Lindo Jalisco Mexican Restaurant & Taqueria — Restaurant in Ankeny

I’ve been here several times with the family over the years, but this last time will be it. We really must be in dark times as a country economically, if restaurant owners don’t care whether or not a 6-year-old child is happy with his or her meal, and are worried over some cheap chips and cheese ($6.75 nachos).

Long story short, we came here and my daughter didn’t like the nachos she wanted. We told our server who then relayed this info to management (who later turned out to be the owner). He had the gall to ask WHY she didn’t like them (again she’s six), and I had no idea as she hasn’t mentioned anything specific, so I told him as such and to ask her.

He had asked if we wanted a box for them anyway and that maybe she would eat them later, I told him “no” since I knew she wouldn’t eat the nachos later if she didn’t like them now. He clarified that he would take it off of the bill.

So when I go to pay, I speak to the hostess and explain that the charge that is still on the bill ($6.75). She said, “we can’t take something off just because you don’t like it…” so I explain what the manager had said, and she motions for him to come over which he promptly did. He then lies and says that he never said that, and promptly lets me know he’s the owner, and that food is expensive, etc, etc. I literally heard him utter the noun “bill” but 20 min later to my face he claims he said we can take it home or leave it, but again, both me and my wife heard him clearly say he could take it off the bill as if it was no problem to do so.

He had mentioned during that exchange that we had came in to his restaurant last December, and she ordered nachos (which she did) and that she did not like them then either, and that he had taken it off the bill at that time. I’m not sure if his sudden change of mind was this revelation, but either way the owner lied to my face about his willingness to take $6.75 off of our bill; he also seemed to want to argue food prices, but I cut him off and asked “how do we pay.” He clearly needs the $6.75 more than I do.

Needless to say, we won’t be coming back here, the owner has no integrity in my opinion, based on my experience. Does he really expect a six-year-old child to be a perfect eater? Maybe your food just isn’t that good.

*My reply to the owner’s response👇🏽

This place clearly does NOT care about its customers, and is only looking for the next bill. Based on my experience and my daughter not having good luck with their food, I seriously doubt they would do anything about a customer’s food even if someone had found a hair in it like they claim. And there was no language barrier issue, because you CLEARLY said you would take it off of the BILL (that word), and the conversation ended; we were satisfied.

As far as your understanding and “we know for a child it can be difficult to find what they might like food-wise…” Do you? You obviously do not understand kids, otherwise you would have understood when she said she didn’t like the nachos WE ordered on her behalf. She’s six; her tastes are going to change pretty regularly. You people don’t seem to understand that, and probably are NOT a family friendly restaurant because of it.

As far as your claim, “your daughter did not even touch it…” that right there proves your dishonesty. Were you around to see her try it? Why the hell else would she say she didn’t like it.

In my opinion, your unfriendly, non-family friendly restaurant has NO PLACE operating in Ankeny, and for the sake of the next unassuming customer(s) food prices rise so high it forces you right out...

I'd like to make a bold statement and go on record to say this is the most authentic Mexican restaurant in the area. They have all the usual menu options one would expect, but they also have many seafood items and many more authentic items rarely found in many of the usual Mexican restaurants

Our personal favorite item is the Molcajecte, but I haven't had anything less than delicious, and I've had a lot of their menu items. Prices are fair and reasonable, and the margaritas are always first rate.

The art on the walls definitely catch my eye. I like the music. They have two TVs on the wall so you can watch a game, and seating is spacious and very comfortable.

Service is fantastic. Last month, we showed up and were seated, but my daughters weren't hungry that night. We didn't get our drink orders in yet, so I told the server we weren't hungry and were leaving but will return tomorrow and no problem with service. A second employee caught us in the parking lot just to make sure nothing was wrong, which was amazing customer service. I assured him we love it here just my daughters weren't hungry, but we'd be back soon. We did return the following evening for dinner, and the older gentleman, who I assume is the owner or manager, double-checked to make sure nothing was wrong the previous evening. I have never had so many employees check to make sure everything was OK - of course, everything was fine, but thanks for checking in on us.

In short, this is the best Mexican restaurant in my area. Best food, best service, best environment. We will be...

They missed my additional enchilada mole hey no big deal. I live in dsm and they said theyd get me a replacement when I could be up that way again(2 days later). I drive up there and i walk in and the employee couldnt understand me, so someone that could speak english said they would get my order going. Some guy in a red shirt comes in 3-5 mins later asking the same thing and says they only owe me one. Okay fair but i drove all the way up there and the guy gave me a a $5 bill. I would have just prefer that $5 to go back on my card but for all the back and forth not worth it me driving up there to get a $5 bill. The food was awesome. Go to somewhere else unless you are dinning in. I spent more in fuel than they $5 bill. I dont care about the money its about the delivery/service 🤬

Replying to the response: I called immediately and said i couldnt be back for another couple days and the person i talked to said that was okay. It would of been nice to know that i was going to get $5 instead of what i was told i was going to get originally. When i first walked in the guy the the desk didnt understand me so they got another person that said they would get my order going. After that someone came out and offered me $5 and told me they couldnt make my food. I left because i was told they could only give me $5 back and that's fair but not what i was originally told over the phone when I called. The food was awesome, just sucks the lack of/miscommunication was the issue. Ill have to give yall a try again but ill eat in instead...