Founders Irish Pub in Bondurant is one of our regular midpoint stops on bicycle adventures, and overall it is still a place we enjoy coming back to. The patio is nice, the location is great, and the weekly specials and prices are still fair. On this visit, I believe we got some complimentary chips and salsa, and I ordered the Southwest Eggrolls for $9.99. The eggrolls were awesome. Most of the time we are here more for drinks, sunshine, and a patio break than a full meal, but the food we have had has been good. That said, Founders can be a little hit or miss. Service really depends on who is working, and the patio and patio games are starting to feel a little tired. I get it -- good help is hard to find, and it is probably tough to predict how busy any given night will be. We forgive you, and we will likely be back again and again. My honest note to ownership would be this: take a close look at the place and do not let it slip much further toward the "dive bar" category. The location is a gold mine, especially for cyclists and patio people. A little freshening up outside and some staff training on drink making and beer selection would go a long way. Still a good stop, still fair prices, and still a place we will keep coming back to -- just hoping it gets a little love before it slides too far. read more

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This place has gone steadily downhill over the last few years. Was one of our favorite stops on the trails, no more. Today was the last time. We sat down and waited 10 minutes to get anyone to stop by our table. All the while we watched the servers stop and drop shots off for a big table, watch them consume their shots, cleared their table, then walk away from us again. We left. Never had a server acknowledge us. And it wasn't busy. A similar experience happened last season and we gave them yet another shot. Really sad to see a great location like this turn away previous happy clients. read more

Walked up to the bar. Some dude in a Bruins hat said he'd be with me in a minute but never came back. The other two bartenders ignored me and helped other people who came up after me. ETA: My friends ordered two appetizers. Only one showed up with the food runner saying they would be out shortly. These never materialized. Bondy sucks if you're an outsider, apparently. Had a similar experience at Reclaimed Rails once too. read more

4 of us went here for dinner on a Sunday evening. We were the only customers in the place until a couple showed up and sat at the bar. The restaurant was cold, we all kept our coats on. The waffle fries were very good, but the other food was average or below. I had wings and they had a very fishy smell and taste to them. I had to dip them in extra ranch to eat them. The service was also poor, after waiting to have our drinks refilled (and get more ranch) we finally got the waitresses attention, but she clearly should have checked on us sooner. She apologized for "chatting" with her coworkers. I'm a pretty fast eater, but the food got cold before I finished. Overall not a good experience. read more

Stopped for lunch during a bike ride & sat outside. It was nice with the umbrella. We shared a grinder--some places will cut it in half but we had to use a plastic knife. The grinder was good & had plenty of meat. I thought it was a bit salty but friend didn't notice. Fries were tasty. The waitress was the only worker & did a good job of keeping up. The table could've used a good scrub. Menus could use a refresh. We had plastic silverware--perhaps a change post Covid? A nice stop off the bike path. read more

Founders Irish Pub - Grinder & fries - Pubs Near Me - Bondurant, Iowa

Patio, Summerfest, party of a 10-25... our people roam. Anyhow, the patio was nice, umbrellas for shade. String lights lit up at dark. Service was phenomenally good. As busy as they were, these girls were slinging food and drinks without missing a beat. Onto food. I swore years ago I would never eat here again, but I was hungry and didn't want to drink on an empty stomach. Turkey bacon ranch wrap and a side salad. Perfect. It was so fresh and light and just delicious. Very unexpected. I'm not a drinker really, so it'll be years before I go back up there, but seriously, they've improved tremendously. read more

Kenzies service was top notch! Took the time to chat with my group that had a 21st birthday. Such a sweet girl. Really made me feel welcome and was able to connect with her read more

This place serves some surprisingly good food. Come summer, I will definitely be back to visit when hitting up the bike trails. A group of us came on a Sunday and we had great service. The music was obnoxiously loud for a Sunday afternoon. It's fine if it was 9pm and the person serving us was gratious enough to turn it down when we asked. The craft beer is disappointingly limited. They didn't have an Iowa beers on tap, cans or bottles. They have a large, remodeled upstairs for parties, with its own bar and bathrooms. Definitely worth looking into. The food descriptions were a bit descriptive. The Sunday special said 3 egg omelet. This definitely wss not it. It also mentions a Bloody Mary Bar, but we didn't see one and it was a very basic bloody mary. The hashbrowns was just a triangle like Arby's served. Even though the descriptions are a bit deceptive, it still tasted good. Kudos to the cook and server who held down the fort that day. read more

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Workers were so awesome very inviting and nice. Drinks were amazing along with great selection of beer. I had the French dip and I loved it. Only giving 4 stars because there was a weird guy in the corner of the bar staring and harassing a bartender whenever he took a break from choking down crown shots and awkwardly making noises while following people around. Other than that guy this place is a true gem. read more

I'll keep it simple. I love Founders. They have Strongbow on tap. If you're a biker and bicyclist, you're very welcome here. They have amazing staff, amazing bar food, and a great patio. Per my picture, it may get a little rough here at some point. They need to fix that stall door. read more

Founders Irish Pub - Bathroom. No number 2 for you! - Pubs Near Me - Bondurant, Iowa

Bondurant has but two bars, so locals can't be picky, but this place is a DUMP. Cig butts litter the entrance area, and the entrance looks like it's been used for a toilet. I've had my credit card abused twice, and I'm not the only one to complain about that. Not going back. read more

