The 50 best cheap eats in Des Moines

Just the fact that they charged us to pay by credit card, and then we had to pay higher tax because of that, makes me not want to go back, and I enjoyed the salad, but the pizza was disappointing. We started with the Caesar which was very good and I liked the anchovies. The pizza was a four cheese with tomato sauce. Horribly tasteless, I make better pizza at home, and my tomato sauce actually has flavour. This was just coloured red and the entire pizza just tasted of garlic. It was tasteless bread with the texture of cheese that tasted like chunks of crushed garlic. Then to top it off, I realised once home that they charged an additional $1.61 (2.75%) to pay via credit card, and then the tax we paid went from $4.10 to $4.22. If anything this charge should be after tax and not increase our bill. This is daylight robbery and a disgrace to hard working people. We live down the road and we would have gone back, but this is just unacceptable

I visited this restaurant after seeing it recommended in a food review, but unfortunately, my experience did not go as I had hoped. When I arrived, the restaurant was empty, and since I had a broken foot, I was hoping to sit at a booth or a regular table. However, I was only offered a seat at the bar, with the option of waiting 20 minutes to sit outside on the patio. I ordered a pizza, which is priced at a premium compared to other places in the area. After placing my order at the bar, I was left unattended for about 35 minutes until another staff member delivered my food. During this time, I did notice another server beginning her shift, setting up her station with care and using gloves, which I appreciated. When I was ready to leave, I asked for a box. My five remaining slices were placed in a styrofoam container stacked directly on top of each other, which made them stick together. I asked if they could be placed in a regular pizza box instead, but the slices were transferred by hand without gloves, which raised some concerns for me. When I asked about this, I was told he dose not ware gloves for boxing pizza and was directed to speak with a manager. After waiting for about 10 minutes without any response from management, I decided to leave. I truly wanted to enjoy my visit here, but unfortunately, the service left me feeling unwelcome. I hope this feedback helps the restaurant improve, as I believe the potential for a much better experience is there.

Guys, the salad could’ve been great if we could actually taste the vegetables — instead, it was drowned in a sweet dressing. The meat was extremely poor quality; we couldn’t even eat the steak. As for the service… it was disappointing. No one cleared the dirty plates, I didn’t even get a proper dinner plate and had to eat from a dessert plate. On top of that, the waitress brought all the food out at once and just stood there waiting while we scrambled to make room.

We got a large half cheese, half peperonni pizza. They put extra sauce on the plain cheese but not on the Peperoni side. Crust was crispy and very fresh tasting. Great tasting cheese, though the after taste was garlicy, so definately a garclic flavor to it. Overall, I'd rate it a 7.1 out of 10.

Centro had potential, but my experience just didn’t connect this time. The vibe was nice, but the execution felt a little off from the timing of the service to the overall balance of the meal. The atmosphere had energy, but the follow-through missed a few details that matter. I’m all for growth and consistency, so I’ll check back again later to see how they evolve. Louie K’s Up I don’t bash, I build. Honest feedback makes the culture stronger. 💯🔥

Wow. Centro is fantastic. This is easily the best Italian food in Des Moines and top 5 favorite Italian places I’ve ever been. Our server, Grace, was fantastic. I had the spicy sausage rigatoni and it was phenomenal. The desserts were unreal good. If you’re in Des Moines and looking for a high quality restaurant experience, I highly recommend Centro.

Amazing service and delicious food at a fantastic price. If we lived anywhere near Des Moines, I know this place would be one of my favorite restaurants.

We went to Malo for the first time. We had a nice experience. We were there during happy hour so our margaritas were well priced. I had the trio of tacos and opted for the lettuce leaves. All 3 were meat options and all really nicely flavoured. My favourite was the Beef Barbacoa, which was most like brisket. We did start with chips and salsa (which meant there was a LOT of food). The salsas were very tasty too. We need to learn to share, didn’t finish everything and definitely left feeling fuller than I would have liked!

Had a really, incredibly delicious vegan burrito here. Opted not to add $7 vegan chorizo in because that cost was just hard to justify, luckily is was great without it. Chips and salsa were fresh and my waitress was really friendly and polite. My issue however was with the hostess, who gave an attitude when I asked to sit in the shade outside instead of in the direct 5:30pm summer sunlight. She seated me at the very back corner of the patio next to the alley at a 4 top even after passing numerous seats with umbrellas that could have been opened up. When the waitress came out to take my order, she didn’t even see me at first because of where I had been seated. Rude, college age hostess who I guess thought she was being funny? Hardly. Everything else was great but that behavior really rubbed me the wrong way. Even the waitress was surprised to see where I had been seated.

Nice upscale place for Mexican food. We got queso and guacamole, both very good. I got the mix and match street tacos; mahi mahi, carne asada, and beef tenderloin, all were delicious. They have a nice drink menu as well. They also have an outdoor patio, though we sat inside, plenty of seating options. Lighting inside could be better, dark spots and spotlights in your face at the same table. Overall the food would bring me back!

We hosted our son's wedding rehearsal dinner here on June 27, 2025. We had 50 people, including children in attendance. We opted for the taco bar buffet with bowls of guacamole and platters of the seafood nachos, drunken nachos and grilled veggies. The entire experience, from the first booking through check-ins and then the night of the dinner, was completely outstanding. We couldn't have been more pleased with the beautiful space, extremely tasty food, and the excellent service all throughout. If it was possible to give more stars I would.

Went to Malo for the first time and had a pretty decent time. We were seated on the patio and it was cute. The service was nothing special, and the food was ok! I’m not much of a drinker, but I liked my passion fruit margarita a lot (I even finished it!) I think in the future, I would come to this establishment for drinks and skip on the food. They were really light with the onions which was disappointing. I spent $25.28 for everything. PS. look at that HUGE fork.

Love the vegan burrito with the vegan chorizo. I have dreams about this burrito. You can tell everything is made from scratch. Drinks are mostly good. The margaritas kind of lack in flavor. Service is mostly good. The atmosphere is good, but kind of loud if you're trying to have a conversation.

This is very close to the Hotel Fort DesMoines we were staying at. It had good reviews, so we decided to try it. It was an excellent choice. Nice atmosphere. Great service. Try one of the taco trios. It’s a great value. Everything coming out to the neighboring tables looked delicious. There were margarita specials too!

Unique place with great food! It was relatively busy when we arrived with a 25 minute wait to dine inside Zombie Burger. They also had patio seating for a slightly shorter wait. While waiting we took the opportunity to do some of the photo ops and noticed a Ramen place attached. Turns out, it's all the same place with the same menu and this side could serve us immediately. The lady was super welcoming and friendly. We ordered fried pickles, a cheeseburger, Dawn of the Dead, Walking Ched, & T-Virus all with fries. Everything was made to order and delicious. Fries were perfect.... perfect batter, perfect flavor, perfect crunch. It was a little on the pricey side, coming in at over $86 without tip. Overall, it was family friendly and a good experience.

Fun! Friendly! Delicious! We came into town for the Nicotine Dolls/Wic Whitman concert from Minnesota, a few local Ladies we were standing near told us about Zombie Burger so we hung around on Friday to see the sights until they opened. We are so glad we did! The leather Face was to die for. And the Brussel sprouts with the Zombie sauce was AMAZING! We sat outside as it was a beautiful breezy day, then this FREAKY TRUCK PULLED UP! AND A PIG MAN JUMPED OUT WITH A CHAIN SAW!!! How fun! I asked my wait staff if it was just because it was October? They said Nope, they were from the slaughter house where they get their meat from..."Just making their weekly delivery!" Talk about perfect timing to be there! It totally completed our AMAZING girls trip to Des Moines. It was my mother's 78th birthday getaway...one she will NEVER forget! Thank you Nicotine Dolls Wic Whitney and ZOMBIE BURGER!!!!!

I've been here a handful of times over the past few years. The burgers are decent and the milkshakes are always pretty good. My favorite thing to get every time is the Goat Cheese Poppers, though. So good! Especially with the raspberry dipping sauce. Somehow, it just works! I'm not sure when they added the ramen, but my hubs brought it home tonight. It was alright. The broth was a little too bitter and the char sui was cooked weird for being in ramen. It was still decent, but I think I would just stick with the burger after my next year-long hiatus. Love the updates to the inner-space, and the kiosks for ordering take-out. Novelty food, for sure. But if you like jalapeño poppers then definitely try theirs!

Des Moines I stop here for dinner. Tonight was our first time eating dinner here. The food and service is fantastic. The prices are reasonable This is all-time favorite restaurant due to the fantastic food, creativity of the menu and the atmosphere. I am a huge fan of Zombie movies and shows. I love all the decor throughout the restaurant, and the Zombie news on the back of the menu is a nice touch.

Tried Zombie Burger for the first time and had their special K-Pop Ramen Hunters—absolutely delicious! I don’t usually handle spice very well, but the staff was awesome and swapped the spicy broth for pork broth, which I really appreciated. On top of that, their cereal shakes are a must-try—sweet, fun, and just as good as they sound. Definitely a spot worth checking out!

Sure it’s a little gimmicky but it’s an indulgent treat every once in a while. I got a cinnamon toast crunch shake which it’s exactly as sweet and delicious as you’d expect. I also got the Juan of the dead burger with lettuce (no bun) and the veggie nut patty. I was expecting a lettuce wraps but was pleasantly surprised it was more like a salad. The veggie patty was unique and not your typically black bean burger. The burger was cheese and the sauce was creamy. I appreciate they gave the sauce on the side so it wasn’t soaking wet. It’s a bit pricey but worth it. Parking meters and garage nearby are finicky but not the restaurant’s fault.

Zombie Burger – 4/5 The food was really good, but what truly makes Zombie Burger stand out is the killer theme. The place is packed with clever, zombie-style takes on classic movie posters, and the atmosphere is an absolute vibe — everyone there seemed to be having a great time soaking it all in. I ended up giving it a 4/5, but honestly, that’s only because I think I ordered the wrong burger. I’ll definitely be back to try another one — this place is too fun (and too tasty) not to.

My husband and I went on a double date to Eatery A tonight, and we all absolutely loved the ambiance of the restaurant and the taste of the food. It was delicious, hot, and tasty. The decor, the different seating options (large booths, small tables, lounge type chairs), and overall vibe was stunning. We've eaten on the patio area in the summertime, and if you have a chance to eat outside, do it! It's worth it. At night, the nightlife of people walking, talking, and having fun surrounds you and adds a little extra entertainment to your dinner. Unfortunately, tonight we were quite disappointed in the service or lack of. It took us over 2 hours in total to get our drinks, apps, and dinner. We had reservations at 6:30 and left a little after 8:45. (Thankfully, we weren't in a hurry, but still). We ordered our apps and dinner at the same time since our server was taking so long just to bring us our drinks out (15+ mins), but it still took over an hour just to get our dinner. By the end of the night, we were the last table left in the restaurant (a few people were left at the bar area), and I had to grab our own to-go boxes from the side area, and located a random waitress and asked her to please help get our ticket or waitress. Our waitress finally walked up with boxes and asked if we were ready for our bill... no apology or acknowledgment that she her taking a bit longer tonight or in general. Our food was GREAT (and surprisingly hot when it arrived), but the service lacked a LOT. Hopefully, it was just one bad night and not an ongoing issue, but I will give them another chance at some point since their pizza's were so good.

Eatery A I used to love this place, and I was so excited to have it since I hadn’t had it in 5 years. But I will say this was such a huge disappointment. Ordered the meat balls and arancini, it came out ICE cold and very old. We decided against any of the entrees due to this reason. But decided to get a pizza, because its pizza and pizza is always good and i used to think theirs was too. The pizza was worse, Caramelized onions does not mean adding sugar for sweetness, and they should say the onions are basically candy sweet on the pizza. It was overly sweetened. Over all, i will not be coming back and this place has gone down hill. Was unable to eat ANY of the foods. I used to love this place 💔 The manager was nice, but still made us pay for the pizza, no worries. I do not recommend this place anymore. Took 10 minutes for out server to even greet us but we were willing to look past that because we were hoping the food would have out weighed the terrible service and the fact the server did not look like she even wanted to be there. It seemed like a bother she was even waiting on our table. Unfortunately that was not the case and the food was terrible.

Great Happy Hour especially if you like pizza. Staff were friendly. Service was attentive. The establishment had a cozy vibe and it was extremely clean. The pizza was pretty good, but definitely left me wanting more for the overall experience. Overall this place is a good place to grab a quick bite.

Went to Eatery A with some friends for bottomless mimosas on a Saturday. We were seated immediately and had our own private room! Our server was very friendly and quite attentive. She filled everyone’s glasses so promptly and always made sure that everyone had what they needed. For food, we ordered the Nutella French toast and Lemon Ricotta pancakes. They were OK. My favorite thing at the restaurant was the limeade. It was so refreshing!

A very nice cozy place offering vegetarian food along side their. The staffs are friendly and very helpful. The food was good. Very quick service and their N/A no worries cocktail was amazing, highly recommend it. Their roasted bell pepper and squash soup another amazing dish. Loved this place overall

LOVED this restaurant. The menu is fantastic and I had trouble deciding what to get. Everything we ordered was amazing. I highly recommend.

Warm, industrial, pizzeria meets eatery. The wood fire stove is absolutely the cornerstone of the restaurant. A very easy atmosphere with the intoxicating aroma of outstanding pizza that meets you as soon as you walk in. Today, I order the asparagus soup, with a few small plates to-go. The Moroccan carrots, warm artichoke, and Greek cucumbers.

The food was great. There was fresh ingredients and everything was plated so beautifully! The service was awesome and our server was quick to answer any and all questions we had. We also chose to eat outside and the outside are awas 100% dog friendly and we noticed the dogs getting a little treat while their owners ate.

Food looked great but seasoning was a bit lacking. A bit overpriced. The fig jam was quite tasty though. Service was a bit slow with us having to wait, then getting up to the counter for their attention as they seemed to have forgotten us to take our order. They were friendly enough. Atmosphere was nice with themed decor. Outdoor seating was available. Maybe worth a try but not highly recommended.

Their burger was tasty and cooked perfectly to order. The Mac & cheese was full of flavor. Prices were good. Their portions were good. Staff were friendly and fast. The relaxing atmosphere just brought the whole experience together for a great meal.

Service was excellent. Our waiter went out of his way to make our experience memorable. Food and drink was excellent. Atmosphere was impeccable, excellent vibes. Will be returning when in town next.

