Taco Johns

Normally we like Taco Johns for a quick meal. But last night, a Thursday, they had 7 employees working and hardly any customers. The staff was bored and messing around. As we were eating I watched them. I mentioned to my hubby that we should be concerned about the food. The staff’s hands were in their pockets, messing around with their clothes, a broom, the counters, taking money, and everywhere else. AND handling food. I never saw them wash their hands ever, EVER. Now, a day later, we’re sick. I won’t share the details, but we have food poisoning. BEWARE.

Besides the drive thru being a little weirded out this is a nice place. Easy to order and friendly service. Food was hot and fresh and just as I ordered. Recommended and will more than likely return.

I well go else were I do not like there food there to hi pice for a little amount u get and your food give to u cold no stare they should be shut down potato to salted no thank u ewwwww no stars

This food isn’t edible. I’m not even sure it’s food. I ordered some supreme burrito and they gave me a bean burrito. It was my first time there so I wasn’t too sure how things were supposed to look but it looked and tasted disgusting. It looked and tasted like a burrito solely full of flavorless beans with maybe a thimbleful of sour cream. And the customer service is seriously lacking.
I know the place is called Taco John’s but does it have to taste that watered down and whitewashed???
I do have a heavy bias — I’m a native Texan. Even then our Americanized Mexican aka Tex-​Mex doesn’t taste this bad. If you’re a midwesterner you might like it, but if you’re from Oklahoma and further down you might not want to bother.

Taco Johns, I love you. I do.
When I think back on the best experiences of my life, my first trip to Iowa ranks in the top 3. I ate a lot of taco Johns’ potato oles when I was there, so this place holds a special place in the nostalgia center of my brain.
I can’t describe to you to depth of adulation I have for the potato oles. I could probably write a sonnet, but I’ll never try… because I don’t want to know for sure that it’s in me to write a sonnet about what is essentially a seasoned tater tot. Suffice it to say, though, that I had never before, nor have I ever since, found such a delightful snack at any fast food restaurant that I’ve ever been to.
Now, this is a big deal. Maybe not for you, but definitely for me. In a dark world where places like McDonald’s flavor their french fries with some kind of secret beef extract, and places like Taco Bell have nary a vegetarian option in sight (I’m cautious of their beans, regardless of what they tell me), Taco Johns is a big shining lantern lighting the way for vegetarians everywhere. Except in California where we don’t have Taco Johns.
For the sake of complete transparency, though, I’ve never had anything else here… Come to think of it, I’ve never really even looked at the menu. Do they even sell tacos here? I don’t know. I just know that Dan told me I was going to love these potato things, and then he ordered some for me. After that, I didn’t need a menu. However, this might mean that there is really nothing else here I can eat. I also don’t really care.
There are other restaurants in Ames where I can get a salad.

This was our first time at this Taco John’s. We were greeted and served by exceptionally professional and polite staff. The beef burrito was very good as were the tater-​tots, quesadillas, and taco salad. Interior is fresh, clean, and new. ISU students and alumni receive 15% off with Student ID or alumni card.

For a fast food joint its a solid four stars. The food tastes good and comes fast. No matter what you order here you will get some thing that tastes good but it is a little pricy for fast food.

This is a new Taco John’s. The old one was a few blocks away.
The new one is big, clean, has better parking, has a bathroom you can get to without leaving the building and knocking on the back door.
That said, I preferred the old one. There was an intimate relationship with the employees. Now most of them are hidden from the customers and you don’t get to bond with them.
It is standard fast food fare.