Antojitos Carmen

10/10 Hands down best Mexican food in the state of Iowa/ Midwest. A absolute must try hidden gem!!!! Try the alambre it’s spectacular. Authentic Salsa is fresh and perfect level of spice and flavor hot sauce it fire. The owners are friendly and treat you like family.

Phenomenally lucky that we found this place while passing through! The service is super sincere, friendly, and overall outstanding. The chips and salsa are handmade and different than any other Mexican restaurant. We ordered the Alambre and a Quesadilla. Almost worth driving 11 hours just to get back here!😁

We were going to the track and took a chance on this place. So happy we did! The host/server/bartender/cook (all one guy) was amazing, fun, and friendly! The food was authentic and delicious. I would highly recommend this place to anyone near by!

My favorite place in town to get Mexican food. If you're in Columbus Junction and hungry you won't go wrong stopping here.

I know it may seem odd to give a small hole in the wall place such great reviews... but let me explain something.. I come from a generation that absolutely loves Street cart food so I don't need a perfect place with the most perfect chairs or the most perfect placemats to have a meal.. what I want is down home real good Mexican cooking and this place is 100% legit. The food here is absolutely amazing. Enough said!

Exactly what I needed! Great authentic Mexican food with amazing service. My new favorite😍

We were going to Columbus Junction to see The Swinging Bridge.
The highlight of the day turned out to be Antojitos Carmen.
An authentic Mexican restaurant.
Met the owners and it turned out we were from the same parts of Los Angeles.
Thank you for great food and friendly service.

Great authentic Mexican food. The owners are really nice and respectful. I will come here again when I'm in town.

We cannot say enough about Antojitos Carmen. JUST GO. ☺ Enjoy some fantastic Mexican food! Nice family, too!!

Had the beef enchiladas, absolutely delicious.

The absolute best! I’m so lucky that my parents live near this restaurant! It’s so good and the owners are great! I LOVE the whole fish and the tacos are the bomb (real Mexican street style)! Don’t go here expecting Americanized Mexican, go if you like good food! Look at specials and ask for things not on the menu like ceviche, dried salsa (bomb!), salsa verde and mango marg on the rocks! Can’t wait until my next visit!!

Delicious food and great staff. Husband and wife own and run it, and they make sure everyone is happy. We got our food fast and everything was extremely fresh. It is definitely worth trying this awesome restaurant on the main strip of downtown Columbus Junction.

This is hands down, the best overall Mexican restaurant I've ever been to. These folks were featured on the Jonathon Gold documentary "City of Gold" - you know, the famous LA Times Food Critic?? Gold wrote an article about their Huarache and the rest is history.

Food is outstanding and authentic. The CRT TV screen with Mexican Soap Operas playing in the background is just icing on the cake.

If you're within an hour of this place, you owe it to your palate to make a visit. And if you like hot sauce, ask for theirs. That's a whole 'nother review!

Visiting from Denver, we were impressed with the homemade flavors of the authentic Mexican dishes. The owner was super friendly and the service was great. The horchatas are lovely.

Whenever I’m driving too or from Chicago I always plan my trip so I can stop through Columbus Junction and have a meal here. The food is stellar and the people are super sweet. It’s newrly a 45 minute drive from where I live, but it’s worth it just for a meal. Also, everyone I’ve brought here conquers! Amazing food!

If I could give it 10 stars I would! Got the steak burrito and it was the best burrito I've had in years! I normally dont review but felt i had to. They are from California and know little english and you can tell as the food is authentic and not smothered in cheese. Well worth the 5 hour roundtrip drive. We will be back!!

Completely authentic! Amazing experience! We felt like regulars or like family! Completely stuffed. Wonderful portions. Perfect price! Homemade "salsa." For sure going back

My second time here. Absolutely FANTASTIC and AUTHENTIC! The seating is modest, but the staff makes up for it with accommodation, and friendliness. Ultimately, you won't find food this authentic anywhere else north of the border.

Love this little place. Great food. Reminds me of the great mexican food in California. The owners are amazing. I have tried the other Mexican restaurants in town their good, but I prefer Carmen's!

What a fun experience, this family owned and operated restaurant was a delight. The shrimp cocktail and margarita were out if this world good!! So friendly and just a joy to experience!!