was soft and didn't seem fresh... Not sure how anyone could say that this is better than Tasty Tacos, which I had a chance to try 2 days ago, seriously, go there instead... do not recommend this place :( read more

Henry J's Taco House - Taco and Enchilada combo dinner with rice and beans. - Mexican Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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Was really looking forward to trying this place after all the good reviews. Unfortunately the food we ordered was nuked in a microwave and was cold when we got home to eat it. The 2 stars was being kind. I did like the homemade chips and the hot sauce was really good. Rice would have been really good if it wasn't cold. The Fideo was bland and tasteless. We needed up throwing it away. The taco tasted old and the enchilada was cold and rubbery. Nothing compared to a place back home that serves fried flour tacos. I guess I will have to eat good tacos when I'm in Omaha. Very underwhelmed! read more

I've heard about Henry "J's" from several of my southside friends for years. I ordered two "Flour Beef&Bean Cheese Tacos." They were DELICIOUS. I'm even considering going back tomorrow for couple more. YUMMY!!!! read more

Amazing authentic tacos. The rice was kind of nasty but the tacos are filled with generous portions of meats and cheeses and crispy.

We found this place on Google for "great tacos." We walked in to order carry-out. The girl didn't greet us ... she just walked up and rolled her eyes. I asked "are you ready for us?" She rudely responded with, "um yeah? I'm literally ready ... whenever. you. are." Nodding her head, as if to mock that I even asked. We turned around and left. Would not recommend. read more

never got the chance to order any food. walked in at 5:15pm on a wednesday. place was totally deserted. waited a minute, the phone rings. 2 people come out from the back. one of them saw me but didn't acknowledge me so i left. no take out until after 9 p.m. sign in the window. i'm now heading over to tasty tacos. i bet they'll sell me a taco or two. too bad. impression made. read more

First time and last. After reading other reviews on the flour tacos we decided to try it out, we ate maybe $2 worth of the $30 in food we got. Tacos alone tasted soggy and lettuce was brown. The hot sauce I guess is a person by person bases. Our kids didn't like the rice, as the smell and flavor tasted almost like a India restaurant. Poppers were the only thing we actually were able to put down. Very disappointed, maybe we got them on a off day. But this family will stick to Tastey Tacos from now on read more

Amazing food very good and welcoming pleased by the great service and especially this kid Jonah.

I loved it! The tacos were really good, maybe one tier down from Tasty Tacos though. The fideo is interesting and delicious! I really liked the rice too. Very salty, but good. I will be back! read more

A favorite place on the south side of town. Don't let the looks fool you. It's worth a visit unless you're a stuck up bastard then stay away. read more

In my opinion, Henry J's Taco House is LEAPS AND BOUNDS better than Tasty Tacos. Their tacos are completely amazing!!! If you're a big fan of Tasty Tacos, or of genuine fried tacos in general, I urge you to try Henry J's. It's a tiny dive on SW9th near Lincoln HS, across the street from the McDonald's. Try not to judge it before stepping in and trying a taco. I haven't been adventurous enough to try anything else off the menu, but friends have told me the beans are good, the quesadillas are too small, and the fries are mediocre. ... But really, go for the tacos. The downsides to Henry J's: ... okay, it's a dump. The place is unappealing from the outside and only seems to lower the bar once you walk inside. But y'know, dives often have the best food. Another downer is the fact that they only accept cash. So be sure to come prepared! UPDATE: Henry Js now accepts credit/debit cards. read more

My friend took me here when I said I was craving a good taco. I will not go back. The Place: The 'hole in the wall' setting is great, as was the service. First, let me tell you about beef and pork here in Iowa. Hands down, it really IS the best tasting meat I've ever had!! Go to a Fairway Market, where they still have an old-fashioned butcher counter, order up a couple of T-Bones, pay for your groceries and get someone who personally helps you out to your car (sure, some upscale places still do it but Fairway does it just like our old neighborhood grocery stores did it 40 years ago, when I was a kid...as part of hometown customer service)...then go home and enjoy! The Food: Horrible. Not the worst, but pretty close. They only serve beef, which would be fine if it tasted like Iowa beef. It was tasteless, and the shells were oily and overcooked. The beans and rice were decent. The Price: Cheap. I wouldn't have tried Tasty Tacos, which is a chain here, if this place hadn't been so bad. Another regretful meal. I have Tacopocalypse on my radar for the next try. read more

Our go-to for tacos. Food is consistently good, service is prompt and friendly. No frills, just good tacos. Try the funnel cake fries!

