Monterrey Mexican Restaurant

Got there after 8pm. First thing i noticed was the sausa had a slight soapy flavor. Thought it was my imagination. Then they started cleaning the floor. Realized the food, chips, salsa and the dinner tasted like the floor cleaner Fabuloso. Order was messed up. Tried to eat anyway because we were hungry. Had to leave cause of the syench of the floor cleaner. Seems the strong odor permiated all the food. Dear management, please be aware of how oders can effect food flavor.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 2

Service: 4

I was here with a group of Geocachers. They had plenty of seating for the group of maybe 40 plus. They were quick getting drinks, orders, and the food out.
Highly recommended!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Stopped here on our way home from Storm Lake, IA. Greeted and seated immediately. Service was fast and professional. Chips and salsa were good. Iced Tea was excellent. Ordered the Enchiladas Bandera with al pastor. Holy Cow! It was awesome. Rice and beans were good too. Everyone was impressed with the food. Wife had a 32 oz blended pineapple margarita. She said it was excellent and was made with good tequila. Very good experience. Definitely recommend Monterrey to anyone in the Cherokee IA area or even if youre in Storm Lake, it is worth the drive.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Rude and condescending staff, I will not be returning. My friend and I ordered birria tacos with consumè, and we received something completely different from the first time we tried it, and they served it without the dip. When we asked about it they suddenly said they didn’t come with the dip, and it was out. We wouldn’t have ordered this at all if it didn’t come with it, but nobody bothered telling us it was out beforehand. The birria meat was very dry along with the tortilla. It was basically just a dried out beef taco with no sauce. It was horribly dry and bland, and when we said it was dry they had the audacity to tell my friend that we must just not like Mexican food because we had a problem with it. The lady at the register kept arguing with my friend, telling her it’s our fault we didn’t like it, giving her rude attitude and slamming her card around as she argued with her. We love Mexican food, but it looks like we’ll go to somewhere else with our money!

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 1

I’ve supported Monterey Restaurant in Cherokee for years, stopping in almost every time I travel from West Des Moines for business. It had become a routine stop before heading home — until today. I ordered my usual favorite dish, but when it arrived, I noticed dried food residue around the edge of the plate. It looked like the dish hadn’t been properly washed, and my meal had been served in a dirty plate. I pointed it out to the waitress and asked for a new plate. Rather than apologizing or handling the situation professionally, she seemed annoyed that I brought it up. She returned with what looked like the same food on a different (hopefully clean) plate. Her attitude was dismissive, and I didn’t feel comfortable eating after that. I asked for a to-go box, but once I got to my hotel, I threw the food away — I just didn’t trust it anymore. Because of this experience, today was my last visit. It’s disappointing, especially after being a loyal customer. I hope management takes this feedback seriously. Cleanliness and respectful service should always be a priority.

Hands down the best eating experience around. Staff are the sweetest. Atmosphere is next to nothing.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Pollo Loco, Street Tacos, Chimichanga Dinner, Carnitas Mexicanas

Really enjoy dining here. There's something for everyone, whether it be food or drinks. Highly recommend this place

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Best beef tacos! Daquiris are great too!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

This is a fantastic place to eat!! Our family always really enjoys it!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Pollo Loco, Street Tacos, Taco Salad, Lunch Quesadilla

Last night I came here to eat with my friend and they ordered a ‘Pollo Cancun’, something they usually order when we come here every so often, but when they got it not only was the portion size small, the garlic cheese sauce that is usually on it was so overpoweringly garlicky to the point it was inedible. When my friend called the manager over to request it to be taken off of our bill (they had only tried a bite of the chicken and rice), the manager proceeded to basically tell them that it’s their fault they don’t like it and they shouldn’t have ordered it because they clearly must not like garlic, which was appalling. All my friend wanted was to go and eat somewhere else, and told the man that, to which he asked if she wanted a box for the food she didn’t like or want, then when she said no (again) he kept insisting he’d remake it as a Pollo Loco and without the garlic, my friend kept saying no she didn’t want it remade, we just wanted to pay for what I had ordered and go, but he kept interrupting until he finally just waved his hand and said again that he was going to remake it, and disappeared back into the kitchen to make another serving of food she said she didn’t want!! I ended up having to talk to the cashier up front to be able to just pay for my own order instead of the manager, my friend felt so uncomfortable with the managers argumentative attitude that she walked out!! It’s sad when it’s the restaurant owner acting and arguing with someone like that!

This was the final straw for me wanting to eat here, not only has the prices risen, the portion sizes for the price have gotten smaller! The food keeps getting worse in quality as well. It’s clear they’re more concerned with saving a buck or two than actually making a customer happy! I’d rate this place a 0 if I could! Rude, argumentative staff!!

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 1

The owners are excellent people. The food is great as are the prices. Highly recommend.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Carnitas Mexicanas

One of the best Mexican restaurants i have ever been too. Friendly, attentive, and prompt service. Stiff and delicious daiquiris and margaritas. Consistently phenomenal food.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

So, the food isn't horrible... Not fantastic, but not horrible. Definitely Americanized.

My complaint is the quantities and the prices.

The quantity of food-for-the-price is ridiculous. It's been almost a year since my last visit, but the dish that I ordered, and other dishes in our party that I saw are LITERALLY half the size they used to be. Half.

What's not half the size is the prices. They've gone up at the same time the quantity has gone down.

The service is a bit on the lackluster side. Just not as attentive as I would have liked. Also, the waiter had difficulty with our order because he apparently doesn't do well with English.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 2

Service was very quick and friendly! Food hot and delicious. Would definitely come back again

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Pollo Loco, Stake, Flan, Steak Mexican Style

Great food & service. Usually eat here once a month.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5