La Peña Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in Des Moines

If you want a sterile dining experience, this isn't the place for you. But if you want authentic Mexican food, prepared by someone's Mexican mama, run, don't walk.

Tiny area to dine in, so don't expect to take a crowd. I ordered a seasoned pork gordita and a steak sope. They were both amazing (be aware that "seasoned" in this context means spicy).

This is the first time I've seen burria on a menu in Des Moines, and while I didn't order it, the two gentlemen at the adjacent table did. It looked amazing. The ladies who run the restaurant make their own tortillas, and I wanted to steal one from the other table!

I got a steak torta to take to my friend for lunch and he proclaimed it to...

First I'll say this place is basically a taco truck! I love taco truck food but these ppl are charging double for tacos. I payed 4 dollars per taco but the menu said 2.50 per taco and so my total was 16 dollars and change for 3 tacos and a coke. And they only give on tortilla per taco so they fall apart. The place feels dirty and the staff is not friendly. I'll never go back and I promise. My favorite taco truck this would have cost me 10 dollars. Everything else is over priced as well. They gave me free soupe but basically...

This was an incredibly authentic experience. The food had so many layers of flavor without being too aggressive. The chips and tortillas were the best I’ve had in the area. Clearly home made with a lot of love. The taco was so juicy and perfectly put together, I wish I had ordered more. Don’t let the appearance of the restaurant fool you. This hole in the wall is probably the best Mexican in the area if you prefer authentic food over Americanized cuisine. Will...