Mustang Grill

(23 reviews)

0.0 mi

After seeing some fellow yelpers recommend this place we took our pub passes and made the easy trip…read moreto old downtown Grimes. This place is right on the corner, well maintained and has good signage. It lacks on curb appeal, but we came for the food, drinks and atmosphere. Upon entering we were greeted by big crowds and a very busy place. We lucked out and were able to sit right down (at the bar of course). The place is dated, and slightly divey but it has a lot of seating and the staff all seemed to be busy making it happen! There is a lot of table seating both high top and standard table and chairs. In addition to about 20 seats at the bar. Plenty of televisions with all types of content playing. Although it was busy we soon had 2 bartenders offering us drinks and menus. Shortly after we were drinking our beers and ordered some hamburgers. Kim opted for the regular hamburger with cheese and a side of fries. I ordered the jalapeño blue cheese burger. It was loaded with plenty of blue cheese crumbles and the jalapeños were a nice touch. I will say they were both solid choices. They make it clear that the $12-15 sandwiches do not come with sides unless you order the baskets. So sides are all in addition to the prices on the burgers. So it makes it a bit more expensive and for me $20 for a burger and fries is on the high side for anywhere in or around the metro. The service was good and as the crowd began to die down we ordered a second round. Though I feel the prices for stand alone sandwiches are high, at least the ones we had and the ones we saw delivered to other tables were pretty generous in size and the ingredients seemed fresh. All in all a pretty decent experience. If you are looking for a well made sandwich, in Grimes this seems like a good place to find it.

I had the coldest blue moon beer I've ever had! The bar was doing music bingo on a Sunday so the…read moreatmosphere was fun and friendly. I also ordered a Tenderloin that was delicious! The bartender was super chill and friendly too she was very efficient. I Highly recommend!

The jalapeno and blue cheese burger

Bar area

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Destination Grille

3.9

(108 reviews)

1.2 mi

4.8* (out of 5) Food: 5* Atmosphere: 5* Value: 5*…read more Service: 4* Would I go back / Recommend?: 5* (Definitely) Total check/person: $16 06/21/2026 Quick stop tonight to check out their latest Happy Hour for HappyHourDesMoines.com - since they offer an all-day Sunday Happy Hour. I was the most impressed with both the quantity and quality of the House-Made Chips (see picture)...and while the Chicken Strips have shrunk to 2 from 3 due to shrinkflation, I loved the crunchy coating and they were very juicy (see picture). Both were a great value at $5/each.

Excellent wait staff!…read more Brussel sprouts had a delicious soy glaze. The burger special on Tuesdays will be hard to beat in terms of value. It was a solid burger, fries, and a draft beer all for $15

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Roots95

(36 reviews)

3.2 mi

Innovative food at a reasonable price. The waitstaff was attentive and knowledgeable about the…read morevarious items on the menu. Upscale but casual atmosphere. We were not that hungry so went with a number of small plate options: a pear and blue cheese flatbread, an order of amazing roasted brussel sprouts and a handheld Korean style BBQ Pork Banh Mi sandwich. Lots of other items on the menu we wish we could have tasted. Great place to go and share dishes.

I ate there today with a friend, and our server was excellent and I want to make sure she knows…read morethat. However, the music is very, very loud, it is hard to converse because of it. I had asked her twice if they could turn the music down, which she did ask the guy behind the bar, I don't know if he was a bartender or a cook, but I heard him say what do they want, I've turned it down four times. Well, yes, I did overhear that I was sitting very clause to the bar. It was very rude of him, and I had been very kind and requested that the music be turned down some. The food was pretty good, I had the fig and creamy goat cheese flatbread. Overall, it might be a very good place for other people, rudeness is not acceptable.

Their roasted brussels sprouts were absolutely delicious!

