Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Red Iguana

    4.4 (5.4k reviews)
    ModerateMexican
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Red Iguana Photos

    Business Info

    RED IGUANA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Red Iguana

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Mole pistachio
    Danica C.

    I had heard a lot about this spot before we checked it out. This place is always packed lol We waited 40 mins for our table. The vibe of the place was very unique and fun! Every corner had something interesting to look at. Paintings, posters, stain glass lights, and more! The food was fresh and true to its description. I tried the days special Pistachio mole. It was wonderful! The chicken was slightly overcooked however it was forgivable. I did ask for hot sauce on the side but it was not spicy at all. If you are into non spicy aromatic foods, this is the go to spot.

    Chili con queso
    Cawnii P.

    Very disappointed on second meal at this restaurant. Brenda our server was terrific but food not so much. My husband had tostadas, chili con queso he enjoyed both!! I had tacos à la Iguana and did not like them at all and strawberry lemonade. I also ordered my favorite dessert in the world fried ice cream and I was so disappointed.... It looked like an ice cream burrito and it came with a knife. All the correct ingredients but to hard to eat,.....I wasn't appealing. First time I have ever had to wait outside a restaurant and be escorted in

    Can't miss the giant Red Iguana in the parking lot.
    Walter R.

    Old school, almost "dive bar" atmosphere. I am told there is always a wait to get in, so I will try to make reservations next time. The food was worth the wait. We had a fairly large group and nearly everyone loved their food. (One person was underwhelmed by the fish tacos, but I think that's because it was swordfish, and that's maybe a little unexpected in a fish taco. ) The mole sauces, I believe, are their specialty, and there are a number of choices, and all the ones we tried were very good. I will definitely keep them on my "to do" list next time I visit Salt Lake.

    Alina S.

    I honestly thought Red Iguana was overrated but I did give it a shot and honestly it's one of the best Mexican restaurants in Salt Lake. Highly recommend and will be back.

    Red Iguana Combo Plates
    Anikan J.

    The food was great and had good flavor. We were seated right away. Our waiter was very good and was very attentive to us 10 out of 10 would recommend going here and eating if you're looking for some good Mexican food and it was a very nice ambience in the restaurant.

    Enchiladas suizas
    Vicki S.

    Get here early because this place has a waiting line on the weekends. We got there at 5 on a Friday and got seated immediately. The place gave off a family friendly casual vibe. The waiter was pleasant and took our orders. Before we could hardly finish our chips and salsa the food was being placed in front of us. I had the Enchiladas Suizas and it was very good. Different from the typical chicken enchiladas I get most places. The sauce is a bit sweet. I liked it. The portion was generous (2 large enchiladas) rice and beans. I left stuffed and smiling. Overall, I liked this place and would eat here again.

    Puntas De Filete with 1/2 almond and 1/2 negro mole
    Nathan M.

    Still one of top 5 places to eat in the entire US...that I have visited to this point of course! This time I tried the Gringas, I mean the spice of the protein with the sweetness of the pineapple all wrapped up so snuggly and ready to pick up and eat...AMAZING! Still and will always be a go to for me when in SLC!

    mare r.

    Our first time in Salt Lake and we stopped by this place based on a recommendation from a friend. It did not disappoint! It was packed with people and a big wait to be seated which to us is a very good sign of a good restaurant. We loved everything we ordered! We are from SoCal so we're a little wary about trying o it Mexican food in Utah but it totally hit the spot! Would return!

    Chicken Fajitas
    Natalie W.

    From the time we sat down, the vibes were amazing. The chips & salsa were delicious and are unlimited. I ordered the chicken fajitas and the portion size is amazing. I love how they were big strips of chicken breast and the marinade was delicious. The rice had good flavor as well. My only complaint is that the flour tortillas are very large in size. My friend ordered the cheese quesadilla and liked it and her bf got the cheese enchilada with red sauce.

    Jolie F.

