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Name: Mi Patria
Address: 1410 22nd St, West Des Moines, IA, 50266
Telephone: (515) 222-2755
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 4.52

Mi Patria

1410 22nd St, West Des Moines, IA, 50266

(515) 222-2755
Store is closed

Mi Patria Menu

APPETIZERS

Empanadas

Papa Serrana

Picadillo de Hornado

Tortilla de Yuca

Tortilla de Verde con Ensalada Criolla

Llapingachos

Patacones con Queso

Empanadas

Papa Serrana

Picadillo de Hornado

Tortilla de Yuca

Tortilla de Verde con Ensalada Criolla

Llapingachos

Patacones con Queso
SANDWICHES

Sandwich de Hornado

Sandwich de Bistec

Sandwich de Pollo Asado

Sandwich de Tilapia

Sandwich de Hornado

Sandwich de Bistec

Sandwich de Pollo Asado

Sandwich de Tilapia
SEAFOOD SPECIALTIES

Camarones al Ajillo

Arroz Marinero

Camarones Apanados

Arroz con Camarones

Tilapia Frita

Ceviche de Pescado

Ceviche de Camaron

Ceviche Mixto

Camarones al Ajillo

Arroz Marinero

Camarones Apanados

Arroz con Camarones

Tilapia Frita

Ceviche de Pescado

Ceviche de Camaron

Ceviche Mixto
ENTREES

Carne Asada

Costillas a la Brasa

*Churrasco

Hornado con Mote

Arroz con Pollo

Lomo Saltado

Fritada con Mote

Bistec de Carne

Guatita

Seco de Pollo

Chuleta de Puerco Asada

Bandeja Vegetariana

Pollo al Horno

Chaulafan

*Mi Patria For Two

Carne Asada

Costillas a la Brasa

*Churrasco

Hornado con Mote

Arroz con Pollo

Lomo Saltado

Fritada con Mote

Bistec de Carne

Guatita

Seco de Pollo

Chuleta de Puerco Asada

Bandeja Vegetariana

Pollo al Horno

Chaulafan

*Mi Patria For Two
SIDE ORDERS

Rice

Menestra (beans or lentils)

Patacones

Chifles

Fried Ripe Plantains

Avocado

Ensalada Criolla

Fries

Rice

Menestra (beans or lentils)

Patacones

Chifles

Fried Ripe Plantains

Avocado

Ensalada Criolla

Fries
DESSERTS

Flan

Coconut Fried Banana with Ice Cream

Arroz con leche

Flan

Coconut Fried Banana with Ice Cream

Arroz con leche
KIDS MENU

Hornado with Rice & Beans

Arroz con Pollo

Salchipapa

Chicken Tenders with Fries

Cheeseburger with Fries

Hornado with Rice & Beans

Arroz con Pollo

Salchipapa

Chicken Tenders with Fries

Cheeseburger with Fries

Healthy Meal suggestions for Mi Patria

APPETIZERS

Empanadas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Papa Serrana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Picadillo de Hornado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tortilla de Yuca [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tortilla de Verde con Ensalada Criolla [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Llapingachos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Patacones con Queso [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Empanadas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Papa Serrana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Picadillo de Hornado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tortilla de Yuca [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tortilla de Verde con Ensalada Criolla [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Llapingachos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Patacones con Queso [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
SANDWICHES

Sandwich de Hornado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sandwich de Bistec [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sandwich de Pollo Asado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sandwich de Tilapia [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sandwich de Hornado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sandwich de Bistec [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sandwich de Pollo Asado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sandwich de Tilapia [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
SEAFOOD SPECIALTIES

Camarones al Ajillo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arroz Marinero [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Camarones Apanados [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arroz con Camarones [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tilapia Frita [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ceviche de Pescado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ceviche de Camaron [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ceviche Mixto [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Camarones al Ajillo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arroz Marinero [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Camarones Apanados [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arroz con Camarones [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tilapia Frita [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ceviche de Pescado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ceviche de Camaron [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ceviche Mixto [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
ENTREES

Carne Asada [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Costillas a la Brasa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

*Churrasco [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hornado con Mote [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arroz con Pollo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lomo Saltado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fritada con Mote [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bistec de Carne [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Guatita [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seco de Pollo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chuleta de Puerco Asada [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bandeja Vegetariana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pollo al Horno [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chaulafan [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

*Mi Patria For Two [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Carne Asada [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Costillas a la Brasa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

*Churrasco [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hornado con Mote [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arroz con Pollo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lomo Saltado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fritada con Mote [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bistec de Carne [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Guatita [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seco de Pollo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chuleta de Puerco Asada [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bandeja Vegetariana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pollo al Horno [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chaulafan [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

*Mi Patria For Two [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
SIDE ORDERS

Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Menestra (beans or lentils) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Patacones [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chifles [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fried Ripe Plantains [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Avocado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ensalada Criolla [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Menestra (beans or lentils) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Patacones [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chifles [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fried Ripe Plantains [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Avocado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ensalada Criolla [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
DESSERTS

Flan [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Coconut Fried Banana with Ice Cream [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arroz con leche [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Flan [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Coconut Fried Banana with Ice Cream [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arroz con leche [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
KIDS MENU

Hornado with Rice & Beans [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arroz con Pollo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salchipapa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Tenders with Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cheeseburger with Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hornado with Rice & Beans [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arroz con Pollo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salchipapa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Tenders with Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cheeseburger with Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Visit below restaurant in West Des Moines for healthy meals suggestion.

Quiznos ( 2800 University Ave,Ste H2B )

Arby’s ( 7241 Vista Dr )

Auntie Anne’s ( 1551 Valley West Dr )

Visit below restaurant in West Des Moines for healthy meals suggestion.

Quiznos ( 2800 University Ave,Ste H2B )

Arby’s ( 7241 Vista Dr )

Auntie Anne’s ( 1551 Valley West Dr )

Write An Anonymous Review

Abdelaziz E.

It's not a fancy restaurant to take your family out to. It's more of a to go or on the run kind of thing or if you are by your self and don't want to spend much. Food is delicious certainly
(4)
Tomoko M.

This is a casual setting restaurant but an Amazing authentic Ecuadorian restaurant. "Hornado" appetizer was out of this world. Also, "Lomo Soltado"(stir fry steak and french fri) was also amazing. The sauce was so much thicker and darker than most Lomos I had before. Highly recommended!
(5)
Patrick T.

Well for half of yesterday's lunch I was trying to figure out where Ecuador was on the map, I had forgot my phone at home and I was about to eat my 2nd ever meal from the country! I was pretty certain it was on the Atlantic Ocean side of South America. Well I was wrong on that, but I was right on deciding on Mi Patria for lunch! The one meal that looked vegetarian on the recently changed menu could be made Vegan so I was set! It was pretty amazing arrangement of flavors in my mouth, and the plate was packed full of it. I can't remember what it was called, but check out my photo for the proof of the goodness! They also brought us homemade hot sauce for our meals, which was not really that hot, but it was really fresh tasting and really good! Even though some of my meal was fried it all seamed really fresh tasting to me. And I did not feel loaded down after the meal! The service was great, and the place was clean. I wish I could explain it better but sometimes words can't do a meal justice!
(5)
Lisa I.

I remember a Sunday afternoon about 4 years ago when a vegan friend of mine suggested that we eat at an Ecuadorian restaurant. I was intrigued and we visited Mi Patria. I ordered the carne asada and sweet fried plantains. The steak was a thin yet beautifully marbled cut of steak grilled with delicious spices. Served with perfectly steamed white rice, menestra beans, and a beautiful-looking salad. The salad is a heavenly mixture of green pepper, red onion, tomato, and cilantro. Taking a bite of steak with the flavors of the salad was a thrill for the palette. The tender steak melts as you chew it and coupled with the salad, it's basically a fiesta in your mouth! Their house made hot sauce adds a burst of flavor with a bit of heat. Sweet fried plantains are warm, sweet, banana-esque flavor with crispy edges. You won't be able to resist the urge to close your eyes and let your taste buds take you to another world. I frequent this restauraunt because of the quality of the food - everything I order is out of this world, especially the patacones and the llapingachos. The service is also efficient and super friendly - they know my order by heart! Highly, highly reccomd this place! Vegan/vegetarian friendly!
(5)
Summer M.

This place is becoming a regular spot for us. Service can be slow at times but that's to be expected in a place where the food tastes like grandma made it. Fritada con mote is what we always come back to. Save room for the coconut fried bananas for dessert. The portions are huge, you might want to share.
(4)
Bossladie E.

This place is AMAZING! the food is delicious and the people are so friendly!! Its worth the trip and its tucked away like a hidden secret. I was by here shopping and had no idea they were here. Thank goodness for yelp!!! I will be back with my family. I paid $9 for lunch and have plenty to take home for dinner!! I cant wait to come back and eat again
(5)
Theresa C.

I've never had Ecuadorian food before, so I have nothing to compare Mi Patria to. My review is based solely on my satisfaction with the meal. We ordered mi patria for two. The meal was heavy with no vegetables, and all three of the meats were too salty. The service and wait time were good.
(2)
Gerald Z.

OK...let me give you a pure unfiltered review of this spot...because that's how I am. that's what you can trust me for. Summary - Order the lomo saltado. Examine your fried items carefully, you may still eat them due to their deliciousness even if there is a bonus with them but you may want to know what you are eating. Be ready to wait, because the waitress sometimes forgets about you. Detailed Review - Service: 2 Stars - What?? Why two stars?? My wife and I were seated, and it took them 25 minutes to take our food order! 25 minutes. A couple that came and sat down after us got their food long before we even placed our order. that's not good service. Food: 5 Stars - yeah it's that good. the Lomo Saltado is legit. It's insane bordering on mindblowing. The combo of fries, seasoned beef, fried plantains, avocado, is just nuts. Mi Patria please read this - PUT THIS IN A BURRITO. YOU CAN PRINT YOUR OWN MONEY IF you put your lomo saltado goodness in a burrito with your hot sauce. OMG its freaking amazing. Too good to describe. Order it. The empandas were good but as someone else said they were about 50% air and 50% filling. I like deep fat fried items though so this didn't bother me terribly. The flan was great, lots of great childhood memories there, I am a traditionalist and could have it sans the raisins and strawberries. It had a good firm yet jiggly texture. YUM. Mindblowing menu item number 2...the coconut fried bananas. WHAAT??? So simple yet so soo good. The banana is soft and creamy surrounded by crunchy coconut. Perfection and is a great finish to the meal. Hygiene: 1 Star - What happened you may ask? Well as I was blissfully crunching down on a coconut friend banana I noticed....a foot long dark brown hair encapsulated in the breading. YUK!! Now this dish was so good that my wifey just ripped the hair out and continued to chomp away but me, it gave me pause, and then I continued to eat....the food was that good. But the thought of my server's hair or chef's hair in the banana makes me queasy today....
(3)
Linette F.

Ecuadorian at its finest! I mean Guy Fieri raved about this place, so definitely gotta give it a try. Sure enough totally worth the taste. I have to start with the desserts because they were just to die for. Fried banana with ice cream: I know it sounds simple. One bite of it will take you of this world. The crunchiness of the fried banana, the slight sweetness of the coconut shreds, than the moistness of the ripe banana. Amazing. Flan: this flan I tell you is bursting of light creaminess. Not too sweet not too strong or egg tasting. Just perfect! Warm spicy shrimp with fried plantains: the shrimps were simple and not much too it but the sauce definitely had a nice kick to it. Let's just move on and talk about the freshly fried plantains. Perfectly fried and not overdone. The softness of the plantains made it the ultimate touch.
(4)
Gene H.

Carne Asada is very tender and flavorful, Mrs had the Hornado Con Moti dinner....the pork was very tender and tasty as well. She wasn't a big fan of the corn but I thought it was pretty good. The Emanadas were awesome as was the Coconut Banana Chocolate Ice Cream desert mmmmmm
(5)
Liz C.

Don't judge a book by it's cover! Unassuming strip mall location is home to delicious food and friendly service. Don't miss the homemade hot sauce!
(5)
Kristyn M.

The hype from the Tv show in Oct might and might not be helping this place. If they knew that the fame would bring in more people you think they might be more properly staffed. Lunch on a Saturday. Lucky got seated right away even with a 15 top right next to us. The waiter was racing around trying to keep up. He didn't take the time to converse with us or help us decide even after we told him it was our first time in. We picked foods from the Yelp reviews and pictures. (Thanks YELPers) Our young niece picked from the kids menu. Chicken strips and fries, a common staple. Her mom got the raved about Empanadas but with chicken. They are an appetizer and come three to the plate . They are big, crispy and mostly air. I got to try a half and ended up putting my rice in mine to eat. I got the Arroz con Pallo. A nice big flavorful bed of rice and chicken with fried plantains. My fiance got Bistek de Carne which to him was a bit bland. He didn't really go for it. Our waters did stay full but I felt forgotten about when it was time to go. Our check took a long time to get to us after we were done eating. Normally I'm patient but with a three year old who can't sit still it can wear on you. I'm glad a local owned place made mad reviews through tv on Diners, Drive - ins & Dives. Now the staff has just got to step it up a notch and get more personable. I enjoyed the food, I'd go back to try something else and see if it's better the second time around.
(3)
Bill L.

Am I one of those people that came here because of the Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives episode? Yes I am! I have heard great things about this place from a ton of people, and being on TV it's a must-go-to place in Des Moines! I am pretty unfamiliar with Ecuadorian food, so all I did was order food Guy ate on the episode. (It looked amazing on TV so I wanted to try it) We came for lunch and there were only a handful of people eating, which I was pleasantly surprised, I thought it would be packed because a famous eatery now, but I enjoy eating in a relaxed atmosphere. The servers were very friendly and provided excellent service throughout our time here. The restaurant is not big and not decorated in any fancy way, it's a very no-nonsense restaurant. For starters we had the beef Empanadas, they come with 3 and they are big and tasty! The house salsa it comes with (I think the house salsa comes with everything, or you can request it) is GREAT! The shell is perfect, holds all the meat and flavors together well. For our first entree, we got the Hornado Con Mote, it is their signature pulled pork dish featured on the episode on TV. The pulled pork was tender and absolutely fantastic. The flavors of all the veggies and white corn together combined for an intense and new taste! You have got to try this dish! The other entree we had was the Pollo Al Horno, which is their "fried rice" chicken dish, the other item featured on TV. The rice was very flavorful and much better than I expected! Both these dishes came in good portions to keep you full! Overall, absolutely wonderful experience, no wonder they were featured on TV! This restaurant is not all hype, they are the real deal with their food! You have got to try it out! If you don't know what to order, just get what we got!
(5)
Jason R.

