It's lunch and now you find yourself driving toward that icon spot of Cooper's on 5th in Valley Junction to savor that delicious Cajun Meatloaf Meltdown Sandwich- Simply Delicious. My only issue is food temperature---while served eye appealing it was just warm -- work on food temperature control -- the sweet potato fries were awesome and the egg rolls with barbecue sauce and sausage were solid. Jeffrey -- my wait staffer-- bar mixologist-- made me a Lavender Lemonade Mocktail and it was every bit as good as a "Mr Pibbs." The soft music cascading in the background provided the serene feeling to allow me to play message catch up by iPhone and a tab, or utilize the quiet spot to socialize with great company. This space gives you a choice for fun socialization. read more

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It's been 3 years since I last reviewed here, but it's still one of our regular stops and doesn't dissapoint! Intimate, dark atmosphere inside, and brighter (and often warmer!) out back on the patio. Meatloaf and Salmon entrees are regulars for us, but we've tried almost every sandwich and many of the other entrees, and they are always full of flavor and delicious. Salads are fresh and have very good quality lettuce and veggies. Dressings are good as well. Small bar with drop in seating, but it pays to get a reservation. They currently use Toast to take reservations and you'll get a reminder the day prior to your visit. Walk in's often find it challenging to squeeze in here! Service is always good and the bartenders make a good drink. read more

Cooper's on 5th - Steak Deburgo---it's soooo good - New American Near Me - West Des Moines, Iowa

This restaurant is located in a hip part of town just outside of downtown Des Moines. Thee is free street parking available right in front of the resturant. The place has an adequate sized dining area with a full bar with seating. There is also a small patio available to dine outside. The restaurant is very dimly lit. I needed a light to read the menu. They have an assortment of traditional pub far and signature adult beverages. available. They have soups, salads, sandwiches , burgers, fish and steak. I got a cajun meatloaf sandwich with a side of steak fries. It took them about 10 minutes to have my food ready. It was very delicious. The meatloaf was flavorful and tasty. The fries were good as well. I recommend both. The staff there was very friendly and helpful. This is a nice casual joint that would also make a great date night destination. I really enjoyed my meal here. read more

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Someone recommended Coopers on 5th so we decided to give it a try. We sat at the bar and our bartender was very friendly & attentive. We were seated quickly & given water (which I really wish west des moines businesses would filter their water, it's not tasty). Then ordered drinks. They were delicious. We ordered fried zucchini as an appetizer and I thought they would be sliced not spears but they were delicious even as spears and i think thats my favorite kind now. I got a hickory grilled chicken with their potato chips & the bartender gave me a side of a Dijon garlic sauce (which I'm sorry I really didn't like, it was nearly pure garlic) I also was not fond of the chips. However my partner got a burger and fries. The fries were so delicious and seasoned perfectly I wish I'd gotten fries. Definitely a nice little place and for as small as it looked, we couldn't hear anyone else at their tables and the atmosphere was peaceful. Will most likely go again as it's also a nice area to just go for a walk before or after a meal as well. Would be nice if the utilities would fix their power issues though as the lights did flicker a lot. Bathrooms were clean as well. read more

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A nice little place in Valley Junction. It's a cozy place with just a few tables and a small bar. We went for lunch and were immediately seated. Our server gave us some time to review the specials and answered our questions. We ordered some half sandwiches as a lunch special. They were delicious. I got the Rueben and my wife got the grilled cheese. Good sized. We enjoyed our side and got their special egg rolls. Looking forward to our next visit. read more

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Fun little place in Valley Junction, rather small and quaint. The menu is limited but seems to please many. We ordered the Meatloaf Meltdown Cooper's Way and the Junction Burger, both with steak fries. Both really good, the Meatlaof was a bit salty but still good. Service was friendly and the food came out quickly. No wait to pay the bill at the end of the meal which is also very important. The restrooms...yes, you do have to walk through the kitchen to get there. But they are clean. read more

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Such a hidden gem for our area! The most delicious food & friendly staff, but limited seating so call ahead to reserve a spot! Or plan to sit at the bar. Worth the wait if there is one. Their fries are a must! Everything is delicious, especially their rotating changes for desserts! Dont skip desserts! This is a "must go location" for exploring Iowa's Valley Junction for lunch or dinner. read more

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Tried to eat here on the way to the airport. It didn't open till 5 when everything on Yelp said 4. Had to move on.