They have some of the best grilled cheese and Mac and cheese you have ever had. Not to mention the variety of drinks on tap. Staff are very friendly and the atmosphere is so laid back. We absolutely love going here.

I've been meaning to come here for a couple years. Unfortunately, I didn't get to sit down to eat as I was just grabbing a salad for my wife visiting her father in the hospital. And what a salad it was! My wife wouldn't give me any till she was full. Pretty much half the salad. But if their salad is any indication of the quality of the rest of their menu, we'll be back soon. Plus what a great selection of drinks. This is a must go to

Love to come here with my partner! Staff are always lovely and helpful, and we haven't had a meal we haven't enjoyed in the many times we've visited! (Highly recommend the charcuterie boards and the turkey & brie sandwich)

Great food and a large drink menu. Went for the funk'd beer special. Me and friends tried lots of wild, tart, and funky beers. We didnt find a bad one in the lot. Funky has ended but there are still lots to try.

The food was excellent! The number of craft drinks was exquisite. They will even make you a craft drink. BUT really the experience was the service by the server named Shoe. Shoe's table side manner was spot on and he knew what would be the perfect drink for us. Shoe was extremely knowledgeable and had great listening skills to help make the experience amazing. We also played a game of HOT ONES with the hot sauces which was a blast with the onion rings!! We will definitely be back and before our 11th anniversary.

We came in as a group of 10 and was able to find a table. We were very fortunate to have server Shoe and I will tell you he made the whole experience! Had great suggestions and played along with our shenanigans! Thank you for helping make the night fun. Great selection of beers and love our barn town!

What a place! So much stuff to see on the walls, but it’s not gimmicky feeling. The music is very 90’s punk on a Monday night which is fantastic, and goes either way the homemade feel of having boasted chicken that is juicy and crispy. There must be 200 beer options including 2 great hop water N/A options. They’re good enough you don’t need a bunch of other N/A choices I’d say! Friendly service. Right location!

i LOVE el bait shop. i come here frequently and it never disappoints. they’ve got such a wide selection of beer and food, there’s something for everyone here.

We have always had a great time at El bait shop. The last few times we've been lucky enough to get the same waiter, who is great, however I can't recall his name. He remembers our favorite drinks, stays on top of our needs. It's a favorite for us for sure!

Great beer selection! So many taps and so little time... Servers were great and pandered to my desire to watch Purdue Hoops at the bar. So many great beer recommendations, great local hot-sauce as well as great food. This is now one of my top go-to places in Des Moines!

Tasty Tacos is a must-try! From the moment I walked in, the service was warm, welcoming, and fast—just the way you hope it will be when you're hungry and craving something amazing. The food? Absolutely delicious. Every bite was packed with flavor, fresh ingredients, and that authentic homemade taste you can’t find just anywhere. Whether you're grabbing a quick bite or sitting down to enjoy a full meal, Tasty Tacos delivers every time. The staff went above and beyond to make sure everything was perfect, and you can tell they truly care about their customers. If you're anywhere near the area, do yourself a favor and stop in. You won’t regret it. Tasty Tacos has officially earned a spot on my go-to list!

I grew up in Des Moines and have been apart of this amazing tradition for as long as I can remember. I am a huge fan! After moving in 2010, each time I’m back home, I MUST get Tasty Tacos. Amazing Five stars Always hot and fresh and with great customer service. Those shells! 😃

It's tacos. Which can almost never go wrong but can sometimes. I had the wakey wakey eggs n bakey which was really good my second taco was a filet mignon taco was delicious and I could not put it down. My wife had the al pastor and the old school tacos which she enjoys greatly. Overall we will definitely eat here again.

I’ve been to sooo many Mexican restaurants all over the USA and this is OKAY. It’s not the best. When they say authentic, think more American authentic as they don’t even use the Spanish words for their food. Beef is asada, Pork here (I had to ask) is carnita meat not pastor sadly. My husband and stepdaughter love it here. I personally after being married to a Hispanic male for near 18 yrs and ate at a lot of authentic places/trucks…it’s okay like I said. Salsa was good, medium hot, the guacamole could use some lime/salt (asked for lime wedges…not here), yet the tater tots were decent & they have one menu item I’ve never tried or seen before…flour puff chips. Oh my goodness, THOSE are amazing! Would highly recommend that for sure! Yet the other food…if it’s your thing I guess, I would only go back for the chips.

It’s all in the name. Tasty Tacos, reasonable prices quick order at the counter service. Always friendly. I got a cheese quesadilla too it was something like you would make at home but wouldn’t be as good. The tacos are the star of the show! A must stop when I’m rolling through town around lunch.

Chicken flour taco and onion rings fresher made and fast service. I've been a customer since they had their small location downtown Des Moines IA in the 1980s.

LOVE THE FOOD - LOVE THE PRICE- LOVE THE CONVENIENCE & CUSTOMER SERVICE IS ALWAYS TOP NOTCH!!

Great tasting and affordable food in a friendly and inviting environment. Our appetites were satisfied. If you’re in the area, would highly recommend this place for your family to grab a bite to eat. There is both indoor and outdoor seating.

I had to make this stop—liver and onions are one of my all-time favorites. The bonus? This place has a nostalgic, old-school ’60s Miller-themed bar vibe that’s just plain cool. I was greeted right away and grabbed a booth, perfect for people-watching while I decided on my order. I asked my waitress for heavy onions (the more the better), plus a side salad and broccoli. Let me tell you—they did not skimp on those onions, as you can see in the photo. The liver and onions were fantastic—so good that I’m planning to come back again before I leave this weekend. I even tipped the cook an extra $10 just for being generous with the onions. This is the kind of spot you’ve got to check out, not just for the food, but for the experience.

This place reminded me of the bars in Wisconsin growing up. The only thing that was missing was soming stuffed on the walls. Service was very friendly and food came out fast. Had the deviled eggs and poutine. Every part of it was delicious. If I'm back in the area, I'll be going back here for something again.

I was here 15+years ago and still has the same vibe (minus the shag carpet). I don’t recall eating here back then but had the bacon cheese burger and fries and it did not disappoint. Friendly staff to a out of towner.

Walking into High Life Lounge feels like stepping back a few decades in the best possible way. Wood-paneled walls, vintage beer signs, and that cozy “neighborhood bar” charm make the atmosphere a solid 5/5. Service was excellent. My waitress, Mercedes R., was on point the whole time — friendly, quick, and kept things smooth. She had that perfect mix of charm and elegance, the kind of presence that shows just enough to keep it classy and plenty to keep it memorable. Easy 5/5 there. For food, I started with the Chili Cheese Fries appetizer. They came out hot and hearty, loaded with cheese and chili over crinkle fries. They were tasty, no doubt, but the chili had that familiar mom-and-pop diner style. Good comfort food, but nothing that set it apart — I’d rate them around 3.5/5. The Chicken Pot Pie was my main course. It arrived covered in a pool of brown gravy, which was flavorful but not as rich as I hoped. I’d been looking forward to cracking into a crisp, golden crust, only to find it softened under the gravy. The crust itself was thick and layered, the chicken came in cubes (hard to say if it was fresh-made or not), and the veggies were just shy of fully cooked — not mushy, but with a good bite. In the end, it was filling and hearty, but the presentation and flavor didn’t quite deliver the wow factor. 3.5/5. The bar deserves some credit — plenty of beers on tap, kept cold and flowing. A nice spread without overcomplicating it. That’s a 4/5. What really made the place feel like home, though, was a nearby table of old friends swapping stories from the 70s. Those old goats set the bar high for an up-and-coming Billy goat like me, and it added a sense of warmth and nostalgia that money can’t buy. Final bill was $26.19 with tip, which felt fair for drinks, an appetizer, and a main course. Bottom line: Come here for the retro atmosphere, cold beer, and excellent service. The food hits the classic comfort note, but it’s the vibe — and people like Mercedes — that make the High Life Lounge worth the stop.

Couldn’t get much better! The broasted chicken is the best in the area. Tenderloin was awesome too. The old dive bar feel was something we love. The server was the best part!

Terrible service!!!! Enjoying time with adult friends at 4pm, laughing, and and drinking. The bartender looks like a tweeter himself. Was super disrespectful and short. Complaining of people being loud when it wasn’t. They were rude and disrespectful and dismissed. We left and didn’t continue business because of the unwelcoming atmosphere.

I've been going to Latin King for years now and I have such mixed feelings about my latest experience. The food is by all means still absolutely delicious, the portions are generous and the prices are more than reasonable but there's no denying the quality of service and even the quality of the food and presentation has slowly and very subtly dipped over the years since the new owners took over. I still love it, it's one of my favourite Italian food locations in and around Des Moines for special occasions and I doubt anyone visiting for the first time could possibly be disappointed but I'd love to see more love and care brought back to the restaurant to get it back up to that amazing five star feeling it used to leave me with each time I visited. At present, I think I'll leave it with a strong four stars.

Our first impression of this restaurant was not good. I had made a reservation for 7. When I told the person who welcomed us that we would be 8 rather than 7, he appeared rather annoyed. We wondered why since the restaurant was half empty. After this cold welcome, everything turned out well. Our waitress, Stacey was outstanding and so competent. We found out that she has worked here for many years. She is also used to handle large groups. Overall, our food was very good. Portions are very generous and prices very reasonable. Come with a large appetite. Also, we had read on Trip Advisor a few negative comments since this place changed ownership. Do not pay too much attention to those. We had a lovely dinner and were able to sit outside on a wonderful cool night.

Latin King has undergone a delightful transformation under its new ownership, and the results are simply spectacular. I've gone to Latin King for 20+ years, so I was hesitant at first when they first changed owners, but I'm so thankful for the smooth transition and that they kept true to the traditional recipes. From the moment we stepped inside, we were captivated by the warm and inviting ambiance. The decor is charming and sophisticated, creating the perfect setting for a memorable dining experience. You feel like you're in Italy, in a legitimate Italian restaurant, with the lovely smell of delicious food and spices surrounding you from the second you walk in. The true stars of the show are the culinary creations. The menu boasts a delightful selection of classic Italian dishes, each prepared with passion and an incredible attention to detail. We savored every bite of our food. Our appetizer combo included Fried Cheese Sticks, Onion Rings, and Fried Ravioli's, with dipping sauces on the side. The Chicken Spedini had so much flavor, I was blown away with the taste! It's what they're known for, and for a good reason. I'm particular about how my chicken is cooked, and it was cooked to perfection. My husband ordered the Chicken Marsala, and he devoured the entire plate. My mother-in-law ordered the Cavatelli with the sausage meat sauce, she said it was baked to perfection. The only issue she had was that the noodles were medium-sized shells instead of the traditional cavatelli noodles, but that wasn't a make or break problem whatsoever. Every bite was an explosion of flavor, showcasing the freshest ingredients and the chef's culinary expertise. To top it all off, the service was impeccable. Our server was attentive, knowledgeable, and truly passionate about the menu. They provided excellent recommendations and ensured we had a truly enjoyable dining experience. Latin King is a must-visit for anyone who loves authentic Italian cuisine. We can't wait to return and explore more of their delicious offerings. They also host parties and events and cater to special events. I highly suggest visiting their restaurant. It's impossible to leave their hungry, I promise. Enjoy!

My husband and I booked a table for our wedding anniversary. What a wonderful experience! Our waitress was phenomenal and always making sure we were taken care of! And, oh my god, get the tiramisu!!! It *is* as good as the pictures and reviews!! Latin King, we'll definitely be back!

I've been going to Latin King since before I can remember. It was always a family favorite. I haven't been back there in a few years basically because of COVID, but my husband and I decided to head over there for an early dinner after we went to town to drop my son off at the airport . They've done some updating to the inside and they now have an outdoor eating area. It was a little too warm for us to take advantage of that, but it was very nice looking . Our waitress was wonderful and very attentive . I got the dinner that came with lasagna Alfredo noodles meatballs and Italian sausage. All were very good, however I think I would have liked a little bit more spice in the meatball. The texture, however was excellent. They carry a nice selection of beers as well as they do carry O'Doul's non-alcoholic beer . The focaccia bread and dinner rolls were also very good. We are way too stuff to try dessert. Maybe next time.

Im a Minnesotan who was in town visiting a couple weeks ago..This was my first visit to Latin King. This place was fantastic in every way. I loved the atmosphere. Alex, the bartender was a rock star! They suddenly got slammed. He was kicking out drinks so quickly but did it with grace and was 'cool'. Maybe on the inside was stressed but not on the outside. He still managed to be supportive of his fellow team members and even cracked a few jokes. Being Italian myself, I asked for his suggestion, this being my first visit....What he suggested was so absolutely delicious. It reminded me of my family-cooking. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The ONLY negative thing was the salad was wilty...may have been prepared ahead of time and sat with dressing for a while.... Alex really made the whole experience fantastic! This restaurant is so fortunate to have this associate on their team! Will be back for sure as I now will be traveling there, bi-weekly. Lisa Winters

My fiance and I went of for a nice dinner. We ended up here at this amazing restaurant. The food was wonderful service was great. Our waitress offered amazing choice's. The reason I give it 3 stars and 3 on atmosphere is it was so loud in that restaurant. If I'm gonna pay for an expensive dinner I would like to be able to hear the person sitting across that table from me. We could have went to a bar if we wanted that kind of experience. It was so bad I don't think I would be going back there any time soon.

We arrived at opening time, for a weekday lunch. We ordered the fried green tomatoes, frog legs for appetizers, & the mac&cheese (a sharable dish, for sure! So rich & filling!!) with shrimp & bacon, & chicken fried steak for our entrees. We shared a peanut butter chocolate pie for dessert. Our waitress was very kind & professional. Our food was well presented & HOT when it arrived at the table. Veggie garnished were fresh & crisp. A delightful meal, celebrating a wonderful day.

In town to visit with family, our last night in town we selected Bubba's. This was the first time for all of us to eat at this restaurant. This restaurant strikes the perfect balance between sophistication and comfort. With its upscale aesthetic and warm, down-home atmosphere, it feels both refined and welcoming. The space spans two floors: the first features a cozy mix of bar seating and a handful of tables, while the second floor opens up to the main dining area, complete with long wall booths and a variety of table arrangements that invite relaxed gatherings and intimate meals alike. Our server was wonderful, checking the table often to refill drink orders between the appetizer and main meals. She also was helpful with dish options to match tastebud interests. The food was okay, a bit more seasoning would have made it really good. The exception is the Cajun Chicken & Sausage Gumbo was excellent! The roux was savory and on point - rich, velvety and layered with flavor. And the Mac & Cheese Bite appetizer was cheesy and lightly fried to perfection with jalapeno cheese sauce. A good place to enjoy a relaxing place with good service and food.

