Either-Or

Excellent sandwiches…read more I'm so tempted to leave just that two word review, but it's the truth-truth. These guys know what they're doing. Lucky me that I was able to stop by on a Wednesday and try their special sandwich for the day. Ham, pepperoni, salami, two cheeses, fried peppers and more. This sandwich was a masterpiece and the onion bun is a winner! There are so many ways to 'sandwich' at this deli, and I'm very much intrigued by all of the possibilities.

I'm not sure this is a hidden gem but certainly a spot to visit. The food is exceptional. Menu has…read morea wide selection of sandwiches and sides. The ambiance is quaint and takes you back to earlier years when local deli shops were abundant. Service is spot on and friendly. If you are looking for a local deli spot with food that melts in your mouth, this is it.

You wait in line to order & then they call your name for your completed order.

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Paris Banh Mi

4.2(44 reviews)

1.3 mi

I used to love this place when they first open but it been a while since I been back and there are…read morebig changes. The pork patties sandwich looks good and meaty in their pictures so I ordered one but when it came out...2 thin slices of patty and mostly veggies What a disappointment I can't even taste the patty only veggies SORRY sad I won't be back again. See the picture I added, what I wanted versus what I really got

This place is Amazing. Great pho.. sandwiches and slushis!!! Also great service!! I definitely be…read moreback again.

Seating

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Tom Archer’s Poor Man’s Supper Club

4.0(29 reviews)

0.3 mi

Our never-ending quest to seek new and unique dining experiences took us to Tom Archer's for a…read morefamily dinner, and it was a superb experience. Great parking situation led to a positive greeting at the downstairs club, and began a memorable visit. Our server, Brooklyn, was amazing, adding a personal element to her role that made us all more comfortable and informed about our menu decisions. Her personality and awareness rocked. This isn't your usual dining visit or venue. Brilliant decorating, highlighted by old-school wood paneling that might remind you of your grandmother's home, sets the tone. Softer lighting still allows for reading. Loved the historic photos that rim the interior, celebrating the Big Band Era, which Tom Archer was a part of. Piano player throughout our meal, yet at a volume that added rather than interrupted. The menu is creative, varied, and flexible. Began with a bread dish that included a unique, delicious carrot butter. My salad appetizer was full of fresh taste. Absolutely loved my Chicken Pot Pie, a yummy, flaky crust and tasty insides. Oh my, the bar on pot pies was elevated! Enjoyed the Chocolate Mousse dessert! A fun and relaxing meal that exceeded our expectations, thanks for getting it right!

PoorMan's Supper in Valley Junction WDM off Ashworth offered a good entree of Seafood Pasta. The…read moremenu listed additional seafood offerings but all I got was shrimp. The taste was seasoned well -- the portion size was enough to have left overs for a late night snack and the complimentary chocolate cake was richly layered. What made my day was the serve-- Stephanie B. -- my former English student from Hoover High ( 25 years ago) who recognized my voice & smile--- Stephanie was courteous and very customer oriented ensuring my meal was to perfection. The atmosphere was nostalgic noting that the restaurant will take a summer break until September. We'll see you in the Fall!

Tom Archer’s Poor Man’s Supper Club - Bar

Bar

Spinach artichoke dip

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French 75, Easy Eddie IPA

Maccabee's Kosher Deli

4.7(79 reviews)

1.6 mi

It was a BLAST going inside asking questions, looking at items (food/books/jewish items,) and…read moreeating DELICIOUS sandwiches. The corn beef on challah is a keeper with pickles and we shall be back to eat and shop again. Hoping to try the matzah ball soup which looked super good but it was too hot outside to order. All three people helping were wonderful to us...see you again soon.

So thrilled to enjoy a Kosher deli in Des Moines! The owner was welcoming, helpful when asked for…read morerecommendations, and prepared a delicious lunch platter!!!