Don't let the terribly paved parking lot or shabby exterior intimidate you, this place is money. Had this restaurant bookmarked for a year and I'm so glad my wife's indecision on Sunday lunch guided me back here! The wait staff is superb. I felt welcome and taken care of right away. Water comes right away and we ordered some empanadas.. If you're familiar with Spanish/Filipino/Mexican empanadas these aren't it. Instead of a doughy encasing, it's kind of the texture of a properly cooked fried wonton.. Filled with cheese chicken or beef and peas and other vegetables... Must-order for sure! Had the arroz con pollo and my wife ordered marinated pork. The food is cooked to order and comes prepared with extra extra love. It was hot and delicious. Very impressive. We will be back. And did I mention the staff was great? Because they are.
(5)
Tom T.

Hidden gem in a neighborhood strip center. Yelpers pointed us here. Ecuadorian food. We ordered a Mi Patria dinner for two which gave us taste of the menu. Everything was delicious. We will definitely return next time we're in DesMoines. Definitely recommend.
(5)
Brittany S.

*Still thinking about that vegetarian sampler piled high with beans menestra (simmered in spices), ensalata criolla (lettuce and pickled tomatoes and red onions), plantains, white rice, patacones (plantain/potato mini pancakes that reminded me of potato latkes - very starchy - "stick to your ribs" as my father would say), fava beans and white corn (similar to hominy only larger) and a potato pancake-like patty on top. *Mi Patria consists of Ecuadorian fare - if Mexican and Peruvian eats had a baby...it would be something like Mi Patria's menu *Recently featured on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives - very casual and budget-friendly *Other menu highlights aka reasons to revisit: beef empanadas, $5 glasses of wine, coconut covered plantains served with ice cream for dessert and the Mi Patria platter for two that comes with pulled pork (essentially the veggie platter kicked up a notch with pork). * Can.not.wait.to .revisit.
(5)
Nathan E.

If you're traveling through Des Moines, stop here! If you're new to the area, make this your first culinary adventure! If you think Tasty Tacos is the best Mexican food available, maybe come here (but don't complain when you can't find burritos on the menu). Mi Patria uses great ingredients to produce amazing flavors. Seriously. You can't go wrong with their menu. Stop in and I promise you'll come back.
(4)
Neal G.

I love this place. I've brought several folks here. And I've always had the hornado con mote - a pulled pork plate that is delicious. I come whenever I can. My friends from the San Francisco Bay Area say it compares really well with places there. Very friendly service too.
(5)
Kim S.

What a great unique dining experience. My first time having Ecuadorian food. What a treat. Whatever your meat preference or going meatless, they have something for everyone. Plantains... Omg awesome and such a variety in preperation. My whole family loves this place. A must try! Wanna try something new and delicious, give mi patio a try
(5)
Robyn T.

I've been here several times now and have always looked forward to eating every last bit placed in front of me. I've never had fried plantains before, but they're great! Proportions are huge. I've gotten the Mi Patria for Two to share, and there was more than enough. Writing this review makes me excited to go back again!
(5)
Peter B.

The food here is excellent!! I'd never had Ecuadorian food before, but this is as good an intro as you can probably get! I went with my wife and her parents. To start we had the empanadas and tortilla de yuca appetizers. Wow! Delicious! None of us had eaten yuca before and we were all surprised by how tasty it was. For our meal we split two entrees. They are very large portions. The 1st entree was Arroz Con Pollo which came with plantains (I think the plantains were just fried with this dish). Very tasty. Our favorite dish though was the 2nd one, Churrasco. It's grilled strips of steak served with more plantains. This was my first time eating plantains. Yum! One of my new favorite foods after having them at Mi Patria.
(5)
Sejla H.

Excellent food and great quick service. This was my first time trying Ecuadorian food and I really did not know what to expect. I had a dish with lightly breaded & fried shrimp over rice with lentils and some fried plantains. My husband had a dish with beef, peppers, tomatoes served over rice and some fried plantains. We will definitely be back!
(5)
Karen A.

Found this place on Yelp. Figured I'd give it a try. I don't regret it one bit. Good food. Good service. Will definitely recommend and visit again soon !!!!!!!!
(5)
Tammy S.

Delicious!! Fresh!! A must go! Service is great! Mom and Pop atmosphere with amazing food!
(5)
Ryan R.

Really great place to eat if you want something different in Des Moines. Ecuadorian food at its finest. If you are visiting check this place out as it is a hidden gem.
(5)
Jennifer Y.

Delicious! What a welcome surprise to find Mi Patria on our road trip out west. Don't expect a fancy Latin American place - this spot is no frills with great food. Staff was friendly and attentive. The Camarones de Ajillo was excellent but very spicy to my taste and the Arroz con Camarones was tender and HUGE. The only reason why it didn't get five stars from me was that the shrimp in the Arroz con Camarones was a bit over cooked and had that rubbery consistency. Next time I'll get the Arroz con Pollo which I'm sure will be amazing! Try the homemade hot sauce (delish!). We were too full to attempt dessert, but the flan and the coconut fried bananas sounded great.
(4)
Andy S.

I really wanted to like this place a ton, being it is Ecuadorian food and I like having more food choices in Des moines, but I just don't get the hype. I have eaten here about a year before writing this, and again yesterday. After seeing triple D air it on their show, I figured I'd give it another chance. Both times I have been here I thought it was ok, just ok. I mean I ate the food, I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it. I know it's Ecuadorian, but it just reminds me of the dime a dozen strip mall and old Pizza Hut building Mexican restaurants all over. So basically, ok at resonable prices. Maybe I'll give it a third try in another year or two, but I doubt it.
(3)
Zack L.

After we were told about Mi Patria, we decided to check it out. The general appearance of the restaurant wasn't very appealing at first, but everything was great as soon as we were inside and seated. The service and food were fantastic. Give this place a try. We will definitely be back!
(4)
Mark O.

Service is very friendly and the one server working the lunch rush earlier today was bustling from table to table, ensuring each patron was enjoying their food and making sure their beverage was getting refilled. He checked on me at least two or three times during my visit. The food is crafted with care and tastes very fresh and pure. Portions are very generous. I ordered the pulled pork plate which came with corn, rice, a potato patty, and "ensalada". The ensalada is comparable to pico de gallo, only on a larger scale. The pulled pork was very tender and didn't have any tough spots. This place is indeed a gem and I'm sorry that it took me so long to check it out.
(4)
MarÃa Jimena G.

We love this restaurant. We have been there several times and have tried a variety of dishes. Our favorite choice is mi patria for two, which is super tasty and more than enough for two people. If u don't want to order something very big, the yuca appetizers are a great choice. The service is very friendly too. We highly recommend this restaurant
(5)
Happy S.

Located in a strip-mall, oddly enough like many great finds, this Ecuadorian restaurant features spectacular service and above average meals. My teenage son and I started with the mixed empanadas as an appetizer, and both ordered the house special. The empanadas were flaky and flavorful, but could have used more filling. Both main dishes were very good, and the side of plantains was a tasty trip off of the beaten path. The mound of white rice, though I am sure is authentic Ecuadorian cuisine, was out of place with its blandness adding absolutely nothing to the meal. While my companion and I enjoyed our meals, they were certainly nothing special. In spite of some of the best, while never pestering, service I can remember receiving, I do not foresee a reason that would take me back.
(3)
Jason M.

My wife and I came after seeing the reviews on here. And the reviews did not do this place justice. We had the yuca appetizer and wow it was a hit. I assume it was the owner serving us and he brought some hot sauce to go with and it made it even better. For dinner we shared the Mi Patria and the portions were huge. We left full and extremely happy and have lunch tomorrow. I would recommend everyone try this gem to make sure Des Moines doesn't lose it.
(5)
Andrea S.

The food is delicious. The service could be improved. A little slow showing people a table, bringing menus and checking with you if you need something. I'll return for the food, if nothing else.
(4)
Christy R.

We've been here several times and each experience has been fantastic. The salsa is wicked hot while the pico is refreshing with a kick. Love love love
(5)
Ken B.

Awesome. Very authentic. Friendly service. Family style. Highly recommend. Not fancy or stuffy. But freaky girl costume on the wall makes me think it's haunted by a dead relative.....still, totally worth it...just don't sit underneath the girl's costume!!!!
(5)
Megan W.

My husband and I both loved everything about our lunches! The servers were very knowledgeable regarding the menu and were very friendly.
(5)
Adam P.

Sorry can't talk or type right now busy stuffing my face with delicious ecuadorian food! What you call yourself a foodie and you haven't had ecuadorian food!?! Don't worry I had not had it ether, but you should try it now here! I can't say it's the most authentic because I have nothing to compare to. I will say just on the point of food it's amazyum. They have potato cakes stuffed with cheese. Let me repeat that potato cakes stuffed with cheese called Llapingachos! Put them in your belly. A lot of their dishes have plantains and I love plantains they cook them perfectly. The only knock was the server was ok, but it looked like he was training so they get a pass. He knew what to recommend and that's a good thing.
(5)
Jeffrey A.

I've been to this strip mall many times but never noticed Mi Patria. I've now been there twice in the last week. First time my wife and I had the Mi Patrica for two and an empanada appetizer. The pulled pork and steak were both remarkable. I was less impressed with the chicken (overcooked) and the hominy (disliked since childhood). The empanadas were as good as I have ever tasted. That was on Wednesday. On Friday my son and I stop on Friday for appetizers. We ordered picadillo de hornados and empanadas, both great choices. Mi Patria is now on my restaurant rota for Des Moines.
(4)
Rob P.

You may have had Mexican or Spanish food, but have you had Ecuadorian? Mi Patria pulls back the veil on Latin American food to allow us to see past Mexico to the rich culinary world beyond. I've tried dishes from the menu, like the wonderful ceviche (seafood "cooked" by the acid in citrus fruit) and from their buffet. Nothing I have had has been less than great. Their wonderful, inviting staff make you feel at home. The dÃ©cor doesn't add much to the experience, but you can view Ecuadorian games on the TVs. My wife and I really enjoy Mi Patria every time we go...and we'll be back.
(4)
Hans P.

This is the best Latin American food that I've ever had in Iowa.
(4)
Mariana L.

My family and I really had to try this place while visiting family in Des Moines, IA because we had seen it on Guys Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives. We literally were not disappointed with the quality service and food! My parents, husband and I each tried something different for dinner. The dessert was delicious as well. I had the carne asana and flan and it's by far some of the best I've ever had. Even the restaurants back home can't top this amazing food!
(5)
Emily T.

I have just only heard of this place and now learning it's been around for a couple of years or more?! What rock have I been living under? Finally had the opportunity to check out this place that colleagues of mine have been raving about. Decor - nothing fancy, but that doesn't matter to me, the place was clean. Food - delicious and abundant. Be prepared to take some home or invite more people and do a family style type of meal and order a variety of appetizers and entrees. Price - wonderful, especially for the amount of food you get. We did order wine and thought for the amount and price, not a deal at all. I don't believe we received 5oz for our $6+ wine, I know, I know, restaurants, high prices, blah blah blah...moving on. I have been craving shrimp and just did the simple Arroz con Camerones. Simple, but delicious. My husband had the Lomo Saltado and was very pleased with it. He was offered some of their homemade hot sauce, which he loved. He said it was definitely spicy, right up front, but you could still taste the flavors after the heat. I will just take his word on that since I don't like too much heat in my food. We both enjoyed our leftovers. We will definitely be back to try some other items off the menu including appetizers and dessert. We had movie plans so needed to save room for popcorn!
(4)
Anne J.

Totally out-performed my strip mall expectations. Lomo Saltado highly recommended. I went with 7 friends and we called 5mn ahead to make a reservation and they sat us immediately, even with a totally full restaurant. The fries in my dish disappeared quickly and they were so delicious that we ordered an extra side for the table to share. A friend from out of state with Ecuadorian parents gushed with surprise at how much better the food was here than any Ecuadorian place he'd been to. Bonus: friendly and prompt service. Will definitely go out of my way to eat here again.
(5)
Caroline M.

Despite its unique location (situated in a strip mall between Michael's Craft store & a denture store), it was surprisingly wonderful. Don't come here looking for a fancy fare, rather really tasty, no frills home-style cooking. We kicked things off with a Dos Equis. When in Rome......being a beer snob, I just closed my eyes and pretended I was in a faraway place sipping on my beer with lime in it. It worked :) We selected cheese empanadas & plantains. I realize these weren't super wild and crazy selections, but we just wanted something to nibble on. We were pleasantly surprised at how flavorful everything was. The plantains came with a slightly spicy sauce to dip the fried goodness into. WDM residents need to step it up and dine here---chains/fast food suck anyway!
(4)
Janice W.

This place was great. Found it randomly on yelp right after dinner at a Thai place we just left for dinner nearby. I wasn't impressed with the Thai food so was looking for options for the next night. Mi Patria was really good! Reminded me of time spent in Latin America, good comfort food! Appetizers - We got empanadas (beef, cheese, and chicken) I liked them in that order, and we got yuca as well. They were very good. Entree - we all got the Churrasco! Loved every bit of it! There is a lot of food. Had I know all 3 of us were going to get the same thing we would have gotten the For 2 option so that we could try more thing! Very good Ecuadorian food! Very unexpected for Des Moines.
(4)
Kuaj K.

Ate there at 2:30 when I was in hurry. As soon as I told the server that I have a flight, he was very responsive and managed my time well. The food was so great, will go there again when I've more time. Great place, people, food and the price!
(4)
Tim B.