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Thai Pasta

Barn Town Brewing

My fiancée stopped in here on a Tuesday night and it was decently busy, but we were seated right…read moreaway. I am a big fan our sours, so I loved getting a flight and trying several of their options. I was a little disappointed because they were out of two that I was really excited to try, but that must just mean they are really good. For an appetizer, my fiancée loves the chips and dip. I was skeptical because how good could they be, but the chips were fresh and the dips were very yummy and unique. We both ordered burgers and loved them. I don't think of this being a burger place, but if you go, I would highly recommend a burger. They all looked so good, and I don't think you could go wrong. I also had a side of mac and cheese that I would order again as an entrée. Restaurant mac and cheese is usually pretty average, but this was so yummy. We really enjoyed our food here and would go back for burgers and some flights. We made our own 4-pack to go which I would recommend if you are looking to try a variety of their drinks!

The "hottest" burger wasn't spicy at all. Like most breweries, this place drowns its food in salt…read more Am not a fan. On the upside, service was quick and friendly, and the sweet potato steak fries were excellent.

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Harbinger

We had a great meal at Harbinger! The atmosphere was truly exceptional - inviting, trendy, and…read morerelaxing. The drinks were on point. We did not do the tasting menu, but ordered a lot of items. One thing they could work on was the timing, the dinner took over two hours and we felt like it was very slow due to other tables getting the pre fix. The food was really unique and inventive. We really appreciated them trying out new flavor combinations! There were a lot of really unique dishes. The parsnips we got were very undercooked, but most of the dishes were truly excellent.

A must-visit Des Moines restaurant that pulls off a unique menu in a cozy interior with elite…read morecustomer service. Grace, our server, was amazing, adding so much to the entire visit. Thankful! They serve tapas style, and we grazed all night! We literally tried as much as we could, and loved the entire experience. Among my favorites were the Black Pepper Pork Noodles, Halibut Cheeks, Pea Pasta, and the Beef Fat Potstoes. But I also loved the Farm Carrots and HH Onigari. Seriously, amazing growth food, bolstered by an incredible level of customer service. Finished a great meal with terrific Dark Chocolate Gateau and Strawberry Shortcake. This is a superb place...GO!

Delicata Squash

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Cabbage

B-Bop's

After years of just never quite aligning, we finally had B-bops for lunch on Monday. First tip (and…read morethis is coming from a fat guy), seriously, consider the 1/4 lb anything before considering the 1/2 lb. We parked and walked up to the front window just after 11. They were cheerful and ready to help us, but we wanted to study the menu for a minute. They didn't bother us, but just made sure we knew they were there when we were ready. Great attitudes the entire time we were there. I got the double bacon burger, and she got the double cheeseburger. Both of them were delectable, but they must measure the weight after cooking the burger - because WOW. The bacon was nice and thick, but could've used another piece. Though honestly, I probably won't get bacon next time. Didn't need it. The chili cheese fries were otherworldly. We haven't found chili cheese fries. We liked that much in about 10 years. The warm food was warm. The chocolate shakes were awesome. Love that they only do chocolate shakes and specialize in it. It was like a frosty on steroids. Bottom line is don't wait as long as we did to have this amazing food.

A classic that my brother begs to go to whenever we're back in town! I think this is just an Iowa…read morechain - I could be wrong - but several locations in the area. No indoor dining or ordering: only drive through or window ordering with picnic tables outside. They're best known for their burger, which is good! The party could be better but the cheese mayo and mustard combo hits. Their fries are good and you can get them as chili fries or with cheese dip or ranch on the side. Their chocolate shakes are super thick and delish! Service is good and quick. Not the most amazing quality but a comfort classic.

The adorable biscuit they gave to my puppers

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Who's on 1st

3.3

(33 reviews)

