Red Iguana
Mexican restaurant · Fair Park
736 W North Temple St, Salt Lake City, UT 84116
Highlights
Authentic Mexican cafe, famous for mole & gluten-free options
Authentic Mexican cafe, famous for mole & gluten-free options
"Started by Ramon and Maria Cardenas in 1985, Red Iguana features a wide variety of Mexican recipes, including many utilizing house-made corn tortillas and moles, at three downtown locations. Try the standout puntas de filete a la nortena (top sirloin tips sauteed with bacon, jalapeño strips, onions, and fresh tomatoes, served atop almond mole) or the enchiladas suizas (two corn tortillas filled with avocado and chicken cooked in sour cream, topped with a complex mole poblano, and finished with melted jack cheese and an extra dollop of sour cream). Know before you go: The restaurant doesn’t take reservations, so arrive early to ensure you snag a table or be prepared to wait." - Sarah Entwistle
"Red Iguana has been making some of the city’s best Mexican food since opening in 1985. Both its downtown locations are right by the airport, so it makes for a great stop if you just touched down and sipping a margarita is more important than unpacking. They have six signature mole sauces—spice lovers will enjoy the habanero-spiked mole amarillo, while the mole negro and mole poblano lean sweeter. And if you’re actually headed to the airport, take one of the mole sauces to go, if you can be trusted to properly wrap a pint in your suitcase. Just know neither spot takes reservations, and you might have to wait an hour for a table." - jenny willden
"Red Iguana has been making some of the city’s best Mexican food since opening in 1985. Both its downtown locations are right by the airport, so it makes for a great stop if you just touched down and sipping a margarita is more important than unpacking. They have six signature mole sauces—spice lovers will enjoy the habanero-spiked mole amarillo, while the mole negro and mole poblano lean sweeter. And if you’re actually headed to the airport, take one of the mole sauces to go, if you can be trusted to properly wrap a pint in your suitcase. Just know neither spot takes reservations, and you might have to wait an hour for a table. photo credit: Blake Peterson" - Jenny Willden
"There’s almost always a wait at this Mexican eatery, but it’s worth it. Located just off the northwest corner of downtown and within easy striking distance of a number of hotels, the flagship location serves around 700 hungry guests a day. When Ramon and Maria Cardenas opened the restaurant in 1985, it seated only 18 guests, but that location eventually burned down. After reopeningin its current location to great fanfare,they've since opened a second location, the Red Iguana 2, just a few blocks away. Most recently, they launched“Taste of Red Iguana” in the new City Creek Mall, serving their classic meals food-court style."
A multigenerational, family-run standard where rich, scratch-made moles define the city’s flavor. Frequently cited by Eater and beloved by national food media, it’s as local as it gets—lively rooms, gracious hospitality, and plates that linger in memory.