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A Taste of Italy

4.6(88 reviews)

2.2 mi

Hands down one of the BEST sandwiches I've ever had! I've had the pleasure of eating at A Taste of…read moreItaly three times now, and they've been packed every single time, which tells you something! The Gandolfini is one of my favorites. The bread is incredibly fresh, the meats and cheese are delicious, and they definitely don't skimp. Everything just tastes fresh and made with care. And don't skip the pasta salad...it's delicious too! Beyond the food, I love the genuine Italian hospitality. You feel welcomed when you walk in, and that kind of experience does not go unnoticed. A Taste of Italy is one of those places I look forward to every time I'm back in Iowa. If you haven't been, GO. You won't be disappointed!

First time trying this little Italian spot! I ordered the Godfather sandwich with meatball,…read morecapocollo, and sweet peppers, along with a side of pasta salad. The sandwich was okay, but nothing I was crazy about. Maybe I just need to try a different one next time. The pasta salad was also just okay in my opinion. It was a little oily and could have used more of that Italian dressing flavor. I grabbed a Scotcharoo on the way out, too! Overall, I'd definitely come back and give another sandwich a try. The prices are very reasonable, and it seems like a great spot to grab a quick, affordable lunch!

Inside seating

Midwesterner

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Charlotte's Kitchen

4.3(18 reviews)

1.2 mi

I have been to the Johnston location a few times and have always had a great meal with great…read moreservice. My boyfriend and I typically get the Crab Rangoon sandwich. It is the perfect balance of flavors and great for crab Rangoon lovers. One thing I love about this place are all the options! You can get fried or grilled chicken and can choose a sandwhich, salad, or wrap. There's something for everyone. I would also recommend to watch their social media pages as they offer rotating weekly sandwiches.

Review of the latest rating of a chicken sandwich since I pride myself as a southern that knows…read morechicken. Of course many have selective taste and the spices used as well as custom play a huge role. The greeting was friendly and upbeat. The surround decor was clean and mod with character. Parking was easy spacious and plentiful in with a wrap around drive thru. At issue is the price $$ for a batter dipped piece of chicken or crab Rangoon that was a tad salty, but flavorful. Would I take a road trip for another taste of what I can find in the Des Moines area probably not, but you may want to give it a try.

Nice decor

Crispy Deep Fried Chicken Sandwich Combo $$

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#1 combo

McAlister's Deli

4.3(43 reviews)

3.2 mi

Great. I door dashed The Rueben with potato salad…read more The sandwich was great Potato salad just ok The unsweetened TEA IS THE BEST AROUND thank you

They try to serve things fresh They are consistent with…read morequality in all there locations. I usually go to a late lunch here it seems to.be less crowded and parking is easier. Everyone is understaffed, so I always appreciate the service staff who are working. Remember they're busy because they're good. Staff have always tried to make sure I am happy I usually get a half salad half sandwich. The restrooms were clean and well.stocked. They make a real effort.to make sure the tables are clean and ready to go

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Jersey Mike's Subs

3.5(36 reviews)

3.7 mi

We volunteered for special Olympics there and they make the best sandwiches definitely recommendread more

