We got checked into the Travelodge a bit later in the day, but still wanted to get dinner. Los…read moreAgaves was right next door, so made it a super convenient place to eat. We were seated right away. The decor was typical Mexican restaurant decor, which was fine. We ordered a large strawberry margarita to share (they have a full bar), and also got seafood fajitas to share as well. The marg was really good, as were the fajitas. Coming from the Southwest, where Mexican food is much more prominent, it was nice to find good Mexican in the Midwest. The prices were good, and the service was as well. If we're ever back in Iowa City, we would definitely consider returning.

So I never got to try the food but walked in on a Friday evening to have dinner with the family…read more Gave our name at the host stand and provided a buzzer to wait. Asked if we could go to the bar for a drink and were told we could. Sat at two seats at the end of the bar and about to order a margarita when a manager abruptly stopped us from ordering telling us that if we weren't eating we couldn't sit there. Bartender looked a little lost as well by this. I mentioned we were goi g to order an appetizer as well but were told dinner only. I promptly handed the buzzer back to the manager and informed him that we would not return.

Food is so beautiful and always fantastic and fast, staff is always so nice. No complaints 10/10.read more

Food 7/10 chips too hard. Service 5/10 had to ask twice for…read moremore salsa. Ambiance 9/10 Place is very clean.

I've been to both this location and the Anamosa El Sol many times. It is undoubtedly my wife and…read moreI's favorite Mexican restaurant we have ever tried. I get the churripollo every time I come, and I am never disappointed. The service is always phenomenal, and I have been offered complimentary desserts here on multiple occasions. This place is everything you can ask for if you love Mexican cuisine!

Authentic, delicious, the best!!! I am from Arizona and El Sol tastes and feels like home. I have…read moreto make the trip from Mt Vernon every time I'm in town!

The food was average Americanized Mexican food. I had the enchiladas verdes and a tamal. My spouse…read morehad the tamales and my son the fajita quesadilla. My spouse thought the tamales were good. I found them better than average restaurant tamales. The enchiladas were okay. Just nothing to write home about. My son enjoyed the quesadilla. Overall, just really average. Now my biggest complaint and not just for this place... but it feels like every Mexican restaurant in town only serves Pepsi. Is this a cultural thing? I mean they sell Mexican cokes in bottles. Why not give me a Diet Coke!! The service was prompt and friendly. We were the only people there outside normal lunch and dinner times. It was a small place, kinda dark with fragmented Hispanic decoration sporadically spread on the walls The price... yikes for what we got it did not feel like a real value. I could see returning and trying a thing or two but it not someplace I'm going to seek out.

The service and food was amazing. I highly recommend this restaurant. The food was served quickly…read moreand was fresh and hot.

In short: Atmosphere - 5/5…read moreFood - 4/5 Margarita - 0/5 Service - 3/5 It looks like a cozy Mexican bodega that you'd find in a border town in Mexico. I could've done without Pitbull's greatest hits in the background but you can't have everything! The food is great. The queso fundido has a great flavor with great consistency. My friend enjoyed his seafood chimichanga. My chori pollo was good, the chicken could've been a little better but the queso and chorizo on top was great as before. The Mexican rice is fantastic, not clumpy. The beans are about as good as Mextizo's - I'd come back to get the rice and beans by themselves. The chips are thick and crunchy with mild salsa, you have to ask for their hotter salsa. The problem with a bad margarita is that it can possibly spoil good food. The problem with a watered down margarita is when it hits your table, that's the best it's going to taste, as the longer it sits the more watered down it gets. You could taste the tequila, sort of, but that's it. The mix they use as the basis of their margarita may be good but there's not enough of it. I didn't finish mine. My friend finished his. The service is a little slow so give yourself extra time when you come here. Overall a positive experience. Next time I come, I'll give myself extra time to eat, I'll come for the food and skip the margaritas.

Best breakfast period! Wish they had whole pinto beans. Pricing is a little goofy and portions are…read morenot always great but very tasty nonetheless the less!

My boyfriend and I stopped in for some lunch; where do I begin? The staff is so welcoming and nice…read moreto talk to. They all make you feel like you're walking into a friend or family's house for lunch/dinner. Plus the food is so delicious and fresh. They grill the chicken right there for you! The store is also very clean and organized. This is my new favorite spot. Will definitely be back again.

Very disappointing experience. The rice and beans basic staples of Mexican food were poorly made…read moreand lacked flavor. The tacos were soggy, not crispy, and clearly not properly prepared. What made it worse was being told the food is "made for gringos." As someone Mexican, that felt like a poor representation of my own culture.Authenticity shouldn't be optional it should be the standard. The only reason I order that, is because is hard to messed up a hard Shell Taco. Thanks

I only visited this place once so my review may change. We came out for a birthday dinner for a…read morefriend. We were not too hungry so we split a couple meals. The food was good but I doubt I would pass up the plethora of other Mexican places to come here. I did enjoy the salsa and chips and I have tried many! We came at 7:00 pm on a week night and there was not many patrons at this time.We are not sure if that could be why the service was good. He was polite and helpful when asked. The place reminded me of a cafeteria with the open floor plan and lots of windows on 3 sides. So, this place looks good for groups. There were some decorations but nothing too much. I will probably go back to try a few more different dishes but mainly because our friends like to come to this place.

Food is delicious, great vegetarian options & service is attentive! Dine-in for your first time…read more The decor is vibrant & they are very generous with the chips & salsa refills. Margaritas are strong, too! Frozen mango marg was bomb. We ordered chicken street tacos, vegetarian enchiladas, potato tacos & vegetarian quesadilla. Our faves were the vegetarian enchiladas & vegetarian quesadilla, highly recommend! Some Mexican restaurants typically offer dishes with just beans drowned in cheese & sour cream and call it vegetarian, but the enchiladas & quesadilla were packed with hearty, flavorful veggies with minimal cheese & sour cream. Potato tacos & chicken tacos hit the spot. Pics are from ordering take out, it's obvi presented much better when dining in! Don't think twice. Go now. P.s. shoutout to the server w braces, I never got her name but she was cool & gave us great service. Thanks!

Good service, but our booth station was a little messy. Food was served quickly. Watch out for…read moregreasy vegetable dishes. Not bad but there are better Mexican restaurants in town.