Well, this place is slightly better than Los Altos, the last restaurant to inhabit the building. I've been told it's an entirely new business and not affiliated with the old restaurant Los Altos. The owner of this business was one of the cooks at La Fuente. There are lunch specials that are cheap and fair. They have large CYRIDE ads, but still have the Los Altos art on the walls. The servers are kind, but aren't strong English speakers so be patient if you go. I had lunch special nachos and it was a large portion, but it could've been better seasoned. It's fair for a quick and cheap lunch. read more

La Fiesta Bar & Grill - lunch special nachos - Mexican Near Me - Ames, Iowa

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Under a new name, not sure if management is the same. No alcohol allowed yet but the food was pretty decent. Waitress came over once to check on us, they were not busy. Will check them out again in a few weeks to see how it's going. read more

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This review is long over due. La Fiesta in the "Northern Lights" area of north Ames is a great, local Mexican restaurant that is bold on flavors and mild on price. I've enjoyed numerous meals at La Fiesta and have failed to leave anything less than completely full and satisfied. Right after sitting down at La Fiesta, you are greeted with complimentary chips and salsa. The corn chips are just alright by themselves, but the flavor really pops when you team them with the fresh salsa. If you're lucky at lunch, sometimes the wait staff will also bring out a special bean dip and a more spicy version of their salsa. I'm a spice fiend so I lap the hot salsa up. More recently, I've been going to La Fiesta during the lunch hour. They run different specials every day that make prices super affordable, despite the generous portions. My normal go to is the "lunch" fajitas with steak ($8.99 and $6.99 on Monday's). These come out "sizzling" hot and include the protein and the delicious veggies. In addition, you receive warm tortillas, refried beans and rice. All of which taste delicious and fresh. Today, I switched it up and ordered the "lunch" burrito verquero ($7.99 and $5.99 on Wednesday's). It was amazing! The distribution of steak, rice and guacamole inside the burrito hit all the right notes. The burrito was smothered in queso that perfectly married all the flavors. The queso was so delicious I used the remaining chips to scrap up every last drop. The service at La Fiesta is friendly and efficient. If you go for lunch, you can easily enjoy your meal in 30 minutes or less. Overall, I'd rate La Fiesta 5 out of 5 stars. It's unassuming, laid back atmosphere is appreciated. And you don't have to mingle with a certain "northside" crowd that frequents a different Mexican restaurant on the north side of town. If you want bold Mexican flavors at a reasonable price, La Fiesta is the place for you. read more

La Fiesta Bar & Grill - Lunch burrito vaquero - Mexican Near Me - Ames, Iowa

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The staff are friendly and seem accepting. I didn't get a chance to check out the restroom situation here. I will update after a future visit. As noted by previous reviewers this place switched names. It looks mostly the same on the inside (tables converted to booths in middle, cool!) and at least several of the servers (if not the entire staff?) have remained. I always thought the old place was the best mexican in Ames. It seems to me nothing has changed. They have a handful of vegetarian options. Most of them though are pretty similar, or so it seems...,e.g., garden quesadilla has the exact same ingredients as vegetable fajitas. I ordered the garden quesadilla and a cherry coke. My lunch was very good and I would absolutely get it again. Tortilla was crispy, veggies were cooked but not overdone, not too much cheese. I will return someday and try the veg fajitas as they used to make the best in town. You know how everyone loves the complementary chips and salsa at mexican restaurants? I didn't really like the chips. They seemed a bit stale. That was, however, the only downside to this establishment. I truly hope people give this restaurant a chance, but ive always been in the minority of not going gaga over what seems to be most peoples choice for best (errr.. Most popular isnt best) mexican in town.(u all know who im talking about). Note: i really wished mexican restaurants would differentiate themselves from each other. It is an awesomely wonderful and diverse cuisine and culture, but standard mexican restaurants seem fearful of going to their cultural-culinary roots. This applies to all mexican restaurants in the area, i am not picking on this place. read more

La Fiesta Bar & Grill - Garden Quesadilla: cauliflower, broccoli, onions, peppers, tomatoes(?), cheese, served with rice, lettuce, sour cream and tomatoes - Mexican Near Me - Ames, Iowa

NAME CHANGE. Los Altos is now La Fiesta. New menu, same good food and beer on tap. No idea why it's name changed. I would recommend lLos Fiesta read more

La Fiesta Bar & Grill - Mexican Near Me - Ames, Iowa

Good food and service. Didn't have to wait long for our group of 8 to be seated. Will go again soon.

Stopped in over graduation weekend. Had dinner at the bar and they were busy. Good margs. Good food. They handled a busy weekend well. I recommend. read more

Pros: -Friendly staff -Interesting music mix Cons: -Tacos Al Pastor were meh - quality of meat not great. Hit a piece of gristle that put me off them. -We got Margaritas and asked for salted rims. The drinks came out in beer mugs with nothing on the rim. The peach margarita I got was 99% sugar and 1% peach. -Music is ran from someone's phone. We heard a notification. Lol. This place needs to change for the better, otherwise I can't imagine it being here in 6 months time. read more

First time in this place. Food was great .. service was great ... speed in getting the order was great... it was all great... I had the fajita chimmichonga and I have no complaints. read more

La Fiesta Bar & Grill - Fajita Chimichonga - Mexican Near Me - Ames, Iowa

New name, similar menu, same mediocre food. Refried beans are my benchmark for Mexican restaurants. These tasted weird on their own, and just ok with a chip. Cheese sauce was good but salty. Staff was friendly and attentive. I'll go back cuz 1 of my kids loves this place. Meh. read more

Nice portions, friendly staff, lots of choices. Been there a few times & always enjoyed my selections. We'll make it a steady go to.

I went with the Tacos Al Pastor. Pork.. decent flavor. Meat was cubed. I expected shredded but it still works..ordered mine with shredded cheese and sour cream. As a side I got some cheese dip. It was good and thicker like I like it. Some stays on the chip which is way better than runny dip. Chips were nothing fancy and didn't stand out. Worked for getting the cheese dip into my belly. Lol. I got my tacos on soft corn tortillas. Only had one. Used to a couple soft corn tortillas per taco. Shell has a tendency to tear easy and the 2nd tortilla helps hold it together. Refried beans I got were good. But very little cheese on top. Lunch time so I just had a soda..so no margaritas to rate. Decent meal just doesn't stand out. read more

Chips and guacamole yes please! Chips and queso yes please! Margarita why not! Inexpensive Mexican with great service. Family friendly eating area or just a bar side to enjoy drinks! I love their vegetarian options. I also know its quick service and hot food read more

Terrible service. Red wine was cold from refrigerator. Dish which listed no mushrooms was full of them and not the other vegetables listed. Will never go back. Management didn't care. read more

I don't usually leave reviews but considering the food I just ate I am more than willing to! I ordered Taquitos Mexicanos(w/steak) and a Chimi Cheese Cake for dessert and both were very tasty! I highly recommend La Fiesta! read more