Mi Patria is a great example of everything falling in place with the help of favorable yelp reviews. I had been using yelp and word of mouth during a business trip to Des Moines, and the results were generally very good. But this meal was definitely the best of our entire week of excellent eating. As I've said before in earlier reviews, local variations on "ethnic" cuisines are to be expected (and appreciated) when you're not in the actual country of origin, but sometimes a restaurant staunchly sticks to its roots and the results are spectacular. Mi Patria is such a place. Not having a frame of reference for Ecuadorian food, I just had to follow the three principles of price, freshness, and taste. The entrees for the lunch menu hovered at $10, but the dishes were either rather large (like in the case of the Fritada con Mote) or extremely work-intensive (like the Ceviche Mixto). In other words, it was all well- worth the money. In the case of my Ceviche Mixto, the relative freshness of a cold-served seafood dish is not only necessary, but also potentially life-threatening. Mine was clearly made that morning, the mixto being a cocktail-like mixture of shrimp, tilapia, toasted corn, red onion, and other elements in lime juice. (in ceviche the lime is used to slow cook the fish over a day-long marinating process instead of heat). It was crisply fresh and wonderfully complex. When I asked if Ecuadorians used salsa, my waitress, whose name escapes me now, brought a small side of fresh-made Salsa de Aji Verde, which was made with onions, aji pepper, cilantro, and tomatoes del Arbol (tamarillo), which gave it a green hue. All was very subtle and delicious, and light in the stomach. The sides were white rice and well-made fried plantains. I was giddy by the time I had finished my plate. My buddy, who is Puerto Rican, had the Fritada con Mote, which was a different animal than my light fare- it was literally a pile of rice in the center, surrounded by marinated pork tips, hominy, ensalada criolla, bean menestra, and freshly fried plantains plopped on the top, which he said were the best he'd had since he last went to Puerto Rico. I can't speak for the individual elements of his lunch, but I do know that he ate that huge plate of vittles and loved it- that speaks volumes, imho. The place is in a less-than-romantic locale, next to a Michael's in a strip mall somewhere in suburban West Des Moines. If this is a problem for you, get over yourself or head down to the nearest TGIApplebee's, please. But if you want the Good Stuff, these folks deliver. Viva Mi Patria!!!
(5)
Jaimee J.

I really love this restaurant. We walked in on a weekday afternoon and there were only a couple tables taken, and we were seated immediately. The waitress asked if we had been before, which is pretty uncommon for a restaurant that doesn't have a theme. She took the time to explain items on the menu and gave us her suggestions. We ordered the empanadas for an appetizer, and she suggested we get one of each flavor to try them all. They were cheap and incredibly delicious! For our entrees, I ordered the Lomo Saltado and my friend ordered the Fritada con Mote. Very, very good. The ingredients were fresh and smelled amazing, the food came out at the perfect temperature and we cleaned our plates. Each entree came with rice and plantains, which were awesome! Giving a 5 star review because the experience was flawless. The food was great, the service was quick and the ambiance was perfect. The Ecuadoran music playing was a great touch. Will absolutely make it there again.
(5)
Dawn F.

This place is delicious. I have gone twice now. It's always quiet , which is why I'm reviewing! I want this place to be around forever. Eat here! I gave it 5 even though the service could be a little more attentive because it definitely deserves more than 4! It is one of those places you eat and the flavors are so good you realize you haven't been anywhere good in a long time. Don't leave without ordering the coconut fried bananas with ice cream.
(5)
Jeni B.

Do yourself a favor and eat here. Ignore the decor and enjoy the food! Flavorful, fresh, and huge portions. I have been here three times and they are always my favorite vendor at the World Food Fest. Seriously great food.
(4)
Espresso T.

Good flavors Will definitely go back!
(4)
Ellis M.

So good. Just the right kind of hole-in-the-wall place. Food was excellent and unlike other stuff I've tried! HUGE portions! Efficient, friendly service.
(5)
John B.

First time trying Ecuadorean cuisine. Amazing! For a sample of great food, do the Mi Patria for two.
(5)
Dirk B.

Ecuadorian food is different in all the right ways! I don't give out 5 star reviews easily. But Mi Patria easily surpassed all expectations. The Empanadas and Tortillas de Yuca were amazing. If you've never had cassava you owe it to yourself to give this appetizer a try. The Arroz con Pollo (chicken with rice) and Churrasco (steak) were fantastic.
(5)
Lee W.

One of our favorite places to eat in Des Moines. They have great food and even a vegetarian dinner that's not on the menu (just ask for it). The staff is friendly and efficient; the prices quite reasonable. The decor won't impress you but the flavorful food will make this one of your favorite places to eat too.
(5)
Patrick H.

I'm a repeat customer. Wish I sampled more of the menu but find that I always crave the hornado con mote (pulled pork) and have yet to deviate from my fave. Food: pork is tender, very flavorful. White rice, hominy, corn-cake. Very simple in principle but the taste is complex, rich and the execution is excellent. Each part of the meal compliments the others and invites you to mix it up on the fork. Ask for their "hot sauce", really more of a salsa, unique and with a nice heat. Service: Even on busy days the waiters have a sense of hustle. They make an effort to remember the past orders of familiar faces. Ambiance: Smallish slot in a strip mall. Some pics (presumably of Ecuadorian locals) on the walls but no extensive effort to recreate Guayaquil (and I just know that city from a former Spanish teacher). Music sounds like Mexican ranchera to my Texan ear. No complaints. They usually have futbol playing on the TV at the bar.
(5)
Paul S.

Mi Paria was excellent..First time for fried Plantains and they were good...Food was prepared and delivered and the tastes were awesome...I ate half the meal so I cpuld get the flavors later..lol...will definately go back..
(4)
James S.

Fabulous! Highly recommend the seco de pollo . Plantains male a great but come with some main dishes anyway.
(5)
Marc D.

friendly service, good authentic food making it an oasis in a area littered with fast food restaurants
(4)
Leo Y.

I eat out so often that I rarely bother to write a review, and it's rare for me to be impressed enough by an establishment to rate it five stars. This however is one of those rare, deserving, germs. The food was melt in your mouth delicious, the service was great, and the prices were extremely reasonable. If I lived in the area, I would be here on a weekly basis; I recommend this to anyone.
(5)
W C.

I don't give out 5-star reviews lightly. In fact, this is my first ever 5-star review on Yelp, but Mi Patria has earned it through complex flavors and the most tender, succulent, and mouth-wateringly good meat served anywhere in the state. Add to this a wonderful selection of quality side dishes and the result is a strong menu from top to bottom. Mi Patria is without a doubt my favorite restaurant in the entire Des Moines metro area. I don't make this claim lightly, having dined at many of the other great eateries around town including Centro, Lucca, Jethro's, Dos Rios, the Papusa stand at the farmer's market, and the venerable Baru 66. This modest restaurant beats them all.
(5)
Brent C.

Great food. I highly recommend this restaurant for anyone looking for a change from the everyday place.
(5)
Scott S.

I stumbled across this place while in Des Moines, what a gem! I had the Tortilla De Yuca as an app and it was very tasty. For my entree I had Hornado Con Mote which was excellent!!! This is not a fancy establishment, just really good Ecuadorian food... If I ever am back in the area again I will certainly stop in again.
(4)
Daniel L.

Fellow Yelper Mary B was the first to turn me to Ecuadorian cuisine, and I was very pleased to discover this mom and pop, hole in the wall in West Des Moines. This restaurant is located in a strip mall right off the 235 freeway. It is still a hidden gem since it was completely empty during each of my visits. The menu consists of majority Ecuadorian dishes with a touch of Brasilian and Peruvian flavors here and there. They also have a weekend buffet like many restaurants in the Midwest. The vertical interior is not very well lit. It is arranged by walkways that separate rows of tables and booths that lead to the kitchen and small bar area all the way in the back. Among the appetizers, I had the chance to try their Chicken Empanada ($6.99). It came in a set of three, and the crusty exterior lacked a coat of shine but was quickly compensated with a thin flakey texture with a good amount of shredded chicken at the core. The flavors were spot on, but the exterior was thin that tends to broke apart easily. I was less enthused with their Ceviche Mixto ($11.99) that came with a combination of white fish, shrimps and clams surrounded by plantains, or also known as patacones in Ecuador, that were nicely flattened and fried. I wouldn't recommend this dish because the amount of seafood was skimpy and overwhelmed by garnishes such as tomatoes, onions, green peppers and toasted corn. The plantains were very good, but the pointed citrus sensation that must accompany the unsurpassed freshness in the seafood just wasn't there. It was clear that their appetizers could be improved, but I was very satisfied with their main entrees. Their best dish in the house is the Arroz Marinero ($14.99). It came with a huge portion of yellow rice nicely tossed with shrimps, clams, and mussels with a crab leg sitting at the top. The seafood was fresh and brought a lot of depths and wow-worthy flavors to the rice. In addition, the side of plantains were cut a bit small for me, but the execution were on point and very addictive. I've had this dish on two separate occasions, and the seafood was fresh and the overall flavors were consistent across the visits. This has to be the #1 dish to consider for anyone visiting for the first time. Fellow Yelper Fia R ordered the Lomo Saltado ($10.99), a Peruvian dish that came with strips of steak stir fried with French fries, onions, soy sauce, and other seasonings. This dish is served with a bed of white rice, and they also gave her half of an avocado and plantains on the side. It's hard to beat Iowan beef as the strips were tender and nicely seasoned. I enjoyed this dish more than the one at the award-winning Mo Chica because the sharp and savory flavors were well integrated. In terms of execution, the dish was greasier than necessary, but otherwise it's just a step below my favorite Peruvian restaurant, Mario's Peruvian and Seafood. This dish was bursting with flavor. Another element that made a difference in their dishes was the hot sauce. The composition acts like a salsa that gives any dishes a twist of heat and textures that elevate the flavors to another level. I kept slamming the hot sauce onto my entrees and wished I could bring some home for my kitchen. Interested diners can expect mountainous food, fresh seafood, good value, and great service. Our water were constantly refilled and the server were very friendly, knowledgeable, and approachable. I'm not a fan of their appetizer items or decor, but there's plenty to be excited about when it comes to main entrees. I would love to come back again to try their other dishes.
(4)
Josh T.

Oh my gosh, this place place is ridiculously amazing! Really, I cannot wait to go back. I attached a couple photos of our dinner: Mi Patria for 2. It was a good way to taste everything, and it was all so good.
(5)
Andrea T.

Not sure I can say I have ever had Ecuadorian food before coming here. I know I have had Cuban which I believe is similar. We were up for the adventure! We went for dinner on a Friday night. It was not very busy but there were a handful of tables full. There seemed to be confusion on who would be our waitress and we witnessed this with other tables too. Once they got that figured out, the service was still slow. We started with the Beef Empanadas. They had good flavor! Next we ordered our main dishes. I had the Hornado con Mole. The pork was very tender and also had good flavor. I did not care for the salad type thing that came with it. The potato thing was good though! My fiancÃ© had the Charraco (or something like that name...see the pictures on here for the correct spelling). He enjoyed his steak, plantains, beans, fried egg and rice. I also loved the plantains! We decided to end with a banana and coconut dessert. Although it was tasty, it was actually my least favorite between the three courses we had. A solid four stars for the food. The service just wasn't very good.
(4)
Marlaine D.

The food was outstanding!! Fresh, hot, prepared perfectly, just feel like we found the best ever! Service was excellent, can't wait to come back to des moines! Thanks yelp!!
(5)
Sandy B.

Best food in Iowa. Brought me back to my moms and dads cooking from Ecuador! I live this place and would be coming here a lot more often.
(5)
B S.

We've eaten at Mi Patria several times over the past 2-3 yrs. They are a 45 minute drive from our home---otherwise, we'd visit more frequently. Service is always pleasant and welcoming. Without fail, the food has been excellent. We know their portions are large so we tend to choose items that are going to reheat well the next day---this place is the ultimate in comfort food. We have also tried the ceviche which obviously doesn't reheat the next day. It's not quite as good as the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica---but pretty close. (Maybe it was the lack of the Pacific sunset.) I had marinated pork tips tonight and my husband had corvina (fish). Both were excellent.
(5)
Shane C.

This Ecuadorian place is seriously one of the best places I've eaten. Even better than another place I went to in Minneapolis. The first dish I ever ate here was arroz con pollo (rice with chicken), which was super flavorful and had a huge serving. So, I was easily able to take it home and enjoy it the next day! Their plantains are also delicious, which can come with the dish or as an appetizer. My brother ordered their ceviche, which he said was wonderful as well. Our waiter was also polite and attentive. If you're looking for a nice, mid-range restaurant that is similar yet different in taste from other Latin American cuisines such as Mexican, check out Mi Patria. Highly recommended!
(5)
Terri M.

OK! I have now been here 3 times and I love it more each time! Great food! Try their pork, it's to die for. It's the closest thing to Cuban food I could find in Iowa. The place is small, in an open shopping center (next to Michael's). I feel that this little treasure is just too hidden and set aside and people don't come in as much as they should. There is more traffic going on at the Taco Bell across the parking lot! Don't be crazy! TRY THIS PLACE!!! I am telling you, you will NOT regret it! Their food is fantastic and the service is always very polite and helpful. It may take a few minutes longer than usual to get your food, but it is well worth it! Their fried plantains are sweet and melt in your mouth. The empanadas are tasty and the dough if amazing! The lentils are, well.. you just have to try them. If you are looking for true and authenic latin food, look no further. This is your place! Tell your friends! Let's keep this place alive!! I'm afraid I would cry if they disappeared! Pass up Taco Smell and chose this place. If you don't like it as much as I think you will, feel free to send me hate mail! =D Enjoy! And don't forget to tip your server. Iowa has lousy pay for servers!
(5)
Pinaki S.

Just some really amazing Ecuadorian, authentic food. Try everything on the menu. I got really fresh tasting ceviche (I've had ceviche once before, in Lima, Peru, and this was AS good as that time) and shared a "tortilla de yuca". The tortilla de yuca was (we agreed) one of the best appetizers I've ever had at a restaurant at this price point. Simply increible. Don't be dissuaded by the strip mall location or some-times lack of patrons-- this is the real deal. So far, after 3 weeks of working in Des Moines, my favorite place. This includes places like Centro and Flying Mango, which both have lots of fans on yelp. Amazing.
(5)
Karen M.

Excellent food and good service! Interesting choices. A memorable meal. Very reasonable prices. A wonderful family owned business.
(5)
Francesca A.

I have just eaten the best meal of my life here. I highly recommend the Mi Patria for Two. You get slow roasted pork, two grilled chicken breasts, carne asada, and then hominy, rice, beans, plantains, and sweet potato patties. The pork is out of this world. Love love love mi patria.
(5)
Jamen H.

It was good going down, but it quickly came shooting out my backside. I don't know if I need to season my stomach for this kind of food or not. I eat from taco trucks all the time and never has it returned so.... violently. Staff was cool though
(3)
Char D.

have been here many times. we went today at 3:15 - the cook must have been off cuz it was not good - my steak was tough, the plaintains were cold, they didn't have empanadas. my husband's pork chop wasn't moist, was overcooked, was dry and hard to cut. will be quite a while before we go back. at least the next time we will go at the noon hour.
(3)
Debbie B.

