Highest-rated Mexican restaurants in Des Moines by diners
Highest-rated Mexican restaurants in Des Moines by diners
Just like cuisine from any country, Mexican food is not monolithic. It isn't just combo plates and tacos. (Not that there's anything wrong with that style of food; it's delicious and is responsible for popularizing Mexican food in the United States.) But Mexican food means more than that.
It reflects Mexico's diverse population—shaped by waves of immigration—and has proliferated throughout the U.S., showcasing the cuisine in all its complexity and regionality. Mexico has 32 distinct regional styles of cooking, and thanks to immigrant chefs and the rise of promising culinarians of Mexican descent looking to share their signature dishes, Indigenous foodways, and ingredients from various regions, diners are reframing their idea of "Mexican food."
According to a Pew Research Center analysis of SafeGraph data, 1 in 10 restaurants in the U.S. serve Mexican food, and nearly 9 out of 10 U.S. counties have at least one Mexican restaurant. The analysis also reveals that California and Texas are home to a majority of the Mexican American population and together host 2 out of 5 Mexican restaurants in the country.
These findings serve as a testament to the influence Mexican cuisine has had and continues to have in America. Which begs the question: Where does one go for the best old-school Mexican restaurants, loncheras slinging tacos out of a half-window, and innovative modern Mexican food pushing culinary boundaries?
To help you out, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated Mexican restaurants in Des Moines using data from Yelp. Only restaurants with at least five reviews were considered. Data is current as of January 2024.
Keep reading to see if your favorite spot made the list.
Note: The photos in this article are stock images and do not necessarily depict the specific restaurants listed or the dishes they serve.
#30. Islas del Pacifico Mex Rest and Seafood
- Rating: 4.0/5 (15 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1434 Des Moines St. Ste 8 Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Seafood, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#29. Taco John's
- Rating: 4.0/5 (5 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 5824 Douglas Ave. Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican, fast food
- Read more on Yelp
#28. Habanero's
- Rating: 4.0/5 (19 reviews)
- Address: 3200 Forest Ave. Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#27. Street Eats DSM
- Rating: 4.0/5 (14 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Food Trucks, Sandwiches, Tacos
- Read more on Yelp
#26. Kung Fu Tap & Taco
- Rating: 4.0/5 (13 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 210 Indianola Road Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#25. Paleteria La Michoacana
- Rating: 4.0/5 (21 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1552 East Grand Ave. Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
- Read more on Yelp
#24. Maria's Mexican Food
- Rating: 4.0/5 (27 reviews)
- Address: 5405 Douglas Ave. Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#23. El Patron Authentic Mexican Cuisine
- Rating: 4.0/5 (9 reviews)
- Address: 4351 Merle Hay Road Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican, Seafood, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#22. La Baja Cocina Mexicana
- Rating: 4.0/5 (13 reviews)
- Address: 1938 Southeast 6th St. Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#21. Tacos La Familia
- Rating: 4.0/5 (66 reviews)
- Address: 1610 6th Ave. Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
#20. Tacos Mariana's
- Rating: 4.5/5 (186 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1305 University Ave. Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#19. LaCabana Bar and Grill
- Rating: 4.5/5 (35 reviews)
- Address: 1435 Army Post Road Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Tacos, American, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#18. El Bait Shop
- Rating: 4.5/5 (544 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 200 Southwest 2nd St. Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Bars, Mexican, Burgers
- Read more on Yelp
#17. Rancho Alegre Restaurant
- Rating: 4.5/5 (15 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3308 Indianola Ave. Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#16. La Favorita
- Rating: 4.5/5 (6 reviews)
- Address: 1700 East Grand Ave. Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Grocery, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#15. Tequila Restaurante & Cantina
- Rating: 4.5/5 (53 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2824 Easton Blvd. Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#14. Taqueria Veracruz
- Rating: 4.5/5 (13 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 725 East University Ave. Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp
#13. Primos Tex Mex Bar And Grill
- Rating: 4.5/5 (18 reviews)
- Address: 1140 East Army Post Road Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Tex-Mex, Seafood, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#12. La Pena
- Rating: 4.5/5 (23 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2010 Indianola Ave. Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#11. Fernando's Mexican Grill
- Rating: 4.5/5 (104 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2650 University Ave. Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Ninas Tacos
- Rating: 4.5/5 (12 reviews)
- Address: 1301 Watrous Ave. Ste B Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Food Trucks, Tacos
- Read more on Yelp
#9. Quijano's Bar & Grill
- Rating: 4.5/5 (6 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1930 Southeast 6th St. Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Sports Bars, Tacos, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#8. La Rancherita
- Rating: 4.5/5 (8 reviews)
- Address: 4502 Southeast 14th St. Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Food Trucks, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Faustinos Taqueria
- Rating: 4.5/5 (15 reviews)
- Address: 4944 Franklin Ave. Ste I Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#6. La Rancherita Taqueria y Gordita
- Rating: 4.5/5 (16 reviews)
- Address: 1106 Army Post Road Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Tacos Degollado
- Rating: 4.5/5 (38 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1817 University Ave. Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican, Patisserie/Cake Shop, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp
#4. Los Pinos Taqueria
- Rating: 4.5/5 (11 reviews)
- Address: 3920 East 14th St. Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp
#3. El Taco Guapo
- Rating: 5.0/5 (8 reviews)
- Address: 3005 Douglas Ave. Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Ice Cream El Michoacano
- Rating: 5.0/5 (45 reviews)
- Address: 2922 Merle Hay Road Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
- Read more on Yelp
#1. Mi Lindo Mexico
- Rating: 5.0/5 (6 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 5120 Northeast 14th St. Des Moines, Iowa
- Categories: Mexican, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Cynthia Rebolledo, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 327 metros.
