Support local businesses!! Don't go to Chipotle or Pancheros when you can have the same thing... fresh ingredients... and support a local business! Fernando is hanging around always...and knew me by name the second time I came in. Such good quality ingredients and preparation. read more

Amazing seasoned beef and blackened fish tacos. I love how you can pick your condiments and the tortillas are freshly made to order. I will definitely be returning! read more

Amazing food!! I've gotten everything on the menu and you can't go wrong. The meat is what sets it apart from the other burrito chains. Always fresh, perfectly cooked/seasoned. read more

Very rude, food not worth what they charge. I'm glad I got to try it for myself first hand. $12.00 for a chicken burrito that was cold and full of rice, which I asked them to nit include. read more

Super fresh, and large quantities but high quality. Come check it out, silly people. The enchiladas were delicious and plentiful, and I always enjoy some crispy iceberg lettuce on my meal - very fresh. Washed it down with a Sol (nice selection of bottle beers), and had a game on one of the several TVs within my line of sight. Also, kids enjoyed it. read more

You get your food quickly but the ingredients are so fresh! A veggie quesadilla at Fernando's never disappoints...never. It is also affordable which is even better! read more

First time we have eaten here. Pros: fresh food...we had the chicken and steak tacos and they were very good. Cons Ordered the chips and guacamole...the guacamole is a stand out but the chips are really boring and didn't taste all that fresh. $4.50 is a bit expensive for what other Mexican restaurants include in the meal. When you start paying alacarte for every thing, it really gets pricey fast. In a casual place like this, I would like to see a combo meal with beans/rice or other options for a set price. The girls behind the counter could use some tips on friendliness. read more

This is my go to for an amazing burrito! Fernando and his family are very welcoming and take time into preparing your meal. The first time i went in i was so unsure of what to get and he [Fernando] made me a burrito and he asked my name and remembered me and my order! I highly recommend. The only issue is that parking is limited. read more

Great fresh food combined with excellent, friendly service. It's great to have an owner that is on the scene and interacting directly with customers. The salsa verde has a perfect amount of heat, the fresh guacamole rivals any other in the area, and the fresh crushed garlic is a great optional topping that is not offered at other spots. Be sure to check on the lunch specials too. I am delighted to have Fernando's in the neighborhood and will be making it a regular stop. read more

This place has great service but that's about all. The food seems very bland and doesn't offer anything like the other burrito shops around town. It's next to campus so if you find yourself eating there and wondering how it's ranked so highly on yelp. Just look at their hours of operation and what market they are trying to appeal too. read more

I saw all the good reviews I had to try it out while visiting. It is real authentic delicious Mexican food! I had a steak burrito. And the steak was so fresh and perfectly seasoned. Also the employees are so friendly! Honestly best steak burrito I've ever had. I will be back! read more

If possible, I would give the food 4 stars and the service more than 5 stars. The two employees working when I visited were very kind and personable. I immediately knew this is a place I would be returning to give business to whether I liked the food or not. The food was good but not outstanding. I got the chicken quesadilla and it didn't stand out (either positively or negatively) from somewhere like Q'doba or Chipotle. With that said, this is a local business run by some great people, so if you're going to get some mexican food, come here instead. The burritos and nachos looked delicious. I will certainly be going back to try. (edit: I have since been back numerous times and have found the burritos to be delicious). Finally, I'm not sure why some people are complaining about the prices--they are akin to every similar place in the area. Plan to spend $5-$8 for your quesadilla, burrito, or whatever you decide to get. If you think a $7 burrito is pricey, then I'm not sure what to tell you. Go to Taco Bell? read more

The food was delicious! They have many vegetarian options. I had a grilled veggie burrito as well as chips and guacamole. It was so good and filling. The staff is very friendly as well. I'll be back! read more

More people need to get to this place. It is run by a guy who warmly greets every single person that comes in. He chats you up in a way that doesn't feel forced or fake. He's just a great guy and wants you to have the best possible experience in his restaurant. Their menu is pretty straightforward, and I'm always going to go for the burrito. What sets Fernando's apart is that after they make your burrito, they put it on the grill and get it nice and toasted. Such a simple idea that it's a wonder more places don't do that. Everything is at a good price and you will never feel ripped off at Fernando's. Let's make sure this place keeps going for a long time. read more

So I've eaten at Pancheros, Chipotle, Fighting burrito, and Bandit Burrito and I have got to say nothing beats Fernandos burritos, not even close!! The meat is so fresh and so are the toppings. The part that tops everything off is when they put your burrito on the grill and make that cylinder of joy into perfection. read more

Very good food. Modeled similar to Moe's, but quality of food is superior. Very fast and affordable. The fresh tortillas and incredibly fast service made it perfect for what I needed at the time. read more

Best burritos, ingredients and staff! Can't explain in words how much I love this place!

