Second time with different food for me and the same for my husband. I had a chicken tamale, adobo quessataco and a shrimp ceviche tostada. Adobo pork was great! Lives the quesataco! Shrimp ceviche had a lot of celery... a LOT! The tamale was good and was surprised that it didn't have sauce but it didn't need it. The masa was very moist with a good balance of chicken/masa. That orange sauce is HOT and I never think something is that hot. Wow! read more

La Baja Cocina Mexicana - Quesatacos Ceviche tostada - Mexican Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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DELICIOUS - our friends from Arizona informed us this was the closest food to authentic Mexican they've found in Iowa. I am SO impressed. The atmosphere was divine, with great music and bright decor. The food was delicious and we didn't have to wait long to receive our order!!! The only qualm was simply service, we never were checked in on and there was maybe 2 other tables at the time. Was just a long wait to see seen in between and when asking to fix our food that came out wrong, or for a glass of water...it was many reminders.. I never received my water. read more

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asked about my torta sandwich after an hour, one server just said "yeah." And simple walked away. Disappointed in the staff and that what I got was a soggy torta. Michelada was the only thing saving this. read more

I didn't think 5 tacos and a simple torta would take over an hour to get. Couldn't enjoy my drink with it. Group of 8 workers sat down got their drinks and food before us. Terrible service read more

Stopped by Saturday afternoon, service was excellent & food came out fast. Would highly recommend the cheese empanadas as an appetizer. The shrimp and steak fajitas were really good & barbacoa quesadilla had a great taste to it. Don't forget to order a Michelada read more

La Baja Cocina Mexicana - Barbacoa Quesadilla - Mexican Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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Menudo was great. I enjoyed the service and this gem had a great atmosphere. I look forward to trying other items on the menu on my next visit. read more

La Baja Cocina Mexicana - Menudo - Mexican Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

The service is always great here- very friendly and quick, and the food is always on point! I have never had a bad meal over the various times I have visited and the different options I have tried. They have some of THE BEST tacos in the DSM metro. My first time ever trying a tamale and it was exceptional. I've heard tamales can tend to be dry, so that's what I was expecting- but these were bursting with a very flavorful salsa or broth and tasted wonderful! Can't wait to have them again. read more

La Baja Cocina Mexicana - Tamal de Pollo and Shrimp Taco - Mexican Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Wow this is by far the best authentic Mexican restaurant I've been to since I moved here 3 years ago. This is my first time here and it was well worth the 30 minute drive. I can't wait to come back and try something different on the menu. If you're ever craving some good food . You need to stop by . read more

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I have one word to describe their food: average. It wasn't bad but it wasn't great, either. I have had much better Mexican food elsewhere. I was excited about trying this place because the photos looked good and the reviews were positive, but I felt let down. I wanted to be wowed and impressed, but my husband and I both thought the food was nothing special. I got three tacos: beef, chicken and steak. They tasted ok, but again, they didn't wow me. I was hoping for flavors and spices that would excite me. It didn't taste authentic to me. My husband got the Baja Combo and the portions were pretty small. It came with an empanada, burrito and tamale and everything looked miniature. He thought his entree tasted pretty average, too. The salsa that came with the chips was pretty bland and didn't have a lot of flavor. Neither did the red and green sauces that they gave us in squeeze bottles. When we walked in no one greeted us or told us to seat ourselves. We weren't sure what we were supposed to do. After a little while, someone told us to sit anywhere. I wish they had been a little more welcoming. I will say the place looks really nice inside. The cut-paper banners hanging from the ceiling are bright and festive. The place has a fun and hip vibe. I just wish the food hadn't been so lackluster. read more

La Baja Cocina Mexicana - a plate of food - Mexican Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

I have been here around ten times now and every single time is great. I love their burritos and fajitas and haven't had something I don't like. Multiple hot sauce options. The restaurant is a good size for what it is and has a great bar too. Reggaeton playing over the speakers brings it all together for me. I didn't have time to take a better pic was too hungry read more

La Baja Cocina Mexicana - Fajitas la baja - Mexican Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

It was a 55 degree day at end of March so we rode our bikes. 5PM on a Saturday. Place is about 2/3 Full. It is not very big. Very festive decor. I was not in the mood for a beer so I had a most excellent pina colada. My wife had a chicken burrito. She liked it and said it was not heavy. I had a couple bites and would rate it a B. I had the Vampiro Taco which I would consider more of a Tostada. It was very good with a pico topping that had lots of flavors. I also had rice and beans. They were very very good. It seems strange to rave about rice and beans but they complimented the Taco perfectly. My wife also ordered a side of Guacamole and that was very fresh like they just made it. She said it was not overly salty which can be an issue for her. Great Service as well. We will be back!!!!! read more

I order door dash from the Baja on my lunch break!! Always amazing , never disappoints and food is amazing 10/10 recommend

Best shrimp and fish tacos I've had. Shrimp quesotaco being my favorite, the Baja fish taco and Baja shrimp taco are also so so good.