11.1 mi

We got here early to meet friends and grab a good seat for the live band. Sadly, the band ended up…read moresequestered in a closet-sized space on the main level since the wind made the rooftop off-limits. Bummer! The Service: We were eventually seated at a booth (the one with no working TVs), and while we were quickly greeted by Jennifer--who was our waitress for the night--we ended up waiting most of the evening for her to come back. We did get waters and drinks while waiting for our friends to arrive. Once they showed up, it took a little while to get the rest of our order in, but it all worked out in the end. They were very busy that night--between the Indiana Fever game, graduations, and a band crowd. Jennifer was hustling, along with her husband and one other waitress, trying to cover the whole place. So, while I can't (and won't) complain about the effort, they clearly needed more help to reach that 5-star level. Same goes for the bar--it was overwhelmed and absolutely needed more than one bartender to handle that crowd. Just a note for management: the team was working hard, but they were outnumbered. The Food: The kitchen was on the ball. Our appetizer of Brussels sprouts was delicious--great flavors, perfectly cooked--and they hit the table just moments before our entrees did. I had the jalapeño burger with the ridiculously long name (you'll know it when you see it), and added the $4 onion rings. The burger was fantastic--well made, full of flavor. The onion rings, while not quite worth the $4 upcharge as a side, were the crispiest onion rings I've ever had. Really good. Kim's wrap, on the other hand, was underwhelming--$14 for a tortilla shell mostly filled with lettuce and not much flavor. Our friends seemed happy with their meals and later ordered a bread pudding to share. We all had a sample, and while it was decent, it was definitely missing a sauce or something to make it pop. The Value: Our bill--1 appetizer, 2 meals, and 4 drinks--came to over $100 plus tip. (Now that I'm writing this, I kind of wish I'd looked at the receipt more closely.) Still, that seems to be the going rate for this kind of night out in the greater Des Moines area these days. Pro Tip: Try coming during happy hour to stretch your dollars a bit further.

Boyfriend and I both ordered burgers and they were both good. Mine could have used more sauce, but…read morethe place was busy I never got the chance to ask for more before I was finished eating. We tried both the signature fries and the double batter fries. The double batter fries were my favorite, but both options are good. Service was good, but sometimes a little slow. We sat at the bar and they only had one bartender on a Friday night. It didn't bother us much since we were just hanging out watching football, but could be bothersome if you are in a in a rush. Good place to watch sports and have a burger and some beer.

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Nasty burger

Table 128

My how I have missed my favorite restaurant in the Midwest! This was my first time at their new…read morelocation and it did not disappoint. Chef Lynn greeted me when I walked in and took time to chat with me. Everyone and everything here is fabulous and I will be back as often as possible. The food, service and ambiance are fabulous!

We had a good experience! The restaurant was busy when we visited, but the staff handled everything…read morewith a positive attitude. Even with a full dining room, everyone was friendly and worked hard to make sure we were taken care of. However, we spent more time there than we originally planned waiting. The food was good. You could tell the kitchen and staff were doing their best to keep up with the crowd without sacrificing quality.

The dining room at Table 128, downtown Des Moines. Perfect for Business Lunches, Happy Hour, Date Nights, or Celebrations.

Bacon cheeseburger- grilled beef, provolone, applewood-smoked bacon, chipotle aioli, brioche bun, choice of side

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Chicken salad tartine | yellow curry, roasted chicken, celery, cranberries, argula, marcona almonds, toasted focaccia, choice of side

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant

3.8

(114 reviews)

5.9 mi

I've been here a few times and usually have an ok experience. We often sat with empty glasses even…read morewhen we've gone on slow days because the wine attendants usually seem to be caught up in their own conversations. But tonight was awesome! We did a wine tasting and our attendant Gabby recommended wine that made my non wine loving husband reconsider. She found a wine he greatly enjoyed and we got a bottle just for him. She was so much fun and her knowledge was astounding. She said she'd only been there about a month but you could tell she took her job seriously. We never had an empty glass. I was super disappointed that she left before we could fully cash out because we wanted to tip her. She was super busy running back and forth between multiple guests but kept a smile on her face the whole time and still found time to talk to us like actual guests and not just paying customers. Her knowledge on the new Vinho Verde was spot on! We had to get two bottles! I definitely recommend her as a wine tasting attendant if you go there! She's amazing and very attentive!

Great service and cool wine bar vibe here! Definitely the type of place you want to come with a…read moregroup and do some wine tasting and share some nice apps. Overall the food was good, but nothing blew me away. The chicken picatta was not overly flavorful and neither was the Asian salmon. We enjoyed the crème brûlée dessert but it was a little more pudding on the inside than I usually like. Even though food is fine, the wine tasting aspect is fun and the servers are great about helping you pair wine and food and making recommendations!

Wines offered or purchase.

