Cancun by the Lake

1st time there and I'd say 3 for food just because salad was on same plate as entree and it was just shredded lettuce slice of tomato, onion and green pepper. Ribeye was thin and bland and the salsa had to much cilantro was alittle over powering. Atmosphere was good with upstairs seating over looking water. Service was 3 just because our waiter wasn't very attentive or there other than taking our order bring us our food and giving us the check. We'd give it another try.

We stopped in today and had a great experience. I ordered the Burrito California and my husband had the Seafood Fajitas—both meals were really tasty and cooked just right. The portions were generous, and everything came out fresh and hot. Service was friendly and the place had a comfortable atmosphere. Overall, a solid spot for good Mexican food. We’ll definitely be back!

We ordered the Shrimp Fajita Quesadilla, Fajita Rancheras, and Cancun Seafood. The portions were generous, and the food tasted so great, but there was one thing we really didn’t like. The quesadilla bread and the tortillas that came with the fajitas had a sour, urine-like smell—similar to the smell of spoiled chicken. Since we were on a road trip and got takeout to eat in the car, we couldn’t go back to ask about it. Without the tortillas, everything tasted absolutely perfect.

Friendly service. Large portions. Great taste.

We were placed at a table in under a minute, with the restaurant being only moderately busy. Both tables next to us were empty. We took about seven minutes to look at the menu, after which nobody came taker our order; despite making eye contact and waving several times. Twenty minutes after we arrived a party was seated next to us, and when their order was taken in under ten minutes, we realized it was time to go. When I brought up our experience with the host, she didn’t seem to care. The chips and salsa were good!

The food was over the top fantastic!! Probably the best Mexican food we have ever had. Highly recommend. We almost went back the next night butcwould have gotten food to go based on cleanliness. The staff was very very friendly. Maybe it was just our table but both of our menus had food in multiple places, the table and chairs were very sticky and the walls were all very worn in our area. Again, we will return for the food. Either to eat outside or take food to go.

Great food if your down for some Mexican style food. I have yet to be disappointed, With anything service food, even the atmosphere is pretty great the music is just what you need and puts out the good vibrations. Tho I might not understand the lyrics. I don't mind it just fits perfectly. Top it off The service is always there and fast if you are lacking anything.

Dinner last night was amazing! I forgot to catch a glimpse of it but I did grab one of my dessert!!! YUM! Thank you!!!

Always great food, kid friendly. Staff is alway helpful and accommodating. Can't say anything negative. Never have had a bad experience.

The food was exceptional with that authentic Mexican flavor. Service was cheerful and accommodating. Great Ambience. Distant view of the lake. Clean restaurant in a quaint, well decorated two story house. Very Special!

Great food, great service. I just wish it were closer to the water but very good place to grab some food.

Good and fast for lunch. I was impressed with all aspects, but the ambiance or service was a bit off, not sure what it was. I don't think we got refilled on our water. I'd go back again!

stumbled upon cancun by the lake going through iowa on a trip to minnesota. at first was not impressed by the outside appearance, but very glad we chose to go in. the food was spectacular (minus the radioactive looking green hot sauce). the inside was neat and the servers were friendly. food was reasonably priced, and in all would 100% recommend. GET DESSERT IF YOU GO!

Decided to try the place since we wanted Mexican and also wanted to walk around town. While the food was good (not great), the service was terrible. The wine they served (pinot grigio) came in what looked like a bathroom water glass and was not drinkable. Must have been the cheapest box they could find. They were out of chile rellanos, but did not inform us until at least 5 minutes after we had placed our order. The waitress was not attentive at all. Seemed like she did not want to be there. When we complained to the manager about the wine glass and the quality of the wine, he took it off the bill, but not after making us feel like jerks for bringing it up. I understand the staffing situation, but if you can't provide your customers with a pleasant dining experience, staffing will be the least of the worries.

Delicious food and lovely spot. Got to have a beach day and eat here after and it was perfect!

