Los Arcos

This place is closed, out of business.
When we went their for brunch on Saturday, October 18, we found a sign on the door announcing its closing on October 6.
I’m disappointed by their closing. We had dined their several times a year and always enjoyed the food.

I try to eat here at least twice a year. It is reasonably priced and the food is excellent. Atmosphere reminds me of how Boca Chica was in the early 80’s, very simple, nothing fancy. Now days Boca Chica may have a nicer atmosphere but Los Arcos has the better food. The menu is extensive so there is always something new to try. I will keep coming back here.

Once again, I’m not quite sure why Twin Cities folks are rating some of these Mexican spots so high. The food here was passable. There was nothing overtly bad about it, but there was also nothing at all to recommend it. The best thing here was the green salsa. Fresh and zippy. Beyond that, the gorditas I had were just a step above Taco Bell. The shell itself had a nice chew to it, but my second one was almost stale — very difficult to chew through. But let’s face it, it all comes down to the fillings, and these were exceedingly bland. The chicken had zero flavor. At all. The pork (pastor) was moderately better, but still sorely lacking. Really, folks, head to Lake Street instead and find any number of divey spots like El Monarca or any of the Pineda Tacos locations and get far superior food with subtle, juicy flavors. And at the same price or cheaper.

Tried this place on a Groupon deal and got more than our money’s worth… Food was fresh and delicious. Great Mexican if you are just going for downright good food (not much for atmosphere. Somewhat small place in a strip mall!).

Place isn’t much to look at but the service is great! Had a groupon deal. Portions are big. We ordered a Chicken Fajita and a Cheese Quesadilla. They were decent, nothing special though. Quacamole was average, beans and rice were okay. Hot fresh chips and salsa was given, chips were warm and fresh, salsa was good too. Pina Colada was very good, but wasn’t exactly a Piña colada, more of sweet flavoured buttermilk.

We had a living social deal and decided to give this small place a try. Now sights can be deceiving because there isn’t much for scenery but the food is excellent and very authentic. I had the ranchero burrito and my wife had the Mexican sampler with the relleno, enchilada, and chile. All the food items were authentic and delish. Worth a shot if you are looking for some classic Mexican cooking. It is also very affordable and you get a large amount of food for what you pay for. They also have free chips and salsa!

We went to Los Arcos because we had a deal. We didn’t even know this restaurant was in our neighborhood until then.
Well, this is a hidden gem that I’m looking forward to visiting again.
It is advantageous if you do speak Spanish, I can tell you. This facilitated getting everything we wanted, included the picante salsa verde. This salsa is great and wonderfully hot.
The tacos and enchiladas we had made us very happy. They were full of flavor and nice and spicy with the salsa verde as an addition. We did request them hot, which they were slightly. We like our food really hot, as habaneros are a regular part of our culinary lives.
The service was attentive and easy going.
If you have enough room for dessert, the fried plantains are really tasty. We didn’t have a lot of room for them, but were happy to share with each other. This is definitely a sharing dessert. It’s much richer than it appears to be.
If you’re in the neighborhood, give them a try. I believe that you’ll be glad you did.

This Mexican food is delicioso! Great value, large portions, attentive wait staff, endless basket of chips with salsa. I grew up in Southern CA so I KNOW good, authentic Mexican food, this is really great. The interior is definitely no frills, but the food is fabulous. We also enjoyed some Mexican beer with our meal. The green cilantro salsa is very fresh and to die for. We’ll be back for sure.

Blown away, their food is so not like anything you could expect. I deem it the 112 eatery of Mexican Cuisine. Hand crafted and with a twist. Unassuming place packed with Mexican families and patrons. A must try, but I warn you, it will spoil you!

It was the day after Christmas and my wife and I had the day off and a Living Social for $ 24 at Los Arcos. We were the only two patrons in this small restaurant in a strip mall in West St. Paul. They had Thomas the Train Engine on the TV, which was a little odd, but kind of funny, I would have liked a little Sports Center though. Go with Sports Center and you have a happy at least half of your customers. A little later a couple came in and started talking to each other super loud. (Dude, I don’t give a crap about some lady that took your calendar order incorrectly. People, I implore you don’t be «Those people,» Casual conversation is fine.)
Our server brought out an extensive menu with beautiful pictures of all the dishes. Then I saw it, you could order Clamato as a beverage, which meant they must have… Michelada! Which is Clamato and lager beer, I found these on my last trip to Mexico. It is their Bloody Mary type drink. This one came out in a huge frosty mug with kind of caked on chili powder along the rim, which was kind of goofy. I am used to fine granulated chili salt, so I stuck to the straw. I like mine with a lot more spicy Tabasco sauce and Worcestershire sauce and some soy sauce and lime. I think this was just Clamato and Pacifico, not bad, but I have had a lot better.
I ordered the shredded chicken torta and a beef tongue taco, Unfortunately they were out of beef tongue. Bummer. I was looking forward to some lengua taco.
The salsa was super mild, but I think the place was catering to Minnesotans, because nothing really had a lot of spicy heat. There was a green and a red version of the salsa, the chips were wonderful, but I like a lot more spice in my salsa.
My torta was large, and the bun was toasted perfectly with lots of juicy chicken and lettuce, tomato, and some jalapeño (Not enough for me) but it was pretty tasty. Super juicy with the crema type sauce drizzled on it. I also added some red salsa to it, still kind of bland though, but good and filling.
I ordered a second Michelada with a Modelo this time instead of Pacifico, it was a little smoother than the Pacifico one, still pretty bland though. I should have ordered it hot, I am sure they would have accommodated me.
My wife ordered a side of rice and beans and corn tortillas. She said they were pretty good, nothing special though, but the tortillas looked awesome to me piping hot. We thought $ 2.50 for sides were a little steep though.
The sandwich was so filling, I brought a quarter of it home for left overs, which I am looking forward to with a lot of my wife’s left over rice and beans. I got some special hot sauces from my sister for Christmas, perfect opportunity.
Our server was super nice and had no problem with the Living Social. Left the 20% tip and after the coupon and tip, it would have been $ 37, but $ 12 of that was Micheladas.
Nice place, I just wish it was little spicier and there were about 6 patrons in there after we left during lunch time. A solid 3 ½, but I just couldn’t go 4 stars.