    We have been going to the Red Iguana for years, then all sudden popularity grew as a little known show Dinners Drives and Dives showed up and pit this restaurant on the map. Now more than the locals know about this place. Also due to popularity the restaurant now has multiple locations. Unfortunately with popularity and growth, I feel the quality of their food has gone down hill. We ordered their guacamole and felt that it was just ok: we felt there was some fillers in it as it didn't have pure avocado taste plus lacked flavor. The mole is good as ever, but the amount of protein served with mole has dwindled. We had so much mole, that we needed more meat to accompany it. Given the restaurant was busy on a Thursday, we felt that lacked enough service. We had to wait so long that I didn't get dessert. As for Ambiance, the decor consists of bright colors, posters that have been on the wall for a while and tight tables. This is not a place that you come for a quiet romantic dinner.

    Mole sampler plate
    Edward B.

    My girlfriend and I decided to visit Salt Lake City for a few days and came across this gem! We did our research before coming here so we knew a bit about the restaurant already. First off the food was wow! Absolutely delicious! This restaurant is known for their mole so coming here you have to try their famous mole dishes or else you would be doing yourself a disservice. Our waiter was so welcoming, attentive and friendly and even brought us over a sampler plate of their different mole for us to try before ordering! The restaurant outside may look small but once inside it is plenty spacious! Even with a full house it was not loud at all inside. Highly recommend this restaurant for anyone in the area!

    Non descript entrance
    Veronica G.

    Well, this is a little gem of a restaurant in Salt Lake City. I never would have come here without my friend's recommendation. The yellow and red building adds to the authenticity of this lovely Mexican restaurant. I tried the Mole Negro, which is the highly recommended item. It was fantastic. The serving was extremely generous, and I had leftovers twice! Our server was so kind and friendly. There's a parking lot adjacent to the restaurant. Great place!

    Meal description
    Catherine O.

    This place was recommended... you pull up and it looks like a hole in the wall type place, which bodes well! The menu is vast! Lots of options, so I'd think anyone could find something they like!! Chips and salsa are provided! Salsa had a nice flavor and kick!! Wasn't sure what I wanted so I just took a gander at one of the favorited items! I got Puntas de Filete à la Nortena. Boy did it hit the spot! The flavors are incredible! It's spicy, but so enjoyable. I'm not sure how you eat it, but I put it in the corn tortillas with refried beans. I would eat this dish again and again! Service was quick and friendly! Oh and the margarita, while small, was tasty! Not question if there was alcohol in it. Def a good compliment to the meal.

    Red Iguana Traditional Enchiladas

    See all

    20 days ago

    One of the best Mexican restaurants ive ever been to. Chips and ice water already waiting for us at the table. What a fantastic experience!!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Really Good Food , great quality cooking . It's a good place to take your date to . Waiters are friendly and quick .

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    16 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Doris D.
    252
    1314
    1161

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jolie F.
    255
    1018
    8076

    7 months ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 1

    20 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 75
    Thanks 20
    Love this 75
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 12
    Thanks 4
    Love this 10
    Oh no 2

    2 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    5 days ago

    When you have the best Mexican food in a town that is replete with very good Mexican, well, that is saying something

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 136

    Red Iguana Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Red Iguana

    Red Iguana 2 is a block away. What's the difference between them besides their address?

    Red Iguana OG is the Original restaurant started by The Cardenas family. The Red Iguana 2 is a newer location that is larger, has a patio, counter seating, and a bar. Same family owners, same great food. Maybe they couldn't bring themselves to close… 

    Coming here for the first time. What dishes do you recommend?

    Mole. There 6 flavors I believe. They are made from traditional Oaxacan family recipes

    Can you make reservations?

    If you go to there website there is a link where you have reservations. Hope that helps! https://www.rediguana.com

    Can you please confirm if the following items are vegetarian? No lard, chicken stock etc... Beans…

    Thank you for the inquiry. We do not use lard in our kitchens at all. All the items you list are vegetarian.

    Do you offer smaller portion sizes for kids?

    Yes we have a kid's menu. See at our website www.rediguana.com.

    Is there a risk of cross contamination with nuts? I have a severe nut allergy.

    Since they make diferent moles that use nuts, I'd err on yes.

