Just as great as it was 35 years ago! Carter & his team are doing a great job. The filets were cooked perfectly, the onion rings are delicious as is the au gratin potatoes. read more

Everything is always delicious. I got the surf & turf, filet & lobster tail. So good! It's like stepping back into the 70's. I feel myself slow down & savor the meal. Waitress was on the ball & kind. read more

2.9 I hate it but this is where we are. Decent service and the burger meat I had was top shelf but overall not much attention or pride was present. A late lunch was under par in every respect for us and I'm sure we 'll be back for another try sometime soon. Nostalgia is great, reality not so much. read more

We love everything we eat. I came back to Des Moines once a year. Other than water front, I like this restaurant the second. Highly recommended! Delicious! read more

See all

This restaurant has a history that 's over 60 years old with a rich history (think traditional "supper club" style which provides fond memories for many). Yet, it has new owners as of this year but I'll bet nothing much has changed since "the good ol' days". As you can see from my outdoor pics, and my pic of the chairs (red vinyl), it's a throwback to yesteryear. Not to say this is bad, just to get an understanding of what you're walking into. At lunchtime on this week day, there was plenty of parking in the rear (and the restaurant was almost full). The tables were a bit close and it was a bit noisy, but everyone was polite and in good spirits. As you can see from my pic, we started lunch with Onion Rings. These are relatively thinly sliced and breaded with batter that ends up being quite crunchy. There was plenty, and then some. We shared a Garbage Salad (see my pic). This truly has a bit of everything in it. It starts off Greek style with deli meats, artichoke hearts, olives and ends with shrimp: all topped on a bed of lettuce and veggies. It's served with Italian dressing, which had usual, traditional flavors. We finished with Jess's Slow Cooked Ribs (see my pic): this is a staple of theirs highlighting their signature BBQ sauce. There was plenty of meat on the ribs, which fell off the bone with the slightest of tugs. The BBQ smoke was earthy and paired well with the sauce. Their sauce was quite sweet, ample and tasted like it was applied after the ribs were cooked read more

See all

My wife, stepson, and I tried this place for the first time tonight. My wife said she wanted steak and was considering the Big Steer in Altoona. I suggested here instead, mainly because none of us had been here before. I'm glad I did. We went on a Friday night. There was snow on the ground and several parking spaces available. We walked in from the lot behind the building and immediately realized how cozy this restaurant actually is. There had to be fewer than 20 tables, and a few spaces at the bar. We were told there would be a 20 minute wait. One of the bartenders struck up a conversation with us while we were waiting for our table. We could tell there were a lot of regulars here because the bartenders greeted most of the folks by name. And most of the folks were also greeting other guests by name. When we weren't talking to the bartender we were watching him pour the drinks. They were clearly not stingy with the alcohol here. In fact, all 3 of us decided to order drinks with our food That's something we don't normally do. For our meals, I ordered the 16-oz New York strip and my wife and stepson both ordered ribeyes. We each got a dinner salad and baked potato to go with the steaks. The salads were a classic, minimal dinner salad with lettuce, cheese, croutons, and a small cup of dressing. The thing is, the dressing was more than adequate to cover my salad. While we waited for our steaks we were mesmerized by how efficiently the wait staff worked the room. Tables are fairly close here, and the waitresses were constantly moving back and forth. The service was great. The atmosphere was great. And we kept noticing all the people coming in were greeted by name by the staff and other guests. Soon after finishing our salads, the steaks arrived. They were cooked perfectly. There was even a sprig of parsley on each plate. I haven't seen garnish on a plate like that in decades. I managed to get a photo of my New York strip, but not either of the ribeyes. We all dug in quickly. My wife soon commented on how good the baked potato was. I wondered how good it could be. There were packages of butter on the table and the potatoes came with sour cream. There had been no mandatory list of questions about add-ons to the potatoes. After eating half my steak I decided it was time to find out. This was one of the best baked potatoes I can remember eating. It wasn't over-done or under-done. It was cooked perfectly. Even after 15 or so minutes of sitting on my pate while I ate steak it was still hot. Everything was cooked perfectly. The drinks were good. You could tell all the guests were enjoying themselves. In the end, I was the only one at my table who didn't take home leftovers. Our waitress promptly arrived with to-go boxes. I'm pretty sure all 3 of us are looking forward to going back. And it's a good thing I didn't drive. I was feeling my one little drink on the way home. read more