I've eaten here once and it was pretty good!. I opened a branch of a business in Bondurant and since then have tried to call in a lunch order 3 times, and no one answers between 11;30 and 1 pm. Pretty disappointing! So we have gone to Spectator's in Altoona at Adventureland instead. read more

Good environment, good food, fun servers and not too far off the main road...easy to get to

Founders is a great stop for us on the bike trail in Bondurant. Have been here a few times and always sit on the patio area. They have pretty good pub style food here. The Pot Roast sandwich is really great here, great flavor on everything. My wife has got a chicken Caesar wrap here, solid choice and always gets some homemade ranch with it. I also tried the breaded tenderloin, good too. The service at times is hit or miss on the patio. A good place with good food. read more

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This dive bar has, in my opinion, the best Rueben in the metro area. Also nickcole was a delight to be served by and my Guinness was poured properly. Sometimes it gets over crowded due to the bike trail but otherwise service is always on point. If you are looking to bar hop be sure to stop here!!! read more

We were in the mood for some day drinking and stopped in for some cocktails. Great mixed drinks and chill atmosphere. The juke box was playing great hits and not too loud. I recommend the pepper jack cheese bites and the fried pickes those are some of the best I've had. Not too much to this place other than your typical bar/pub. read more

Founders Irish Pub - Pubs Near Me - Bondurant, Iowa

Such good service, the man Tyler Kelly behind the bar was the greatest bartender I have ever had. This man is all over the place, getting everyone involved. Will go out of my way to come back to this establishmen!! read more

A rare find close to Des Moines. Well worth the short drive. The Guinness is great. Not all taps are equal, Founders has excellent quality. The Ruben was tasty. I am looking forward to returning. A nice menu reasonable prices. read more

Founders Irish Pub - Pubs Near Me - Bondurant, Iowa

We came to the patio tonight with a big group of friends. Music was so loud we couldn't hear each other. Asked to turn down music 12 times and Manager said it was Friday night. Megan was a great waitress, but Manager needs to buy a bigger pair if pants. Skinny jeans don't look good! Our group left because we couldn't hear each other. We were planning on closing the bar. We will not be returning. VERY DISAPPOINTING!! LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEW BAR TO OPEN. read more

Stopped after riding the trail today, will NOT stop again. We arrived approximately 10 to 15 minutes before another couple, before they order she asks how long it would take to receive their order, they received their order before ours and were done eating before we even received ours. WRONG in every way!! It needs a good deep cleaning!!! read more

Great food and service! Breaded pork tenderloin is amazing!! First visit today and we'll definitely be back :)

I use to come to Founders all the time, being a local resident, but at a few weeks ago some friends from Arkansas came to hangout and have some beers. Well, by the end of the night as we were leaving, one of the employees came out screaming at my buddies calling them hillbillies and saying they didn't tip so the next time he saw them he would beat their ass. I have yet to step foot back in Founders and I don't think I ever will again. We were not messy, and all left a tip. Regardless, no one deserves the disrespect that was given to us by a employee. If I could put 0 stars I would. It use to be my favorite bar in the Des Moines area but I will no longer recommend anyone going there, let alone stepping foot in that bar. read more

The name of this sports bar is very misleading. There is nothing Irish about this bar. It was extremely load and could use a good cleaning. The wait staff was not on it, asked for napkins when our appetizer showed up and didn't get any til the dinner was delivered. The food was your basic bar fair will never go out of my way to go to this place again. It was a disappointment. read more

Stopped in for a pint and cheese curds.. Not another soul in there other than the bar tender and her boyfriend. Good selection of tap beer, cheese curds good, but could not help but think we were interrupting her private party. She was content to sit with her feet up with her boy toy rather than tend to the bar read more

Founders Irish Pub - Pubs Near Me - Bondurant, Iowa

Love when bars have pool tables! Fun atmosphere, quick drink refills, and great service!

If you like bar fights and employees that sit and watch, this is the place for you. If you want a place to eat and drink and feel safe getting a buzz, this is not the place for you. Could be a cool place with all new employees and different regulars that aren't looking to punch and run. read more

On a rain delay from jv football we dropped in. Very clean, neat, great service. Has a nice patio.Appetizers were delicious! A Great find. We will be back. read more

Food was awful, service was even worse. Smoking on the patio which I believe is against Iowa law. We will never return.

I Love this place. Great staff and our door patio. I've never had a bad meal here and I've tried just about everything. Just wrapped up a meal with 30 people and the service was flawless. A hidden gem in bondurant. read more

Back again. We SO want to like this place. Sat on the patio this time hoping for a better experience. The male server asked what we were drinking and we asked for a drink menu. Quick response of we don't have one. We asked what they have. Quick response of 'everything.' Ok smarty, apparently you don't like your job and you are trying to make your customers (paying your salary) mad. #1: you don't have everything. #2: your bartender pours an improper Guinness. With a name like Founders (look it up, not original) you should know how to pour a proper Guinness. IF it weren't for being here with a larger party of people I would have left. I was looking to have a decent time in a friendly environment in which none of that happened. Too bad, as the building is nice and the patio is great. Oh, the smokers hanging out right by the front door... another negative. Patrons don't want smoke in their faces as they enter and exit the building. We won't be returning which is too bad as the food here can be decent. There are too many other places to frequent who want us there. So long Founders. Good luck to you. read more

Awesome wings and burgers. Also the egg rolls/pepper jack cheese balls never fail. It does tend to get loud, however waitstaff/bartenders are always on point. read more