    Are the beans vegetarian?

    Yes. They are actually vegan. Thank you for asking.

    Are you able to accommodate someone with Celtic disease who must eat absolutely gluten free with no cross contamination?

    We have gluten free dishes on our menu that are clearly marked, we have had many customers need a gluten-free meal and have eaten with us without consequences for yesrs, but when you say that you must eat absolutely gluten free with no cross… 

    Do you serve halal meat?

    No, Mohammed, unfortunately, we do not. Thank you for asking.

    Does this establishment offer Gluten-free and Dairy-Free options?

    It has quite a lot of gluten free options. There are dairy free options and the dishes that include dairy(mostly cheese) you could ask for it to not be added.

    Is there dairy in the mole sauces?

    I don't think so! I would call them.

    Is this restaurant comfortable to eat alone?

    Yes, it is. They have a counter with stools. The staff takes real good care of you since they all walk right by behind the counter. Good team.

    Are there gluten free options?

    Yes, I'm gluten-sensitive, and I was able to find several items on the menu that I could eat.

    Hi. Does the Red Iguana have homemade tamales? If so any particular day(s)?

    Yes they do !!! So good!!!

    Your food looks like authentic Mexican food, congrats! Do you have Chiles en Nogada?

    Thank you Guillermo. Yes we do. We are serving Chile Relleno en Nogada as a daily special at both full service restaurants through the end of September.

    Do you offer Keto friendly meals?

    We do not have Keto designated nor designed items on our menu. However, we do have several items that can be modified to fit the Keto requirements by modifying your order with the server. We do have dinner salads topped with roasted chicken or steak… 

    Are there Vegetarian options?

    Yes there are. They are marked on the menus at all 3 restaurants. You can also go to our website at www.rediguana.com and look at the menus there. Thank you for the question

    Are the taco shells fried in house or store bought?

    The Red Iguana Restaurants prepare the tortillas for our tacos fresh to order in the restaurants. They are not pre-formed “taco shells”. All the tortillas that are used in our cooking are made exclusively for us, to our propriatary specifications,… 

    Do you serve Cabernet wine?

    Thank you for asking Tricia, we offer 2 Red wines:a Colores Del Sol Malbec and a Solar De Randez rich tasting Spanish Rioja from 15 year old vines.

    View All 21 Questions

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Mexican 14,597 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Muertos Cantina

    Muertos Cantina

    4.3
    (314 reviews)
    4.5 mi
    $$

    Absolutely delicious!…read more I got a BOGO free burrito coupon from their FB feed, so why not? So glad I did! I had the spicy green chili burrito--delicious! Smothered inside and out with their very fine green chili. The tortillas seem homemade, it was fresh and good. My wife had the carne asada burrito. I got a bite of it and the beef is delicious! Such good flavors. I also had the pinto beans and rice, both are very good. The horchata, made with almond milk, was creamy and just the right amount of cinnamon and sweet. They serve flour and corn tortilla chips with three salsas. The chips were excellent. The flour chips are deep fried, really good. The red salsa was the hottest but not bad for heat. The green was good. Now the crema sauce was my favorite, it is really excellent. Nice restaurant, comfortable chairs, nice decor that goes along with their theme. Looks like a comfortable bar. Service was friendly and accommodating. I would like to eat here again and take advantage of the FB coupon for their tacos. Highly recommended! 5* = A top favorite. Mind-blowing good. I will definitely return and I will go out of my way to go here. Worth every dime of my money. 4* = Outstanding. Top-tier. Some elements not quite as good as it gets, but it still is worthy of my regular business. 3* = Good experience. I might do repeat business if it is convenient, the only option, the only one in its category, or on a whim, but would not be among the first thing to come to mind. Would definitely recommend you trying it to get your own take on it. 2* = Not so good. Would not recommend at all. Waste of money. 1* = How are they still in business? Stay away at all costs!

