Mi Patria on 22nd Street in West Des Moines has been bringing the authentic cooking traditions of Ecuador to the Des Moines metro since it opened, serving the seco de pollo, llapingachos, and the slow-cooked Ecuadorian comfort food that earns a Midwest restaurant its destination reputation in a market where South American cooking of this authenticity is genuinely rare. It appeared in Season 21, Episode 12 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, “Fresh Fish and Funky Chicken,” which aired December 5, 2014. Guy Fieri found a West Des Moines kitchen doing Ecuadorian food from scratch with the family recipe authenticity that earns a community restaurant its loyal following among Iowa’s Latin American community and the curious eaters who discovered it.
Quick Facts
Restaurant: Mi Patria
City: West Des Moines, Iowa
Cuisine: Ecuadorian / Latin
DDD Season: 21
DDD Episode: 12
Episode Title: Fresh Fish and Funky Chicken
Original Air Date: December 5, 2014
Address: 1410 22nd St., West Des Moines, IA 50266
Phone: 515-222-2755
Website: https://mipatriadsm.com
Status: Open
What to Eat
The Seco de Pollo — chicken slow-braised in a fragrant cilantro and beer sauce served with rice, beans, and fried plantains — is the Ecuadorian classic that earns Mi Patria its Des Moines reputation. The Llapingachos — pan-fried potato and cheese cakes served with a peanut sauce, chorizo, and a fried egg — are the Ecuadorian street food item most regulars consider the most distinctive thing on the menu. The Ceviche Ecuatoriano with fresh shrimp in a tomato and citrus sauce — distinct from the Peruvian lime-cured version most Americans know — is the appetizer that earns its own devoted following. Find a Des Moines hotel on Trivago.
Plan Your Visit
Check the website for current hours.
Address: 1410 22nd St., West Des Moines, IA 50266
Phone: 515-222-2755
Website: https://mipatriadsm.com
Status: Open
Triple D Essentials
Stream the Fresh Fish and Funky Chicken episode on Amazon. Mi Patria is one of the most genuinely unique restaurants in the Triple D catalog.
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Mi Patria appeared in Season 21, Episode 12 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, “Fresh Fish and Funky Chicken,” originally aired December 5, 2014.