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: dairy-free, gluten-free, halal, high-protein, low-carb, vegan, vegetarian, heart-healthy, low-fat, low-sodium, mediterranean, paleo, pescatarian, plant-based, whole30, anti-inflammatory, dash-sodium-reduced, gerd, high-fiber, low-cholesterol, south-beach, aip, alkaline, renal, tlc, volumetrics, zone, lectin-free, macrobiotic, slow-carb, soy-free
Diet fit at Malo
Dairy-Free at Malo
Malo in Des Moines has 3 dairy-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Colorado Posole, Refried Black Beans and Taco Platter Mix & Match. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Gluten-Free at Malo
Malo in Des Moines has 1 gluten-free-tagged dish on its current menu, including Colorado Posole. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Halal at Malo
Malo in Des Moines has 10 halal-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Colorado Posole, Refried Black Beans and Taco Platter Mix & Match. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
High-Protein at Malo
Malo in Des Moines has 1 high-protein-tagged dish on its current menu, including Seared Tuna. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Low-Carb at Malo
Malo in Des Moines has 1 low-carb-tagged dish on its current menu, including Colorado Posole. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Vegan at Malo
Malo in Des Moines has 4 vegan-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Colorado Posole, Refried Black Beans and Taco Platter Mix & Match. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Vegetarian at Malo
Malo in Des Moines has 8 vegetarian-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Colorado Posole, Refried Black Beans and Taco Platter Mix & Match. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Heart-Healthy at Malo
Malo in Des Moines has 4 heart-healthy-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Colorado Posole, Refried Black Beans and Mexican Rice. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
How tags work: Dish-level menu analysis by Chefi's rule-based diet engine with AI assistance; nutrition values are estimated from ingredients unless marked verified. Allergen and certification claims are never inferred.
What to order at Malo
| Dish | Net carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|
| Drunken Nachos | 55.7 g | 52.4 g |
| Blackened Salmon Salad | 61.7 g | 36.3 g |
| Shrimp a la Crema | 38.3 g | 35 g |
| Tot’chos | 30 g | 33.8 g |
| Seafood Nachos | 40.5 g | 32.8 g |
| Steak Salad | 26 g | 31.8 g |
| Seared Tuna | 16 g | 30.5 g |
| COBB Salad | 43.9 g | 28.2 g |
| Birria Tacos | 11.6 g | 26.9 g |
| Modelo Especial Draft | 24.8 g | 25.5 g |
| Refried Black Beans | 12.3 g | 24.5 g |
| Beef Barbacoa Tacos | 54.9 g | 20.9 g |
Nutrition values are estimated from ingredients.
Currently closed
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 Dietary tags: High-Fiber 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, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, South-Beach 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: Halal, Pescatarian, High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
- Seared Tuna - $14.99: rare tuna, green chile and lime marinated jicama and cucumber, cilantro, fiery adobo sauce Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Slow-Carb Available at: dinner, lunch
- Shrimp Ceviche - $13.99: poached shrimp, pico de gallo, jalapeños, lime juice, tortilla chips Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium 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, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Gringa Salad - $8.49: romaine, ranchera dressing, pico de gallo, queso fresco, crispy onion strings Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory 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: Halal, Pescatarian, High-Fiber 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, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, 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, Soy 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, Halal, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Renal 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 Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, Renal 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 Dietary tags: Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics Available at: dinner, lunch
- Shrimp a la Crema - $26.99: charred poblano pepper, onion, sour cream, avocado, queso fresco, refried beans, Spanish rice Dietary tags: High-Fiber 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 Dietary tags: Anti-Inflammatory, High-Fiber 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, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory Available at: dinner, lunch
- Refried Black Beans - $4: seasoned black beans, carrot, onion Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Alkaline, Renal, Macrobiotic, Slow-Carb Available at: dinner, lunch
- Mexican Rice - $4: roasted chilies, charred tomato Dietary tags: Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
Beverages
- El Jefe Margarita - $9: silver tequila, triple sec, lime agua fresca Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Renal, 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
Frequently Asked Questions about Malo
- Is Malo dairy-free-friendly?
- Yes. Malo has 3 dairy-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Colorado Posole, Refried Black Beans and Taco Platter Mix & Match.
- What can I eat at Malo on a dairy-free diet?
- Colorado Posole, Refried Black Beans and Taco Platter Mix & Match carry the dairy-free tag, out of 3 tagged dishes on the current menu. Every dish's diet tags are listed in the menu.
- Does Malo have vegan options?
- Yes. 4 dishes are tagged vegan on the current menu, including Colorado Posole and Refried Black Beans.
- Is Malo gluten-free?
- 1 dish is tagged gluten-free on the current menu. Chefi never infers allergen tags from a dish name alone, but a tag is not a certification — confirm preparation with the restaurant if you have celiac disease or a severe sensitivity.
- What is the highest-protein dish at Malo?
- Drunken Nachos, at roughly 52.4g of protein (estimated from ingredients).
Restaurants near Malo
- Fuzzy's Taco Shop — Mexican
- El Bait Shop — Mexican
- Abelardo's Mexican Restaurant — Mexican
- Mi Casa Cake Shop — Mexican
- Tasty Tacos — Mexican
- Fiesta Mexican Restaurant — Mexican
- Monterrey Mexican Restaurant — Mexican
- Tito's Lounge — Mexican
- Pancheros Mexican Grill — Mexican
- Giliberto's Mexican Taco Shop — Mexican
- El Salvadoreño — Mexican
- Abelardo's Mexican Restaurant — Mexican
