MONARCA

We went to Monarca with our family to celebrate my birthday, and it was an exceptional experience. This was not our first time at Monarca. We genuinely love this restaurant, and it is easily one of our favorite places in Salt Lake City. One of the reasons we love Monarca so much is its deep respect for Mexican cuisine. It treats the food with seriousness, intention, and cultural understanding. In Utah, Mexican food is often reduced to places like Red Iguana, which in our opinion represents a lazy and outdated interpretation of the cuisine. In contrast, Monarca is part of a newer wave of restaurants that have elevated how Mexican food is perceived by executing it thoughtfully, authentically, and at a very high level. Monarca sits at the top of that list for us. The chef is award winning, deeply trained, and clearly passionate about his craft. He travels extensively, brings global influence into his work, and co owns the restaurant with his wife. What really stands out is that he is present. He is there constantly, leading the kitchen and overseeing execution, and it shows in every dish. They recently changed their menu after the chef returned from Spain, and somehow it is even better than before. Several people at our table ordered the duck with mole, and it was outstanding. Rich, layered, and deeply flavorful, it was one of the best moles we have ever had. I ordered the Chile en Nogada, which is a complex and technically demanding dish in Mexican cuisine, and it was absolutely phenomenal. The salsa nogada was perfectly balanced, nutty, elegant, and authentic. The presentation was stunning, served on a beautiful plate that elevated the entire experience. Others at the table ordered the salmon and the Pollo a las Brasas, both of which were cooked to perfection. The chicken was juicy and flavorful, and the potatoes were equally well executed. We also shared several starters including the ceviche, tostadas de atún, and sopesitos. Nearly everything was exceptional. The only dish that did not fully meet our expectations was the tostadas de atún. They lacked a bit of depth, and the mayo leaned slightly too sweet for our taste. That said, it was still good, just not as remarkable as the rest of the menu. Overall, Monarca is one of the best Mexican restaurants we have ever experienced outside of Mexico. It is thoughtful, refined, and deeply respectful of the cuisine. This is a restaurant that understands what Mexican food can be when it is done right.

The food was very good, the atmosphere was nice, and the service overall was good. However, when it came to asking the waiter about certain items that were supposed to come with the dishes such as the molcajete salsa they didn’t seem to understand. One of the dishes specifically mentioned it, but nothing came on the platter. There were also a couple of other small issues. For example, I asked for a Coke with no ice, but it was brought with extra ice. When I pointed it out, the waiter apologized and said it was on the house, but we never received the Coke without ice, which made things a bit awkward. Other than that, the food was great and the service was above average. Maybe the staff just needs a bit more training on the menu and what each dish includes. 🤷🏽‍♂️ I’ll definitely come back and give it another try.

The vibe of the restaurant was amazing. The music takes you on an adventure like your traveling and then paired with the food. The flavors were phenomenal. We got the ceviche, light and citrusy. And the salmon w/ chorizo. The salmon was cooked so perfectly, and layered on a corn salad. The bistec ranchera was also just as delicious served with warm tortillas, almost like eating in your abuelitas kitchen.

We had such a great experience at Monarca! From the small plates to the shareables, everything was on point. We tried the ceviche veracruz, tostaditas de atún, guacamole, esquites de elote, empanada, and sopesitos, all super flavorful, fresh, and beautifully put together. For the main, I went with the carne asada, which was delicious, especially with the demi-glacé sauce. It paired perfectly with a glass of Malbec. But the real player of the game was the cheesecake, absolutely amazing, especially with an Americano on the side! And shoutout to our server Kaylie! She’s the sweetest and made the whole experience even better.

Found Monarca on my way to another restaurant as I had struggled to find healthy vegan options. After reviewing the menu, I found a salad & tacos that could be modified to make them vegan. I was thrilled to have found Monarca - staff, interior design, service and food exceeded my expectations. I flexed my diet so I could enjoy the Flan de Elote, well worth the flex!! Special thanks to Lilly, Elmer, Finley & Gio for making my visit memorable.

