El Rey Burritos

My michelada was excellent, definitely best I have had since arriving in Des Moines. My wife loved her fajita (I thought it was a tiny bit bland but no matter). My carne al pastor was good (perhaps a tiny bit under-​seasoned as well) but was a good meal and I was very happy with the food overall. Next time I will get something like the camerones diabla to see if they are actually spicy since my biggest issue with DSM Mexican food is how hard it is to find a genuinely spicy dish.
The one issue I had (besides the guy at the next table loudly declaring that it was Obama’s fault he got fired {certainly not the restaurant’s fault}) was that there was just too many pop-​bys from the staff checking in. I appreciate that the staff is simply trying to be attentive but between the two waitresses, the manager, and the busser/​expo (not sure her official role) I think we were asked how things were approximately 6 – 7 times over a pretty brief dinner. At some point when you are asked if everything is ok that many times you start wondering «what is going on that the staff knows but I don’t that makes them so extraordinarily concerned about our happiness with the food?» I imagine the issue was simply that the restaurant was overstaffed for the number of employees so we just got doted on a bit more but it can be a bit off-​putting.
Anyhoo, I anticipate going back again and will definitely get another michelada when I do.

This is probably what the locals in West Des Moines think is good Mexican. Coming from Phoenix, I can tell you it’s not. If you’re drunk and need something to soak up the suds, then yes, this will do. But so would a package of Doritos.
Burritos are supposed to have more in them than just cheese and meat but that’s all that was in it, and the beef tongue was cut in such a fine dice that I’m not even sure it was lengua. The rice was bland and overcooked. Both are 6-​inch tortillas. The salsa verde others raved about is — get this — Herdez salsa verde. And if it isn’t, I’d be surprised to learn how it’s such a copycat version to be considered original.
Seriously disappointed but don’t care. Shouldn’t be surprised that Iowa doesn’t know good Mexican food.

I straight up had the best burrito of my life here. The beans were perfect. It reminded me of this restaurant I always used to eat at in California. So good…

I grew up in WDM, and this has been one of the only consistent late night eateries for the past 15 years. They continue to move locations and continue to please. I wish they had more spicy options but at 2:00 am in a city that goes to bed early, the veggie burrito is just fine. Keep it up!

Ordered chicken enchilada for lunch while in the area and figured I’d try the place out after hearing about it. The thing about shredded chicken is that after you cook it, shred it, mix in the various other things you’re going to flavor it with, refrigerate it, then reheat it, you’re going to have some water that you need to deal with. I get that you’re going to have to have this done ahead of time. I’m not naïve, nobody is holding a fresh chicken in the oven to shred, season, and stuff into my enchilada. But. If you’re going to go through all that work to prep, refrigerate and then toss the chicken on the grill to reheat, then stuff into a tortilla, you need to factor in the water that is now turning my tortilla into mush. Wasn’t impressed.
The smell here was off putting to say the least. It’s clearly sewer, it won’t be covered up by pine sol, and somebody needs to make sure there isn’t sewer air seeping into the eating area. It’s disgusting. Just an old building that could use some TLC.
I can see the allure, and if you grew up on it (and it looked like most of the people in there were repeat customers) it’s likely the bees knees and maybe the sloppy food I got was just a result of a shift change or something else so I’m going back for a second shot, but if that smell is there, I’m walking out.

LOVE El Rey. The best burritos I’ve ever had, anywhere. As I’ve written in other reviews when they were in different locations, you come here for the burritos. I do like other menu items, but I want to reiterate that they absolute crush it with BURRITOS. Understood, did I make myself clear?
I order a steak burrito with everything, and I also get a side of the pickled jalepenos (which includes carrots, onions, and occasionally a tiny bit of cauliflower, maybe garlic too, and this is spicy in a vinegar-​ey way, if that makes sense). Use liberal amounts of the salsa verde, and you’ll be happy too.
VERY nice staff as well. Great people running a great business.

Easily my favorite local Mexican food. Super fresh ingredients. Very friendly staff. Been a frequent stop of mine for a steak burrito for over 15 years and 3 locations.

I have been eating at El Rey for years, they honestly in my opinion have some of the best Mexican food I have ever eaten, the steak tacos are always a winner, the chicken chimichanga is simply amazing! The place is always neat and tidy, the staff are wonderful, the homemade green sauce is my favorite! I could set there all day and just do shots of the stuff! Be sure to try either the tacos or a burrito with pork! Absolutely wonderful!