Taste of Red Iguana — Restaurant in Salt Lake City

Edit: While the following review still stands for this visit, we have since eaten at the actual Red Iguana 2 and had a much better experience. (We were invited to a celebration there.) So maybe don't judge the other restaurants in the family by this small offshoot. I still recommend avoiding the Salsa Española at all costs.

Original review: Very disappointing. I’m fairly certain that the order was wrong. What was supposed to be Chicken Chimichangas came more like a burrito covered in sauce. All of it was bland. The chicken under-seasoned with very little flavor. The sauce was sweet, but was extremely basic tomato with a little onion. No burst of flavor from herbs and peppers that I love from good Mexican food. The rice tasted like it was from a pouch, bland with nasty frozen mixed vegetables in it. The beans were also bland.

My daughter’s chicken quesadilla had the same flavor profile. Neither of us finished our entrees.

We had hopes for the tres leches, but it too was not good. It was like a boxed mix cupcake with overly sweetened cream on it. Again, it was bad enough that it too was not finished.

Not what I expected from a group acclaimed as a “local favorite” that gets mentioned over and over on blogs and lists. I don’t think I’ll be visiting any of their sister stores if this is the flavor profile that they...

Decent food - I like Red Iguana, but their moles aren't as great as their well done regular mexican food, in my opinion. For example, the stawberry mole is disgusting - tastes like burnt strawberry - I don't care if that's cool and popular to some people, it tastes nasty to me. The green mole is decent, the yellow is bland but bareable. Try the chile verde instead though, it's good. I like their beans and salsa as well, very flavorful. Hear's why I give it a low rating though - they wont give you free water! You have to buy a bottle or go without!? They have given water cups in the past, but then, out of the blue, they change their policy to no free water. This is killer mexican food as they claim (i.e., it's going to kill you if you don't have some water to quench the heat) and they won't give you free water!? I asked two people, both said no. I could clearly see the water cups sitting back by the fountain, unused. Lame. Poor service in my opinion. Luckily, I'm a man, and can live through some hot mexican food sans water, but what about all the old people who frequent this food court? Are you trying to give them a heart attack or something with your draconian rules? Just give us the free...

Oh gosh. The only reason I’m giving it 2 stars and not 1 is because the staff were extremely nice and so helpful. If I was only rating the staff it would be a 5 star review.

I wish the quality of the staff equally matched the quality of the food, but it does not. This mini chain is highly overrated. The lack of flavor is extremely disappointing. The only thing that had any flavor was the salsa and chips. I ordered the veggie chimichanga, it was just a cheesy mess. The veggies were overcooked and extremely bland. My husband ordered the pork tacos, the pork had flavor, but it was so dry and not good at all. Do not waste your money eating here. Or maybe we just ordered the wrong food items. My husband had tried the Red Iguana main store, he was disappointed in the food there too, but he wanted to try this place just incase it would taste better since it has such a hype. We do not agree and would never recommend you eating here unless if they change their food preparation for the better. The staff should get a raise they are hard working...