Fresh, tasty, and at a good price. This instantly became one of my favorite mexican restaurants in Des Moines. The staff is friendly and the food is great. read more

It's okay. The prices are decent and there are 5 different heats of salsa. Not a bad place for an out of towner passing through.

Best Mexican food in Iowa. We're from San Diego and loved this place. Must try it out.

This place has the best Mexican food I have had in Des Moines! It was so fresh. The food was second to none! I cannot believe I lived here for a year without trying it! Will definitely be going back for more. read more

Since I moved to Iowa I haven't been impressed with the Mexican food. Don't get me wrong there are good places, but not much that tasted truly authentic. That being said, this was place was awesome! As the owner was making our tacos he asked if it was our first time there. After we said yes, he gave us a rundown of the quality of his food. His steak was 5 star quality. The chicken and pork were juicy and nothing is processed. They cut their own meat in house, the cheese is real block cheese, the beans are made fresh from dry beans, same with the rice. He doesn't skimp on toppings either and the multiple hot sauces were amazing and he walks you through it and the taste. You can tell the owner really cares about the product he is serving and wants you to love it as much as he does. I can't leave out the fresh tortillas that and homemade chips. With our tacos we split guacamole and queso. Both were out of this world. The guacamole had the perfect amount of kick that makes you think it is spicier than it really is. We also tried a side of rice because not all Mexican rice should be treated equal. They again had top notch if you enjoy those sides. The food is amazing and the best tacos I have had in Des Moines yet. I had steak and pork and I usually always get chicken, but any way you go you wont regret it. My wife had the blackened fish tacos and will probably never try anything else because they were so good. We will be back often and I can't wait to try the burritos. Bottom line, great food, clean, friendly, affordable! read more

As a student at Drake University, I was pleased to learn of a new Mexican restaurant opening across the street from my apartment. However, as a skeptic of most quick serve Mexican joints in the tradition of Chipotle, Qdoba, Panchero's, etc., I was worried Fernando's might be more of the same. I was wrong. All of the ingredients are consistently fresh and filled with more flavor than you'll find at any of the other places mentioned. The sauces are another standout at Fernando's (I recommend trying the hottest one if you like to sweat). Overall, it's Fernando's attention to detail that makes it great - whether it's the fresh pressed and grilled tortillas, the homemade sauces, the authentic toppings (cilantro and onion is a standout), or the last minute grill of your burrito to melt the cheese and cement the tortilla. I'm thrilled to have another great restaurant in the Drake neighborhood. read more

I work a few blocks from Fernando's and it's immediately become a favorite lunch spot. The burritos are huge and amazing. I particularly enjoy the fresh-made tortillas, and guacamole at no extra charge. In terms of the service, it has improved quite a bit since they opened (only a month ago)... they were fairly slow at first but they are learning to get people through much more quickly. I love this place and hope they are in business for 100 years. read more

As a fan of Chipotle-style casual dining, I've sampled the fare from various similar restaurants. Each has its own set of charms and shortcomings, and all charge approximately $7 for a burrito that is a meal unto itself, at roughly a pound and a half of food. For my money, though, Fernando's has some real advantages over their competitors. For one, their handmade tortillas are grilled after they're pressed, and grilled again after being loaded. It makes for a tortilla that is more flavorful than one which is only steamed; more delicate as well, less chewy. I chose the barbacoa; slow cooked shredded beef which was bursting with flavor. My dining partner ordered a taco salad and allowed me to sample her dish; I found it fresh and flavorful, and would order it myself if I wasn't craving burritos. When that craving hits, you'd better have your options laid out. Drink options are fairly straightforward, with upscale bottled teas, Jarritos, and a fountain. No fresh-brewed iced tea, but they have unsweetened Fuze on tap, and that fit the bill for me just fine. The setting is very cozy, clean and brightly lit, with few tables, so you might want to take out on crowded days. And as Fernando's is close to Drake University, they attract a lot of hungry college students. Dining atmosphere is comparable to a small Subway. I think if I could think of any cons to the whole experience, it would be that food preparation takes somewhat longer than what I'm accustomed to at a burrito bar- the extra grilling adds time, but I feel it's well worth it. And it's also a heavy meal, so bear that in mind. Parking is mostly in the street, though there is a small lot around back. I did get to meet the proprietor on my visit, and he seemed very pleasant and eager to please. I definitely have a new place to go, when the burrito cravings strike. read more

Clean, friendly, lots of choices and did I mention delicious food! Oh and Fast and easy! You walk in the door and immediately are hit by the most wonderful aroma of fresh food being cooked with love! read more

Amazing! Amazing! Amazing! Their food is delicious and their customer service is awesome. All their food in homemade and authentic. You definitely won't regret trying it I promise and it might even become your favorite Mexican restaurant. read more

The most delicious chicken burrito I've ever had. They make the tortilla fresh! And the people behind the counter were very efficient and courteous. read more

Fernando's is awesome. Authentic Mexican cuisine. Chef Fernando captures complex and fresh flavors.