Wall Art

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Guesthouse Tavern & Oyster

4.4

(73 reviews)

6.5 mi

I absolutely love this place. I live in Chicago and my fiancé is in DSM so we split time between…read moreboth places until he moves. Being in a transitional phase his kitchen is useless so if we want to eat it's got to be in a restaurant. We've been everywhere so no clue how this gem snuck past us. I would put them next to any of the high end places downtown without a second thought. The ambiance is clean, casual and cozy - think Colorado log cabin. It's not a big place so I imagine you'll find long waits on weekends. If so, wait. Trust me. It wasn't crowded because we typically don't venture out until late but 3/4 of the tables were occupied and several people were at the bar. Even so, it was easy to carry on a conversation without needing to raise our voices. It's difficult to choose what to order because everything sounds great. We ordered chicken fried oyster mushrooms for an app and they set the tone for everything else. Perfectly breaded and seasoned with actual flavor being the stale oil taste of a lot of fried apps. I had the Lobster Mac and it was absolutely decadent. There was a generous amount of lobster and the pieces themselves were substantial. The blend of cheeses was perfect. For the side (which wasn't even necessary because the size of the Mac was more than big enough) I got the Boursin Mushroom Au Gratin. I can't think of a word that describes how delicious it was. Perfect creaminess, rich with a slight tang...it could have stood on its own. My fiancé ordered the Iowa Chop and we were both shocked at the size of it. Again (yawn) cooked just right, not even a hint of the dryness you see a lot with chops. The Creamed Brussels Sprouts were great but I had eaten myself sick at this point so I had to admit defeat. Portions were big enough that I had plenty in the take home container for a whole meal the next day. I wanted to try the amazing looking pie but needed to be able to fit through the door to go home. Next time for sure. Service was really good. The server was laid back and quick with recommendations that she could back up instead of the standard "I like it" you get. I was shocked at the reasonable prices. These days $20 for a mediocre burger is standard so I couldn't believe the quality of food for the price. Our running joke is that once a restaurant starts laminating their menus, the quality is about to tank so I'm keeping my fingers crossed theirs steer clear. It's independently owned by the same people that own Barntown Brewing a few doors down. We will definitely try that out based on our experience here. My only critique is that they serve Pepsi instead of Coke. Seems like DSM leans that way which breaks my heart. My southern roots and common sense keep me loyal to Coca Cola. Where I grew up when you order a Coke the server asks what kind of Coke because it's just what you call every soft drink. Go. Go tonight. You won't regret it.

4.6* (out of 5) Food: 5* Atmosphere: 5* Value: 4*…read more Service: 4* Would I go back / Recommend?: 5* (Definitely) Total check/person: $40 05/20/2026 The neighbors suggested the Guesthouse for our dinner tonight and given our experiences, we heartily agreed. We started our meals with a glass of beer, then ordered our dinners. Tonight, my wife opted for the Sweet Potato Gnocchi with grilled shrimp (see picture) - at our server Chelsea's suggestion (Chelsea was great). While I usually prefer trying different dishes vs. ordering what I've had before, it was Wednesday and I'm a sucker for specials...so again opted for Walleye Wednesday (see picture). While we both enjoyed both dishes after sharing tastes of each, the highlight of the meal was the Campfire Pie (that Chelsea recommended) along with a scoop of ice cream (at our neighbor's suggestion). Check it out in the picture and be sure to give it a try!

S'mores smoked dessert! 9/10. The only things that would have made it better would be a berry compote on top.

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Uptown Bar and Grill

(23 reviews)

0.0 mi

After seeing some fellow yelpers recommend this place we took our pub passes and made the easy trip…read moreto old downtown Grimes. This place is right on the corner, well maintained and has good signage. It lacks on curb appeal, but we came for the food, drinks and atmosphere. Upon entering we were greeted by big crowds and a very busy place. We lucked out and were able to sit right down (at the bar of course). The place is dated, and slightly divey but it has a lot of seating and the staff all seemed to be busy making it happen! There is a lot of table seating both high top and standard table and chairs. In addition to about 20 seats at the bar. Plenty of televisions with all types of content playing. Although it was busy we soon had 2 bartenders offering us drinks and menus. Shortly after we were drinking our beers and ordered some hamburgers. Kim opted for the regular hamburger with cheese and a side of fries. I ordered the jalapeño blue cheese burger. It was loaded with plenty of blue cheese crumbles and the jalapeños were a nice touch. I will say they were both solid choices. They make it clear that the $12-15 sandwiches do not come with sides unless you order the baskets. So sides are all in addition to the prices on the burgers. So it makes it a bit more expensive and for me $20 for a burger and fries is on the high side for anywhere in or around the metro. The service was good and as the crowd began to die down we ordered a second round. Though I feel the prices for stand alone sandwiches are high, at least the ones we had and the ones we saw delivered to other tables were pretty generous in size and the ingredients seemed fresh. All in all a pretty decent experience. If you are looking for a well made sandwich, in Grimes this seems like a good place to find it.