Jesse's Embers - 16-ounce New York Strrip with baked potato. I ordered the steak medium rare. - Seafood Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Super cozy environment and is an absolute staple to Des Moines culture. I would have wished that the steak was cooked a little bit better, and the lobster was a bit overcooked, but outside of that it was great! The service was very attentive and we felt very well taken care of. read more

1. Noisy 2. Crowded, tables way too close together 3. Slow service in getting order, i.e. over an hour for a steak, baked potato, salad and bowl of soup to arrive. 5 tables around us received their orders before we did, despite the fact that we placed our order long before they did. 4. Per my husband, the steak was "tough and not high quality beef". 5. We complained to the owner, whose response was "I've been here for 5 months and you are the first to complain." Rule number one when dealing with a customer complaint is never, ever make them feel they are the only ones who complain and therefore they are an anomaly. That's demeaning to your customers. Having said that, the one positive was our waitress who was great. That is the only reason we gave the restaurant two stars instead of one. Unfortunately, we will never go back to Jesse's Embers, which saddens us as it's been a mainstay Des Moines restaurant for decades. read more

My daughter & I are here for an AAU tournament and wanted a steakhouse that is casual... Jesse's Ember was the place. A quaint retro steakhouse with a vibe . Our server McKaeyla was attentive and offered their specials of the evening. My daughter enjoyed her ribs with a salad and rice pilaf. I enjoyed the sirloin cooked perfectly ( medium) with a baked potato and salad. Their house creamy garlic salad dressing is delish and the onion rings are a chef's kiss. Thank you for the great dinner experience in Iowa. read more

We stopped here for dinner when we were in the area based on a friend's recommendation. First impression from the outside (see picture) and confirmed once inside was of a 70s-era steakhouse (dark, no windows & dark decor). That is not a knock / negative comment, just an observation. Once inside, it was quite crowded but we were quickly welcomed by Joe the bartender who asked our names and then repeated them several times before we left. I started off by ordering a Brandy Alexander ice cream drink (see picture) and loved it. We enjoyed the table bread, which included plenty of available butter (see picture). My wife overheard some other patrons talking about how good the onion rings were. Since the large is only $1 more than the small we ordered a large (see picture) and both thought they were good. The best part of the meal was the salad with the house creamy garlic dressing (see picture) - both the dressing and the croutons were delicious. For our main course we went with the London Broil (see picture) - which unfortunately was the weakest part of the meal. The slice laying on top was medium rare as ordered (see picture), but the other slices bordered on medium-well to well done. As you might expect, those other pieces were dry, tough and lacking flavor. When the owner stopped by our table (before we got our main course), he did mention that there was a substitute chef that night - so this dish might be better on another night. Food: 4 Atmosphere: 3 Value: 3 Service: 5 If you found this review helpful, please click to show your support. read more

See all

Ordered French dip and the Emberburger for takeout. Both meals were disappointing, unlike in the past. There was no au jus for the beef sandwich (so it wasn't a French dip, just a roast beef sandwich) and the beef lacked that roasted, well-cooked taste; rather bland. The hamburger wasn't as good as previous orders. The fries were not tasty. The salad was good. The service was lacking given my food was ready when I arrived, but after waiting at least 5 minutes despite being told this will be taken care of immediately, I had to ask for a server again. Food was cold by the time I got it home. It was prime time, Saturday at 6pm, and they were sitting customers right away. I'd never seen that happen! I think they are getting fewer customers. Sorry to say that this is probably the last time we'll eat there. Too many other good restaurants around. read more

