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    Patience's African Cuisine

    2.5 (12 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 9:00 pm

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    Steak, rice and plantains for lunch
    Vanessa M.

    I live close to this spot and I have seen it be different restaurants throughout the past years, but I hope this one will stick. Even though it still needs a few more improvements, Patience's African Cuisine offers flavorful and different options that truly complement Des Moines' budding culinary scene. The restaurant itself is no-frills and the tables are placed in an awkward manner, but it is spacious and clean. I had a steak and rice dish which was lovely: nicely cooked, excellent seasoning and flavors, awesome rice (not clumpy and cooked perfectly) and a fresh salad. It was a LOT of food, so either share or plan for leftovers. There is a spicy sauce that is to die for - but be careful, a little goes a long way because it is hot! And of course, the plantains - yum! This is a staple that unites many tropical countries' cuisine and the sweet heartiness of these brings all flavors together, especially if you put on a bit too much spice. I got some water, it's bottled water, and I'm not sure if they will give you tap water. The service is fine but a bit hands off, or at least it was at the time when I went (lunchtime), because the server was also running the register/take out calls and helping in the kitchen. According to the server, a lot of the cuisine is from Liberia. I definitely recommend it, as the flavors are like a delicious, home-cooked meal. Just be aware that it is very no-frills!

    the entrance to the restaurant

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    4 years ago

    I would never again go there food is way too spicy I had better African food elsewhere can I enjoy the food

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    3 years ago

    The food was well done and really good.!! Customer service wait was a little long how ever

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    6 years ago

    They use way to much oil. The food was saturated in oil and over seasoned for my liking. Over priced for food that was not cooked fresh.

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    7 years ago

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    6 years ago

    The food is always bomb. And the people there are very friendly! The customer service is awesome.

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    7 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    Sullima Eritrean Restaurant - Mix-soup

    Sullima Eritrean Restaurant

    4.5(4 reviews)
    0.8 mi

    My daughter and I are from Chicago and one of her favorite restaurants is an Eritrean one. Since I…read morewas in the area visiting her at Iowa State and she wanted a break from dorm food we decided to explore the food scene and sites in Des Moines. First we did have a little trouble finding the place for whatever reason the GPS was trying to take us a half block away. It's in a little strip mall and the sign isn't very big. Inside it's got a counter and a few tables basic but . Now onto the food we had a beef Tibsi (sautéed beef) the Alicha ( curry veg) and some sambussas. The Sambussas were hot and tasty empanada-like appetizers with a unique flavor. Served piping hot. The injera was tasty as were the other dishes and the beef was tender. not a big deal but the menu did not have an English translation and the food wasn't presented as it might be in a more upscale place. But it tasted better than it looked and my daughter said it was waaaaay better than dorm food.

    One of my favorite foods is Ethiopian & Eritrean cuisine... so I was excited to check this place…read moreout. The food was served quickly and just as expected on injera. It was DELICIOUS! I also ordered coffee and it was spot on. If you have had real Ethiopian coffee, there's a distinct flavor... and it was perfect. The place was clean and is part of a small grouping of stores. There were only a few other people in there the whole time I was there but the place was very casual and a "hole in the wall" type of feel. I will definitely go back. Service was quiet but polite the entire time. Wish I could give an extra half star ... the only reason not five was because ... although not feeling unwelcome.. I did not feel like they cared if I was there or not.

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    Sullima Eritrean Restaurant
    Sullima Eritrean Restaurant - Breakfast(Tea/Himbasha)

    Breakfast(Tea/Himbasha)

    Sullima Eritrean Restaurant

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    Bianca’s Grill and Vineyard - Old fashioned

    Bianca’s Grill and Vineyard

    3.3(12 reviews)
    7.6 mi

    I really wanted to like this place as it's new to Ankeny and a local small business but I have to…read moresay my first time here was underwhelming. We were seated quickly at 5:45. Two other tables in the place were occupied. Host came and gave us waters/silverware. We didn't see a server for 15 minutes while the host came by again gave us some bread. We let him know we were ready to place a drink/app order. He said he was just the host, he'd go look for our server and also apologized for the wait because they were slammed. No other tables had filled other than the 2 that were occupied when we came in. There was an uninterested bartender, or rather just a guy standing on the other side of the bar because he didn't do anything the whole time we were there. Our server came over after another 5 minutes and took our drink/app order. While waiting for our drinks, the table behind us complained about their steak & said it was inedible and the server brought the owner out who offered them half off their bill & gave them free desserts. When our drinks finally came (40 minutes later), we said we were ready to place our entree order. She took our order, seemed unenthused & said "it will be awhile for the garlic knots, we are super busy, so... sorry." Still only 3 occupied tables. The garlic knots came out & they were the same bread as the ones that came out for free in the beginning. Would have been good to know before we paid extra for them as the appetizer. They were good and buttery. The side salads were rather boring, romaine lettuce & cucumbers and an underwhelming amount of croutons. The ranch for the salad was quite good. Our entrees came out an hour after ordering. My husband ordered the lasagna & said it tasted good but it was more like a baked pasta with thick layer of cheese, then a layer of lasagna noodle on top of a pasta-sauce soup. I ordered the chicken parm. Presentation was not good. Not enough sauce, too much cheese. Chicken was breaded well but I barely got to it. Taste was not very flavorful. I didn't dislike it but I won't be desperate to eat it again. We had to ask for refills every time we needed one. Didn't complain but we did ask for our check right away, the owner came over apologizing for the wait and offered us a free dessert. She was very nice and apologetic & we felt bad. We chose a cannoli and it was delicious. The owner told us she makes the cannoli filling herself and it was so good!! The entire meal took a little over 2 hours & we're not sure if we'll be back, but if we were it would be for the owner's cannolis & not for dinner. I hope it was just an off night & might suggest hiring better staff if it wasn't.

    I think this is now out of business. Keep driving by and it is never open. Do not plan on going…read morethere for food.

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    Bianca’s Grill and Vineyard - Sign

    Sign

    Bianca’s Grill and Vineyard - Sign

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    Bianca’s Grill and Vineyard - Menu page 1

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    Menu page 1

    Patience's African Cuisine - african - Updated May 2026

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