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Pastime Gardens

4.3 (28 reviews)
InexpensiveMexican
Closed Closed
Updated 3 months ago

Pastime Gardens Photos

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PASTIME GARDENS ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Good for groups
Good for kids

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Recommended Reviews - Pastime Gardens

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Taco plate
LeeAnne M.

Great food. The service was SLOOOOOW but sociable. I recommend the homemade chips and the deep fried taco shells. Just don' t go if you're in a hurry. Let's face it... some of the best places for Mexican food are holes in the wall. This place is no exception. Small place. Not fancy. Great food.

Laura P.

I had my wedding rehearsal dinner here and it was ahmazzzzing! Karen and Kate are the best! They closed the place down just for our party and we had a delicious mexican buffet. Everyone especially loved the chips (so fluffy!!!) and cheese and the enchiladas. One of our guests has some severe allergies and Kate was so great to make a special meal just for her. We had about 40 people and everyone had a great time drinking, eating, and doing some graffitti on the walls! It's a very eclectic and fun environment. Best. Rehearsal Dinner. Ever!!!

Brenda C.

Where do I begin?! This is my favorite place in Mason City! The owners are friendly and fun and the atmosphere is eclectic! It is a small neighborhood bar that has been in town for over 50 years. My grandmother used to walk here from here house just down the street. The food is as unique as the place itself. Everything is made fresh and my oh my is it tasty! It is not your typical tasting Mexican food but it is great. You can't beat this place for a good meal and a great time!

Pretty fun eclectic restaurant. ..chips really good waiting on my chille relleno
Javier G.

Visibly fun place, chips good, not a bad place if you are driving thru mason city. Food was good, had the chille relleno.

a woman standing in front of a building

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3 years ago

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11 years ago

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3 years ago

Great food, I love the cheese dip and Margaritas, long time staple in Mason City! The restaurant is very cozy and comfortable,

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13 years ago

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4 years ago

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12 years ago

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16 years ago

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15 years ago

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11 years ago

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14 years ago

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8 years ago

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9 years ago

True authentic Mexican food cooked up by some great ladies!

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11 years ago

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11 years ago

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16 years ago

A different take on Mexican. Their homemade chips with cheese sauce and salsa are amazing. Solid choice for lunch or dinner.

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Review Highlights - Pastime Gardens

They are like pita chips but not overly crunchy and they just go so well with the cheese dip and the salsa!

Mentioned in 3 reviews

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Agave Azul

Agave Azul

3.9(7 reviews)
0.5 mi

In a town full of local Mexican restaurants Agave Azul was a disappointment. The good- the house…read moremargaritas were tasty and if I'd only had a cocktail- I'd feel better about the restaurant. Unfortunately, we had dinner. I had the birria tacos and it was just not good food. It said the shredded beef came with corn tortillas. What arrived were three filled corn tortillas that had been deep fried. It was greasy and not at all what I had expected. The beans were spread out on the plate in a really unappetizing look. Three entrees and 2 margaritas came to over $60. At $20 per diner I just expect better food. There were about three total dining parties when we were there- so it's relatively quiet. There was only one server I saw and she did well providing service to the three parties. I will definitely not be going back. There are just too many better or cheaper Mexican restaurants in town.

We were visiting from out of town and hungry for Mexican. We decided to try Agave Azul after…read morelooking through other reviews. The restaurant sits on a a corner so that is a good location. There is seating on the main floor but it looked like there was an upstairs. Service was prompt but we were the only ones in the restaurant at 5:30p on a Saturday. The restaurant was busier by the time we were done. We were greeted with a complimentary basket of chips and salsa, which was a nice touch. There was a good variety of options on the menu. The one downfall is the other couple we were with wanted the Carne Asada and they were told the restaurant was out of that. That was disappointing and other couple made a choice B and C, in case they were told again the restaurant was out of something. My husband got the chicken taquitos and I had the Birria tacos with rice and beans. The taquitos were a little different than anything we've had before, there was a sauce over the top so they were not as crispy as we are used too. The Birria tacos were decent. Not spicy, not overly flavorful though. The rice was really good (and I usually don't care for Mexican/Spanish rice) and the refried beans were ok. The other couple we were with really enjoyed their second choice for dinner. I can't remember what exactly they ordered but it was another steak dish. They were really happy with it. All in all, not a bad place to eat. I would go back but I would probably check out some of the other options in town before returning.

