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10 Best Mexican Restaurants In Des Moines

10 Best Mexican Restaurants In Des Moines

The ten best Mexican restaurants in Des Moines include Tasty Tacos, Cowboy Mexican Bar and Grill, Bar Nico, El Toreado Restaurant Bar and Grill, Fiesta Mexican Restaurant, Tacos Mariana's, El Bait Shop, Fernando's Mexican Grill, Faustinos Taqueria, and Old West Mexican Restaurant. Des Moines’ Mexican food gets its character from a homegrown specialty: the deep-fried flour shell taco, which is a local fixture for over 60 years.

Mexican restaurants in Des Moines are found downtown, in the East Village, and along corridors like University Avenue and SE 14th Street. The city's collection of Mexican spots features historic family-owned chains, world-famous beer bars that serve tacos, and straightforward local taquerias. El Bait Shop provides a lively, rustic room with hundreds of beers on tap, while Tacos Mariana's is a simple, no-frills counter. These local institutions and newer destinations form the core of the area's food options. Dining at one of Des Moines's Mexican restaurants costs between $10 and $80 per person.

The best Mexican restaurants in Des Moines are set apart by their long-standing community ties and their focus on specific food items, from a locally invented taco to traditional preparations. Tasty Tacos is the best overall choice, distinguished by its 60-year history, its creation of the original fried flour shell taco, and its status as a multi-generational family business. As a fast-casual option, Tasty Tacos also serves some of the city's best food. Bar Nico provides a premier fine-dining meal with its creative, contemporary menu. Restaurants like Bar Nico offer vegan options, while nearly all traditional taquerias, including Tacos Mariana's, have extensive gluten-free choices built on corn.

The top Mexican restaurants in Des Moines are listed below.

10 Best Mexican Restaurants In Des Moines are listed below.

1 Tasty Tacos
2 Fiesta Mexican Restaurant
3 Fernando's Mexican grill
4 Faustinos Taqueria
5 Old West Mexican Restaurant
6 Cowboy Mexican Bar and Grill
7 Bar Nico
8 El Toreado Restaurant Bar
9 Tacos Mariana's
10 El Bait Shop

What Makes Mexican Restaurants in Des Moines Famous?

What makes Mexican restaurants in Des Moines famous is a unique local creation, the original deep-fried flour shell taco. The food tourism in Des Moines is partly shaped by this specific, homegrown culinary invention, which has been a local staple for over 60 years. This sets Des Moines apart from other Midwestern cities that may have a more traditional taqueria culture. The food environment is also marked by a recent emergence of modern, chef-driven establishments that are bringing new interpretations of Mexican food to the city.

What Types of Mexican Restaurants are Commonly Found in Des Moines?

The types of Mexican restaurants commonly found in Des Moines include historic local chains, neighborhood taquerias, and upscale modern restaurants. Des Moines's famous cuisine is found in a few key restaurant models, from historic local institutions to contemporary downtown bars. The most common kinds of Mexican establishments in Des Moines are listed below.

Historic Local Chains This category includes unique, multi-generational establishments that have created a specific, local style of Mexican-American food. Tasty Tacos is the prime example.
Authentic Neighborhood Taquerias These are small, family-operated spots dedicated to serving traditional Mexican street food with classic preparations. Tacos Mariana's and Faustinos Taqueria represent this type.
Upscale Modern Restaurants These are contemporary, sophisticated restaurants that offer creative interpretations of Mexican dishes in a chic, polished setting. Bar Nico fits this category.
World-Class Beer Bars with Tacos These are unique establishments where the primary focus is an enormous beer selection, complemented by a popular and well-regarded taco menu. El Bait Shop is a famous example.
Casual, Family-Friendly Restaurants These are accessible, sit-down establishments with broad menus of familiar Mexican-American comfort food.
Fast-Casual Grills These are counter-service spots with a build-your-own format for burritos and bowls, focusing on fresh, customizable ingredients. Fernando's Mexican Grill is an example.

Are There Authentic Mexican Restaurants in Des Moines?