Fresh and wonderful! I wanted to go back right away after eating the awesome meal there (can't remember the name but it was pork with plantains, rice, Ecuadorian beans, a tasty salad with cilantro). So happy to have another great family-owned restaurant that serves fresh (not frozen or microwaved) food. Hooray!
(5)
Fia R.

So you're new to Des Moines, or you're curious AND down for Latino cuisine OTHER THAN Mexican, or both. And no: Tex Mex (e.g. hard taco shells w/ ground beef & American cheese) does NOT count o_O. This Ecuadorian family has been cooking up their traditional dishes of the homeland (;P) for over a year since their commencement. Since it was my firstie on Ecuadorian, DL gladly drove me to this Hole in the Wall (HITW) in a strip mall, where Michael's, Dollar Tree & Hooters are noticeably present. Despite arriving 10 minutes before their closing time, our server Narcisa was genial, down-to-earth, & accommodating with our following 2 orders. 1st thing: although this dish is mainly Peruvian, we couldn't get our eyes off of their Lomo Saltado ($10.99), yelp.com/biz_photos/IeQ8â€¦ . If you're somehow a bit hesitant to graduate from Mexican to South American food, this oversized portion of Lomo Saltado is a tremendous start. Their seasoned chunks of beef were just-right juicy, garlicky, & very appetizing w/ conspicuous hints of soy sauce to slowly leach on the fluffy white rice, sautÃ©ed onions & yummy steak fries, which you should expect them to slightly be on the soft side rather than McD's-textured. Sure enough I was quite impressed for the Ecuadorian fam to pull off LS pretty well. The 2nd thing--and more impressive, authentic & stunning--was their Arroz Marinero ($14.99), yelp.com/biz_photos/IeQ8â€¦ , something DL cannot easily eschew for his 2nd time. Logically I thought seafood (not lakefood xD) would NOT be as fresh due to the Midwestern location, BUT Mi Patria clearly proved me wrong. I haven't had such faultlessly delicious (King) Crab Legs since the Studio B Buffet in Vegas almost 2 years ago, & this family nailed it. The fried plantains were quite irresistibly yummy & the encircled mussels were just as tasty as the crab--& I don't like mussels =P. More awesome & clever was that hiding in that bountiful mound of non-mushy & luscious (possibly saffron-infused) rice was LOTS of succulent shrimp & clams that, except for the shelled crab, we thoroughly sucked in this huge platter. What's personally most remarkable, all in all, is their pure TLC of our food, cooked past closing time. Oh, & I hope you're a lover of REAL salsa, such as their minced pickled carrot, onion & chili pepper goodness served on the side. So if your taste buds are impatiently in an exploratory mood, or if you're homesick (i.e. from the Golden State) b/c of any encounter of subpar & pompous Mexican food, Mi Patria can make you feel homey with their marvelous dishes, either cooked traditionally or served buffet-style--on Friday & Saturday--at time well spent. Though the Lomo Saltado alone is 4-starred, no principal flaws were found, resulting in "WHOO HOO!" to this fun, gastronomic pearl.
(5)
Rebecca W.

Fantastic-4 of us went and everyone ordered something different so we could try lots of stuff. The steak was amazing, the pork was amazing, the seafood ceviche was amazing. The only thing that didn't get top marks was the hominy which was pretty tasteless but honestly you get so much food that it's not much of a loss. Our waiter was a little harried and forgot to bring ketchup for my daughters meal until the end however we went the same day they were featured in the Register and they were packed so I think it was simply the case of a fantastic turnout overwhelming them as he was still friendly, helpful, and offered to explain anything on the menu we had questions about. Will be back again and again-Mi Patria is a great addition to the Des Moines area!
(5)
Leeca J.

We tried this restaurant after reading all of the great reviews! We were not disappointed! The service was great, the food fresh and it came quickly. We started with the llapingachos, and they were so good! We also had the ceviche with shrimp and the churrasco. Both were delicious. The flavor of the meat was wonderful and the ceviche was so bright and fresh. Although I enjoyed every single thing we ordered, including dessert, I have to say the biggest surprise was the house made hot sauce! A punch of heat at the beginning but then layer after layer of flavor. I put it on everything! And, bonus: For $5.00 you can take home a large container of it! Don't be fooled by the unassuming storefront or decor. It is amazing!
(5)
Racheal R.

We have been to Mi Patria twice now, and would go back more often if we lived closer! It's an hour drive for us, but it's totally worth the drive. The food is DELICIOUS! We've had the ceviche (great flavors- made with frozen fish instead of fresh) and the arroz con mariscos (my favorite! A big mound of saffron-scented rice mixed with lots of clams and shrimp and topped with a few snow crab legs and mussels. Sweet fried plaintains come on the side. The serving is plenty big enough for me to have two meals from it!). Service has been friendly and efficient both times we visited. I highly recommend this place!
(5)
Dorothy H.

I am in love. If you want the best freshest tasting food and the most tender steak of your life stop in here. You cant go wrong with anything here. Service is fast and perfect. So nice and explained what everything was to me. Im coming back often.
(5)
Avonni H.

Best authentic Ecuadorian food I've ever had. The soup is outstanding. Talapia, flavorful fish stock with herbs and spices and roasted corn. Mmmmm let's not forget the sliced onion and loads of cilantro!! My waiter was personable, knowledgeable about the food. The Ecuadorian music playing was a nice touch as well. I loved the manzana apple flavored soda it is amazing. So, glad I wandered in here. I will definitely be back. Instead of taco bell ewe;(
(5)
Tim W.

Was on a point to point through De Moines, super long driving days. We stopped here to get lunch on Columbus Day because the menu sounded interesting on Yelp. The food here was absolutely FANTASTIC. I have no idea where they get all their ingredients from, but very impressive array of Ecuadorian fare, way beyond plantains. The service was very good, as well. What a surprise to find this gem in the middle of the heartland. I highly recommend trying the food here, this place deserves to persevere. Spicy or not, just ask.... And beautiful flavors.
(4)
C D.

Finally tried it out last night. Food was excellent, a very nice change from the same old day to day food. Started off with Empanadas, one of each kind. Loved the cheese and beef, the chicken was Ok. I had Hornado con Mote and the others had the Hornado off the appetizer menu. Followed up with Flan for dessert. Very good, plan on going back soon.
(4)
Robert B.

Second visit as good as the first. The lovely Judy is also sold on Mi Patria. Once again, Narcisa was very helpful in explaining the food, and just a lot of fun to talk to. Tilapia Frita for Jude and Lomo Saltado for me. Five stars for both.
(5)
Adam A.

A nice find in a little mini-mall just north of the 235. I don't have much experience with Ecuadorian food, but I'm a huge fan of Peruvian food, which has a lot in common (ceviche, lomo saltado, bistek, etc.). This place has a reasonably broad assortment of different kinds of typical dishes (steak, seafood- and also with rice and pasta). We'd actually had the llapingachos (mashed potato patties) already, a few weeks before, at the Des Moines World Food Festival, and didn't really love them--sort of lukewarm and a bit bland. But we figured that in the restaurant, they'd be warmer and probably have a better means of delivering sauce on them. They were quite similar, though, which was sort of disappointing. Maybe I just don't like llapingachos very much (I think I keep unfairly expecting them to have the same flavors as a similar Peruvian dish, papas a la huancaina, but they just don't.) For entrees, we had pork, and camarones al ajillo. Both were flavorful enough, though possibly a bit on the salty side. I was warned that the shrimp would be spicy, because it has peppers in it--but oddly, although there were indeed some jalapeÃ±o-looking peppers in the sauce, it had absolutely zero spice. Not just some macho "this isn't spicy for me" lack of spice-- rather, it was a confusing "if I couldn't see these peppers, I wouldn't believe they're in there" lack of spice. Maybe they were just some duds that day. But the dish was tasty, anyway. And when I had leftover shrimps and sauce at home the next day, I had it with spaghetti and it was even better-- so next time, I might see if they'd be able to serve it with pasta (tallarin de camarones) instead of with rice! We were pretty full by that point, but we decided to try the banana and coconut dessert, which was very sweet, but good. Overall, it was a good meal, and I'll definitely be stopping back in-- it's nice to have at least one south american place in Des Moines!
(4)
He And She I.

Fresh, fresh fresh! Homemade comfort food. Surprising flavor combinations for an American palate. New fav for DM?
(5)
Laura B.

I was introduced to Mi Patria through Des Moines' World Food Festival (where we had their AMAZING Tortilla de Yuca), and finally got a chance to visit their restaurant last night. Excellent! They have three different kinds of ceviche on their menu, as well as a selection of unique appetizers, including the aforementioned tortilla de yuca. The food was superb and we will definitely come back many times. This seriously may be one of my favorite restaurants in this city after just this one visit.
(5)
Jonathan W.

I've been twice now and both times were fantastic! I grew up on Cuban food, so plantains, beans and rice are always a sure thing for me. Ecuadorian food isn't exactly Cuban food though. This is the only time I've had Ecuadorian, and at least at Mi Patria it is incredible. I love the portions, the prices, and the flavor! All the meats were incredible, and we all enjoyed the ceviche as well. I'd go more often if I lived in Des Moines.
(5)
Jessica U.

We LOVE Mi Patria! The best restaurant in Des Moines for Latin American cuisine. Hands down. We ordered the llapingachos appetizer and the Mi Patria platter for two. This dish was a medley of all the Ecuadorian classics - steak, chicken, shredded pork, rice, beans, corn, fava beans, a fried egg, and fried plantains. Everything was delicious and this platter could have easily served 3, the portions were so generous. We loved the atmosphere and our server was great. We will be back!
(5)
Brooke P.

Really recommend this place! Thursday nights have a really great live band, we ordered up a couple of Negro Modelos and stayed and listened for quite awhile. Food is fantastic! Get the Llapingachos - creamy, peanutty, and sweet! I always order the Camarones al Ajillo for an entree and give it two thumbs up - spicy and flavorful! The cheese empanadas are the $hit!!! Everyone should try this place! The service was outstanding, very nice and attentive. Actually some of the best service I have experienced in DSM. Also, on Thursday's there is live music which is a nice plus.
(5)
Kevin T.

We came on a Wednesday evening and we were the only ones in the place. That being said our service was subpar. We ordered the Mi Patria for Two cause it looked like it had a little of everything to try. First I tasted the chicken and it was great. Our server gave us some Ecudarian hot sauce which I mixed in with the beans to give it a kick. But after the chicken the rest of the meats lacked flavor. The beef was super tough and the only knife I had was butter knife to cut it with. The pork was bland and seemed to have been roasting in a slow cooker for days. We may try this place again. Because there were other itms on the menu that looked good though our meal this time was just OK.
(3)
muddy d.

Thanks, yelp! While stopping in West Des Moines for gas and food, we were pleasantly surprised by our dinner. The strip mall, where Mi Patria is located, is quite accessible to I235. They have tried to liven the place up a little by displaying some traditional clothes and artifacts. By no means would I call this a "hole in the wall." Maybe one day they can get a stand-alone location, but I'm glad they didn't wait to open until they had the perfect place. We had the chuletas and lomo saltado, along with some Ecuadoran sodas. Everything was tasty, and served promptly. The staff were friendly and attentive, and the waiter offered to brew some coffee to go with the awesome flan we had for dessert. (They have a kids menu and plenty of room for those who are worried about what to do with the little ones.) Definitely plan to return if they are open when we drive through!
(5)
C M.

service was brisk, in a good way since this isn't the type of place where you'd savor a meal slowly. Food was not bad, but nothing to rave about. Decent quantity was good even for a habitual over-eater. The fried plantains were tasty.
(3)
Douglas R.

Fantastic restaurant. Tonight was our first time there. My older son & I had the ceviche mixato. This was some of the best ceviche I've ever had. Wife had pork - was perfectly marinated, and the fried white corn (hominy) was awesome. Younger son had a linguine with braised beef - a unique mix of flavors. Loved it - can't wait to try their lunch buffet.
(4)
Bret s.

We really liked this place although it was in a strip mall and was not very well decorated, not bad just lacked character. This is a family owned place and it shows in their food, it was really good and the server was kind and more than willing to explain what the food was. I thought the prices were fair given the quality of the food and portion size. We split the meal for two and had enough for another meal left over. The shredded pork I think was the most mouthwatering flavorful I have ever had. The only reason they did not get five gaseous flaming balls is because of the decor but other than that it's five all the way.
(4)
Greg B.

Mi Patria is my new favorite restaurant in Central Iowa. The authentic Ecuadorian cuisine continued to elicit "ooohs" and "mmmm's" from our party of six through out the evening. From the flaky-crusted chicken empanadas to the succulent coconut fried banana with ice cream, the varied dishes continued to surprise and satisfy. I frequently comment that the reason I love Thai food is because it leaves me refreshed and energized. Mi Patria, with perfectly blended flavors of fresh ingredients did the same. We drove back to Ames with the satisfied feeling of another evening well-lived among friends, exceptional cuisine, and service which made us feel like we were in a home we had visited many times before. If you are fortunate enough to dine before they run out of the Corvina, order it at the outset. It is perfectly prepared with a light, crisp crust leaving the center moist so it melts almost before it enters your mouth. Mi Patria is family-owned and run, and the chef was gracious enough to come out and tell our party about how he refuses to compromise authenticity and freshness. After an evening at Mi Patria, you will leave knowing that you would have had the same experience if you had dined in Ecuador itself.
(5)
Akemi W.

Omg, totally blown away by the food at Mi Patria! The service was professional but warm, the restaurant nice and clean (I'm OCD about cleanliness), and the food was super fresh and delicious. We are from a bigger city with one of the hottest dining scenes and have been sorely disappointed with most of the offerings in Des Moines. If you are used to flavor and freshness and are from a large city, you'll love the dishes here though we can see why it may be a bit much for the typical Iowa palette. Despite a history of eating at some amazing fine dining, Mi Patria has exceeded our expectations and become one of our top 10 favorite restaurants. Their rice dish with fresh seafood and plantains is comfort food at its finest but leaves you feeling light and refreshed (unlike a lot of the food offered in IA). We only eat fresh, high quality seafood at restaurants due to a complex about food poisoning and were so happy to find this quality here. Definitely recommend!
(5)
K V.

