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    Heidi H.

    We didn't plan a head for dinner before an event at Wells Fargo arena. We found Ken's, we walked right down the steps and got a table right away. The bartender/waiter made us delightful cocktails. We were able to order appetizers to share and make it to our event on time. We shared the Iowa hamballs, cheese curds, and the jalapeño poppers. They all were amazing. Would definitely go back again.

    Luke X.

    Really love the layout! I like the different seating options and how it can really change the ambience from one side of the room to the other. The service was good. The staff know what they're doing. The drink options are pretty good too. I like that you can order food too. It's a great place to get together with friends.

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    4 years ago

    What a neat bar and our server was great! Really felt like we were in an old school speakeasy. Will most definitely be going back!

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    Ask the Community - Ken's

    Whiskey River Ankeny - Patty Melt

    Whiskey River Ankeny

    2.3(167 reviews)
    8.6 mi
    $$

    The restaurant was not busy when we arrived and we were greeted as soon as we walked in being told…read morewelcome in and pic a seat that works for us. We found our seat and were immediately greeted by a new server Rylie she was super sweet and gave us time to go over the menu. She did let us know she was new which was good because if we had questions that she didn't know she was willing to find out. Our drinks came quickly and were cold. Our food was good and fresh. The waitress came back multiple times to check on us. I have read some rather mean reviews on this restaurant and I do have to say people should understand how long these servers and cooks have to work. Some of them are pulling 12 hour shifts. Be patient, it seems they are trying to fix some of the previous issues. Again I will reiterate our service was great. The ambiance was like a pub with clean tables and the restrooms were clean as well. We will be back.

    Where do I begin…read more.. My family and I wanted to try something new for dinner and landed on Whiskey River. We got to choose our tables and saw the sign right away that we may have more than one server. First waitress ordered our drinks and took 15 MINUTES to get and one drink was a canned beverage! She seemed ditzy and confused on what drinks were even being ordered. Once we did get the drinks they were warm! Who wants to drink a warm draft or canned beer?? We get our warm drinks and she walked away without asking if we were ready to order. So now we are sitting there for 15 more minutes waiting to order our dinner and appetizers. Meanwhile, our waitress is making eye contact and doing miscellaneous things and isn't taking our order AND THEN SHE GOES HOME FOR THE NIGHT! Couldn't even be bothered to take our orders or ask how our drinks are before she leaves. A big table has been sitting beside us for a little bit, and I notice her point to their table and she told another server to take care of them so now they are getting their drinks fast and food ordered before us and we were there for 30 minutes already waiting for us to order. By this point, our drinks are empty and no one has noticed or talked to us. We are clearly wanting to order and other servers and people behind the bar are noticing us and looking at us. FINALLY a server for a booth talked to us and we decided to leave. Now she only stopped because we kept looking at her otherwise we would still be sitting there waiting till this day. A lot of young girl waitresses who only care about talking to each other instead of doing their jobs properly. So much for you will experience different waiters because we could've even have half of one...

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    Whiskey River Ankeny - Bacon burger

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    Baked Cavatelli

    Ken's - beerbar - Updated August 2026

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