Great food. My partner really enjoyed his meal and I loved mine. The margarita was also great. The…read moreprice was ok for the area. Staff were friendly.

I went once before, and I despised it. I declared their Chorizo terrible, and I still stand by…read morethat. However, somehow they managed to make their chimichangas legendary. Yet even so, they are so small. 16 dollars for 3 birria tacos too, all of them tiny as the size of my palm. Service was average as usual. Ambiance still average too. At least this time there was no random green stuff on my food.

Amazing service! Super fast and taste DELICIOUS, plus very large portions. I definitely recommend…read moreanytime. I will be here for every occasion

Still absolutely amazing! Great service and excellent food! Definitely the best Mexican food I've…read morehad in Des Moines!

We love La Familia!! We go here all the time... PROBABLY more than we should…read more.. The food is great, and pretty authentic, especially for Mexican food in the Midwestern suburbs! The beer is SO SO cold, and the lines are always clean. We have had near perfect service almost every time we have been here. People saying there are no Mexicans in that kitchen CLEARLY have not seen the people who work in that kitchen... I definitely recommend!

We went for the first time tonight to La Familia. While they said they had staffing issues, our…read moreservice was phenomenal. The server kept our drinks filled and checked in with us multiple times. Food: I had the Chori Pollo (Polo Queso with Chorizo), and my wife had a ground beef chimichanga. They nailed my dish, and my wife said hers was tasty too. However, I did want to rave about the chips -- they were fresh made chips and were very crispy. Lately, chips at Mexican restaurants have either been stale or "off" (old oil), but these were excellent that I skipped the tortillas and had my Chori Pollo with them. Salsa was a bit too mild, but also fresh. Price: With two drinks ($10 mojitos) and 2 entrees with 20% tip, we were pennies over $50. I would say that's a good price for the amount of food we got and left well-satisfied.

Mojito is a fun word to say and now a really good place to eat…read more Weekday evening was a perfect time to go. It in a strip mall area and we had driven by multiple times and finally getting in a stop. Our waitress was a sweetheart. I threw my typical questions at her and she was on top of it. Chips were warm and the salsa was perfect. She brought us our drink orders quickly. The blue margarita was a good suggestion. We enjoyed the chips and the drinks. We were taken aback when our meals arrived. Hubby ordered the CA burrito and it was bigger than this forearm! I ordered the steak chimichanga and it also was way more than I imagined it would be. We both enjoyed our meals. We both were so full that I feel like we were going to have to be rolled out of there. The menus are huge. There is no excuse not to find anything. The restaurant is decent sized, with music playing like you come to expect in a Mexican restaurant. I think it was the manager who came out and checked on us to make sure we were doing alright. We decided that we would be back sooner than later. The price was right and it ended up being another meal for both of us.

Went with a group of friends. Had a great time. Fast attentive service. Great portions. Great food…read more Everyone loved their meals and drinks. No complaints. Would recommend.

The portions were HUGE and oh so good! The Molcajete was…read moreloaded with steak, chicken, shrimp, chorizo, onions and peppers....served along with rice, beans, lettuce. Very good representation of the Molcajete! The El Patron had loads of steak, chicken, pork, peppers and onions along with the rice and beans as well. Service was excellent, as good as we've ever had...very prompt and friendly. Decor was somewhat upscale with black and gold highlighting the room with Mexican culture pictures and paintings on the walls.

Okay...I preface this by saying I've been spoiled by Tex-Mex after growing up in Colorado and…read moreregularly visiting Arizona--Cowboy Mexican is THE best Mexican food in the Des Moines area. Actually, maybe in all of Iowa. I had a chicken taco and a cheese enchilada, and it was AMAZING!! My boyfriend had a carne asada chimichanga with rice--outstanding! We each had a margarita--he had a peach and I had the jalapeño--YUM!! We rounded out our meal with a sopapilla,which was in the top ten of sopapillas I've had in my 57 years on this planet. I would be remiss if I didn't mention the service--10 out of 10, no notes. Our waiter, Eddie, was incredible!! We will be back--likely a few times a week. This is our new go-to for Mexican food, and I can't wait to bring family and friends here!!!