An upscale hole in the wall pub with great scratch cooking. Yeah, that is the sentence I would use to describe Coopers on 5th. We went for a triple Birthday party with three generations of foodies and we left satisfied. The menu was small but had a great variety, it was a nice change. I started with the Garlic Tomato Bisque just because... It was garlic forward followed by tangy tomato some acidity then a sweet tomato finish. It was quite layered for a soup. I followed that with the Braised Short Rib which was tender and fell apart to the touch. At first i thought the Demi Glace was powdered due to it's flavor and consistency but hey assured me it was home made. It was ok but it could have been better with a red wine like a cabernet. My wife had the Chicken DeBurgo. The sauce, which was crested here in Des Moines, was like a thickened heavy cream with just a touch of parmesan and sweet Italian seasonings. It was good. We finished the night off with three free desserts and it not being my birthday I ordered the peanut butter chocolate cake. It was rich and amazing. They had no problem telling me that it was made from the bakery down the street while the Volcano cake was made in house. Both were amazing. We both decided that we needed to come back and try some of the other dishes on the menu. Food 9/10 Quality 10/10 Service 10/10 Atmosphere 10/10 plating 8/10 47/50=4.7=5 star read more

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4.5* (out of 5) Food: 5* Atmosphere: 4* Value: 4* Service: 5* 04/05/2024 After really enjoying our first stop here over 2 years ago, we've been unsuccessful in getting in on several other occasions (didn't have the forethought to make a reservation and they were full several times when we stopped in to check). Tonight we took the time to experience their Happy Hour while waiting to join our son and daughter-in-law at another restaurant for dinner. This time we arrived early (around 5pm) and were able to find seats at the bar to enjoy a glass of wine and a beer. For an appetizer, we were intrigued by the Fried Zucchini (see picture) and it was recommended by the bartender. We were impressed when it arrived and found both the zucchini and dip to be delicious - tempting us to place a 2nd order when we knew we needed to save space for dinner. A great stop in Valley Junction for lunch or dinner...just make sure that you make reservations, as you might not get in otherwise. read more

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I highly recommend Cooper's on 5th. Their intimate ambience, good service, and excellent food make this Valley Junction gem a terrific choice for lunch or dinner. read more

Very nice place! Our server, Jay, was very helpful in explaining options on the menu and suggesting meals for my party. Everyone was very pleased with their food, which I'd describe as "classes up" comfort food. I had the Cajun meatloaf in the open face with slaw on top. The combination of flavors was a mini party for my mouth. There was a nice kick from the Cajun spices and the cheese was a rich, soothing complement to the kick. We also tried some of their cocktails which were all delicious. Happy to have found it. read more

Cooper's on 5th - a plate of food - New American Near Me - West Des Moines, Iowa

This place is a gem! The server was friendly and service was quick. The egg roll starter was unreal. Melt in your mouth good! That meatloaf sandwich was delicious and the salad was refreshing. The old fashioned was perfect! I would absolutely go back! read more

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This was my first time at Cooper's but won't be the last! It was the perfect birthday dinner. We had an 8:45 reservation but when we arrived to have pre- dinner drinks our table was ready so we began dinner. While multiple appetizers sounded amazing, I'm glad we didn't order any as the meals were plentiful. Two of us ordered chicken debug and the sauce was so rich and buttery- absolutely delicious and served over two large grilled chicken breasts. Cooked carrots were the side dish- done with the perfect mix of of tenderness and crunch with a light flavor to accompany the rich sauce. The seafood carbonara was beautifully plated and delicious, the shrimp abundant. The Cajun meatloaf had a nice spicy flavor and there were two large loafs. If you like Gouda, the smoked gouda was to die for- so creamy and with its richness a 'just right' size. All meals came with a toasted slice of garlic bread and choice of soup or salad. Our party tried the steak chili which was a bit on the sweet side for most chilis, and the salads were generous. May I recommend the creamy Parmesan as a dressing choice. The setting was perfect for an intimate and celebratory event, and is also perfect for date nights. The lights were low and the furnishings and style is one of elegance. Our party enjoyed wine and beer although the mixed drinks offer great options. The service was exceptional! We had asked if we could bring a cake in for the birthday celebration and our server brought plates and extra forks for us. While we enjoyed dessert our leftovers were boxed by our server who was friendly and accommodating all night. Definitely a great experience! Thanks Coopers! read more

