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    The Chicken Shack

    2.4 (20 reviews)

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    The Chicken Shack
    Russell T.

    Stopped in at a little after 3 today to give then a try and see what they are all about. First the dining room is closed, so I go through the drive thru. They literally want $12 for some chicken wings and $3.59 for a pop. Look at their menu, these are insane prices. The neighbors have big juicy tenders for a fraction of the prices. Buffalo Wild Wings prices are also way lower. These would be insane prices even for the most stuck up corner of West Des Moines! Well, I wanted to give them a try, I ordered, waited for the one car at the window to get their order, and after being stuck there for 20 minutes, because there was no room to drive around, I drove right thru and on my way. They will be gone by November.

    Tender Combo with Garlic Fries
    Rhonda G.

    I REALLY want to support a new business in Highland Park but the Chicken Shack might make that difficult. I'd been meaning to stop in, so when it popped up on my Uber Eats with a discount code I figured, worth a shot and I'd go in person if it was a win. I ordered a 5 tender combo with lemonade, added an up charge for garlic fries instead of regular, and splurged on the molten lava brownie because Monday, As others have mentioned, it's pricey for chicken strips and fries without a promo (even if you're like me and intentionally order the large combo for leftovers). That said, they are chunky white meat tenders and tasty when you get your whole order (they forgot the 5th tender) and I'd say if you want crispy tenders, these aren't it. They're more soft and breaded style which is totally fine. The garlic fries were solid and bar quality but the brownie was a definite pass (overpriced and underwhelming). I stupidly thought a chicken place would have a good lemonade too but no, just some fountain Minute Maid.

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

    Chicken is always cooked fresh but the seasoning is due for a overhaul to make this a regular go to chicken wing spot.

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    3 years ago

    Nice big chunks of white meat chicken but way oversalted, overseasoned and overpriced.

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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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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Really good chicken and they have a really good breading. They give you plenty of food too.

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Best french fries in town. The chicken was crispy and delicious. I would 100% recommend it.

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    no special on Mondays..with there over inflated prices should have daily specials this place will not last goodbye!

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    Gerri's Tavern - This pile of wings is legendary.

    Gerri's Tavern

    3.5(70 reviews)
    3.1 mi
    $$

    Gerri's has become a staple for my family and I when we are in the mood for some wings. We stopped…read morehere for the first time on a bar crawl and have been back 10 + times since. The wings are the best in town. They are crispy and full of flavor. You can only with the wings baked or with buffalo sauce. The buffalo sauce is delicious you don't even need ranch. There's a kick to the sauce but it's not too spicy. A platter and an extra 8 wings with a side of fries serves 4 of us. Most people here are coming for wings, so sometimes it is a little bit of a wait, but it's so worth it. The place is seat yourself with the bartender as the server. It can get busy on weekends, we have always had quick and attentive service. There are a few TVs but not a bunch if you're looking to watch a game. If you're on the hunt for some good wings and cold beer this is the place to be!

    Dive bar just next to the Iowa State Fair Grounds. Small…read morelittle parking lot that will be completely full when the fair starts. This place has been know for the awesome wings for a long time. It has been a long time since my last visit. We got a hankering and decided to go out of our way to make a stop. W - We stepped right in and sat at the bar on a Thursday evening, I - I was helped right away by the lovely waitress behind the bar. N - Naked wings or smothered in their sauce they come out hot. G - Getting the platter of wings. It was lots of wings for 2 people. S - Sizzling platter and very tasty. The cost of everything has gone up over the years. Nothing you can do about that if you want a place to survive. We shared the platter. The hubby got 2 on tap beers. The tab was $55. The crispy wings are great. I ate my fill and we still left with some. They came out in good time. Ranch provided in squirt bottles so you can get your fill. I really enjoyed the service, the ambiance and food. Yes it was a little high, and yes it smells like a dive bar but the wings are still good.

    Photos
    Gerri's Tavern - View from bar seats

    View from bar seats

    Gerri's Tavern - Wings

    Wings

    Gerri's Tavern

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    Smokey D's BBQ - Brisket, pulled chicken with jalapeño corn and potato salad

    Smokey D's BBQ

    4.0(574 reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    Had to stop on my way through Des Moines. If you love BBQ don't miss the chance to eat at Smokey…read moreD's. Jalapeño Cheddar Hot links were so amazing. Smokey, cheesey and a little kick. So tasty and juicy. I should have bought two orders because my friend wanted to eat all of it. Brisket burnt ends were amazing! The bark was so yummy. Brisket was moist and Smokey. Perfect size, too. Pulled pork was also juicy and Smokey. Pork at other places can dry out quickly, but not at Smokey D's. It was filled with flavor and I couldn't stop eating it (until I had eaten all of it). Baked beans were very tasty and good. Coleslaw was just the right creamy sweetness to keep the palette clean. Not pictured was the two orders of garlic toast I ordered after eating the piece that came with the plate. Overall a sweet 10/10 from me, or as a BBQ judge, I give it all straight 9's.