Very good food; great service.
(4)
Rudia L.

Good service and it was the first time I tried Ecuadorian food. It was a small mom and pop store and not much to see but the pork chops for lunch was fantastic. Glad I didn't go to a Chipotle or something...
(4)
Chris B.

Had the seafood and yellow rice. It was good.
(4)
DeWayne K.

Im from Los Angelas and found this new Equadorian restaurant is top notch. I've eaten at dozen of Columbian, Equadorian and other South American eateries and I give this place top marks! These folks brought a REAL menu to Des Moines unlike some of the dozen or so Mexican resturants that serve the same bland food. These folks don't skimp either, the dinner for two meal could easily feed 3 and you still might have leftovers. Thank god someone took some risk and opened this place.
(5)
Ricardo M.

Really authentic South American food... The best I have had in all of Iowa. The lunch buffet is great! Tip: Come hungry ;)
(5)
Amy M.

So very good! Lomo saltado was a hit all around, and their flan was to die for. It is the best strip shopping mall restaurant I've eaten at in America.
(5)
Nicholas K.

Went in on Sunday around 3:30, and we were the only ones in the restaurant. A little worried, but the food was great! We hadn't eaten this type of food before, but it was really good. The bean side dish was spicy, and my steak was tender.
(4)
J D.

Excellent food. My son had their weekend buffet which had standard favorites. I had a set of appetizers green plantains with cheese and pocotillo (spelling?). The first was good and the second was excellent with a variety of flavors. One note, all the maps put this address on the south side of US 235, it is on the north in the shopping center, right next to Michael's.
(4)
Mike R.

A great find in Des Moines. Everything we had was quite good. The ceviche de pescado was outstanding. And the prices are super reasonable.
(4)
Nathan D.

I like this restaurant. I am not a huge fan of South American food because I don't really like rice, corm, and plantains. But I do like their pulled pork sandwich, empanadas, and ceviche. I also appreciate the fact there is more latin restaurants that are not just mexican food, El Salvadore Del Mundo is the other non mexican place that comes to mind.
(5)
Mariana L.

My family and I really had to try this place while visiting family in Des Moines, IA because we had seen it on Guys Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives. We literally were not disappointed with the quality service and food! My parents, husband and I each tried something different for dinner. The dessert was delicious as well. I had the carne asana and flan and it's by far some of the best I've ever had. Even the restaurants back home can't top this amazing food!
(5)
Emily T.

I have just only heard of this place and now learning it's been around for a couple of years or more?! What rock have I been living under? Finally had the opportunity to check out this place that colleagues of mine have been raving about. Decor - nothing fancy, but that doesn't matter to me, the place was clean. Food - delicious and abundant. Be prepared to take some home or invite more people and do a family style type of meal and order a variety of appetizers and entrees. Price - wonderful, especially for the amount of food you get. We did order wine and thought for the amount and price, not a deal at all. I don't believe we received 5oz for our $6+ wine, I know, I know, restaurants, high prices, blah blah blah...moving on. I have been craving shrimp and just did the simple Arroz con Camerones. Simple, but delicious. My husband had the Lomo Saltado and was very pleased with it. He was offered some of their homemade hot sauce, which he loved. He said it was definitely spicy, right up front, but you could still taste the flavors after the heat. I will just take his word on that since I don't like too much heat in my food. We both enjoyed our leftovers. We will definitely be back to try some other items off the menu including appetizers and dessert. We had movie plans so needed to save room for popcorn!
(4)
Anne J.

Totally out-performed my strip mall expectations. Lomo Saltado highly recommended. I went with 7 friends and we called 5mn ahead to make a reservation and they sat us immediately, even with a totally full restaurant. The fries in my dish disappeared quickly and they were so delicious that we ordered an extra side for the table to share. A friend from out of state with Ecuadorian parents gushed with surprise at how much better the food was here than any Ecuadorian place he'd been to. Bonus: friendly and prompt service. Will definitely go out of my way to eat here again.
(5)
Caroline M.

Despite its unique location (situated in a strip mall between Michael's Craft store & a denture store), it was surprisingly wonderful. Don't come here looking for a fancy fare, rather really tasty, no frills home-style cooking. We kicked things off with a Dos Equis. When in Rome......being a beer snob, I just closed my eyes and pretended I was in a faraway place sipping on my beer with lime in it. It worked :) We selected cheese empanadas & plantains. I realize these weren't super wild and crazy selections, but we just wanted something to nibble on. We were pleasantly surprised at how flavorful everything was. The plantains came with a slightly spicy sauce to dip the fried goodness into. WDM residents need to step it up and dine here---chains/fast food suck anyway!
(4)
Janice W.

This place was great. Found it randomly on yelp right after dinner at a Thai place we just left for dinner nearby. I wasn't impressed with the Thai food so was looking for options for the next night. Mi Patria was really good! Reminded me of time spent in Latin America, good comfort food! Appetizers - We got empanadas (beef, cheese, and chicken) I liked them in that order, and we got yuca as well. They were very good. Entree - we all got the Churrasco! Loved every bit of it! There is a lot of food. Had I know all 3 of us were going to get the same thing we would have gotten the For 2 option so that we could try more thing! Very good Ecuadorian food! Very unexpected for Des Moines.
(4)
Kuaj K.

Ate there at 2:30 when I was in hurry. As soon as I told the server that I have a flight, he was very responsive and managed my time well. The food was so great, will go there again when I've more time. Great place, people, food and the price!
(4)
Tim B.

Mi Patria is a great example of everything falling in place with the help of favorable yelp reviews. I had been using yelp and word of mouth during a business trip to Des Moines, and the results were generally very good. But this meal was definitely the best of our entire week of excellent eating. As I've said before in earlier reviews, local variations on "ethnic" cuisines are to be expected (and appreciated) when you're not in the actual country of origin, but sometimes a restaurant staunchly sticks to its roots and the results are spectacular. Mi Patria is such a place. Not having a frame of reference for Ecuadorian food, I just had to follow the three principles of price, freshness, and taste. The entrees for the lunch menu hovered at $10, but the dishes were either rather large (like in the case of the Fritada con Mote) or extremely work-intensive (like the Ceviche Mixto). In other words, it was all well- worth the money. In the case of my Ceviche Mixto, the relative freshness of a cold-served seafood dish is not only necessary, but also potentially life-threatening. Mine was clearly made that morning, the mixto being a cocktail-like mixture of shrimp, tilapia, toasted corn, red onion, and other elements in lime juice. (in ceviche the lime is used to slow cook the fish over a day-long marinating process instead of heat). It was crisply fresh and wonderfully complex. When I asked if Ecuadorians used salsa, my waitress, whose name escapes me now, brought a small side of fresh-made Salsa de Aji Verde, which was made with onions, aji pepper, cilantro, and tomatoes del Arbol (tamarillo), which gave it a green hue. All was very subtle and delicious, and light in the stomach. The sides were white rice and well-made fried plantains. I was giddy by the time I had finished my plate. My buddy, who is Puerto Rican, had the Fritada con Mote, which was a different animal than my light fare- it was literally a pile of rice in the center, surrounded by marinated pork tips, hominy, ensalada criolla, bean menestra, and freshly fried plantains plopped on the top, which he said were the best he'd had since he last went to Puerto Rico. I can't speak for the individual elements of his lunch, but I do know that he ate that huge plate of vittles and loved it- that speaks volumes, imho. The place is in a less-than-romantic locale, next to a Michael's in a strip mall somewhere in suburban West Des Moines. If this is a problem for you, get over yourself or head down to the nearest TGIApplebee's, please. But if you want the Good Stuff, these folks deliver. Viva Mi Patria!!!
(5)
Tim W.

Was on a point to point through De Moines, super long driving days. We stopped here to get lunch on Columbus Day because the menu sounded interesting on Yelp. The food here was absolutely FANTASTIC. I have no idea where they get all their ingredients from, but very impressive array of Ecuadorian fare, way beyond plantains. The service was very good, as well. What a surprise to find this gem in the middle of the heartland. I highly recommend trying the food here, this place deserves to persevere. Spicy or not, just ask.... And beautiful flavors.
(4)
Jaimee J.

I really love this restaurant. We walked in on a weekday afternoon and there were only a couple tables taken, and we were seated immediately. The waitress asked if we had been before, which is pretty uncommon for a restaurant that doesn't have a theme. She took the time to explain items on the menu and gave us her suggestions. We ordered the empanadas for an appetizer, and she suggested we get one of each flavor to try them all. They were cheap and incredibly delicious! For our entrees, I ordered the Lomo Saltado and my friend ordered the Fritada con Mote. Very, very good. The ingredients were fresh and smelled amazing, the food came out at the perfect temperature and we cleaned our plates. Each entree came with rice and plantains, which were awesome! Giving a 5 star review because the experience was flawless. The food was great, the service was quick and the ambiance was perfect. The Ecuadoran music playing was a great touch. Will absolutely make it there again.
(5)
Dawn F.

This place is delicious. I have gone twice now. It's always quiet , which is why I'm reviewing! I want this place to be around forever. Eat here! I gave it 5 even though the service could be a little more attentive because it definitely deserves more than 4! It is one of those places you eat and the flavors are so good you realize you haven't been anywhere good in a long time. Don't leave without ordering the coconut fried bananas with ice cream.
(5)
Jeni B.

Do yourself a favor and eat here. Ignore the decor and enjoy the food! Flavorful, fresh, and huge portions. I have been here three times and they are always my favorite vendor at the World Food Fest. Seriously great food.
(4)
Espresso T.

Good flavors Will definitely go back!
(4)
Ellis M.

So good. Just the right kind of hole-in-the-wall place. Food was excellent and unlike other stuff I've tried! HUGE portions! Efficient, friendly service.
(5)
John B.

First time trying Ecuadorean cuisine. Amazing! For a sample of great food, do the Mi Patria for two.
(5)
Dirk B.

Ecuadorian food is different in all the right ways! I don't give out 5 star reviews easily. But Mi Patria easily surpassed all expectations. The Empanadas and Tortillas de Yuca were amazing. If you've never had cassava you owe it to yourself to give this appetizer a try. The Arroz con Pollo (chicken with rice) and Churrasco (steak) were fantastic.
(5)
C D.

Finally tried it out last night. Food was excellent, a very nice change from the same old day to day food. Started off with Empanadas, one of each kind. Loved the cheese and beef, the chicken was Ok. I had Hornado con Mote and the others had the Hornado off the appetizer menu. Followed up with Flan for dessert. Very good, plan on going back soon.
(4)
Robert B.

Second visit as good as the first. The lovely Judy is also sold on Mi Patria. Once again, Narcisa was very helpful in explaining the food, and just a lot of fun to talk to. Tilapia Frita for Jude and Lomo Saltado for me. Five stars for both.
(5)
Patrick H.

I'm a repeat customer. Wish I sampled more of the menu but find that I always crave the hornado con mote (pulled pork) and have yet to deviate from my fave. Food: pork is tender, very flavorful. White rice, hominy, corn-cake. Very simple in principle but the taste is complex, rich and the execution is excellent. Each part of the meal compliments the others and invites you to mix it up on the fork. Ask for their "hot sauce", really more of a salsa, unique and with a nice heat. Service: Even on busy days the waiters have a sense of hustle. They make an effort to remember the past orders of familiar faces. Ambiance: Smallish slot in a strip mall. Some pics (presumably of Ecuadorian locals) on the walls but no extensive effort to recreate Guayaquil (and I just know that city from a former Spanish teacher). Music sounds like Mexican ranchera to my Texan ear. No complaints. They usually have futbol playing on the TV at the bar.
(5)
Paul S.

Mi Paria was excellent..First time for fried Plantains and they were good...Food was prepared and delivered and the tastes were awesome...I ate half the meal so I cpuld get the flavors later..lol...will definately go back..
(4)
James S.

Fabulous! Highly recommend the seco de pollo . Plantains male a great but come with some main dishes anyway.
(5)
Marc D.

friendly service, good authentic food making it an oasis in a area littered with fast food restaurants
(4)
Leo Y.

I eat out so often that I rarely bother to write a review, and it's rare for me to be impressed enough by an establishment to rate it five stars. This however is one of those rare, deserving, germs. The food was melt in your mouth delicious, the service was great, and the prices were extremely reasonable. If I lived in the area, I would be here on a weekly basis; I recommend this to anyone.
(5)
W C.

I don't give out 5-star reviews lightly. In fact, this is my first ever 5-star review on Yelp, but Mi Patria has earned it through complex flavors and the most tender, succulent, and mouth-wateringly good meat served anywhere in the state. Add to this a wonderful selection of quality side dishes and the result is a strong menu from top to bottom. Mi Patria is without a doubt my favorite restaurant in the entire Des Moines metro area. I don't make this claim lightly, having dined at many of the other great eateries around town including Centro, Lucca, Jethro's, Dos Rios, the Papusa stand at the farmer's market, and the venerable Baru 66. This modest restaurant beats them all.
(5)
Brent C.

Great food. I highly recommend this restaurant for anyone looking for a change from the everyday place.
(5)
Scott S.

I stumbled across this place while in Des Moines, what a gem! I had the Tortilla De Yuca as an app and it was very tasty. For my entree I had Hornado Con Mote which was excellent!!! This is not a fancy establishment, just really good Ecuadorian food... If I ever am back in the area again I will certainly stop in again.
(4)
Daniel L.