We went for Valentine's day and when we made the reservation on their website, I didn't see anything about a 5 course meal for that day, they had an announcement on Facebook from what someone told me but I don't follow their page. We got there and were surprised when we got told about it when our waitress told us after we sat down. We decided to stay since we felt bad about just getting up and leaving. While there we heard other couples saying the same thing, that they thought they were going to have their regular menu, we even saw a few couples bringing their kids and they left after hearing about the change. The food was okay but not worth what we paid for, $207 which included a 20% tip already added, we don't mind tipping, and we had only 2 drinks a coke and a mojito $16. We probably would enjoy their normal menu, reason we wanted to go there in the 1st place, which we will be back to try in the future because their regular menu had so many Mexican options that sounded delicious. Their regular menu also has Vegetarian options but this 5 course meal did not, which also surprised me and the reason why a couple left. The waitress we had though, was AMAZING and super nice, all the staff were incredible. Very polite and making sure that we felt comfortable and filling our cups before they emptied and removing plates. They were all so sweet and kind. I also wanted to add, when you make a reservation and get the reminder, it says something about use the Valet from Marriott and they will discount the $10 from your bill, we got told they do not do that though and they're unsure why it says it on the reservation. Just a warning if you're going to use the Valet service.

I went to Monarca on New Year’s Eve, and even though the place was packed, the service was 10/10. I was honestly impressed by how fast the Carne Asada came out—and it was delicious. The drinks were on point, and you can’t go wrong with their chips and guac. If they can handle a holiday crowd this well, they can handle anything. Definitely check this place out!

I’ve visited Monarca a couple of times, and overall, I’ve enjoyed the experience. The presentation of the dishes is excellent—thoughtful and elegant. The ceviche is tasty, and the food in general is quite good and satisfying, though the prices are a bit on the higher side. It’s a great option if you’re looking to try Mexican dishes with a gourmet twist. Their cocktails are also very well made, both in flavor and presentation. The space itself is a bit small and can get somewhat noisy during peak hours, but the atmosphere is stylish and well-decorated, giving it a modern, upscale feel. Service on both of my visits was relatively pleasant, with no major complaints. Another detail to keep in mind is that there’s a private parking lot right across the street, which makes access easier. In summary, Monarca is a solid choice if you’re in the mood for elevated Mexican cuisine in a beautiful setting. I’d recommend it for a more dressed-up outing—perfect for a special dinner or a stylish evening with friends.

Excellent service and top quality food considering I'm picky when it comes to Mexican food but Alfonso is a great chef always thriving for the best looking to enhance the Mexican cuisine experience! DE-LI-CIO-SO!

Beautiful restaurant downtown with amazing food! Went with a large group and they were super accommodating and everything came out relatively quickly. We tried most of the apps: ceviche, guacamole, elote, and queso (in order of my fave) For the main course: octopus and lobster tacos were both great and came with a side of rice Finished with the flan, cheesecake and the churros which came with ice cream Will definitely return to try the other tacos!

The vibe of this restaurant is super cool and unique. Definitely recommend making a reservation since the wait times can get long. Our server was friendly and did a good job overall, but he didn't refill our drinks which would've been nice, though to be fair, it was a busy Saturday night. We went with a group of friends and the food did not disappoint! Half of us got the shrimp tacos and OH MY GOD, they were amazing. The fried cheese, the sauce, the tortillas, the shrimp, everything was so delicious. My husband and a friend had the enchiladas and really enjoyed them too. One friend tried the rib eye tacos and didn't love them as much, but overall everyone was really happy with their meals. It was also great to see they have solid gluten-free options, which made it easy for two of our friends.

Came here for a work dinner and got to try a bunch of different dishes. Salmon chorizo, ribeye and bone marrow, elote, ceviche, churros, flan, cheesecake, etc. everything tasted great! My favorites were the ceviche, elote, and churros.

Monarca is quite the experience! We loved the Birria tacos they had a crunchy shell and the most tender flavorful meat inside. It came with pickled onions and cheese on top which was perfect! Enchiladas were incredible as well! The drinks! Wow! So incredible the detail and decor on each cocktail is spectacular. Definitely order the chocolate cake it comes on this cool stone plate, and has so many gooey layers! Our server kaylie was such a bubbly, fun server so happy we had her.