Came here from a friend's recommendation and we loved it! The restaurant is small and cozy, but don't let that deter you from bringing a big group either. We had 14 of us and sat at 2 large tables and really enjoyed ourselves. Our server Jeffrey was extremely competent and attentive, and also very kind. He made sure to refill our water glasses plenty (pretty sure I counted 3 times, which is super nice), and the food itself was delicious. I personally could not get enough of the potato wedges, and dipping them in some ranch? Heavenly. read more

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Our party of four enjoyed dinner here. Cozy atmosphere, good staff and great food. Make a reservation and know tables are needed after 1.5 hrs on weekend nights. Recommend. read more

This gem of a restaurant gets 4.5 stars. The staff was very kind and assertive (which stood out to me). Overall, I had a great experience at Coopers. And I will note, there were a few things that could have been better. Getting to the restaurant took a few extra minutes because the outside signage was not helpful. It took me a few times looking at the sign to know if I was at the right place. I was looking for 'Coopers on 5th' ... so seeing "CPRS" in a circle was a little confusing. The Menu looked great- there was a nice selection to choose from. I ordered the *Caesar Salad with chicken* (delicious!) and the soup du jour, which was explained as a 'creamy chicken noodle soup'. The soup was bland, lukewarm and definitely not creamy. I wasn't a fan. The bathroom... Could use a little love. The vibe in this restaurant is extremely pleasant and the space is small and quaint. I would go back. The food was decent and I'd like to try a few more things on the menu. The lights are on the darker side so it's a great spot for a formal dinner (4-5 people max) or a date. read more

Cooper's on 5th - New American Near Me - West Des Moines, Iowa

Went to lunch on a Wednesday around 1. Not overly busy. we were told we could sit wherever we wanted. they have a nice drink menu. my daughter and I both got the 2 item lunch. I got the chicken salad and sweet potato fries. I dipped my fries in creamy parmesean dressing, which is very garlicky. The chicken salad is a curry flavor, I was concerned because I'm not a big fan of curry. so glad I took a chance on it! the bread was toasted to perfection. Daughter J had the tuna salad sandwich and house salad with honey mustard dressing. the dressing was delicious, I dipped a couple fries into it. She enjoyed her sandwich. She lives in a big seafood area and so I was glad she enjoyed it. Service was great, food was brought out quite quickly. The restaurant is quite cozy. Stop in and give them a try you won't regret it. read more

Cooper's on 5th - 1/2 sandwich chicken salad with sweet potato fries - New American Near Me - West Des Moines, Iowa

We had heard so many good things about coopers on 5th, so decided to try it on a Friday evening. My boyfriend's old fashioned took 30 minutes to get. They did comp it- which that was the right thing to do. He ordered the Cajun meatloaf. Only took a few bites and said it was horrible. I got the Cuban- it was decent, but many better ones in the metro. For there only being 10 tables in that place, they probably should hire a different bartender.... That can keep up. Server got the job done but didn't have much personality and very lackadaisical. Ambiance was nice- but would have been a lot better if all the other stars would have aligned. read more

Fantastic craft cocktails. They do a whiskey sour right! The short ribs though... man. Put those on the list. Also, don't forget about the Du Jour Egg Rolls. Had the cheeseburger edition with the special thousand island sauce... that'll tickle those Mac Dee's memories from way back. A small, quaint place with food, drink, and service to back it. read more

Cooper's on 5th - Cheeseburger Egg Roll Du Jour - New American Near Me - West Des Moines, Iowa

This restaurant is in the historic downtown district. It had a quaint atmosphere with great service. The food was good. Drop in and see for yourself. read more

