OMG, this place is in such a nice area! They have a huge menu with so many amazing options to…read morechoose from. I ordered the Pit Master Sandwich with a side of French onion soup (you get to choose a side with the sandwich). The sandwich was really good! The bread was buttery and soft, and the homemade croutons in the soup were clearly made from fresh bread. The French onion soup wasn't for me--it kind of tasted like acid reflux to me, so I gave it to my mom. She actually thought it was pretty good. The sandwich had perfectly balanced barbecue sauce and cheese, although I thought the barbecue sauce overpowered the cheese a bit. Next time, I'd probably order it without the cheese. The brisket was good, but I would've preferred a fattier cut because I think it would have been more flavorful. I also wasn't a fan of the Gouda since it didn't melt very well, but the other cheese on the sandwich was delicious. Overall, the food was incredible, and this place is an absolute MUST if you're in the area! I noticed they have around 78,000 DoorDash orders, and after eating here, I can definitely see why. I'll actually be coming back in a few days before I leave my vacation because there are so many other delicious items on the menu that I can't wait to try! Staff were also nice!

Love popping in here. Been going since the beginning of July and I normally pop in once or twice a…read moreweek. I have a gluten allergy so it is so nice to see that they take it seriously. They have a celiac button to warn staff to be extra careful and even have gluten sensitive desserts including: cookies, donuts, scones, and slices of cake everyday. I will say I am disappointed about finding out the breakfast potatoes are not gluten free. I only recently found out and have now figured out that I have been glutening myself off and on since July 3rd. I did have one major screwup a few weeks ago too. I did a pickup order for the quinoa powerbowl. The cook substituted my quinoa for couscous even though my food was marked celiac. Only figured it out after taking a bite. Couscous is apparently new to the fall menu. I really wish the food allergen training was better done in staff training. No person seems to have the same training on the safety and what food allergens are in what food. This was what I thought was a safe place for me which is why I have continued to come. I now take extra caution when I do stop. Today was good. I grabbed a Baja chicken rice bowl, no pepper jack or ranch. They actually had cinnamon roll cake (looked more like coffee cake with frosting on top) which is a first for them, it was really good. My mom grabbed a grilled cheese and her all time favorite carmalita bar.

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.

The staff is always so friendly and smiling when we come in! We have been here so many times and…read moretried something new every time because there are so many good options on the menu! And plenty of good drinks options to go with it!

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 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.

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!

I would never ever eat at this location again. I have a wheat allergy and they pride themselves on…read moreoffering gluten free options. They insisted the area would be properly clean and prepped. The manager proceeded to clean the meat slicer as the blade moves with a wet cloth dropping crumbs all under the slicer. Completely unsafe and risk of slicing her hand off. I make it very clear I don't want anything but meat and cheese on the sandwich so not to cross contaminate the sandwich. The manager gets done cleaning slicer makes my sandwich hands it to the sides gal and sets in the prep area on top of multiple topping droppings from previous sandwich that were prepared, I try to stop her before anything touches and she looks at me and says I will just get another paper with no topping droppings on it to wrap it in. I remind her I have an actual allergy by this time the manager is onto making the next sandwich and the meat slicer is no longer gluten safe and will need to be washed down again before redoing my sandwich. Why bother offering gluten if all your toppings are cross contaminated. Pre-cut your meats at the beginning of the day and set aside in special Tupperware containers , do the same with the sides. Wipe off a corner of the prep area and you have a more secure gluten free prep area and sandwich and no one risks cutting their hand off.

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.

My family and went here on a Monday night. It wasn't super busy and we were seated right away. Half…read moreour group ordered tap beers from their lengthy beer menu. One of the options we wanted was out which I have heard is a fairly common thing with certain beers here. For an appetizer we ordered the bone-in Buffalo wings. They were so good and the best item that I had during this meal. I would go back for the wings alone. One of the members of my group who has been here before said the boneless wings are not good and he would only recommend the bone-in wings. For it being a Monday night and not very busy I felt like the food was taking longer than necessary, but this was my first time, so I didn't have anything to compare it to. Majority of the table ordered burgers. We all enjoyed them, but didn't think it was the best burger ever. My favorite was the jalapeño popper burger, but I really don't think you could go wrong with any of the burgers. I liked this place and will be back if the opportunity comes, but I don't think it will be a staple restaurant in our house.