I really wanted to love this place because the vibes are soooo cool! Every time I walk by, there are a lot of people in a lively atmosphere. The building had a really cool open concept and the brick is stunning. I went with a group of friends and we were all really excited. The server asked if we wanted any appetizers and we said no. He then asked if we wanted chips for the table and we said yes and he said great I'll bring two for the table. Chips and salsa are not listed on the menu and the server didn't mention there was a cost. When he brought of the check he let us know he added them on there. I don't mind paying for the chips and salsa but it felt really weird that they offered them and selected how many for us without indicating we would be charged. For the prices they charge, it felt kind of corny to trick us into paying for something rather than just having it on the menu. The shrimp tacos were incredible. I'd give them a big 5/5. The rib eye tacos were good but not great. The bone marrow was delicious. The Diet Coke was just okay, but the guava pisco sour drink was really good! Overall, it is a fun atmosphere and the food is yummy. The service was okay. I probably won't be back, but its def a fun option for upscale Mexican food

We were in Salt Lake on business and ended up coming here twice in the same week we liked it that much. The menu had so many interesting options that it was hard to choose, from "basic" or familiar Mexican dishes like chicken enchiladas to the more elevated fare like halibut cooked in a zucchini blossom sauce. I strongly recommend the lamb in mole over rice, or (if you're on a tighter budget) the gooey, drippy birria tacos, omg. Good service, amazingly fresh and flavorful ingredients. I do think it's a bit overly expensive--be prepared that most of the main entrees are above $30 apiece. I wasn't wowed by the house margarita but did very much enjoy their paloma, served in a big ol' terra cotta cup. Seems to fill up on the weekends (understandably) but wasn't very busy on a weeknight Monday.

Overpriced Mexican! That alone isn't a bad thing, but the quality wasn't there for what they were trying to be. The chips and salsa they brought out was absolutely flavorless, and everyone dining agreed. I ordered the Halibut which was served on some hot peppers (I think poblanos) which made the Bottom super spicy. The Halibut was also pretty dry with the exception of 1/3 of the middle of it. I picked at it but it wasn't good. If you like your fish well done, then maybe it's your cup of tea. The Queso Fundido was amazing though. I'd totally just get that next time. The guacamole was also pretty good, but again, pricey. Maybe it's because Salt Lake City is far from Mexico (and uphill?). I don't think I'd come here again when in SLC. If I did, I'd stick to appetizers and the basics.

Server's were extremely slow and unprofessional, and the quality of their desserts is not up to par to other fine dining establishments downtown, they tasted like they were from Costco and not made in house. Tried speaking in good faith with the owner Claudia and she was extremely rude and unwilling to have a conversation. The quality of the food is not worth the bad service, it was subpar Mexican food that wasn't very authentic or elevated. Won't be back and would not recommend

Monarca was such a fun spot to eat! The atmosphere is lively with welcoming staff and the food definitely doesn't disappoint. The ceviche was really fresh and packed with flavor. Their cocktails are also yummy and pair well with the dishes. We also tried the Cochinita Pibil, which was tender and delicious. There was plenty to eat and we ended up having to take some to go and it was just as good later. The flavors were spot on, and we definitely left satisfied. We're already planning our next visit to try the huitlacoche--it sounds amazing, and after how great everything else was, we're excited to see what else the menu has to offer.

Our meal here was just ok. I always wonder about high end Mexican. What are they going to do to elevate what is usually perfect at a much lower price point? Monarca's answer is not much. The food was decent. Granted we didn't try anything outrageous. It just isn't as good as the price point suggests. You want your enchilada to have a little cheese pull with each bite. You can see here that these enchiladas are not such. The sauce looks vibrant but the flavors fell flat. My companion ordered the grilled salad and said it was incredible.

This is bullshit. We got there and our reservation was not honored but that decided to seat us at a table in the corner past the bar. This is not a fucking table.

