Rita's Cantina
TEMPORARILY CLOSED$ •
401 SE 5th St, Des Moines
(515) 777-1012
About Rita's Cantina
Rita's Cantina Reviews
This place is definitely encouraging patrons to leave 5 star reviews on Google. Since they opened, all the unsolicited reviews were 1-2 stars, which makes sense because it is bad. But in the past couple days they have all 5 star reviews and everyone is mentioning the servers names. Which means I believe they are giving away free house margs (not good, I had one) or chips and salsa in exchange for 5 star reviews. They could just spend all that energy on making the place actually...read full review
their 1st day open and they were really busy it was seat your self which was a turn off because people could walk around you and get to a table before you.that took 40min. we got sit and order with in 5 min bit it took 2 hours to get out food than everyone at my table got theirs I waited another 30 min. they said the ran put of meat had cook more and they brought me my food which barley had cheese I asked for extras cheese and they said they had to go to the store to get more....read full review
Great food and service. Page was an excellent waitress, very knowledgeable and very customer focused. We enjoyed our yearly visit from Texas very much. Thanks
Ratings
Menu
Rita's Cantina is a hidden gem in Des Moines that offers a great dining experience with outdoor seating and a view of the Des Moines skyline. The restaurant has plenty of seating and a free parking lot. The menu features dishes like steak street tacos, black beans, and burrito bowls, all of which are generously portioned and reasonably priced. Recent updates to the menu have made the food even more delicious, with fresh, flavorful, and creative touches. The shrimp tacos are a favorite, perfectly cooked and packed with flavor, especially when enjoyed with their house hot sauce. The homemade guacamole is refreshing and full of citrusy zip, considered one of the best in town. The restaurant's cocktails, like the smoky margarita made with mezcal and a chili-salt rim, are highly praised and beautifully balanced. The service has been improved with attentive staff, such as waitress Luci, who ensures everything is just right, and the bartender Jaicee, known for crafting exceptional drinks. The decor has a cute, Spanish cantina-style with a beachy vibe, creating a relaxed but vibrant atmosphere. The outdoor seating area is nice, though there have been occasional reports of a smell due to nearby construction. Overall, Rita's Cantina is a great spot for family gatherings or a night out with friends, with good food, excellent service, and a pleasant atmosphere.