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Blue Iguana - Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City, UT

Blue Iguana - Salt Lake City

4.4 (745)
$30 and under
Mexican
165 S West Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Make a reservation

A photo of Blue Iguana - Salt Lake City restaurant

Blue Iguana - Salt Lake City

4.4
$30 and under
Mexican
Downtown

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 13 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Neighborhood gem
  • Charming
Purchased from the Red Iguana family in 1998, the Blue Iguana Restaurant has provided patrons with delicious, authentic Mexican food for over two decades. From day one, the only goal for Blue Iguana was to create a menu rich with traditional, old-world recipes while pushing the culinary envelope and creating new, one-of-a-kind Mexican cuisine.

Trained by the culinary artists of Chihuahua, our head chef, Chef Castillo, cooks up some of the most mouth-watering and unexpected Mexican cuisine outside of his homeland. After he learned closely guarded recipes created in the tradition of generations-old Aztec cuisine, Chef Castillo began applying these techniques to create everything from classic Mexican dishes to modern cuisine.

Our restaurant is warm, inviting, family-friendly, and full of energy. Dining at the Blue Iguana is more than a meal—it’s a journey back in time to the tastes and sounds of old-world Mexico.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Mexican, Traditional Mexican, Mexican / Southwestern
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu 11:00 am–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:00 am–10:00 pm Dinner Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Chef Castillo
  • Neighborhood
    Downtown
  • Cross street
    165 S. West Temple (below Benihana)
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Additional
    Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wine

Concierge
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What 745 people are saying

Blue Iguana - Salt Lake City reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.4
4.4 based on recent ratings
  • 4.3Food
  • 4.4Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Salt Lake City

    Mexican

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Blue Iguana in Salt Lake City offers a "charming hidden gem" with an authentic atmosphere. Guests appreciate the "great atmosphere" and "wonderful service." The menu is praised for "plentiful portions" and "delicious salsa with chips." While experiences vary, many find the "food amazing" and the "margaritas tasty."
745 Reviews
  1. Bob

    Salt Lake City6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food is always outstanding. Attentive service, German is very personable.

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  2. Jason Gold

    Salt Lake City1 review

    1.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    Service was horrible and food was flavorless. Do not recommend.

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  3. Brooke

    Greater Boston3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Food was wonderful and very large portions. The service was pretty good, but waitress never checked on us and it took a bit to get our check. I like Blue Iguana better than Red Iguana a bit. Would recommend and we will be going back.

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  4. Megan

    Denver1 review

    1.0

    Dined on July 8, 2026

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 2
    This is definitely not “authentic Mexican food” and if that’s what you’re looking for you will be disappointed. I read so many reviews about how great this place was and to say it fell short is an understatement. It was one of the worst meals we’ve had in a long time. The food was terrible and not worth the money at all. I’m sure our food hit the microwave, it was cooked like a hot pocket. Crisp on top and soggy and cold in the middle. My boyfriend took a bite of mine and immediately said “don’t finish it, I’ve had better burritos from Taco Bell.” I am surprised this is considered one of the best spots in salt lake, considering we didn’t finish hardly any of it and opted to just go get food somewhere else after. The only saving grace was our waitress was pretty good. Our drinks were never empty and she did keep us updated on our food coming out (since it took about 30 minutes). So props to her for at least making it decent.

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  5. Cindy

    Salt Lake City17 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on July 6, 2026

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    We had not been to Blue Iguana in about 10 years and thought we’d try it again. We had reservations for 6:30 and were seated quickly. It was about 20 minutes before our server took our food order. They seemed understaffed. It’s not a really big restaurant and not all the tables were even full. Our server was running around trying to do his best. Our food arrived about 45 minutes later. Then it took about 20 minutes to get our check after we were done eating. We were there for over 2 hours. Food was ok, but not spectacular. For a dinner on a Sunday night for a family of 4, not even a large group, the wait time was ridiculous. We don’t live downtown and have a place we prefer to go to for Mexican food on a regular basis but thought we’d mix it up. Apparently that was a mistake. We’ll stick with our usual where we are seated, eating and paid in an hour at most.

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  6. James

    Las Vegas1 review

    5.0

    Dined on June 27, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great atmosphere! Good chips and Salsa, great menu, and wonderful service!
    Blue Iguana - Salt Lake CityResponded 6 days ago
    James, Thank you so much for the 5 stars!. We're happy to hear you enjoyed our food and service!, we hope to see you here again soon!.