I rarely leave 1-star reviews, but this experience unfortunately "secure" it--not because of the food, but due to how the staff handled a serious incident. I visited this restaurant with a group of 12 colleagues, including coworkers and managers. While parking was a bit of a hassle, I opted for garage parking and looked forward to a good meal. I ordered the Tacos Birria. However, when our food arrived, the server accidentally spilled my entire dish on me. The hot birria sauce drenched my shirt, jeans, socks, and shoes. Thankfully, I was wearing loose jeans and was able to pull the fabric away from my thigh, minimizing the burn, but it was still painful. I had to go to the restroom to clean up, and a coworker helped me wash what we could. I returned to the table soaked and sat through the rest of dinner that way--about two hours--because I didn't want to ruin the rare occasion of our team dining together. The manager did come over to apologize, offering a $25 gift card, which I used to pay for dinner, and a complimentary dessert. While I appreciated the apology, the gesture didn't come close to making up for the damage. My jeans alone cost more than $150, my shirt $50, and my shoes $300--not to mention the inconvenience and discomfort of being soaked and burned in my thigh during the entire meal. I'm also traveling for work, staying at a hotel with no laundry facilities, and I won't have access to laundry until the weekend. This is the only pair of shoes I brought. With $25, I think I can get a new pair of socks. While I understand accidents happen and didn't want to make a scene (not single word or attitude during my diner), I expected a much better response from an upscale restaurant. Some of my coworkers expressed their disappointment with how the situation was handled. The food itself was good and nicely presented, but given the circumstances, won't be returning for sure.

Kylie is an awesome waitress! Cocktails and food are excellent! Tacos and margaritas are great! Had avocado and ceviche apps, so good'

The Monarca has some impressive staff. They worked diligently to provide seamless service. From my visit, it appears this place was a local favorite. Many large parties (12+, such as ours) were gathered for their Mexican American cuisine. I had the halibut, which looked great on the online menu. The white fish was a little tougher than I would like. A coworker who ordered the same thing, also agreed. The fish might have been cooked 2-3 minutes too long. It might have happened when they were trying to get our orders out at the same time, but were a tad unsuccessful. The zucchini flower sauce was a little too mellow for my taste. I think it needed a typical acid. Overall, I still thought the presentation was nice. My espresso martini was delicious. No complaints there!

Delicious everything! From the awesome ceviche to the fresh fish and wide selection of tasty tacos! They have a great selection of margaritas, beer & wine too. The chefs are CREATIVE and inventive. I love this place and will definitely take my friends and family here.

This is My first time here at Monarca and I was very happy and shocked by the way everything looked. The food looked amazing and the portions were a perfect size and the way it was presented amazingly. The Servers are really nice and I love how police and kind they are and the way they are respectful makes it even better. The Ambiance is perfect it feels like your somewhere in a island or at a really fancy restaurant and the way the tables, chairs, and the way the decorations look are amazing and I'm glad I came here. I recommend this place to anyone who's in the mood for delicious food and awesome Drinks 5 Stars Hands Down!

Monarca never disappoints with upscale Mexican cuisine and beautiful plating. Fun wine list with unique Mexican wines. Highly recommend the halibut on an unctuous and silky squash blossom sauce. Service was excellent.

We dined at Monarca for the first time yesterday and it was great that they take reservations online so we had a reserved table before heading to a show. The place has a lively decor and fun atmosphere and colorful dishes. Personal pet peeve but they still have QR codes on the tables for the menu so you have to scan to get the menu which then focuses your attention on your mobile phone instead of the friends your dining with. I really dislike this. We ordered the guacamole to start. It was fresh, flavorful and colorful with assorted veggies and came with chips in a small cereal bowl. For $14 I was disappointed with the small amount of chips as we had lots of guac left but no more chips. No problem our server gladly brought us more chips and added $3 to our tab for refilling the chips. They also have a full bar so we could enjoy some adult libations with our meal. The menu has a wide variety of items. We ordered the Pollo en Mole, Birria Tacos and the Fish Tacos. They all came out looking amazing and the taste matched the amazing appearance. The portion was satisfying and everything was very fresh. I'd love to go back again and try more items on the menu as it was hard to decide what to try on our first visit. Located downtown so parking can be challenging with either a mix of street parking (paid) or a nearby garage.

Loved it we went twice during our visit. The ceviche was great and the cocktails were good.

Was in SLC for a night on the town with the girls! Our friend that lives nearby said she loved this place. We ordered elote and chocolate cake to share and a variety of other plates. Fish Tacos, Birra Tacos, Tacos Mar Y Tierra and Enchiladas. The elote and the chocolate cake were amazing, one-salty tangy and sweet, the other-moist with a deep bitter sweet flavor. The other dishes were rated with a various state of enjoyment. For one, my Tacos Mar Y Tierra were delish but I wished the guacamole was more flavorful but the tenderness of the carne asada made up for it. A few of the dishes came with rice and we also ordered a side of beans as well but weren't very impressed by them. The location was filled with beautiful evening light and was full of fun textures and finishes. Our waitress was excellent and the food service was speedy. Definitely a place for special occasions. The older couple near us asked how we liked it and only good things were said. Same with another gentleman on the street when we were passing by.

