Just had a great experience at Buzzard Billy's. The food was genuinely impressive. Everything came out hot, fresh, and full of flavor. I had the Crescent City Chicken, and it was enough food for two. The kitchen was clearly putting in the effort. But the standout was our server, Allianna. From the moment we sat down, she made us feel genuinely welcome. She checked in at the right times without hovering and had a way of making everyone at the table feel taken care of. I highly recommend Buzzard Billy's for its great food and excellent staff. read more

May 4, 2026. Monday. Dinner. I hadn't eaten all day. Had an almost seven hour delay in DFW due to a broken monorail and false gate information on the American Airlines phone application. I'd missed my connection and got bumped by a last minute female runner even though I was first on the standby list. I stepped off the hotel shuttle, checked into my room, dropped off my baggage and walked here for dinner. Needless to say, I walked in the door quite hungry. I sat at the bar for the quickest service. I ordered a local lager, Des Moines Exile's Maria lager ($6.75/5% ABV). To eat, I seldom go wrong with fried catfish. This time I got the fried catfish strips, with tartar sauce, 2 large hush puppies, and a bunch of fries ($16.99). The smooth lager hit the spot and the fried dinner really filled me up. Catfish average, hush puppies had great texture and taste, and fries were hot. The bartender/waitress really wasn't too attentive. Spent most of the time talking to other customers and staff. I ordered another lager from Exile. This one was an award winning Ruthie Gold lager ($7/4.9% ABV). I preferred this lager to the first one. It had a more rounded taste and mouthfeel. The huge meal didn't wow me, but it did feel me up. Thumbs up to the two local lagers I tried. They were good. Come here if you need a large meal and mediocre service. read more

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Atmosphere: [[HIGHLIGHT]]This place is huge, they must have over 100 tables.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]It was extremely noisy inside, we had to shout at one another to hear what the other person was saying and still ended up having to repeat ourselves.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The parking situation was less than ideal. They have a host stand right when you walk through the door. Service: Our waitress was very busy but took great care of us. Water glasses refilled and fast with taking our order. Food: YUM. If I'm ever back in the area I would definitely come back. Both of our meals were beyond filling (huge portions) and we both had leftovers. The food had great flavor and was perfectly seasoned. The crawfish on my dish were cooked perfectly and super tender and juicy. read more

Buzzard Billy's - Crawfish Platter - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

The food was a 10/10, everything was delicious and tasted like it was made with real ingredients. So glad to see some unique menu items! The service was a 10/10 as well. The ambiance was nice because I ate late on a weeknight, but I imagine it gets busy around here. Overall a favorite of mine in Iowa. Check them out! Thank you! read more

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The catfish are two tasty large fillets and the sweet fries are scrumptious. The catfish is well seasoned with enough left over for an additional meal. I wanted fried oysters but my luck none were available. The wait staffer (Emily C.) was quick and efficient in taking my order and checking back periodically. Your options for a good meal is endless. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The overall atmosphere was low key due to lunch serve being over.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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I always enjoy a stop at buzzard Billy's when I get a chance. I've just never gotten around to review it. While this is not going to come as a surprise to anyone from the Des Moines area, or those who visit for regular events at Casey's Arena, I'll throw it out there anyway. We started off with an order of Gator Fingers, gator tail, cut into slivers, battered, and deep-fried. Absolutely delicious, particularly with a little honey mustard or a dash or two of Frank's Red Hot. My son had the Billy's burger, a half pound beautifully seasoned burger with melted Swiss and American on a great bun with a side of fries. I opted for the Oyster Po' boy, which for me is a can't miss here. Once I pour the side of remoulade on the sandwich, it brings the whole thing together, and it is absolutely awesome. We were early for the lunch rush, so the place was not busy and the service was great. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It's got an eclectic mix of southern knickknacks and local sports memorabilia.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]It's just a great joint for a beer and to scratch your itch for Cajun or creole fare![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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July 25 lady bussed, older, blond wavy hair, large built, yellow Logo shirt , ate out of bar condiments tray, between bussing, she was working room behind left to me I was sitting there, I was shocked with food contamination, this I why u wash hands wear gloves, I'm sure u feed your staff maybe nextime ask bartender for a cup of olives instead of grabbing with undanitized fingers read more

We had a great time. I thought it looked a little expensive but the portion sizes were huge! My crescent city chicken was delicious and 2 meals worth. My friend ordered a salad and it was the biggest salad I have ever seen. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The food came out fast and it wasn't too crowded.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We had a good time! read more

Buzzard Billy's - crescent city chicken. - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Definitely enjoy the food here. Always tasty. Service is also great! Our waitress was awesome. I think her name was Jody I'm not sure but she was super friendly & very attentive. The drinks are decent & there's a wide variety of items. The prices aren't terrible either. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Spacious as well with ample seating & easy to hear others at the table either you.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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The food was phenomenal. The ranchers potine wasn't really potine more like loaded fries. The Texas mac n cheese was a 10/10. Our waitress was fine just seemed a little mad. read more

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Wait staff was good considering our very large group. I know this wasn't an easy one to handle. I had the crawfish etouffe didn't disappoint, but my wife had the egg plant pirogue it had me wishing I had picked it. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Decent vibe, but place was dead outside of our group.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

our server was flu f & he was so personable & kind. I couldn't choose between eggplant or the fried chicken (right below on the menu) he suggested the eggplant & I was so satisfied! it was lighter than a fried chicken base would have been. if you sht away from eggplant, you can't taste it. it's just a vessel for the seafood & sauce. it is fried so it added a nice crunch. the sauce seeps into the delicous rice so you don't loose any of that good extra stuff falling out of your "boat" my daughter loved the Mac & cheese. she couldn't finish it at the restaurant. however, we were home for 20 min & she ate more. I also couldn't finish mine but I'm excited for leftovers! a stand out thing that flu said was "your dinner is almost ready...." who says that? it made it feel so much more like a family meal. read more

Buzzard Billy's - seafood eggplant pirogue - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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Alright this is one of my favorites in Des Moines so far! I went back a second time in one week!! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Service was good, area is clean, great entertainment space to watch games and by far the best menu if you enjoy Cajun cuisine.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The chicken and sausage gumbo is spot on!! Salad dressings fantastic!!! Excellent bar selection as well. Try the corn, it's worth the add on! read more

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My son recently started attending law school in Des Moine. I had his previous school's city figured out as far as good food goes, but now I had to learn a whole new town. My hotel was in downtown so I looked for something close by to check and Buzzard Billy's came up in all my searches. The name was a little off putting, but the menu did catch my attention. It was easy to find and had plenty of parking in a lot out back as well as street parking. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The place is pretty large and has different seating areas. They got plenty of TVs if you want to catch any sports as well[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. The restaurant seemed to be somewhat busy and we did have to wait a little while to be seated. Customer service was decent. Our young server was a little bit on the slow side, but friendly. What Buzzard Billy's offers is American, Cajun and Southern style food. Little did I know I would find this kind of cuisine in the Midwest. The menu here is quite large and has many options from apps, soups, salads, wings, po'boys, burgers, pastas and all kinds of specialty entrees. When I say this menu is large, I am not kidding. We started off with a Midwest item which was cheese curds. We just don't get it back home like you do up here. I knew they would be good when they arrived at the table. It was a delicious mound of fried, squeaky, cheese. I was overwhelmed with the menu and let my waitress pick my entrée. As a southerner, I had to see what they had to offer as far as Cajun/southern food went. She said a crowd and personal favorite was the Chicken Tchoupitoulas. It was a grilled, Cajun seasoned chicken breast on a hash of fried potatoes, ham, mushroom and green onions. The chicken was a little on the dry side, but still very tasty. It was topped with a béarnaise sauce that elevated it as well. It came with a Cajun crème corn on the side which was more like just a side of corn with bell peppers. Nothing really creamy about it. I also tried bites of the Cajun mac and cheese and the chicken fettucine alfredo which were also tasty. We didn't have room for dessert, but they did have some good looking options. I like to try new things when visiting other cities, but I could see this being a repeat from time to time when visiting Des Moines. read more

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Buzzard Billy's is great! Food is delicious. Service is great- ask for Brandon - he's the best!!! read more

I could only give this restaurant one star for the service, our waiter Emily was awesome! But everything else blah, coming from the south and frequenting New Orleans quite a few times I know what creole food should taste like. The gumbo my friends got tasted like floury brown paste, the chicken dish they got was not tender and the white sauce tasted like a cheap base. Cracker Barrel's is better. And the burger I got was good for the first 2 bites because it was a lot of cheese and bacon but once you got into the meat it was bland and tasteless. Wouldn't recommend this spot if you want good food. read more

Buzzard Billy's - Bacon burger - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

The absolute tastiest place I have been in Des Moines, hands down. Had the mozzarella sticks, fried pickles and poutine, and they were all DELICIOUS!! I came with 3 friends, and I had the big fat chicken quesadilla and it was such a generous amount, one got wings, one got the parm sandwich, and one got the brisket mac & cheese, and everything was great!! We had the best server, Libby, I recommend sitting in her section. She is the best! read more

Buzzard Billy's - Mozzarella stick! - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

We ate here for the first time while we are in town. It was great. The menu is so huge that if you cannot find something you like here, you cannot be satisfied. My wife ordered the chicken quesadillas and I ordered the Bayou platter. My wife said it was the best chicken quesadillas she has ever had. No joke. I should have taken a picture, but the Bayou platter, which I ordered with an andouille sausage link, was enormous. I ate it there for lunch, then part of it for dinner that night and then lunch the next day. Seriously. The Cajun flavoring was perfect. Spicy but not too hot. Our server did a great job also. I was not paying attention to the prices, but when the bill came, I was shocked at how affordable it was. We will definitely be back next time. We are in town. read more

Had a wonderful meal at this restaurant! Food was excellent and there was a wide variety of choices. They have a gluten free menu and were able to accommodate gluten, egg and dairy allergies. Server coordinated with the chef and came back to the table to discuss options. Potions were generous and service was top notch! Definitely plan on returning! read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Service was great, atmosphere was great, drinks were good, food not so much.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I had the gator bites and for the first time of eating gator all over the south I was truly disappointed. The batter is very bland with no taste. I the had the Shrimp and Grits and again bland and dry. I had high expectations but was very disappointed. read more

Remember the alligator being the first thing you saw as you walked down the stairs? The "seedy" underground Bar & Grill with the photographs in epoxy in the tables? This is another staple of Des Moines eating that has fallen. The food is safe, as in there is no flavor. The Cajun-theme has been totally lost, and it is now just food for the masses exiting the Wells Fargo Arena. Out-of-towners, you're better off visiting somewhere else, as there are many other tastier and cheaper options that Des Moines has to offer. Those from Des Moines, you know where the spots are at. This is not one. read more

these are real american portions im not going to lie to you. yummy shrimp, solid catfish, lowkey salty and chewy alligator . if that floats your boat, worth a try, but otherwise choose another entree because there's 100 of them. hush puppies were yummy and the 2.75 ice cream was worth it ! [[HIGHLIGHT]]also alligator decor everywhere it was fun.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] i liked read more

Buzzard Billy's - table - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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I had a great server Flu F yesterday February 13th at Buzzard Billy's - he was kind, professional and welcoming. He made great menu suggestions and I really enjoyed my meal. Great smile read more

Delicious and affordable and open late! I had the Chicken house specialty- yum! Blackened Chicken Caesar also a hit, maybe ask for dressing on the side. read more

my favorite banana foster in des moines. it's a table side service and [[HIGHLIGHT]]just a chill bar ambience![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Buzzard Billy's - Louisiana Purchase - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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Great food great service I've eating here a few times I'll eat here again love the drinks

Food is amazing. Every time I've gotten something different and it's been good each time.

Seated right away before a Barnstormers game...and they even have specials tied to the arena events--nice touch. We sat on the covered patio and enjoyed being outside without having to worry about the sun or wind. On this trip I got the Jamaican Jerk Pulled Pork - a piled high sandwich with coleslaw on the side for a topping. Very tasty, with fresh and hot fries. My wife got the seafood gumbo - very good, and a side of veggies that were a nice variety and a nice-sized bowl. Shaya was our server and took great care of us - checking in regularly and handling everything while being friendly and pleasant. Great variety of options for food and drink. read more

Doing a takeout review again. This is a now fixation of mine. I like seeing a business's ability to maintain quality on the road. Today we had a Cajun Club and Crab Corn Chowder. Both survived the trip and looked and tasted great, no reheating needed. I am already a fan of both dishes and the takeout versions did not disappoint. read more

Buzzard Billy's - Cajun Club, mild spice veal And fabulous flavor. - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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Food was good for bar and grill food. Drinks were very good! Even thought he were busy and we had a large group service was quick and good

We were visiting our friends in Des Moines and they suggested Buzzard Billy's for dinner. This place is downtown Des Moines and could be hard to find if you don't know where to go or have someone to tell you where to go. But it is worth the effort to find it. They specialize is creole and fresh water fish foods, so I had a burger! My wife had the catfish. Our friends had the brisket Mac and cheese. All of us enjoyed our meals. The brisket Mac and cheese is a lot of food. It may be better to split it with someone. My wife's catfish was also a lot of food. I could have split that with my wife also. I was only one who could finish my meal. The Billy Burger was a good choice for me and it tasted great. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The place has a lot of ambience and is not your standard bar restaurant. The location and atmosphere just adds to the atmosphere and makes it a great place.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Our server was very friendly and helpful. read more

This is a normal stop before most concerts, but never had the food. Finally decided to grab some lunch & we were not disappointed. I personally love the vines here & atmosphere is so fun! Service was great, very prompt with drinks &answered all the questions. These nachos were MUCH bigger than I expected & the hamburger was good (he didn't order a fancy one). lol We will absolutely make this a lunch stop more often! read more

Buzzard Billy's - Nachos & A hamburger - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Food was great loved the Mac and cheese and the mozzarella sticks. Just the service needs to be better. It was me and my boyfriend just eating and everything was great until it came to the check. My boyfriend paid with his card he pressed no tip since we were gonna do cash. The server saw that and immediately assumed we weren't gonna tip and became pretty rude and we felt rushed out. Tips are only meant to people who deserve them. They are not a guarantee. read more

Had an impromptu dinner last night around 6:30 and went to BB. Not many there, but there also weren't any events at the Well. It was a kind of nice atmosphere with it not so many people, which is how it usually is when we go. Our server was friendly and very knowledgeable about the menu and gave recommendations. We had the classic poutine for apps. Rich in flavors for the gravy with crispy fries and shredded beef with the cheese curds. It's a very large amount and extremely filling, so beware. It can be a meal. I got the corn and crab soup. It was all right. A bit on the sweet side, so I'll probably try the gumbo next time. I got a cup instead of a bowl and still had plenty left. Hubs went with the blackened catfish which comes with two filets. Very tasty and seasoned great. The jalapeño corn was full of flavor too. I'd say only food complaint was the hush puppies lacking any flavor and a bit overcooked. All in all, food was on fire and I can't wait to go back for more things to try. Our server stayed on top of it too all night. read more

Overpriced and overall not good. We ordered nachos (pork or brisket?? Meat was tough), shrimp ettoufee, and a chicken dish -- overcooked and lacking in the creole flavors we were expecting. [[HIGHLIGHT]]There were too many themes: celebrity hangout?, New Orleans creole, and loud sports bar.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The server was very good, they were attentive and polite. Do not see a return visit in our future. read more

We ordered the beer cheese soup and armadillo eggs. We have come here before and the food was awesome. The food was good but not good food choice on our part. I was kind of irritated on why my husband and I receieved paper cups for water. We were only ones in whole restaurant who had paper cups. read more

Buzzard Billy's - Armadillo Eggs - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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Pretty good Creole and Cajun food, maybe your best choice within walking distance of the Marriot Downtown on Grand. Ambiance is sports bar, so it's a little loud. I appreciated the patient service we got, we didn't all arrive at the same time, and we left separately (we were in town for a conference), but the waitress acted like it was no big thing and got our orders and bills correct. I have had better New Orleans style food, but it was in New Orleans. read more

Buzzard Billy's - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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Loved it the first time, so we went back! As a captive audience for children's activities you are sometimes at the mercy of local cuisine nearby. Thankfully, it's amazing! This time I remembered photos! There are many options and an amazing GF menu as well. Salads, Etoufee, Cajun, creole, all things southern including hush puppies! A very nice beverage selection as well. The ambiance is more of a sports bar. They are great at accommodating large groups as well. A definite must. read more

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My friends and I visited Buzzard Billy's in Des Moines, IA on 6/29/2025 for dinner. By this time we had traveled to 12 states and one country. This place was hands down the best meal we had our entire trip! It was so delicious! our waiter, Flu, was very friendly and had a great personality! If you are ever in this area, this is a place you don't want to miss! Christy Stinson-Kentucky read more

Got the seafood gumbo and Louisiana Purchase. Both amazing and filling. Service was on point and the atmosphere was great. Would 100% come back next time I'm in town. Just a tip, come in on an empty stomach because the portions are HUGE!! read more

Buzzard Billy's - Seafood Gumbo - Cajun/Creole Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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