Bubba's is great, we got the gumbo, jambalaya, fries, and bananas foster and sweet tea. Everything was excellent. The gumbo and jambalaya were seasoned perfectly and so flavorful. The fries were also nicely seasoned and were cooked to be crispy on the outside while still being slightly soft inside. The sweet tea was less sweet than lots of other sweet teas we've tried (this is a good thing), as it lets the flavor of the tea come through, while still being sweet enough. The bananas foster was also amazing, our only complaint about it was that it could do with a bit more banana. The restaurant is in a nice old building, and the downstairs seating area really gives off that classic old feeling. Unfortunately upstairs doesn't share the same decor, making the upstairs feel much more like 'generic restaurant', but this doesn't take anything away from the food. The service is also excellent.

Pleasantly uncrowded on a Sunday morning. Josh was super nice. Latte Cocktail was tasty, albeit a tad small. Wife liked her Bloody Mary. I enjoyed the Crab Benedict and the wife liked her skillet plate. Nice bourbon list! Would return to explore more of that menu!

We went to this place to celebrate my daughter wedding. And I'm on a soft food diet do to surgery. And i asked the server if the cook can pureed my food because that how I have to eat for now. And I was so please that they did. And everyone at the table enjoyed there meal.

Came here for my birthday lunch on a Saturday afternoon visiting Des Moines. There wasn't many other tables taken at that time so it was quiet and laid back. I love shrimp and grits. Between that being on the menu and the great reviews, I decided on Bubba's. I really liked the ambiance and vibe upon entering. Our waiter, Jordan, was fantastic. Very attentive, considerate and nice. I wish we had Jordan every time we went out somewhere. The shrimp and grits were fantastic. The onions, green/red peppers really added nice flavor to the dish. It was very filling and tasty. I was offered a free dessert for my birthday and Jordan even brought out a candle, which made it more special. Highly recommend going here!

We came here by chance to grab a quick lunch and were blown away. The staff is friendly and gives great customer service. The food is so damn good wow. Fresh ingredients.. my steak was cooked to perfection. Kudos to the chef!

I enjoyed Simon's. Owner treats everyone like family. Quaint place with a sitting room next door to wait for a table. Drinks are reasonable and bartender is attentive and quick. Onion rings were amazing! Had Graziano sausage with vodka sauce. Spicy and delicious. Wife had chicken Alfredo. She was not a fan but I know it is a go to for my future daughter n law. Red cake after appeased wife.

Whether one is a James Beard nominee or a Michelin Star nominee my quest is for well prepared cuisine, inclusivity and consistent quality. Arrived at 5.15 PM to a small neighborhood building with a line. Getting to the door the wait staffer states seating would be available at 8 PM. Not really anxious to wait three and a half hours for a small spot with crowded spaces — I was willing to give it a try. After an additional fifteen minutes — finally seated. Ordered my first appetizer of the night — Seafood Bisque which was very salty — Entree of Steak DeBurgo— the cook got the temp right (medium), but the cut of meat was not the best quality — the side veggies were fresh and very tasty. I was really hoping the high ratings matched the food preparation and price as it related to creativity, presentation and tantalizing deliciousness — it did not deliver the go again response to my tastebuds to endure the long wait time, parking and above average prices. Of course this is just my opinion-particularly after eating in some high caliber casual dining spots, in the West Des Moines Area, the bar is pretty high.

This was our first time visiting Simon’s and it was fantastic. We had their Beef Stroganoff and their Steak Deburgo. Both were excellent. The Beef Stroganoff had a variety of noodles (penne, spiral, and sea shell) and the sauce was magnificent. The Steak Deburgo was recommended to us by another guest and I’m so happy that I tried it. The steak was so tender that it cut like soft butter. You can’t go wrong but come early to get a table. The restaurant opens at 5 PM. We arrived at 4:45 PM and there was already a line to get in and we were lucky enough to be the last guests in as they were full. We highly recommend this place as the staff is friendly.

If you want to take your girl for a special date night, this is it! Me and my girlfriend went to Simon’s last night. The place is so good that there was an hour wait. But Simon has a really cool waiting room next to the restaurant with a bar. We sipped cocktails and enjoyed the hip vibe in the waiting room. It went by fast. I got pasta with graziano’s sausage and she got chicken on a bed of pasta. We shared and both of them were good. 😋 Simon is a hands on owner. He came over to our table and asked how the meal was. Also, it is a really nice place, and the business is obviously very successful. As we were walking to our car, we saw Simon taking out the trash himself. He is a humble success story. I encourage everyone to try this place.

Went to Simon's for the first time. We had no idea what to expect. What an amazing dining experience! Simon greeted us at the door, and came to our table twice. The food was delicious. We had the fillet and the manicotti and what a surprise with the velvet cake being brought to us at the end of the meal. We will definitely be going back!

Excellent from the moment we walked in! Simon was everywhere making sure that guest was happy! How could you not be while eating the best food in town!

Absolutely love this place. The owner and his wife are professional and helpful, and yet make you feel like a family member. Fantastic, fresh tasting food with great flavor, and make sure you save room for red velvet cake, because it’s the best I’ve had. The bar provides a classy, fun atmosphere while you wait. Our newfound favorite place to go when we visit Des Moines.

Look no farther you found the best, from their staff to the food and even their customers. Everyone is so friendly and the food is delicious. Big portions and worth every penny (and some). If you get Amanda you’re lucky but everyone is wonderful and attentive. Love but the whole family, toddler included.

We had a nice first timer experience here. The place was still relatively busy for late on a Thursday morning so that is encouraging. It is dated and fun. Overall it looks like the place could use a once over on the clean scale, but the ‘divey’ feeling added to the fun experience. The wait staff was friendly and loud while they bantered with the regulars and making us feel welcome . Out waitress was friendly and helpful. We were close the the window to the kitchen so we got to see a lot of yummy looking food come out. The prices were fair and the food was all pretty good. Pancakes were massive and slightly undercooked. But everything else was on point.

You must visit The Waveland Cafe when you're in the area. Our service we received by Haley was personable and friendly. Our food was also fast to come out after we ordered. The portions are good and the food has amazing flavor. The Cafe itself is full of a lot of fun decoration and detail that made me feel welcome. Will definitely be back when I am in town again.

The Everything Hashbrowns, give it a try. Oh, and don’t forget the gravy, it’s a must have too.👍

This is my in law’s cafe of choice. They always have to make the stop when they are in town. We got: • chicken melt w/ fries (5/5) • cinnamon french toast half order (5/5) • patty melt w/ fries; “best patty melt I have ever had. I would recommend it to anyone.” 5/5) The staff is so lovely and welcoming. It’s very cozy. All 5 of us got shirts because we are frequent flyers lol. 100000% will always come back. 🤍

One of our favorites! Food is always great! Friendly service, fun, relaxed atmosphere like you are eating with friends and family!

This place is always phenomenal. They're usually packed so we go during odd hours. We went around 12:30pm today and grabbed some seats at the bar. Once you sit down service is pretty fast. My go-to is Steak and Eggs! Everything is always cooked exactly the way I ask. The hash browns are always super crispy! Today I got a biscuit instead of toast and ordered an extra side of the gravy. YUM!!! There was so much food but I enjoyed every bite! I've only had breakfast food here. I'm sure their lunch dishes are just as good. Highly recommend!

DELICIOUS! Y’all this place is so so good. We ordered soooo much food so we could try a little bit of everything. The restaurant is super clean, the bathrooms are super clean, the food by far is the best part of this establishment but everything here is an A+! Literally zero complaints.

This is a restaurant I have had nothing but good experiences with in the past, however I just did a carry out order for the first time and am pretty disappointed with it. I ordered the Mực Dồn Thịt with extra seafood and not only was there no extra seafood present but the dish itself was lukewarm, wasn't very filling and was all around underwhelming. The chicken stir fry was slightly better but had the same issue with serving size. Whether this was just because it was carryout or just a bad night I still like this restaurant I was pretty disappointed due to the price.

I recently visited A Dong Restaurant in Des Moines and was seriously impressed. This place has been serving authentic Vietnamese food for decades, and it shows in both the quality and the care behind every dish. The pho was incredible, rich broth, tender beef, and fresh herbs that brought everything together. I also tried the crispy spring rolls and a vermicelli noodle bowl with grilled pork, and everything was flavorful, well-portioned, and beautifully presented. What really stood out was how vegetarian and vegan friendly the menu is. There are tons of plant-based options, and the staff is happy to help with substitutions. It’s also very affordable, which makes it even easier to come back again and again. The space is casual and clean, with fast and friendly service that makes you feel welcome right away. Whether you’re grabbing a quick lunch or sitting down for a relaxed dinner, it’s the kind of spot that delivers every time. Highly recommend A Dong for anyone craving fresh, comforting Vietnamese food in Des Moines. It’s a must visit.

Some of the worst Vietnamese food Ive ever eaten! The reviews are so far off. Egg rolls were mentioned the most and they were a huge let down. Every part of the noodle dish had to been cooked separately and tossed together at the last second. The veggies were not cooked fully and the meat was definitely overcooked. The only plus giving it a 2 star was the food was so bland that my baby had no problem eating the edible parts.

3.8* (out of 5) Food: 4* Atmosphere: 3* Value: 5* Service: 3* Would I go back / Recommend?: 4* (Probably) Total check/person: $22 08/02/2025 While this place has an admittedly non-descript brick exterior and clean but average interior, I appreciated it most for what it was: solid Vietnamese food at a great value, served with a family-owned feel. Biggest disappointment was that while alcohol options showed on the menu, they were unable to serve any alcohol - claiming that their liquor license had not yet been renewed. I was craving a spring roll with peanut sauce, so to start things off, we ordered #90 Bo Bia steamed spring rolls with shredded shrimp, carrots and sausage served with plum sauce (see picture). While the wrap was thicker than the 'paper' wraps that I'm used to, they were very good - and I really liked the plum sauce. My wife was undecided and our very helpful waiter Archie, suggested #69 Com Ga Chien Xa Ot (chicken breast fried with spicy lemon grass - see picture). It was good, but both of us would have preferred a bit more spice, as we ended up adding Siracha at the table. I was considering #99 Banh Xeo Vietnamese style crispy pancake stuffed with shrimp, pork & veggies based on the menu picture, but Archie talked me into #97 Banh Tam Bi Xiu Mai udon noodles with shredded pork, steamed pork meatballs and veggies instead (see picture). I was impressed with the coconut milk and lemon sauce that he poured over it when served with the instructions to stir it all together - very tasty combination of savory, sweet and tart, with a very slight spiciness. If you found this review helpful, please show your appreciation with a Like or a Follow.

We walked in with a party of 7, able to be seated almost immediately. The food didn't take long, being able to enjoy the delicate and bold flavors of the cuisine. The staff was extremely friendly and had great service. I had the chicken curry; it being absolutely delicious. The flavors mixed extremely well, the curry mixing perfectly with the chicken and rice.

The staff are so friendly and its so clean and nice here. Food was delicious.

We were in the mood for Coneys--something I've missed from the East Coast. Their Coneys are okay. It didn't really satisfy my craving. The Chicago dog stole the show for me! I will 100% come back just for that alone. Although, they have a decently big menu so maybe I'll try something else in addition to the Chicago dog next time. Hubby loved his burger! The staff was great! They were young, but were really helpful and seemed like they liked being there. I love people that take pride in their work. The restaurant was so clean, too!

I have a hard time deciding on what to get as their menu has so many good things to eat! My favorite is the beefburger basket with FF and homemade onion rings and it comes with coleslaw as well. Fast and friendly service and reasonably priced.

Just had our first experience with Ted’s and I messed up my order but they were so nice and accommodating, they fixed it for me even though it was definitely my fault! Food was delicious, way more than we could finish! Great experience! We will definitely be back!

There’s nothing like Ted’s Coney Island. The Coney Island Dog is my fan favorite. Loaded with chili, cheese, onions and relish which makes for a good gooey treat.

I don't know what's happened, but I just got one of the worst meals at the highest price for fast food at Teds. I've been in Des Moines for over 30 years and have frequented TCI many times. Have always loved it. Last night was a whole different story. The only thing that didn't taste like overly salted breading, including the fish, was the coleslaw. The young waiter that took my order at the drive-thru couldn't seem to conceive of ordering a basket and kept coming back with irrelevant questions that he never asked the same way twice, until I got so frustrated that I just told him he was right. Somehow I knew at that point something wouldn't be right with my food, and I was right. Most surprising however was that it was the food itself. It was terrible. Ted's has always been a place where I would pay the extra money for the quality of the food. Not so anymore. I hope they fix whatever went wrong.

Used to frequent Ted’s and haven’t been in a while. I got the red pepper humus on pita bread and added feta cheese. Also got an order of fries and 2 fountain sodas. $18. I thought maybe I heard wrong and paid anyways, but yup… somehow a piece of pita bread with hummus and poorly chopped veggies with fries was $18. On the menu it said $5.40. The onions and tomatoes are so big / barely diced they don’t even stay in the wrap.

A solid 4 all around. The Chicago dog was pretty great.

First time trying. Been wanting to eat here since I heard great reviews. I've owned a restaurant so I appreciate the honest reviews. Service was great, atmosphere was also good. Food was bad. Asked for well done spicy pepperoni, got under cooked(cheese barely melted, jalapeños still raw) pizza. Honestly was a lazy pizza. Toppings all over the place, thrown on top and not evenly placed. I understand the quick service and trying to get the pizzas out fast, but don't put speed over quality. If I wanted fast food, I would have ordered it. Telling me the pizza will be ready in 8 minutes, shows how speed is the priority. I will try again at some point if I'm drunk. Drunk pizza is what I got today for lunch

8.2 That’s my review. Everyone knows the rules. Music is too loud as always but the pizza is good. This place is better when you’re not with a fake friend. You know who you are.

Had a fast tasty lunch today! Ingredients are fresh! How can you go wrong when you get to customize your pizza with exactly what you want! Clean and very attentive with the customer service!