I was so impressed by the great hospitality in this restaurant, as well as with everything else. The chips were fresh, the food was sizzling hot, on weekends the tortillas are homemade, and the music made for a great birthday celebration! if planning on going on Sunday, note that there is mexican karaōke, so it can get pretty loud!

Our contractor told us about this place. We are always looking for good Mexican.
Cute little no frills interior with tables, no booths.
Great service. Our server was adorable.
Inexpensive and a lot of food.
Chips and salsa.
Ordered the crispy tacos with grilled steak. I love crispy tacos and. The shells were not that greasy. Very nice size portion served with rice and beans. The rice was all right, however, I like mine a little fluffier and without peas and carrots.
J ordered the Burrito Supreme which was pretty good sized with grilled chicken.
We both had leftovers– the portions are quite large.
The green salsa is really good.
Great little place to put into rotation.

Maybe if I lived in the neighborhood I’d be eat here more often but no way would I recommend traveling more than a mile or two for this place. Anyone who is claiming it’s a better choice than Boca Chica is dead wrong. Not even close. My burrito had a Kraft American Cheese Single on top of it, rice was cold & tacos were no biggy.

AMAZING food! If you love authentic Mexican food go here. They have a seafood molcajete that is unbelievable. The wait staff are sweet and clientele are some guys who love their karaōke! I love this place and when I have had Mexican anywhere else I am now disappointed by it and kick myself for not just going to Los Arcos.

Love me some Boca Chica but this is a contender when it comes to authentic, yummy Mexican food.
Located next to a small, neighborhood grocery store so parking is never a problem. The place is small but decorated nicely. This place is known to host ‘fight nights’ (boxing and UFC) which is awesome for those who don’t want to pay PPV.
May not have as many offerings as Boca but just as good and possibly cheaper. I highly recommend this place.

Look out Lake Street, Boca Chica, Taco House. This place is a contender for best Mexican food in the Metro.
I had just recovered from the grand disappointment of «El Taco Riendo.» That place was touted as the best Mexican food in Minneapolis, but I doubt it was the even the best Mexican food in that particular 5 mile radius. If that was supposed to be «phenomenal,» what expectations did I have for a little restaurant tucked away in a strip mall in West Freakin’ St. Paul?
I was pleasantly surprised. #1 The Tacos are Cheap! 1.75 is the cheapest I have ever seen a taco since eating them in the TC Metro. Tacos should be cheap, they are simple and I want to be able to eat many of them without busting my wallet. What is better than a cheap taco? A cheap delicious taco, which brings us to #2 The Tacos are GOOD. The meat is double seared, loaded with flavor and just greasy enough to lubricate your insides with the yums.
I ordered my usual, Carnitas, Al Pastor and Lengua. Their tongue is THE BEST. It is soft, tender, fatty and twice seared on the flat top. It puts other places to shame. Al Pastor was swimming in a spicy red sauce which I thought was strange, but ensured flavor. After the carnitas debacle at El Taco Riendo, I vowed never to order carnitas again, but the carnitas here are made from a family recipe from Mexico. It was the best carnitas that I have had in the TC by far. Meaty, tender and just a touch greasy (it’s pork confit in lard, dontcha know.)
Boyfriend got enchiladas which totally a food that I overlook, but I was wishing that I had ordered those, they were so scrumptious! The green chile they put on those is wicked.
Los Arcos also touts Mexican classics such as «Salchipapas,» more of a humorous toast to the foods of Latin America. Mostly, because it is just fun to say, but it’s just french fries and hotdogs. The service was friendly, they have Mexican sodas, including Manzana! YAY!
I am so glad that this is the closest restaurant to my boyfriend’s place. You’ll know where I’ll be every Friday evening.

Visited this small, family-​owned, strip-​mall based Mexican restaurant tonight with my husband (at my in-law’s urging). They’ve been singing Los Arcos’ praises for months now and rightfully so. Don’t let it’s humble appearance and pedestrian location fool you, Los Arcos is a little hidden gem of an eatery you’d do well to try.
The menu seems pretty standard in that we recognized just about everything on the menu, and of course it looked good. The waitress brought over chips and two salsas — a red and a green. Dean and I kept swapping the salsas trying to figure out which one we liked the best. I leaned more towards the green, avocado-​based verde salsa. The food came out and looked great! I ordered the barbacoa which was quite good and flavorful. It was a little smoky for my tastes, personally. I liked it just fine, but it just had a hint of too much smokiness for me.
Dean ordered carnitas, which were outstanding. The pork was perfectly tender with just a bit of deep fried flavor and there was plenty to go on the tortillas they brought out.
Los Arcos does some pretty sweet happy hour deals and I think we’ll be back quite a bit now that we’re so close. We’re looking forward to it.