Pueblo Viejo de México — Restaurant in Des Moines

My boyfriend and I visited this restaurant Saturday evening, with another couple. We arrived around 7pm (ish). We were seated promptly, given menu's and the waiter took our drink orders. Several minutes later, we received our drinks, and he took our food orders. The service was decent. I would call it good, but after he delivered our food, we never saw him again, until he brought our check, AFTER my boyfriend went to the kitchen looking for to go boxes. I gave the food a 2. That includes the drinks. I'm being generous. I ordered a lime margarita on the rocks. My boyfriend had the same, only frozen. Short of an at home blender experiment, this was the worst margurita I've ever had. My margarita tasted like Triple Sec and ice water. I'm not sure it even had tequila in it. My boyfriends tasted like a snowcone with sugar water flavoring. The other couple ordered daiquiris. They didn't comment on their drinks. We were brought complimentary chips and salsa. I'm not a fan of spicy. Many Mexican restaurants have very spicy salsa. My boyfriend likes spicy, so it works. The salsa at this place tasted like someone dumped a can of crushed tomatoes into a bowl and added onion. It was watery and it didn't even taste like salsa. The chips were ok, though. This was the unanimous at our table. We both ordered beef chimichanga, ground. This is my usual order at a Mexican restaurant. Chimichangas are seldom spicy, and the white cheese sauce is great. Usually. This was the worst chimichanga I've encountered yet. It had no flavor. Even the cheese sauce tasted flat. It was soggy and tired looking. I suspect it has been microwaved. The spanish rice tasted like rice. No flavor. My boyfriends was the same, hence the to go boxes. The other couple was also disappointed in the food. Though they had other dishes than we had. The restaurant itself is very nice. It's nicely decorated and seems clean. From looking at the reviews, it seems this was a great place to eat at one time. But, it has declined over the years. I hope they get their magic back. But, for now, I...

My wife and I have ate here numerous times over the past 6 years. It's our all time favorite Mexican resturaunt in Des Moines. They offer savory food for unbeatable prices. We often treat our family and friends by bringing them along. All of them have enjoyed eating here, and many have become regular patrons themselves. My wife loves the large margaritas, and they offer extra large frosted mugs of draw beer. The seating is comfortable with mostly semi private booths. They also offer seating for large parties. They have Spanish decorations hanging throughout brightly painted stucco walls. The floors, bathrooms, tables, and silverware are always clean. The music is festive, but not to loud. They offer plenty of parking, with entrances on both sides of building. We're always seated promptly, even if there's a big line. Their staff is polite, efficient, and helpful. They bring free warm chips and salsa (medium and hot) before the meal, and are quick to bring your drinks. I have had the pleasure of trying several entrées and none of them have disappointed. My favorites are the sizzling steak/shrimp fajitas, and the flaky chimichanga's. Their portions are always ample and worth every penny. They bring our food out quicker than any other restaurant. The staff is attentive throughout our meals, and are available to refill your drinks. If you enjoy village inspired Mexican style meals, at a price hard to beat, you must give this place a chance. I highly recommend this restaurant. Don't forget to bring along your kids, and invite your friends. I'm certain you'll add this one to your list of great...

.....You can usually get a good idea of how decent the food is, when it comes to Mexican, Tex- Mex foid ..by how good the salsa is. This stuff they serve is not " salsa"....it tastes like tomato sauce ,( or something, ) ...with stuff thrown into it. Yuck. Very disappointing...and the chip baskets are " ewwww"..... I made them bring me one with a liner , ( HAD TO ASK FOR THAT. NOT GOOD) for the chips. And the chips are generic, nothing special. I'm used to places that MAKE thier own chioc, and there's a difference. Found a piece of lettuce in my guacamole, so was disconcerting. Not good . I have eaten at amazing, excellent Mexican food Restaurants, and this place is not anywhere I would visit again. The foodserver " uniforms" ( I use that word loosely) are terrible. Hostesses walk around in a sweater and jeans, they look like a customer, not an employee. I have worked in a restaurant, and we looked professional. It's really disappointing to not be able to find a good Mexican food restaurant, in iowa. Being from the West coast/Southwest atea, the food profession is taken more seriously, and it's because there's lots of competition, and customers make paydays possible. I won't be returning to this establishment....and SHOULD have asked for my money back !!! I'm also interested to know why this place has good reviews. ..but obviously, there's no really GOOD place in the Des Moines area to...