If you live in Des Moines, do yourself a favor and drive the 20 minutes to the West Des Moines location, because you’ll still get your pizza quicker than if you went here. Of the handful of times I’ve been to this location, I don’t think it’s taken less than 10 minutes for them to even acknowledge my presence in the store, let alone complete my order, and it doesn’t even matter if there’s a line or not. There are like 5 people working in the restaurant and nobody else in the place, and they’re just making pizzas and not taking my order. I assume they’re for online orders but ignoring customers who come to visit your store is a terrible business model. Nowadays I just walk right next door to Jimmy John’s. That place never disappoints.

Came here for Pi Day. They were offering personal pizzas for $3.14 so there was a long line of enthusiastic patrons. They require you to have the app on your phone to qualify for the special. This is smart because I'm constantly getting notifications for pizza deals and therefore always craving their pizza. I can see through you Blaze Pizza! 😂😋 Although the line went out the door the wait wasn't too incredibly painful. They obviously planned for the madness and staffed accordingly. They had multiple people at every station, and like a well-oiled machine they grinded out hundreds of pies that day. I did not hear a single person complain. A lot of people took their pizzas to-go because there wasn't enough seating but all I could hear as I dined-in was the chatter of happy people and exclamations of satisfaction! This is my 3rd time having Blaze pizza since moving to DSM, all from this location. They have been spectacular every single time! The crust is always perfect, flavor is on-point, and staff is A+!

Excellent pizza joint with a modern decor. Parking is in a gated lot. (Don't forget to validate your ticket at the register- 2hrs free) The service is good, and menu is self explanatory. The pizza topping choices are ample. They have a multitude of drink choices as well from soda to juice drinks. There is also a gated outside dining area for when the weather is nice.

The chopped garlic is NOT chopped. Whole pieces of garlic really ruined the pizza.

GREAT food! I always get the special on Thursday, which is a grinder. Austin is a long time employee who knows exactly how I want the sandwich and will often start to make it before I even get to the register to order. I love the atmosphere – it’s not fancy, and it’s just the way I like it.

As close to a real NY deli as you can anywhere here in the Midwest. Have been going here for many many years and never once had bad sandwich. It's kind of small for seating but that is one of its best characteristics. Keep it up!!!

Vintage interior with large selection of fresh made sandwiches! I got the #1 and wish it had more mayo and tanginess of the dressing; otherwise it was tasty! My partner got the Manhattan corned beef and ham, coleslaw on an onion roll.

Hands down best sandwich shop in the city! They also have great sides to pair with their wide variety of hot and cold sandwiches. One of the few restaurants where picking off the menu is almost always better than making your own sandwich, 11/10 restaurant I have a hard time staying away!

Some of the best deli sandwiches I've ever had. The Manhattan was only $9.99 and it was nice, warm and cheesey. The service was great - super friendly, informative and fast. Plenty of places to sit as well. This is the place to go for deli sandwiches in Des Moines. Just make sure that you read the menu closely and know exactly what you're ordering. Highly recommend!

Fantastic sandwiches and the brownie was yummy too. Loved our experience and impressed with the quality. Stacked mile high sandwiches that tastes delicious. Honestly prefer Palmers reuben but the pastrami and Swiss here is amazing. The service was good. No complaints about cleanliness or speed of service. Great job!

I ordered a turkey sandwich for lunch and did not have a good experience. The lettuce was wilted and the bread was very soggy. I only took a few bites before I had to throw it out due to the soggy texture. I would not recommend their regular sandwiches, maybe the hoagies taste better. Wish I could get my money back but they don’t answer their phone.

Coming from Austin, I had very low expectations of the food here. My first meal in DSM definitely was a delightful treat! What a cute place to have a restaurant, by the way. House restaurants and bars are common where I’m from but it’s so nice to see it in other parts of the country too! Had a wonderful server and a table by the window. I ordered the salad, one of the pastas (omg I could have eaten so much more of it - the chew, the tomato sauce - SO GOOD), and the Osso Bucco. The Osso Bucco fell off the bone, the greens weren’t salty at all and the hassleback sweet potato had this incredible umami flavor I couldn’t get enough of. Definitely recommend

Aposto is a cozy, upscale spot tucked inside a converted house and it absolutely nails the vibe for a special celebration. I went with friends for my birthday and we sampled nearly the entire seasonal menu. The gnocchi with pine nuts and basil as well as the duck really stood out, but honestly, everything was thoughtfully prepared. Portion sizes varied quite a bit, which I felt was not always reflected in the pricing. Still, the flavors were fresh and refined, and the cocktail and wine selection was excellent. The staff were kind, curious, and even added a candle to my dessert, which was a sweet touch. Street parking felt a little awkward, but the homely atmosphere more than made up for it. Not an everyday spot, but perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, or a classy date night or any other special occasion. Probably better to leave the kids at home though.

We ate here for our anniversary during restaurant week and it was a great experience. We felt celebrated and appreciated the complimentary wine. The food was phenomenal- especially the arugula was and the pork and polenta. The only downside: the 70 year olds next to us who were very shouty- but perhaps their hearing aids could not accommodate. Will definitely be back!

Worth every cent! From the moment you walk in to this place, you feel special. It has a romantic and warm feel with many intimate rooms. For our anniversary, we were given a champagne toast on the house. The beet salad had all the right flavors to start off our meal. The polenta cakes were to die for!! They smelled so delicious when the showed up to the table that I could only muster a half eaten picture. The gnocchi was worth all of the hype. Perfect texture with amazing warm crab and flavors that are unlike anything else in Des Moines. My husband had the house special of the night that included shrimp and andouille ravioli. Amazing! Our server was very attentive and knowledgeable with great recommendations. This place does not miss out on a single detailWe will definitely be back to enjoy our meal on the patio next time.

If you’re looking for an elegant date night this is the place to be. Reservations in advance is a must. Cozy quarters inside an old mansion. Great atmosphere paired with great friendly service. The food and drinks are top tier and bring the price tag along. Menu changes monthly I believe and there was not 1 thing on the menu when we went.

If you want an exceptional dining experience this is the place to go! Our server made excellent suggestions for what dishes to try and what wines to pair with them. It was all delicious and we had a wonderful evening!

Sat at a little 2 seater table by a window overlooking the street. There was a decent amount of street parking available. Server was friendly and attentive and even added a candle to my dessert after overhearing it was my birthday. We tried quite a few items while we were. Of the ones we tried, I'd recommend the fried polenta appetizer, zuppa toscana soup appetizer, cavatelli in a sausage red sauce, seafood risotto, and brown butter ice cream. The only dish I would not recommend is the orange pistachio creme brulee. The flavors did not mesh well and it was a bit disorienting to have so many whole pistachios baked into the dish.

Great place to grab a bite to eat! Was in and out of line in about 10min, they had a sign up that said to expect a little more of a wait during the weekends due to short staffing. Good food though!

Waited in line Sunday night for an hour, and there weren't that many cars in front of me when I arrived. I would have just drove away but I had already placed my order and didn't want to leave empty handed after waiting 45 minutes to get to the window. The car in front of me took an additional 15 minutes to get their food, and there's a curb/median once you approach the window (plus so many cars sitting so close to you that it's difficult to escape at any point in the process). The sandwiches are almost always cold, the fries are hit or miss. Their burgers used to taste great even cold, but now the flavor isn't nearly as good, the toppings, the way it's cooked, the freshness, etc is wildly inconsistent and/or sorely lacking. I understand they are understaffed, but it shouldn't take an hour with 6 cars in front of you to get your food. Their service sucks on top of the wait, and they will often screw your order up or not give you a full refund when you request it. Never going back and you shouldn't bother with this dump either.

This is a Local Must!! 🍔🍟🥤 Great place for burgers! Love this specific location. Burgers and fries are great, I also recommend the root beer, chocolate shakes, chili cheese fries, chicken nuggets,chili and the grilled chicken sandwich. There are plenty of options to choose from for the whole family.

It's always fast and I love the burgers I have one problem with them. The burgers are sometimes way to greasy. Drain some of the grease off please HA How cool is this place I just posted this on 8/24/2025 I mentioned the grease and then old man comes home.with one NO GREASE. SOOO HAPPY NOW WONT UPSET MY STOMACH. LOOK OUT B-Boop's . I have love there food since I came back from Austin in 1990. Keep up the good burgers guya

It took me 45 minutes to get through the drive through line. The passenger pick up lane went through twice as long of a line in the time it took the 4 cars in front of me to get their orders. Fast food my ass.

Every weekend they have $1.59 burgers. We drive out of our way to this location because we think it is the best! They always have friendly customer service and our order is always correct. They have the best chicken nuggets and can't forget the ranch and cheese sauce for your fries!

Went to Bbops on a suggestion from a local resident. Only issue I had was the fries were too salty for my taste, but that’s a first world problem. Value was good for what I had.

Clyde's is a solid selection for an elevated yet casual dining experience. Located just off of downtown Des Moines, Clyde's provides patrons with a range of small bite, shareable and entre options. Integrating local flavors and ingredients into dishes across the menu, Clyde's doesn't shy away from unique twists on familiar items. During my visit I tried the dill pickle wings, BBQ chicken, brussel sprouts and tomatoes. While dinner was fine, Clyde's seems even more suited for a easy brunch and lunch.

I went to Clyde’s in Des Moines for dinner and wow, the drinks were amazing and the burger was honestly one of the best I’ve ever had. Totally nailed it. But… about that “kale salad.” I was so excited to order it (because who doesn’t love a good kale salad?), and what showed up was definitely not kale… it was spring mix. I asked the server just to be sure, and she confirmed that, yep, that’s their kale salad. So apparently “kale” means “spring mix” now? Kind of confusing. It definitely took some of the shine off an otherwise great meal. Everything else was fantastic, though, and I’d absolutely come back, hopefully next time for an actual kale salad! EDIT: In response to the reply - spring mix is a “pre-packaged salad blend of various young, tender baby leaves”. Therefore, a variety of baby kale falls into the category of spring mix. For example, I ordered a kale salad at another restaurant last night and it was “regular kale” as expected. I recommend updating the name and/or description of your salad to avoid confusion or disappointment from other kale lovers like me!

Before coming here I had heard great things from a friend so I had relatively high expectations and it didn't disappoint. It's a lovely building, the interior design is fancy yet unimposing. A nice upscale, modern diner with a well thought out bar. I really liked it. For us, it was a quiet evening so service was prompt. The waitress was helpful and talkative but didn't bother us too much other than to ask how we were doing and if we needed any refills. The menu is small which I appreciated and everything is well priced for the area. It seemed well put together and everything sounded delicious. I found it difficult to pick. In the end I chose to go for a diner classic. A smash burger and fries and both were just excellent, no complaints. It was very well portioned but I swear it was gone in the blink of an eye, I enjoyed it that much. The fries are were delicious too. Ours were deep fried and served with ketchup and a very tasty malt vinegar mayonnaise which I adored. (A rare thing for me, I'm usually very indifferent towards mayo). My only ask as far as the food goes is that it would be nice to offer people malt vinegar at the table! Love to have it on fries. As for the rest of the experience it was generally good. I had a few nit-pics. Another family entered shortly after us and were sat besides us despite there being many other available spaces. This made things feel more cramped than they had to be. I like having more space to eat if possible. Additionally, I wasn't a fan of the credit card fees (3 to 3.5% respectively depending on card issues). I understand why they exist and it's nice they offer debit and cash paying customers a small discount but I would prefer to see it factored into the food price more broadly, nobody likes seeing extra fees tacked on at the end, it's bad enough with tips and taxes. There was also a mix up with our bills in the end, the waitress corrected it quickly so it's not a problem but she forgot to apply our happy hour discount on our sides and I can see others not noticing which isn't good. Lastly, I'd love to see Coke Zero or Pepsi Zero Sugar products on the menu and calories for each menu item listed. It's a small thing but I really do appreciate it as it makes nutritional tracking much easier. Overall a great experience. I'll definitely be back.

One of my favorite spots so far in dsm. Space is fun, great bar area, playing good music on a vinyl… food and drinks are great. Good N/A drinks too!

Gaby our host and waitress was super kind, and the food was OUTSTANDING! We had the double smashed burger with fries (OMG those fries!!!!!) and the kale salad with chicken and dressing on the side. Delicious!!! Fast service, great prices and very kind staff. Definitely a place for a great moment and yummy food!

Could never express my love for Clyde’s in a review so I’ll just say- best restaurant in Des Moines hands down! I’ve been coming consistently for years, and this summer’s specials have been some of the best yet. It’s so obvious they source ingredients that are in season and use them responsibly and effectively.

Had delicious shishito pepper appetizer. Family had Mojo pork sandwich and burgers and fries are hand-cut and to die for. Finished it off qith brown butter bread pudding, delish!

I just had the most incredible self-love date at Lucky Lotus, and I can’t stop raving about it! The food was absolutely sensational—so flavorful and incredibly fresh! On top of that, the customer service was top-notch. I’m already counting down the days until next week when I take my hubby along to share in this culinary delight!

The good: the snack list portions were huge! The medium: The bing bing wraps tasted very burnt so we couldn’t finish them. We asked someone if that’s how they normally came out since it was our first time there. She said yes. So I didn’t take any review points away on my mind because I can’t fault them for making a dish how it is supposed to be and me not liking how well done it is. The bad: Long wait for food (40 minutes from order to get meal. Other people had been there before us and got their food a few minutes before we got ours) We and other people had to ask for a table to be cleared and wiped down before we could sit. Had to ask for our lemonade after 30 minutes. The lemonade was not lemonade. It was more of a mango juice with dragon fruit syrup at the bottom. The restaurant is so loud I couldn’t hear the persons cross the table from me

Probably the best Thai restaurant I’ve ever eaten at. Drunken noodles are 10/10. Panang curry is 10/10. Service is fast. 3/5 is a tolerable level of spice if you enjoy spicy food. Great atmosphere. Thai tea and lychee lemonade are also very yummy.

This was my first time there and it was awesome. The staff was very helpful in explaining their most popular dishes. The bibi wraps are incredible. Great laid back vibe with good food and a dining area that is perfect for talking while you eat. Very fun spot

Heard lots of great things and read great reviews. Nice fast casual experience (order/pay at the counter). Food takes a while (waited over half an hour) but definitely delicious and worth the wait! Been here a couple times now. Can’t wait to go again!

We had the afterschool fried rice and the Bing Bing wrap with the lemongrass chicken. The flavors were great and different from the usual Asian food we have tasted so far. The service can be a little better to elevate the dining experience. The ambience was cute and quirky.

