El Mariachi
5825 Merle Hay Rd, Johnston, IA, 50131
El Mariachi Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Johnston for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Johnston for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Johnston for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
5825 Merle Hay Rd
Johnston, IA, 50131 - Phone (515) 276-3887
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Opening Hours
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Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Noise Level : Loud
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
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Bob R.
Best mexican resturant in the des moines area by far. Everything is freshly made and spiced to perfection.
(5)Hil H.
This place offers quick, tame Mexican food for a cheap price. If that is what you want, go here. It's not fabulous, and you're not going to find a ton of difference flavors and spices.
(3)nicholas a.
This is one of those places that gains a local following with cheap, weak margarita specials and fatty Jalisco/TexMex food. Very, very slow service. It took about 15 minutes between ordering drinks and queso for them to come back and take our order. It's been about another 15 or 20 and still no queso. Food just came out. Pretty mich exactly what I expected. Not bad. Everything was a little burnt but it was fine. Guacamole looks processed. Shrimp's good. Frijoles are good.
(2)P P.
Once again great food. Anyone complaining about this place is probably the competition. I've eaten here at least 10 times in last 1 year. It's always good!
(5)Dawn P.
Ate here twice and both time we have had great service!! I recommend getting a pitcher of margarita if your sharing. There food is good and cheap:) this is not tex mex
(5)Mark O.
Its definitely not the five star cuisine everyone is raving about, but its far from the worst. I was greeted promptly and within three minutes was seated, had a glass of iced tea, and a large basket of chips and salsa. Lunch specials run between $5-7 and most are sided with rice and beans. With that said... The rice was rather clumpy and lacked flavor. The beans were serviceable...and the burrito tasted much like food found at other restaurants of this nature. Its definitely a step up from Taco Johns or Taco Bell (and comparable by price, which raises it in my eyes), but you have to search harder for truly authentic Mexican food. It's only a block or two from work, so I'll stop in again, but if you live closer to something like el rodeo, you're just as well served going there.
(3)Loretta E.
Very much American food .. I go have Mexican to eat Mexican and lettuce should be green not brown :/ sorry never again
(1)Elizabeth D.
The food was good but the service was comical. Our server struggled to get our order right...several times.
(3)Marilyn R.
Everything I have ever ordered in this restaurant has been good. El Mariachi has excellent enchiladas and this is usually my first choice on the menu. My favorite is the Enchiladas Mexicanas which is four enchiladas, one beef, one cheese, one chicken and one bean. This combo has red sauce, spiced just right with a lettuce, tomato and sour cream salad garnish. The beef enchilada has a great flavor, much better than some other local places and the cheese enchiladas are the best in town. The service here has always been good. I like this place a lot. No complaints!
(5)Becky's Cake C.
I went for an early lunch with my best friend who ordered a cheese enchilada. The sauce tasted like plastic! We informed our waiter that he should have the chef taste the sauce because it didn't taste right today, His response was it's the same as it always is. Our response was "so he enchilada sauce always tastes like plastic? "The lack of concern and the fact that he left it on our bill secured our decision to never return ! Guess I will stick to Abelardos for my Mexican cuisine and friendly service :)
(1)Sarah A.
Mmmm... We were looking for a new habitual Mexican place. It's basically the same menu and style as El Cerro (for people down south) or Los Tres Amigos (for people up north). So you get a big messy platter with plenty of sauce and rice and beans. I love it so much. As others have said, the price is great. The place was packed when we went in on a Saturday night, so clearly the community agrees with us. A good spot to bring the family but also order a margarita. We got a vegetarian platter and an enchilada platter. Both were delicious (cheese enchilada was one of the best I've had in a while). The margarita was good--my partner thought the liquor tasted cheap, but it wasn't an expensive margaria... so that would make sense. We'll be going back regularly.
(4)Eileen M.
This place is ok. The food comes out quick, and it is very cheap but nothing to be all that excited about. I ordered the guacamole to start with and it was way to salty but expected. Next, the main course I had was beef fajitas which I shared. The beef looked a little burnt and the pieces of beef looked like those that were left over. The veggies like peppers and onions had gotten very saggy and soft. I have been here before and had the chicken chimichanga which was a lot better. This place would also be great for kids considering it also has American dishes on the kids menu.
(3)Jason B.
Very quick service. Greeted quickly and friendly at the door. Chips and salsa had somewhat greasy chips. I ordered seafood enchiladas which consisted of imitation crab meat and tasteless cheese. The shrimp enchilada was good however. Guacamole was very creamy with no additional ingredients such as peppers or tomatoes. The fried ice cream was very pretty to look at, however was very greasy with actual puddle of grease visible. The food came quickly and the restaurant was busy for a Thursday night. Maybe I ordered the wrong food as this many people would not eat here if it was that bad. I must be missing something.
(1)Andrea T.
Any time I pass this place during the week for lunch, it seems to be packed. We had heard it was good and needed to find a place for lunch in our driving path on a Saturday. Surprisingly, even at 1:30 in the afternoon on a Saturday, there were quite a few people there. The server was quick to bring us water and chips and salsa. The salsa definitely had a kick to it. I would say it was spicy. I ordered the chicken chimichanga while my husband had the California Burrito with steak. When his meal came out, it looked like a flag with the three sauce types. He did enjoy his. My chimichanga was good but was it great...no. It was just your typical Mexican fare. The waiter became more sluggish as we were there and we were confused when the bill came as to if we paid up front or at the table. They eventually came and got it but we still didn't know if this was the normal process.
(3)Maggie W.
