We stopped at El Mariachi in Johnston around 6:30 and sat out on the patio, where a house swallow…read moreloudly judged us the entire time. Honestly, the patio ambiance is always pretty good here, bird commentary included. Service was a little slow, and we had to work harder than we should have just to get water, but our waiter was fine overall. Nothing bad, just nothing exceptional either. The complimentary chips and salsa were very good, and I love that they have El Yucateco sauces on the table if you want to spice things up a bit. I had the Chipotle Tacos with chicken for $13, which came with rice and beans. Kim had the #7 combo for $11, with one burrito, one enchilada, and one taco. Both meals were good, but the chicken in my tacos and Kim's burrito was seriously excellent. Tender, flavorful, and probably the best part of the meal. Kim had a small frozen raspberry house margarita for $6.25, and I had a jumbo house margarita on the rocks for $8. The house margaritas were the one thing I would probably upgrade next time. They were very sweet and not quite the stronger margarita flavor I usually prefer. They do offer several premium margarita options, so I suspect that is probably the better route if the drink is a big part of the visit. But they definitely ask premium prices! Our total bill with tip was about $54, which felt fair for two meals, chips and salsa, and two margaritas. Overall, good food, great chicken, nice patio vibe, and a solid casual stop -- just maybe spring for the upgraded margaritas if you have the cash.

4.6* (out of 5) Food: 5* Atmosphere: 4* Value: 4*…read more Service: 5* Would I go back / Recommend?: 5* (Definitely) Total check/person: $31 04/18/2026 This place has been on my Want to Go list for a while after seeing a recommendation in a publication. The first time we stopped by a number of years ago, we decided against going in due to there not being many cars in the parking lot. That was definitely not the case last night - the parking lot was nearly full and we had to wait about 15 minutes for a table, as they were quite busy. Needless to say, we left quite happy to have stopped - as we really enjoyed the experience. Our initial indicators of a good Mexican restaurant starts with their margaritas and then their chips and salsa. They passed it both areas - as both were above average. We started with a Spicy Jalapeno Margarita (see picture) from the bar while we waited for our table. It was good, but wasn't very spicy. The chips and salsa (see picture) were very good - tasty, fresh salsa that was thick enough to stay on your chips and crispy tortilla chips with enough oil to indicate they were fried fresh. For our meals, my wife ordered the Tacos Carne Asada (see picture), while I opted for the Tacos Carne Asada (see picture) - both based on our waiter Omar's recommendation. Omar was great - loved his recommendations, had a great sense of humor and was quite attentive to our needs! As stated, both my wife and I loved our plates - and yes, we shared with each other as always to both confirm. The only change I made to my plate was requesting corn tortillas - as I much prefer them to flour. I just can't say enough about both plates - not only did we REALLY like them, but there was plenty to bring home for another meal. If you found this review helpful, please show your appreciation with a Like or a Follow. Photos copyright: happyhourdesmoines.com & thefoodanddrinkguy.com

Second visit and glad to say they were consistent. First of all my friend commented on how clean it…read moreis. Service was immediate and regular check ins, friendly by all means. Trying something new, I ordered tacos Al Pastor and the server immediately said "that's my favorite" and he brought out a small taster of house made hot sauce to add if I'd like. The flavor is banging!! Might have found my favorite! The mole enchiladas were interesting and now I'm curious to try more mole recipes. Good as well.

I've been here twice in the last month, once with a fellow Yelp Elite member and once as a solo…read morediner. The staff here is excellent--they regularly check in with you and you'll never feel neglected. I wish I could give higher praise to the food, but both dishes I've had here (barria tacos and a chimichanga) have seemed average at best. I feel that the au jus with the barria tacos didn't seem to have much in the way of flavor. The cheese dip seemed like it must have been sitting in a warmer or something; the texture was off. I can't say I'll never be back again, but I'm not going to be rushing to return either.

