Malo – Mexican
Malo pulses with a vibrant energy, inviting guests to gather over communal plates of bubbling queso fundido and towering, inventive nachos that redefine modern comfort food. The kitchen masterfully balances salty indulgence with coastal freshness, pairing crispy pork belly pupusas and golden fried shrimp tacos with the bright, citrus-forward zing of chilled shrimp ceviche and perfectly seared tuna. It is a spirited destination where bold textures and playful Latin-inspired flavors create a dining experience that feels like a continuous celebration.
900, Mulberry Street, Des Moines, IA, 50309 +15152445000 https://www.malodesmoines.com0Cuisine: Mexican
Price range: $
Dietary options: high-protein, low-carb, vegan, vegetarian, heart-healthy, low-sodium, paleo, pescatarian, plant-based, whole30, anti-inflammatory, dash-sodium-reduced, high-fiber, low-cholesterol, south-beach, aip, alkaline, renal, tlc, juice-cleanse, lectin-free, macrobiotic, slow-carb
Currently open
Hours
- Tuesday - Saturday
- 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Menu
Starters
- Seafood Nachos - $13.99: tortilla chips, shrimp, crab, queso, pico de gallo, guacamole, Iowa corn salsa, jack cheese, shredded lettuce, chipotle crema Available at: dinner, lunch
- Drunken Nachos - $11.99: tortilla chips, pico de gallo, pickled jalapeños, queso, black beans, guacamole, shredded cheddar, lettuce, chipotle crema Available at: dinner, lunch
- Queso Fundido - $12.99: Oaxaca-style melted cheese, roasted poblano pepper, onion, fresh tortillas, lime Available at: dinner, lunch
- Fried Brussels Sprouts - $8.49: queso fresco, pickled Anaheim chiles, pumpkin seeds, aioli Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced Available at: dinner, lunch
- Tot’chos - $11.99: grande tots, queso, cheddar, carne molida, pico de gallo, pickled jalapeños, chipotle crema Available at: dinner, lunch
- Pork Belly Pupusa - $15.99: handmade corn masa, melted cheese, smoked pork belly, romana salad, house salsa Available at: dinner, lunch
- Fried Shrimp Tacos - $15.99: three flash-fried crispy corn tortillas, chopped shrimp, fresh jalapeño, cilantro, romana salad, chipotle crema Dietary tags: Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Seared Tuna - $14.99: rare tuna, green chile and lime marinated jicama and cucumber, cilantro, fiery adobo sauce Available at: dinner, lunch
- Shrimp Ceviche - $13.99: poached shrimp, pico de gallo, jalapeños, lime juice, tortilla chips Dietary tags: Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Juice-Cleanse Available at: dinner, lunch
Soups & Salads
- Malo Salad - $8.49: mixed greens, queso fresco, toasted almonds, orange and agave-white balsamic vinaigrette Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Gringa Salad - $8.49: romaine, ranchera dressing, pico de gallo, queso fresco, crispy onion strings Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- COBB Salad - $16.99: grilled or blackened chicken, bacon, mixed greens, avocado, tomatoes, feta, corn salsa, chipotle ranch Available at: dinner, lunch
- Steak Salad - $17.99: 8oz flank steak, mixed greens, corn salsa, queso fresco, pico de gallo, avocado Available at: dinner, lunch
- Blackened Salmon Salad - $16.99: blackened salmon, mixed greens, grilled pineapple vinaigrette, feta cheese, pumpkin seeds Dietary tags: High-Protein, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, High-Fiber, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Chicken Tortilla Soup - $4.99: cheese, fried tortilla strips Dietary tags: Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Colorado Posole - $4.99: diced onions, cilantro Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Alkaline, AIP, Renal, Macrobiotic, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free Available at: dinner, lunch
Street-Style Tacos
- Taco Platter Mix & Match - $18.99: choose any three tacos, served with salsa, lime, onion, cilantro Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based Available at: dinner, lunch
- Chicken Tinga Tacos - $11.99: shredded chipotle chicken breast, cabbage Dietary tags: Anti-Inflammatory Available at: dinner, lunch
- Beef Barbacoa Tacos - $17.99: braised beef, Jorge’s salsa Dietary tags: High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
- Seared Beef Tenderloin Tacos - $19.99: chipotle-rubbed filet mignon, Iowa corn salsa, crispy onions, lime aioli Available at: dinner, lunch
Main Courses
- Wood Grilled Chicken - $22.99: charred poblanos, avocado cream sauce, refried beans, Spanish rice, house tortillas Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Roast Pork Carnitas - $23.99: New Mexico green chile sauce, pickled onion, refried beans, Spanish rice Available at: dinner, lunch
- Shrimp a la Crema - $26.99: charred poblano pepper, onion, sour cream, avocado, queso fresco, refried beans, Spanish rice Available at: dinner, lunch
- Birria Tacos - $25.99: three broth-dipped corn tortillas, monterey and cheddar cheeses, beef barbacoa, Mexican rice, refried beans, barbacoa broth Available at: dinner, lunch
- Malo Burger - $15.99: 8 oz. burger, bacon, caramelized onion, guacamole, lettuce, tomato, pepper jack cheese, brioche bun Available at: dinner, lunch
Sides
- Charred Iowa Corn - $4: elote-style; off-the-cob Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Refried Black Beans - $4: seasoned black beans, carrot, onion Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Alkaline, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Mexican Rice - $4: roasted chilies, charred tomato Available at: dinner, lunch
Beverages
- El Jefe Margarita - $9: silver tequila, triple sec, lime agua fresca Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Lectin-Free
- Oaxacan Old Fashioned - $12: reposado tequila, mezcal, demerara, Angostura and chocolate bitters
- Hibiscus Agua Fresca - $7: orange, agave
- Modelo Especial Draft - $7: Mexican Lager
Restaurants near Malo
- Fuzzy's Taco Shop — Mexican
- El Bait Shop — Mexican
- Fernando's Mexican Grill — Mexican
- Bernardo's Burritos — Mexican
- Lina's Mexican Restaurant — Mexican
- Zavy Kitchen — Mexican
- Abelardo's Mexican Restaurant — Mexican
- Rita's Cantina — Mexican
- Tacos Mariana's — Mexican
- Taco John's — Mexican
- Mi Casa Cake Shop — Mexican
- Tacos La Familia — Mexican