I had the coldest blue moon beer I've ever had! The bar was doing music bingo on a Sunday so the…read moreatmosphere was fun and friendly. I also ordered a Tenderloin that was delicious! The bartender was super chill and friendly too she was very efficient. I Highly recommend!

The jalapeno and blue cheese burger

Bar area

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Asian Cuisine

The option to dine in has returned here at Asian Cuisine! It's actually been back a while now…read more.. I was just very happy to see it when it happened! The plexiglass wall that closed off the open kitchen during Covid has been removed. I've been here a couple of times since dine in reopened, but had still done take out anyway as my girlfriend lived not far away there in Grimes. She recently moved... We missed the food...and seeing Lily and Ken! So we decided to drive over and grab a table. When we walked in we were greeted right away. It had been a minute since we'd last been in. I was happy to see Lily working at the counter and Ken busy in the kitchen along with the rest of their staff! Seating is all low top tables and chairs. Mostly tables for four and two. Now instead of table service (like it was pre-Covid) it's more order and pay at the counter. Take a seat. The food is brought to you on disposable plates with plastic silverware. Drinks are cans or bottles. There are no napkins or condiments at the tables. Condiments like soy sauce and spicy mustard are served in packets. Sweet and sour still comes in a cup. Bus your own table into the trash receptacle when you are done. The food was as good as it ever was! We ordered an order of the crab rangoon. These seemed a little lighter on the filling than I remember them being in the past... They were served hot and fresh out of the fryer! I got the Yu Shang shrimp. Probably my favorite entree here and my go to. It was fantastic as always! I struggled eating it a little with my plastic fork... The tines kept bending on the firmer components of the dish. Heather ordered chicken fried rice and added shrimp (extra spicy). Another awesome dish! And I benefited from some leftovers she brought home... Lol I'll say that overall the food here is still top notch... Lily and Ken are two of my favorite owners in the metro! Couldn't ask for two better hosts... Take out business is still booming! While we dined in the stream of people picking up their orders, or coming in to place take out orders, was constant. But... The overall dine in experience has changed... We adapt to survive and we lost a lot of businesses during Covid... Some businesses that had been open for decades... Asian Cuisine adapted to a take out only model and made it through. Can I blame them for continuing to evolve while bringing the dine in option back? No I can't. In fact I want them to do WHATEVER it takes to keep their doors open...! I can even bring my own silverware... Lol I'm really not that picky and can grab something to eat anywhere. I see closure notices come through my feed almost weekly. Some are kind of a bummer, but they really don't impact me much even when it's a place I go to often. No real personal connection... It's different for me here. I'd probably cry like a little kid who just had one of their childhood beliefs shattered... I'm also not going to lie and say I don't miss things the way they were... I think as a rule a lot of us could say the same about many things today.

Service was excellent. Wife and I decided to try it out today. We usually hit hi vee for their…read moreasian grille... not today though,today felt different. Wife ordered the general tso entrée amd I had the sesame chicken entrée. Portion sizes were great. Presentation was inviting and on point we couldn't wait to dig in. Flavor was amazing both.. entrée s...Crispy where it needs to be and tender on. The inside. Every bite was an experience.. as far as ambiance.. its a simple set up. Black tables black chairs.. reo speed wagon "taking it on the run" on the house stereo. Very welcoming..we had the place to ourselves. Great experience.

Open kitchen. Dine in seating. Post Covid.

Mongolian beef

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Exterior signage.

Pour Choices Neighborhood Bar

Killer service, delicious food, and a fun atmosphere to boot! When choosing a restaurant, Pour…read moreChoices is always a good choice.