    We were early, right at opening, party of 2. The smell alone lets you know you've been invited for…read moresome good BBQ. The lady at the counter, she's got your back and is very friendly helping you through the menu. Staff all around is super nice and helpful! The food just can't be beat when it comes to BBQ in DSM. Don't get me wrong, there are a couple spots, but Smokey D's knocks it out of the park with their consistency and quality, every single time. Thanks for the grub! See you for our next birthday lunch!

    Photos
    Smokey D's BBQ
    Smokey D's BBQ - BBQ Sampler Platter

    BBQ Sampler Platter

    Smokey D's BBQ - BBQ AT ITS BEST!!

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    BBQ AT ITS BEST!!

    East Side Eddie's Neighborhood Bar & Grill - KC Hoagie

    East Side Eddie's Neighborhood Bar & Grill

    4.0(30 reviews)
    1.7 mi

    What a fun stop. Yelp helped me find a new spot tonight and man it did deliver. The place wasn't…read morecrazy which I do like. There was a few tables pulled together and what I assume was a extended family gathering of about 20 people and a few locals at the bar. We were quickly served beverages and menus. Ordered and food came out quick. Now here is where I was surprised the most. The food was out of this town. I ordered these KC Hogie as I was in the mood for something different and they delivered an awesome sandwich that was hot I was really in the mood for some tator tots as well. It was perfect all around I was very happy and full once I was done. Great experience all the around great experience. I did see they had a breakfast/brunch menu for the weekends that has been on my mind since. I will make another stop here.

    This morning I wandered down I235 Eastbound to East Side Eddie's Neighborhood Bar & Grill. Not far…read moreoff the Euclid exit. Along with a regular menu they serve breakfast from 800 AM - noon on Saturdays and Sundays. The business is located in a small strip with a nice sized parking lot. I stepped inside and it was what I expected. A neighborhood bar and grill. Subtly lit. A bar and bar stools and quite a few low top tables and chairs for seating. It's seat yourself and order an pay at the table (cash or card). A server takes your order and payment can be done through your server or by a QR code available on your receipt. I walked in and took a seat at a table. I was spotted quickly and greeted. I was asked about a drink. Turns out the staff member who greeted me was actually one of the cooks. She was training a new cook and just happened to be on the floor. She passed along my drink order to the person who would be serving me who dropped by with a menu after another min or so. The breakfast menu is one page, but has all the standard bases covered. The lunch and dinner menu is a little more extensive. They have a happy hour and daily food specials. I ordered a Bloody Mary ($5.75) and the country fried steak and eggs (over medium) with white toast ($13.50) and a Coke ($3.00). A could hear a few conversations happening around me and it sounds like the new cook was having a few issues getting the system down, but both staff and customers were taking everything in stride. I heard a couple items being comped but no one was really unhappy. More like forgotten elements and nothing badly cooked... There were probably a half dozen people at the bar and two other parties at tables for breakfast while I was there. I grew up in rural Iowa and the Boondocks truck stop near Williams IA on I35 was the closest regular restaurant to us. We had a cafe in town, but it closed and reopened with new ownership every few months. As much as our family traveled small town diner and truck stop meals were a regular thing. They're not easy to find anymore. I think the neighborhood bar and grills are filling this breakfast gap...at least on the weekends. Most of us know Waveland, the Cafe on Douglas, Mullet's and so on...and the big names like Village Inn, Perkins, Denny's, etc. of course. But there are lesser known places like East Side Eddie's, the Hitchin' Post (in Bevington), the Norwood Inn, Kelly's Little Nipper and probably more that exist that I'm not aware of... Where there's no wait for a table at breakfast, the food is as good if not better, and is reasonably priced too... Well that was a tangent... Back to the food. The country fried steak and eggs plate. Everything was cooked well. I'd asked for my hashbrowns extra crispy. And in training or not they nailed it. Hashbrowns sound simple, but it's one of the most common breakfast items that I get screwed up on my order. Cold in the middle, only cooked on side, etc... These were perfect! Very well done. My eggs were a little North of over medium, but they were were fine. Love the crispy edges! Eggs are kind of an after thought for me where the hashbrowns, meat, and gravy are under a spotlight. The steak was tender. The gravy was excellent. You can tell by looking it's not the typical white country gravy. It was seasoned and littered with sausage. I drug my toast through it and cleaned every spot off my plate... Well worth the $13.50 price...! Service was great and I couldn't have asked for a better Sunday morning breakfast. Go into these neighborhood bar and grills with the right expectations. They're not going to be a 5 star atmosphere. If you're looking for that probably stick to new and shiny options or chains... But if you are looking for good people and good food. Get off the main drags and explore the many neighborhood spots throughout our metro area. I've lived in the Des Moines IA area now for 30+ years and I'm still finding and trying spots that are new to me. If I hadn't been so full from breakfast I might have stayed to check out lunch... https://www.facebook.com/eastsideeddiesbarandgrill

