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El Mariachi
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
2 reviews for El Mariachi
I moved to Johnston in the summer of 2006 and I've driven by El Mariachi many times a week since then, but it was pretty recently that I started frequenting them. I think part of why I was turned off is because there are so many quick-serve style Mexican restuarants in the Des Moines area (El Rodeo, El Auguila Real, Plaza, La Hacienda,...) and El Mariachi is in a building that used to be a Hardees and it shows. Often the employees will park at the drive thru window.
I don't know what exactly was the reason I finally stopped, but I'm glad I did. The food is similar to the other similar styled restaurants, the prices are the same, similar combination dinner numbers and lunch numbers so it's definitely familiar, but there's a few pieces that make El Mariachi stand out.
One is the salsa. The salsa is made fresh with obviously fresh cilantro, peppers, onions and it's appreciated.
The margaritas are strong and on special a few days of the week.
The service is excellent. It's always welcoming to be greeted as amigos and given food almost faster than the drinks. The meat is never dry like it's been sitting warm waiting for serving either.
This week I visited with fellow yelper, Mike T., and we stayed for maybe an hour or more after our food was done and they were never rushing us out and continued to refill the chips/salsa for us. Good stuff.
The outside can be a put off when you probably already have a favorite restaurant of this style, but give them a chance and you may find a new favorite.
This place was a regular "lunch-time" locale for me and a few of my co-workers for quite some time. Of course, then I moved away, so no more El Mariachi... unless of course, I go back to visit. Which, is what I did! It was a great capper to an otherwise phenomenal weekend with family... a mid-afternoon lu-inner at El Mariachi. You will finf it to be a fast, good "home-made" Mexican food with quick, efficient, and friendly service. Go check it out and enjoy.