Vel’s Amigo’s

What a joke. We were first disappointed that they did not take cards but had an on-​site ATM. The ATM had a whopping $ 3 fee but the machine did not work. The waitress gave us a free bowl of salsa and asked if we would like chips with the salsa for $ 1.25. I noticed the menu did not contain a fajita quesadilla like every other Mexican restaurant in the world and then noticed that there was not a single Mexican in the joint. Should’ve bolted then.
We declined to pay for chips and were told the food would be out very soon. I left to go gas up my car and get cash back from a local Caseys and still had a few minutes before the food arrived. Worst Mexican food I can remember eating. The beans were somehow crunchy and the horsemeat for steak had to have been very old. Whatever marinade they used was also horrible. My coworker and I spent some considerable time on the toilet immediately after eating and would only recommend the joint to our worst of enemies.

The food is good and decently priced. The menu is limited, so it’s not the best place for picky eaters.

Very good food for the Midwest. Clean, friendly, and great for groups. Just good food at reasonable prices.

Been eating here since I was a kid. Everyone is great. You can not substitute things is the only problem. But every place has their rules.

Excellent Mexican food and not your tex mex crap. Super nachos are a creation of art and can’t go wrong with dinner combo number 2

while i like their enchiladas that is about it. you can not make ANY substititions at all {so say you dont want beans, ad would like rice-​they wont do it}. and they charge for chips, the guacamole is some pre packaged crap you could buy at the store {yet for $ 4 they will squeeze 3 packages out, about 3oz worth into a bowl for you like they made it or something}. one time we went in 30mins before they were to close and they were so rude to us because heaven forbid they have to work up until they close, we ended up leaving without eating. they charge you over a dollar for a can of soda which of course does not come with refills.

If by best Mexican around they mean worse then this would get 5 stars… Bland. Choppy. Fake Mexican.

Worst customer service I have experienced ever! My relative and I went to Amigos tonight for dinner. I ordered the chili rellenos dinner and added a cheese enchilada. While the cheese enchilada was good the chili relleno was gross not just because it wasn’t a cheese stuffed deep fried pepper like I thought it was but it was bland and looked like it had been microwaved. When I told the waitress I didn’t like it it wasn’t what I thought she said ok and walked off. I had to go as far as asking myself if they could take off the relleanos. When I went to pay and told the manager she said she would take off half of my entrée but wouldn’t take off the whole thing because it’s not her fault I didn’t get what I wanted, oh did I mention she laughed as she told me this, how rude! If your not going to take it off the bill whatever but at least ask if there’s anything else I would like and apologize. Customers are not always right at amigos. If your looking for good customer service stay away.

One of the worst presentations of ‘Mexican Food’ I have ever experienced. Granted the prices are quite low but REALLY?!
The guacamole and sour cream were both served in squeeze packets. Pico was served in a to go container with a lid and dated (it was a few days old). The rice was dry and bland and looked like it had been sitting under a heat lamp all day! I’ve come to expect more from a restaurant that serves food on a porcelain dish… This place might as well be using paper plates. I love a good «hole in the wall» place to go eat but this one let me down… So if you’re looking to save a buck at the expense of good food, then this is your spot.

I am a fan of food and a legit fan of mexican food. I dig this spot for reals yo. Their burritos are tight to deaf and are even big enough to satisfy my appetite. Even though I take down some chips and guac before hand. This is a must for a true mexican grubber. Only looses one star because their salsa isnt hot enough. I like it hot, habanero hot. Keep on truckin!

Best soft shell tacos since the old papa chicos in Keokuk! Absolutely love them. Not a fine establishment by any means, but the tacos, enchiladas, and burritos are all delicious. Prices are reasonable! My servers have always been pretty attentive. The blended strawberry margs aren’t the best, but I do like mine sweet. I also wasn’t a fan of the taco salad. The meat and toppings were fine, but I expected a fried shell and it was a hard, corn shell. I should have asked beforehand!

This is the most pathetic attempt at Mexican food I have ever had.
They don’t allow for any substitutions, and you can’t even leave things off — — which is a red flag for OUR MEALS ARE PREPARED (AND POSSIBLY FROZEN) AHEAD OF TIME & NOT MADE FRESH TO ORDER.
Just about everything is mediocre at best. I have had just about everything on the menu at least once, as I have a (crazy) family member who is obsessed with this place. Tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, rice… all mediocre.
The chips aren’t even warm. Yet another red flag for a horrendous Mexican restaurant — room temperature chips. Get a friggin’ heat lamp and at least attempt to fool me into thinking you lazy SOB’s made the chips in house!
This sorry excuse for a restaurant doesn’t even have margaritas. In fact, no liquor license, so no liquor of any kind at all.
This garbage might impress Fort Madisonites, but as someone who has ventured beyond the town borders and had delicious Mexican food, this swill just doesn’t cut it.
Also — they don’t accept anything other than cash. No checks or credit cards! Just what kind of business are they running…
The only reason they are getting 1 star and not 0 is because 1) the system won’t let me select 0 starts, and (2) their apple-​filled churros are actually quite tasty

This is my absolute favorite place to go whenever I’m home. Usually my parents will take me on our way home from the Amtrak station, so I’ll see the inside of Vel’s before I see the inside of their house!
If you’re looking for real authentic Mexican food, this is probably not the place for you. If you’re looking for authentic Southeast Iowa Mexican food, you’ve found it. The softshell tacos are made with fried flour tortillas. What I always order (cheese enchiladas) is amazing. The enchiladas are filled with potatoes and peas and covered with cheddar cheese. I always pour a bunch of the hot sauce on top — we usually have to ask them to bring a second bowl to our table.
The only thing I don’t like is that they charge you for a basket of chips. However, the chips are really good. Your basket will contain mostly corn chips, with a few of the coveted flour chips mixed in. My parents usually let me eat most of the flour chips since they go there about once a week and I only go there every few months. :) If you go to the takeout location of Vel’s down the street you can get an entire order of the flour chips, but I think it’s more fun if you have to search for them.
If you happen to find yourself near Fort Madison, you should definitely give Vel’s a try.