El Cactus Restaurant
| Address: | 104 1st Ave, Coralville, IA 52241, USA |
| Phone: | +1 319-354-0444 |
| Site: | elcactuscoralville.com |
| Rating: | 4.2 |
| Working: | 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10:30PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–9PM |
Location
Photos 96
Reviews 43
MA
Matt Uhlman
We came to El Cactus in search of "our Mexican place" and unfortunately it was mediocre. It has the look and feel of a great little Mexican spots, but we were really underwhelmed by the food. I had their signature burrito and it was par at best. The sauce was good, meat decent, but the kicker was that they really skimped on the cheese. Sounds like a small thing, but when my wife and I looked at it and said, "huh, seems like they wanted to save money on this burrito" that was pretty much it. She had some enchiladas that were pretty good, but not enough for a return visit. Our philosophy on Mexican has become - it better be really good, because its not hard to make decent Mexican at home. This didnt pass the, I could make this test. Service was great, very friendly and provided some really good recommendations. Beers were pretty standards. Overall, it was very mediocre Mexican and with a lot of options in town and "Mexican food" aisle in your nearest grocery store, this didnt pass the "We can do it ourselves test"
KR
Kristie Luckett
Gross! Not trying to be mean but the smell was horrible. Sewage, nasty cleaner, Im not sure but the smell totally made me lose my appetite. I asked for a Margarita and sweet tea, never received my tea. Asked for rice beans and sour cream only with our fajitas and got just sour cream and wasnt Goodman drinks, food, service, smell all disgusting. Ive eaten plenty good food including tons of good and really authentic Mexican food and this wasnt even close.
AL
Alexandra Geraets
Los Portales was my familys go-to place for Mexican food in Iowa City, but this little gem in Coalville has won us over. The food is excellent, the atmosphere is perfect (and quiet - no loud music; the only sound is the multitude of conversation), and the small location is perfect for dinner on weekends. Expect good food with reasonable prices; the enchiladas de mole is my personal favorite dish on the menu.
JA
Jamie H
Trying to find my "go to" Mexican place in coralville and this one is on the top of my list! Very friendly staff and quick service. Place was very busy both times I have been there and have always been satisfied with quality food. I have recommended this place to a few friends as well!
JA
James Mrkvicka
Tasty food but beware of questionable health practices. Both my friend and I got sick immediately after eating there even though we ordered different things. Not surprising considering they had a lot of violations on their last health inspection as of 3/24/2017
A
A Private User
Best "Real" Mexican food in the area. Mole Poblano and Pollo Loco are my recommendations. Great chips and salsa for starters and most usually the clue as to how the rest of your meal will turn out being. Yum, but cant eat it everyday... ; (
A
A Private User
I wasnt sure what to expect and I enjoyed the old restaurant that was here (Saigon to Bangkok), but one meal El Cactus made me miss the old restaurant no more. Friendly service, good value, delicious, and authentic. Am going back tonight!
IS
Ismael Tolentino
El agua de horchata es la mejor de por aqui la comida muy sabrosa El especial cactus es mi platillo favorito
KA
Katrina Hartman
Dont judge this restaurant from the outside!! Great service, GREAT food. Theres an authentic part to the menu or a part with things most of us are used to (tacos, enchiladas, etc). Highly recommend this place.
DA
Daniel Dowell
This place was above average till we got dessert. The fried ice cream had stale chips on it and was so awful my 9 yr old didnt want to eat it. The staff was nice but really need to pay attention to some detail
A
A Private User
Very good food in all they use to have Pepsi drinks now they went to coke so thats a very big let down to me coke suck big time. might have to get something diffent or just go find another mexican restaurant
MA
Mary Parker
The food is plentiful and inexpensive. The service was impeccable. Dont let the rough exterior or small worn interior fool you... This place is well worth the visit! We will definitely be repeat customers!
NI
Nick Sparr
Good prices and great service but the food has been underwhelming with each visit (which is too bad, since El Cactus is the only restaurant in the Iowa City area serving chilaquiles at all times of day).
CH
Cherish Myra
We ordered 4 plates of food and 2 cups of cheese sauce to go. We received all the wrong food and only one cup of cheese sauce. & I either got the stomach flu or food poisoning after eating here.
WI
William K Jewell
Best Mexican Restaurant in town. Friendly staff, delicious food, and great margaritas. Great evening and lunch specials as well. Complementary chips and salsa with every meal too!
JO
John Holand
Wicked awesome! Best chimis ever! Prompt service, excellent fresh food. Finally a chimi that is not deep fried to death. The tequila sunrise was so good I had to have 2.
RO
ROBBIE SCHWENKER
Favorite Mexican restaurant in the Iowa City area. Its a local, authentic establishment with the friendliest staff youll ever meet. A must try.
TI
Tiffany Thompson
We enjoy the chips & salsa. The food is good, not great. The staff seem friendly. I wish they served fountain drinks, Dr. Pepper or Mr. Pibb.
MI
Mike A. Shapiro
As a lifelong midwesterner I cant vouch for its authenticity, but I promise you that the food at El Cactus is both tasty and unpretentious.
BR
Brodie Kurczynski
Wanted to see what the Iowan Mexican food offering was like and was very impressed! Margaritas were okay, but the food was very good.
JI
Jim Woodin
Our "go to" spot! Try the tacos al pastor... Not on the menu but always available and if you enjoy heat pour the sauce on.
TI
Tim Ellingson
Gold margaritas are the best in town, and at the best price for a pitcher. Food is awesome. Staff is also amazing.
CH
Christina Duncan
Friendly customer service but the beans and rice was very old tasting like it had been sitting out for a day or so
EV
Evan S.
Great place! My families favorite spot for Mexican food in Iowa city. The service is fast, and the food is great.
MI
Michael Ciha
Great food and a reasonable price. Its a small place with a big impact on taste and easy on the budget.
DA
David K
Easily the best Mexican restaurant in the corridor. Great salsa, and some really good authentic fare.
OJ
OJ Utter
Awesome food! Great chips & salsa! Super Margarita! Very tasty fajitas! Highly recommend!
A
A Private User
Quaint quality mexican restaurant. If you want a generous margarita, this is the place.
WE
Wes Hepker
Lunches are pretty quick for common Mexican dishes. Staff is always friendly.
TH
Thor7167
Great food and great service! The grande Margarita is awesome!!!
JE
Jeremy Kaemmer
Pretty typical Mexican restaurant, cheap food but not amazing.
MI
Michael Rouse
Our favorite restaurant. Excellent food and wonderful staff.
TI
Timothy Flanigan
Great margaritas! Always friendly staff. Excellent food.
DA
Daniel Ramirez
Nice place if you are looking for a real mexican taste
HE
Heidi Danae Hassen
The food is amazing! Service is wonderful too.
DA
David Parrott
The good stuff. You wont leave disappointed.
DE
Derek Henscheid
Great "more authentic" Mexican for the area
PH
Phil Cleaveland
Quaint Mexican restaurant with good food.
ER
Eric M
Great place! Theyre salsa is amazing!
JO
Joe Rivera
Anyways good food!
JO
Joel Heilman
Great Mexican food
JE
Jenna Sack
Awesome Sauce!
RI
Richard Green
Yummy!