The food is decent but way overpriced for what it is. They also charge for a small chips and salsa, but fail to mention that when asking if they can bring it for the table. Would not go back.

Monarca is amazing! From the service, to the food and decor. We've been here 5 times and have loved it so much. We recommend this place over and over again to all of our friends. If you want good yummy food with great service this is the place to check out. Every time our friends want to do birthday dinners we have suggested this place as it is close to everything such as bars after a great dinner. The drinks at Monarca are so delicious. The price is great for the food and service.

Malcolm was our waiter. If I could import him to St. Louis, I would. His knowledge of the drinks and food menu was second to none. His recommendations were spot on. We were absolutely in awe of the presentation of every item we received, from the margaritas to the main entree. As our friend Chris said "this is not your typical Mexican restaurant".

Malcolm Anderson was a stellar waiter. he made great recommendations, he was enlightening. He was respectful and knew the menu.He could suggest great options and he made our dining experience. Incredible. The food was incredible. The atmosphere was incredible, but Malcolm topped it all off. We will be back!

I really wanted this place to be good. Great location and decent service. However, The ribeye and bone marrow tacos were such a let down. Toughest ribeye I have ever had. It came out COVERED in onions. Like a blanket for the dry meat. And the "seasoned" bone marrow lacked flavor. Michelada mix was great! Had a good spice to it. Enchiladas Suiza was good but could've used more sauce. Chicken was kind of bland/dry. Ceviche was decent. I spent $250 for 4 people and I don't think I'll be back.

The food is amazing and the ambiance is perfect. The best part of our experience was our server. Josh was so personable and professional. He had great recommendations and checked on us regularly. It was so nice to feel like a cared for customer. We can't wait to go back!

We have been here many times and always love it. The latest time we were here, menu prices were higher than last time. Totally understandable since that's the way the world is moving and everything is getting more expensive... we were just a little annoyed that after ordering a $16 appetizer, they would charge us two dollars every time we wanted a tortilla refill when the appetizer only came with two tiny tortillas to begin with. I totally get that it cost extra for ingredients but when you're at a high-end restaurant, I wish they would just charge you $20 and give you a lot more tortillas than having to nickel and dime you for extra stuff. Delta vs Frontier lol. The manager was nice enough to offer to take away the extra charge, but we were not concerned about the money and we just wanted the owners to be aware that we don't love this practice.

We were sad to *finally* dine at Monarca and find it so delightful for our final meal as foodies of SLC. It's a lively, airy joint with friendly, competent service and soulful fare. I don't drink, but I love a fancy zero proof cocktail, and their hibiscus margarita was pow, tasty, right in the kisser. Service was prompt, warm, and expertly navigated a problem with our carne asada (which was ultimately divine). I don't know when we'll be in Salt Lake again, but I would make it a point to visit Monarca, and you should, too.

Birria tacos were excellent! Pickled onions made the difference. Server was very attentive, didn't hover. Checked on us after appetizer, and after meal.

The food was delicious! I had the birria tacos, and my friend tried the fish tacos. While I might be a bit of a birria taco connoisseur (hence the 4 stars), they were still quite enjoyable. The salsas were fantastic, and the staff was incredibly friendly and attentive. A great experience overall!

Food was incredible. Table of 11 and our server Angela was attentive and great! Literally no complaints. These are the mole chicken enchiladas with the honey lemon mocktail!

I'd really give this a 3.5 overall. It was very busy when I arrived and I dined solo, so I sat at the bar. I was fine with that. I do think this is a higher priced Mexican restaurant. The vibe is cool with music but it seemed like not one of the employees smiled. It was busy but even during interactions, they looked very somber. It took a little bit to get my water and drink. I had asked for some chips and salsa when I ordered my plate and next thing you know, my tacos were there. I didn't ask for the chips at that point, since I had my meal. The tacos were great and chicken was very juicy which was surprising for the tacos. The plantains were perfectly cooked! I was pleased with the food but giving my boat a 3.5 because the staff did not seem happy to be there at all. And they missed my chips & salsa... which in my opinion should be a given at any style Mexican restaurant, not added to the menu when the prices are already higher.

