Henry J’s Taco House

In from So. Cal on business. Should have known better. If this is what passes for good Mexican in Des Moines I’d hate to try the 1 or 2 star rated Unilocal Taco joints. Should have heeded the 1-​star review by Warren.
The tacos (if that’s what you can call them) are wrapped in a fried «shell» that bears a resemblance to a really bad empanada. Some beans and guacamole smeared inside and I think there was some meat… but not much. The rice and beans that came with the taco platter were cold. And I don’t mean luke warm… at best room temperature. Avoid… unless you’re a local and think this is good Mexican. Blecccch.

Honestly I love tasty tacos but this place is just as good. Me personally I’d skip the taco seasoning spaghetti believe the call in fundio or something. Mildly annoyed the charge for hot sause but I’m sure it was getting abused and wasted costing them money. Still even paying for hot sauce it will be a few dollars cheaper than tasty tacos. Shells are flour but I little crisper than tasty which I live. Place is worth the stop. Splurge and get the large sause and you’ll want to take the extra home. I did get a face lift a few years ago but I miss the the old décor. Who wouldn’t love a drive taco place with a matador painted on velvet, but things change and it dose look much nicer

I had been meaning to give this place a try and I did today. In the end the taco was good. Beware all sauces cost extra. The host at the order counter was a quiet young lady. I didn’t understand sauces were all extra, even the hot sauces for the taco? Hmmmm silly. Anyway the place is ok. If the service was great and atmosphere better decorated I might had given 4 stars

Been coming here near 20 years and it’s still amazing. I love the locally owned places. It’s a dive that is great. Flour tacos platter with rice and beans is always my go to for here. I should try something else but I know the tacos are so good its hard for me to venture away.

Agree with the taco platter with rice and beans. My hubby got enchilada which was great too. I personally thought it was better than tasty tacos. I like greasy spoons!!! Not here for the ambience.

I’m a Hispanic from Tucson AZ. I’ve had real Mexican food my whole life. I was recently in Des Moines to visit my wife’s family. Her aunt said this was the most authentic Mexican food ever. Well, I have to tell you, this is by far the worst Mexican food I have ever had. I’m sorry, but I wouldn’t feed it to my dog. Really. This food is bad. I can’t believe this place is still open. Please, do people a favor and close you doors.

Literally the worst food (should you chose to call it that) I have ever had. If burnt cheese into your Styrofoam plate is your style this is the place for you. Iowans will not rate the things they actually like
I have learned this the hard way having lived here now for almost a year.

This is a hole in the wall that most people drive past. It looks like a dive but that adds to the charm. Its a gem. Trust me. This place is always compared to Tasty Taco. That’s because its a twist on the same gimmick. Deep fried taco shells. Except this place fries their shells crispier so instead of fried bread its more like a crab rangoon shell. The result? A better taco. And they’re addictive! The beans are average but good as is the rice. Most get the fideo. Think chopped up angel hair pasta mixed with mexican rice sauce. Italian Mexican rice??? You’ll either love it or hate it. The enchiladas are better here than at Tasty’s too. This is a cheap stop that most people don’t know about that’ll surprise the heck out of you. Enjoy and you’re welcome.

Tasty Taco ain’t got nothing on Them! My favorite Taco place! I try to make it once a week! 2 Tacos, order of Spuds, lil thing of hot sauce & a drink and I’m good to go! The staff is always great to me & anyone else that walks in when I’m there! I have taken many friends to this place & most of them still eat here. The others are out of state!

the tacos are fantastic & the sausage sandwiches are the best in des moines!

It had been about a decade since I’d eaten at Henry J’s, but the draw of their flour tacos and understated (somewhat rough) ambiance was calling. I had 2 flour tacos and double rice as a side and it was like I’d never missed the place. ;)
The beef/​refried bean combo with the deep fried shells gives you a sense of «home» and authenticity over other taco places. Comparatively, it’s as «tasty» as their competitors (It’s just a bit … Uh. Greasier… but I expected that) and I was able to get in and out with a side and drink for under $ 7.25. Yum!

My friend took me here when I said I was craving a good taco. I will not go back.
The Place: The ‘hole in the wall’ setting is great, as was the service.
First, let me tell you about beef and pork here in Iowa. Hands down, it really IS the best tasting meat I’ve ever had! Go to a Fairway Market, where they still have an old-​fashioned butcher counter, order up a couple of T-​Bones, pay for your groceries and get someone who personally helps you out to your car (sure, some upscale places still do it but Fairway does it just like our old neighborhood grocery stores did it 40 years ago, when I was a kid… as part of hometown customer service)…then go home and enjoy!
The Food: Horrible. Not the worst, but pretty close. They only serve beef, which would be fine if it tasted like Iowa beef. It was tasteless, and the shells were oily and overcooked. The beans and rice were decent.
The Price: Cheap.
I wouldn’t have tried Tasty Tacos, which is a chain here, if this place hadn’t been so bad. Another regretful meal. I have Tacopocalypse on my radar for the next try.

Best tacos in the city, hands down. Fresh fried shells, unbelievable, and unique. Not the fanciest joint in the world, but excellent food.

Henry J’s tacos rock! …but there is no need to disrespect Tasty Tacos who have their tacos down. Henry J’s is embarrassingly inexpensive. $ 2 for a great flour taco and $ 5 for a 2 taco plate w/​2 sides. The dinner comes with a 1 oz sauce cup but I’m a full squeeze bottle at Tasty Tacos kinda guy so I splurged for another 4 oz serving. I had fideo & rice for my sides. We had the funnel cake fries for desert. Great local «fast» food that has been in the same location for al long as I can remember.

Move over Tasty Tacos — Henry J’s has the best tacos in Des Moines if not in the US!!! Try the flour taco and you will see what I mean. Make sure you also get a pint of their homemade hot sauce– it has just the right amount of heat!
It isn’t the best place to dine in so plan for take out. Also be aware– they are only open Monday-​Saturday.

In my opinion, Henry J’s Taco House is LEAPS AND BOUNDS better than Tasty Tacos. Their tacos are completely amazing!!! If you’re a big fan of Tasty Tacos, or of genuine fried tacos in general, I urge you to try Henry J’s. It’s a tiny dive on SW9th near Lincoln HS, across the street from the McDonald’s. Try not to judge it before stepping in and trying a taco.
I haven’t been adventurous enough to try anything else off the menu, but friends have told me the beans are good, the quesadillas are too small, and the fries are mediocre. … But really, go for the tacos.
The downsides to Henry J’s: … okay, it’s a dump. The place is unappealing from the outside and only seems to lower the bar once you walk inside. But y’know, dives often have the best food. Another downer is the fact that they only accept cash. So be sure to come prepared!
UPDATE: Henry Js now accepts credit/​debit cards.