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The Yancy Table

Restaurant Notes & Recommendations

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801 Chophouse (Des Moines)
Mon–Sat 5–10pm, Sun 5–9pm
Cooper's Hawk (Clive)
Mon–Thu 11am–9pm, Fri 11am–10pm, Sat 10am–10pm, Sun 10am–9pm
Oak Park (Sherman Hill)
Closed Mon & Sun; Tue–Sat 4:30–9:30pm
Prime & Providence (West Des Moines)
Cocktail hour daily 3–6pm; Dining room Mon–Sat 5–10pm, Sun 5–9pm
Proudfoot & Bird (Downtown)
Daily — Happy Hour 2:30–5pm, Dinner 5–10pm (bar until 11pm)
Ruth's Chris (West Des Moines)
Mon & Sun 11am–9pm, Tue–Sat 11am–10pm

Restaurants We Like

The regular rotation
30 Hop (Ankeny)
Mon–Thu 11am–10pm, Fri 11am–11pm, Sat 10am–11pm, Sun 10am–10pm
Alba (East Village)
  • Rotating menu
Daily 4pm–close (Happy Hour 4–6pm)
Alohana (Ankeny)
  • ~$30
Mon–Fri 10am–8pm, Sat 11am–8pm, Sun 11am–3pm
Anchors Away (Ankeny)
  • Pepsi products
  • Weird sauces
  • Chili = good
  • Salad = up and down
  • Fish sandwich = good fish, bad tartar sauce
  • Quesadilla = weird chicken
  • Good (beef) taco salad! [Amanda]
  • Good Tenderloin
Daily 11am–11pm (kitchen closes 9pm)
Angry Goldfish (Des Moines)
Mon–Thu 11am–12am, Fri–Sat 11am–1am, Sun 11am–10pm
Ankeny Diner (Ankeny)
  • Salad... good... turkey... good... malt... good
Mon–Thu 6am–9pm, Fri–Sat 6am–10pm, Sun 6am–9pm
Aposto (Sherman Hill)
  • Modern classical cuisine inside an 1880s Victorian mansion
Closed Mon–Tue; Wed–Thu 5–8:30pm, Fri–Sat 5–9pm
Asian Cuisine (Grimes)
  • Grimes
Mon–Fri 11am–9pm, Sat–Sun 4pm–9pm
Bait Shop / High Life (Downtown)
Mon–Thu 11am–11pm, Fri–Sat 11am–12am, Sun 11am–11pm
Barn Town (West Des Moines)
Mon–Thu 11am–10pm, Fri 11am–11pm, Sat 10am–11pm, Sun 9am–10pm
B-bops (Ankeny)
  • Burgers
Mon–Thu 10am–11pm, Fri–Sat 10am–12am, Sun 10am–11pm
Bennigans (Urbandale)
Now Bennigan's on Merle Hay, Urbandale — Daily 6:30am–11pm
Blockbuster Pizza (Urbandale)
  • Urbandale
Closed Mon, Tue–Sun 10:30am–9pm
Blue Shark (Urbandale)
  • Friday - All you can Eat Fish Fry (no to-go boxes with All you can eat)
Mon–Thu 11am–1am, Fri–Sat 11am–2am, Sun 10am–1am
Blue Sushi (Downtown)
  • Also has an Omaha location
Mon–Sat 11am–10pm, Sun 12pm–9pm
Boulder Tap House (Ankeny)
Sun–Thu 11am–10pm, Fri–Sat 11am–11pm
Burrito King (Johnston)
  • It was good, but we will try it again before we make our final decision.
Daily 11am–9pm
Buzzard Billy's (Downtown)
Mon–Thu 11am–10pm, Fri–Sat 8am–11pm, Sun 8am–10pm
Centro (Downtown)
Mon 4–9pm, Tue–Thu 11am–9pm, Fri–Sat 11am–10pm, Sun 11am–9pm
Charlotte's Kitchen (Altoona)
Mon–Sat 11am–8pm, Closed Sun
Cheba Hut (Johnston)
Mon–Thu 10am–10pm, Fri–Sat 10am–11pm, Sun 10am–10pm
Cheesecake Factory (West Des Moines / Jordan Creek)
Mon–Thu 11am–10pm, Fri–Sat 11am–11pm, Sun 10am–10pm
Chicago Speakeasy (Des Moines)
  • PJ really likes the salad bar here
Mon–Fri 11am–9pm (Fri until 10pm), Sat 4pm–10pm, Closed Sun
