Iowa may be far from the South of the Border, but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking in great Mexican food. Des Moines in particular has no shortage of legendary restaurants serving up top-tier tacos, burritos, and queso – but the best of all may be the oldest. El Patio in Des Moines has been run by the same family and has been serving up Mexican classics for almost eighty years now, and this family-owned restaurant in Iowa is still as charming and old-fashioned as it was when it opened. This humble hole-in-the-wall is a path to another world, so why not pay a visit today and learn why it’s the oldest and most popular Mexican restaurant in Des Moines?

El Patio has been standing proud in Des Moines for almost eighty years, family-owned all this time.
Gretchen W/Foursquare
From the minute you step in, you can tell this is not a chain restaurant - the small dining room is filled with artwork and religious relics for a personal touch.
Tammy/Foursquare
Start your meal with some complimentary house-made tortilla chips and salsa - but don't fill up! You've got a lot of food ahead of you.
Kate S/TripAdvisor
But if you want to kick up those chips a little, get an order of the queso, rich with scallions and peppers.
Amy K/TripAdvisor

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The restaurant's massive platters are big enough for two people to share - but you'll want to save it all for yourself!
Kate S/TripAdvisor
The restaurant has many old-school tex-mex favorites like chimichangas, which take burritos to the next level with a crispy deep-fry.
Kate S/TripAdvisor
The desserts at Mexican restaurants are often cursory, but the rich chocolate cake at El Patio is not to be missed.
Amy K/TripAdvisor
During the last days of summer and the nice days of fall, you might want to have your meal out on the beautiful patio dining area.
El Patio Mexican Restaurant/Facebook
There's no better place to finish your meal with one of the restaurant's delicious signature margaritas.
El Patio Mexican Restaurant/Facebook

Have you been to El Patio in Des Moines? Let us know your thoughts on this iconic family-owned restaurant in Iowa in the comments section. If you’re looking for an even older family-owned legend in Iowa, check out this unique lunch counter in an alley.

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Featured Addresses
El Patio Mexican Restaurant, 611 37th St, Des Moines, IA 50312, USA