We had a catered lunch with LaBaja. It was FABULOUS! They were on time, food was hot and wrapped very securely. We had left overs. A couple of employees told me it tasted like their moms tamales. Our order was charro beans (the best I've tasted), rice, tamales and salsas. Teñíamos un pedido especial de La Baja hoy. Estaba fabuloso! Estaban a tiempo, la comida caliente y bien seguro. 2 empleados dijeron que los tamales savia como de su mamá. Nuestro orden era frijoles charros (lo mejor), arroz, tamales y salsas. read more

Have some lunch with my brother and my son and we were very pleased with the service and the flavors of the food, clean and professional. Music a little loud for my taste but overall good food and service read more

The corn tortillas are house made, thicker than the usual Mexican tortillas and more like Guatemala's Peten style. We had meatless chile rellenos which were very good, mini empanadas that had the most beautiful delicate outside and fish tacos. I knew I was in an authentic Mexican restaurant when they said they didn't have guacamole available. Authentic means they're not gonna have some things on the menu, just like in Mexico. If you want cheese dip or chips and salsa go to a chain Mexican restaurant and if you want family food go to La Baja. I have to go back to try so many things, goat, tongue, maybe even guacamole... read more

This place was super cute & modernized! The food was really good! However, I probably won't go back because they didn't have any queso! And to me tacos and queso are like peanut butter & jelly! And a Mexican place with no queso is like Chinese with no crab Rangoon! Anyway, super cute place! read more

The food here was so delicious. We had margaritas, which were some of the best I have had and I had several types of tacos and they were so fresh and delicious. Not your typical mexican fare. The atmosphere is casual and the music was a little loud for me. read more

Wowwwwww! So fresh, so flavorful. That's all I can say. Everything was delicious! Our new favoriteMexican restaurant.

If the service wasn't bad I would have gave this place 5 stars because the food was good. First we waited 10 minutes to order drinks , then waited 1.5 hour for food!!!! We asked for refills on drinks while we waited so long for the food and didn't receive refills until after we got our food (15 minutes) they didn't come and say anything about why we were waiting so long or even checked on us. When we spoke to someone about what we needed, we didn't receive it until we asked for a second and third time. Not to mention also, it was 70 degrees outside and there was no air on, so it was hot. read more

This is one my favorite places in Des Moines. Very friendly and nice staff, delicious food. We were huge fans of their Birria and I miss their birria pizza. Fantastic guacamole and chile rellenos! read more

Food is SO GOOD. Service was so kind. We showed up in a large group and they moved tables right away to accommodate. Everyone was friendly and the food was very yummy. read more

On a Saturday afternoon they were out of steak so that should have been my sign to leave but the customer service was great so figured I'd give it a shot. Ordered Queso and was in shock that I got served nacho cheese that was most likely out of a "box". Didn't taste bad but never been served nacho cheese instead of queso dip. Not an expert on Chilaquiles but the sauce was not very good in taste so only ate the 2 eggs and the beans and rice I fed to my 2yr old. Great service but very disappointed with the food taste. read more

La Baja Cocina Mexicana - Queso dip - Mexican Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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Let me start off by saying that the food was good. It definitely shows that whomever makes the food puts a lot of work into it with everything made by hand. The place is nice and cute. The service is not great. We were the only customers for most of our time there. We ordered our drinks and got them 10-15mins later. Had to remind the server about our drinks and he seemed more interested and concentrated on his phone. Food finally came out and it looked great, I ordered a quesadilla and it came 10-15mins after everyone else was served. Friends were done with their meal by the time I got mine. Had to ask for refills on drinks because the server was on his phone either by the kitchen or behind the bar. Finally asked for the check and we asked for one box. Waited again for the check (with no one else on the restaurant). We paid left a tip and still no box to go. Waiter was by the kitchen door on his phone and we tried to get his attention, finally did and asked again for a box and he said oh yeah sorry I forgot....? Great food, small but cute place, needs to train staff better or get better staff. read more

Thought I would try this new place that is close to B&B market. If you like Birria tacos with consommé, it is worth the drive. Most items on the menu are in Spanish so it led to some confusion. The special of the house Birria grande for $12 was also a soup even though one listed beside it said consommé. All in all it was tasty. read more

La Baja Cocina Mexicana - Menu - Mexican Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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Found on a long bike ride. Vampiro tacos were delicious- fresh, crunchy, lots of layers of flavor. Great service on outdoor patio & good prices. Felt & tasted very Baja-authentic. We'll be back. read more

jesus mom is so attractive great service did i mention she's a baddie so fine mommy material read more

La Baja Cocina Mexicana - jesus - Mexican Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

All my food was cold , they tried to give me juice instead of my alcoholic drink. when I complained about my food I seen them go back to the kitchen and yell with hand jesters. this is not OK for a business. I was very sad because I really wanted this food to be good and I heard many good things about it I guess they were lying. read more

Visited La Baja Cocina Mexicana over the weekend. Service was friendly and attentive. As a San Diego native, I'm always searching for authentic Mexican cuisine. We started with cheese empanadas which were so light and fluffy. Delicious! The homemade salsas offered various levels of heat. This is not your usual Americanized Mexican food. The meal reminded me of trips to Mexico. They serve goat, lamb, beef and chicken. The corn tortillas are homemade. Really enjoyed and will be back! read more