It had been about a decade since I'd eaten at Henry J's, but the draw of their flour tacos and understated (somewhat rough) ambiance was calling. I had 2 flour tacos and double rice as a side and it was like I'd never missed the place. ;) The beef/refried bean combo with the deep fried shells gives you a sense of "home" and authenticity over other taco places. Comparatively, it's as "tasty" as their competitors (It's just a bit ... Uh. Greasier...but I expected that) and I was able to get in and out with a side and drink for under $7.25. Yum! read more

Move over Tasty Tacos - Henry J's has the best tacos in Des Moines if not in the US!!! Try the flour taco and you will see what I mean. Make sure you also get a pint of their homemade hot sauce- it has just the right amount of heat! It isn't the best place to dine in so plan for take out. Also be aware- they are only open Monday-Saturday. read more

Me and my family have been eating here since the dawn of time. My dad has been a regular since he was in college, 20 years ago! Absolutely love this place and the staff, always getting every order right, friendly and very pleasant to talk to. Enchilada dinner, one taco beans and rice and half pint of rice is hands down the best thing on this earth. Eating here is 100000000x better then Tasty Tacos or any other restaurant that people compare it too! read more

In from So. Cal on business. Should have known better. If this is what passes for good Mexican in Des Moines I'd hate to try the 1 or 2 star rated Yelp Taco joints. Should have heeded the 1-star review by Warren. The tacos (if that's what you can call them) are wrapped in a fried "shell" that bears a resemblance to a really bad empanada. Some beans and guacamole smeared inside and I think there was some meat..... but not much. The rice and beans that came with the taco platter were cold. And I don't mean luke warm..... at best room temperature. Avoid..... unless you're a local and think this is good Mexican. Blecccch. read more

I came here and ordered the original tacos, fries and funnel cake straws. The tacos were okay, they were crispy and had a nice texture but the meat didn't have too much flavor. I remember the tacos being better, maybe it was just an off day. The food is priced to be very affordable and offers a quick lunch spot. read more

Best tacos in the city, hands down. Fresh fried shells, unbelievable, and unique. Not the fanciest joint in the world, but excellent food.

I had been meaning to give this place a try and I did today. In the end the taco was good. Beware all sauces cost extra. The host at the order counter was a quiet young lady. I didn't understand sauces were all extra , even the hot sauces for the taco ? Hmmmm silly. Anyway the place is ok. If the service was great and atmosphere better decorated I might had given 4 stars read more

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Hands down the best tacos outside of a taco truck in Des Moines. Much better than the so called best tacos in town from Tasty Tacos.

I've been eating here my entire life! But tonight was one of the best, shout out to the cook. Amazing food at amazing price. Always order the funnel cake fries you can thank me later read more

I'm a Hispanic from Tucson AZ. I've had real Mexican food my whole life. I was recently in Des Moines to visit my wife's family. Her aunt said this was the most authentic Mexican food ever. Well, I have to tell you, this is by far the worst Mexican food I have ever had. I'm sorry, but I wouldn't feed it to my dog. Really. This food is bad. I can't believe this place is still open. Please, do people a favor and close you doors. read more

I've always had a nice experience here. The price is about average of any other taco place. It's definitely a place to check out not overly too big but just about right. Personally I have always had a good experience with the staff here. The food is definitely better than some taco places in town read more

Henry J's Taco House - Mexican Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

This is a hole in the wall that most people drive past. It looks like a dive but that adds to the charm. Its a gem. Trust me. This place is always compared to Tasty Taco. That's because its a twist on the same gimmick. Deep fried taco shells. Except this place fries their shells crispier so instead of fried bread its more like a crab rangoon shell. The result? A better taco. And they're addictive! The beans are average but good as is the rice. Most get the fideo. Think chopped up angel hair pasta mixed with mexican rice sauce. Italian Mexican rice??? You'll either love it or hate it. The enchiladas are better here than at Tasty's too. This is a cheap stop that most people don't know about that'll surprise the heck out of you. Enjoy and you're welcome. read more

Tasty Taco ain't got nothing on Them! My favorite Taco place! I try to make it once a week! 2 Tacos, order of Spuds, lil thing of hot sauce & a drink and I'm good to go! The staff is always great to me & anyone else that walks in when I'm there! I have taken many friends to this place & most of them still eat here. The others are out of state!! read more

Literally the worst food (should you chose to call it that) I have ever had. If burnt cheese into your Styrofoam plate is your style this is the place for you. Iowans will not rate the things they actually like I have learned this the hard way having lived here now for almost a year. read more

Henry J's tacos rock! ...but there is no need to disrespect Tasty Tacos who have their tacos down. Henry J's is embarrassingly inexpensive. $2 for a great flour taco and $5 for a 2 taco plate w/ 2 sides. The dinner comes with a 1 oz sauce cup but I'm a full squeeze bottle at Tasty Tacos kinda guy so I splurged for another 4 oz serving. I had fideo & rice for my sides. We had the funnel cake fries for desert. Great local "fast" food that has been in the same location for al long as I can remember. read more

Agree with the taco platter with rice and beans. My hubby got enchilada which was great too. I personally thought it was better than tasty tacos. I like greasy spoons!!! Not here for the ambience. read more

Honestly I love tasty tacos but this place is just as good. Me personally I'd skip the taco seasoning spaghetti believe the call in fundio or something. Mildly annoyed the charge for hot sause but I'm sure it was getting abused and wasted costing them money. Still even paying for hot sauce it will be a few dollars cheaper than tasty tacos. Shells are flour but I little crisper than tasty which I live. Place is worth the stop. Splurge and get the large sause and you'll want to take the extra home. I did get a face lift a few years ago but I miss the the old decor. Who wouldn't love a drive taco place with a matador painted on velvet, but things change and it dose look much nicer read more