Despo’s

First time being in the area for a friend’s wedding, needed a place to eat dinner with my group. I was aware of other recommended locations, but all the ones we tried had crazy long lines/needed a reservation. This led us to “Despo’s” and this was quite possibly the best location we could have ate it. For a Mexican food place, it’s solid. Nothing groundbreaking but nothing disappointing either. Food wise? I was satisfied with the portions and quality, and was impressed with the higher quality chips and salsa. Although the price is “high”, for the area, it’s the standard. I personally ordered the mahi mahi taco and pacific cod taco and can definitely reccomend for any seafood lovers. However, where this place SHINES is in its service. Very rarely do I go to a place for the first time and really feel welcome. The Host, Amy, was especially friendly, and the waiters were very quick and accommodating. I guarantee you, that if you find ANY problem or flaw with this place, they will go above and beyond to ensure all your needs are met and your visit is exceptional. Atmosphere is typical, but who goes to a restaurant for atmosphere anyway?

I stopped by Despo’s for dinner and was immediately greeted by a friendly, welcoming waitress. She was attentive, answered my questions without hesitation, and made a great first impression. I ordered the chile relleno with beans and rice, and to my surprise, the food arrived in less than five minutes. I even commented on how fast it came out. Unfortunately, that’s where the experience went downhill. The entire plate was soaked — the beans, rice, and relleno all sitting in what looked like water. It didn’t take long to realize the chile relleno had likely been pulled from the freezer, and the rice tasted like instant rice. After a couple of bites, I decided I’d rather just pay and leave. When the waitress dropped off my receipt, she kindly asked if I needed a box. I said no, but there wasn’t any follow-up about whether everything was okay with the meal. The service itself was great, but the food quality and presentation were disappointing. I wouldn’t recommend the chile relleno — and honestly, I’d think twice before ordering anything that might’ve come from a freezer.

Excellent place. Had a shrimp taco and a carnitas taco. The shrimp taco has all sorts of flavor and zing. Delicious shrimp, and then some sort of cheesy cilantro lime mix and cabbage. Really good. Carnitas was a bit plain, but if you prefer less seasoned food it's a good option. The salsa (with chips) was so good. My favorite salsa isn't too chunky, doesn't separate into liquid and solid. Nicely mixed, perfect spice level, and you what you scoop stays on the chip. Fresh taste without any processed after taste. Great service, attentive but not overbearing. Just a really enjoyable meal, and prices for the area are reasonable. Super visit. Glad we came.

A great place for Mexican food in Sun Valley. There is nice out door seating and the service was wonderful. We got Chile Verde, Chile Relleno, Steak Chile Colorado Burrito and Nachos. Nachos were our favorite. I highly recommend the nachos. 😋

My boyfriend and I were having a hard time finding somewhere open on Christmas Eve. Even though this place was already closed, they still let us come in and made us a quick bite. We really appreciated the kindness and hospitality. The food was great and the people were even better. We’ll definitely be back!

I’ve been eating at Despos for over 30 years. There’s a reason I keep coming back. Great service, good atmosphere and for the most part, good food. However, I recently ate at Despos and ordered my usual, the carne asada burrito and was a little disappointed. The burrito was about half as big as it use to be. Looking around the table I noticed other portions were on the small side as well. I’m bummed to see this: higher prices and less food. Hopefully this trend gets reversed.

This place is fire! They had an army on the porch seating area help us make sure tables were set and and even not wobbling which on the patio area most places don’t care at all. Food is amazing. Literally so good and service was amazing! Go eat here this place was priced great and accommodated our group of 12 so well. I’ll be back for sure

I recently visited Despo's Mexican Restaurant in Ketchum, ID with a large group, and I have to say, I've never experienced such good service in a large group setting. The staff was incredibly efficient and attentive, making sure we were all well taken care of. The food was incredible. I had the Steak Tampiqueña, which included a marinated charbroiled steak served with a cheese enchilada, rice, beans, guacamole, and tortillas. Every component of the dish was delicious—the steak was perfectly marinated and cooked, and the sides complemented it beautifully. Overall, it was such a great experience. Fast service, incredible food, and outstanding attention to our group made for a memorable dining experience at Despo's. Highly recommend!

