DES MOINES, Iowa — I walked into Margaritas thinking I was just grabbing lunch. Casual. Controlled. In and out.
That lasted exactly one bite.
The mole hit first — warm, rich, and deeply flavored in a way that made every sad desk lunch I have ever eaten feel like a personal insult. Then the tortillas arrived. Fresh, soft, slightly puffed, and ready to prove a point.
By the time I reached the buffet line, “just lunch” was already over. This had become an event.
A Buffet Spread That Turns One Plate Into a Problem
Walking up to that buffet line for the first time felt like opening a treasure chest, except every item inside was edible and nothing was a disappointment.
Tamales, enchiladas, flautas, and tacos all sat under warming lids looking absolutely ready for their moment.
Beef, pork, and chicken options stretched in every direction. Every single tray had something different calling my name at full volume.
I made my first plate. Then a second. Considered a third.
The variety was not just impressive on paper — it held up in practice. Every dish had its own distinct flavor and personality. Nothing tasted like a lazy copy of something else on the table.
This buffet rewards the adventurous eater who wants to try a little of everything. It also rewards the person who just wants a mountain of one thing done right.
Either way, you are walking away satisfied and already planning your return before you even finish chewing.
The Location Nobody Tells You About
Margaritas is tucked inside the Clarion Inn at 1810 Army Post Rd, Des Moines, IA 50315.
I drove past it twice. My GPS had no strong feelings about this. My stomach, however, eventually grabbed the steering wheel and forced a U-turn.
The location feels unexpected at first, and honestly, that surprise is part of the charm.
Finding great food somewhere you did not think to look feels like stumbling onto a bonus level in a video game — except the reward is incredible tacos instead of extra lives.
Parking was easy. The entrance was welcoming. And the moment I stepped inside, everything shifted.
Colorful decor, warm lighting, and the unmistakable smell of real Mexican cooking hit all at once.
This is a local secret that most people have not figured out yet. If you are in Des Moines and you drive past without stopping, you will think about it later. That is a promise.
Fresh Tortillas That Changed My Life a Little
I have eaten a lot of tortillas. Store-bought, restaurant-made, the sad microwaved kind at 11 PM.
Nothing prepared me for what arrived at my table when I asked for fresh ones at Margaritas.
They came out warm, soft, and slightly puffed — like they had just been born and were already ready to be great.
Wrapping one around seasoned pork and a spoonful of salsa was one of those simple food moments that just hits differently.
The tortilla had that faint toasty flavor that only comes from cooking it right. It did not fall apart. It did not turn rubbery. It was just perfect.
They bring them out fresh on request, which means you are always getting them at peak quality — not sitting under a heat lamp slowly losing their soul.
That detail alone tells you something important about how this kitchen thinks. Fresh tortillas are not an afterthought here. They are a main character.
The Salsa Bar That Deserves Its Own Fan Page
The salsa bar stopped me in my tracks. I stood there for a full minute just taking inventory.
Multiple options ranged from mild and fruity to deep, smoky, and seriously complex. Each one tasted like it was made with real intention — not poured from a jar into a bowl.
I went back three separate times. Not because I ran out, but because I kept wanting new combinations.
Pairing different salsas with different dishes became its own little game, and I was absolutely winning.
Some were bright and acidic. Some were rich and earthy. One had a slow-building heat that crept up on me in the best possible way.
A well-stocked salsa bar is the true test of a Mexican restaurant’s commitment to authenticity. Margaritas passes that test with flying colors and then some.
Tamales and Flautas Done the Right Way
Tamales have a reputation for being labor-intensive. That reputation is completely earned, and you can taste the effort in every single one at Margaritas.
The masa was tender. The filling was beautifully seasoned. The whole thing melted without drama.
The flautas were golden, crispy, and satisfying in that specific way that only comes from proper frying technique — crunchy on the outside, flavorful and juicy on the inside.
What struck me most was that these dishes tasted genuinely homemade. Not “trendy restaurant homemade” where they just want you to think that. Homemade in the way where you can taste real seasoning decisions made with real knowledge.
Comfort food is supposed to make you feel taken care of. These tamales and flautas did exactly that.
They made me put my phone down and actually eat. That is rarer than it sounds.
The Dessert Bar That Makes “I’m Full” Irrelevant
By the time I reached the dessert section, I was already full. But full at a buffet is really just a suggestion.
Flan, cheesecake, and pumpkin bars were all lined up and looking completely irresistible.
The flan was silky and perfectly caramelized on top — that signature wobble that tells you it was made correctly, with just the right sweetness. I ate the whole thing without pausing once to reconsider.
The cheesecake and pumpkin bars added variety that I genuinely appreciated. Ending a meal well is just as important as starting it right, and Margaritas clearly understands this.
The dessert bar is not a small afterthought. It is a proper finale that sends you out the door already thinking about round two.
Hours, Location, and the Catering News You Need
Margaritas is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays — mark those off your calendar now.
Wednesday through Friday, doors open at 11 AM and close at 8 PM. On Saturdays and Sundays, they open at 9 AM, making this a legitimate brunch destination if you are feeling bold. Sunday hours run until 5 PM, so an early afternoon visit lands perfectly.
One more thing worth knowing: Margaritas offers catering services for events.
Think about that for a second. Fresh tortillas, tamales, a full salsa spread, and everything else from that buffet — available for your next gathering.
A kitchen that already cooks authentic, high-quality food at scale knows how to bring that same energy to events without losing what makes it great.
If you have something coming up and you want people talking about the food long after it ends, you already know your next move.
Have you been to Margaritas, or do you have a hidden food gem in Des Moines that more people need to know about? Drop it in the comments — someone out there is hungry and waiting for exactly that tip.
