When it comes to Mexican cuisine, there is no shortage of options in the state of Iowa.

We, it feels like, have a Mexican restaurant on every block in some places. While that's a bit of an embellishment, we do have a ton of options.

So, to be named "best taco in Iowa" by a national website is a pretty big deal.

The Best Taco in Iowa is One of the Best in The U.S.

Tucked away in the small north-central town of Clarion, La Tienda may not look like much from the outside, but inside, it’s home to some of the most flavorful carnitas tacos in all of Iowa, according to the folks at Love Food.

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Served on warm, flaky tortillas, the pork is perfectly seasoned and slow-cooked until tender and rich.

Photo by Krisztian Tabori on Unsplash
Photo by Krisztian Tabori on Unsplash
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It’s so packed with flavor, you might skip the cilantro and onion altogether, though they certainly don’t hurt.

No frills, no fuss, just unforgettable tacos from what might be Iowa’s most delicious hidden gem.

How Love Food Made Their Picks

For their assessment, Love Food used

We've based our ranking on the enduring popularity of each taco in its place of origin and beyond, and on the opinions of our well-traveled (and well-fed) team. The list is unavoidably subjective.

And that's going to be the case for any "best of" list. Very subjective.

READ MORE: These Are The Most Unhealthy Frozen Meals You Can Buy

Not just tacos, the Iowa State Fair has tons of new options to check out! See them below.

The Top 11 New Iowa State Fair Foods in 2025

Just last week, the Iowa State Fair officially revealed more than 60 new foods that will debut at next month's annual fair! Brain and I got the opportunity to try 11 of those foods yesterday at a special judging event in Des Moines!

Gallery Credit: Courtlin

Iowa Restaurants With Delicious Mac & Cheese

We went on a mission to find the best mac & cheese in Iowa! Courtesy of reviews and recommendations on Google, here are some of the highly-rated Iowa restaurants with great mac & cheese (all included restaurants have a 4.4-star rating or higher and a minimum of 100 reviews):

Gallery Credit: Courtlin

 

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