Amazing food, I had the maximo burrito and it was soo good ! Amazing service, fast, attentive, fun. 10/10 dining. Amy the owner was so polite and gave us free guac as well as a sampler of there chile verde sauce which was a hit. "No reservations unlike the surrounding restaurants, we get people in and out as best as we can" -Amy says

We absolutely loved eating at Despo's. I came with my wife, son, and brother-in-law's family, and all of us loved our food and the service. All of the waiters and staff were especially attentive and courteous. Can't wait to come back! Andrew Koponen Retired Policeman

Was excited to try Despo's, "Mexican food with attitude", but unfortunately it was the most bland Mexican food I've had. The $20 carne asada burrito was a mini burrito that looked and tasted like my 10yr old made it(meat, cheese, and a dry tortilla). We also had the chicken tostada. It was a normal size, but no flavor. I hope they turn things around and put some attitude in their food as their sign says. Service was mediocre.

The flavors are pretty authentic. Best Mexican Food in Idaho so far. I do think they are a touch too hot after trying 4 different dishes. Prices were fair. The service and speed were excellent. The kids plates were decent, would be nice if those came with a juice. Kids love juice.

We had a good group of people today and they picked the best place in town! Parking wasn't too bad for a Thursday afternoon. Since we had the biggest group, we were sat to the right side of the restaurant, so we can be as loud as we can lol. Hope nobody was annoyed! Our waitress was amazing and being attentive and patient with our 20+ people group. I did go inside for a bit for the restrooms and it seemed a bit small but hey, you're there for the food!!! They had "outdoor" seating, which is where we were at but it's covered all the way around. Way more spacious. Oh I think they RSVP'd in advance since we had so many people, so make sure you give them a call! Not sure about smaller tables. Loved the chip's and salsa, salsa was perfect and it went well with my wet carne asada burrito!! I haven't had such a delicious burrito in a long time and that hit the spot! I finished literally everything on my plate! Usually I'll peel off a bit of tortilla here and there, but nope! Not this time! Yum! Whenever I am back, I am going to request a trip out to Despo's!!

I really enjoy the food here. The chips and salsa are great. Especially the salsa. Everything I've had is tasty. And great service. They didn't make something to my child's liking so they remade it perfectly and quickly.

Despo's in Ketchum has a great following and for good reason, it offers delicious food at a reasonable price with great service. Ono reservations needed and wait time is not long as seating is available inside and outside. Menu is full of great options. Ambiance is family and local which offers a cool vibe. Go and enjoy.

Wow, a friendly Mexican joint turned into a great experience here. Amy and Ethan took care of us like we were family. We stopped in for margaritas and a snack, and Amy ended up giving us their house-made guacamole and salsa to try with their amazing chips. She also gave us a sample of their Habanero hot sauce, and we ended up buying a bottle! Now on to the food and ambiance- we normally don't eat Mexican food, but we absolutely loved our steak quesadilla and the chips and salsa/guacamole that we had. The ambiance was lively, and everyone seemed to be having a great time in there. The restaurant was bright, not too busy (but not slow), and the food was quick. Service was also excellent. I'd definitely recommend coming here.

One of my favorite places in town! Have good margs and classic, delicious Mexican. A great outdoor patio and fast and friendly service! Reasonable price and a great experience!

The service was excellent. I ordered the "Chimichanga" with chicken. Honestly, the chicken was terrible. It was not marinated, grilled or seasoned and tasteless. If I didn't know better, it tasted like it was boiled. The side dishes were very good. We sat outside with our pet and even outside it is very noisy. I would not recommend eating here.

Had lunch with friends there on a Saturday. We all had tacos, each trying a different taco. All tacos were tasty and filling, especially after a couple baskets of chips. The server was friendly and attentive. The inside seating was closed,but the outside seating was covered amd perfect for a hot day. Would try again next time we are in the area.

This place has expanded their outdoor seating area since my last visit in 2016. Coming here has become somewhat of a family tradition. We've never been let down by the food and service. Food in Sun Valley/Ketchum is typically quite expensive. This place follows suit but is one of the more affordable options. Our food came out quick for a table of 7. Everyone was pleased with their selection.

Was in town for a road trip and visited Despo's on our last night in town. First, the good: great chips and salsa, burritos, and margaritas were excellent. At the end we were full and extremely satisfied with our meal. Second, the service: Amy and the team at Despos are great at what they do, and even better people. They were personable, extremely welcoming, and even went out of their way to make suggestions for the rest of our trip. Will 100% be back!

Delicious food. Reasonable prices for reasonable portions. The salsa was very good! Great service. Staff was friendly, attentive, and helpful. The place was very busy and packed out. But we got seated in a timely manner. Was in and out. Would come back!

A solid choice, especially since they didn't require reservations! Chips and salsa were 2.5$, and included a refill. The chips were nicely crisp, but the salsa wasn't special. It was of the watery, fully pureed style, with not a very strong flavor. The carnitas taco (8$) was tasty, with a good balance of flavor, though it was just a tad dry in my opinion. Overall, if you're hungry and don't have a reservation, definitely a decent option!