    Photos
    East Side Eddie's Neighborhood Bar & Grill - Back wall

    Back wall

    East Side Eddie's Neighborhood Bar & Grill - Fried Pickle Spears with house made buttermilk ranch

    Fried Pickle Spears with house made buttermilk ranch

    East Side Eddie's Neighborhood Bar & Grill - High life

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    GGs Chicken & Waffles - Who knows when this place is actually open??

    GGs Chicken & Waffles

    4.3(9 reviews)
    3.3 mi

    Was a little confused about where to go because the exterior didn't match the name of the business…read more But I trusted my nose and followed that amazing smell of chicken! The women who welcomed us and took our order were so friendly and the chef let us know it would take a bit because he was dropping it in hot. I was surprised to find several drummies instead of a big piece of chicken but made sharing much easier. Chicken was hot and crispy and seasoning was amazing! The waffle was good but was outshone by the chicken. Overall amazing experience and will be following this business and checking them out again!

    Chicken, Waffle and syrup, who knew!!!!! My first time eating this combination, experiencing the…read moreKitchen Space and eating from GG's Chicken and Waffles. It was also my first Yelp perks event. Instructions were not clear on what to do when I arrived. Was able to see someone was asking who were at a laptop. A man came out and announced they were going to be making our meals fresh and they would start coming out. I made the assumption he was the chef and owner. I would have enjoyed hearing the history of the business and more from the event coordinators. Hearing their story would add to my word of mouth references when someone asks what have we been doing that is new. When the food came out it was piping hot. It would have easily made a 20 minute drive home and still stay fresh. I choose the original chicken. It had good classic flavor and appearance. I was surprised it was wings and drumsticks as I was expecting a large chicken breast or thigh. The smaller chicken was easier to eat and manage. Chicken was not crisp which made it feel more home made then other restaurant too. It looked and tasted hand breaded which was a great treat and I prefer. The waffle was nice sweet add to the meal. I will definitely try this combination again. As we were eating, we were served fresh peach cobbler. It was so hot it steamed when I opened the container. I immediately stopped eating the chicken and moved to the dessert. It was delicious. Runner then cobblers I typically have. There was enough food I shared with my spouse when returning home.

    Photos
    GGs Chicken & Waffles - Dining area

    Dining area

    GGs Chicken & Waffles - Inside the space used by GG's chicken

    Inside the space used by GG's chicken

    GGs Chicken & Waffles

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    Iowa Taproom

    Iowa Taproom

    4.0(449 reviews)
    2.8 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Large group friendly

    I stopped in on a Friday night with a small group of friends and we were seated right away. It took…read morea little bit for our sever to come to us, but we didn't mind. We ordered drinks and food. Both came out without having to wait too long. Everyone enjoyed their meal here. I wouldn't say there's anything super special we couldn't wait to eat again, but good food and reasonable prices is a win for me. Our favorite part about this place is how many beers on tap they have. It's so fun to get a flight and try lots of local craft drinks. Definitely the place to be for a few drinks and good vibes with friends.

    The service is really good! The hostess was friendly, and the waitress was attentive…read more The food is not good. I've been a handful of times, and everything is always overcooked and dry. I finally have decided I'm not going back after a few failed tries; the spinach and artichoke dip literally gave my friend and I food poisoning (we hadn't seen each other in over a week and this is the only thing we shared, and our symptoms started at the exact same time). I do love that they have the gluten conscious menu. But the chicken ranch meal is so dry it's not worth the money. The Cole slaw has the least flavor I've ever experienced (and I love Cole slaw). The burgers come out overcooked. I haven't strayed away from sandwiches or salads, maybe the pasta is good? I won't be going back, though.

