Taco Tico

This past Christmas I had to send about 50 enchiladas to Missouri. This was a request from a old friend who lived in Fort Dodge for many years. Jackie and her family had A taco Tico Christmas dinner and loved it

Taco: a Mexican dish consisting of a fried tortilla, typically folded, filled with various mixtures, such as seasoned meat, beans, lettuce, and tomatoes.
Tico: a colloquial name for a native of Costa Rica.
Does the name make sense? No.
What does make sense is the decision to fill your mouth with spectacular Amerexican food at this local establishment. While I cannot vouch for the origin or contents of the seasoned meat mixture, I can vouch for the delight that will take over your body when you bite into Tico’s crunchy beef tacos. They have the perfect meat to tortilla to lettuce ratio, with just the right amount of hot sauce (go for the mild, thank me later). I cannot give input to the taste of the tomatoes, because I am a man and do not eat tomatoes. However, the lettuce is fresh and serves its duty as a hot sauce delivery platform. Inside the dining area you will find a meager but manageable salsa bar to dress up your bounty if you choose to brave the –30 wind chill conditions of central Iowa.
Will the food take you back to your trip to Cabo after junior year of college? No. Will it fill you up and leave you smiling on your way home through corn fields? Yes.
They’re $ 0.99 each. Pull some change out of your center console, order a half dozen, and enjoy the rest of your day. That is all.

Best Tex-​Mex restaurant in the area! I recommend the Deluxe Enchilada and the Taco Burger! I like how they have a separate condiment bar for your veggies and sauces. Try to get their early or you may have a hard time finding a spot to sit. Low key quiet restaurant. Great place to bring the kiddos! They do have a drive thru and carry-​out services. A++ food, Mmm!

Great food for a «fast food» joint. We always make a point to visit Taco Tico when in Fort Dodge. Always packed when we arrive. Service is good but antiquated as the cashier calls the order back via a microphone and a hand written order form. Will be back again for good Mexican food.

Classic stop for me when I attended Iowa Central in Fort Dodge. Every time I go back to Dirty Dodge, I have to stop here to eat. They have the best chicken enchilada. Good food for a good price. It’s a very simple restaurant, so don’t expect to be blown away. Most food is served on Styrofoam plates, to give you an example of the atmosphere. A great option for fast food Mexican food.

Definitely not authentic Mexican, but still a very good fast food option. The beef is greasy, but not overwhelmingly. I am in love with their deluxe nachos. There is a condiments bar inside where you can load up on olives, green onion, jalapeños and your choice of salsa. Try the green chili sauce if you like a spicy kick.

I ordered the «Texas burrito» as it had a large printed ad at the register. It came out and the gentlemen called my number. I went up and saw the burrito and asked «is this the Texas Burrito?» which the worker confirmed.
I had to point at the picture and say «this burrito is this thing?»
First bite in I found a hair.
For the first time in my life I had a burrito that I could not stomach…
No idea how the parking lot was so full and this place was so packed. Will never go again when visiting Fort Dodge, sorry…

The sauce is there are good and that’s about it, mediocre food at best they rely on sauces to make food good, would not recommend

Being in high school with a lot of disposable income I must say that this is a restaurant I use frequently. The food is spectacular and the «Taco Tuesday» deals are unmatched. There is no doubt in my mind people of all ages are more than likely going to enjoy a nice taco made and served to perfection. I am a regular who loves Taco Tuesday. Should I take advantage of it as much as I should? Probably not but with a deal like that? You just can’t go wrong! Taco Tico is the leading Mexican restaurant in Fort Dodge, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.

Taco Tico is probably bland as anything can get you think this is the best Mexican fast food in iowa you need to think again spend some rime up in okoboji and go to taco house thats real traditional Mexican fast food

I guess this is a love it or leave it place — I personally don’t care for Taco Tico. Seems to be a place that mostly locals like to enjoy — just too bland for me and too much cheese. I’ve lived in Fort Dodge for five years and every time someone convinces me to eat here I regret it two bites in. It is however clean, the staff and customers are friendly, and they have a great condiment bar. You’ll just need about 5 – 6 cups of salsa to cover up the blandness of the food. But if you ever meet someone from Fort Dodge don’t tell them you don’t like Taco Tico. .. they’ll spend the next 20 min trying to convince you that you’re wrong. And probably drag you there to prove it. Just save yourself some time and politely suggest to eat somewhere else instead :)

quick, good, and helpful staff.
Taco Tico, 1 word… YUM!!!
how come there isn’t as many of you around is all I want to know. This place is so amazing and good that I think it could have the potential of being the next Taco Johns or Taco Bell.

My maiden trip to Tico Taco and I was not impressed at all. Lack of flavor and rather bland. I would rank it behind TJ and TB, but will be loyal to Chipotle when its available. Rusty Taco is very good also.

If you haven’t eaten here, you just won’t understand.
I don’t understand how Taco Bell or Taco John’s could even hope to compete against Taco Tico. It’s the best fast Mexican food anywhere, not just in Fort Dodge. Anytime we’re in the area we plan at least one meal here.
Beginners, just get the Tico Dinner — a great sampler, includes a taco, an enchilada, chips, beans, cheese… add a coupe softshell tacos, maybe a smothered sancho…
It’s all good. Top it off with an order of Crustos and go take a nap. You’ve earned it.

Greatest fast food Mexican ever. End of story.

Food is good. Clean facility. Wouldn’t make it an everyday trip for food though.

I currently live in Austin TX where anything from authentic Mexican to awesome corner gas station taco trucks to quality TexMex is always available a stones throw away. Alas there are no Taco Tico’s in Texas. I haven’t been back to the Midwest to a Taco Tico in 20yrs but the flavor of a smothered sancho (back in Ft. Dodge) still rings fresh in my memory. I may have instant access to the authentic but I’d trade it any day for Taco Tico. For those of you still in Ft. Dodge; have a smothered sancho for me, would ya???

It’s bland Mexican food with a midwestern «flair.» It’s not exceptional, it’s not authentic. It is however the thing that cravings are made of. What White Castle is to the hamburger this is to Mexican cuisine. I got turned on to Taco Tico from my fiancée who is a Fort Dodge native. It is interwoven with the culture of the area, and is adored by the locals. For us no visit to the area would be complete without a stop for the Tico Dinner Plate with a Smothered Sancho. If you are in the area, make sure to stop in and eat like the locals.

This is the stuff that legends are made of… though you might not like it if you don’t like thoroughly Americanized «Mexican» fast food. But that would make you rather unpopular with most people who grew up in FD in the 80s and 90s.
I recommend the Tico Dinner and the taco burgers. Enjoy the hot sauce bar and hit up the jukebox with a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday. Live the Dream.

I can’t even describe the feelings I have for Taco Tico except to say that nearly every single person I know that has left Dodge for whatever reason HAS to make at least one stop at Tico every time they get back.
Including me.