Love Pour Choices! They always have the most aesthetic decor, every cocktail is delicious, and food…read morenever disappoints! 10/10 fries, grilled cheese, buffalo chicken bites, and chicken Philly. The bloody Mary is crazy spicy and fabulous.

Interior

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McAlister's Deli

4.2

(15 reviews)

1.0 mi

Great food and good service. Their baked potatoes are epic! Very clean and staff was super!read more

I've always heard good things about the McAlister's deli chain restaurant, but this was my first…read moretime visiting. They have a large menu board to order from- soups, salads, sandwiches, and spuds. I got a grilled chicken caesar wrap which I thought tasted pretty good. They also have many choices for your sides. It was easy to order and wait shortly for your food to be brought back to your table. The staff was helpful and brought the Christmas spirit with the decorations. Plenty of tables and booths inside! Would definitely come back.

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Dragon Pho & Boba

5.0

(5 reviews)

0.3 mi

I so totally agree that this is a five star restaurant! I had the Shrimp spring rolls - packed full…read moreof all the good things and I also got the CombinationBanh Mi - so good! I did ask for jalapeños to kick it up a notch but other than that, it was very flavorful and the pate that makes it an authentic Banh Mi was so good!! I'll definitely be back!! Service is awesome and it's comfortable and clean!

I'm new to Des Moines. Whenever I move I look up where I can eat my staple Asian dishes and man am…read moreI glad that this place is less than 10 minutes from me. Shaken beef: The shaken beef was real flavorful. It was $20, they do mix the steak with potatoes so it looks like a lot but some of them are potatoes. I think if it was $20 I would add just maybe a little bit more steak pieces. The flavor really clings on to the meat and potatoes though. Beef pho: we enjoyed this traditional pho. Great for a stormy day meal! What stands out to me is their specials menu. I'll be back cuz there's a few dishes on there that stand out to me like the crispy noodle/bird's nest and I've not had crispy chicken with fish sauce since I was in middle school so I'm very excited to go back and try them again.

Menu

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Menu

Scooter's Coffee

Great cold brew. I needed a quick coffee so got a cold brew in the drive-thru and wasn't…read moredisappointed! Fast service and good coffee, too.

I needed to get a check deposited but didn't have a pen. After asking my sister if it was crazy to…read moreask for one from them, she said yes but I did it anyway. Thank you to Rachel who supplied me the pen and a lovely conversation at the drive through window.

Cold brew

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Drive thru window

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

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3 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Michael C.

20

29

17

4 years ago

Great Food. You will come back if you try it once. The burgers are amazing. Staff very friendly. Atmosphere is great.

Alex L.

0

2

0

9 years ago

The most amazing burger great staff overall wonderful place!!!!

Dominic G.

225

2

0

8 years ago

I love the food and atmosphere, The waitress Tamera is great

Mustang Grill - newamerican - Updated August 2026

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Norwood Inn

(33 reviews)

Man do I feel like my hometown bar when I stepped in here. Signage on the front door was missing…read morejust the way I like it. There was room at the bar for us to sit and get a nice cold draw from the tap. I noticed by reading other reviews that the tenderloin and sausage sandwiches were top favorites here. Once I had a couple of drinks and heard/ seen about 15 tenderloins and sausage sandwiches be ordered and served I knew what I wanted. It didn't disappoint as I split my meal with my guest. Everything that I want and nothing I didn't need is here. I am excited as I found my new regular stop that makes me feel like the small town I'm from.