STILL MY FAVORITE SHRIMP IN DSM! And probably my favorite steak place, there are several good ones but Jesses is a classic. Cajun shrimp appetizer: what in the magic potion do they put in this sauce? I just want to pour it over everything! Ribeye: perfectly medium rare, side of au jus, large baked potato (though I didn't eat it) came with. Love their house dressing so much. Grateful they were so kind about letting us bring in our service dog in-training. He did great, wasn't distracted by the delicious smells either. I, on the other hand, was completely distracted by all of the food smells read more

See all

San Francisco to NYC, this is one of my all-time favorite restaurants. Anywhere. Period. You Des Moines folks don't know how good you got it with Jesse's in the house. A salad. A steak. Whatever. Marty takes care of it. Sit at the bar and Joe's a friend for life. Well done. YES - It's the size of a 3-car garage. And there's no windows - plus you enter through the kitchen. The cool joint factor is clearly off the chart and if you don't agree, then don't take up bar space. read more

1st and foremost: the skill of the chef at the flame grill is unsurpassed. The way Jesse's Embers' steak is cooked by the chef, in addition to the high quality of the beef, is superior. Medium rare is exactly medium rare. Jesse's is 1 of a dwindling number of local classic non chain unpretentious dining institutions in the USA. Dine there not just when you happen to be in Des Moines, rather it's worth a trip on its own. My order recently was: Cajun shrimp, salad with creamy garlic dressing, baked potato, filet. read more

Perfect medium rare ribeye. They must have a hot grill because the outside was crispy charred and oh man it was so perfect. I don't know how you beat this place if you want a steak. We started with onion rings which were very good. And then the salad which was excellent. House creamy parm dressing and buttery croutons. Even with a bottle of wine, our anniversary dinner was still affordable compared to anything else in the city. I highly highly recommend this place. Top notch service to boot. And open kitchen where you can see the master at work. This is a Des Moines treasure. read more

Jesse's Embers - Juicy medium rare with a perfect char. This ribeye was as good as it gets. - Seafood Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Very disappointed that this was closed this past week I was there to eat this past Saturday night and since I am not from Des Moines I had no idea they was closed for employee week. I will say I think it's great. They do that for their employees but I think they should've posted it on their website because I was on their website and there was nothing on their website that I saw claiming they were going to be closed. I have never ate there, and I was so disappointed because I've always wanted to eat there , I live in Cedar Rapids read more

I have been a fan for decades! Our server, Michaela, was fabulous. However, my NY strip was chewy and inedible. Of course, they honorably took it off my bill. But, I cannot risk going back again and risk the same thing happening again. It makes me sad. IF they had offered me a gift certificate for my bad experience, I would have gone back again. But, they did not do that... read more

Quaint setting,, excellent service and pretty good food. Overall fun experience and I'll visit again!

Can you say epic steaks? Cooked to perfection, just the way you order. Jesse's has been here for decades; that's proof enough that the food is incredible! read more

This place is authentic and cool! It's not cool as in trendy. It's cool as in nice, casual, comfortable, and laid back. I came here with my coworkers last week while in town. They were all skeptical but wanted steak. I heard that Jesse's Embers was good from a local so I successfully pleaded my case. The portions here are huge. The food is well prepared. The service is good. The drinks are GOOD and STRONG! Everyone was pleased with our meal here! Although my Jesse's Embers special (a huge sirloin) was a little overcooked (I asked for medium well and got something a little more on the well side), it was still very good. I'll go with medium rare next time. We also got the Cajun shrimp appetizer and it was delicious! The sauce went wonderfully with the fresh bread. I had one of the ice cream cocktails on the menu and it was more potent than I expected but I LOVED it! The only complaint at the table came from one of my coworkers who didn't like the side pasta salad that he selected. Aside from that, we all left that night talking about how much we enjoyed this restaurant. I'll definitely be back! read more