Chick-fil-A (Multiple locations)
  • Closed Sunday
Mon–Sat 6:30am–10pm, Closed Sun
Chicken Coop (Ankeny)
  • Good wings close to home
  • Music Trivia on Tuesday
Daily 11am–10pm
Chucks on 6th (Des Moines)
Closed Mon & Sun, Tue–Sat 4:30pm–9pm
Cool Basil (Clive)
  • Tom Yum soup & Fried Rice
  • Second location: DeRice (Johnston)
Mon–Thu 11am–9pm, Fri–Sat 11am–10pm, Sun 12pm–9pm
Cooper's Hawk (Clive)
  • This place is Amazing, easily PJ's favorite place in the area
  • Bruschetta = good
  • Chicken Madeira = 10/10
  • Key Lime Pie = very good
Mon–Thu 11am–9pm, Fri 11am–10pm, Sat 10am–10pm, Sun 10am–9pm
Cooper's on 5th (Valley Junction)
Closed Mon & Sun; Tue–Fri 11am–2pm & 5–10pm, Sat 11am–10pm
Cosi Cucina (Clive)
  • Worth the wait!
Closed Mon; Tue–Thu 11am–9pm, Fri–Sat 11am–9:30pm, Sun 4pm–9pm
Court Ave. Brewing (Downtown)
  • Best Wings in town
  • & cookie wontons
Mon–Thu 11am–10pm, Fri 11am–11pm, Sat 10am–11pm, Sun 10am–10pm
Cracker Barrel (Clive)
Mon–Thu 7am–9pm, Fri–Sat 7am–10pm, Sun 7am–9pm
Destination Grille (Grimes)
  • Lobster Roll ...mmmmm...
Mon–Sat 11am–9pm, Sun 11am–8pm
District 36 (Ankeny)
  • First visit — everything tasted salty
  • Parmesan dressing is sweet — different, but not bad
  • Manhattan pork medallions = good
  • Chicken DeBurgo = very garlicky (in a good way)
  • Deviled eggs = a bit too mustardy, bacon slightly burnt
  • Overall: inconsistent
Mon–Thu 11am–9pm, Fri–Sat 11am–10pm, Closed Sun
Dough Co. Pizza (Ankeny)
Daily 11am–9pm
El Mariachi (Johnston)
Mon–Sat 11am–10pm, Sun 11am–9pm
El Rodeo (Multiple locations)
  • #1 Mexican
  • El Rodeo Prime — Urbandale
  • El Rodeo West — Clive
Mon–Tue 11am–9pm, Wed–Sat 11am–10pm, Sun 11am–9pm
Flight Bar + Grille (Huxley)
  • Best burger in Iowa 2023
  • Huxley
Mon–Thu 11am–10pm, Fri–Sat 11am–11pm, Sun 11am–10pm
Flipn' Jacks (Ankeny)
  • New restaurant near the movie theater. Extended hours, not just breakfast.
Daily 5:30am–3pm
Francie's (Des Moines)
  • Buffalo chicken Philly A++
  • Nachos A+
Mon–Tue 11am–9pm, Wed–Thu 11am–10pm, Fri–Sat 11am–11pm, Closed Sun
GameDay (Des Moines)
Mon–Thu 11am–11pm, Fri–Sat 11am–12am, Sun 11am–11pm
Gateway Market (Sherman Hill)
Market daily 7am–10pm; Cafe Mon–Thu 10:30am–9pm, Fri–Sun 8am–9pm
Gluck Tea (West Des Moines)
  • Poke bowls
Closed Tue; Mon, Wed–Sun 11am–8pm
Godfather's Pizza (Multiple locations)
  • Taco Pizza is the best ever
  • West Des Moines: 5919 Ashworth Rd
  • Grimes: 200 SE Gateway Dr
  • Ames: 419 Lincoln Way
Hours unknown - Call first
Grand Junction Bar and Grill (West Des Moines)
  • Second chance?
Mon–Fri 11am–10pm, Sat 9am–10pm, Sun 9am–8pm
Guadalajara (Ankeny)
Mon–Thu 11am–10pm, Fri–Sat 11am–10:30pm, Sun 11am–9pm
Hessen Haus (Downtown)
Mon–Thu 11am–11pm, Fri–Sat 11am–2am, Sun 11am–10pm
Hickory Park (Ames)
  • Ames
Daily 10:30am–9pm
Hidalgo (Ankeny)
  • #3 Mexican
Mon–Thu 11am–10pm, Fri–Sat 11am–10:30pm, Sun 11am–9pm
Hills Bar & Grill (Pleasant Hill)
  • Breakfast tacos, fish tacos, quesadilla
  • Breakfast Tacos (Saturday Brunch)
  • Get the extra hot sauce
Closed Sun–Mon; Tue–Thu 11am–9pm, Fri–Sat 11am–10pm
Hokkaido (Ankeny)
Mon–Thu 11am–3pm & 4:30–8:30pm, Fri–Sat 11am–9pm, Sun 11am–8:30pm
HomeGrown (West Des Moines)
Daily 6:30am–2:30pm
It's My Jam (Ankeny)
Daily 6am–2pm
Izumi (Clive)
  • All-you-can-eat sushi & hibachi
Mon–Thu 11am–10pm, Fri–Sat 11am–10:30pm, Sun 11am–9:30pm
Johnny's (Des Moines)
  • Appetizers & Beef Wellington
Mon–Sat 11am–10pm, Sun 11am–9pm
Krispy Krunchy Chicken (Multiple locations)
Hours vary by location — call to confirm
Leaning Tower Pizza (Ankeny)
Daily 11am–9pm
Lucca (East Village)
  • Dinner is a 4-course prix fixe, changes weekly
Closed Mon & Sun; Lunch Tue–Fri 11am–2pm, Dinner Thu–Sat 5–9pm
Lucky Bamboo (Ankeny)
Mon–Thu 11am–8:30pm, Fri–Sat 11am–9pm, Sun 11am–8:30pm
Lucky Lotus (Des Moines)
Closed Sun; Mon–Thu 11am–3pm & 5–8pm, Fri 11am–3pm & 5–9pm, Sat 5–9pm
Maccabee's (Des Moines)
  • Kosher Deli
Closed Mon & Sat; Tue 11am–5pm, Wed–Thu 11am–6pm, Fri 11am–3pm, Sun 11am–4pm (also closed Jewish holidays)
Machine Shed (Urbandale)
Sun–Thu 7am–9pm, Fri–Sat 7am–10pm
Magee's (Ankeny)
  • Seafood stew/soup is great
Mon 11am–11pm, Tue–Thu 11am–12am, Fri 11am–1am, Sat 9:30am–1am, Sun 9:30am–11pm
Main Street (Ankeny)
  • Also has a Des Moines location on Grand Ave
Ankeny: Daily 6am–9pm; Grand Ave (DSM): Mon–Fri 7am–2pm
Mandarin Grill & Sushi Bar (Clive)
  • Next door to Cooper's Hawk
Closed Mon–Tue; Wed–Thu 11am–8pm, Fri–Sat 11am–9pm, Sun 11am–8pm
Manhattan Deli (Des Moines)
Closed Sun; Mon–Sat 10am–3pm
Marino's (Johnston)
Closed Mon & Sun; Tue–Sat 5–9pm
Maxie's (West Des Moines)
Closed Sun–Mon; Tue–Fri 11am–2pm & 4–9pm, Sat 4–9pm
Mullet's (Des Moines)
  • Also has an Ankeny location
Mon–Fri 7am–2pm, Sat–Sun 7am–3pm
Nona's (Ankeny)
  • Best Italian in Ankeny
  • Bruschetta and wings
Mon–Sat 11am–9pm, Closed Sun
Oak Park (Sherman Hill)
  • Coke products - $4 tiny bottles
  • Expensive! but very good
  • Menu changes every 6-8 weeks. Don't get attached to anything.
  • Chef's table?
Closed Mon & Sun; Tue–Sat 4:30–9:30pm
Ohana Steakhouse (West Des Moines)
  • West Des Moines
Closed Mon–Tue; Wed–Thu 5–8pm, Fri 5–9pm, Sat 4:30–9pm, Sun 4:30–8pm
Old West (Des Moines)
  • #2 Mexican
Mon–Thu 11am–10pm, Fri–Sat 11am–10:30pm, Sun 11am–9pm
Olympic Flame (East Village)
Mon 10:30am–2:30pm, Tue–Sat 10:30am–9pm, Closed Sun
Open Sesame (Downtown)
Closed Mon & Sun; Tue–Thu 11am–2pm & 5:30–8pm, Fri–Sat 11am–2pm & 5:30–9pm
Ornery Chicken (Ankeny)
  • Ornery sauce > buffalo
  • Wraps are good
  • Wings are OK
  • Ornery tots are good
Daily 11am–7pm
Pagliai's Pizza (Johnston)
Daily 4–9pm
Parlor (Beaverdale)
  • Brunch?
Closed Mon; Tue–Thu 3–10pm, Fri 11am–11pm, Sat 9am–11pm, Sun 9am–9pm
Pelican Post B&G (West Des Moines)
Mon–Thu 11am–12am, Fri–Sat 11am–1am, Sun 11am–12am
Pleasant Hill Diner (Pleasant Hill)
  • Mondays are Car Night
  • Beef burger (loose meat) = really good
  • Chili = really good
  • Malts = amazing
  • Fries + Cheese sauce = really good
  • Biscuit & Gravy = good
Daily 6am–8pm
Rolling Wok (Des Moines)
  • Best Lo Mein
  • Crab Rangoon
  • Pot sticker
  • Chicken Lo Mein (2 star)
Mon–Sat 11am–8pm, Closed Sun
Sakura Sushi (West Des Moines)
Closed Tue; Mon, Wed–Sat 11am–8:30pm, Sun 12pm–8pm
Scornovacca's (Des Moines)
  • Chicken tenders
  • Side salad
  • Bruschetta
Mon 11am–8pm, Tue–Thu 11am–8:30pm, Fri–Sat 11am–9pm, Sun 12pm–8pm
Siam Table (Ankeny)
Daily 11am–2pm & 4:30–8pm
Simon's (Merle Hay)
Mon–Thu 5–9pm, Fri–Sat 5–10pm, Closed Sun
Slim Chickens (Ankeny)
  • Ankeny
  • Waukee
Mon–Thu & Sun 10am–10pm, Fri–Sat 10am–11pm
Smokey Row (Ankeny)
  • Also in Des Moines, Grimes, Urbandale, Waukee, and West Des Moines — see all locations
Mon–Sat 6am–9pm, Sun 7am–8pm
Smoky D's (Multiple locations)
Mon–Thu 10:30am–8pm, Fri–Sat 10:30am–9pm, Sun 10:30am–8pm
Sonny's (Des Moines)
  • Closed Sunday & Monday
Tue–Fri 11am–2pm & 4:30–9pm, Sat 4:30–9pm
South Union Bread Cafe (Downtown)
  • Wood-fired pizza & sandwiches from George Formaro's South Union Bakery bread
Mon–Fri 11am–2pm
Sports Page (Multiple locations)
Hours vary by location — call to confirm
Taco Casa (Ankeny)
Mon–Sat 11am–8pm, Closed Sun
Taki (Urbandale)
  • Japanese steakhouse, Urbandale
Sun–Thu 4–8:30pm, Fri–Sat 4–9pm
Tasty Tacos (Multiple locations)
  • Closed Sunday
Mon–Sat 11am–10pm, Closed Sun
Teriyaki House Japanese Grill (Ankeny)
  • Ankeny
  • Des Moines
  • West Des Moines
Ankeny: Mon–Sat 10:30am–9pm, Closed Sun
The Chicken (West Des Moines)
Mon–Thu 11am–9pm, Fri–Sat 10am–10pm, Sun 10am–9pm
The Continental (East Village)
Mon–Thu 11am–11pm, Fri–Sat 11am–2am, Closed Sun
The Republic on Grand (Downtown)
Mon–Thu 3–10pm, Fri–Sat 2pm–12am, Sun 3–9pm
The Tavern (Multiple locations)
  • Multiple locations (West Des Moines/Valley Junction)
Mon 11am–9pm, Tue–Thu 11am–10pm, Fri 11am–11pm, Sat–Sun 11am–10pm
Tribute (Ankeny)
Mon–Wed 11am–9pm, Thu–Fri 11am–10pm, Sat 9am–10pm, Sun 9am–9pm
Tumea and Sons (Des Moines)
  • Best Italian in DSM
Closed Sun–Mon; Tue–Sat 4:30–9pm (lunch also Wed–Fri 11am–2pm)
Uptown - Ankeny (Ankeny)
Mon–Thu 11am–10pm, Fri–Sat 11am–11pm, Closed Sun
Uptown - Grimes (Grimes)
Mon–Sat 11am–2am (kitchen closes 10pm), Sun 8am–2am (kitchen closes 10pm)
Wasabi Ankeny (Ankeny)
Mon–Thu 11am–9:30pm, Fri–Sat 11am–10:30pm, Sun 11am–9pm
Waterfront (West Des Moines)
  • Sushi
Mon–Thu 11am–9pm, Fri–Sat 11am–10pm, Closed Sun
Whiskey River (Ankeny)
Daily 11am–2am
Wig & Pen (Ankeny)
  • Closed Monday - Tuesday
Wed–Thu 11am–8pm, Fri–Sat 11am–9pm, Sun 11am–8pm
Yankee Clipper (Ankeny)
  • Tacos
Mon–Sat 9am–2am, Sun 11am–2am
Yard House (Jordan Creek)
  • New location coming to Jordan Creek (West Des Moines)
  • We love the Kansas City location near Blue Sushi