My sister and I came to visit my mother in Des Moines and we decided we wanted Jersey Mikes for…read moredinner. Tonight has been my worst experience by far at any food place I have ever been to. We placed our order through the app as of 5:16pm. It said it would be ready by 5:30pm. I know it takes longer to make gluten free sandwiches because they have to clean the grill so I did not arrive until 5:45pm to pick up my food. When I got there hardly any customers were in the store. 2 people were in line to order and 2 people were standing waiting for doordash. I ended up waiting a few moments before asking if my order was ready around 5:50pm. They checked and found it had not even been started yet and that it was quite a few tickets behind the others for the grill. I was told it would be about 10 minutes by the kid who was working the register. The kid then went to check if he had told me correct by the guy on the grill. The guy went to check my ticket and started laughing saying, "yeah good luck with that. It's got gluten free. Its gonna be awhile." He then proceeded to make 8 sandwiches and none of them were mine. I had doordash drivers and other online pickup customers come in after me who received there food before me. I watched the guy on the grill move tickets that were behind mine forward. Someone obviously made a conscious decision not to fill my order in a timely manner because of the gluten free sandwiches. At 6:05pm I watched the guy on the grill finally start cleaning the grill. By 6:10pm he started making 2 gluten free sandwiches. And did not pay attention to the fact that #65 was not supposed to have jalepenos and yet seem to have a ton of them on the sandwich. By 6:21pm all sandwiches were done. The manager (Jasmine) tried to hand a cookie off to me and another customer who had been waiting almost as long as me. But considering I cannot eat it nor does that make up for waiting nearly an hour from the time my food was supposed to be ready I did not want it. The manager seemed to have a chip on her shoulder and kept throwing hateful looks towards my mother and me after we would not accept her offer. She then went back behind the counter pulled out her phone, messed with it for a bit then pulled some vouchers out. She offered us 2 of them for our 3 sandwiches. My mother would have accepted it as is if there would have been an apology attached with it. There was not. She thought it was more reasonable to have 3 vouchers since our order was for 3 sandwiches and the manager disagreed. All sandwiches were put in the same bag. I specifically put special instructions on my order for the gluten free sandwiches to be put in a seperate bag. I have never had any trouble with this at any other store. The manager said, "We don't do that." I explained that I have asked at other stores and had no problem. I was then told by the manager "Well you don't have to come here. You can go to another store. And you can leave." I feel like this was a personal attack and discriminatory against me due to my food allergies and I do not appreciate it. I was not asking for anything special just for the considerations that I know are in place by this company. Jersey Mike's as a company has practices in place to accommodate customers with food allergies but this employee seems to have decided to not provide your typical great service because of it.

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Cooper's on 5th

4.5(229 reviews)

0.8 mi

What a great cozy place. Great menu. Drink menu is fun as well. Great options on appetizers. Had…read moresome ham/brie eggrolls!

My experience here has been mixed. The food is pub style and solid. Service is mixed. And in some…read morecases the food just falls flat. Expect a "fine" experience.

Limited seating

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Smokey Row

4.0(7 reviews)

0.2 mi

In the market for a quick fresh and savory chicken salad sandwich. The drive thru at Smoky Row is…read morequick and efficient. The wait staff delivers the correct order each time and are very pleasant while hoping you would return again. If it is a quick stop you can enter and sit in their small lovely upscale dining area which gives you the comfy vibe of home.

Had a training for work on my day off today and asked my husband to grab me an oat milk hazelnut…read morelatte with no whip from Smokey row and he did. It was my first time trying their lattes from this location and I was impressed. It was the perfect balance of the coffee and hazelnut syrup. I love when it's not overly sweet and you can still taste the coffee. The drive thru service was quick and easy. Also really affordable for a delicious coffee. Ambiance seems chill and it's connected to a Hyvee fast and fresh gas station. Definitely recommend this place.

Chicken Pot Pie!

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Drive Up Window!

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6 reviews that are not currently recommended

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Preston M.

3 years ago

My experience at Either / Or left much to be desired, to say the least. The food was a disappointment from start to finish, with flavors that were severely lacking in seasoning and excitement. Everything seemed bland and uninspired, as if the chef had forgotten to add any semblance of flavor to the dishes. The pork belly I ordered, which should have been a highlight, arrived soggy and far from crispy as promised. It was a sad excuse for what should have been a decadent and indulgent dish. Despite enduring just a few bites of this lackluster meal, I made sure to inform the staff of the poor quality during their initial check-in after the food was delivered. However, much to my dismay, the bill remained unaltered. It's disheartening to see such disregard for customer satisfaction, especially when the experience fell so far below expectations. Overall, my visit to Either / Or was a regrettable one, leaving me with a bitter taste in my mouth - both figuratively and literally. Co-worker had the same experience. read more

Mike L.

150

3 years ago

My wife ordered a Prosecco that they were out of so they substituted a more expensive Spritz. The Mexican Cheese Curds were over-salted. The Salmon Salad was over-salted. The Corned Beef was over-salted. The Fries were over-salted. I asked the waitress if they had a military discount. She said yes and that she would go apply it. She came back with the same bill which I paid. I called the owner from home who said they don't have a military discount. I wrote a scathing review on yelp and he had it removed by lying and saying I worked for him. The review is now posted on every review site I can find. I have never returned since September and would recommend that all military personnel boycott this restaurant. read more

Brian K.

