Great SE Asian food!! Please try this place!! And thank me later. Wife had a soup that was…read moreawesome, we had some egg rolls that were yummy. Again try this place!

Hawker Kitchen brings authentic Malaysian street food flavors right into the heart of Des Moines,…read moreand it's a spot that feels both comforting and exciting if you're craving Southeast Asian dishes. Char Kueh Teow This dish stood out immediately which has a smoky wok hei flavor (the "breath of the wok") coated the flat rice noodles, giving them that deep caramelized edge that's hard to find outside of Malaysia. The prawns were plump and juicy, and the mix of soy, garlic, and chili gave just the right balance of savory and spicy. Fresh cucumbers and pickled vegetables on the side added a refreshing crunch, making each bite balanced and addictive. Laksa Rich, creamy, and fragrant, the laksa broth was a highlight. The curry coconut base carried layers of spice without being overwhelming, and every sip warmed you from the inside out. The noodles were cooked just right, with toppings that tied it together from seafood to herbs. It's the kind of bowl that makes you pause between spoonfuls just to savor the aroma. Satay The chicken satay had a lovely turmeric and lemongrass marinade, grilled to a slight char that locked in the smoky flavor. Tender on the inside with crispy edges, it paired perfectly with the bold, nutty, and slightly spicy peanut dipping sauce. The cucumber slices on the side helped cut through the richness, just like you'd get back at a hawker stall in Malaysia. Overall Hawker Kitchen is a gem for anyone looking for authentic Malaysian comfort food in Des Moines. Portions are generous, flavors are bold and true to their roots, and the variety on the menu makes it worth repeat visits. If you're new to Malaysian cuisine, start with the satay and char kueh teow; if you're a fan already, the laksa will feel like home.

I went here first back when they were a food truck and this was my first time at their brick and…read moremortar spot. It's an easy, tasty, fast casual spot in a great location and the food is always unique and tasty. I had the bang bang mac and cheese which was spicy and delicious with popcorn chicken and a bang bang drizzle on top. We also shared the pb&j fries which we were curious about and they way over delivered, I did not know that was going to be so good. The servers were great and quick as we were in a bit of a rush so the speed was much appreciated.

Superb initial visit, and wondered why I had not been here since moving to Ankeny this summer. An…read moreoutstanding combination of food quality, good overall vibe, solid pricing, great menu, and options. We ate inside the restaurant, which is a fun venue with cool decorations and theme. Loved the booth setting. Sound was fine. They also have a drive-thru option. My burger was excellent, cooked flawlessly, and the accompanying fries were perfect. A really good overall experience, kind customer service accompanied everything.

I placed an online order for a giant sub to pick up. When I arrived, I was given a half-sub…read moreinstead. The staff explained they ran out of my chosen bread. Instead of contacting me or substituting another bread, they probably assumed it was a DoorDash order and left it as half. I am disappointed that no one tried to reach out or leave a note to fix this.

Worth the Wait at Jersey Mike's…read more Stopped by the Jersey Mike's on SW Vintage Parkway in Ankeny today for a quick dinner pickup. We placed our order through the app (super convenient) for a #6 Roast Beef and Provolone and a #55 Big Kahuna Chicken Cheese Steak. ## The Experience The place was hopping during the dinner rush when we arrived, which explained why our wait was a bit longer than expected. That said, I was impressed watching the staff hustle behind the counter - everyone was working efficiently and still managing to be friendly to each customer. No small feat during a lunch rush! ## The Food Our sandwiches were absolutely worth the short wait. The #6 Roast Beef and Provolone ($10.95) was made perfectly - tender roast beef with that delicious combo of provolone, red wine vinegar, and fresh veggies on their rosemary parmesan bread. The #55 Big Kahuna Chicken Cheese Steak ($10.25) was equally impressive - juicy philly chicken with white American cheese, just the right amount of jalapeño heat, and those perfectly grilled onions. I appreciated that they followed our "extra love" special instruction too! ## The Value At just over $21 before tax for two substantial sandwiches, the value is solid. These aren't your average thin cold cuts - Jersey Mike's doesn't skimp on quality or quantity. ## Overall While it wasn't the fastest pickup experience, the staff's positive attitude and the excellent sandwich quality more than made up for the slight wait. The Ankeny location seems well-managed even during the dinner rush, and I'll definitely be back (though maybe avoiding peak dinner hours if I'm in a hurry). Next time I'll remember to take pictures before devouring everything!

had a phenomenal experience, food was excellent. we sat at the bar and the bartender was so…read morefriendly I will definitely come back again just for the service. good beer selection too!