It was our first time in Ketchum, and this was the only dinner place we could find that did not need a reservation! We sat at the bar and had amazing and friendly service. The owner was serving our drinks and gave us a variety of salsas with chips and guacamole while we decided on dinner. Can't say enough good things about the entire staff. The food was also delicious, I could tell it was authentic and fresh. Will definitely be coming back.

Despo's was a great treat for dinner in Ketchum. Located slightly off the beaten path Despo's is a casual place with just enough Mexican decor to compliment the great food and service. After being greeted and seated I was asked if I would like chips and salsa, which of course I said yes; I did not realize that they charge for this, but it is only $1 and the chips were very good and the salsa nice. If I had known I would have preferred the carrots and jalapenos with the chips as that is a great way to start a meal. The menu has a wide selection of items, I choose the combination meal with the Chili Relleno and the Cheese Enchilada which comes with rice, beans and a small salad. Overall very tasty, the Relleno was nicely battered and stuffed with cheese, the Enchilada was cheesy with a great sauce on top. The rice and black beans were both excellent, moist and tasty. Overall this was some of the best Mexican food I have had in a while and the portion size was generous. Despo's offers a great option for an affordable Mexican meal in Ketchum/Sun Valley and is well worth a visit.

I was there on a Saturday afternoon. Extensive menu, average food & average prices, generally good service . Cute, tiny bar as well.

We had a fabulous time at Despo's! The food was great and the staff was amazing! The owner literally sold me the sweatshirt off her back. Good margaritas & great atmosphere!

This is a fun spot in Ketchum, decent service and quick to get into if you go early evening. Margs are really good, you pay for chips and they don't refill. Food tasted good and the wait wasn't too terrible. Large portions. Not sure if it is just busy summer time, the intense heat this summer, but some of the wait staff seemed a bit off or grumpy. Regardless, it was a good experience and would recommend.

To Amy from D & D. Thank you for the wonderful customer service tonight, very much appreciated! Next time I'll try the Chili Arellano.

Very nice people and the service was good. The food? Not so much. We were very disappointed given the many good to great reviews Despo's received on Yelp and on other social media.

Despo's is our first stop when we visit Ketchum. The staff are friendly, the atmosphere is laid-back, and the food is terrific. On our last visit, we placed our order before realizing that one of our favorites -- a chili relleno -- was on the menu. When we said something, our waitress generously had one prepared and gave it to us. It was delicious, of course -- the best we'd had in living memory. We'll be sure to add one to our order when we're in Ketchum again.

Fish Tacos were amazing! This restaurant's quality of food is excellent! Everything was daily fresh and tasty! I recommend this restaurant for lunch or dinner! Quality, Friendly and Fun! Enjoy! Gary Quinn, Beverly Hills, Ca.

Nice, chill place. Quick service. Food is pretty good. First time I had a swamp water (1/2 lemonade and 1/2 ice tea) here. Nothing to complain or rave about. Would come back!

Howdy, my family and I came from Arizona, and due to what seemed like every restaurant closed on a Saturday, we ended up at this place. Being Hispanic and from the border, the last thing we wanted to do was test a Mexican restaurant in Idaho, but that is exactly what we did. To our surprise, the food was great and tasted authentic. The flour tortillas tasted homemade as well as the chips. Everyone was happy with the meal, even my Hispanic Grandmother who has been cooking Mexican food all her life. My only two critiques are that the refried beans are subpar, and the salsa was not even the slightest bit spicy. With that being said, I would recommend this place.

Fantastic service. We had a large obnoxious party and they were gracious and accompanied. The food was delicious!

We always eat at Despo's with every visit to Ketchum/Sun Valley, and we stopped in last night (8/16). As always, both the food and service were outstanding. Ignore all this nay-saying negative reviews; some people just like to bitch!

Waitress offered chips and salsa when she finally saw we were at the table, we assumed they that were complementary since she did not indicated there would be a charge. The chips were right out of the bag probably from Walmart, really bad, no flavor. Ordered drinks, Cadillac margaritas, pretty darn good. Ordered our food, asked for hard shell taco shell for my friend I ordered soft taco with sauce on the side. Both received soft taco shells and came with no sauce. Got the waitress's attention and she made the correction, not to glacially. The hard shell taco shell was right out of a Box, not even heated. She took one bite and it completely fell apart. Worst taco ever. We get the bill, charged for the chips and salsa, charged for large drinks, we were not asked if we wanted a large or small drink. My taco was good but as mentioned my friends worst ever. It didn't even look appetizing. I really do not recommend this restaurant at all. Very disappointing.