Excellent food! Lots of vegetarian options, tasty, fresh, and fun! Service was great, even though it's counter service the staff took the time to check on tables, and were very friendly. The tofu is great with the scallion pancake, and the egg rolls were excellent.

Excellent happy hour selections. Me had a couple dirty martinis and the cabernet. Our first time here. I had the Pork Delmonico. My friend had the heirloom chicken. Both were delicious. Then we enjoyed the Chocolate Tart and each took home a pack of cookies to go. Warm gooey delicious cookies. Amazing way to end the meal a day drive home. Excellent service and dining experience. Wonderful atmosphere and this will be on our repeat restaurant downtown locations. Loved it very much!!!

Had a fantastic dinner at Table 128 in Des Moines. The Brussels sprout salad was outstanding, bright, layered, and surprisingly craveable. The bruschetta with strawberries was a clever twist that bordered on dessert in the best way, unexpected, interesting, and delicious. The salmon was perfectly cooked with great texture and flavor, and the heirloom chicken was incredibly juicy and full of depth. Service was excellent, attentive without being intrusive. And the warm, bite-sized chocolate chip cookies at the end sealed the deal, soft, melty, and memorable. I will definitely be back.

Table 128 is truly a delectable Des Moines treasure! Chef Lynn knocks it out of the park each time we dine. The farm-to-table dishes are bursting with flavor, beautifully presented, and made with fresh, local ingredients. The staff and Lynn are always attentive, creating a perfect and memorable dining experience!

Went searching for a spot with a nice happy hour, ambience, and food selection. Google led me to table 128. Elegant spot with a nice patio and great HH prices and selection. Perfect. I opted for a glass of Chardonnay and calamari with romesco off of the happy hour menu and moved on to the warm Brussels salad with manchego and added salmon for dinner. The Chardonnay was lovely albeit a bit cold. Calamari was underdone and not crispy enough (you can tell from the photo) and they forgot my chiles. The romesco was divine! Could have licked the plate! Or scraped it up with calamari if it was crispier and had a touch of sea salt. A dish with potential. The Brussels and salmon were excellent. Flavorful, perfectly cooked and well balanced. Service was a bit scattered- she gave me a lunch menu and didn’t circle back for awhile after I was seated. It was a slow night and she was a sweet gal. I would love to return the next time I’m in the area.

I wanted to give Table 128 a rave review, but unfortunately I was left disappointed with our (wife & my) special dinner/date night. We arrived 5 minutes early for our 6pm reservation and were seated immediately. Our server greeted us, and after a quick review of the menu we put in our drink orders and an appetizer order. The charcuterie plate came out as expected and was ok - and our server promised our drinks were coming. My wife’s martini didn’t arrive until we were done with the app (~35 minutes in) and our server said my cocktail was still in the works. The next time she stopped by I asked to cancel the cocktail and just have a glass of wine. In the meantime my kale salad arrived and was fine. After being in the restaurant for about 50 minutes I finally got a drink - the wine I had changed my order to 10 minutes prior. Our entrees arrived - and were ok. My wife had the chicken and I had the steak. Ordered Steak medium-rare and it came out a bit past medium. We both had an additional glass of wine which our server had to go behind the bar to pour herself. Punchline - was really disappointed with the bar/cocktail service - which in turn made everything else feel off for the night. The food was ok, our server was doing the best with what she had to work with, but waiting 50 minutes for a cocktail is unacceptable to me.

I recently had the pleasure of hosting a business dinner at Table 128. Everyone was impressed with the overall experience. The menu was diverse and accommodating to all dietary preferences and absolutely delicious. Table 128 delivered exactly what we needed, a high quality dining experience.

The flavors this place offers are some of the best in Des Moines. My wife and I had a great experience. We will definitely come back again. It’s a must try. Oh, and get the cookies!

It's a very unique place....I'll call it a Chinese pizza hut but with much better pizza. The atmosphere was very different but fun and clean. The pizza crust was excellent, but the fried rice was disappointing, so I'd stick more to the pizza side of the menu. There were many unique pizza options so be a little adventurous and try something new to surprise your taste buds. We would definitely go back.

Just happened to be passing through Des Moines and drove by Fongs. My wife said it had been on Triple D so I turned in. Very glad we did. They were having happy hour and any alcoholic drink got a free slice of pizza. We did the MaiTai's which they limit 2 per person. If you're a light weight probably makes sense. We got one slice of sausage and one of pepperoni to start. Very thin but good flavor. In doing some reading it was the Crab Rangoon pizza that Guy came to try so that's what we did. Gotta say they do a really good job of their Asian fusion with that. Great flavor. Could have been a bit more imitation krab on it but all in all a great job. If we were in Des Moines longer we would really like to try some of the other fusion pizzas. Maybe next trip. 👍

Was very happy to go to Fong's pizza. Service was good. If you like mozzarella cheese sticks, you need to try the cheese stick egg rolls. They were really good. The Crab Rangoon pizza was really good. I'm not sure I'm with Alton Brown from the Food Network and can say it's the best thing I ever ate but it was good and I would get it again. The General Tso Chicken pizza was good as well but felt like it needed a little bit more sauce. I would definitely go back and try more pizzas on my next trip to Des Moines.

Staff were friendly and helpful, the place looks amazing and smells great. The cheese sticks were delicious. The pizza was good just not my favorite but I can see why people enjoy it. If im back in town id give it another try maybe with a more traditional pizza topping.

Unique: they nail both your regular pepperoni and their signature pizzas like General Tso, which is amazing and I don't typically like that kind of stuff. The new location is awesome and seats way more people and parking is readily available. Coke products.

Fongolian beef and honey garlic (with chicken added). Both pizzas were great. Honey garlic was especially good with a bit of siracha to pair some spice with the sweet. Will be coming back again.

We really enjoyed our lunch at Fongs! The atmosphere was enjoyable with plenty of space to dine comfortably, party of five. The dining area was clean and tidy. Our server/hostess/bus person was attentive, but not overly so. They took our drink orders, allowed us plenty of time to peruse the menu and place our order with no rush. As we dined, they stopped by occasionally asking if we needed anything, checking to be sure we were enjoying our visit and food. We ordered the limited time Oktoberfest pizza, crab rangoon pizza and the Iowan. As always, the crab rangoon pizza was the crowd pleaser. The Iowan our second favorite and the Oktoberfest pizza was also a delight. Everything was served fresh and made to order. So good! Fongs is a great place to dine with family, friends, anyone, really! The pizza is where it's at!

This place has received rave reviews from everyone I asked so I figured I'd take the chance. While I have no complaints about the food, I felt it was a little overhyped. The puff was less of a pastry and more so had the texture of a dinner roll. While the filling on the croissants was good, it was unlike any other I had had, in a bad way, texture- wise. The salmon tartine was pretty good, but again, nothing special and at times was overpowered by the sprout greens. Overall, the food was fine but nothing special and I would probably try to find a new place before returning here.

Stopped by hoping to find some french treats and boy were we pleasantly surprised! So many delicious choices and amazingly reasonable prices. The staff was friendly, efficient and helpful Will be back to dine in for sure!

Macarons were a little dry but were perfectly made and had excellent flavors. The croissants are delicious. Nothing is overly sweet and all very well made. Service was fast and everyone was kind. We will definitely be back.

A big indoor space and cute patios chairs with tables outside backyard. The service was great; besides pastries, breads, and cakes, various dishes and salads to try; giving French bakery vibes in overall

Pretty good place to eat! Got a meal with my family here for a late lunch. Foods was fast, hot and good. Will be back 👍

My husband and I went for the first time and loved it! We ordered an assortment of pastries (Fruit Tart, Key Lime Pie Tart, Espresso Brownie, Chocolate Croissant, and Lemon Croissant), as well as the to-go sandwiches. I had the turkey sandwich and would definitely order it again. Everything was made fresh and was so delicious. The sandwiches were made of high quality ingredients and had great flavor. There are so many menu items to choose from. I will be back to try more! Highly recommend!

La Mie is one of my fav breakfast spots in Des Moines! It’s always busy and sometimes it’s hard to find seating, but that is just a testament to their popularity! The staff does a great job at cleaning and turning over tables. On this occasion I enjoyed the southwest scramble and turmeric latter. I always get pastries on my way out because they’re huge and great for sharing :)

We were in the mood for something new and exciting, as usual. After a quick search, one of the first spots that caught our eye was The Flying Mango. The name immediately grabbed my attention—it's unique and intriguing. A quirky name like that usually promises some equally unique food, right? The place itself is a small, hole-in-the-wall restaurant that could maybe fit 50 people at most. When you first walk in, you pass by the kitchen and a small bar, with the dining area located on the opposite side. When we visited, it was pretty quiet—just us and one other group—so the vibe was laid-back and relaxed. Our server got us seated quickly and was incredibly attentive to everything we needed. She was, without a doubt, the highlight of our visit. Her exceptional service was the main reason for the high rating I gave this place, because if it were solely based on the food, it wouldn't have scored nearly as well. One of my friends ordered a couple of adult drinks, but they ended up sending them back because they just weren’t good. Now, let's talk about the food, which is probably why you're reading this. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich with garlic mashed potatoes—or at least that’s what they called them. The pulled pork sandwich was fantastic. They definitely know what they’re doing with their BBQ. The pork was sweet, tangy, and spicy all at once, and the bread was perfectly baked with just the right amount of warmth. However, the mashed potatoes? They can keep those and take them back to wherever they got them. They weren’t good at all. In fact, none of the sides really impressed anyone in our group. My so-called "garlic" mashed potatoes didn’t have any garlic flavor whatsoever, and honestly, it seemed like they only had butter in them. They definitely need to rethink that recipe. Overall, I wouldn’t come back for the food, but I would return for the customer service and relaxed atmosphere. The team there really knows how to make you feel welcome, and that goes a long way. If they ever bring their food up to the level of their service, this place could be something special. Keep up the great work, and hopefully one day the food will match the fantastic vibe you’ve already got going on.

Never heard about this place before! We drove by and decided to stop in and couldn't be happier! I love the semi-open kitchen in the front room. The service was quick and friendly, the prices were very affordable (especially for the amount you get), and the food was DELICIOUS!!! This is the best brisket I've ever had in Iowa! The caramelized bark on the brisket added beautiful depth to the buttery meat. Kind of surprised I'd find it in a place called "Flying Mango", but alas; that's where I found it! Apparently Guy Fieri has been here? They named a dish after him. It includes a little bit of everything and that's what I got. Hubby almost ordered another meal to-go cause I stole all his brisket. It was so good! Also, if you're used to collards from the SE US, then you'll love these! Amazing. All of it!

I wish 5 stars wasn’t the limit🥭 I walked into this restaurant from hearing the amazing phonk music and seeing mustard perfectly placed on the tables! I waited for about 67 mins and got in at 6:07 pm! When I first sat down I was greeted by Mr Beast! He offered me his exclusive deluxe mustard collab with Kendrick Lamar! I excitedly accepted the request. As I went to open the top the mustard starting singing “MUSTARDDDDDDDDDDDDDD” the whole restaurant was silent after that. I eagerly dipped the mango samples I got into the mustard and oh my gosh it was amazing! And for desert they served Dubai chocolate matcha with a labubu shaped chocolate on top! First bite was amazing and the rest was ok not the best but would eat again! Overall everything was 5 stars, but if I could I would give you 67 stars🥹 -Mason

First time here, but won’t be last! Everything was great! Food, service was top notch! The owner, Mike, is the nicest guy. He walks around and checks in on the customers. He’s super interesting to talk to! Can’t wait to go back. Will be part of the dining rotation going forward!

I love my food spicy so this was a great treat for me. I had the shrimp and grits. Had a great uniquely flavored sauce with grits, large BBQ shrimp and toasted garlic bread. I may reccommend that a side vegetable should be added for a little more balance. Wife had the garlic lime chicken on pasta. The chicken was well seasoned which helped assist the pasta which she felt was needing a little more flavor. Also ordered their personalized coffee that we both found very good. We shared a slice of the chocolate cake. It was nice and thick, creamy and topped with a cinnamon flavored cayenne pepper looking candy. A comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. Staff made us feel welcome and were attentive. Good selection of wine, beer and other refreshments. Was also fun to see the open kitchen where you could view food preparation. I would advise calling ahead for a reservation. I would like to go back and try another dish to explore one of their BBQ dishes.

Food was amazing glad I happen to see the Resturant while I was Riding around the area. From Maryland

We had the shrimp pontchatrain and the root beer and molasses braised pork. The shrimp pontchatrain was to die for. Absolutely delicious, lick your plate clean good. The crispy garlic bread to go with it added a nice crunch to the dish as well. The root beer and molasses braises pork was not good at all. Definitely would not recommend. I thought the root beer would add some sweetness but it just made the flavor really weird.

Very nice Brewery with a lot of good beer options! The Ruthie Exile is fantastic! I love the atmosphere and they had really good live music while we were there. We will definitely be back.

This brewery was nice to visit. They had a food truck available (Jethros BBQ) where I got me some smoked wings. The wings were terrible 😫. Even Flash fried, the meat was tough. Never doing that again. But other than that, the brewery was very nice with an outside patio. The view was great.

Stopped in on a visit after trying the pumpkin beer at a restaurant nearby. It was so good and we are from a total beer town so we had to investigate the brewery. We wish we could have taken some of the beer home! During our time there, they had a haunted house type area you could sit in-which after having to move inside from the patio (also nice). It was so cool and they also were super helpful in finding NA options.

We made reservations for a spooky date and the food, service and atmosphere were fantastic. Will definitely be returning! I definitely think this is the best Halloween pop up in the metro!

Really enjoyed this place. Very nice staff, the food was pretty good, and the place is really nice. Overall it is a great combination and I would go back to grab a beer and some food.

Had a lovely time here! I was 40 minutes early for an interview and the waitresses were very kind and offered samples while waited. They had excellent suggestions for my unique preferences in drinks and I settled on a Tico Time. Once my company arrived, we had split 4 meatball side which was steaming and had a nice spice kick to it. We chatted for a long time and I had an Exile Burger medium done with some fries and a mayo style dip. It was so juicy and flavorful with a little crunch from the included fried onion rings on it. I only give it a 4 for food since was my first time, but I'd gladly go visit and try my beer and food.

Great food and the Halloween decorations were next world. Only issue we had was the appetizer didn't come out till after the main dishes. Not our servers fault.