Hidden Gem, shhhhhh…read more Was on social media and someone sent out a link of locations of good tenderloins around. It so happened it was on the direct route for us on the way home that evening. We parked, got out and exchanged that "look" when your not sure about the outside of a place. However, don't judge this book by the cover, or the name for that matter. There was some seating outside, but we walked in, did a quick scan of the room and bellied up to the bar. It was a week day evening and it was not too busy. Newer waitress being trained behind the bar, but no worries we all gotta learn sometime. The place is a bar with all the normal "bar" things. Pool table, TVs, music, etc. Dimly lit, smell of fried food and beer. Seat yourself and vocal friendly staff. From the seats we snagged you could see the grill in the kitchen. The cook was working up a storm. I knew I was there for the tenderloin. I did a quick yelp search and found some great reviews on the Hot Sausage Sandwich after watching the cook work on 2 of them on the grill as we sat there. They were Giant! Convinced hubby he should try and just from the SIZE that I could see from my seat. We didn't get any sides just the two sandwiches. The orders were spot on. My breaded tenderloin was good! It was pounded flat, and they happily brought me extra pickles. The Hot Sausage Sandwich was a hit! Hubby was really impressed. He rates the Sandwich alone as 4 out 5 stars! it was a lot of food just the sandwich alone and he said he would happily come back. While we sat there enjoying our meals we watched pick up order after pick up order getting started and called in. That says a lot. We absolutely loved this hole in the wall. We loved the atmosphere and the vibe from the regulars as they sat an enjoyed their drinks. Hubby also mentioned how he got small town vibes from here and keeps talking it up even a week later. I know well be back. -quick PS I am trying to get the Sausage Sandwich pics to post and well post separately.

Kelly's Little Nipper

4.4

(66 reviews)

We stopped into Kelly's Little Nipper after our trip to the Botanical Gardens and somehow ended up…read morehanging out with a room full of friends we didn't even know we had. The bartenders, Skye and Hailey, were awesome -- super fun, welcoming, and made us feel like special guests right away. They were even coming up with new holiday drinks just for us. Bree also deserves a shoutout -- she wasn't even working but clearly loves the place and was hanging out with us. And yes, the chocolate cake shots were amazing. Thanks, Bree. We were snacky but not starving, so we ordered the nachos. I won't overhype them -- solid bar nachos with plenty of cheese and toppings. We tried the brisket nachos. I'm not personally a fan of smoked meat on nachos, but Kim loved them, which is really what counts. They were also great about keeping the spicy stuff on the side. We were hoping for live music, but it ended up being canceled that night -- no big deal, we were still having too much fun. We ended up chatting with the owner, who sold us a bottle of their house vodka, "Why Not," and told us the story behind how it came to be. That kind of personal touch says a lot. The vodka itself was surprisingly smooth -- honestly good enough to sip. Great vibe, great people, and one of those places where you walk in as strangers and leave feeling like regulars. We'll definitely be back!!

I'm dissapointed in me for not getting here sooner. It's a bit out of my normal travel routes, but…read morenonetheless it is worth a short diversion for excellent food, personable and friendly service, a cool vibe, and great drinks. It's a small place which makes for semi-forced socialization (that's a good thing folks!). The menu has lots of options, and the prices are VERY reasonable. There are a few specialty drinks..try the 'Why Not Lemonade' for a little extra kick of vodka in your drink. Jeff, the owner, was our server, and he's a very friendly guy who knows the long history of his establishment, and who provides phenominal service. I got the Chicken Philly Sandwich with onion rings. The Philly was one of the best I've had--lots of gooey cheese and wonderfully flavored chicken. My wife got the Steak Sandwich. A MOUND of steak bites, with a great flavoring on them. The fries and onion rings were both great! We even got a delicious sweet treat to top off our meal. This is a decidedly casual place, and it's mostly street parking in the area, but we didn't have any problem finding a spot. The outdoor seating is a handful of large tables, so you can bring a group or make new friends. The inside is pretty compact, with a nice bar and a few tables. Highly recommended!!

Uptown Bar and Grill

(23 reviews)

After seeing some fellow yelpers recommend this place we took our pub passes and made the easy trip…read moreto old downtown Grimes. This place is right on the corner, well maintained and has good signage. It lacks on curb appeal, but we came for the food, drinks and atmosphere. Upon entering we were greeted by big crowds and a very busy place. We lucked out and were able to sit right down (at the bar of course). The place is dated, and slightly divey but it has a lot of seating and the staff all seemed to be busy making it happen! There is a lot of table seating both high top and standard table and chairs. In addition to about 20 seats at the bar. Plenty of televisions with all types of content playing. Although it was busy we soon had 2 bartenders offering us drinks and menus. Shortly after we were drinking our beers and ordered some hamburgers. Kim opted for the regular hamburger with cheese and a side of fries. I ordered the jalapeño blue cheese burger. It was loaded with plenty of blue cheese crumbles and the jalapeños were a nice touch. I will say they were both solid choices. They make it clear that the $12-15 sandwiches do not come with sides unless you order the baskets. So sides are all in addition to the prices on the burgers. So it makes it a bit more expensive and for me $20 for a burger and fries is on the high side for anywhere in or around the metro. The service was good and as the crowd began to die down we ordered a second round. Though I feel the prices for stand alone sandwiches are high, at least the ones we had and the ones we saw delivered to other tables were pretty generous in size and the ingredients seemed fresh. All in all a pretty decent experience. If you are looking for a well made sandwich, in Grimes this seems like a good place to find it.