Yes, there are authentic Mexican restaurants in Des Moines that are dedicated to traditional recipes and cooking methods. Tacos Mariana's is a classic taqueria that prepares its al pastor on a traditional vertical spit. Faustinos Taqueria is a family-run spot known for its homestyle guisados and chile rellenos. These establishments provide a genuine taste of Mexico's food heritage, separate from the city's local taco creations.

What are the Signature Dishes at the Best Mexican Restaurants in Des Moines?

Signature dishes at the best Mexican restaurants in Des Moines include a collection of unique local inventions and traditional street food staples. A selection of the most popular and defining dishes served in Des Moines is described below.

The Original Flour Shell Taco A unique Des Moines creation of a puffy, deep-fried flour tortilla shell filled with ground beef or chicken. Tasty Tacos is the legendary home of this taco.
Al Pastor Tacos Tacos with marinated pork cooked on a vertical spit (trompo). Tacos Mariana's is a go-to spot for this traditional street food classic.
Pork Cheek Carnitas A modern, gourmet take on classic carnitas, featuring slow-cooked, tender pork cheeks. Bar Nico is known for this inventive dish.
Fried Fish Tacos Tacos with beer-battered and fried fish, a popular item at the city's most famous beer bar. El Bait Shop is known for its version.
Tuna Tostada A contemporary dish of raw tuna on a crispy tortilla, often with avocado and a spicy aioli. Bar Nico serves a well-regarded preparation.
Chile Relleno A classic homestyle dish of a roasted poblano pepper stuffed with cheese, battered, and fried. Faustinos Taqueria is celebrated for its traditional version.

How Do Des Moines Mexican Restaurants Compare to Omaha's Best?

The Mexican restaurants in Des Moines have a separate character from the best Mexican restaurants in Omaha. Des Moines has a unique local taco tradition and a new wave of modern, upscale establishments, while Omaha is known for the deep-rooted and highly concentrated taqueria culture of South Omaha. The food environment in Des Moines is shaped by local inventions like the fried flour shell taco. Omaha's food scene is built on a foundation of numerous, long-standing, family-run taquerias that serve a wide array of traditional, straightforward recipes. Dining in Des Moines offers an experience of a food environment in dynamic evolution, while eating in Omaha provides an immersion into a more established and traditional taqueria culture.

Do Mexican Restaurants in Des Moines Offer Vegan Options?

Yes, Mexican restaurants in Des Moines offer vegan options, with places like Bar Nico, El Bait Shop, and Fernando's providing plant-based meals. The chef-driven menu at Bar Nico includes sophisticated, plant-based dishes built around seasonal vegetables. El Bait Shop has several vegetarian tacos that can be prepared vegan. The build-your-own format at Fernando's allows diners to easily create vegan bowls and burritos.

Do Mexican Restaurants in Des Moines Offer Gluten-Free Options?

Yes, Mexican restaurants in Des Moines have many gluten-free options, including Tacos Mariana's, Faustinos Taqueria, and Bar Nico. The traditional taqueria Tacos Mariana's serves all of its tacos on corn tortillas. The menu at Faustinos Taqueria is heavily based on corn, with many naturally gluten-free plates. The upscale restaurant Bar Nico also offers many gluten-free small plates and entrees.

What is the Average Price of a Meal at Mexican Restaurants in Des Moines?

A meal at a Mexican restaurant in Des Moines costs between $10 for a quick meal to over $80 for a fine-dining experience. A single person's meal at a taqueria like Tacos Mariana's or a local spot like Tasty Tacos costs between $10 and $25. A dinner for a small group at a casual, sit-down place like El Toreado or Fiesta Mexicana will be between $40 and $100. For a budget-friendly meal, an individual can eat for under $20 at a local taqueria. An evening at a high-end restaurant like Bar Nico will cost between $40 and $80 per person.

Is Mexican Food Popular in Des Moines?

Yes, Mexican food is a very popular and ingrained part of Des Moines's food culture. The cuisine's importance is clear from the fact that the city has its own unique, locally invented style of taco that has been a beloved institution for over 60 years. The city supports a wide spectrum of establishments, from historic, family-owned chains to nationally recognized modern restaurants. The success of these restaurant models confirms that Mexican food is a cherished and enduring staple in Des Moines.