I had chicken salad and a house salad that was excellent. The waiter is very nice. I love the ambience

Had lunch with some friends, and we all agree that Cooper's has great food and service! Definitely a gem in Valley Junction. Thanks for everything. read more

Cooper's on 5th - New American Near Me - West Des Moines, Iowa

Went here when our grandson was playing at state baseball. Didn't have a reservation but they were able to seat us at the bar. Had the Cajun meatloaf sandwich (open faced, with a side of German potato salad. Which the bartender recommended. I highly recommend this restaurant! The atmosphere was so warm and welcoming. read more

Was searching for a solid restaurant in Des Moines to try out the infamous Steak DeBurgo and we were lucky that Cooper's on the 5th accommodated our request during lunch time. The steak was so tender and juicy. The mushroom gravy reminded me of my favorite steak restaurants in the Philippines (we are a sauce loving country!). The homemade chips and potato wedges sides were also on point - golden and crispy without being oily. The meat loaf sandwich specialty was also flavorful and quite large. Our server was very pleasant and friendly. Highly recommend Cooper's for delicious comfort food in a casual pub setting. I loved their old style pub ambiance and glad we were able to support a long established local restaurant. read more

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Place was nice, pretty small. Sat at the bar, bartender was awesome very attentive and friendly. Started with the Zucchini appetizer which was the best thing I ate all night. Super crunch, not mushy it was great. The mac and cheese was ok but spicy. I had the burger with the famous sauce. It was to thick and it made everything mushy. I had the potato salad which was ok but if you are going to hint at the taste of German potato salad then make it. It tasted like mashed potatoes with a with a shot of vinegar. I was glad to try it but I wasn't dazzled. read more

Great service, cold drinks with good company. The food was amazing and would eat it every day if i could I'm from Michigan and was just traveling through but if your in the area definitely check it out read more

I made reservations for 6 people on 'Open Table' at least 2 weeks in advance. I arrived and they advised that they had given away the large round table to a group of 7 and asked the 6 of us to SQUEEZE into a booth that seated 4. One word...Livid. One of my guests left in disgust. But that's not all. It was so hot inside the restaurant (in Nov) that I HAD to ask them to open up a door to let in some cool air. I ordered a burger, didn't like the taste...was possibly pan fried, not grilled. Others ordered chicken sandwich and/or chicken pasta and liked it. I won't be going back anytime soon. read more

Food was delicious. Staff was friendly, helpful and patient, as I seldom know what I want and therefore ask several questions about menu items. It's a cozy place read more

We've been trying to get into Coopers for awhile to try it out and see if all the rumors and hype were true. Previously tried to go without making a reservation and could not get in. This time, made a reservation, arrived a few minutes early, and was seated immediately. Calm lighting, wood and leather furnishings, and sparking glassware welcome you into this warm space. Our waiter came over quickly and introduced himself and was so polite about offering to answer any questions we have. The food service industry is very competitive and besides the food, service is the one thing that will make someone into a repeat customer or not. Dinner was off to a great start! We enjoyed a couple martini's and mules. All fresh, uniquely crafted, and delightful! We were told by friends that the egg rolls were a must. We tried them and were pleasant surprised! Flavorful and unique! We also tried the Pepper Jack cheese sticks (one of the chefs specials for the week). Hands down one of the best fried cheese sticks ever! Tasty, crispy and the cheese was so hot and gooey! I also tried their soup of the day which was a kale and graziano sausage soup! One of the best soups I've ever had and I usually don't like kale very much . For dinner we had the cielo burger and the Sonoma chicken sandwich. The flavors exploded off of our palates! Everything was juicy and fresh! We take the quality and freshness of the food restaurants serve seriously. If the food is not good, we're not going to waste our money and come back. Coopers on 5th meets up to its reputation of being one of the best places in Des Moines for food and drinks! We're definitely coming back!! Maybe during the summer when their patio is opened. Thanks Coopers on 5th for a great date night for my hubby and I! Just amazing!! read more

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This place is awesome. The dining room is very comfortable. Booths, high tables, lower larger family tables, a little of something for everybody. Great cocktails and wine selection. I had the short ribs and mashed garlic mashed potatoes. Both were excellent. Our server was Alexis and she was awesome too. All around enjoyable dining experience. Thank You Coopers on 5th ! read more