**WARNING** Online prices are not in store prices!!! The sandwich you see "Dads Killer Sandwich" online is 6 dollars in store, $12.99! QT makes a better sub!!! $30 for 3 items a sub, burger, and onion rings!!! On top of that, there is no drink. You have to buy that separately!!! I was severely disappointed! Over Rated. Over Priced. Absolutely Not Worth It!!!! They are very misleading about prices, in today market, HELL NO!!!

Went here in December 2016... sorry I'm late my dog ate my homework. But good pork sando and the guys were friendly.

Whenever we travel, we like to eat at local places. We had read about this place on a "List of best Delis in Each State.". The people were very friendly. The food was great. We split a killer sandwich basket

Referred to this place by a friend. Walked in and was amazed by the decor on the wall. Very obvious this place has been in the family for decades based of the decor and pictures documenting the family that has grown up in the business. Went to the meat counter and was told to get “Zach’s Killer Italian”. It was fresh, it was packed with meat, it was absolutely killer! Met the current owner Johnny and he was a riot, told some good jokes, informed us of the history and even gave us a quick tour. His I believe niece was working the front counter and was very friendly and told us a bit about the history of the place also. I live about 1 1/2 hours away and was in town on work otherwise I would have absolutely bought some of the meat from them, I am certain it would be some of the best meat I could find. Next time in in town and am able to drive straight home I’ll be swinging in to get another sandwich and buy some of the meat that will be freshly cut and hopefully hear some more of Johnnys jokes. Don’t even mess around with other sandwich shops, you are reading about the best joint in the area!!

My first trip! Been forgetting to come here forever. So happy to have time and remember. Simple set up with meats, cheeses, desserts, sides. Also full sandwich shop with dozens of choices. They recommended the grinder so that's what l went with. Very good sandwich. It was spicier than I expected, but I love a little spice. The tiniest skimpy on the filling. Bun was soft and fresh. I added chips and a cookie for a total of $11. Fair pricing! Everyone working was pleasant. I chose to take mine to work to eat, but there is a dine in option, too. Very cool place that I will visit more often! When I remember!

My favorite place to grab lunch from while I'm near downtown. From the best staff to amazing food, I can't recommend B&B enough. Get a Killer Zach heated up, or the Killer sloppy Mike and it's no wonder why they've been in business for so long. They also have a meat counter and refrigerators stocked with just about any cut from the usual suspects of animals you could want! Stop by and support small businesses at its finest!

Amazingly friendly service, with KILLER sandwiches and sides!!! The brooks family ALWAYS goes above and beyond!!!

I’ve been here for a beer and a bite numerous times and it never disappoints. Their food is delicious and they have a great selection of drinks. The vibes in here are great too.

Pssst. Not a library! BUt what it is, is awesome! A tiny place with massive charm, serving elevated grub pub and epic breakfast. Pair that with a full bar, cool locals and lots of history and that is what this place is! After one visit we are believers and will be back for more. If you are looking for a quaint place with a cool vibe and a great selection of menu and drink items, with fun and eclectic decor this is the right spot. We enjoyed a Philly and a chicken bacon ranch sandwich and some signature cocktails. All were on point and I would recommend the chicken bacon ranch sandwich for sure! So delicious. The service was fantastic and even thought they were experiencing some issues with the beer taps they made up for it with a full bar and cans of desired. Highly recommend this spot.

Another trip down memory lane while I am in Des Moines has to include a stop at the Library. This is a quintessential dive bar with excellent bar food and a huge beer selection. I was too hungry to snap a picture of the nachos but that’s one thing they’re well known for and I definitely recommend them. For entrees a sandwich or burger is your best bet but they have other options that are all delicious. Their burgers are a thicker cut patty that’s well seasoned, great fries too. If you’re looking for a good beer selection you can’t go wrong here. It’s a small space so spots fill up fast but if there’s a wait it’s worth it. Be sure to check this spot out if you’re rolling through Des Moines!

Small, cozy place. We visited Thursday about 8:45pm. It was about 2/3 full with two open tables and some bar seating. Customers seemed like a mix of locals and some nearby Drake U students. Bartender was also wait staff. Friendly service, neither fast nor slow, just fine. A decent selection of national and local beers on tap. Food (BLT and burger) was really good. We'd easily go back if we were locals.

The food used to be great (about 3 years ago) but now it's pretty bad and always dripping in grease. I've gotten some really bad mixed drinks here (Moscow mule without any lime, white Russian that was just milk) but they do carry a lot of great ciders. The bartenders are always very kind but one of the servers (Mo/Moe) is incredibly rude and will talk nasty about bar patrons within earshot. A lot of the regulars are super sweet but there are the occasional people who are hammered and will touch everyone in the building. It really is a shame that the food has gone so downhill as this bar is very cute and homey

great place for breakfast! French toast is very good. we had buscuits and gravy and then the chicken fried steak. the gravy for the both was very peppery the way I like it. a little too much for my wife. overall excellent 👌

Cute little hole in the wall, comfy dig with impressively great food. Burger on Texas toast was perfectly cooked with nice and toasty bun, loaded with ample fresh toppings. Fries were possibly the best in Des Moines, steak style cut but perfectly crispy! Their famous nachos had really unique chip texture, but I wasn't wowed by the topping distribution or how it all came together. All in all the service was outstanding and they rushed out to bring us our keys. One of the best quiet secrets in DSM, but a genuinely great restaurant worth coming to for the food, on top of cozy vibes.

I honestly would have given this a 5 out of 5 stars had it not been for the lack of service we received. When the server was at our table they were absolutely amazing! But after we were seated, we sat there for 20 minutes before our server came and nobody even brought us water during that time. We actually contemplated getting up and leaving. After he gave us our drink order and took our meal order we never saw him again. He didn't even stop by and check to see if we were happy with our food. Perhaps they were busy but I've never had this happen before anywhere else. The location was perfect for us as we were staying downtown and it was a block away, and we walked there. Loved the vibe of the entire restaurant. There were so many food items I wanted to choose, it was hard to decide. I still would recommend and would definitely go again! Word to the wise- I would definitely recommend getting a reservation.

This is our first time in Des Moines and we stopped here for lunch. Overall, it was an enjoyable experience. We first shared a seared sesame tuna, and it was simply delicious. Then, my husband ordered the burger and he gave it 7.5/10 but he loved the potatoes accompanying the dish. I ordered the golden dragon street noodle dish. It was tasty but I was unable to finish. The creamy coconut/peanut dressing was overpowering. Since we are here for four days, we may come back and try other dishes.

Had a dinner before a show at Hoyt Sherman and I was so impressed by everything! The mocktails were AMAZING and I even got to pour cinnamon smoke into mine 🤯 our server, Theresa was great and helped suggest good things on the menu. Just get the seafood ravioli. Definitely will be back!

Boy oh boy, this is the place! From the delectable appetizers to the main course to the wine selection, you cannot go wrong. We had the octopus and the Brussels sprouts, both incredible. The rib eye next was incredible! We had the red schooner and the vin zant, both fantastic wines! Anne and Kyle were amazing in completing our evening, thank you!

Katie Wiklund was TOP NOTCH!!! She is the bartender who is the most creative bartender I have ever met in my entire life. She gave me a plethora of drinks that made me sit there and think about my life in a positive way. The restaurant overall was great such a next level idea of a restaurant when looking at the menu and the creativity of the menu items. It took a VILLAGE to create this place and I honestly would rate this restaurant in my top 5 nation wide.

Fresko in Des Moines is an absolute gem and easily one of the best dining experiences I’ve had in the area. From the moment we walked in, the warm, inviting atmosphere and friendly service set the tone for a great evening. Our server was attentive, knowledgeable about the menu, and made excellent recommendations that really elevated the meal. We started with two appetizers—the Brussels sprouts and the Formaggio cheese flatbread—and both were phenomenal. The Brussels sprouts were cooked in a unique and creative way that gave them a depth of flavor I’ve rarely experienced. Honestly, they may have been the best I’ve had in a long time. The Formaggio flatbread was rich, cheesy, and the perfect starter to share. For the main course, we had the hanger steak served with mashed potatoes and kale. The steak was cooked perfectly—tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor—while the mashed potatoes were creamy and the kale provided a fresh, hearty complement. We paired our meal with a glass of Quilt Cabernet Sauvignon, which was a fantastic match to the flavors of the steak. From start to finish, everything was excellent—delicious food, beautiful presentation, great wine, and first-class service. Fresko is a must-visit if you’re in Des Moines!

As someone with celiac, I’m impressed — Fresko in Des Moines is the real deal for gluten-free dining. Got a last-minute 8 p.m. reservation with no problem. Menu is clearly marked with GF items, and our server was top-notch, even giving us tips on other safe spots in town. Started with a fresh, generous spicy tuna roll, followed by short rib tacos that were perfectly cooked and full of flavor. My vegetarian wife loved her tofu noodle dish (a rare feat). She finished with a massive cream-filled muffin — delicious, but better as bites. Two hours later, I feel great. Excellent food, pro service, and truly GF-friendly. Highly recommend. I rarely give out 5 stars.

Went for takeout on a weeknight. They have a decent menu. We ordered fried spring rolls, crab rangoon, sesame chicken, yu hsiang chicken, and soups. The soups were messy and under-seasoned. The crab rangoon are good. The filling is nice. The fillling-crust ratio is a little low, however. The spring rolls are way too greasy, but the flavor is solid. They are large with a well-seasoned cabbage/thread noodle filling. The sesame chicken was good, but without sauce or batter, the chicken was bland. The yu siang chicken was good, a little too sweet, not enough savory. The dish used large slices of breast meat, zucchini, mushrooms, carrot, and onions. The fried rice was standard. I'll probably go back.

Ate here for the first time last night and loved it!! Super casual spot which I loved. The food was amazing and so was the service. We had Mongolian beef, chicken lo mein, egg rolls, and hot sour soup. We will definitely be back soon!

A great experience overall, the food was delicious and staff was so friendly! We called and ordered to go for a large group on Friday night and had a short wait time, the order was accurate and ready when we got there. Egg rolls were amazing as expected, we had a variety of dishes and all were great and nice portion sizes. Appreciated that they had some non-spicy options and clear sweet and sour (assuming dye free), and the crab rangoons were really good and not crabby!

Walked in tonight for the 1st time ever around 7:30 meet the owner he was super nice I asked him to make me something he likes,he made me triple delight and wow!! The flavor was amazing the eggrolls were good and the portions were just the right size for left overs! Thank you for the great food I'll be back

The location isn’t fancy but the owners are delightful, friendly and kind. They are from Laos, and have been in Iowa for 45 years. They have been in business for 23 years. The food is fresh and delicious, and made to order. My husband and I are visiting from Kansas and we were looking for delicious Chinese food and we found it at Sam’s! The egg rolls were hand made, crispy with a flavorful crunchy cabbage filling. My husband said his Mongolian Beef was perfect (and he’s a picky eater!). My garlic chicken with mushrooms and water chestnuts was tender and tasty. Their fried rice was full of flavor and not just salty soy sauce. All portions were large, so there’s leftovers for lunch tomorrow! There are 2 tables if you want to dine in, and the owner’s wife served us with a smile. They seem to do a brisk take-out service as well. I HIGHLY recommend a visit. I would like to try their Laos special dishes next time.

What a wonderful experience! We searched ‘best Chinese food near me’ and Sam’s was the first place that came up. To start, the service was great. Both employees greeted us and were so friendly. We ordered to go and the food was ready in less than 10 minutes. The eggs rolls did not disappoint and were just as good as all the reviews claim. We also had sesame and generals chicken - both delicious! We will be back!

Friendly greeting immediately upon arriving, interest in how my day was going and name was a higher priority even than the food order! Sam was amazing and I was blown away at the service. Some regulars came in and there were exclamations of joy! Oh, and the food was fantastic. You can stop looking for other places to eat and come here! Support a hardworking small business while enjoying an awesome atmosphere and good food.

Stopped in for dinner. The store was not as clean as I would have liked. I was not greeted when I walked in. I didn't think the staff was friendly.I had the sweet and sour chicken, and my guest had the beef and broccoli. The food was hot and fresh. I didn't really care for the atmosphere. 2/10 would recommend.

This is General sols chicken and it has 0 sauce on it, the chicken is dryer than dirt and the veggies are burnt.

Best Chinese fast food in town! My favorite go-to place anytime our family and I have a craving for Chinese food. Forget about the big and pricey restaurants, where they are charging you for their rental and high utility bills. At Tsing Tao East, the prices are affordable and the food is as authentically Chinese as you can get without costing you an arm or leg! Definitely recommend to our friend and relatives and to anyone whom we do not know! Thank you Michelle and Michael for your hospitality!

I ordered Sweet and Sour Chicken that was fair, but the Orange Chicken I ordered for my husband was the worst. Soggy and bland. Bland isn't even the word, it had absolutely no flavor. No Orange flavor, no Orange color, just basically chicken. My husband was very disappointed with his food. We haven't had their food for quite a while, so we were excited to have it tonight, but it was a huge disappointment.

I remember when I originally moved to DSM, I was curious on good Chinese food and this place was recommended. Honestly, it reminds me of a similar establishment we frequented and I've been pleasantly satisfied. Prices aren't ridiculous and portions are what's to be expected for a dinner combo. I've had some misunderstandings with the individual answering the phone, but once on site they make it right if there was misunderstandings without question. I've been told this establishment is a DSM staple and my family and I vist this place frequently. Namely, I'm speaking of the establishment on University. If you're looking for quick dinner option on your way home, I'd recommend it if you're someone's who enjoys Chinese food.

Great take out! Tsing Tao is our "go-to" for our traditional "back home from vacation and we don't want to cook" dinner. Portions are big and reasonably priced, and all the flavors are there. Menu is very varied as well

I'm gonna try the chinese food down the street. I felt like a herd of cattle, and it wasn't even that busy . You didn't understand the special, and you most definitely didn't understand the accent. By the time he was done, explaining the different combinations. I just wanted to turn around and leave. 😭😭😭😭😭 It's like basically paying 20 bucks for something that looks like a frozen dinner. 😂

I was so happy to have my friends join me for dinner!! <3 We were promptly seated upon arrival even though we were missing a member of our party. Our server was kind and enthusiastic, and able to provide great recommendations. We started with delicious drinkies and some small plates. The brussel sprouts had shisito peppers and banana peppers but it wasn’t a spicy dish like I was looking forward to. The sticky wings were soooo yummy I would definitely recommend those! As for the steak, I thought the fat cap was pretty intense but it was cooked perfectly. The bone marrow butter on top was salty yet to die for!! The scalloped potatoes were super oily though. No matter how much I mixed there was always a pool of oil on top so I didn’t really enjoy that. The dessert menu was dropped off for us, but it felt like our server kinda forgot about us because he did not come back for at least another 15 minutes. At that point we weren’t really sure that we wanted dessert anymore, but our server recommended the peanut butter pie and it was just alright. Overall, the vibes were good, the service was decent, and the food was just good.

