La Ventura Tacos y Pupusas on University by Drake

La Ventura Tacos y Pupusas, or La Ventura Taqueria, on University Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa.

 

Location: 2225 University Ave in Des Moines, Iowa

 

A couple weeks ago the La Ventura Antojitos truck was parked outside the old Tacos Andreas near Drake University. They were serving from the truck while getting the interior ready. The new owners have done a decent job of cleaning the interior but the old fixtures are still there and the inside only has four tables.

Active Since: Around August 2017. Before that it was Tacos Andreas and very briefly a trombo with al pastor was operating in the front.

 

Specialties: The usual tacos and quesadillas, but the menu on the front has a picture of a loaded chicharron preparado that isn’t listed on the menu, and they have had daily specials like enchiladas or soups, I’ve even seen them make eggs that aren’t on the menu for customers.

 

View the full photo album here:

 

 

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Tacos Talpa on SE 14th St

Tacos Talpa Taco Truck in Des Moines, Iowa

This truck popped up in the spot where Antojitos Mexicanos DF was parked last year.

Location: 4200 SE 14th St in an empty car lot.

Active Since: Spring 2017

Specialties: cabeza and birria tacos.

See the full photo album here:

Sabores De Mexico in Windsor Heights

Sabores De Mexico Taco Truck in Windsor Heights, Iowa

Sabores De Mexico is based in West Des Moines and serves at Sherwood Forest and local events.

Online at: Facebook page is HERE.

Location: They are parked in the Sherwood Forest shopping center at the corner of 73rd and Hickman.

Active since: summer 2016

Specialties: tacos, nachos.

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Taco Casa on Euclid by Douglas and MLK

Taco Casa Mexican Food in Des Moines, Iowa

Taco Casa has a huge menu with a message on the back claiming the place was started by a Mexican immigrant a long time ago. The interior and the painted murals and menu choices are like a step back in time.

Location: 2506 Euclid Ave, just off the corner of Douglas Ave and MLK.

Online at: website is HERE

Active Since: the menu claims they have been doing business for 53 years. But this place has been HERE for as long as I can remember.

Specialties: The salsa and hot sauce is great, so are the beans and enchilada sauce. Most of the menu is basic mexican food with melted cheese on top.

See the full photo album here:

 

Antojitos Mexicanos DF on SW 9th

Antojitos Mexicanos DF restaurant in Des Moines, Iowa

Antojito Mexicanos opened up as a truck at the Tianguis flea market in 2015 or earlier. Then they were parked on Hubbel Ave. beside Kathy’s Depot, then in a car lot on SE 14th St. Now they have a physical location.

Location: 4100 SW 9th St, in a southside building that once housed a tenderloin place, a Maid Rite, and an Abelardos franchise.

Online at: facebook page is here https://www.facebook.com/Antojitos-Mexicanos-DF-page-1650954601789231/

Active Since: The physical location opened March 2017 but their truck had been going since at least summer of 2015.

Specialties: The truck served pambazos and huaraches, but the store has a Mexican dessert and paletaria menu.

See the full photo album here:

 

El Rey Burritos in West Des Moines

El Rey Burrito in West Des Moines, Iowa

Location: 1310 Grand Ave in West Des Moines

El Rey is a family run Mexican restaurant that has been serving in three different locations on Grand Avenue in West Des Moines. They used to be in a strip mall next to a Blockbuster Video, then in another strip mall further down the road.

Active since: at least fifteen years now, its been a while.

Online at: their menu lists a website with a url that does not work.

Specialties: they made their name with a giant burrito named “Rey Rey”.

View the full photo album here:

 

Lina’s Mexican Restaurant on SE 14th St

Lina’s Mexican Restaurant in Des Moines, Iowa.

The old Sonic Drive-In location became the first Des Moines location for Lina’s Mexican Restaurant. They also have locations in Wichita and Omaha. This location has fixtures left behind from both Sonic and a short lived bbq placed that tried this location. There are two dining areas, a patio is open in the summer.

Location: 5959 SE 14th St in Des Moines, Iowa

Online at: facebook page is here https://www.facebook.com/pages/Linas-Mexican-Restaurant/167297940070404

Specialties: while the menu is almost exactly the same as Abelardo’s, they are some differences like free chips, two kind of queso dip, or sopes on special.

Active Since: These guys appeared a few years after Abelardos and have been here at least since 2012.

View the full photo album here: