Taqueria Juquilita

Juquelita is clearly the best Mexican food in Ottumwa. I like to eat at Cerro Grande, but Juquelita is a little more restaurant-​y and the food is excellent. My latest visit was just for tacos and they did not disappoint. I appreciate being able to get lengua tacos. They were juicy and tender with the right salt level. I also appreciate being able to get them without onion. Their squirt bottles of salsa are good accompaniments to the tacos. I also had chorizo and chicken tacos. Both were good. The dilemma is, which to order. I will keep coming back. I might make it five stars. It’s close.

Holy Hot Salsa! Visiting on a cold February day had me very surprised to receive hot (temperature) salsa with my chips; surprised and delighted. This establishment has a wonderful menu; one my taste buds can’t wait to devour. More to come but for now this hole in the wall has me wholly infatuated! Munch On!

Great basic tacos! Very reasonably priced and way tastier than fast food. Reminded me of authentic Mexican good, and atmosphere too. Simple taco with onions and cilantro. Would definitely come back! Lots more to try on menu.

The drive from Columbia, Mo to Des Moines is pretty bleak if you’re hungry. Thank god I’ve found this gem not too far off the highway. Their service is quick and their food is generally phenomenal (although no matter what they tell you, it’s simply not possible to eat their burritos while you drive). Better dine in.
A creature of habit, I’ve ordered the same dish the three times I visited — the burrito with pork. Only $ 5 or so, plus a basket of chips and salsa, and some pickled jalapeño and carrot mixture to boot. The first time I visited I couldn’t believe how good it was. Fresh vegetables, nice enough presentation, excellent avocado on top, the sauce was spicy. I was sweating bullets trying to find a place to pull over and eat the damn thing as it fell apart in my hand. My second visit I dined in. Same food, still great. Ordered a bottle of mineral water to wash it down. Pleasurable meal. Third visit led to the four, rather than five, star review. They accidentally gave me the steak burrito instead of the pork. I wasn’t particularly impressed by it, plus there was no avocado this time. Just a run-​of-​the-​mill steak burrito that needed a lot of sauce added to it. Probably just an off night.
Based on my first two visits, I give this place a strong recommendation. I’m sure I’ll be back.

I live in Ottumwa and the retraunts are limited. But this place I go often. It is family ran. I always get the steak tacos which are delish. My kids and my husband get a HUGE stuffed burrito called «the wetback» It is stuffed with steak or chicken whatever you want. I think they don’t speak alot of english but they always get your order right. On the outside it looks like a little hole but on the inside its always clean and nice. So if you want authentic mexican stop here.