El Guacamole Patio & Cantina — Restaurant in Waukee

Went for the first time! Started out well: seated quickly, server came over right away to take our orders, and the food arrived in about 15 mins. Downhill after the initial good impression. The Baja shrimp tacos were heavily batter fried with tiny shrimps, felt like fast food popcorn shrimp. The rice was flavorful and the portion was decent. The esthetics were modern and bright lights. However, it is extremely loud in the restaurant, thus had to yell to have a conversation. Server recommended a non alcoholic mojito, given I asked for a mocktail. I was excited for it but wouldn't recommend. It was very diluted, no carbonation, and initially charged me $14. When I pointed it out on the receipt, no apologies but took it and returned it at $11. That is ridiculous price for no alcohol. The non alcoholic daiquiri was only $9. Felt like he made up the price and regardless overpriced drink. Then we ordered a coconut flan to go and it truly was dumped in a container with no sauce. Really pathetic presentation and shows lack of care on the server, see the pics. Didn't really experience anything worth returning for. I was hoping to support local new business but...

Canned, Bland, Sad Food. We tried Guacamole on a whim and holy cow were we sorry. The good: very nice, clean dining room. Great atmosphere!

The bad: the staff was apathetic at best, but even worse was the food. Everything tasted like it came from a can or was microwaved leftovers. The food was lightning fast, bland and almost inedible. We ate out of pure hunger, and the fact that two of use paid $50 for the worst Mexican food I can recall. There was absolutely zero effort to serve fresh quality ingredients to the point that I felt trapped in an episode of Kitchen Nightmares.

The Ugly: we could smell the cheap cleaner when we walked in, but right after we started eating insult was added to injury and the smell of cleaner filled the entire place. Nauseating!

Please support a restaurant that makes any effort at all to serve you...

I ordered the Enchiladas Suizas for $14, and my wife got the Baja Shrimp Tacos for $16.

The plating was very nice, but when I bit into my first enchilada, I was confused by the texture. After some investigation, I realized that my enchiladas had been stuffed with canned chicken. Never in my life have I been served canned chicken at a Mexican restaurant.

Likewise, my wife was not impressed with her tacos. The chipotle crema was very vinegar-forward, and the shrimp came tail-on and was tasteless and greasy.

Both dishes came with a side of white rice mixed with peas, corn, and carrots. The rice was enjoyable, but the vegetables were clearly frozen mixed veggies you could buy in any supermarket.

This was an overall unimpressive experience. I don't imagine we'll be back, considering there is plenty of competition...