To walk into the Blue Iguana Mexican Restaurant is to walk into old-world Mexico. The syncopated rhythms of mariachi, the rainbow of pastel colors, and of course, the smell of mouth-watering Mexican cuisine—all you need now is a cold beverage, and you’re practically ocean-side in the heart of Salt Lake City.

For 20 years, the Blue Iguana Mexican Restaurant has offered a dining experience unlike any other north of the Rio Grande. Although it’s best known for its diverse selection of rich molés, the Blue Iguana menu offers a wide variety of Mexican culinary treasures from sizzling shrimp fajitas to delectable Chile Verde enchiladas. The Blue Iguana also features a full drink menu including beer, wine, mixed drinks, and the legendary, award-winning Iguanarita. Located just across the street from the Salt Palace Convention Center, the Blue Iguana brings the taste of Mexico to Northern Utah.

“I’m from Richmond, Va and was traveling to Salt Lake City for a business conference so I reached out to my social network and friends for recommendations of food in SLC. An overwhelming majority said I must go to The Red Iguana (no affiliation to The Blue Iguana) if I wanted authentic Mexican Food. So the first place I went after landing and checking into my hotel was The Red Iguana. I waited an hour outside to get a seat for one.

After eating my food I left there feeling very underwhelmed and not impressed. Fast forward to the next day, after registering for my conference I had some time to kill and I was hungry. To my surprise saw a sign for The Blue Iguana, I thought what the heck, I’ll give it a try. THIS IS THE PLACE PEOPLE SHOULD BE RECOMMENDING!!

The food was amazing. I got homemade tamales that were fresh and oh so tasty. I left there with the thought to come back at least one more time on my trip. So now I sit here, the last meal of my trip, eating incredible Chile rellenos writing a five star review. Seriously come here, not the other place.” —Shari Eavenson Williams