Seating outdoors is very nice. The servings are large and the food is good. Service is speedy and friendly. They do charge for chips and salsa, but this is the only thing they could improve in my opinion ;-)

Its okay. As far as Mexican food goes its a little disappointing. Its mainly for people who havent had good mexican food before. If a mexican joint doesnt have tamales just walk out. They try too hard to appeal to the snobs in town. We definitely have better mexican food in town. Bit if you want to take instagram photos of food this place is for you because at least it looks good.

Food was very good but very expensive. I went to Despo's with four of my close friends we all order the same thing. Bill was over 150 dollars just for four people.

We ordered tacos, they were good but overpriced. I ordered two tacos at $18 without anything else, no beans or rice or salad. They brought chips and salsa to our table, then asked if we wanted them. Later I noticed a charge for the chips. Overall not bad, but would not come back.

The patio is lovely and warmer than it looks! Friendly staff, my salad with prawns was fresh and delicious and featured a house made fresh dressing. Margaritas were fresh and well balanced. Kids had fresh squeezed lemonade; so tasty! Steak burrito was so good and the cod fish tacos spicy and perfect. Portions were good but not ridiculous which was appreciated while on vacation. Guac was perfection!

Disappointing food and service. I'm not going to name names but there are much better options for Mexican food in town. Don't waste your $$.

Fresh, flavorful, fantastic Mexican! Owner, staff, food...awesome. Our first visit to Ketchum we tried this place and we came back again this year. You gotta try this place - soooo good in every way. This time we shared the chili verde burrito and pacific cod burrito - full of the freshest fish . Both tasted so good...so full and so worth it

Quick service, fresh ingredients and creative dishes - this is truly a great Mexican food. Large covered outdoor patio that was cool even on a 90 degree day. Chips and salsas and guacamole were really fresh and tasty. They have this amazing charbroiled zucchini that you can choose as meat alternative for most of the dishes.

Despos is my go-to Mexican spot in Ketchum. Everything is awesome - I'm partial to the enchiladas but everything else is great too. I only wish they had a full bar!

The best Mexican food in Sun Valley! We look forward to eating here every time we are here!

This is our first visit to Ketchum and to Sun Valley Ski Resort. We have skied in UT, CO, CA, and numerous other resorts in North America. Not only is the skiing so wonderful here, but so are the people and the local restaurants. Despo's was recommended to us by a local resident, and it turned out to be as great as recommended. Great fresh food and great service! I had the mahi-mahi burrito and my husband had the carne asada burrito; both were delicious. Also, we really enjoyed the chips and salsa--the salsa was especially fresh and flavorful. And the fresh guacamole was wonderful also. Amy, the owner, showed interest in her clientele and really owns and runs a fantastic eating establishment. So If you are in the mood for good margaritas and good Mexican food, this is the place to eat in Ketchum !!

Great food, great atmosphere, and great people. Hosted a surprise 60th birthday in their new covered patio. Excellent kickoff to a great ski weekend. One of the best venues for large group gatherings in the Wood River Valley!

Such a fun place in the summer! There's enough space for distanced outdoor eating, and I imagine they have takeout options in the winter. The KMT salad with chicken is standard Tex-Amex fare. Horchata is also good.

Food was great, hot chocolate is really good. Prices are good and wait staff is sweet. Nice place

Nice outdoor space and COVID safe. We enjoyed some tacos and burritos. The servers were especially nice and even came back just to be sure they got our order right.

They have a new owner who is awesome abs very involved. Good food, nice inside abs outside dining.

For a quick, relatively inexpensive meal try the pork carnitas, chile relleno, fish tacos or the KMT salad. The ingredients seem fresh and wholesome, service is prompt and polite, and the owner is close at hand making sure their high standards never waver.

This place is awful. They charge you 20% tips for TAKEOUT. And their tacos...... two cost 18 bucks and they fall apart in 2 mins. The food is as not good I've literally had better tacos at Taco Bell.

Despo's is great food with plenty of space for social distancing. Very organized and safe ordering, pickup, seating Covid process. I felt very safe eating at Despo's with my family.

We have been coming to Sun Valley since the early 1970's and have enjoyed eating at Despo's for nearly as long. Amy and her team provide a warm welcome, cold drinks and good, Mexican food for the whole family to enjoy. The wait staff is friendly and attentive, the margaritas are just the right blend of salty and sweet, and the house made "Burn Your Buddy" habanero hot sauce is guaranteed to unclog even the most stubborn of blocked sinuses . We'll keep coming back again and again.