Fellow Yelper Mary B was the first to turn me to Ecuadorian cuisine, and I was very pleased to discover this mom and pop, hole in the wall in West Des Moines. This restaurant is located in a strip mall right off the 235 freeway. It is still a hidden gem since it was completely empty during each of my visits. The menu consists of majority Ecuadorian dishes with a touch of Brasilian and Peruvian flavors here and there. They also have a weekend buffet like many restaurants in the Midwest. The vertical interior is not very well lit. It is arranged by walkways that separate rows of tables and booths that lead to the kitchen and small bar area all the way in the back. Among the appetizers, I had the chance to try their Chicken Empanada ($6.99). It came in a set of three, and the crusty exterior lacked a coat of shine but was quickly compensated with a thin flakey texture with a good amount of shredded chicken at the core. The flavors were spot on, but the exterior was thin that tends to broke apart easily. I was less enthused with their Ceviche Mixto ($11.99) that came with a combination of white fish, shrimps and clams surrounded by plantains, or also known as patacones in Ecuador, that were nicely flattened and fried. I wouldn't recommend this dish because the amount of seafood was skimpy and overwhelmed by garnishes such as tomatoes, onions, green peppers and toasted corn. The plantains were very good, but the pointed citrus sensation that must accompany the unsurpassed freshness in the seafood just wasn't there. It was clear that their appetizers could be improved, but I was very satisfied with their main entrees. Their best dish in the house is the Arroz Marinero ($14.99). It came with a huge portion of yellow rice nicely tossed with shrimps, clams, and mussels with a crab leg sitting at the top. The seafood was fresh and brought a lot of depths and wow-worthy flavors to the rice. In addition, the side of plantains were cut a bit small for me, but the execution were on point and very addictive. I've had this dish on two separate occasions, and the seafood was fresh and the overall flavors were consistent across the visits. This has to be the #1 dish to consider for anyone visiting for the first time. Fellow Yelper Fia R ordered the Lomo Saltado ($10.99), a Peruvian dish that came with strips of steak stir fried with French fries, onions, soy sauce, and other seasonings. This dish is served with a bed of white rice, and they also gave her half of an avocado and plantains on the side. It's hard to beat Iowan beef as the strips were tender and nicely seasoned. I enjoyed this dish more than the one at the award-winning Mo Chica because the sharp and savory flavors were well integrated. In terms of execution, the dish was greasier than necessary, but otherwise it's just a step below my favorite Peruvian restaurant, Mario's Peruvian and Seafood. This dish was bursting with flavor. Another element that made a difference in their dishes was the hot sauce. The composition acts like a salsa that gives any dishes a twist of heat and textures that elevate the flavors to another level. I kept slamming the hot sauce onto my entrees and wished I could bring some home for my kitchen. Interested diners can expect mountainous food, fresh seafood, good value, and great service. Our water were constantly refilled and the server were very friendly, knowledgeable, and approachable. I'm not a fan of their appetizer items or decor, but there's plenty to be excited about when it comes to main entrees. I would love to come back again to try their other dishes.
(4)
Josh T.

Oh my gosh, this place place is ridiculously amazing! Really, I cannot wait to go back. I attached a couple photos of our dinner: Mi Patria for 2. It was a good way to taste everything, and it was all so good.
(5)
Andrea T.

Not sure I can say I have ever had Ecuadorian food before coming here. I know I have had Cuban which I believe is similar. We were up for the adventure! We went for dinner on a Friday night. It was not very busy but there were a handful of tables full. There seemed to be confusion on who would be our waitress and we witnessed this with other tables too. Once they got that figured out, the service was still slow. We started with the Beef Empanadas. They had good flavor! Next we ordered our main dishes. I had the Hornado con Mole. The pork was very tender and also had good flavor. I did not care for the salad type thing that came with it. The potato thing was good though! My fiancÃ© had the Charraco (or something like that name...see the pictures on here for the correct spelling). He enjoyed his steak, plantains, beans, fried egg and rice. I also loved the plantains! We decided to end with a banana and coconut dessert. Although it was tasty, it was actually my least favorite between the three courses we had. A solid four stars for the food. The service just wasn't very good.
(4)
Marlaine D.

The food was outstanding!! Fresh, hot, prepared perfectly, just feel like we found the best ever! Service was excellent, can't wait to come back to des moines! Thanks yelp!!
(5)
Sandy B.

Best food in Iowa. Brought me back to my moms and dads cooking from Ecuador! I live this place and would be coming here a lot more often.
(5)
B S.

We've eaten at Mi Patria several times over the past 2-3 yrs. They are a 45 minute drive from our home---otherwise, we'd visit more frequently. Service is always pleasant and welcoming. Without fail, the food has been excellent. We know their portions are large so we tend to choose items that are going to reheat well the next day---this place is the ultimate in comfort food. We have also tried the ceviche which obviously doesn't reheat the next day. It's not quite as good as the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica---but pretty close. (Maybe it was the lack of the Pacific sunset.) I had marinated pork tips tonight and my husband had corvina (fish). Both were excellent.
(5)
Shane C.

This Ecuadorian place is seriously one of the best places I've eaten. Even better than another place I went to in Minneapolis. The first dish I ever ate here was arroz con pollo (rice with chicken), which was super flavorful and had a huge serving. So, I was easily able to take it home and enjoy it the next day! Their plantains are also delicious, which can come with the dish or as an appetizer. My brother ordered their ceviche, which he said was wonderful as well. Our waiter was also polite and attentive. If you're looking for a nice, mid-range restaurant that is similar yet different in taste from other Latin American cuisines such as Mexican, check out Mi Patria. Highly recommended!
(5)
Terri M.

OK! I have now been here 3 times and I love it more each time! Great food! Try their pork, it's to die for. It's the closest thing to Cuban food I could find in Iowa. The place is small, in an open shopping center (next to Michael's). I feel that this little treasure is just too hidden and set aside and people don't come in as much as they should. There is more traffic going on at the Taco Bell across the parking lot! Don't be crazy! TRY THIS PLACE!!! I am telling you, you will NOT regret it! Their food is fantastic and the service is always very polite and helpful. It may take a few minutes longer than usual to get your food, but it is well worth it! Their fried plantains are sweet and melt in your mouth. The empanadas are tasty and the dough if amazing! The lentils are, well.. you just have to try them. If you are looking for true and authenic latin food, look no further. This is your place! Tell your friends! Let's keep this place alive!! I'm afraid I would cry if they disappeared! Pass up Taco Smell and chose this place. If you don't like it as much as I think you will, feel free to send me hate mail! =D Enjoy! And don't forget to tip your server. Iowa has lousy pay for servers!
(5)
Pinaki S.

Just some really amazing Ecuadorian, authentic food. Try everything on the menu. I got really fresh tasting ceviche (I've had ceviche once before, in Lima, Peru, and this was AS good as that time) and shared a "tortilla de yuca". The tortilla de yuca was (we agreed) one of the best appetizers I've ever had at a restaurant at this price point. Simply increible. Don't be dissuaded by the strip mall location or some-times lack of patrons-- this is the real deal. So far, after 3 weeks of working in Des Moines, my favorite place. This includes places like Centro and Flying Mango, which both have lots of fans on yelp. Amazing.
(5)
Karen M.

Excellent food and good service! Interesting choices. A memorable meal. Very reasonable prices. A wonderful family owned business.
(5)
Francesca A.

I have just eaten the best meal of my life here. I highly recommend the Mi Patria for Two. You get slow roasted pork, two grilled chicken breasts, carne asada, and then hominy, rice, beans, plantains, and sweet potato patties. The pork is out of this world. Love love love mi patria.
(5)
Jamen H.

It was good going down, but it quickly came shooting out my backside. I don't know if I need to season my stomach for this kind of food or not. I eat from taco trucks all the time and never has it returned so.... violently. Staff was cool though
(3)
Char D.

have been here many times. we went today at 3:15 - the cook must have been off cuz it was not good - my steak was tough, the plaintains were cold, they didn't have empanadas. my husband's pork chop wasn't moist, was overcooked, was dry and hard to cut. will be quite a while before we go back. at least the next time we will go at the noon hour.
(3)
Debbie B.

Fresh and wonderful! I wanted to go back right away after eating the awesome meal there (can't remember the name but it was pork with plantains, rice, Ecuadorian beans, a tasty salad with cilantro). So happy to have another great family-owned restaurant that serves fresh (not frozen or microwaved) food. Hooray!
(5)
Fia R.

So you're new to Des Moines, or you're curious AND down for Latino cuisine OTHER THAN Mexican, or both. And no: Tex Mex (e.g. hard taco shells w/ ground beef & American cheese) does NOT count o_O. This Ecuadorian family has been cooking up their traditional dishes of the homeland (;P) for over a year since their commencement. Since it was my firstie on Ecuadorian, DL gladly drove me to this Hole in the Wall (HITW) in a strip mall, where Michael's, Dollar Tree & Hooters are noticeably present. Despite arriving 10 minutes before their closing time, our server Narcisa was genial, down-to-earth, & accommodating with our following 2 orders. 1st thing: although this dish is mainly Peruvian, we couldn't get our eyes off of their Lomo Saltado ($10.99), yelp.com/biz_photos/IeQ8â€¦ . If you're somehow a bit hesitant to graduate from Mexican to South American food, this oversized portion of Lomo Saltado is a tremendous start. Their seasoned chunks of beef were just-right juicy, garlicky, & very appetizing w/ conspicuous hints of soy sauce to slowly leach on the fluffy white rice, sautÃ©ed onions & yummy steak fries, which you should expect them to slightly be on the soft side rather than McD's-textured. Sure enough I was quite impressed for the Ecuadorian fam to pull off LS pretty well. The 2nd thing--and more impressive, authentic & stunning--was their Arroz Marinero ($14.99), yelp.com/biz_photos/IeQ8â€¦ , something DL cannot easily eschew for his 2nd time. Logically I thought seafood (not lakefood xD) would NOT be as fresh due to the Midwestern location, BUT Mi Patria clearly proved me wrong. I haven't had such faultlessly delicious (King) Crab Legs since the Studio B Buffet in Vegas almost 2 years ago, & this family nailed it. The fried plantains were quite irresistibly yummy & the encircled mussels were just as tasty as the crab--& I don't like mussels =P. More awesome & clever was that hiding in that bountiful mound of non-mushy & luscious (possibly saffron-infused) rice was LOTS of succulent shrimp & clams that, except for the shelled crab, we thoroughly sucked in this huge platter. What's personally most remarkable, all in all, is their pure TLC of our food, cooked past closing time. Oh, & I hope you're a lover of REAL salsa, such as their minced pickled carrot, onion & chili pepper goodness served on the side. So if your taste buds are impatiently in an exploratory mood, or if you're homesick (i.e. from the Golden State) b/c of any encounter of subpar & pompous Mexican food, Mi Patria can make you feel homey with their marvelous dishes, either cooked traditionally or served buffet-style--on Friday & Saturday--at time well spent. Though the Lomo Saltado alone is 4-starred, no principal flaws were found, resulting in "WHOO HOO!" to this fun, gastronomic pearl.
(5)
Rebecca W.

Fantastic-4 of us went and everyone ordered something different so we could try lots of stuff. The steak was amazing, the pork was amazing, the seafood ceviche was amazing. The only thing that didn't get top marks was the hominy which was pretty tasteless but honestly you get so much food that it's not much of a loss. Our waiter was a little harried and forgot to bring ketchup for my daughters meal until the end however we went the same day they were featured in the Register and they were packed so I think it was simply the case of a fantastic turnout overwhelming them as he was still friendly, helpful, and offered to explain anything on the menu we had questions about. Will be back again and again-Mi Patria is a great addition to the Des Moines area!
(5)
Leeca J.

We tried this restaurant after reading all of the great reviews! We were not disappointed! The service was great, the food fresh and it came quickly. We started with the llapingachos, and they were so good! We also had the ceviche with shrimp and the churrasco. Both were delicious. The flavor of the meat was wonderful and the ceviche was so bright and fresh. Although I enjoyed every single thing we ordered, including dessert, I have to say the biggest surprise was the house made hot sauce! A punch of heat at the beginning but then layer after layer of flavor. I put it on everything! And, bonus: For $5.00 you can take home a large container of it! Don't be fooled by the unassuming storefront or decor. It is amazing!
(5)
Racheal R.

We have been to Mi Patria twice now, and would go back more often if we lived closer! It's an hour drive for us, but it's totally worth the drive. The food is DELICIOUS! We've had the ceviche (great flavors- made with frozen fish instead of fresh) and the arroz con mariscos (my favorite! A big mound of saffron-scented rice mixed with lots of clams and shrimp and topped with a few snow crab legs and mussels. Sweet fried plaintains come on the side. The serving is plenty big enough for me to have two meals from it!). Service has been friendly and efficient both times we visited. I highly recommend this place!
(5)
Dorothy H.

I am in love. If you want the best freshest tasting food and the most tender steak of your life stop in here. You cant go wrong with anything here. Service is fast and perfect. So nice and explained what everything was to me. Im coming back often.
(5)
Avonni H.

Best authentic Ecuadorian food I've ever had. The soup is outstanding. Talapia, flavorful fish stock with herbs and spices and roasted corn. Mmmmm let's not forget the sliced onion and loads of cilantro!! My waiter was personable, knowledgeable about the food. The Ecuadorian music playing was a nice touch as well. I loved the manzana apple flavored soda it is amazing. So, glad I wandered in here. I will definitely be back. Instead of taco bell ewe;(
(5)
Lee W.

One of our favorite places to eat in Des Moines. They have great food and even a vegetarian dinner that's not on the menu (just ask for it). The staff is friendly and efficient; the prices quite reasonable. The decor won't impress you but the flavorful food will make this one of your favorite places to eat too.
(5)
Jessica U.

We LOVE Mi Patria! The best restaurant in Des Moines for Latin American cuisine. Hands down. We ordered the llapingachos appetizer and the Mi Patria platter for two. This dish was a medley of all the Ecuadorian classics - steak, chicken, shredded pork, rice, beans, corn, fava beans, a fried egg, and fried plantains. Everything was delicious and this platter could have easily served 3, the portions were so generous. We loved the atmosphere and our server was great. We will be back!
(5)
Adam A.

A nice find in a little mini-mall just north of the 235. I don't have much experience with Ecuadorian food, but I'm a huge fan of Peruvian food, which has a lot in common (ceviche, lomo saltado, bistek, etc.). This place has a reasonably broad assortment of different kinds of typical dishes (steak, seafood- and also with rice and pasta). We'd actually had the llapingachos (mashed potato patties) already, a few weeks before, at the Des Moines World Food Festival, and didn't really love them--sort of lukewarm and a bit bland. But we figured that in the restaurant, they'd be warmer and probably have a better means of delivering sauce on them. They were quite similar, though, which was sort of disappointing. Maybe I just don't like llapingachos very much (I think I keep unfairly expecting them to have the same flavors as a similar Peruvian dish, papas a la huancaina, but they just don't.) For entrees, we had pork, and camarones al ajillo. Both were flavorful enough, though possibly a bit on the salty side. I was warned that the shrimp would be spicy, because it has peppers in it--but oddly, although there were indeed some jalapeÃ±o-looking peppers in the sauce, it had absolutely zero spice. Not just some macho "this isn't spicy for me" lack of spice-- rather, it was a confusing "if I couldn't see these peppers, I wouldn't believe they're in there" lack of spice. Maybe they were just some duds that day. But the dish was tasty, anyway. And when I had leftover shrimps and sauce at home the next day, I had it with spaghetti and it was even better-- so next time, I might see if they'd be able to serve it with pasta (tallarin de camarones) instead of with rice! We were pretty full by that point, but we decided to try the banana and coconut dessert, which was very sweet, but good. Overall, it was a good meal, and I'll definitely be stopping back in-- it's nice to have at least one south american place in Des Moines!
(4)
He And She I.