Restaurants We Want To Try

The wish list
Abbie's (Bondurant)
  • Taco pizza
Closed Mon & Sun; Tue–Thu 4–9pm, Fri 4–10pm, Sat 11:30am–10pm
Aura Restaurant & Lounge (Clive)
  • New American, Asian/European/S. American twists
Mon–Thu 11am–9pm, Fri–Sat 11am–10pm, Closed Sun
Big Grove Brewery (Sherman Hill)
Mon–Thu 11am–10pm, Fri–Sat 11am–11pm, Sun 11am–10pm
Brick & Ivy Rooftop (Altoona)
Closed Mon; Tue–Wed 3–9pm, Thu 3–10pm, Fri–Sat 11am–12am, Sun 11am–8pm
Central Standard (Waukee)
  • Never been before, brew pub, looks to have tasty noms
Sun–Thu 11am–9pm, Fri–Sat 11am–10pm
Club Car Restaurant & Lounge (Clive)
Mon–Thu 11am–9pm, Fri 11am–10pm, Sat 9am–10pm, Sun 9am–2pm
Clyde's Fine Diner (Downtown)
  • Upscale reimagined diner classics
Lunch Thu–Fri 11am–2pm; Dinner Tue–Sat 5–9pm
Dam Pub (Beaverdale)
  • 2710 Beaver Ave, Des Moines, IA 50310
Mon–Thu 11am–12am, Fri 11am–2am, Sat 10am–2am, Sun 10am–10pm
Grimaldi's (Ankeny)
  • Coal-fired, Brooklyn-style pizza
Mon–Thu 11am–10pm, Fri–Sat 11am–11pm, Sun 11am–10pm
Hoang Khao (Ankeny)
  • Lao & Thai cuisine, family recipes going back four generations
Closed Sun; Mon–Fri 11am–2pm & 4–8:30pm, Sat 11am–9pm
HoQ (East Village)
  • Farm-to-table, locally sourced
Closed Sun–Mon; Tue–Thu 5–9pm, Fri–Sat 5–10pm
John & Nick's Steak & Prime Rib(Clive)
  • Big salad bar
Closed Mon & Sun; Tue–Fri 5–9pm, Sat 4–9pm
Lachele's (Ingersoll)
  • Two locations: Ingersoll Ave and Highland Park (6th Ave)
Ingersoll: Closed Mon; Tue–Sat 11am–9pm, Sun 10am–3pm
Mac Shack (Des Moines)
  • Temporarily closed
Sources conflict on reopening — call to confirm before going
Prime & Providence (West Des Moines)
Cocktail hour daily 3–6pm; Dining room Mon–Sat 5–10pm, Sun 5–9pm
Roots95 (Johnston)
Mon 4–9pm, Tue–Thu 11am–2pm & 4–9pm, Fri 11am–9pm, Sat 4–9pm, Sun 4–8pm
Tupelo Honey (Downtown)
Mon–Fri 11am–8pm, Sat 9am–8pm, Sun 9am–4pm
Whatcha Smokin BBQ & Brew (Luther)
  • 403 Iowa Ave, Luther, IA 50152
Closed Mon; Tue–Sun 11am–8pm
Wilson Orchard (Des Moines)
  • Check out the Cheeseball pizza :)
Closed Mon–Tue; Wed–Fri 11am–9pm, Sat–Sun 9am–9pm