I would give them 5.5 stars but I didn't order enough tacos! They were absolutely TO DIE FOR! Great chips and salsa, great drinks, and love the atmosphere. Overall very pleased with this local spot and hope to return for another taco!

My husband and I stayed in Clear Lake on our way home from the Great Lakes, and we decided we hadn't seen QUITE enough water, so we wanted to eat at a restaurant on the lake. Based on reviews, we chose Cancun by the Lake, and we're so glad we did! Even though it was a Friday evening, Chris (our waiter and bartender) was very welcoming and found us a table downstairs right by the window, where we could look out on the park that led down to the lake. The restaurant is two-level, and there are many more tables upstairs; we noticed families with children were up there. The downstairs feels like a swell little bistro, with high-top tables and an intimate vibe. I ordered the Enchiladas Vegi-Rancheras and my husband had the Enchiladas Jalisco combo; both dinners were absolutely DELICIOUS (as we shared plates) and had ample portions. The flavors in my enchiladas were exceptionally well-blended, and the accompanying guacamole, sour cream, Pico de Gallo and lettuce were a lovely complement. My husband ordered a side of refried beans, which were also quite tasty. Chris was marvelous; he was always in motion, but no matter how busy he was he found time to stop by our table several times to check on us and make sure we were enjoying our meals. He offered free refills of the fountain drinks, chips and salsa and of course we accepted his offer. As dwellers in the Southwest, we're pretty picky about our Mexican food, and we're glad to say that Cancun by the Lake makes the cut! It's a place we are happy to recommend, and will be more than happy to return to on our next visit to Clear Lake.

We had a nice lunch break here on our drive from Des Moines! Small dining room downstairs but ample space as it was not super crowded just before noon. Ordered the 2 soft tacos and hubby got two hard tacos. Both were great, with good flavor. The salsa was fantastic with good flavor as plenty of onion punch!! Addictive!! Waiter gladly brought us a second cup of salsa along with free refills on our draft diet Pepsis! We liked the place and will definitely add this to our list of favorite stops! Took a walk around the town square and park across from the lake to stretch our legs. Great place! I'm sure their other food is good too!!

This is hands down one of the best Mexican restaurants in the area. I'm from Phoenix. AZ and it has the most authentic tasting food I have experienced in Northern Iowa. Great location and nice ambiance. Prices are reasonable and staff is friendly. Definitely going back anytime I visit the area.

Haven't been here in a long time and now I remember why. Not friendly to special diets. Previous management would willingly do a simple substitute for items I am unable to eat but current charge extra - a lot extra.

Very, very good food. They have been swamped this summer (good food will do that). As a result one must be patient as they have been understaffed. 2 or the 5 time we have been in this summer, the owner is bussing tables, taking orders and serving tables. No availability of workers is hitting them like many other places. The service times are very good when we go at non-peak times.

Don't bother. Tried two times to eat there, we love Mexican food. Service is extremely slow...refills are few and far between. Both times we didn't get the correct order. The first time, they were out of chili rellenos, which is fine, but didn't tell us until they brought the food! Our other order they didn't get right either. This time we sat and waited 10 minutes before we were offered anything. We ordered queso for an appetizer, never came. Order came out wrong...again...was supposed to be a chimichanga, was not. There were actually raw, VERY hot jalapeños in Pico, didn't mention anywhere it would be spicy. Asked for salt before appetizer arrived, I asked again when meal arrived, and literally got it after I finished my meal. Very shoddy, go to Las Palmas in Mason City, 10 minutes away they do a GREAT job. I love local, but they are making it nearly impossible to go back. BTW, had to get up and go downstairs for 5 minutes waiting for check at the end.

Great authentic Mexican food and lots of it. Beautiful 2 story restaurant. We had a great waiter who was full of smiles and was so polite.

Food was great. We questioned how the service was going to be after waiting at our table with no service for 5-10 minutes. However, Chris definitely made up for it. Highly recommend for Mexican in Clear Lake.