First visit to this very cozy brick and mortar. Previous…read morereviews were food truck reviews. There is maybe enough seating for about 20 bodies in here. Here with a table top of 6. Lots of questions with our group and the young waitress is kind and helpful. She brings waters and then had to go through the list of drinks because they are not printed on anything. We got a Trio for the table. Trio is chips and salsa (mild and hot) queso and guacamole. The chips were thick and crunchy. When we ran low she filled us back up. We got our orders in. Quesa Birria Tacos for hubby and I to share. Only 3 Tacos but we knew we were going to share a light meal. I had not had them before. The aus just sauce for a taco blew my mind. I like Angus beef and dipping sauce. Who doesn't? They were really good. Everyone else enjoyed their meals. The kitchen here is smaller and when asked about a specialty item we were informed that the Ankeny location had it but the kitchen here couldn't accommodate. I want to come back and try more. I had the flame burger from the food truck years ago and I think I would do that again too.

3.5 We visited on a Sunday for dinner and had a lovely server. We ordered chips & queso, quesa…read morebirria tacos, and street tacos with asada. The chips appeared homemade and were well-seasoned with a thick white queso (also a huge serving!). The quesa birria was flavorful but the meat was a bit on the dry side; I loved the dipping sauce. The street tacos were on the bland side but added flavor with the salsa and queso. Overall, it was a good meal but not stand out!

We have always wanted to try this place and after finally doing so we are sorry we waited this…read morelong! The gist: exceptional service, warm and flavorful food; energetic ambiance with colors and music, full bar. Extras to know: on the last day of January the restaurant was comfortably warm. I am always cold and typically eat with my coat on but could enjoy tonight's meal without it. Upon arrival we were seated and immediately brought large glasses of water: I love not having to ask AND having a large glass and chips and salsa. The. Hips were typical Mexican restaurant chips; the salsa suited my preference with a bit of sweetness and cilantro. Our server was friendly and 'just right' attentive, allowing us to enjoy our meal while making sure we had drinks. The food came quickly in chilled glasses: the only thing keeping this meal from perfect is actually not so bad- the chipped glasses melted a bit and left a small glass rim puddle- I will ask for a coaster next time. And there WILL be a next time. The menu is extensive and creative with a nod to Iowa in some of the dishes (example: Iowa burrito) Prices totally reasonable for the amount of food. I enjoyed 1/3 of the pollo chorro (grilled chicken breast with chorizo) topped with melted cheese. Delicious combination. Sides of rice, refried beans and lettuce, cheese, tomatoes and sour cream in a mini taco shell. The dish came with a warm flour tortilla. Hubby had the Burrito Texano with steak, chicken and shrimp stuffed in a huge tortilla smothered in green sauce and cheese: we stayed for him to finish- he could not NOT eat it all it was so good. Family friendly, beer and margarita friendly, customer friendly, and food coma guaranteed. This is my personal favorite in town!

Everything was good! I lived in Texas for 5 yr, Madison WI for the past 4 yr, & I've been DYING for…read moresome good Tex mex. The service? Instant, impeccable. The food was great!! The salsa was so good and I loved the enchiladas. The ambiance felt like my favorite Mexican restaurant in Waco, TX. The food doesn't come with rice and beans--however it was super cost efficient so maybe I ordered something wrong, but I was so full that I didn't need the rice and beans. Definitely stop by!

Great Bang Bang Shrimp! Margaritas were good. I got the 42 ounce. Came in a cool giant margarita…read moreglass!

This place totally looks like it used to be someone's house…read more The street corn used mayonesa--which added a healthy (and welcome) burst of lime flavor. Don't add any additional--otherwise the lime flavor will be overpowering. This was an exceptional dish--very generous amounts of cheese and Tajin seasoning as well. The chips were served very warm and they don't skimp on them. I thought the salsa was a tad thick, but that's probably just my preference for thinner salsa... Service was very good--staff checked in regularly--and they took the step of bringing my extra spoon out on a plate. I thought that was interesting as well. I don't know if it was a Monday special, but my tallboy of Pacifico was only $3. I didn't even know they had Pacifico tallboys--I thought this was an exceptional value. Some minor quibbles with my barria tacos--the verde salsa was heavy on the jalapeno--overpowering in fact. The shells themselves were griddled to perfection and there was a healthy amount of cheese in them. The broth was pretty greasy--not something I had experienced previously. The meat was tender, but not very flavorful. On an individual basis, if only one of these issues was present, this would have been a five. The cumulative (minor) issues knocks the overall review down to about a 4.25. The booths are very large and tall, but there's not much room for fat boys like myself to squeeze in.