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  7. Linda

    Salt Lake City8 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 25, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    It was noisy but I think that was due to the enthusiasm for the food. Yummy as usual!

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  8. Bob

    Salt Lake City6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 14, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food, good service and reasonable prices for a downtown location. Thanks to German, he is the best server !

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  9. Nicole Gold

    Salt Lake City2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 29, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    MARIA IS THE BEST!!!!!! She's just wonderful and it's 75% of the reason why we go there.

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  10. OpenTable Diner

    Salt Lake City1 review

    4.0

    Dined on May 23, 2026

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 2
    The food was okay. the flavor was not that great on the asada taco.

    Is this helpful?

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Mexican, Traditional Mexican, Mexican / Southwestern
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu 11:00 am–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:00 am–10:00 pm Dinner Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Chef Castillo
  • Neighborhood
    Downtown
  • Cross street
    165 S. West Temple (below Benihana)
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Additional
    Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wine

FAQs

Portions at Blue Iguana are generous, many guests comment that burritos, chimichangas and entrees are large and filling. Expect hearty servings suitable for sharing or taking home leftovers; several guests note particularly big burritos and large fajita portions. Prices are reported in a moderate range (roughly $10–$20 per entrée), so you’ll typically get good value for the amount of food served.

Yes, Blue Iguana is a popular spot for a fun, lively date night. Guests praise the cozy, colorful atmosphere, live music on some nights, and flavorful margaritas, making it a great choice for a casual, festive evening. Expect a somewhat bustling, sometimes loud dining room; for a quieter experience choose an early seating or a weeknight. The restaurant’s downtown, basement location and warm decor give it a charming, intimate vibe perfect for a memorable night out.

Casual dress is appropriate, the restaurant’s listed dress code is casual and guests typically dine in comfortable, relaxed attire. This is a casual-dining spot ideal for date nights, pre-show dinners, family gatherings, and groups.

Yes, Blue Iguana accommodates private parties and larger group bookings. Multiple guests report successful group reservations (parties of 8–13 and larger) and the restaurant notes that it allows private parties, so it’s a strong option for celebrations, pre-show dinners, and group events.

The best time to go is for an early dinner or weekday lunch when the restaurant is quieter. Guests frequently recommend making reservations for evenings and weekends, since Fri–Sat nights and pre-show times fill up fast. If you want live music and a lively vibe, opt for Friday nights; for a more relaxed meal, visit midweek or earlier in the evening.

There’s no formal public listing in the information provided, but guests frequently report busy evenings and recommend reservations. Walk-ins can face waits, especially Fri–Sat nights and pre-show times. To avoid waiting, make a reservation; if you expect special timing (pre-show), call ahead so staff can help pace your meal.

Midweek (Tuesday–Thursday) is often the best day for a more relaxed experience; you’ll likely find shorter waits and lower noise. If you want the energetic, festive vibe with live music, Friday nights are popular. In all cases, reservations are recommended for evenings to secure a table.

Blue Iguana has a colorful, authentic, upbeat atmosphere, many guests call it a hidden gem. Expect lively decor, festive energy, and occasional live music that enhances the dining experience. It can get loud during peak nights, so if you prefer quiet dining, choose an early seating or weekday visit. The basement, tucked-away location adds to the restaurant’s charm and sense of discovery.

Yes, the restaurant accepts requests, but it's best to call and confirm. Guests report the staff are often accommodating with seating and party needs, though there are occasional lapses where special requests (like outdoor seating) weren’t added to the reservation. Calling ahead to confirm your request reduces the chance of issues on arrival.

Family-friendly: yes, many guests bring families, celebrate birthdays, and book large group dinners. Accessible seating: limited. The restaurant sits below street level with stairs and a narrow access route; elevator access is only through neighboring Benihana and through the kitchen, and several guests advise it can be tight for wheelchairs or mobility devices. If accessibility is a concern, call ahead to discuss accommodations.

Yes, Blue Iguana offers a small outdoor seating area that guests enjoy during nice weather. Reviews note both indoor and outdoor options; if outdoor seating is important to your visit, call ahead or request it when you make your reservation to confirm availability.

How FAQ content is generated

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Salt Lake City
  4. Salt Lake City
  5. Downtown

Make a reservation

A photo of Blue Iguana - Salt Lake City restaurant

Blue Iguana - Salt Lake City

4.4
$30 and under
Mexican
Downtown

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 13 times today
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