    I definitely meant to come back sooner, but ah, life... So glad that my husband and I could return…read moretoday on a date! They've remodeled in the past three years and I really like what they've done! Beautiful decor and it's now a sit down restaurant, which I really like!! Menu is very similar, but expanded! They brought delicious chips and 3 salsas to the table! The crème one was my favorite!! I got a Pacifico to drink and my husband got a Corona nonalcoholic. I went for the Chicken Mole taco with a side of black beans and rice! Absolutely delicious!! My husband got the Bean and Cheese taco and the Impossible meat taco with a side of tots! Service was great! I'm so glad we finally made it back! Really want to come more frequently!! Also heard they have good breakfast tacos in the morning! Will try those next!

    Photos
    Interior design
    Interior design
    Birria Ramen
    Birria Ramen
    Chips and Salsa Trio

    See all

    Chips and Salsa Trio
    Chile-Tepin

    Chile-Tepin

    4.4
    (1.3k reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    Family suggested Chile Tepin when we came in from out of town. We were a large group of 20 and they…read moreaccommodated us perfectly. The service was excellent and everything came out much more quickly than I would have expected for a large group. I had the chile relleno and it was the best I've ever had. Perfectly portioned and delicious. Family had everything from fajitas to quesadillas and everyone was quite happy with their meals. The salsa for the chips had a slight kick to it but not enough to stop you from digging in for more. Great experience and staff.

    This was one of the worst service experiences we've ever had, especially considering this was not…read moreour first time visiting. Unfortunately, our experience with our server, Letty, completely changed our opinion of this restaurant. There were two main issues that made our visit frustrating: 1. We did not receive our drinks until after our food arrived, and we actually had to remind our server that we were still waiting on them. When Letty brought out our food, we politely asked about our two cokes and were told, "Give her more time." We felt we had already been very patient and only asked after our food had arrived. Waiting for drinks while eating a meal was frustrating, especially since the restaurant was not busy and was actually starting to slow down during the last hour we were there (around 8-9 PM). 2. While we were eating, Letty refilled our water and the table next to us, then continued having a long conversation with the neighboring table while standing very close to us. It felt like we were being completely ignored, and the lack of awareness for our personal space made it difficult for my husband especially to comfortably enjoy his meal. We understand that everyone has busy shifts, but the level of attentiveness and service we experienced was disappointing. We left feeling frustrated and unlikely to return after this visit and would NOT recommend this place to anyone.

    Photos
    Hostess area missing the hostess
    Hostess area missing the hostess
    Chile relleno , rice and beans
    Chile relleno , rice and beans
    Guacamole and Paloma

    See all

    Guacamole and Paloma
    El Barril Restaurante

    El Barril Restaurante

    4.1
    (323 reviews)
    5.4 mi
    $$

    While we don not usually dine out in Salt Lake City, opportunity arose today so I searched for a…read moregood place. I was pleasantly surprised by the decor inside, they have spent a great deal for this location. I ordered chips and salsa to start. These were not complimentary but when they arrived the salsa was fresh and unique. I was glad I ordered them. My wife chose the carne asada burrito. She raved about the flavor and could only finish half. I ordered a unique taco which had an authentic name this gringo cannot remember but it was built on a house made corn tortilla about twenty inches long and ten inches wide. Steak, Mexican cream, tomatillo sauce, freshly shredded lettuce and cheese. I've never had anything like it but it is awesome. The service was quick and efficient. Very delightful people. The check had included a 15% Service Charge so I was glad to see the options on the screen to add a tip began at a level that matched up with the service charge at a reasonable level. I only had one complaint, The music was a little loud. The sound system is great and I loved the authentic music but the baseline was pumping loud enough to hurt my ears. I'd recommend adjusting the volume or the mix to make it a little more comfortable. Overall I loved this experience and will definitely want to come again. No pictures, sorry.

