Every time we come here we are more and more impressed with their food. There's no better spot in…read moretown to get Mofongo or any of the Puerto Rican favorites that we all have. There is not a better Cuban sandwich in the city., nothing's even close

If you want to "Bomba" after tasting the good traditional spices of Puerto Rico cuisine then…read moreventure into Bienvenidos in Windsor Heights tucked in a strip mall down the street from Hy Vee. The Pleasant and knowledgeable owner described some of the fan favorites which intrigued me in ordering an appetizer-- a deep fried ball stuffed with mash potatoes and ground beef with a garlic sauce on the side -- surprisingly not oily but deliciously flavored -- this is one I would order again. My entree was another dish I have never had -- Mofongo -- mashed plantains served in a dome shape -- richly spiced with garlic, olive oil, oregano and a plethora of other spices which brought this dish to above and beyond other Caribbean entrees that I have tried. The spices all complimented each other to make your sit down meal full of surprising goodness that put you in a Zen mood that made the peaceful environment feel down--home. Now go and " bomba."

I enjoyed getting to try a new to me place. My husband and I shared an order of the empanadas to…read morestart with. The cheese ones with a sprinkle of sugar, as recommended, was definitely my favorite! I enjoyed the beef one and did not care as much for the chicken one. I asked the waiter what I should get as I was torn. Of course I don't recall what it was, but I enjoyed it. I'm not usually a plantains person, but I really enjoyed them with this dish. It was very filling and flavorful. My husband ordered a spicy dish and enjoyed it as well. Our waiter did a great job with our large group. He was friendly and provided a ton of recommendations we were all happy with. The bathrooms were clean, as was the rest of the restaurant. I will go back, especially for the cheese empanadas.

A friend suggested this place, and he was on target, as now I have eaten there twice!…read more Located in a West Des Moines strip mall, the storefront is without fanfare with a large parking lot. I wasn't wowed until I sat down, and then now...POW, some of the best food I have enjoyed here in DSM. First, great customer service throughout, as our server was impeccably good. My first visit was for lunch, and I thoroughly enjoyed empanadas, Papa Serrana, and other items. It was delicious, unique, and superb. That prompted a second visit, this time for dinner. I loved the Homado Con Mote, spectacular flavor with pork, white corn, rice, and potato. It was sensational. So much taste, such great options. The interior is not flashy, but it doesn't have to be, as the food quality, unique menu, and excellent customer service pushed the bar extremely high and maintained it.

Yes the service takes some time most of the time, but when you get your food you can tell it was…read moremade to order and its super fresh

Cozy, unassuming, has an excellent homey feel and amazing food. Great service, generous portions…read morefor the prices. We had Ranchero Steak, chicken tamale, and tried each of the Pupusas. All delicious. Their coleslaw is fire. We always ask for extra so we can enjoy it on everything. If you get stressed about tight parking like I do, park on the street

Malo was a cool experience at first on Cinco de mayo! Good vibe in the restaurant! Of course tons…read moreof people but my group didn't have to wait long so that's nice. I got the pick three tacos because they were out of carnitas which was very disappointing . The pork tenderloin taco was very average, the pork belly was kind of tough but had decent taste. Then the chicken taco was good. We also were given a bottom of the bag of chips at first with our salsa and queso. Overall pretty average food experience at malo nothing very impressing for upscale Mexican.

Zero wait at lunch which is good. They were out of mushrooms for a dish but everything else was…read moregreat! Salsa is not spicy but still good. Food is very fresh and there are vegan options. Very filling. Great spot!

Macubana is easily one of my favorite spots in Ames. If you're into mac & cheese with serious…read moreflavor and creativity, this place doesn't miss. The Original Mac Bowl is my go-to super rich, cheesy, and filling in the best way. And if you want to switch it up, the Tempura Mac is next level spicy, crispy, golden on the outside, and totally over-the-top in a good way. Every time I go here, I'm so full I'm sick of pasta noodles for a week and yet I always come back. That says everything. It's part bar, so depending on when you go, it can be chill or kind of rowdy, but that's part of the vibe. Honestly, it's one of the best casual date spots in Ames if you want somewhere fun and a little different. It's also great with friends or just rolling solo when you want to eat like you mean it. Food's always on point, service is solid, and the menu has enough range to keep things interesting. Definitely worth checking out if you're in town and want something that hits comfort food cravings hard.

The help- very nice and friendly…read more The food- not so good, which is a bummer because I've been wanting to try this place for quite awhile. I kept it simple- fries and an empanada. Perhaps I ordered the wrong things? Fries were hot but tasteless, served with a side of what seemed like mayo? Empanada shredded beef filling was chewy and flavorless, the best part about it was the fried shell, not sure of the sauce served with it, but it was also nothing to rave about. I got a side of chipotle ketchup and that was decent. So....I can cross this one off of my "try it" list with no plans to return. Bummer.