Vacation

Worth the trip — outside the Des Moines area
Minneapolis, MN
Hazelwood
  • Brunch was excellent
  • Bread pudding
  • Amanda likes the salad
Bellecour
  • Try the Dirty French Burger
Marshalltown, IA
Flying Elbow
  • Best Burger 2022 + Reuben
Kansas City
Smokehouse BBQ
Oklahoma Joe's
  • Now known as Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que
Pierpont's (Union Station)
Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen
Yard House
  • Near Blue Sushi
Various Locations
Iron Hill Brewery and Restaurant
  • Delaware — Newark, Rehoboth Beach, Wilmington
  • Georgia — Atlanta (Buckhead), Atlanta (Dunwoody)
  • New Jersey — Maple Shade, Voorhees
  • Pennsylvania — Ardmore, Chestnut Hill, Exton, Hershey, Huntingdon Valley, Lancaster, Lehigh Valley, Media, Newtown, North Wales, Philadelphia, Phoenixville, West Chester
  • South Carolina — Columbia, Greenville

▸Daily Meal Deals

Where to go, by day of the week
▸Monday
30 Hop (Classic Burgers)
B-Bops (Maniac Monday — $2.39 Single Burger)
Blue Sushi (Little Bento Bonanza)
Centro (Pizza & Pint, half-price pizza dine-in 4pm–close)
Chicago Speakeasy (Prime Rib, lunch special)
It's My Jam (Meatloaf w/ mashed potatoes & gravy)
Leaning Tower Pizza (AYCE Spaghetti & Meat Sauce, $9.99)
Manhattan Deli (Turkey/Ham/Pepperoni/Swiss Hoagie)
Smoky D's (Lasagna)
South Union Bread Cafe (Meatball Sub)
The Chicken (Kids Eat Free)
Tribute (Blueline Special: Bone-In Pork Chop, $27)
▸Tuesday
Barn Town (Birria & Barnarita Tuesday)
Blue Sushi (Vegan + Sake Tuesday)
Boulder Tap House (Burger Basket Night, $8.99)
Centro (Lasagna Tuesday)
El Mariachi (Taco Tuesday)
Guadalajara (Taco Tuesday)
Hills Bar & Grill (Street Taco Combo, Taco Tuesday)
Leaning Tower Pizza (AYCE Spaghetti & Meat Sauce, $9.99)
Manhattan Deli (Oven Roasted Turkey/Ham/Swiss Hoagie)
Pagliai's Pizza (Spaghetti w/ Meatballs or Salad, $8.75)
Papa Murphy's (Large Pizza, $10.99)
Smoky D's (Smoked Cheeseburger)
South Union Bread Cafe (Chicken Parmesan)
Tribute (Blueline Special: Miso-Glazed King Salmon, $33)
Yankee Clipper (Tacos)
▸Wednesday
Blue Shark (AYCE Wings, $12.99)
Chicago Speakeasy (Hot Beef Sandwich, lunch special)
Hills Bar & Grill (Kids Eat Free)
Manhattan Deli (Ham/Pepperoni/Hard Salami/Provolone/Hot Pepper Cheese Hoagie)
Mullet's (Blackened Catfish & Grits)
Pagliai's Pizza (12" 2-Topping Pizza, $13.50)
Sakura Sushi ($9.99 Special Roll)
Smoky D's (Hot Beef Sandwich)
South Union Bread Cafe (Cajun Chicken)