We were in town for a performance and needed a place to eat beforehand. I made reservations for 11:15am. We were seated at 11:17. Bloody Mary’s were very good. However, we ordered our food shortly after arriving and did not receive our food until 12:20. Much too long. We had a performance to be at at 1:00. I ordered the meatloaf eggs Benedict with eggs poached hard. The first meal that came out had no meatloaf but the eggs were correct. She brought me back out another plate and the meatloaf was there, however the eggs were runny and the whole dish was cold. I ate it anyway because we didn’t have much time. Beware that the “side of bacon” that you order is 2 strips (laughable). Several in our party received burnt bacon. Biscuits and gravy were just ok. None of the food was seasoned well, and there was no salt and pepper at the table (why??). As you can see from the photo the biscuits and gravy are to come with runny eggs and it did not. The best part of the whole meal were the breakfast potatoes. One of us also ordered pancakes and those were good. All in all, food was under seasoned and cold. Took way too long to come out. The restaurant was also not busy when we arrived. I’m assuming this is a staffing issue that the food took so long. I think this restaurant has a lot of potential but as you can see from the reviews the experience tends to be extremely inconsistent.

Went to Mulberry Street Tavern with some friends and had such a fun time! I rarely find myself at this side of downtown so it was nice to try something new. We got: • COSPLAY drink (N/A — cute presentation and super tasty) • Brussel sprouts • Sticky Wings (so delicious, loved them!) • NY strip x3 • Pot pie • Peanut Butter Pie I really liked my NY strip, I thought it was cooked just to my liking and I appreciated that it was already sliced for me. To be honest, I didn’t care for the scalloped potatoes. They came out nice and hot but they were just too oily for my liking. The broccolini was a good addition- I always like to have some type of vegetable with my meat. Service in the beginning was great, however towards the end it seemed so slow. By the end of the meal, we were left stranded for awhile after being given our dessert menu that we were hesitant to order it anymore. We ended up getting the peanut butter pie and it was OK. It was enough to fulfill my sweet tooth but it was pretty underwhelming in my opinion. I think I would return but would come back to trial more appetizers, drinks, and sides!

Right... so I came here to get an easy burger for dinner after a poor experience at Bubba. The host wasn't too sure about two questions about the smash burger. Went with it anyway. First a smash uses smaller amounts of beef, smashed to get a nicely crusted brown sear. Neither of my patties were this way. I would call it more of a sloppy burger. Medium Rare, regular cooked or at best, unbound patties wet from all the toppings. Same with the bun. A soggy mess in spots. Fries were so salty the ketchup didn't even help. Send help Des Moines. Do I need to stick to soy beans?

New York strip was overcooked . I ordered medium rare and got medium well. The steak itself was seasoned well although. The waitress did offer to send it back but I was very hungry . Broccolini was overcooked and only one piece . The scalloped potatoes were delicious. I added salt and pepper and they were amazing . The drinks were blended well and the wait staff was amazing . The seats at the bar are very comfortable with a pleasant open air feeling .

I had so been looking forward to going and having brunch in their courtyard, after driving past it one day and seeing the trees. I waited weeks for a decent day. I was sadly disappointed. Even though it was humid out, I wanted to sit under the trees and not trapped indoors as one is here. Outside it turns out is where smokers are allowed. Even though we moved tables, I had to constantly breathe in disgusting smoke as a guy chain smoked 5-6 cigarettes. Where I come from this is not allowed, even an outdoor area is considered a public space and you aren’t allowed to smoke 200m from an entrance. This ruined the outdoor experience for me. When breakfast came, after paying extra for smoked salmon, we had expected beautiful ribbons of fish. Instead, what arrived on our avo toast, looked like and tasted like salmon out of a can, flaked onto the avo. For the price, this was daylight robbery. What a disappointment overall. We live so close and I was hoping this cute place would be a weekly outing, but alas, I’m very put off.

In the sweltering, corn-syrup haze of a Des Moines midday—September 18, 2025, etch it in the ledger of lost afternoons, for the flatland demons were howling—I careened into that fever-dream speakeasy called Mulberry Street Tavern, hunkered at 206 6th Ave like a banker’s ghost risen from the trolley tracks of yesteryear.  Five stars, you corn-fed heathens, five bloodshot stars ripped from the hide of the prairie sky, because to score it lower would be to spit in the eye of the open-hearth gods who stoke its fires. Kenny—yes, Kenny, that grinning apparition at the zinc bar, going by Lil Dicky in the shadowed hours when the whiskey whispers names—unleashed a soup and salad that struck like a combine harvester laced with lightning and holy water from the Raccoon River. The soup? A cauldron of primordial elixir, steaming with root vegetables that clawed their way from Iowa’s black earth, infused with herbs sharp as switchblades and a broth so rich it could bribe a senator or dissolve the chains of a bad divorce. And the salad! Mother of mercy, the salad—a riot of greens plucked from forbidden truck-farm patches, crisp as the crack of a .38 in a cornfield ambush, tossed in a dressing of vinaigrette that sang of elderberry sins and the tears of ambitious cicadas. It wasn’t mere sustenance; it was a ritual gut-punch, a chlorophyll-fueled exorcism for every mile of monotonous interstate that led me here, belly full of regret and radiator fluid. But the mixed drinks, oh you sons of the soil, the mixed drinks were the real heart-attack revelation, sorcerer’s brews muddled in shakers of hammered tin by Kenny’s callused, clairvoyant mitts. One gulp of that rye-fueled monstrosity—dub it the “Trolley Phantom,” why not?—and I was airborne over the Des Moines skyline, hallucinations of top-hatted tycoons waltzing with feral hogs, the ice rattling like loose change in a politician’s pocket during a filibuster. Another, a vodka vortex with bitters bitter as a betrayed harvest and a lemon twist that seized the sinuses like a twister in July, hurled me into paroxysms of cackling hysteria that bounced off the leather-upholstered walls, where mounted antlers from long-dead bucks judged me with eyes like boiled marbles. These weren’t libations; they were mutagens, man, chemical grenades lobbed into the trenches of temperance, exploding into visions of endless amber waves under a blood-orange moon. I lurched out into the muggy gale, tab settled but psyche swollen with the riot of it all, swearing a blood oath to this agribusiness Atlantis amid the feedlots and fairgrounds. Five stars? Christ, I’d mortgage the family silo for more. Kenny, you outlaw alchemist, keep ladling that lunacy—Lil Dicky’s saga swells with every shaken drop. 

Just tried Lachele’s for the first time and it was a decent place. We sat down and were told to move so another group could sit down. Which was rude. I had already paid for my food and I tipped. The burger was decent. Only thing I wished was that they didn’t put ketchup and mustard on the top and bottom bun. It makes it super soggy and gross. I wish they used short rib. The patty was dry but overall decent little spot. I would absolutely go again, just would ask for only ketchup and mustard on one side of the bun and light. The mac and cheese was too creamy for me (cheese was more sticky than i like). Tater tots were food, and fries were good too!

We used Lachele's as one of our food truck vendors for our rehearsal dinner at Jasper Winery. They were very kind, professional, and their service was fantastic. They even through in snow cones when we asked about a dessert option! We received compliments from multiple guests about how great the food was. We will 100% wanting to use them in the future.

Legit smash burger. I can’t say id call myself a smash burger person, but this place has me questioning. Really tasty burger, lot of fixins, and a ton of good flavor. Loved the crispy edge on this. The tots were great too. My only complaint was that it was sort of hard to eat, with lots of the burger being without bun at the end. Maybe it’s the intended effect? Either way, 5/5.

This is my second time coming to Lachele’s and, YUM! First I tried their Philly; although it looks small, it’s incredibly filling and the bread is amazing! Today I had their cheeseburger. The burger was FANTASTIC. I will say the house sauce is a little mustard-y (not that that’s a bad thing!). Also the fries are beautifully seasoned. 10/10.

We had a wonderful brunch on this past Sunday afternoon. We had been wanting to try this new East Side location since they opened across from Chuck's. Everything about our meal was very positive. We were greeted with enthusiasm and our server, Echo was a breath of fresh air. My wife had the small pot pie and " one friggin pancake" (vanilla bean). The pot pie was a cup of pot pie soup with croutons and the pancake was plate sized. Both were delicous. I had the Uncle Denny smashburger wlth the pepper jelly, 2 fried eggs and breakfest fries. Ate it all in an instant. Our plates were clean when we left. We'll be back (soon) and I'd say it's definitely worth the drive. $25 for brunch and worth every penny.

Hands down the best burger I’ve ever had—and I’ve had a lot of burgers in my life. The Lachele burger and tots with a side of cheese is perfection every single time. I’d go every week if I could. Highly recommend!

Lachele’s Fine Foods is the place to be. This spot has a true local feel—no frills, just ridiculously good food and warm, friendly vibes. Their smash burgers are on another level: perfectly seared, juicy, and packed with flavor thanks to their high-quality meat. You can tell they care about what they’re serving. Every time I visit, the staff is genuinely welcoming, which just adds to the charm. It’s the kind of place that feels like a hidden gem, but once you’ve been, you’ll keep coming back. If you’re serious about burgers, Lachele’s is a must-visit

8-23-25 Wife and I came and stayed in town after visiting maquoketa cave park. She was feeling Asian food and mention this place located in Merle Hay Mall. First, this mall food court was pretty empty until we got to the main area, which has some people but not a lot. Walking thru this mall brings back memories of growing up in the 90s. I feel like I’m walking thru time seems as this mall doesn’t seem updated. I order a medium beef combo pho and bahn mi and my wife got a small bun bo hue. They did get the size order opposites but they corrected right away. My wife got to keep her medium bowl. Not sure if it was close to closing time that had to do with food flavors but the pho broth was just meh, very little flavor kind of bland. I wasn’t expecting anything too much from mall food, especially pho. There was a good amount of beef and the size of the meat ball slice was big. The only disappointment was that there was no tendon which was the reason why I got this combo in the first place. The bahn mi was just okay. I was confused when they said they had to toast the bahn mi. I’ve never bought bahn mi that was toasted but it was okay. My wife said her bun bo hue was spicy which made up for flavors. Overall, okay food for mall food in Des Moines.

We've heard good things and a few negative things about it. Were in the area on Friday night with the kids and decided to give it a shot. It's in he Merle Hay Mall food court, so getting there is already a trip. The food was good, I would not call it amazing but good for a mall food court for sure. The kids enjoyed most of what they had. They did have an all you can eat option on Friday evening, which was definitely an interesting option. Service was also an experience, we were told "No" when we asked to order bubble tea, because she was too busy. Then later when I got up to clean up, they said it's fine to make the bubble tea now... It was interesting.

While visiting Des Moines, IA this weekend, I was craving Vietnamese fresh rolls and started searching for a place to get them. I decided to try Vietnam Cafe Express inside the Merle Hay Mall. Walking through the mall was a surprise — more than half of it appeared vacant, giving it a bit of a ghost town feel. When I reached the food court, I approached the counter and was greeted by a woman I later learned was Brenda, who may be the owner. They didn’t have any fresh rolls ready, but she curtly informed me they could make some. I ordered four, which were reasonably priced at $2.50 each. It took about 10–15 minutes for my order, during which I observed Brenda being rather short with customers — to the point of seeming unappreciative and borderline rude. Honestly, it’s surprising to see that kind of attitude in a mall that’s already struggling with so many empty storefronts. When my rolls were ready, the interaction was again abrupt, with no real sense of appreciation for my business. The rolls themselves looked decent, but they were heavy on vermicelli (about 95%) and light on greens. Overall, the food was passable, but the lack of customer service and gratitude left a bigger impression. I’m not sure I’d return.

I’ve been on a Pho kick lately, and wanted to try out this spot. It was tricky to find the food court! The service was fast, and the food is decent. Not the best Pho in town, but I also tried the cheese puffs and those were a fun treat!

This is quickly becoming one of my favorite places to eat! I don’t think you can call them a hidden gem anymore. 13 years in business and a lot of attention over the past couple of years, brought a lot of folks out to try them. Their food makes up 100% for the dead mall atmosphere! I would skip their Chinese selection and go straight to their soups etc. very authentic, generous servings and super delicious. The spring rolls are the best I’ve had, stuffed with tons of shrimp and always fresh. Again, the only minus is the actual mall itself and how tucked away these guys are but you need to make the trip!

Pho Three Meats: Chicken, Beef, and Shrimps medium size was good! 😊

I have to edit my review, as a recent visit showed a lack in both organization and customer care. ​I placed my order and patiently waited for over 30+ minutes. When I finally went up to the counter to inquire about the delay, I was asked "what can I get you" even though I ordered earlier, they had not properly recorded what I had requested in the first place. ​When I explained the situation and mentioned what I had ordered, the owner just responded "yeah yeah," without any apology. ​That hurts, unfortunately I won't be returning.

Such a great spot for Ethiopian food. It serves like a fast food place but the flavors are all there. Went here twice during my work trip since I liked it so much

Their food is amazing! Tastes like Authentic Ethiopian food! Even for “fast food”. I am from Africa and have been craving this! It’s amazing! Very flavorful and rich cooking!

We were visiting from Portland, Oregon, and staying at the Hampton Inn in Urbandale, Iowa and we We’re hoping to have some delicious Ethiopian food and this place delivered! Not only with flavor and value and amount of delicious food, but they also actually delivered. They also included Dubai chocolate and orders of $25 or more, and that was a very sweet treat and a great way to end a delicious meal. Highly recommend and we will be eating here whenever we come to Des Moines. Thank you!

Food was amazing as always. This time I was overcharged for something I normally get. Not only was I overchanged for getting goat but I was charged $6 extra as if I got extra meat. I told the girl that I come here often and that they normally just unchanged me. My order normally is $18 but today I paid $24.

As an Ethiopian woman who has had lots of Ethiopian food, this was some of the best. The proportions were great, and definitely worth it for the food! Everyone was very friendly there. Definitely will be coming back!