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Agave Azul - Margarita- tasty.

Margarita- tasty.

Agave Azul
Agave Azul

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Plaza Morena - Pollo A La Crema...guacamole left a bit to be desired.

Plaza Morena

3.6(5 reviews)
1.5 mi

Stopped in about 8 pm on a Sunday evening. First impression, not busy, apprehensive yet…read moreoptimistic. These are the same group who operated Cancun in Mason City prior to closing, moving, and rebranding under the name Plaza Morena. My husband and I were promptly greeted and seated. The booth we were seated at seemed to have been wiped down but was still filthy. Table clothes were in use and unfortunately ours had seen better days from previous patrons. We ordered a small queso, pollo a la crema, a pork tamale, and a chicken burrito. The burrito and pollo a la crema came with rice and beans as well. Food arrived in an appropriate amount of time. Queso was not hot but not cold, left a bit to be desired. Chips were standard fare, the house salsa was very sweet in my opinion, wish it would've been a bit less sweet. My husband enjoyed his tamale, especially the sauce that came with it. I had the pollo a la crema, it had good flavor, wished there was a bit more chicken but overall was pleased. We took the burrito home for lunch tomorrow. Unfortunately there were a few missteps in our dining; the dirty tablecloth accompanied by the less than appetizing brown color of the guacamole, and queso concerns made me feel more attention could be paid. Our bill was $33 prior to tip, no sodas or drinks. The service was good but don't know that we will rush back.

Second visit within a few weeks. My group had delicious meals brought out quickly. We had a chicken…read morefajita burrito, chicken fajitas and huevos rancheros. Everyone had more than they could eat and thought it was very tasty!

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Plaza Morena - Chicken burrito.

Chicken burrito.

Plaza Morena - House salsa, quite sweet.

House salsa, quite sweet.

Plaza Morena - Pork Tamale

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Pork Tamale

Pancheros Mexican Grill - Mason City

Pancheros Mexican Grill - Mason City

2.5(29 reviews)
1.4 mi
$$

they nosy always angry n rude!! food was great tho…read more i just hate how they barely give scoops n always extra charging for nun

I was surprised to discover that this place is a Chipotle mini-me. You can get burritos, tacos,…read morebowls, or salad. Instead of softritas, they have tofusada, which is quite tasty on its own. I tried a bowl with rice, black and pinto beans, corn salsa, spicy red salsa, guacamole, and jalapeños. They charge extra for the guac but it's only $1.45. I also got an extra scoop of the tofusada for $1.45 because the chic was being stingy with the portions. I tried every ingredient on its own just to test the quality and flavor. Both the black and pinto beans had excellent flavor, as did the rice and tofusada. Things I didn't like: I didn't care for their guac; they are definitely missing the Chipotle memo on that. Pancheros' guac recipe uses tomatoes and no red onion or cilantro, which make a big difference. Also, the diced jalapeños didn't taste fresh (no spiciness to them at all). And vegans beware, that just like Chipotle, you have to watch out for fallen cheese in the sauce. Lastly, I thought the staff was less than friendly. Overall, I really enjoyed the bowl. It was a tasty, filling, gluten-free and low calorie meal. Good value for the price. I'd def return because this is Mason City, IA - ain't too many other places for vegans to get a good meal. FYI manager stated prices are going up soon.

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Pancheros Mexican Grill - Mason City
Pancheros Mexican Grill - Mason City
Pancheros Mexican Grill - Mason City

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Pastime Gardens - mexican - Updated May 2026

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