Fresh, fresh fresh! Homemade comfort food. Surprising flavor combinations for an American palate. New fav for DM?
(5)
Laura B.

I was introduced to Mi Patria through Des Moines' World Food Festival (where we had their AMAZING Tortilla de Yuca), and finally got a chance to visit their restaurant last night. Excellent! They have three different kinds of ceviche on their menu, as well as a selection of unique appetizers, including the aforementioned tortilla de yuca. The food was superb and we will definitely come back many times. This seriously may be one of my favorite restaurants in this city after just this one visit.
(5)
Jonathan W.

I've been twice now and both times were fantastic! I grew up on Cuban food, so plantains, beans and rice are always a sure thing for me. Ecuadorian food isn't exactly Cuban food though. This is the only time I've had Ecuadorian, and at least at Mi Patria it is incredible. I love the portions, the prices, and the flavor! All the meats were incredible, and we all enjoyed the ceviche as well. I'd go more often if I lived in Des Moines.
(5)
Brooke P.

Really recommend this place! Thursday nights have a really great live band, we ordered up a couple of Negro Modelos and stayed and listened for quite awhile. Food is fantastic! Get the Llapingachos - creamy, peanutty, and sweet! I always order the Camarones al Ajillo for an entree and give it two thumbs up - spicy and flavorful! The cheese empanadas are the $hit!!! Everyone should try this place! The service was outstanding, very nice and attentive. Actually some of the best service I have experienced in DSM. Also, on Thursday's there is live music which is a nice plus.
(5)
Kevin T.

We came on a Wednesday evening and we were the only ones in the place. That being said our service was subpar. We ordered the Mi Patria for Two cause it looked like it had a little of everything to try. First I tasted the chicken and it was great. Our server gave us some Ecudarian hot sauce which I mixed in with the beans to give it a kick. But after the chicken the rest of the meats lacked flavor. The beef was super tough and the only knife I had was butter knife to cut it with. The pork was bland and seemed to have been roasting in a slow cooker for days. We may try this place again. Because there were other itms on the menu that looked good though our meal this time was just OK.
(3)
muddy d.

Thanks, yelp! While stopping in West Des Moines for gas and food, we were pleasantly surprised by our dinner. The strip mall, where Mi Patria is located, is quite accessible to I235. They have tried to liven the place up a little by displaying some traditional clothes and artifacts. By no means would I call this a "hole in the wall." Maybe one day they can get a stand-alone location, but I'm glad they didn't wait to open until they had the perfect place. We had the chuletas and lomo saltado, along with some Ecuadoran sodas. Everything was tasty, and served promptly. The staff were friendly and attentive, and the waiter offered to brew some coffee to go with the awesome flan we had for dessert. (They have a kids menu and plenty of room for those who are worried about what to do with the little ones.) Definitely plan to return if they are open when we drive through!
(5)
C M.

service was brisk, in a good way since this isn't the type of place where you'd savor a meal slowly. Food was not bad, but nothing to rave about. Decent quantity was good even for a habitual over-eater. The fried plantains were tasty.
(3)
Douglas R.

Fantastic restaurant. Tonight was our first time there. My older son & I had the ceviche mixato. This was some of the best ceviche I've ever had. Wife had pork - was perfectly marinated, and the fried white corn (hominy) was awesome. Younger son had a linguine with braised beef - a unique mix of flavors. Loved it - can't wait to try their lunch buffet.
(4)
Bret s.

We really liked this place although it was in a strip mall and was not very well decorated, not bad just lacked character. This is a family owned place and it shows in their food, it was really good and the server was kind and more than willing to explain what the food was. I thought the prices were fair given the quality of the food and portion size. We split the meal for two and had enough for another meal left over. The shredded pork I think was the most mouthwatering flavorful I have ever had. The only reason they did not get five gaseous flaming balls is because of the decor but other than that it's five all the way.
(4)
Greg B.

Mi Patria is my new favorite restaurant in Central Iowa. The authentic Ecuadorian cuisine continued to elicit "ooohs" and "mmmm's" from our party of six through out the evening. From the flaky-crusted chicken empanadas to the succulent coconut fried banana with ice cream, the varied dishes continued to surprise and satisfy. I frequently comment that the reason I love Thai food is because it leaves me refreshed and energized. Mi Patria, with perfectly blended flavors of fresh ingredients did the same. We drove back to Ames with the satisfied feeling of another evening well-lived among friends, exceptional cuisine, and service which made us feel like we were in a home we had visited many times before. If you are fortunate enough to dine before they run out of the Corvina, order it at the outset. It is perfectly prepared with a light, crisp crust leaving the center moist so it melts almost before it enters your mouth. Mi Patria is family-owned and run, and the chef was gracious enough to come out and tell our party about how he refuses to compromise authenticity and freshness. After an evening at Mi Patria, you will leave knowing that you would have had the same experience if you had dined in Ecuador itself.
(5)
Akemi W.

Omg, totally blown away by the food at Mi Patria! The service was professional but warm, the restaurant nice and clean (I'm OCD about cleanliness), and the food was super fresh and delicious. We are from a bigger city with one of the hottest dining scenes and have been sorely disappointed with most of the offerings in Des Moines. If you are used to flavor and freshness and are from a large city, you'll love the dishes here though we can see why it may be a bit much for the typical Iowa palette. Despite a history of eating at some amazing fine dining, Mi Patria has exceeded our expectations and become one of our top 10 favorite restaurants. Their rice dish with fresh seafood and plantains is comfort food at its finest but leaves you feeling light and refreshed (unlike a lot of the food offered in IA). We only eat fresh, high quality seafood at restaurants due to a complex about food poisoning and were so happy to find this quality here. Definitely recommend!
(5)
K V.

Very good food; great service.
(4)
Rudia L.

Good service and it was the first time I tried Ecuadorian food. It was a small mom and pop store and not much to see but the pork chops for lunch was fantastic. Glad I didn't go to a Chipotle or something...
(4)
Chris B.

Had the seafood and yellow rice. It was good.
(4)
DeWayne K.

Im from Los Angelas and found this new Equadorian restaurant is top notch. I've eaten at dozen of Columbian, Equadorian and other South American eateries and I give this place top marks! These folks brought a REAL menu to Des Moines unlike some of the dozen or so Mexican resturants that serve the same bland food. These folks don't skimp either, the dinner for two meal could easily feed 3 and you still might have leftovers. Thank god someone took some risk and opened this place.
(5)
Ricardo M.

Really authentic South American food... The best I have had in all of Iowa. The lunch buffet is great! Tip: Come hungry ;)
(5)
Amy M.

So very good! Lomo saltado was a hit all around, and their flan was to die for. It is the best strip shopping mall restaurant I've eaten at in America.
(5)
Nicholas K.

Went in on Sunday around 3:30, and we were the only ones in the restaurant. A little worried, but the food was great! We hadn't eaten this type of food before, but it was really good. The bean side dish was spicy, and my steak was tender.
(4)
J D.

Excellent food. My son had their weekend buffet which had standard favorites. I had a set of appetizers green plantains with cheese and pocotillo (spelling?). The first was good and the second was excellent with a variety of flavors. One note, all the maps put this address on the south side of US 235, it is on the north in the shopping center, right next to Michael's.
(4)
Mike R.

A great find in Des Moines. Everything we had was quite good. The ceviche de pescado was outstanding. And the prices are super reasonable.
(4)
Nathan D.

I like this restaurant. I am not a huge fan of South American food because I don't really like rice, corm, and plantains. But I do like their pulled pork sandwich, empanadas, and ceviche. I also appreciate the fact there is more latin restaurants that are not just mexican food, El Salvadore Del Mundo is the other non mexican place that comes to mind.
(5)
Patrick T.

Well for half of yesterday's lunch I was trying to figure out where Ecuador was on the map, I had forgot my phone at home and I was about to eat my 2nd ever meal from the country! I was pretty certain it was on the Atlantic Ocean side of South America. Well I was wrong on that, but I was right on deciding on Mi Patria for lunch! The one meal that looked vegetarian on the recently changed menu could be made Vegan so I was set! It was pretty amazing arrangement of flavors in my mouth, and the plate was packed full of it. I can't remember what it was called, but check out my photo for the proof of the goodness! They also brought us homemade hot sauce for our meals, which was not really that hot, but it was really fresh tasting and really good! Even though some of my meal was fried it all seamed really fresh tasting to me. And I did not feel loaded down after the meal! The service was great, and the place was clean. I wish I could explain it better but sometimes words can't do a meal justice!
(5)
Lisa I.

I remember a Sunday afternoon about 4 years ago when a vegan friend of mine suggested that we eat at an Ecuadorian restaurant. I was intrigued and we visited Mi Patria. I ordered the carne asada and sweet fried plantains. The steak was a thin yet beautifully marbled cut of steak grilled with delicious spices. Served with perfectly steamed white rice, menestra beans, and a beautiful-looking salad. The salad is a heavenly mixture of green pepper, red onion, tomato, and cilantro. Taking a bite of steak with the flavors of the salad was a thrill for the palette. The tender steak melts as you chew it and coupled with the salad, it's basically a fiesta in your mouth! Their house made hot sauce adds a burst of flavor with a bit of heat. Sweet fried plantains are warm, sweet, banana-esque flavor with crispy edges. You won't be able to resist the urge to close your eyes and let your taste buds take you to another world. I frequent this restauraunt because of the quality of the food - everything I order is out of this world, especially the patacones and the llapingachos. The service is also efficient and super friendly - they know my order by heart! Highly, highly reccomd this place! Vegan/vegetarian friendly!
(5)
Summer M.

This place is becoming a regular spot for us. Service can be slow at times but that's to be expected in a place where the food tastes like grandma made it. Fritada con mote is what we always come back to. Save room for the coconut fried bananas for dessert. The portions are huge, you might want to share.
(4)
Gerald Z.

OK...let me give you a pure unfiltered review of this spot...because that's how I am. that's what you can trust me for. Summary - Order the lomo saltado. Examine your fried items carefully, you may still eat them due to their deliciousness even if there is a bonus with them but you may want to know what you are eating. Be ready to wait, because the waitress sometimes forgets about you. Detailed Review - Service: 2 Stars - What?? Why two stars?? My wife and I were seated, and it took them 25 minutes to take our food order! 25 minutes. A couple that came and sat down after us got their food long before we even placed our order. that's not good service. Food: 5 Stars - yeah it's that good. the Lomo Saltado is legit. It's insane bordering on mindblowing. The combo of fries, seasoned beef, fried plantains, avocado, is just nuts. Mi Patria please read this - PUT THIS IN A BURRITO. YOU CAN PRINT YOUR OWN MONEY IF you put your lomo saltado goodness in a burrito with your hot sauce. OMG its freaking amazing. Too good to describe. Order it. The empandas were good but as someone else said they were about 50% air and 50% filling. I like deep fat fried items though so this didn't bother me terribly. The flan was great, lots of great childhood memories there, I am a traditionalist and could have it sans the raisins and strawberries. It had a good firm yet jiggly texture. YUM. Mindblowing menu item number 2...the coconut fried bananas. WHAAT??? So simple yet so soo good. The banana is soft and creamy surrounded by crunchy coconut. Perfection and is a great finish to the meal. Hygiene: 1 Star - What happened you may ask? Well as I was blissfully crunching down on a coconut friend banana I noticed....a foot long dark brown hair encapsulated in the breading. YUK!! Now this dish was so good that my wifey just ripped the hair out and continued to chomp away but me, it gave me pause, and then I continued to eat....the food was that good. But the thought of my server's hair or chef's hair in the banana makes me queasy today....
(3)
Linette F.

Ecuadorian at its finest! I mean Guy Fieri raved about this place, so definitely gotta give it a try. Sure enough totally worth the taste. I have to start with the desserts because they were just to die for. Fried banana with ice cream: I know it sounds simple. One bite of it will take you of this world. The crunchiness of the fried banana, the slight sweetness of the coconut shreds, than the moistness of the ripe banana. Amazing. Flan: this flan I tell you is bursting of light creaminess. Not too sweet not too strong or egg tasting. Just perfect! Warm spicy shrimp with fried plantains: the shrimps were simple and not much too it but the sauce definitely had a nice kick to it. Let's just move on and talk about the freshly fried plantains. Perfectly fried and not overdone. The softness of the plantains made it the ultimate touch.
(4)
Kristyn M.

The hype from the Tv show in Oct might and might not be helping this place. If they knew that the fame would bring in more people you think they might be more properly staffed. Lunch on a Saturday. Lucky got seated right away even with a 15 top right next to us. The waiter was racing around trying to keep up. He didn't take the time to converse with us or help us decide even after we told him it was our first time in. We picked foods from the Yelp reviews and pictures. (Thanks YELPers) Our young niece picked from the kids menu. Chicken strips and fries, a common staple. Her mom got the raved about Empanadas but with chicken. They are an appetizer and come three to the plate . They are big, crispy and mostly air. I got to try a half and ended up putting my rice in mine to eat. I got the Arroz con Pallo. A nice big flavorful bed of rice and chicken with fried plantains. My fiance got Bistek de Carne which to him was a bit bland. He didn't really go for it. Our waters did stay full but I felt forgotten about when it was time to go. Our check took a long time to get to us after we were done eating. Normally I'm patient but with a three year old who can't sit still it can wear on you. I'm glad a local owned place made mad reviews through tv on Diners, Drive - ins & Dives. Now the staff has just got to step it up a notch and get more personable. I enjoyed the food, I'd go back to try something else and see if it's better the second time around.
(3)
Abdelaziz E.

It's not a fancy restaurant to take your family out to. It's more of a to go or on the run kind of thing or if you are by your self and don't want to spend much. Food is delicious certainly
(4)
Tomoko M.