3 years ago

Amazing if you have kids! I can't believe there aren't more places like this. The patio/fire pits/park make for a great family friendly atmosphere, while the indoor areas/bar are calmer and more relaxed. Food was great, service was quick and friendly. I wouldn't have left if it hadn't been for baby bedtime. RIP. Definitely will be back. Looking forward to some drinks and apps on the patio. read more

Katheryn R.

3 years ago

What a delightful experience! If you're looking for a place where your little ones can frolic while you unwind with a drink and some delicious food, look no further! The kids had an absolute blast, and I couldn't have been happier with the fantastic selection and reasonable prices. Highly recommended for families seeking a relaxed outing with great food and drinks! read more

Patty B.

3 years ago

A few wrinkles to work out here,, but will give them another chance in a few months. Either I will, Or I won't.....

Briana P.

279

2 years ago

Management didn't seem to support their own employees. Stand up for them. They're who makes your business money.

Either-Or - salad - Updated November 2026

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Shirley's Bar & Grill

3.3

(26 reviews)

Had a late dinner here last night. Atmosphere was fun and service was prompt. Loved my salad and my…read morecompanion enjoyed the wings. Will come again.

4.0* (out of 5) Food: 3* Atmosphere: 5* Value: 4*…read more Service: 5* Would I go back / Recommend?: 4* (Probably) Total check/person: $38 06/14/2025 We stopped here for drinks last weekend with our son who lives nearby, so when it was my turn to choose a place to eat after Mass tonight I thought we'd give it a try. We enjoyed the music from the 70s and 80s last time and in addition to that, they had a live band tonight and the place was pretty full, so we sat at the bar. They try hard to say they aren't a sports bar (on the back of the shirts on all the wait staff), so I asked a bartender what they were then if they weren't a sports bar. After discussing the 70s / 80s theme, we ended up getting a history lesson. We were told that Shirley was the original name of the town of Waukee, but it was changed after lobbying from the Milwaukee Railroad that came through town to name it after them. The Waukee website gives a slightly different take...saying Gen. Reid of the Des Moines Valley Railroad stated that the 'powers that be' in the railroad office in Keokuk insisted that it should have an Indian appellation, and hence Waukee it had to be. For dinner, my wife ordered the French Dip with tots (see picture) and I opted for The Rachel with cottage cheese (see picture). While I really enjoyed the Rachel - great taste with the smoked turkey and nicely toasted bread, my wife and I agreed that the French Dip and tots were average bar food at best. I didn't like the bread, the size of the tots were smaller than average...leaving mostly breading and she asked for Ranch to dip them in and instead received some type of sweet homemade sauce. Overall, I liked this place - especially the drinks, service and 70s/80s music and theme. If you found this review helpful, please show your appreciation with a Like or a Follow.

Flying Mango

4.4

(459 reviews)

Food is always amazing. The staff is top notch! Their smoked meat is the best in Des Moines.read more