We found this place while driving down Ingersoll. The place looked like a dive from the outside. Once we got inside the place was clean and they had shields up for covid on the booths. The joint was small but they did a nice job of table arrangements. The staff was friendly and prompt. We had the rib, French dip, and Ember Burger and they were all amazing. We had onions rings for an app. They were old school deliciousness!!! Definitely recommending this joint and will return if I'm in the area. read more

Jesse's Embers - Large onion ring. DELICIOUS!!! - Seafood Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

This place never disappoints. The staff makes you feel at home. I have been coming here for many many years. They always remember me. I have never had a meal I didn't like. Their house salad dressing and the homemade croutons are my favorite. read more

See all

I have had Jesse's bookmarked for a while now and couldn't seam to find a good time to visit. That changed on Tuesday night when my wife didn't have to work and it was our Anniversary. The place was busy, but not packed. The hostess was a little hostel, especially when I requested a quiet table in the corner. We started with a bottle of Malbec which was perfect. The place seams like a hole in the wall, not a dive, just a worn look. Next up was the Onion Rings which I thought were perfect. Light breading and good seasoning. I decided on the Ember's Special which is a 12 ounce sirloin with baked potato and salad. The steak was fabulous, juicy and full of flavor. Excellent lean steak. The potato was just a normal potato. The salad was very good. An awesome dinner! The grill is open so you can see what is happening if you want. The waitress was average. I will definitely be back! read more

See all

Awesome food and service. Only place I've been that has fried lobster tails. All time fav!

The best! Great food, great staff and owner. See Joe at the bar! Cannot recommend it enough. Cozy and warm.

Food is delicious! A favorite local spot. Yes the tables are close together but that just makes it extra intimate and cozy. One of the best steaks ever. Even our kid loves the burger. A classic supper club vibe. read more

No windows, dark dining room, old school charm, and good food is what you're going to find here. Since 1963 Jesse Embers is a Des Moines tradition. Weekday crowds will roll in at 5 pm and pack up this steak seafood joint quickly. The service is a steakhouse good. Everything will revolve around serving up your perfect steak. You walk in seeing what counts, the drink and the grill. Steaks are served at the temps you asked for without a fault. Like things should be, the menu price includes the fixings. I love this! A center cut New York Strip will come in around a very reasonable $33. A tasty rib eye is just a tad more. The filet comes in two sizes and is paired with bacon or surf if you wish. The only fault my picky self found was that there was little to no seasoning on the steaks. I had to resort to condiments for a tasty pairing. Salad dressings are mostly house-made and have a wonderful touch to it. Best of all, the service is absolutely inviting. This is quickly becoming a favorite stop on my list in Des Moines. read more

Marty is beyond the best owner, greeter, ever!!!! I cannot wait to come back to Des Moines and eat at Marty's Embers!!! I love this incredible man, restaurant owner/manager! He is the very best!!!! The food is amazing!!! Everything!!!! read more

What a Wonderful anniversary dinner spot. The service and food are good from beginning to end. We were warmly welcomed and immediately seated in the quaint dining space. There are no strangers at Jesse's. By the time you leave you will feel as if you are one of their favorite regulars. The entire staff is making sure that you have the best dining experience. Your water glass or whatever you're drinking is consistently taken care of. The salads are fresh and yummy. The dressings are a great addition. We enjoyed watching the chef working his masterpieces on the grill. We were even more pleased when received our steaks cooked to perfection. The baked potato was good and the cottage fries were a yummy change. They told us no dessert but they did have ice cream drinks! We enjoyed Ice Cream Brandy Alexanders to top off this wonderful meal. This is a GREAT STEAK stop in Des Moines. You will not be disappointed. read more

Jesse's Embers - Ice Cream Brandy Alexander - Seafood Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

This is a great "old school" local steakhouse. Food was terrific and the service was excellent. Small menu but everything is outstanding. Salad with house dressing and croutons is not to be missed. Not cheap, but good value. read more

