Low-key spot with a clean setup, chill vibe, and a menu that keeps it simple--straight Southern comfort without overcomplicating it. Chicken and catfish came out hot, crispy, and full of flavor. That first bite hits--seasoning on point, crunch where it needs to be, and not greasy. Definitely the stars of the plate. Mac and cheese was smooth, creamy, and cheesy. Solid, but if you're used to that baked, crust-on-top style, it's missing that extra layer. Cornbread did the job, but a little on the dry side. Could use more moisture to really balance everything out. Overall: good food, good portions, and solid flavors. Not perfect, but definitely a spot worth running back for--especially if you're craving fried chicken or catfish done right. Service was quick and easy. read more

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Ordered my all time favorite "Catfish" with a helping of collard greens, jalapeño corn and sweet potatoes which were tremendously tasty. The wait staff was efficient in taking my order and the owner delivered my front pick up order with a gracious smile in an atmosphere that was totally relaxing. Stop in and try the "Chicken Wings" they are also delicious. read more

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Wish we would have found this hidden gem a little sooner. Took a friend out the other night and we all had not been there yet. We came in on a week night. I remember the restaurant that was here prior. Silverware in plastic and paper place mats on the table. There is a TV in the corner and only few visible staff. The interior is not what you are here for so move on and focus on the menu. We sat ourselves and ordered an appetizer of fried pickle spears. While we waited another staff member brought out a little basket with fresh biscuits with melted butted cascading down them. They make my mouth water just thinking about them. We asked the waitress a couple quick questions of the menu and moved on to order the fried catfish dinner. You get your pick of sides and with the recommendation of the waitress got the Mac and cheese. The other side was the sweet potatoes. Our table also order the Turkey strips with coleslaw and jalapeno corn. The fried pickles came out piping hot with a little container or ranch. I of course about burnt my tongue diving into them with a satisfying crunch in every bite. The rest of the food, cause I tried it all, is a celebration of Southern comfort food, bringing together a perfect balance of textures and flavors. The meal is a delightful mix of savory, salty, and tangy tastes. It started to get a little busy as we were in there. To go orders and people coming in. The other staff came out and checked on us multiple times. Overall great experience and I want to go back and try more! read more

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Absolutely delicious!!! 10/10, no notes! Everything is amazing, and the fried okra is something I now dream about. Even better, the staff is so nice and friendly! We love this place!! read more

We have been wanting to try this since they moved. I am originally from rural West Virginia, my wife's family originally from not too far away. I grew up with one sort of southern cuisine, she grew up with another. There are not many places that serve soul food in this town, this may be the best. (there is at least one more we need to go try). We started with the Philly Steak & Cheese Egg Rolls. Creamier than your average Philly Cheese Steak, but with the same glorious flavor, offset by the crunch of the egg roll wrapper. Part one was a rousing success. Then came the main courses. My wife got Chicken Wings, Collard Greens and Jalapeno Corn. The corn is magic. I normally don't like Greens much, but these were magnificent, and the Chicken was juicy and delicious. I had the Meatballs, Potato Salad and Baked Beans. The Potato Salad was summer-y, tangy and perfect. The Baked Beans were unlike any I have ever had. It was a brand new taste for me, and I will have them again when I go back. The Meatballs themselves were quite good, but when you add the BBQ sauce they have to it they spark up and are delicious. You get a lot of food. We had plenty for lunch the next day. The staff are friendly, have a bit of silliness to them. They really seem to care how your evening is going. They are extremely helpful. It's pretty casual, not all that speedy, so take your time, enjoy the conversation with the folks you are with. This is a place to be savored, not to rush through. read more

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greens smell and taste like grease trap, and Okra was double fried and I broke my tooth on a hard piece. great customer service tho. :) read more

Am sad they left from the Southside because it was closer to home, but am glad they found a location they can really grow into. This soul food reminds me of home. You get a lot of food for the price, your main meats with 2 side and bread, it's enough food to eat the next day. It's a small business so if your not ready to wait come back a other day. read more