This past weekend our family had a surprise 80th birthday party for my husband with a taco bar and…read moredrinks for 53 guests. Not only was the food plentiful, hot and very delicious..the salsa is wonderful..but Jamie and his family and staff were very attentive to our every need and enabled the party to be a big success . They accommodated my daughter in letting her come in early to decorate. It was a wonderful experience and I'm so glad we chose this restaurant. It is large, very clean and well decorated. We thank you and appreciate you very much.... Judy & Gene Ballinger

Food was nothing spectacular. We had a group of 4 adults and 2 children and we were the only ones…read morein the restaurant. Service was slow and we actually had to go to the register to ask for our check! While we were there, one of the workers cranked up the music so that we could not carry on our conversation. We were there on a Sunday at 1PM. Will not return!

Upon arriving in the afternoon for a late lunch with an empty stomach I ordered their birria torta…read morethat was recommended to me by the server. Restaurant was small, interior could've used a quick sweep. Restaurant was relatively quiet besides chatter from the workers whom seem to be friendly with one another which is a huge plus from a guest perspective. Walked out with a tab of $24 including time and entree with an iced coke which could use more ice in my humble opinion. Will definitely be back to try other options on their menu.

Flame Cantina in Ankeny promises a taste of Mexican street food with a modern twist, and for the…read moremost part, it delivers. My recent visit was a flavorful fiesta, with some dishes shining brighter than others. The Good: The homemade chips and salsa is a menu item (not complimentary) Which we don't mind because you are more mindful when eating them. They are also delicious and if you get the guacamole or the chees dip you will not be disappointed! Mango Shrimp Tacos: These were the stars of the show. The tortillas cradled juicy grilled shrimp, drizzled with a vibrant mango Pico de Gallo and bathed in a creamy guajillo crema. The sweet and spicy combo was a true explosion of taste, and the shrimp cooked to perfection - tender and slightly smoky. Quesa Birria Tacos: These braised beef delights were another winner. The slow-cooked Angus beef was melt-in-your-mouth tender, swimming in a rich, flavorful adobo sauce. The crispy tortillas held up well to the juicy filling, and the accompanying onion and cilantro dipping sauce added a refreshing touch. Atmosphere: The restaurant itself is a vibrant and inviting space. The open kitchen adds to the lively atmosphere, and the colorful décor transports you straight to a bustling Mexican cantina. The 'OK' Taco Salad: While the ingredients were fresh and flavorful (ground beef, black beans, corn, Pico de Gallo, cheese, and a tangy cilantro lime dressing), the salad suffered from a glaring omission - lettuce! A taco salad without lettuce is like a margarita without lime - it just feels incomplete. (To be fair - our server offered to go get my Wife some lettuce, I just thought it was worth noting.) Service: The service was friendly, and on-point. Tristan kept the drinks filled and was attentive without being over bearing, in a small place like this it is a good balance. Overall: Flame Cantina offers a delicious and vibrant taste of Mexican street food, with some dishes truly excelling. The mango shrimp and birria tacos were standouts, and the atmosphere is perfect for a casual and fun dining experience. Just be sure to request extra lettuce for your taco salad, and you're good to go! Final Verdict: 4 out of 5 stars. Flame Cantina is a great choice for a casual and flavorful Mexican meal, with a few minor tweaks needed to truly ignite all five stars. Pro Tips: Try the spicy hot sauce - ask for it, it one of the better ones I've had because it has both the heat and the flavor! Saturday's are $3 tacos until 5pm! I hope this review helps you decide whether to give Flame Cantina a try!

My favorite place to eat in Altoona! The food is always chef's kiss perfect, and the staff and…read moreservice... it just doesn't get any better. The portions are generous and tasty, I can't recommend their top shelf margaritas enough. One of the wait staff convinced to try it with Don Julio instead of our usual Patron, and it was a game changer! So smooth. It the warmer weather they open the walls for an indoor/outdoor experience. Atmosphere is great as well. High Recommend this restaurant!

FYI- they close at 10 even though it says 10:30. They just make up their own time even though the…read moredoor AND online says 10:30. Doors locked, don't let us in even for chips and salsa.