LOVED THIS PLACE! I went there with the Fam Damily per their recommendation. I was impressed! The place is clean and nicely decorated, the service is accurate and prompt, and the food is generously-portioned and delicious! I ordered the Chicken Flauitas (fried tortilla-wrapped chicken roll-ups, similar to Taquitos) and they are so delicious!!! The tortillas become almost flaky, like a pastry in texture. AMAZEFEST! The tortilla chips are homemade and served with a fresh-tasting salsa. The cheese they use is REAL - no Velveeta here. It's monterey jack and its creamy and melty. The Beef Nachos are COVERED WITH BEEF and cheese. My parents swore the tomatoes they use are local. My dad and sister-in-law love the margaritas! The prices are downright cheap - most entrees $7.99 or less (comparable to a Value Meal at a fast food joint). Sorry, Carlos O'Kelly's. El Mariachi is a hidden gem and they will be my go-to Mexican restaurant in Des Moines!
(5)Craig Z.
Nothing authentic about this place at all. I will not return.
(1)Verne W.
El Mariachi is great place to have lunch, or to have a full dinner with family and friends. I have been here several times and never have been disappointed. You can even call in and order and go pick it up. Amazing service they provide. Highly recommend them for your dining needs!
(5)Terri M.
Not sure how everyone else is giving this place such high marks. It certainly isn't cuz of their food! Completely bland! I have noticed that Mexican restaurants in Iowa seem to tone down the flavors considerably. I was told by am owner that it is to appease the more subtle tastes of people around here. Being from Los Angeles, I have tasted some great Mexican food. This one is a 2 at best, and that's only cuz the service and prices were good.
(2)Ryan A.
Anytime we want Mexican, this is where we go. The food is great and the service is even better. Everyone is very friendly and your food comes out quick. This chips and salsa can vary. The chips are usually slightly overcooked and the salsa can range from mild to spicy. The carne asada And chili verde are fantastic. It is nice that they will let you order stuff that is not on the menu, such as enchiladas with carne asada. If you come and order the regular stuff, such as ground beef tacos with rice and beans, it is bland. There is no flavor in the ground beef and the rice and beans are the same bland sides as all Mexican places.
(4)Pam P.
This is usually our first choice for Mexican. The salsa is good, the chips usually hot and the margaritas have some kick. I dont care for 'spicy' and this places doesnt burn my stomach. If you like spicy mexican, its probably not for you, but if you like good mexican with just a little kick, its good!
(4)Ray Ray K.
It's hard to find good mexican on the road. we struggle with it often. something's always too this or too that. enter El Mariachi in Des Moines, IA. It reminded us more of our favorite Nashville local spot, Las Palmas. The service was friendly and fast, and everyone's food looked great. I got a burrito, enchilada, and taco combo that was very tasty. definitely check this place out if you're around the area.
(5)Tony L.
I moved to Johnston in the summer of 2006 and I've driven by El Mariachi many times a week since then, but it was pretty recently that I started frequenting them. I think part of why I was turned off is because there are so many quick-serve style Mexican restuarants in the Des Moines area (El Rodeo, El Auguila Real, Plaza, La Hacienda,...) and El Mariachi is in a building that used to be a Hardees and it shows. Often the employees will park at the drive thru window. I don't know what exactly was the reason I finally stopped, but I'm glad I did. The food is similar to the other similar styled restaurants, the prices are the same, similar combination dinner numbers and lunch numbers so it's definitely familiar, but there's a few pieces that make El Mariachi stand out. One is the salsa. The salsa is made fresh with obviously fresh cilantro, peppers, onions and it's appreciated. The margaritas are strong and on special a few days of the week. The service is excellent. It's always welcoming to be greeted as amigos and given food almost faster than the drinks. The meat is never dry like it's been sitting warm waiting for serving either. This week I visited with fellow yelper, Mike T., and we stayed for maybe an hour or more after our food was done and they were never rushing us out and continued to refill the chips/salsa for us. Good stuff. The outside can be a put off when you probably already have a favorite restaurant of this style, but give them a chance and you may find a new favorite.
(4)Cindy H.
This place is awesome. The cheese they use is really flavorful. The salsa is good and the chips are fresh. They recently renovated inside so it looks very clean and comfortable. Service is quick, lunch is cheap. I usually get the quesadilla with beans for $5.
(5)B W.
My family believes this to be the best Mexican food in Des Moines. I agree. Ask for the green, spicy salsa if you like it hot. Service has been excellent for the last ten years. Once they accidentally used beef instead of chicken in a dish, and when we mentioned it they said that was now free and if we wish they would quickly make the correct dish for us, also. We recently had them prepare food for a large event and almost every person there commented the food was great and asked who made it.
(5)Jordan H.
Mediocre, although maybe the lesser of two evils in Johnston when compared to Plaza Mexico. Service was harried, food bland. Even the chips were stale and the salsa lifeless. My chile relleno was a complete mess, completely indistinguishable as a chile.
(2)Erin W.
Love this place-it's our Friday night regular spot. Try the tacos carne aside, they're fabulous! Sat night is buy 1 get 1 free margaritas. Great casual place, good food, friendly staff
(5)fortyish i.
These guys are super fast. The food is always good and the prices are great. This is our go to spot when we dont want to wait to eat on friday or saturday evening, if you are not from the dsm area, these are the only two nights of the week you ever have to wait to get into local restaurants, except Olive Garden and Texas Roadhouse there are waits there everyday. Anyway back to El Mariachi, the flautas could easily feed 2 but I somehow seem to almost clear the plate each time. The atmosphere is super casual, which I like but dont go if you are a restaurant snob. This is basically mexican fast food but with a great wait staff.
(4)Dean C.
bad food i eat chile relleno complete mess i like better plaza mexico i loved there
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