The Chicken (BOGO Pizza Night)
Waterfront (Wednesday Night Special, rotates weekly)
▸Thursday
Boulder Tap House (Boneless Wings, $0.89)
Machine Shed (Stuffed Pork Loin w/ Mashed Potatoes & WOW Gravy)
Manhattan Deli ("Ultimate Grinder" — Italian Sausage/Pepperoni/Capicola)
Smoky D's (Country Fried Steak)
South Union Bread Cafe (Chicken Caesar Flatbread)
▸Friday
Blue Shark (AYCE Fish Fry)
Chicago Speakeasy (Speakeasy Sandwich — Roast Beef & Swiss, lunch special)
Hills Bar & Grill (Surf 'n' Turf Steak Night)
Manhattan Deli (Oven Roasted Turkey/Pepperoni/Capicola/Swiss Hoagie)
Smoky D's (Smoked Meatloaf)
South Union Bread Cafe (Italian Beef)
Tribute (Blueline Special: 10oz Smoked Ribeye w/ Garlic Mashed Potatoes)
▸Saturday
Hills Bar & Grill (Brunch, 10am–3pm)
Lucky Lotus (Brunch, 11am–3pm)
Manhattan Deli (Oven Roasted Turkey/Pepperoni/Capicola/Swiss Hoagie)
Smoky D's (Ham Balls)
Tribute (Blueline Special: Shrimp & Lobster Bisque Marinara w/ Toasted Focaccia)
▸Sunday
Smoky D's (Hot Turkey Sandwich)
Tribute (Blueline Special: Prime Rib, $39)
▸Every day (when open)
Alohana
Ankeny Diner
El Rodeo
Sonny's (Personal Pizzas)

Places to Avoid

Learned the hard way
Cajun Belle (Johnston)
  • Weird, even for Cajun
Cazidor (Ankeny)
  • I seriously don't know how this place is still open.
    I first went there in 1995 (maybe) and it was godawful.
    Tried it again and it's the same.
Flame Cantina (Ankeny)
  • Meh
Fleming's (West Des Moines)
  • Overpriced, even for a steakhouse
Flying Mango (Beaverdale)
  • Food was not good
Heavenly Chinese (West Des Moines)
  • Nope... just, nope
Jethro's (Multiple locations)
  • There are so many, much better, BBQ/Smokehouse restaurants in the area.
    This one just doesn't stack up.
Latin King (Des Moines)
  • It was OK, but there are so many Italian places in the area — not worth the price
Portifinos (Ankeny)
  • This has to be the worst Italian restaurant in the Des Moines area.
    Poor service and evern worse food.
    It's so close to home, I really wanted to like it :(

Retired List

Permanently closed :(
Americana Permanently Closed (Downtown)
Curbin' Cuisine Permanently Closed (Ankeny)
Dino's Bar & Grill Permanently Closed (West Des Moines)
Louie's Wine Dive Permanently Closed (University Ave)
Mema's Permanently Closed (Grimes)
Poke Company Permanently Closed (Des Moines)
Spectators Permanently Closed (Altoona)
Table 128 Permanently Closed (Downtown)
Victoria Station Permanently Closed (Harlan)