I had the Tacos Alambres, and they were amazing. Great flavors, and the portions were huge. Staff…read morewas very friendly and attentive. The restaurant looks very nice, with the murals on the walls and other Mexican decorations.

Had driven by multiple times decided to stop for dinner on a Friday night and sure glad I did…read more Very attentive server with a cool setup inside of the restaurant. Our table ordered : Chrriopollo - was best I've had in metro Chicken enchilada- feedback was very good Watermelon margarita - could tell was fresh not syrup One additional observation was the meal wasn't dripping in cheese / sour cream / slop like many metro Mexican restaurant rather the flavors spoke for themselves Overall Toro Loco will be in our rotation for future stops.

What a great find here in Johnston! We were looking for some mexican food and didn't feel like…read moredriving to Ankeny for our usual spot. On a whim we tried Nuevo, and were really happy we did. Don't let the modest facade or the location (a strip mall behind a gas station) fool you, this place is the real deal. We were greeted at the door and were seated in a booth right away, but there's also a patio with some nice shade if you want to eat outside. The service was prompt, and the meal was about the right pace. Our food was awesome, especially the Tacos al Carbon. I would definitely order this again. Our son really enjoyed the chicken quesadillas, but not as much as the free ice cream dessert that everyone received at the end of the meal - it was great surprise. Overall, this family run restaurant really exceed my expectations, we can't wait to eat here again.

If you live in Johnston and don't love Plaza Mexico (now Nuevo Mexico), you're missing out!…read moreHonestly, I've tried a lot of Mexican places in both Iowa and Minnesota and this place is still my favorite. They changed management a few years ago but kept a lot of the same staff and same favorites that make this place amazing. The menu is extensive but not overwhelming, and avoids the common problem of everything seeming the same. Their specials are unique and they offer everything from tacos to seafood entrees. I've never had anything I didn't love here. The chips and salsa are ACTUALLY free unlimited refills (with no judgments passed), and I always get their cheese dip--it's delish! Their servings are MASSIVE. Served with great presentation on a large round white plate, it's chow time. You can get a great meal (and take half home for leftovers) for lunch special prices of $6-$9 and dinner entrees from $9-$12! I personally love the street tacos, tacos al carbon, and chicken enchiladas. Their ingredients are fresh and steak is amazing! Finally, they end your meal with free sopas (ice cream on a crispy dessert chip drizzled with chocolate sauce, honey, and cinnamon)! This place never disappoints and is a staple in the neighborhood.

Excellent food, fantastic service, and lively music make the Cancun Grill and Cantina a great place…read moreto eat. It's right next to the truck stop, which is great for weary travelers who are yearning for some quality food in a nice atmosphere. The place is clean and the staff is friendly and accommodating. I really enjoyed the two meals that I had here. I had the Fish Taco plate my first visit and they were awesome. I especially liked the sauce that was provided on the side and the availability of flour or corn tortillas. Today, I had the Juevos Rancheros plate with black beans replacing the usual offering of refrigerator beans. The eggs, themselves, were smothered in a tasty red sauce. Flour tortillas were served on the side. This meal is so good that I had to force myself to not eat the last several bites of the meal as I was already more than full. Of course, there are the usual drink offerings here both with and without alcohol. I had iced tea both visits, so I cannot really comment to much more about it except to say that the tea is refreshing! In closing, I'm sure you'll enjoy your visit to this nice restaurant. Great for families, couples, and singles alike.

Always down to try a restaurant that has such good reviews. Went on. Sunday afternoon and it got…read morecrowded quickly. Ambiance: Inside it feels a little crowded with the table I sat at close to the door and the checkout counter. There is more space in the back. Service: The service was good, replacing the chips and ensuring the water was refilled. Food: The chips and salsa were good. The chips are not too salty and the salsa is mild. The queso is one of the best I've had with a light consistency. For an entree I had beef nachos which were ok but I prefer more queso. Parking: There is plenty of parking. I'll definitely be back to try another menu item.