It's been a long weekend... After I left work this afternoon I decided to visit Good Eatin's on SE 14th for a late lunch. The catfish had come highly recommended by a few friends and I really love a good fried catfish plate. The restaurant is in a small red brick building. The signage makes it easy to spot. There are a few parking spaces up front, but if those are full there is a small lot behind it. Seating is a combination of low top tables and chairs and booths. A few seats in front of the main counter and there's a larger dining area off the Right. It's pretty no frills, but that's okay... Sometimes the magic isn't in "things." I was greeted shortly after I walked in. The woman behind the counter filled me in on the process since I was a first timer here. Good Eatin's is an order at the counter, pay at the counter (cash or cards), and take a seat kind of spot. They bring your food to you at your table when it's ready. You ever meet someone and you just know they have a good soul? Sometimes it's a smile or a look in their eyes... I wish I'd caught her first name... I assume she was the owner...she sure gave off small business owner vibes. They had a mid-afternoon rush that was just ending and other customers were still coming in too. Some take-out and some dine-in. You can tell you're in a true neighborhood restaurant when you can feel the community. I noticed a few hushed conversations and hugs. She had suffered a loss that morning along with some other recent ones in her immediate family... But she was still there keeping her doors open today. I can't imagine... When I write a review a lot of times I probably gloss over things that others might ding. Those little things are in there if you read close enough, but I don't put a spotlight on them. Times like today really bring things into focus and it's why I write a review like I do. It's a much better feeling to build someone up than to tear someone down. Especially when you don't know what that person might be going through at that particular moment. The food. I ordered the fried catfish, collard greens with turkey, mac n cheese, and a lemonade. The wait was short and everything came out hot and fresh. The fried catfish and collard greens with turkey were fantastic! The fried catfish... Served with a Franks style hot sauce. Easily my new favorite catfish in the metro! The collard greens have some spice to them... Just enough to put a mild burn on your lips to let it know it's there. She caught me drinking the juice out of the container the greens came in... It was so good. Lol When it was time to leave I waited to talk to her for a moment. I thanked her for my meal and acknowledged her loss. There's nothing I can do to make things better no matter how much I wish I could. The best I can do is that I can hold her and her family up in my own way. She gave me a couple of wristbands and we parted ways for today... I will be back. If you like southern style soul food I can't recommend Good Eatin's enough. Support our local businesses and help them keep their doors open. https://www.facebook.com/people/Good-Eatins/100066665822247/ read more

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We've tried this place when it was in a different location on the south side, so we were excited for the new location on Douglas. We walked in and two groups were at a table and another at the entrance, waiting for food to go I assume. No sign that says seat yourself but after a minute or two, someone finally came out from the back and told us we could sit down anywhere we like. While sitting, we saw what I assume would be the chef come out and give food to a table and also overhear what they were out of ironically. Another person took care of the to go orders. Then the other table got their food. Within this 10 minute timeframe, not one, not one single person even stopped to get us a drink order, or acknowledge us for that matter We could only wait so long before you decide to leave. It's pretty sad because we've had their food and were looking forward to it, but when you can't even get basic service for a not busy place, I don't see how they will make it. Easy things to fix, but I don't know if they will. It's time to find me another southern food location read more

Good Eatin's - Sign inside the restaurant - Southern Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

The catfish was fried and seasoned to perfection. My 2 sides were red beans with rice, and the collard greens with turkey. Both sides were seasoned in a balanced manner that everyone can enjoy! I got the "punch" for a drink, I haven't had a drink that was perfectly sweetened like this one in a long time. I would love to have this place in HOUSTON, TX. read more

This is a very good restaurant. The food is made with love and it shows. I had chicken tenders and chicken wings with beans and Mac and cheese fodmr my sides. My husband had the catfish with with jalapeño cream corn a d mac and cheese. We dined in. Your order a d pay at the counter and your order is brought to you when ready. The restaurant is small and parking is somewhat challenging. Highly recommend going for a good meal or picking up and taking home. You won't be hungry afterwards. read more

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Above and beyond customer service and food that gave us goosebumps. Every single item we had was true southern deliciousness. read more

Good Eatin's - BBQ meatballs, catfish, collard greens and red beans and rice. - Southern Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

I am so happy they have moved closer. I drove across town to get the best down home cooking in Des Moines . This family are hands on and you feel like you are friends. read more

stopped in for lunch today...place was deserted...sat down at a table, waited about 5 minutes for a server to appear... ordered the bbq meatballs, cornbread and jalapeño corn. meh. apparently they were out of cornbread but i was not offered the chance to select another side. meatballs were definitely made out of meat, jalapeño corn definitely was made out of corn, but neither were anything to cheer about... wife ordered catfish, red beans and rice, and coleslaw...she didn't eat most of it... never saw the server again so we left the money on the table...i hope she got it... i don't feel the need to go back... read more

Wow, what a find here. Looking for some good chicken for our family while we're out getting together. This place was amazing. The food was incredible. There were seven of us and we tried a number of different things, all of which were delicious. Ended up talking with the owner while we were checking out and she was an amazing individual. Would highly recommend trying this place out. We will be back for sure! read more

If you're looking for a home cooked meal, this is the place to check out. The chicken is amazing and has so much flavor. The greens are spicy and the Mac and cheese was perfect. Will be coming back- support the southside! read more

Good Eatin's - 2 meat combo: chicken wings and wing-dings plus 2 sides. - Southern Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

We were looking forward to experiencing the new restaurant on Douglas for lunch but were sadly disappointed. We did not feel welcome and the Greeter and our waitress were not at all friendly or welcoming. At best they were non interactive. We did not really experience what I would consider "southern cuisine" and I thought pricing was a bit high. My order came fairly quickly and was okay but nothing to write home about. My husband ordered a burger but it was a good half hour before we were informed that they had run out of buns for the burger and someone was enroute to fulfill the supply. It arrived so late that my husband took it to go. That being said, they did refund his cost but still the the experience was not something we wish to repeat. read more