Food was great and beautifully presented. Staff was short, due to No shows, but life happens. The staff that was there hustled to care for all patrons.

Seriously what an amazing find...I'd probably walked by this place a million times but never popped in, until last night. And wow. Crazy good drinks (like the best Paloma I've ever had), the food was phenomenal, and top-tier service (our server, T-named female, Trinity I think) took really good care of us. I can't say it with enough emphasis, this place beat every one of my expectations. Will 1000% be back.

Food (3/5) - Got the chicken mole enchilada. Mole sauce was a little too much sugar and covered up the cinnamon flavour, but the chicken quality was solid, melt in your mouth texture. Price (4/5) - A little more expensive for the Salt Lake area but pretty large portions. We shared a dish, it came with two enchiladas. Service (3/5) - Prompt and waitstaff were generally quite friendly, though once you finished your food, they prompted us to pay. Though the restaurant got quite busy by 6:30pm.

First time in Utah and had an amazing meal before leaving to the airport. Jojo the bartender and waiter, Made this experience Great, he had great recommendation was very welcoming, and you can tell he pays attention to detail to make sure everyone has a good experience. I would recommended and come back.

Monarca is our favorite elevated Mexican restaurant around. Their menu never misses. If you're looking for a fun date night look no further than Monarca. The staff will help you decide on what to order if you're unsure. They also have a delicious drink and dessert menu. Eat at Monarca and thank me later!

You HAVE to order their ceviche. It was by far the best thing we ordered. Great location and service as well.

Good but 34$ for a 6 oz piece of halibut, some corn and sauce is bonkers then they serve it on the wrong side of a bowl? Im only eating here if someone else is paying and im still pushing them to other restaurants instead.

This menu is small but mighty! Our server was great, very helpful and gave great recommendations. Also the cocktails here are FIRE! We came at noon and needed a pick me up so our server recommended the Spanish version of an espresso martini -- so good, just forgot the name. It's in one of the pictures I uploaded. We had an empanada sampler for an appetizer and they were delicious and fresh. The breading reminded me like tamales. My husband has the salmon tacos and they were flavorful and not dry. Came with a black bean tortilla. I had the rib eye taco with the bone marrow -- probably the best taco I've ever had. So so so good!

We love the food here, nothing disappoints. My husband had a dish that reminded him so much of his grandmothers cooking, he almost cried. Very authentic and our server Bryan was top tier.

This place was AMAZING! We came here for a family celebration and everyone was so happy! Three of us ordered the tacos pictured and we all loved them! We had a couple other taco orders and one carne asada order. Everything was DELICIOUS!! The churros at the end of the night really stole the show. You MUST order them when coming here. They were so good i couldn't get a picture before they were all gone. The only thing against this place is I wish our server was more attentive. We had to flag them down when we needed things and it took a while to get our requested items. Also they would leave before we finished talking so if they would have checked in more that would have been the icing on the cake.

5 stars any day of the week. Come here often, located on 3rd and State-ish - walking distance from my office and never experienced a wait. However, the place is usually full! The Birria tacos are awesome. You can drown anything in their consome. s/p Service has never been less than great, and food always comes out quick. I've ordered the guacamole and queso fondido as appetizer during my visits and queso is the clear winner. The guacamole could have lime juice and other spices added to taste a bit better but still good. Already looking forward to my next visit. Oh - Tuesdays have specials on their tacos, and allows you get a taste of everything.

