Great food and I had great service. Everything was more then I had recently and it really made my night special. read more

Don Jose Mexican Restaurant - Steak burrito hit the spot - Mexican Near Me - Estherville, Iowa

This Mexican restaurant is colorful and inviting. The orders at Don Jose are huge and tasty. The service is great and friendly and the cost is even better. The queso is so good I was tempted to eat it with my spoon. And the desserts are extra sweet. read more

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I had Lunch at Don Jose for a recent Sunday Lunch, while meeting up with a number of classmates from Estherville High School (Class of 1974). I good time was had by all as that feeling of community after almost 50 years is something special. Don Jose is located where the old Rexall Drug used to be. It's family owned and run, and both the food and the service were really good. And as a former resident of California for over 35 years, I can honestly tell interested folks that Don Jose is better than a number of places that I've dined in the Golden State. Personally, I prefer New Mexican Style, where they ask: Red or Green? But with Don Jose, I'm not complaining. In fact my "small" chicken quesadilla con cerveza fría was a great and delicious combination. The chips and rice were tasty too. I end up in my old home town at least once or twice a year and I'll make it a point to stop by again, now that I know Don Jose a little better. Some of my classmates also sing high praises about the Taco House (Okoboji), but it takes more than iconic hot sauce to that makes a Mexican place great. read more

Don Jose Mexican Restaurant - Estherville Class of 1974 Mini-Reunion - Mexican Near Me - Estherville, Iowa

One of my local favorites. I use probably once a month. I always go back because I get such good food and such good service.

Great food, very inexpensive, friendly staff. Only good Mexican food I've found since moving to az. I will be going back a lot. read more

Don Jose Mexican Restaurant - Date night - Mexican Near Me - Estherville, Iowa

I tried the Pollo Con Crema and it was amazing and lunch portion was more than enough :)

I rarely give a 5 star. It's so over used. This place is clean, friendly and the food is delicious. Great service

This place is very quiet, very friendly staff. Extremely clean restaurant. Of course it's the beginning of lunch hour, however from what I can tell from this restaurant is pretty clean, decent, friendly. My food came within five minutes! That's the fastest I have ever, ever received food! read more

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Service was fast and very friendly food came out fast very hot. The rice and beans were very tasty not like your normal rice and beans at a typical Mexican restaurant I had the Beef burrito Colorado which was extremely good. The portions were plentiful and everything tasted very fresh. I do wish they would have replenished my chips and salsa. The atmosphere was typical of a Mexican restaurant but it was extremely clean and well-kept unlike most Mexican restaurants. Also had a kids menu I would definitely come back here to eat even though I'm not a huge fan of Mexican restaurant food. read more

Don Jose Mexican Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Estherville, Iowa

have eatten here 3 X. the 1 st x was excellent the2nd x was OK tonite was Bland and Service was slow portions Smaller And we ordered fajitas 1 single combo and 1 combo for 2 and Deluxe nachos for an appetizer. We got 2 orders of fajita combo for 1 and Nachos. Nachos were dark brown and "over cooked" fajitas were Bland and everything tasted the same . The waitress asked if we wanted another made... it took 20min to get what we got and only 1. other table in the place- The Bill was not adjusted to compensate for their mistake - all in all won't go back again. read more

I think Jim was a little harsh in his review. I'm sure Don Jose's can't compete with the Mexican food in California......but hello, it's rural Iowa. Let's be thankful we have a family run and owned, authentic Mexican restaurant in town. I've always had excellent service here and the prices are amazing for what you get. Just stopped for lunch and had a tasty mango margarita for $3.50 (!!!) and the lunch special burrito with shredded beef, rice, salad, and refried beans for a mere $4.50. These are Taco John's prices for freshly made, restaurant quality food. And my chips were plentiful and still warm from the fryer accompanied with fresh cilantro infused salsa. Kudos also for doing something with the building. I was so pleasantly surprised on my first visit. read more