Cooper's on 5th - Front of restaurant - New American Near Me - West Des Moines, Iowa

We were able to get a table without a reservation. He had an "Easy Way Out" cocktail, I had the Blueberry Sour. It was rainy & a bit chill & the waitress was able to whip up a hot chocolate. We both had the Burger of the Week - a tasty twist in a sloppy Joe. The decor is cozy & dimly lit - not a tv in sight. Perfect for an after work drink or a cozy date night. One of our favorite dinner spots in the Junction. read more

My husband and I have been fans since Cooper's opened.We have always had great service and attentive staff. Occasionally there might have been something that wasn't Coopers grade but if mentioned to owner, would always listen and work on improvement. I like that it's a local owner and small in capacity as the huge restaurants tend to be very loud which I don't like. Coop also has a party room across the street at Winchesters that my husband used for my surprise birthday party this year. Everything was spectacular! I love these guys!! read more

Extremely good drinks and food. You have to try the egg rolls. Service is always excellent.

Everyone needs to give this small restaurant in the Valley Junction area of West Des Moines a try. They have some great food at a reasonable price. I had the meatloaf sandwich Cooper's style, which means the put spicy coke slaw on top. It was delicious. We went back and they had a special that day of steak de'burgo, it to was very good, but I still miss the steak de'Burgos from Johnny's Vets Club. I will say I have eaten here several times always gotten great food and service is always friendly and fast. So if you are in the 5st area of WDM, this is a must try. read more

Make a reservation to try the short ribs. They fell off the bone and the gravy was perfection. It was smooth. The green beans were fresh and had a crunch to them. The staff were attentive. The restaurant has a homey atmosphere. read more

Cooper's on 5th - Short Ribs - New American Near Me - West Des Moines, Iowa

It was good but underwhelming. The vibe and ambiance is fantastic which raised expectations but the food was a bit lackluster. The food wasn't bad but didn't pop with flavor and lacked a bit of freshness (especially the bread products did not seem fresh). This was my second visit and I would have given the initial experience five stars but this second one was simply average (3 stars). Maybe the chef had an off night; it simply didn't meet expectations the second time around. So, good not great is a fair assessment. read more

Cooper's on 5th - Meatloaf Meltdown (Cooper style) - New American Near Me - West Des Moines, Iowa

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Amazing food and service! We were seated outside on the back patio and is was the perfect date night. We will definitely be back! read more

Cooper's on 5th - Beef short ribs - New American Near Me - West Des Moines, Iowa

This place kind of reminds me of Simons. A small area and a feel of a small business owner. The service was very kind and personable. Due to the tight space we sat out back on the patio. I do wish that we could've brought our puppy out back ! The ribs were the best thing on the menu! The seafood ravioli was good but I can tell the crab was imitation. For the price it seems fair on the seafood read more

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Tired of my usual spots around WDM, I hopped on Yelp for a new spot and came across Cooper's. Very glad I did! The place has a delightfully old-school vibe, but is modern enough to have a decent selection of craft beers. I was able to find one of my Colorado faves--Breckenridge vanilla porter. The bartender was kind enough to offer a chilled glass. Not enough places extend this basic courtesy. They run a lunch special where you can pick from two items for $7 or three items for $10. I selected the 1/2 grilled cheese, a cup of their featured soup and a side of German potato salad. The soup was a broccoli beer cheddar. This soup was creamy and balanced well. Actual cuts of broccoli were present... The bread on the sandwich was toasted well and the bacon was crisp. German potato salad didn't have as much vinegar as I'm used to, but certainly wasn't a disqualifying factor. Only downside is they close between 2pm and 4pm. The bartender invited me to stay as they were occupied with a little league team, but I thought it would be impolite. The bartender checked in at least twice, another employee checked in, and was thanked on my way out the door. Zero complaints; I'll be back next time I'm in town. read more

Cooper's on 5th - Pick three lunch. From L to R: German potato salad, broccoli beer cheese soup, and half a grilled cheese. - New American Near Me - West Des Moines, Iowa