Viva Mexican Restaurant
| Address: | 6101 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312, USA |
| Phone: | +1 515-255-8238 |
| Site: | vivadsm.com |
| Rating: | 4.1 |
| Working: | 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10:30PM 11AM–10:30PM 11AM–9PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 15
TA
Tamara Jones
Mom and I visited the restaurant prior to the flooding on Grand Ave and it was decent food. So mom and I came on December 23, 2015 and not a good experience. Mom had ordered a Fylete Meinguero ($13.00 dish), once the dish came and mom took one bite it was to hot in spices. Keep in mind this is a non-spicy dish and my mom has sensitivity to hot spicy food. I took a bite as well, I like spicy food, but this was over the limit. We brought this to the waiters attention and he had told us that the cooks made the executive decision to switch the sauce on the dish and didnt make the waiter aware to tell the customer. Mom did order a second dish ($10.00 dish). We brought our concerns to the owner and all we were told, Im sorry! I told mom well see what happens when the bill comes. And guess what......nothing was taken care of on the bill, not even at least 1/2 the cost of the second dish. I WOULD HIGHLY NOT RECOMMEND THIS RESTAURANT!
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fancypantszak _
Okay, my mother and I used to go here. We loved the spicy salsa, the delicious food. But that was before it was renamed to VIVA la bamba. But even before that, there were problems. - Small and Claustrophobic A waiter (that left since then) always used to sit at our table and talk to us while we were trying to eat. So now it is this place, viva la bamba. A lot of people either just quit or lost their jobs. My mothers friend got food poisoning from this place and we thought it was the best choice to NEVER GOT THERE AGAIN. Even before that the food was kinda gross and we didnt enjoy it as much. If you want an good Mexican restaurant then go try mi Mexico on grimes. Now it has been renamed once again and has a patio now. But as you know, I am NOT eating there again!
RI
Richard Blake
Now I wouldnt say hate. I would say very displeasing. Anyone going to this establishment needs to watch what they are getting. For one, I ordered theyre most expensive margarita and they decided to put in their jug tequila instead of the Patron silver and Patron Citrus. Then I ordered a Chimichanga meal. A fried burrito basically. Not fried at all. Then told me it was. Telling him twice, as I was stabbing the soft tortilla with my utensils. He then realized I was right and I caught onto their game. Go here for cheapish food and dont care if its prepared right at all. Also get cheap margaritas unless youre gonna eyeball the bartender making it.
SY
Sydney Schweitzer
THEIVES! NEVER GO HERE! This is why: My aunt ate there a few nights ago and on her way home, she realized that she had left her phone on the table. She called them and they denied having found it. She then tracked her phone and it showed that it was in fact located in the restaurant and went there in person to look for it. They again denied it and refused to give her it back. There is no way that someone could have cleared their table and accidentally thrown it away, which means that SOMEONE WORKING THERE STOLE HER PHONE AND REFUSED TO GIVE IT BACK. So if you eat here you are supporting a business that hires thieves.
AM
Amanda W.
Not worth it. This place can get incredibly busy. They dont have the space or the staff to support it. We went in, waited 20 minutes for a table even after seeing tables cleared and cleaned. After being sitted, we were not approached for another 15 minutes. Finally a waiter comes and takes our drink order, no chips and salsa were provided. For the next ten minutes, still nothing... Not even our drinks. We watched 2 other tables be seated, served chips and salsa, and have their orders taken before we finally said something to the manager. No apology. Nothing... Just like the service.
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Jeremiah Tuzzio
We were overcharged for our food. Charged for food we never received after ordering, asked for an explanation of the bill and then stated we would not pay for what we did not get, the server then tried to get another person in our group pay for it the same wrong and not received food. Received cold food, no drink refills, and wrong food all together. We have been coming often for months and will never return again. Dont come here unless you want to overpay, pay for what you dont get, and get served the wrong food.
MA
Marcus Finch
The first time we ate here, everything was phenomenal. The second time we decided it would be a good place to take my in-laws. This visit was phenomenal as well, despite the fact that the poor waiter was the only guy serving tables, and the place was packed. The next morning however was far from phenomenal. Everyone was sick. My mother in law so much so that she ended up in the ER. Multiple people got sick with this being the only common denominator. Eat with care!
LO
Lori Aldinger
I have been trying to support this restaurant since they weathered the closing of the bridge for so long. However, every time I come, the service is terrible. Tonight was the last time I will go. I met a girlfriend there and we had margaritas and ordered some food. Everyone around us got their food but ours never came. We paid our drink bill and left and went to El Patio off of Ingersoll and had a wonderful experience!
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Matt Rittman
This is one of my favorite Mexican restaurants in Des Moines. The guys here are very nice and very polite. The food is served very quickly and it always tastes great. The chips and salsa are delicious! Like most Mexican restaurants, you have to get the nacho cheese dip! Mmmmm! Ive probably been here 8-10 times and its always a great experience.
MA
Marilyn Popovich
Super outside terrace! Good space, set back from street traffic /noise and nice overhead provides decent shade. The chips and salsa, bean and guacamole dips are very good. Traditional margaritas are tasty, if a bit too sweet for my taste. I usually get the fish tacos...very good. Value priced entrees.
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Ray and Connie Ann Morley
Not familiar with Mexian meals so I Ordered a Taco Salad with Chicken - Initial appearance was appetizing. Soon an "excess" of liquid appeared. The underplate was flooded. Lettuce and all were wet. Others ordered different items and they looked great. The fried ice cream was fantastic.
KY
Kyle Biggs
We live down the road from Viva and visit them regularly. The food is consistently good, theyve never messed up an order and the drink specials on Tuesday and Thursday are a great selling point! Serving sizes are also larger than most places in this price range. Give em a try!
MA
Marian Hall
This place is amazing! Ive gone with my family since I was a kid. Sure sometimes the service can be a little slow because they are busy but the food is perfect and they are always so kind. The prices are great as well! If your looking for authentic this is the place to go!
PA
Patrick Williams
Wife and I enjoy this place, but the last 4 times weve been they forget to bring the guacamole and/or avocado that is supposed to come with her dish. Must be some kind of $ saving tactic. We are on to your shenanigans Viva!! Anyone else noticing this trend?
JO
JohnDana Custis
Nice local Mexican joint. Good food, though the bathrooms are a little grimy which always makes me worry about the kitchen. On Wednesday they have a margarita special and the place is absolutely packed with familys from the neighborhood.