Are those melted Kraft American cheese singles on the enchiladas? Is that the unmistakable sugar-paprika flavor of... Lawry's Seasoned Salt on the steak? Are those chips from... the Hy-Vee down the street? Well, at least they try. Friendly service at the most happening place in town doesn't really make up for the food, in my mind. The menu is pretty comprehensive, and nothing was particularly bad, but this Californian is totally spoiled in the Mexican food department. read more

Stopped by while traveling thru the state of Iowa. Ordered a lunch special #21 2 chicken enchiladas, rice, beans, chips and salas to go. Ready in 10 minutes as said. Food quality excellent. The enchiladas were stuffed with chicken. Everything was top notch. All I have a picture of is my empty plate. Stop in and check for yourselves RV travelers for a good meal. read more

I absolutely love this locally owned, authentic Mexican restaurant and look forward to visiting every time I come to town. The service in this clean restaurant is always friendly and the staff are very attentive. I've not had a meal here I was disappointed with. I'd recommend it in a heartbeat. read more

Came here for lunch with friends, who had recommended this place. And they were right! I got the lunch special, beef enchilada mole with rice and refried beans. It was excellent. The service was quick and friendly. With their extensive menu, I am looking forward to returning and trying more dishes. read more

The service was prompt and friendly. The food reasonably priced. And the portions were adequate. The super nachos were baked with actual cheese instead of cheese sauce. The meat and beans were well seasoned and quite tasty. read more

Don Jose Mexican Restaurant - Super nacho's aptly named. - Mexican Near Me - Estherville, Iowa

Best rice and refried beans I've ever had in both the U.S. and Mexico. Did not care for the sauces on the beef tamal or chipotle chicken enchilada because something tasted a little artificial and diluted the spices, but the meats were tender, juicy, and flavorful. Home of my now second favorite flan with caramel sauce infused with cinnamon, creamy flan texture, and topped with homemade whipped cream. That cinnamon put such a cool twist on flan while still maintaining use of spices authentic to Mexican cuisine. So good I put my spoon down and looked at the flan in disbelief. They would make a killing if they relocated closer to a bigger city. Did I mention the staff was friendly and professional? read more

Wedding after party!!! Great place to eat!! Bride and grooms food were on the house! Gave a military discount to five other people in the party! Great food and great service!! read more

Don Jose Mexican Restaurant - Wedding after party! - Mexican Near Me - Estherville, Iowa

Food and service was good, staff was very friendly. Prices were not out of line. The reason for taking away a star. I ordered the daily special which was a chimichanga. Being from California I expected to see a larger flour tortilla. It almost looked as though the filled a small tortilla a quarter of the way. They certainly gave plenty rice and beans and chips to fill the void . I would go back though because the food was good. read more

Great mexican restaurant! I love the chicken fajitas. They are best I have ever had anywhere. They also have great daily lunch specials. My husband enjoys the burritos. read more

Best Mexican food in Northwest Iowa. Nice size portions. Large variety menu. Service has ALWAYS been top notch and quick. Worth the drive if your in Northwest Iowa or Southern Minnesota read more

Have been going there for years, the owners are super friendly and the food is great. Always a pleasure to go there. My favorite? Fajita combo!! read more

Excellent authentic Mexican food, nice decor and atmosphere, great friendly service, good prices! Quality is attested to by the popularity and good reputation of this fine establishment. I highly recommend it to all I meet ! read more

Friendly service. Very friendly service. One of the best Mexican restaurants I have ever been too. Always try the on-special margarita, you will never be dissapointed. They strive to make sure you are happy with your order. No need to take the word of some Californian who is "spoiled" in the Mexican food department, he can go back to California. As far as the locals, ask their opinion of this restaurant, 5 stars all around! Bar is full and the food is hot! read more

I would have to say that I agree with 'the Californian', as I am also from California. To those who are not aquainted with authentic Mexican cuisine, they don't know any better. However, I think Don Jose does a great job with the available food around here. It is hard or impossible to find some of the authentic foods needed to make it authentic. I frequent Don Joses fairly often. Extremely impressed with the friendly service, great specials and the foods not half bad. My kids love it and that makes it a winner in my book! read more