Haven't stopped by in a long time. Today I enjoyed 4 enchiladas for lunch. Quite authentic Mexican Food. I recommend this place

Great hole in the wall place :) Love love love the pork or steak tortas here! Service has always been great. Parking in the lot can sometimes be difficult. read more

Rancho Alegre Restaurant - Torta with rice and beans - Mexican Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Friendly staff, nice atmosphere. I had vegetarian burrito, it was great. Really like their chips, have to be made on site, you can't buy chips like these. The 3 salsas hat came with chips vary in flavor and heat. Coffee sucks! Had to be instant coffee. Oh well it is Dry January. read more

If you have read my other Mexican restaurant reviews then this will be similar. Unfortunately it is hard to differentiate Mexican restaurants in the metro. They are generally all 3 star. Service was good and friendly at this one. The chips were standard and came with 3 flavors of sauces. I got the beef fajita entree which was okay but not overly inspiring. I thought the beef was a little chewy and the overall seasoning was clearly lacking. read more

In honor of our son, Julian's fifth birthday today, we are going to his favorite restaurant - Rancho Elegra! Our son's first "grown up" food was chips and salsa from here and it is his favorite place to eat. We will have fajitas, chicken burritos and his favorite chips and salsa (and mac and cheese for kids here). This has long been our family's favorite authentic Mexican restaurants in Des Moines - and believe me there are many around town. It is as one person said, a "quiet hole in the wall." I ate here about once a week when I was pregnant with my son, who is now 5 years old today and had been going there long before that and have continued to go frequently since even though we now live in West Des Moines and its quite a drive. Many "foodies" around town that I know also really rate the food here great. There is no frills or any particular special atmosphere, but it you want great food and great prices this is the place to go with your family and friends. We always bring home a large container of the red salsa which has an excellent flavor - especially if you like fresh cilantro. We recommend taking some home - its only $3 to $5 depending on the size and is great for serving with breakfast egg burritos! read more

I have tried several different items here and not one of them was bad. The salsa options they have for their food are amazing. Best hot sauce I have had from a restaurant. Parking is not ideal and you may not find a spot. The food is more than worth the walk if you have to park far away. read more

First time to eat here and surprised to discover they have been around for 17 years. Our food was very good, service was great! A very family friendly restaurant. Can't wait to try it for lunch next time. read more

Great authentic Mexican food! When you see the place it looks like a whole in the wall restaurant, but it is quite good. Atmosphere is homely and quite. They only have a couple servers, but they are fast and friendly!! Their chips and salsa and their homemade sauces are really tasty. Can't go wrong with the Shrimp Fajita Dinner!! They also have carry-out services as well. No margaritas :( read more

Rancho Alegre Restaurant - The Shrimp Fajitas Dinner!! - Mexican Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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Best steak burritos in town my number one choice for Mexican A++ best tasting coca-Cola Fountain pop you ever had good service fast at getting your order out too you read more

I've been visiting this place for 19 years. The core staff has been the same for that entire time and it's family owned and operated. If you're looking for glitzy you're in the wrong place. The staff knows my order, my family's order and even the orders of people who only come in a few times a year with me. It's truly a special place. If you're looking for real, authentic mexican food that tastes different than the rest of the "chains" this is the place. You know when a restaurant is supported heavily by those who grew up on authentic fare you're getting something special. The steak is amazing whatever it is in and has been my staple. But my friends have tried almost everything and it's all good. The tacos, sandwiches, sopes and soups are all unique. Someone stated that refills weren't free and chips/salsa is limited. I've never seen or heard of that. Additionally, all three salsas they bring you are homemade and again, you get three! The tomato-based salsa is incredibly fresh, the verde (green) and molé salsas are spicy and hotter. It just doesn't get much better. Definitely a diamond in the rough. read more

I love this place! I have been going here for over 14 years and still returning at least once a month. I get steak tacos and they are delicious. Chicken tacos are good as well. The rice is really tasty as well. read more

Rancho Alegre Restaurant - a tray of mexican food - Mexican Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

The best Mexican restaurant in town! Been going here for years since I was a kid, super great authentic Mexican food.

Best steak tacos and sauces on the southside and now....wait for....they serve margaritas made with top self tequila! Don't expect to pay $2.50 though, these are premium margaritas that will make you sit back in your seat! read more

Excellent food and service. Highly recommend to anybody.staff was very friendly and helpful.

We were looking for a decent south side Mexican place. And the food was pretty good especially the tortillas on the tacos and enchiladas. It does come with 3 types of salsa with the chips, but they need to give you extra chips! Also- there are no free refills on pop/soda, and they only serve beer not liquor for margaritas. I wanted a margarita and didn't get one here! Probably won't be coming back. read more

Just like the other reviewer said...good authentic mexican food. Some mexican friends recommended this and so it must be the real deal! It's a smallish strip mall space on the southside of DSM but they were friendly. Try the pork tortas!!! Hard to find this entree in DSM...I would eat here again if I am ever on this side of town again. read more

I really love this restaurant because the food there was great and it took me and my friend 3-5 minutes to get our food and the place was very organized with the food overall I will go here again! read more

This place is a quiet hole in the wall with amazing food at great prices. Drinks are free with your meals. You always leave satisfied. Atmosphere is homely but comfortable.. Dont expect El Rodeo. They have three servers. Two are fast and friendly. If you get the young woman save your tip as she tends to forget you and concentrate on the tv. I recommend the chile rellenos or the burrito. You wont be disappointed. read more

Good authentic Mexican food. Their chips and salsa are great, mild salsa has good flavor (to some days better than others) and hot salsas are great as well. Been getting their burritos, tostatas, chilli rennos, etc for years. Always good. Their chorizo is good with lots of spice and flavor. Try their steak burrito. Favorite Mexican place in Des Moines. Wish they did tamales and pupusas (I know, pupusas are not mexican). read more

My favorite Mexican spot in DSM. The chips come with 3 salsas...hot red & green & a milder one. I am usually the only gringo in the place. I've tried everything including the soups served on weekends. Delicioso! read more