As a frequent traveler, I'm always looking for that hidden gem of a restaurant. And this definitely is one. I was recommend to the restaurant by someone sitting by me on the plane. when I drove up to the restaurant, I wasn't super excited, but after walking in, and meeting the owner, who walks around and greets everyone, I was pleasantly surprised. Then I had my dinner delivered, the ribeye, medium, rare, cooked to perfection. The food is amazing. The atmosphere is quite quaint and the service is exceptional. A definite must visit if you're in the area. read more

Was driving through and stopped by for dinner. Food and service was really good. Got the shrimp scampi. Friendly staff. read more

Jesse's Embers - a bar with a brick wall - Seafood Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

See all

I last reviewed this restaurant in 2019 before the pandemic and hadn't been back since. It had to close during the COVID-19 shutdown, and I'm so glad it is back and as good as ever. I stopped in when I was passing through Des Moines, and I'm so glad I did. This place has a wonderful old-time supper club feel. I sat at the bar, and the bartender, Joe, immediately introduced himself and got my name, and I was a regular within about 5 minutes. Later he introduced me to a couple of real regulars, who were seated next to me, and we had a very nice conversation. It's that kind of place. But a convivial atmosphere only goes so far. And luckily, it has great food as well. I got the burger, which is just superb here. None better. This place is a real jewel, and I can't recommend it enough. read more

I very rarely feel the need to write about a place immediately after dining, but Jesse's Embers was just so perfect in all the right ways that I can't sleep until I do. I'm in from out of town for a work event and needed a good meal after long days of waking miles and miles. Jesse's was recommended to me by a local, so when I got off early tonight I had to come by for a hearty meal. As soon as I entered, a stranger in what feels like a very local spot, I was welcomed so warmly and made to feel at home right away. It was just what I needed especially since I came to 'celebrate' the anniversary of my fathers passing. Joe, DeeDee, Marty and everyone sitting at the bar was just phenomenal. And that was before I even tasted the food. I got the Cajun shrimp, cooked perfectly and in this amazing butter Cajun sauce that was balanced so well and paired perfectly with the soft warm bread that came with it. Then I devoured the salad and even the croutons were bomb! And of course the steak, usually I get a ribeye, but I got the fillet (cause it was my dad's) favorite. Bacon wrapped, so tender and cooked perfectly! It was exactly the kind of place my dad would have loved. Thank you again to all the kind staff and patrons for making me feel so welcomed and for the amazing meal. If I find myself in Des Moines again, I will be back! read more

We have lived in Des Moines 19 years and never gone to Jesse's. We went tonight. The food was pretty good and the service very good. My wife asked for a "not bloody steak"but that's what she got. When she asked to have it cooked a bit more, the server took it back and the cook made a disgusted look. We didn't know we were at Big Tomato. If you want to spend $90+ for two and get criticized for asking to have a steak cooked the way you want then this is your place. read more

This is a local establishment in the Des Moines proper. It is a great steakhouse with the wood paneling and way back when it was a club that you had to have a membership to attend. The servers all have been there forever and the steaks are not over seasoned because they are trying mask bad meat. The have the very best house salad dressing that is a must and the even have old fashion after-dinner ice cream drinks (pink squirrels, grasshoppers). They are the whole package... If you want a local favorite that is sure to impress this is the place. read more

They always make you feel like family when you are there. Great steaks! Start with the onion rings. Very popular.

Out of town and they made me feel great! Joe is a great bartender steaks are outstanding and the locals welcome you. My new favorite in Des Moines! read more

One of the last 'joints' in Des Moines/state...small cozy place...so small you see your foods being grilled and salads prepared and set up on ledge for your waitress to pick up within (seemingly) hands reach. It only adds to the richness/goodness of every item JE offers. Steaks are wonderful/tasty. The London broil is a personal fave. A daily special and always an Italian pasta (again homemade by owner) special as well. The dressing is some of the best in town...you have to go just to feel what that classic 'joint' means and feels like! read more

usually one of my favorites but last night my fried pike was way overcooked and so dry, I couldn't eat it. Should have sent it back. Our waitress was great though. The owner never stopped by our table and it wasn't busy. Disappointing read more