4.2* (out of 5) Food: 4* Atmosphere: 4* Value: 4*…read more Service: 5* Would I go back / Recommend?: 4* (Probably) Total check/person: $61 10/23/2026 My brother-in-law was staying with us, is a meat lover and the new owner had reached out to me about being listed on my other web site (www.happyhourdesmoines), so seemed like a great opportunity to get back to the Flying Mango. Followers will know that my wife and I like to enjoy a cocktail while we unwind and wait for our orders and tonight was no different. We ordered the Mango Margarita (see picture) and Pumpkin Patch Margarita (see picture)...followed later in the meal by a Spicy Margarita (see picture) and a Backyard Bonfire Old Fashioned. I honestly wasn't sure what to expect from the Pumpkin Patch Margarita. While the first taste didn't put it high on my likes list - by the end, I was actually enjoying it, as it wasn't super sweet and the pumpkin flavoring wasn't overpowering. Since there were 3 of us and we all enjoy trying things, we decided to sample three different appetizers - Muscle Beach Mussels, Tacos of the Day and Quesadilla of the Day (see pictures of each). We really liked all 3, with my personal favorite being the Tacos of the Day (I love street tacos with corn shells). I also really liked the buttery, tangy lime flavor of the broth that came on the mussels, so saved the extra to add to my Lime & Garlic Chicken (more on that later...). For our main courses, my brother-in-law ordered the Redneck Surf-n-Turf (see picture), my wife ordered the Shrimp & Grits (see picture) as this has been a favorite of hers on previous visits and I opted for the Lime & Garlic Chicken (see picture). While my wife and I love this place and want to see it succeed, I have to admit that all of our main courses were a bit of a disappointment relative to previous visits and how we had built it up for our guest. While the chicken itself was tender and moist in the Lime & Garlic Chicken, the dish was quite bland to my tastes and I wasn't a fan of the chicken noodle soup-like broth served with it. This was my own fault though. I ordered it thinking it would be lighter than some of the other options following several appetizers, then when writing this review saw that I stated that I would not order that dish again in my 2023 review. Lesson Learned - read my own reviews when I go back to a restaurant - and for the record, I would not recommend the Lime & Garlic Chicken (and will try to remember not to order it again myself...)! As to the other main dishes, my wife is a huge butter fan and while her comment from our 2024 visit was that it was quite rich (which she likes) - this time she commented that it was not very rich and seemingly had a lot of the butter removed. My brother-in-law shared some of the catfish from his plate and we all thought it tasted great. The ribs were a bit overdone and dry to his taste and upon reading my 2023 review, see that we had made the same comment then.

The Soggy Frog Marina Bar

3.8

(6 reviews)

We are loving this new restaurant on the lake this summer. The double deck is so much fun!…read more We've been about three times. Had the Buffalo flat bread the first time. Would get it again. Husband had the Club and liked it but found the sweet potato tots too soggy. Started with coconut shrimp the second and third visit. We will be ordering these every time. About 6 or 7 come in an order: Tried the pretzel as an appetizer (4 long sticks to an order) too on our third visit and everyone enjoyed them. It came with a side of cheese. Burger was solid. Not Lachele's level, but delicious. Would order again. French fries are also solid. The dish we found most impressive was the Shrimp Taco Bowl which my husband and I both ordered on our third visit. Yum! Tasted fresh and healthier than other options . Service was friendly enough every time. Keep up the great work, Soggy Frog!

We have been to The Soggy Frog twice now, and it is already a huge upgrade for the Saylorville Lake…read moreMarina area. It is a casual marina bar and rooftop restaurant with lake views, drinks, food, live music, and a fun summer atmosphere. One visit we drove in, and the next time we rode bicycles. Both times, parking was a little crazy, but honestly, that is partly because they were busy -- and it is nice to see a place like this doing well. The drinks have been good, and the food menu is on point, even if it leans a little spendy. We shared nachos on one visit and a burger on the next, and both were good. This is definitely the kind of place where you can stop after boating, meet friends, or make it a destination from Des Moines or the bike trails. The service has mostly been very good. The staff seem young, eager, and friendly. The only awkward moment was when I was served a warm beer, and we watched an upstairs bartender get pretty harsh with our server before replacing it with a cold one. The beer was fixed, but it was kind of uncomfortable to watch. Other than that, the service has been solid. On our first visit, they had live music, and the new setup is so much better than the old arrangement at the marina. The whole place feels like it has the potential to become a long-standing summer tradition here. We will definitely be back. I am curious to see what winter looks like for this place, but for summer at the marina, The Soggy Frog is already a very welcome addition.

Brazil Terra Grill

3.8

(152 reviews)

•$$$

As always, had a great family dining experience @ BTG. Great food, great atmosphere and most…read moreimportantly great service by server Kilder and manager Jefferson. Definitely recommend this unique Des Moines restaurant. It's definitely an excellent experience.