Gursha is amazing. Been coming here for years since they first opened years ago. Live in Ames north of DSM and I come to Gursha almost every time I come to DSM. My favorites are the doro wat, lamb, goat and kik Alicha wat. Worth visiting DSM for!

The food was delicious and the staff was so helpful in explaining things. My favorites were the Beef Alicha and the mango smoothie.

Gateway Market has a lot of grocery options packed in it for such a small market, which is great. I'll most likely come here for their freshly baked bread and pastries from South Union Bakery; their produce section; their hot/cold/soup bar, which is comparable in quality and cheaper than, say, Whole Foods Market; or I'll come here to meet a friend for lunch in their cafe. But across the board, a lot of the regular items I shop for are much less expensive elsewhere.

The Market Cafe has been one of my favorite places for quite some time. I am a teacher and a colleague and I have a standing date for dinner every year before we chaperone the homecoming dance. I also love their breakfast menu and bring my out of town guests here. The Santa Fe salad is my favorite if I am trying to be a bit healthy, but today I went for the chicken bacon panini and fries and it was delicious!! I walked around the grocery store too and they have a great wine section, as well as a variety of gluten-free options for pasta and snacks. Highly recommend!

We were driving through on our way to SLC from MI, and this was a great and random stop! The cafe is amazing and had so many great vegan options! The staff were also all super friendly and offered good suggestions on the menu. The market part of the store was really nice too and had a great selection of healthy snacks and drinks for the road!

Love meeting my friends here for lunch. The food is delicious, made with fresh ingredients, and served quickly! I like that they serve a mixture of comfort food from all around the world! The grocery store is also a great place to stop for all of your organic, dietary-restricted needs, as well as a place where you can find a lot of ingredients you won't see in run-of-the-mill stores.

This place is amazing! They have local farmers in store sampling their insanely fresh greens. Don’t get me started on the homemade hummus, lemon tuna and pita chips. LOVE so much. Also super cute atmosphere

A GREAT neighborhood market, wine selection is awesome, which was my purchase! I was visiting town but will definitely shop here next time I’m in town!! A great Dining area to eat there or you can also order to-go.

Great variety. Kinda pricey but you get what you pay for. My daughter had a tofu bhan mi sandwich and it was huge. Very tasty. They have a large variety of everything but it's not overwhelming gor the small size of the store.

I have nothing bad to say about blackcat other than it's often super busy but that's with good reason. Their ice-cream is some of the best I've ever had, and I don't mean just in Iowa. I mean in the US & Europe. The staff are kind, the space is nice and the flavours are wild and unique and they're always swapped around meaning you get to try something new every time you visit. I've been coming here for years now, since they were at their previous location and if you're in the area and have been living under a rock, or just passing through you should stop by immediately and try some. You won't be disappointed. On my last visit, I did something a little different from usual. Usually I'll snag two scoops in a cone, but this time- I tried their ice-cream nuggets. The special this week had Lemon Ice-cream dipped in white chocolate and breaded in honey nut breadcrumbs before being flash frozen into delightful shapes and they were delightful and delicious. That honestly applies to everything I've tried here. I've been dozens and dozens of times and I'm never disappointed. I really can't think of anything I'd like them to improve. They do one thing and they just kill-it.

Such a cool place! First off, this place is so cute and in a super beautiful part of the Drake neighborhood. The ice cream flavors are so unique and tasty. Some flavors I would never imagine for ice cream but were delicious. Definitely a spot for more adventurous eaters as there isn’t a guaranteed “normal” flavor like chocolate or vanilla always available. Love that the menu seems to change so frequently. Definitely a spot I’d come back to.

Fun welcoming ice cream shop. Interior is a comfy café style lounge. Staff is polite, pleasant, and helpful. The walls inside are used as a shrine for adorably cute and mischievous black cats of course. The menu regularly has a couple gluten free or vegan/dairy free options at least it has had the handful of times I've been here. I love all their unique and creative flavor names. Once you taste you'll be on cloud 9, i promise. Highly recommend merely for the variety of delicious flavors alone. Oh and they also have a playful Black Cat patio you can enjoy your treat out on weather permitting.

We were in Des Moises for 3 days and went here everyday! Unfortunately, they are closed on Monday - but everyone deserves a day off... But my guess is, they are making ice cream on that day. I especially loved the Red Velvet ice cream! The Lemon Cheese Cake and Raspberry Cheesecake was super yummy too. I had to get a few t-shirts to represent the love I have for Black Cat ice cream back home in Salt Lake City. I'm forever ruined on other ice cream - Black Cat is simply the BEST! Loved the vibe, the staff, the mural of various black cat photos and the outdoor patio is charming!

One of my favorite places to go & worth the wait! I expect a wait at peak times and last time at the new location I noticed the sign regarding no samples during busy times. Ppl trying something before they decide is something I EXPECT to be a substantial part of the wait. Black Cat has the most unique flavors & combos out there and sometimes...you just don't know. My son got the movie theatre flavor last time and it wasn't great. 😩 I went w yuzu white chocolate bc I'm familiar w the flavor profile and I'm very sorry to say that it was disappointing. Doesn't deter me at all; I appreciate the originality! That said I really think that samples should be available anytime & I believe most customers would be ok w that if they appreciate Black Cat like we do. Great new location, btw!

I had the homemade pumpkin spice ice cream with chucks of some baked goodness and it was the creamiest ice cream ever. The pumpkin spice flavor was strong but not overpowering. The serve was great and the seating area was nice.

If I was independently wealthy and not lactose intolerant, I would eat here almost every single day. I came in today and tried the crème brûlée ice cream and the honey cornbread as well in a sugar cone. It was the perfect little treat I needed to get me through the day. I want to come back and try every new flavor they roll out.

We had the pleasure of decorating for a graduation party at St. Kilda Collective this past weekend, and it was the perfect way to kick off grad season! The event space is stunning—filled with natural light, beautiful textures, and an atmosphere that just feels special. And let me tell you, the aromas coming from the kitchen are absolutely intoxicating. When I returned later that evening to clean up, I brought my family along for dinner—and it was a fantastic decision. The owner, Alex, was working the floor as head of house and went out of his way to help his team and make us feel welcome. He even made sure our kids’ meals came out quickly, which any parent knows is a game-changer. The burgers were a hit with the kids, and we tried the pizza—which was delicious. Between the food, the ambiance, and the outstanding hospitality, St. Kilda Collective is a true gem in Valley Junction. We’ll definitely be back!

I took my parents and significant other here yesterday for brunch and it was outstanding! The staff was great, the food was amazing, and the venue very chic! It was really fun when I looked at my photos only to see our waiter (do not know his name but he's awesome!) had not only taken pictures of us, but also of himself! LOL! I definitely recommend this venue and will definitely go back!

St.Kilda is a modern, sleek restaurant. There are no tvs instead focus is on the food, which for Iowa seems to be a rarity. Not many places in the state offer high class food at approachable prices. A mixture of many cultures, the collective portion in the name stands out. A space where you can get the fusion and best portions of everything that makes Iowa so great! Highly recommend visiting and trying when you are in Des Moines. It’s worth the drive and the area is quiet, quaint and feels cozy!

I was really excited to try this restaurant. The atmosphere looked fantastic and the menu is impressive. Unfortunately, the service really ruined our experience. We were seated for about 10 minutes without being acknowledged. I had to flag someone down to take our order. The food came out in a decent amount of time and was top notch, but nobody ever came back and checked on us. We had to go find somebody to give us water and drink refills. I ordered another coffee from who I think was our server, but he never brought it. I had to ask someone else, and it took another 10 minutes. The name on our check was Connor-But if that’s the person who took our order, he walked by our table at least a dozen times, but didn’t acknowledge us ever again. And then we had to wait another 12 minutes for our check, which was brought by somebody else. We were really disappointed because the food is really good. But I don’t know if we’ll be back. We came on at 2 pm on Aug 31.

Brea is the funniest and most personable server i have ever had. Super welcoming and helpful and tbh she might be psychic bc she knew my order before I even told her. She also gave me ton of ketchup for my ketchup addiction. LOVE THAT DIVA!

Delicious brunch!! Highly recommend their salmon & eggs dish. Love their lattes as well!

We were so happy to learn about this location. Whenever visiting Des Moines, we went to the one downtown, but this is closer to our family. I love the menus they have! This time I ordered the Salmon with vegetables and was delighted with the crunchiness of the fish and how flavorful the dish was. The pictures are for the other dishes ordered. All food was superb, a signature from St Kilda. We shared a tiramisu that was super light and so yummy. To accompany it, we had hot chocolate and Australian coffee. We will be back for more!!

My husband and I went in to order take out. Sat the bar while we waited. Disappointed when we got home and saw burnt pizza or at least more than it should have been. It did taste good, but I was unable to eat the crust which I normally love as it left an aftertaste of charcoal. We also ordered a salad and we had to wait longer for it to get remade once server realized it was a misunderstanding. The server could've checked on it while our pizza was cooking instead of watching cars drive by. Eventually chatted with us once we weren't in conversation. They honestly were both great and very attentive. They did send us home with the extra salad. It would have been nice to have been shown our pizza before we left and asked if that was okay. Just a lot of money to spend on pizza. I will go back but I won't be anytime soon.

Holy smokes this pizza is epic! Everything from the sauce to toppings and crust were on point. Bread sticks were a great way to start and the drink menu has quite a few options. Restaurant has great vibes and everyone was very friendly. Awesome all around!

Good food and friendly service! Owner took time to personally check on us. Nice beer and wine selection. Pizza is 'authentic Neopolitan' fired in a brick oven. Desserts, sandwiches, salads, appetizers, and pizza.

Service was amazing, the atmosphere is chill and the food was great, the spicy Italian is truly spicy 🌶️

Great pizza! About half are white sauce and half have olives. I heard a rumor the flour is imported from Italy. It does tasted like Roman pizza. Reasonably priced. Was about $48 for two, a beer and dessert. Staff was very friendly. We ordered the grasshopper ice cream dessert. The ice cream melted fast but the fudge was delicious. Worth the drive.

I had the margherita pizza, I came here with the intention of having authentic Neapolitan pizza. The pizza was okay, but it was lacking in areas. The pizza could have used some more basil, the bottom could have been cooked a little longer as it didn't have much color however still had remnants of a little burnt flour. The waitress mentioned that they were having trouble starting the fire earlier so I assume the oven had not gotten up to temp yet causing the top to cook faster than the bottom. The other issue was the edge of the crust, it was pretty doughy, and I don't mean it was undercooked. When the dough is stretched for traditional Neapolitan pizza, you push the gasses that have built up in the dough towards the edge of the pizza resulting in a light airy crust that is still soft inside, the crust I had was dense and chewy but not the good kind of chewy. I noticed the staff making the pizzas were pretty young, like high school age so it could be a skill issue. Neapolitan pizza is probably the hardest pizza to make after all and takes a lot of skill and technique to make and cook properly. The service was great and had great atmosphere, but It's hard for me to recommend the pizza considering what I got and the cost. I came on a Tuesday right after opening so I may come back at a busier time on the weekend to give it another shot.

Very nice small town Pizza restaurant. Locally own small business. They serve Napoletana Pizza baked in a wood burning brick oven. We had the Average Joe Pizza and this was very good. Restaurant was clean, staff was friendly. Wait service just need to pick up beverages by the middle of the we glass or bottle of beer, so not to put their fingers on the rim. We will be back for another pie.

I just started stopping at this food truck this last year even though I’ve been vegan and in the DSM area for a while. I don’t know why I was sleeping on this food. The flavor of all the dishes I have tried is spot on. The Reuben is by far my favorite though. I will keep coming back for more.

I really wanted to give this place five stars because the girl working there with pink curtain bangs was really nice. we got the nachos and my man got the gluten free burger. Idk if it was because I said no spicyness but the nachos were just so plain. The beans were watered down and just very bland. So it’s a no from me dawg But my man rates the burger a 8

Fast, friendly, great menu, compostable utensils and packaging! The food here is great! The service was fast and friendly. Everything was neat and orderly with a quick and easy ordering process. The food came out quick and hot with great flavors! I stumbled upon this with luck, definitely glad I did! 100% worth stopping by!

I was thrown off with it being parked at a middle school, to be honest, but pleasantly surprised by an all vegan food truck that had good food in the middle of Iowa. It was a bit rustic, but that's what ya get out of a bus turned vegan kitchen. I got the Philly cheesteak and lemonade

I wish they had their own restaurants :-) the food was absolutely delicious and had excellent customer service. Can't wait to see you guys next spring

I have dreams about the nachos, they haunt me and I wake up very hungry. My husband loves their sandwiches, but those nachos are to die for. Get the nachos.

We've been going here for years, and am always impressed with the food. There are regular specials/menu updates often, with a few core offerings that have stuck around. It's so great to have vegan options in the neighborhood, and the chef isn't afraid of spices. It's a convenient walk for lunch and dinner most days that the truck is running.

I first had Pie Bird Pies during one of their pop up events at Storyhouse Bookpub for Pride month. The best strawberry rhubarb pie (let alone pie) I’ve ever had. The dough was perfectly sweet, very buttery, and flaky paired delightfully with the tartness of strawberry rhubarb. I told myself I have to get another pie from them so I ordered their Pride Strawberry Rhubarb Pie! Immaculate design, bright rainbow crust, and absolutely delicious…tasted as good as it looks! Thank you Kristen and Andrea for bringing delicious pies to Des Moines! Your love for each other shows through the pies you make.💜

Whole pies, slices, and hand pies are all delicious. We've tried many different ones and love everything we have gotten. Amazing crust and fillings! We will continue to order, give them a try.

Second time I’ve been on a pike, and it won’t be the last! The company is great; the WanderWomen are welcoming and knowledgeable! BUT THE PIE. Kristen is a magician and you will dream about it long after you eat it!

These are some of my favorite pies! I've preordered them for Thanksgiving the past two years with no regrets! One reason I love them is the weight -- they're so heavy!

I usually think crust is just a container for pie filling, but this pie crust is magical. I can see why they have been sold out at every other event. I'm glad I finally got to try this and I don't want to know how many calories I just consumed. Next time I hope to get a smores hand pie before they sell out, but raspberry was excellent!

Pie Bird Pies are the best pies in the metro — truly can not eat them fast enough whenever I'm lucky to snag them. Kristen and Andrea are so talented...there's a reason there's a line out the door whenever they pop up!

Great people. Great pies. Catch them if you can at the beaverdale farmers market :) these pies are worth the hunt!