I really want to leave a 5 star review but the experience here left much to be desired. We arrived early for our 8 pm reservation and sat by the door waiting for our table. The man that greeted us was wonderful. You can tell he hustles and cares a lot about his job. The music was great, I love Latino music. Lots of bad bunny. After that things went somewhat downhill. We got seated at a table that had track lighting from above pointed directly at our faces. No one wants to eat a nice meal with a Spotlight on your face. There was a salsa splattered card with a QR code on it at our table. The waiter came to get our drinks. We realized at this point that we wouldn't get a physical menu and scrambled to pull up the digital menu. The drinks were good, no complaints there. But a little communication about the menu would have been great. We ordered the ceviche appetizer and got chips and salsa. The waiter asked if we wanted side plates for our ceviche. We said yes. The ceviche was delicious but our side plates never came. Next we ordered dinner. The item my husband wanted was out since yesterday. Again, a little communication would have been nice since now we had to go back to the crappy digital menu. He got the birria tacos and I got the chicken mole enchiladas. Both were delicious. No complaints there. Also the bathrooms were gross, and there was no toilet paper in the stalls, people were using paper towels. I will try this place again on a less busy night, because the food was really good. And the waitstaff was doing their best, they just seemed overwhelmed. And I will call to request a table by the windows to avoid the lighting issue. Hopefully I can update this review with 5 stars next time!

Great salmon- and so beautifully presented, too. The ceviche was okay. Maybe for the locals, the ceviche is something special- I was unimpressed. The tortilla chips that came with the ceviche was stale. The appetizer chips were awfully stale and hard. The salsa (both green and red) was tasty! I loved the customer service- talk about an ELITE host & waitress. She was great. She told us all about the story of how this restaurant started and a little background about the owners and the exciting news of it opening a location in the airport. That was a really neat part of our experience here. I wish I remembered her name. The seats here are pretty flimsy, the silverware was not clean, the bathroom was truly disgusting- with the price points of the menu I almost expected a higher end experience and I'm kind of sad my "nice" dinner option during my travels here to SLC didn't really do that for me.

Looking for another date night option in Salt Lake City? I've found the PERFECT one! Meet Monarca in downtown SLC. You may have seen them before due to their viral nitrogen infused margaritas - but let me tell you they have SO many amazing dishes. We started with one of the more unique elote dishes I've ever had - it is a classic base but was topped with sweet popcorn! It was absolutely delicious and is now the only way I want to eat elote! It gives it that perfect crunch! We obviously also got the table side margaritas - this one was a pineapple base and we liked to refer to it as our "adule dole-whip"! Definitely is a splurge but was soooo worth it! As for our entrees, we went with the chicken tortilla soup, pollo en mole & Huitlacoche Quesadilla. Every single one was absolutely delicious and soooo flavorful! But the Chicken tortilla soup was the real shock of the night. It was packed with ingredients and every spoonful was even better than the last. I would go back just for that alone on any given night! Plus is was absolutely MASSIVE and only $10! The restaurant itself is pretty new, they have only been open a few years but I really feel like the have created such a unique and fun spot! It's perfect for date night, drinks out with friends or a great spot for lunch! I definitely recommend checking it out!

Fantastic belated Valentine's dinner tonight at Monarca!! All of the staff was super friendly and attentive! It was a very chill relaxing vibe, which I thoroughly enjoyed after a long day at work. The complimentary chips and salsa were great! Perfect portion for two people. I started with the margarita of the day and my husband had his traditional Diet Coke. I got the octopus tacos which were delicious!! I'd never had octopus before and was happy with my decision!! My husband got the fish taco of the day which was corvina (a fish neither of us had heard of) but he definitely enjoyed!! For dessert I got the Old Fashioned to drink which was really cool and unique from other Old Fashioneds I've had. Fun smoky flavor! The only slight disappointment was the chocflan dessert. It was the regular flan I think on top of a rather tasteless chocolate cake. We just peeled the flan off, which was really good and left the cake behind. I would definitely come back for other special occasions!! Lots of tasty menu items and nice vibe. Would just stick to the regular flan for dessert or maybe try the churros.

You know when you want something and it just appears in front of you... I was in downtown for the Utah Blues Festival ( AMAZING!!) .... I'm not from there, so I didn't know where to go... im craving Mexican food ..walk across the street & ...... Jasiel behind the bar was FABULOUS!! He's friendly, the bar is comfortable & let me just tell you. . . . . One of the top 5 Margaritas I've ever had!!!! ( let's just say, I'm not young so I've had my share!) It truly was amazing & THEN.... they had octopus tacos!!!! I will say this.. the octopus was cooked perfect... very tender, just could have used more flavor. However, those tortillas.... AMAZING!! Homemade, so soft, almost melt in your mouth!! So, GO is what I'm saying!!! GO!!! I saw some of the food being served around me.... looked sooo good!! Thank you, Jasiel.. Next year I'll be back!!