We came here to try something new for our anniversary. I'd read through reviews, which were very…read moremixed, and decided to see for ourselves. We've been to Fogo du Chao, which is definitely a very upscale version of this style of restaurant. With the understanding that you get what you pay for, we did not expect something that fancy. Still, this was an expensive indulgence for us - we did not order alcohol or dessert, having only fountain pop and the full churrasco experience. For two people, this was over $100. We live a ways north of Ames, so we had over an hour drive to come. Unfortunately, we were disappointed over all. First, the good: plenty of parking, very clean, cute, spacious - it was not busy, so not noisy. The service was quick and efficient but impersonal. We never had to wait for a drink refill, but never had a, "my name is, and I'll be your server today" kind of person. Everything was very clean. Second, the negatives: We prefer to follow a keto/carnivore-ish eating pattern, so I was very excited to go to a place that seemed to emphasize meats. We did visit the salad bar at first, just to see what was there. We sampled a few of the offerings - the cucumber salad had literally no discernible dressing of any kind. A tomato salad was mushy and mealy. My husband tried the cheesy mashed potatoes and said they were dry and lacking in flavor. There was a pasta alfredo, but the alfredo sauce was ridiculously watery. The meats, when they came, were merely okay. I don't prefer chicken, but the chicken was good, well seasoned and well cooked, and not too dry. The pork selections were gristly and tough. The beef selections - when they got to our table - were also tough and unseasoned. I like beef in almost any style, and this was okay, but nothing unique or delicious. I could have cooked it better at home. Nothing caramelized or crispy on the outside. Often, we would see the beef come out, and by the time they made a small loop in the restaurant, it was gone before they got to our table. We only got steak once, though we were offered chicken, pork and sausage several times. We had the barbeque beef, and this also was a nice flavor, but this beef was overcooked and very tough. Overall, this was not worth the money to us. I am sad, because I like this style of restaurant, and it is the only one in Des Moines, and I really want it to succeed. However, I've had better salad bar selections in variety and freshness at Chinese buffets, and I could get a huge, delicious steak and grilled shrimp at Texas Roadhouse, Outback Steakhouse, etc., for a fraction of the price. I cannot, in good conscience, recommend this to anyone.

Allora Cafe

4.7

(11 reviews)

Wow! Such a casual and unique restaurant right across from a cute park! There was easy street…read moreparking, and the owner and waiters were incredibly friendly. The fresh-made pasta and sauces were definitely evident in my meal--absolutely delicious! My meatball pasta had an incredible basil flavor, which I loved. I added extra Parmesan, and wow, it made it even better. The meatballs were also very tender. I'd come back infinitely if I lived here! You absolutely must try this place, and they have BIG portions, which is always a plus. I also loved that the entire building was made of glass, so you could see everything outside while you ate. Such a great little spot!

This is such a unique restaurant located on Grand Avenue near the sculpture park. I've been wanting…read moreto try this place for a while but they're only open for lunch during the week, so that makes it kind of difficult. My husband and I were both free for lunch so we decided today was the day. The restaurant is on the ground floor of the Krause Gateway Center downtown. It looks very stark and modern with all the walls made of glass. That also allows for so much natural light to pour inside. It's pretty bare inside with mostly minimalistic tables and chairs. There's not much decoration and it gives the vibe of a casual place for lunch or a business lunch. The menu is small but everything on it sounded great. They have a nice selection of sandwiches, panini sandwiches, salads and pasta. I got the Italian Beef à la Rocky sandwich. It was very good but I would have preferred a little more giardiniera than what was on it. It came with chips and soup or salad. I got the soup which was carrot and ginger. It was good but I didn't think the ginger flavor was that noticeable. I tasted it every once in a while when I bit into a bit of crystallized ginger. My husband got the Allora meatball pasta and he loved it. The meatball was tender and moist and the sauce had a lot of spice and good flavor to it. Our server was super friendly and helpful. She recommended the meatball pasta when my husband couldn't decide between that and another entree. It was an excellent choice. I like that she knew the menu well. She was very friendly and gracious and treated us like friends. She even gave each of us a free cookie. I wish they were open for dinner so we could come more often. This is such a hidden gem.