We went to Boulder Tap House in Ankeny with a party of five and a half -- Kim and I, three of my…read morekids, and my one-month-old granddaughter. We sat at a high top with a bench, and it actually worked really well for having the baby with us. Drinks and waters came out efficiently, and our waitress was kind and courteous. The food did take a little while, but everything came out together, which I appreciate with a larger table. My fries were room temperature when they arrived, but they quickly replaced them with piping hot ones, so no real complaint there. Our table had a good mix: the Pulled Pork Sandwich for $12.99, Crispy Chicken Wrap for $14.99, Tequila Lime Chicken Tacos for $14.99, BTH Classic Smash Burger for $14.99, and a medium order of house-made boneless wings for $16.99. No one complained, which is usually a pretty good sign with our crew. The restaurant was clean, fairly busy, and all the staff we interacted with were friendly. Drink prices seemed reasonable too. We were also able to hang out and visit for quite a while without feeling rushed, which made it a really nice family stop. It is close to home, the food was good, and my daughter picked up the bill for Father's Day, so that made it taste even better. We will definitely be back.

The food was so good!! I love Brussel sprouts and they were perfectly crispy, seasoned, and glazed!…read moreMac and cheese was so gooey and seasoned perfectly, not everyone can do that well! Cashier was so kind and helpful, not bothered by us asking so many questions for it being our first time. Very clean, not a huge seating area but it wasn't a busy night.

Ordered the #5 char's bowl with Mac and cheese and the #6 chicken tenders. The breading is pretty…read moregood, I really liked their seasoning. Everything looked fresh and the tenders were hot. It's a local fast food vibe and everything tasted good. I definitely need to try their shakes next time.

Great service. Outstanding food. Large portions. Everyone enjoyed. Highly recommended.read more

Since moving to the area mid-summer, we have learned that Uptown Ankeny is a fun spot, and now we…read morehave found a restaurant to pull us there even more often! Uptown Food and Beverage was a fabulous stop, combining a tremendously cozy setting (booths/tables), ease of parking, location, and remarkable historic photos lining their walls. This place works well. Luckily, we had a superb server for our maiden voyage, as Adriana rocked! She helped us with menu options and was both kind and knowledgeable. We shared a tasty Caesar salad, and I appreciated that they served the dressing on the side without requesting it. Their thinner-crust pizza is delicious! We selected two, ordering their Margherita (olive oil, fresh chopped garlic, sweet basil, and topped with aroma tomatoes) and their Spicy Italian 16" options. Wowowowowowowowow! Both pizzas were fabulous, maintaining their consistency, and simply delicious. Thanks to fellow Yelper Dan T for his Spicy Italian recommendation. Sure, we brought home a lot of pizza, but this weekend will be better because of it. I learned they have a good lunch buffet (11-130PM), and we arrived during their 5-7 PM weekday Happy Hour but did not explore it. I had heard about their onion rings and saw an order at a nearby table that had me yearning for them on our next visit.

Ordered take out of a coupe of empanadas, some cheese bread and a chicken pot pie. When I got…read morehome, I noticed that the chicken pot pie was missing. I called to ask about it and the person and they seemed confused trying to find my order. I was there 10 minutes ago and nobody else was in the restaurant except one couple who already had their food. He finally found my order and told me I could come get it. When I arrived at the restaurant, they unlocked the door and handed me the container. It seemed like I was inconveniencing them even though they made the mistake. No apology, but they did give me some prepacked candy with my food which I guess made everything alright for me having to come back to get the rest of my order. Overall the empanadas and the cheese bread were good, but the chicken pot pie wasn't great, the crust was off and just coated my mouth in an unpleasant manner.

Great small business. We got desserts to take home. Yuca and flan desserts were very good. (are not…read morelike sugary American desserts though) also got the passionfruit mousse which is more like what Americans get for desserts as far as sweetness level. Was very good

Have always wanted to try this place and on a Saturday night…read moreafter a Costco run my husband and I decided to stop here. There was a small but steady crowd throughout the night and we had top- notch service from our server- knowledgeable about the menu, attentive in the 'just right way' - carefully observing drinks and not interrupting date night more than necessary. A variety of local And other craft beers were featured although surprisingly not any from Firetrucker next door! The holiday decor was still up but even without it has a warm feel- love the various table sizes and heights and the long bar with a pretty decent offering for cocktails. While there, the bartender was experimenting with drinks and having fun. After recommendations I ordered the French dip which was phenomenal! Homemade bread, warm, generous meat and peppers and grilled onions, flavorful dip . I will say if I ordered again I would ask to have the sauce left off as I am not a fan of horseradish sauce. Still, it was tasty! Side salad as option was super fresh with mixed greens and the house creamy Italian was bursting with herby flavor. my husband had the tenderloin and while delicious- it was 'bougie' and not the traditional Midwest. It was generous and interesting as a dinner option. Would certainly return as the patio is inviting (just not in January)!'

It's been awhile since I've been able to Iowa and the Ankeny main Street has significantly grown!…read more Stopped into TT for lunch and it didn't disappoint! Great casual spot to grab. Drink or some great bites! Grilled cheese and a side of tomato bisque was just perfect. Great drinks, great service!