I had the coldest blue moon beer I've ever had! The bar was doing music bingo on a Sunday so the…read moreatmosphere was fun and friendly. I also ordered a Tenderloin that was delicious! The bartender was super chill and friendly too she was very efficient. I Highly recommend!

Ambro's Roadhouse

4.4

(51 reviews)

Great food and people, awesome atmosphere. Affordable and always parking available. Carry outread more

Great food!!!My two favorites are the bacon & blue burger and the crab Rangoon burger.read more

Ted's Coney Island

(124 reviews)

It's a hot and muggy day -- why not add to it by ordering a saucy "Diablo Burger" from Ted's on…read moreIngersoll in Des Moines. The burger is laddered with sriracha sauce, and pure beef which is very tantalizing. The line at noon was a quick serve with less than five minutes on drive thru to a very efficient wait staffer. As you wait you got a chance to look at the planted greenery surrounding the building which added to the peaceful landscape.

The food was really good and the fries a super crunchy I love crunchy fries the servers were nice…read moreand it was a roadtrip and we stopped here it was really good

Gilroy's Kitchen + Pub + Patio

3.7

(244 reviews)

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4.2* (out of 5) Food: 5* Atmosphere: 4* Value: 4*…read more Service: 3* Would I go back / Recommend?: 5* (Definitely) Total check/person: $19 (no drinks) 03/08/2026 Slept in after a late night so found ourselves going to a noon Mass downtown and looking for a brunch stop on the way home. We've driven by this place and talked about stopping for food before and my wife had been there with co-workers after work one day, but this was our first stop for food. A clean, modern storefront greets you (see picture) and with plenty of televisions and a nice patio, it looks to be a hopping place once the temperatures warm up a little. While our server was a little hard to find at times, we both found our food to be quite good. My wife ordered the Nacho Burrito Meal (see picture) and I opted for the Honey Citrus salad (see picture). As is our custom, we shared samples of each of our meals and both of us found both choices to be worthy of ordering again. I really liked the clean, crisp and fresh salad with a delicious tangy dressing and the Burrito was tasty inside and out (loved the creamy, cheesy sauce). If you are looking for a great stop for Sunday morning brunch (possibly after some shopping at Sam's Club just across the interstate to the North), you won't go wrong here! If you found this review helpful, please show your appreciation with a Like or a Follow. Photos copyright: happyhourdesmoines.com & thefoodanddrinkguy.com

We were looking for a locally owned place to get a really good hamburger the night we went to…read moreGilroy's and I was excited about choosing all of the toppings they have available. Admittedly it was super busy so that could have contributed but the bun tasted days old and the hamburger was ok and not overly hot. So sad as I wanted to like this place and have great things - hoping to come back and have better food next time!

The Chicken

3.7

(206 reviews)

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The Lenten Season gives you an opportunity to try new places that offer crispy fried catfish served…read moreup at The Chicken. The fried catfish are small catfish tenders that are fresh, tasty and really good. Add a veggie such as cole slaw and you have a meal. The wait staff is attentive to your every need in an atmosphere that is down right cozy.

went on a Sunday of memorial day weekend, early lunch. hubby had iowa hot, i had the mother clicker…read moresliders (spring menu). this was the best food I think ive had there. hubby said his was good. Ana had a small pizza half cheese and half pepperoni. she enjoyed it. Michelle did a lovely job as our server. the patio area was lovely. Note to self: don't order the Wilson's cherry cider.

Now or Later Restaurant & Lounge