    Photos
    Iowa Taproom
    Iowa Taproom
    Iowa Taproom

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    Wings On Wheelz

    Wings On Wheelz

    4.1(8 reviews)
    2.9 mi

    Wingz On Wheelz is located in the Advanced Auto Parts parking lot…read more I've been wanting to check this truck out FOREVER, but I wasn't sure if it could live up to the hype I'd heard from others. Spoiler... It sure did. I wandered down University Ave to MLK, through the construction in the Drake area, and the truck was easy to spot. I got there at about 620ish PM. There's ample parking in the lot of the auto parts store. A small crowd had built up. Some people were waiting to order...some were just waiting for their food. Social distancing was being observed for the most part. 50 cent wing Wednesdays. I'm not a big fan of a standard buffalo sauce so I really like that they have a lot of different options to choose from. Some spicy some not. Hopefully you can see the list by zooming in on the picture of the menu board. I ordered 10 garlic parmesan and 10 Cajun wings, but I didn't stop there. I had to try the shrimp and catfish too... I don't even want to talk about cost... I spent too much, but I have lunch for tomorrow. The ordering process went smoothly. I had a bit of a wait, but even though I wasn't the only one standing they kept me updated from the window and apologized for the wait when my number was called. Stellar customer service from a very busy truck. The wings were cooked perfectly. Not dry and not undercooked. The sauces and seasoning was nicely done. I like it when the taste of the chicken is complimented and not overpowered. They are a little on the small side, but if I recall correctly they are... Ahhhh... I forget the fancy word. No hormones. They're better for you and the all naturally raised wings tend to be a little smaller. It's all good. The catfish was excellent. Once again cooked perfectly. The breading had a great texture and taste. The fillet broke away easily to expose the white flesh. You could tell it was catfish, but it wasn't a strong catfish taste. I grew up eating bullheads and channel cats. It's something I love. A comfort food for me. I really enjoyed this menu item. These would be perfect for a po'boy. That being said... The shrimp. These are legit. To put anything on these, outside of just popping them in your mouth with the seasoned breading, would be a crime. I can honestly say as far as fried breaded shrimp these may be the best fried shrimp I've ever had. The breading isn't thick, and the shrimp are really nice sized. They hit a perfect balance. This truck has moved into my top three local trucks from the jump. Obviously popular from it's crowd, a good staff, and excellent food. I wish I wouldn't have waited so long to give them a try... I'll definitely be a return customer. Don't take my word for it though... Go check them out.

    Well, you know this girl is always all about supporting Black business. I had high hopes for this…read morefabulous truck with beautiful food photos. I visited on a Saturday drive into Des Moines. The food came out in a reasonable amount of time and was fresh and hot. The portions were pretty great and it looked good, but it just didn't taste that spectacular. I had higher expectations for a Black owned food truck serving in a diverse area in Des Moines. The food was cooked perfectly, but it wasn't seasoned well enough. There wasn't much flavor and pizzazz to it. If you care more about crunch then flavor, hit them up. They had a steady stream of business and people seem to like it. Sadly, it just didn't do it for me.

    Photos
    Wings On Wheelz - Jamaican jerk wings.

    Jamaican jerk wings.

    Wings On Wheelz - Garlic parmesan, WoW, and Jamaican jerk wings...

    Garlic parmesan, WoW, and Jamaican jerk wings...

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    Leachmon Pit Stop BBQ - Chopped brisket

    Leachmon Pit Stop BBQ

    4.5(22 reviews)
    0.4 mi

    I was exploring the Valley West Mall for a midday bite and managed to discover Leachman's. I must…read moresay, it felt like stepping into a time capsule in the most wonderful way! The decor has a darling, vintage 90s aesthetic that feels so genuine and unpretentious. The owner is remarkably humble and clearly takes immense pride in their work it's the kind of personal touch that you just don't find everywhere. The hospitality was truly the highlight of my visit. The staff explained the menu with such genuine warmth; they really make you feel like a guest rather than just a customer. It is officially my favorite part of the experience! I decided on the BBQ Brisket Sandwich, and the efficiency was simply remarkable it arrived in a mere few minutes. The brisket was prepared to perfection incredibly soft, flavorful, and served on beautifully toasted bread. It was a total triumph and honestly quite addictive! I am officially charmed by this local gem and will most certainly be a regular here

    This is 5 star food in our great city. The owner is humble and has so much to be proud of! They…read morewere out of many things in the day we tried, but that won't stop us. They have a board of items listing what they're out of. I had the brisket sandwich with fries and mac and cheese. The sandwich was everything you want brisket to be. Tender, succulent, perfect crust and loaded on a grilled bun. The fries were great and had some delicious rub/seasoning on them. The mac and cheese was different than expected, but in a good way. Rotini noodles, cheesey, perfectly seasoned. You need to go. They're not open all days of the week so check yourself so you don't end up brokenhearted. Go. Eat. Indulge. Tip well. Thank me later.

    Photos
    Leachmon Pit Stop BBQ - Dining area off to the Left of the entry.  Low tops.  High tops.  Booths.

    Dining area off to the Left of the entry. Low tops. High tops. Booths.

    Leachmon Pit Stop BBQ - Catfish fillet.

    Catfish fillet.

    Leachmon Pit Stop BBQ - Menu

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    Menu

    The Chicken Shack - hotdogs - Updated May 2026

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