Five Points

4.3

(8 reviews)

We got tired of the regular places in our town, so we drove to the next town and found this place…read more Very unassuming on the exterior, but warm and inviting inside. It has kind of a Wisconsin bar feel. Country music playing on one tv, hunting shows on another. The walls are covered with fun signs and memorabilia. Everyone who works here is extremely friendly and pleasant to chat with. And they have fun! Every Friday they have a Features menu. I'm told it always has prime rib and some kind of fish special, and some kind of chicken special. I saw someone with the prime rib...it looked amazing. We had the jalapeño moz sticks. They were really good. A touch of heat with great jalapeño flavor. The pork tenderloin sandwich was good, not greasy at all. The last thing we had was the Chislic...deep fried cubes of meat. Again, not greasy at all. A bit salty tho. But good, and more importantly, something different. The bar setup and offerings are pretty good. Prices are good. I'm super excited we found this place and will be back to try the prime rib.

Random stop in a small town. Pleasantly surprised on the cleanliness and decor (old history) on the…read moreinside. Went around 6pm, and wasn't busy. Seated ourselves. Was served right away and got our drink orders and food. Onion rings were recommended. Very good and thin and crispy. Had to try the bison quesadillas because it's different. It was ground bison. I loved the fresh bell peppers. Not too much different from ground beef. They weren't burnt, although the pic looks way brown. Decent overall. Staff was busy, but attentive. Kept our drinks full and checked on us throughout. Fun little stop if you're in the area. Very decently priced!!! Especially drinks. Love the small town prices.

Buzzard Billy's

3.9

(439 reviews)

He got the Cajun platter and I have burnt ends po' boy!I have never been here before, and I am OVER…read moreTHE MOON happy with this meal! We will DEFINITELY be back! Michael is our server and he is so sweet. He was so helpful with giving me feedback on what to try. I inhaled that entire plate! We will MOST DEFINITELY be back. Service, atmosphere, food, ALL 10/10!

May 4, 2026. Monday. Dinner…read more 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.

9th Street Smash & Tap

4.7

(6 reviews)

This place has great burgers and chicken tenders! Everything is house made and you can tell! Love…read morethis spot so much! They used to do trivia which was a lot of fun. Keep this place going Adel needs it!! Yay to amazing smash burgers!!!

4.4* (out of 5) Food: 5* Atmosphere: 4* Value: 4*…read more Service: 4* Would I go back / Recommend?: 5* (Definitely) Total check/person: $21 06/12/2025 Several of my wife's co-workers have recommended this place for a while and we got the chance to try it out tonight with our neighbors. We loved the look and feel as we walked up to the building and felt that the overall experience was well above average. Our only 'beef' was that most of the unique beers listed on their table menus were not available - tap options were limited to a few domestic beers, which was disappointing for restaurant with "Tap" in its name. The perfect evening on the patio and quality of the food offset this disappointment though. For our dinners, I ordered the Smachos (see picture) and asked to have them delivered as an appetizer - as I wasn't that hungry. My wife and one of our neighbors each ordered Tenderloins (see pictures). All of the food was delicious and highly recommended. We especially enjoyed the Smachos, which had pieces of their smash burger included in the toppings and were fantastic for sharing. While it is a bit off the beaten path for those of you living in Des Moines, it is only about 10 minutes to the West on a divided highway. We found the peaceful charm of the shaded patio next to the brick street out front contributed to a nice dinner with our friends and enjoyed the stop. If you found this review helpful, please show your appreciation with a Like or a Follow. Photos copyright: happyhourdesmoines.com & thefoodanddrinkguy.com

Early Bird - West Des Moines

4.4

(369 reviews)

Three animals contributed to my breakfast this morning. The chicken provided the eggs, the hog…read moreprovided the meat, and the cow provided the cheese. If you put these three in a conference room for a day, they couldn't draw it up any better than what Early Bird delivered on my plate this morning. Service with a smile, coffee hot just like I like it, and Rick Astley playing on the speakers. Good morning, West Des Moines!

Came for breakfast on a Saturday morning. Called ahead and were seated right when we arrived. Staff…read morewere friendly and attentive. The Cinny-Bobs were fantastic. Crispy outside, fluffy inside, with a sweet (but not overly sweet) cream for dipping. The Choripollo Hash was perfect. The chicken and chorizo were seasoned well. Peppers, onions, jalapeños, and potatoes smothered in queso, sour cream, and pico made for a perfect bite, every time. I would recommend this place to anybody. Prices were very fair. I will absolutely be back.

The Urban Grill

4.0

(220 reviews)