This is a casual setting restaurant but an Amazing authentic Ecuadorian restaurant. "Hornado" appetizer was out of this world. Also, "Lomo Soltado"(stir fry steak and french fri) was also amazing. The sauce was so much thicker and darker than most Lomos I had before. Highly recommended!
(5)
Robyn T.

I've been here several times now and have always looked forward to eating every last bit placed in front of me. I've never had fried plantains before, but they're great! Proportions are huge. I've gotten the Mi Patria for Two to share, and there was more than enough. Writing this review makes me excited to go back again!
(5)
Bill L.

Am I one of those people that came here because of the Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives episode? Yes I am! I have heard great things about this place from a ton of people, and being on TV it's a must-go-to place in Des Moines! I am pretty unfamiliar with Ecuadorian food, so all I did was order food Guy ate on the episode. (It looked amazing on TV so I wanted to try it) We came for lunch and there were only a handful of people eating, which I was pleasantly surprised, I thought it would be packed because a famous eatery now, but I enjoy eating in a relaxed atmosphere. The servers were very friendly and provided excellent service throughout our time here. The restaurant is not big and not decorated in any fancy way, it's a very no-nonsense restaurant. For starters we had the beef Empanadas, they come with 3 and they are big and tasty! The house salsa it comes with (I think the house salsa comes with everything, or you can request it) is GREAT! The shell is perfect, holds all the meat and flavors together well. For our first entree, we got the Hornado Con Mote, it is their signature pulled pork dish featured on the episode on TV. The pulled pork was tender and absolutely fantastic. The flavors of all the veggies and white corn together combined for an intense and new taste! You have got to try this dish! The other entree we had was the Pollo Al Horno, which is their "fried rice" chicken dish, the other item featured on TV. The rice was very flavorful and much better than I expected! Both these dishes came in good portions to keep you full! Overall, absolutely wonderful experience, no wonder they were featured on TV! This restaurant is not all hype, they are the real deal with their food! You have got to try it out! If you don't know what to order, just get what we got!
(5)
Jason R.

Don't let the terribly paved parking lot or shabby exterior intimidate you, this place is money. Had this restaurant bookmarked for a year and I'm so glad my wife's indecision on Sunday lunch guided me back here! The wait staff is superb. I felt welcome and taken care of right away. Water comes right away and we ordered some empanadas.. If you're familiar with Spanish/Filipino/Mexican empanadas these aren't it. Instead of a doughy encasing, it's kind of the texture of a properly cooked fried wonton.. Filled with cheese chicken or beef and peas and other vegetables... Must-order for sure! Had the arroz con pollo and my wife ordered marinated pork. The food is cooked to order and comes prepared with extra extra love. It was hot and delicious. Very impressive. We will be back. And did I mention the staff was great? Because they are.
(5)
Tom T.

Hidden gem in a neighborhood strip center. Yelpers pointed us here. Ecuadorian food. We ordered a Mi Patria dinner for two which gave us taste of the menu. Everything was delicious. We will definitely return next time we're in DesMoines. Definitely recommend.
(5)
Brittany S.

*Still thinking about that vegetarian sampler piled high with beans menestra (simmered in spices), ensalata criolla (lettuce and pickled tomatoes and red onions), plantains, white rice, patacones (plantain/potato mini pancakes that reminded me of potato latkes - very starchy - "stick to your ribs" as my father would say), fava beans and white corn (similar to hominy only larger) and a potato pancake-like patty on top. *Mi Patria consists of Ecuadorian fare - if Mexican and Peruvian eats had a baby...it would be something like Mi Patria's menu *Recently featured on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives - very casual and budget-friendly *Other menu highlights aka reasons to revisit: beef empanadas, $5 glasses of wine, coconut covered plantains served with ice cream for dessert and the Mi Patria platter for two that comes with pulled pork (essentially the veggie platter kicked up a notch with pork). * Can.not.wait.to .revisit.
(5)
Nathan E.

If you're traveling through Des Moines, stop here! If you're new to the area, make this your first culinary adventure! If you think Tasty Tacos is the best Mexican food available, maybe come here (but don't complain when you can't find burritos on the menu). Mi Patria uses great ingredients to produce amazing flavors. Seriously. You can't go wrong with their menu. Stop in and I promise you'll come back.
(4)
Neal G.

I love this place. I've brought several folks here. And I've always had the hornado con mote - a pulled pork plate that is delicious. I come whenever I can. My friends from the San Francisco Bay Area say it compares really well with places there. Very friendly service too.
(5)
Kim S.

What a great unique dining experience. My first time having Ecuadorian food. What a treat. Whatever your meat preference or going meatless, they have something for everyone. Plantains... Omg awesome and such a variety in preperation. My whole family loves this place. A must try! Wanna try something new and delicious, give mi patio a try
(5)
Bossladie E.

This place is AMAZING! the food is delicious and the people are so friendly!! Its worth the trip and its tucked away like a hidden secret. I was by here shopping and had no idea they were here. Thank goodness for yelp!!! I will be back with my family. I paid $9 for lunch and have plenty to take home for dinner!! I cant wait to come back and eat again
(5)
Theresa C.

I've never had Ecuadorian food before, so I have nothing to compare Mi Patria to. My review is based solely on my satisfaction with the meal. We ordered mi patria for two. The meal was heavy with no vegetables, and all three of the meats were too salty. The service and wait time were good.
(2)
Gene H.

Carne Asada is very tender and flavorful, Mrs had the Hornado Con Moti dinner....the pork was very tender and tasty as well. She wasn't a big fan of the corn but I thought it was pretty good. The Emanadas were awesome as was the Coconut Banana Chocolate Ice Cream desert mmmmmm
(5)
Liz C.

Don't judge a book by it's cover! Unassuming strip mall location is home to delicious food and friendly service. Don't miss the homemade hot sauce!
(5)
Peter B.

The food here is excellent!! I'd never had Ecuadorian food before, but this is as good an intro as you can probably get! I went with my wife and her parents. To start we had the empanadas and tortilla de yuca appetizers. Wow! Delicious! None of us had eaten yuca before and we were all surprised by how tasty it was. For our meal we split two entrees. They are very large portions. The 1st entree was Arroz Con Pollo which came with plantains (I think the plantains were just fried with this dish). Very tasty. Our favorite dish though was the 2nd one, Churrasco. It's grilled strips of steak served with more plantains. This was my first time eating plantains. Yum! One of my new favorite foods after having them at Mi Patria.
(5)
Sejla H.

Excellent food and great quick service. This was my first time trying Ecuadorian food and I really did not know what to expect. I had a dish with lightly breaded & fried shrimp over rice with lentils and some fried plantains. My husband had a dish with beef, peppers, tomatoes served over rice and some fried plantains. We will definitely be back!
(5)
Karen A.

Found this place on Yelp. Figured I'd give it a try. I don't regret it one bit. Good food. Good service. Will definitely recommend and visit again soon !!!!!!!!
(5)
Tammy S.

Delicious!! Fresh!! A must go! Service is great! Mom and Pop atmosphere with amazing food!
(5)
Ryan R.

Really great place to eat if you want something different in Des Moines. Ecuadorian food at its finest. If you are visiting check this place out as it is a hidden gem.
(5)
Jennifer Y.

Delicious! What a welcome surprise to find Mi Patria on our road trip out west. Don't expect a fancy Latin American place - this spot is no frills with great food. Staff was friendly and attentive. The Camarones de Ajillo was excellent but very spicy to my taste and the Arroz con Camarones was tender and HUGE. The only reason why it didn't get five stars from me was that the shrimp in the Arroz con Camarones was a bit over cooked and had that rubbery consistency. Next time I'll get the Arroz con Pollo which I'm sure will be amazing! Try the homemade hot sauce (delish!). We were too full to attempt dessert, but the flan and the coconut fried bananas sounded great.
(4)
Andy S.

I really wanted to like this place a ton, being it is Ecuadorian food and I like having more food choices in Des moines, but I just don't get the hype. I have eaten here about a year before writing this, and again yesterday. After seeing triple D air it on their show, I figured I'd give it another chance. Both times I have been here I thought it was ok, just ok. I mean I ate the food, I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it. I know it's Ecuadorian, but it just reminds me of the dime a dozen strip mall and old Pizza Hut building Mexican restaurants all over. So basically, ok at resonable prices. Maybe I'll give it a third try in another year or two, but I doubt it.
(3)
Zack L.

After we were told about Mi Patria, we decided to check it out. The general appearance of the restaurant wasn't very appealing at first, but everything was great as soon as we were inside and seated. The service and food were fantastic. Give this place a try. We will definitely be back!
(4)
Mark O.

Service is very friendly and the one server working the lunch rush earlier today was bustling from table to table, ensuring each patron was enjoying their food and making sure their beverage was getting refilled. He checked on me at least two or three times during my visit. The food is crafted with care and tastes very fresh and pure. Portions are very generous. I ordered the pulled pork plate which came with corn, rice, a potato patty, and "ensalada". The ensalada is comparable to pico de gallo, only on a larger scale. The pulled pork was very tender and didn't have any tough spots. This place is indeed a gem and I'm sorry that it took me so long to check it out.
(4)
MarÃa Jimena G.

We love this restaurant. We have been there several times and have tried a variety of dishes. Our favorite choice is mi patria for two, which is super tasty and more than enough for two people. If u don't want to order something very big, the yuca appetizers are a great choice. The service is very friendly too. We highly recommend this restaurant
(5)
Happy S.

Located in a strip-mall, oddly enough like many great finds, this Ecuadorian restaurant features spectacular service and above average meals. My teenage son and I started with the mixed empanadas as an appetizer, and both ordered the house special. The empanadas were flaky and flavorful, but could have used more filling. Both main dishes were very good, and the side of plantains was a tasty trip off of the beaten path. The mound of white rice, though I am sure is authentic Ecuadorian cuisine, was out of place with its blandness adding absolutely nothing to the meal. While my companion and I enjoyed our meals, they were certainly nothing special. In spite of some of the best, while never pestering, service I can remember receiving, I do not foresee a reason that would take me back.
(3)
Jason M.

My wife and I came after seeing the reviews on here. And the reviews did not do this place justice. We had the yuca appetizer and wow it was a hit. I assume it was the owner serving us and he brought some hot sauce to go with and it made it even better. For dinner we shared the Mi Patria and the portions were huge. We left full and extremely happy and have lunch tomorrow. I would recommend everyone try this gem to make sure Des Moines doesn't lose it.
(5)
Andrea S.

The food is delicious. The service could be improved. A little slow showing people a table, bringing menus and checking with you if you need something. I'll return for the food, if nothing else.
(4)
Christy R.

We've been here several times and each experience has been fantastic. The salsa is wicked hot while the pico is refreshing with a kick. Love love love
(5)
Ken B.

Awesome. Very authentic. Friendly service. Family style. Highly recommend. Not fancy or stuffy. But freaky girl costume on the wall makes me think it's haunted by a dead relative.....still, totally worth it...just don't sit underneath the girl's costume!!!!
(5)
Megan W.

My husband and I both loved everything about our lunches! The servers were very knowledgeable regarding the menu and were very friendly.
(5)
Adam P.

Sorry can't talk or type right now busy stuffing my face with delicious ecuadorian food! What you call yourself a foodie and you haven't had ecuadorian food!?! Don't worry I had not had it ether, but you should try it now here! I can't say it's the most authentic because I have nothing to compare to. I will say just on the point of food it's amazyum. They have potato cakes stuffed with cheese. Let me repeat that potato cakes stuffed with cheese called Llapingachos! Put them in your belly. A lot of their dishes have plantains and I love plantains they cook them perfectly. The only knock was the server was ok, but it looked like he was training so they get a pass. He knew what to recommend and that's a good thing.
(5)
Jeffrey A.

I've been to this strip mall many times but never noticed Mi Patria. I've now been there twice in the last week. First time my wife and I had the Mi Patrica for two and an empanada appetizer. The pulled pork and steak were both remarkable. I was less impressed with the chicken (overcooked) and the hominy (disliked since childhood). The empanadas were as good as I have ever tasted. That was on Wednesday. On Friday my son and I stop on Friday for appetizers. We ordered picadillo de hornados and empanadas, both great choices. Mi Patria is now on my restaurant rota for Des Moines.
(4)
Rob P.

You may have had Mexican or Spanish food, but have you had Ecuadorian? Mi Patria pulls back the veil on Latin American food to allow us to see past Mexico to the rich culinary world beyond. I've tried dishes from the menu, like the wonderful ceviche (seafood "cooked" by the acid in citrus fruit) and from their buffet. Nothing I have had has been less than great. Their wonderful, inviting staff make you feel at home. The dÃ©cor doesn't add much to the experience, but you can view Ecuadorian games on the TVs. My wife and I really enjoy Mi Patria every time we go...and we'll be back.
(4)
Hans P.

This is the best Latin American food that I've ever had in Iowa.
(4)

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Address : 1410 22nd St
West Des Moines, IA, 50266
Phone (515) 222-2755
Website https://www.mipatriaecuador.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

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Mi Patria

1410 22nd St, West Des Moines, IA, 50266

Mi Patria Menu

APPETIZERS

SANDWICHES

SEAFOOD SPECIALTIES

ENTREES

SIDE ORDERS

DESSERTS

KIDS MENU

Healthy Meal suggestions for Mi Patria

APPETIZERS

SANDWICHES

SEAFOOD SPECIALTIES

ENTREES

SIDE ORDERS

DESSERTS

KIDS MENU

Abdelaziz E.

Tomoko M.

Patrick T.

Lisa I.

Summer M.

Bossladie E.

Theresa C.

Gerald Z.

Linette F.

Gene H.

Liz C.

Kristyn M.

Bill L.

Jason R.

Tom T.

Brittany S.

Nathan E.

Neal G.

Kim S.

Robyn T.

Peter B.

Sejla H.

Karen A.

Tammy S.

Ryan R.

Jennifer Y.

Andy S.

Zack L.

Mark O.

MarÃ­a Jimena G.

Happy S.

Jason M.

Andrea S.

Christy R.

Ken B.

Megan W.

Adam P.

Jeffrey A.

Rob P.

Hans P.

Mariana L.

Emily T.

Anne J.

Caroline M.

Janice W.

Kuaj K.

Tim B.

Jaimee J.

Dawn F.

Jeni B.

Espresso T.

Ellis M.

John B.

Dirk B.

Lee W.

Patrick H.

Paul S.

James S.

Marc D.

Leo Y.

W C.

MarÃa Jimena G.