    The place is beautiful, but the food was really spicy ( Chile relleno ) and huevos con chorizo not…read moregood , Services was great

    Photos
    Huevos Rancheros
    Huevos Rancheros
    El Barril Restaurante
    Chorizo scramble

    See all

    Chorizo scramble
    El Cholo

    El Cholo

    3.9
    (209 reviews)
    4.1 mi
    $$

    I am a fan of this restaurant and I make no bones about it. We are blessed to have many solid…read moreMexican dining options and El Cholo is old school Los Angeles to me. I feel obligated to let everyone in on a little secret - El Cholo has simplified their menu, lowered prices and if you want a solid meal in a fun setting, grab a seat at the bar. Margaritas are now $7. Yep. $7. Tasty, but even more so for $7. Grab a seat, order a couple of carne asada street tacos and an order of their insanely good chipotle glazed chicken wings (three per order) and a house El Cholo margarita. The tacos and the wings are $5 per order and for less than $20, you have a great deal on some tasty food. Don't worry, they'll bring chips and salsa, too - as is customary and free. Yes, these deals are only for folks at the bar, but it's a nice place to be. In a crowded, competitive dining environment and with costs to run a restaurant rising all the time, it's nice to see El Cholo try to put butts in seats via a decent bargain. It's your fault if you don't take advantage. Did I mention the $7 margarita? See you at the bar, amigos!

    This is a sentimental place for us. Our first date was at El Cholo in another state. We have been…read moreto the relatively new Salt Lake location, and tonight we brought family. The environment is bright, inviting and not too noisy. We booked a table but some of our party was late. No one minded, and several of us enjoyed some fresh guacamole prepared tableside while we waited. Everything we ordered was well made and presented. Portions large enough that leftovers were inevitable. Quedadillas. Chile Colorado, Mole Chicken Enchiladas, and Burritos Dorados, which have Chile Colorado inside. Everyone enjoyed their meal, with one exception that one of us didn't like the Burrito Dorado (someone else enjoyed theirs, just a matter of personal taste). Their entree was replaced with another, with no fuss. I had the mole chicken, the first time I've had it here, as Chile Colorado is my favorite. The mole chicken turned out to be one of those dishes that you take the first bite and you are stunned. You look around to see if anyone is watching your reaction It was truly amazing. Service was very attentive and helpful, not hovering or rushed. They took a family picture for us on our way out. Looking forward to our next visit. Parking can be a challenge. There is a small lot. After 5:30 there is a neighboring office that permits Parking for El Cholo guests.

    Photos
    El Cholo
    Sonora style enchilada
    Sonora style enchilada
    Bar

    See all

    Bar
    Blue Iguana

    Blue Iguana

    3.4
    (668 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    We weren't exactly sure where this was located, but luckily, they have a lot of signs. My husband…read moreand I had walked there from our place, but the friends we met up with said the signs for where to park where helpful too. They will validate parking. As soon as you open the door and walk down the stairs, you are taken into a whole new world. The decorations are so vibrant and the building is so cool. We arrived at 1:00 on a Saturday with a group of 7. They said the wait would be 20-30 min, and it ended up being about 25. They have a large waiting room with chairs and couches which was nice. Once we were seated, our waitress greeted us promptly and got our drink orders. We were all catching up and took a while to be ready to order, but she was patient with us while still checking in so we knew she was there. I got Diet Coke to drink. Great brew!! I had the shrimp quesadilla, and it was delicious! Absolutely loved it. I can't remember what everyone got, but all my friends were happy with their meals. Great spot. Great decor. Great food. Great service!

    This is the first time we've been here in a couple of years. We went on a double date with my…read morehusband's best friend and his girlfriend, per their suggestion. I love the vibrant colors and lights, as well as the downstairs restaurant area. I'm not sure if I noticed before, but they have beautiful star lanterns, like Parol, in the Philippines. It was pretty busy that night, but our server was great! I ordered the seafood fajitas and ate just about all of it! It was yummy, but I would have liked a little more of a portion of seafood. I also got fried ice cream to finish off dinner. I enjoyed it, but it was a little too hard to eat (the cereal? Or corn flakes encasing the ice cream was difficult to eat because of the temperature of the ice cream Other than that, the food was good, and it was nice hang a night out in a double date.

    Photos
    Blue Iguana
    Chorizo, Shrimp and Pineapple Tacos
    Chorizo, Shrimp and Pineapple Tacos
    Blue Iguana

    See all

    Red Iguana - mexican - Updated August 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...