Just ate there for the first time and LOVED it!! I will be back over and over!! The meats were tender and juicy and perfectly seasoned -- the tacos and tortillas were cooked fresh before our eyes -- and that was some of the best guacamole I've ever had. The sauce they offer you on the side with the barbacoa will blow your doors off (my dining partner ate it, and I took a little taste -- delicious but super hot!), but if you want mild (like I did) they satisfy completely -- nothing is bland, instead it's flavorful and still mild. Seriously, this is some of the best Mexican food I've had. The only thing I'd suggest to them is that the rice could be a little drier, but it was delicious anyway. Eat here!! read more

Unwrap the glory- the barbacoa burrito will send you on a journey to flavor world. After experiencing this I don't know if I'll be able to eat anything else ever again. A confounding array of homemade items await you. Guacamole that makes you drop what you're doing and start assigning high five partners. Delicious, authentic salsas tempt your normal burrito routine. Be warned, chain burrito joints, Fernando's has thrown down the gauntlet and it is a velvety explosion of delight. read more

Stopped in at Fernando's passing through Des Moines. Great hospitality and food was outstanding. Highly reccomend this place. Will definitely return. read more

So today unfortunately for me I ordered a taco salad by phone at Fernando's Mexican Grill ....Fernando the actual ower of the establishment took my order .....after repeating what I wanted for my order 3 times. ...I asked how long it would take I was told 3 minutes.....I arrived in 7 minutes.....I came in the store....and my order was on the counter.....the young lady asked me my name I told her and she began to ring up my order....she asked me if I would like to see it....SOOOOO GLAD I said YES......it was TERRIBLE....it looked like a hodgepodge of leftovers mixed together...seriously like what you would put in your pet dogs food dish...my disappointment was immediate and I asked the young lady what happened....before she could answer Fernando came to the register and asked me what's wrong .....I told him it looked awful and I had never had a taco saladthat looked like that from his store...he said "oh I put the toppings on the bottom and the meat on the top ...that's why it looks that way" I said oh it never looked like this since I've been coming here.(for about 2 months and the taco salads prepared by the ladies that worked there were beautiful and put together correctly)....I said I dont want that ....he replied you don't want that ...then ok have a nice day ...and refused to serve me another one done correctly.....saying he's not going to waste it....sad that he would not accommodate paying customer....and as a courtesy for HIS mistake....make a fresh one the RIGHT way.....for which I was still willing to pay.... read more

I signed up for Yelp specifically so I could recommend this place. Tortillas made on the spot, meat that's been marinated for 24 hours and so tender it falls to pieces, fresh toppings and guacamole and friendly people working there. I had the barbacoa tacos and got the sauce they offer on the side--lots of cumin and some powerful spiciness. My wife got a chicken burrito--I've never had chicken in a burrito that was that tender. Go. Go now. read more

My sister and I planned to have dinner at a Mexican restaurant on University, but turns out it's closed on Tuesdays. I noticed that another Mexican restaurant, Fernando's Mexican Grill, had just opened about a mile west on University, in the heart of Drake's Dog Town (do they still call it that?), so we went there instead. It was terrific! Fernando Gonzalez is the chef. The menu is simple -- tacos, quesadillas, and burritos wrapped in homemade tortillas, tortas on homemade bread, hand crafted chile rellenos, and salads for folks worried about their caloric intake . The pico de gallo was as fresh as it gets and his "special hot sauce" for tacos was excellent. The rice was perfectly cooked, the black and refried beans were full of flavor, the meats were well seasoned -- everything was wonderful. The owner, Khaled Abdalla, is clearly a pro. He offers authenticity, fresh ingredients, and friendly, fast service in a clean, attractive setting. You can't ask for more than that -- except maybe flan for dessert. read more

I'll start off by saying that the service was just terrible, which put me in a bad mood, but the mood is their fault because it should not take 20 minutes to order at a fast food place when there are only three people in front of you in line. The kids making the food clearly didn't know what they were doing and were doling out the portions with something about the size of a thimble, all the while being watched by who I assume was the boss. The nachos were deeply disappointing, with only a tiny bit of grainy queso and sparse toppings (and at least half the barbacoa was inedible fat) and the burrito that my wife got wasn't much better, although she did like that it was grilled after being wrapped. I will say their salsas were pretty good, and the hot salsa WAS mouth-blisteringly hot, which was a positive in my book as it gave the food some flavor. To top it all off, we were then overcharged, because apparently asking for queso on your nachos costs extra, which makes no sense at all. The portions are tiny (and make you feel like you're being nickled and dimed as a result) and it's too slow to enjoy. Disappointing experience overall and I doubt I'll go back anytime soon. read more