The food was great, especially the collard greens with turkey. Some of the best I've ever had (and I've had a lot)! Also had the red beans and rice, which was very good, and the turkey strips. All of it was very good! The service was also very good, no complaints, and the surroundings were well done, clean, and perfect for southern comfort food! I'd come here at least once a week if I lived in Des Moines! read more

Not really impressed, but according to others, I may have not tried the right items. I ordered the wings and catfish to go. They were okay, but there are better wings and catfish in the Des Moines market that are not necessarily considered SOUTHERN. I've been told I should have ordered the collard greens or sweet potatoes as sides, which I did not. One other thing. The "host"/cashier, who described herself as the granddaughter of owner, clearly did not want to be there. I had to wait 5 minutes for her to appear. She was not especially pleasant to talk to either. Finally, I asked her how long order would take. She said about 20 minutes, so I said I would come back. I got back 30 minutes later and again she was nowhere in sight for about 5 minutes. When she did come out, she ASKED me if I had a carry-out! I said I ordered over 30 minutes ago, which she replied it would be another few minutes! There was only 1customer sitting down and 1 checking out, mind you. Marginal food, bad service equals going out of business soon. I will not be back. read more

The food was fabulous! Very large portions at a great price! Couldn't believe the value and the deliciousness of the food. Hard to find good food like this these days. The staff were friendly and attentive. 100% will return. read more

Good Eatin's - Menu - Southern Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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all the food is good, but a little over salted for my taste. I have been there several times and had the chicken, fish, greens, Mac & cheese, and corn rolls. read more

Amazing service even better food great value was best meal and experience ive had in a long time

Food was excellent! Had catfish, breaded wings and chicken strips with mac n cheese, greens, potato salad and baked beans as a side. So happy to have this restaurant in Des Moines! My only complaint was our waitress - she only took our order, but the man who was bussing tables stepped up and waited on everyone! He asked if we needed anything, if the order was correct, if we needed to go containers... he was awesome! Excellent food, reasonable prices, and can't wait to go back! read more

The food was great. I'll give them that. We had chicken wings, chicken strips, collared greens, red beans and rice and sweet potatoes. We arrived around 12. There was one other table filled (2 people). We're told to seat ourselves. Waited approx 10 mins and waitress came to take our order only we were never given menus. They did not have Mac and Cheese ( at 12 they were just making it she said). Food took awhile but it was hot and good. Never saw waitress. Finally another person came out when we were done and brought us hot rolls. We asked for to go containers and our check. Never got our check so we left money on the table. Once we got up to the door the waitress and another individual came out and we said we left money on the table. She said oh you need to pay up here. She just told us the totals. It's really to bad because the food is really good but because of service we won't be back. I hope they read tbeir Yelp reviews because that seems to be a consistent message. read more

Delicious food and always consistent. One of my Sunday favorites. The catfish, wings, and every side is amazing!

Mother's day weekend, party of 5, complete ignored us! Could have better service at McDonald's. I'll never support these unprofessional rude African Americans! I'm positive this establishment is another flop! Just ignorant and Sad!!! #neversupportblackbuinesses! read more

The food was delicious and the service was top tier. I enjoyed the decor and the music.

Amazing home style cooking. The service was amazing, food was great portions. They have a great selection for sides, and the portion for sides is fantastic. Will be coming back. read more

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Hands down the most satisfying meal we have had out in a while! The 3 of us shared the wing plate with Sweet potatoes and Collard greens(we brought El Yucatano habanero sauce with us and added it to the sides LOVE), a burger and fries and Ooohh Myyyy Goodness Their FRIED PICKLES were so GOOD! They have 3 sauces on the table that were light and tasty! We will be back again and again! Go try it! read more

food was bland, the hostess forgot my cheesesteak eggrolls when I came back she said to me "you really came all the way back for these" as if I didn't pay for it. I bought a lot of food. chicken strips came at a good quantity but not quality they weren't seasoned. catfished wasn't bad with hot sauce but without it wasn't the best, mac &cheese was stiff and flavorless but cheesy, cornbread was just not it at all, after i was informed everything would be good but in a sarcastic giggling matter from the hostess. overall just wasn't a good experience food or service wise. wasn't the absolute worse but could of been better. me being part of the black community we need to do better. read more

This is a true hidden gem! Potato salad and peach cobbler just like mom used to make. The fried fish was outstanding. My only problem with Good Eatin's is that I want to go get lunch there every day! read more

Place is very good and a Very friendly family running it ....Highly Recomend the Catfish it was Awesome....

The food is great! Sweet potatoes are the best and the catfish is fried awesome. Online it says Friday they open at 10:30, it's 11:30 like every day. But today when we came a little early she still let us in! Great service and great small business read more

Had the catfish and collad greens. Good cornmeal fried catfish and spicy greens. Will be back as often as I can.

Friendly staff and you will not leave hungry. Well seasoned. If you like flavor, this is the place.

The catfish!!! Snuff said. The potato salad is fire. The greens are on point too. I could eat here daily if I could!!! So good