We arrived right at noon and the drive thru line and parking were a little crazy, but we hung in…read morethere and found a spot to park! So glad we did! This will be a regular stop on our drive to Chicago. Happy to report that the drive thru lane moved pretty quickly and by the time we left 30 min later, that had cleared. As far as food goes, we tried the original with fries and the Nashville hot (as a wrap) with brussels sprouts. We both thought our meals were fantastic. I would put their brussels sprouts up against anyone's! The fries were also battered lightly and resulted in a crunchy fry with a nice light flavor. I like that they have a variety of seating inside and it never felt like you needed to vacate your space quickly. In fact, I noticed some shelving with board games, so they definitely welcome groups who want to enjoy good food and hang out. There is a large picnic table for groups or communal seating and some individual stools near the ordering counter for singles or anyone who just wants to sit and watch the world outside those windows. This was a great find for us!!

It's all about the customers! I mean- weekly specials that…read moreare as tasty as they are creative. We have waited for the return of the street corn sandwich. My son downed it in 4 bites! The monthly flavored shakes are also a nice treat. And where can one get some of the best Brussels sprouts at a chicken place? They are delish! You can get your sandwiches grilled, fried, in a wrap or in a salad. For me, all great options but the original fried is my go to- large, always perfectly cooked and juicy chicken. The service is as fantastic as the food- always friendly. And- dogs allowed! Outdoor patio seating in addition to indoor and (let me repeat what exceptional service) they find you even when you change your mind and start one place and end in the other. Drive through is a nice option and the only (good) problem for this business that started out as a food truck is that at peak times parking and pulling out can be tricky with the drive through. I've saved one of the best customer- friendly mentions for last- when you pay by card, the highest display for tip is 10%(starting at 3%). I mean- the service is always worth 20+ but I appreciate this range as opposed to so many that start at 15% or higher. Come for the always fresh, awesome food and tip for the excellent and friendly service! Locations growing around the metro- yeah!

This is my favorite restaurant in Ankeny. The food is amazing and everyone is great. It's a great…read moreatmosphere and great food! You can call and order takeout. The pizza is homemade and so delicious!

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

Food was great! I had Chophouse Ribeye. It was served on a bed of puree sweet potato with a blue…read moreberry sauce circling it all. Very good! Kris had a chicken bacon ranch melt. It had a homemade ranch dressing on their homemade sourdough bread. It was fantastic! In her words. Service was great, very friendly, helpful and cheerful! Ambiance was simple and open. Very nice atmospher

Came here for lunch and was excited to see they make their own homemade sourdough. I ordered the…read moregrilled cheese, one of my moms got the French dip, and my other mom got another sandwich. The sourdough was perfectly crispy, and there was plenty of gooey melted cheese--I even got an awesome cheese pull! The only thing I would change is that I thought my sandwich could have used a little more salt, but that might just be because I'm a salt addict. The fries were perfectly crispy and paired so well with their homemade ranch. I even confirmed with our waitress that it was homemade, and she was super friendly and helpful. We were seated quickly, and since we came around 2:00 p.m. on a Monday, we had the place to ourselves. The restaurant has a casual atmosphere with a bar, and the bathrooms were very clean and nice. The portion sizes were just right--enough to leave me comfortably full without feeling stuffed. Overall, I really enjoyed my meal and would definitely consider coming back!

Absolutely loved this place!…read more The vibe is welcoming and has that hometown feel as soon as you walk in. Greeted with a smile and sat promptly! My server was Sue, and she was very good, and very attentive - always had my coffee warmed up when needed and had some good recommendations on what to eat. The food itself was really good. I had the avocado toast, which comes with a basted egg and avocado cream drizzle on top, and your choice or meat (if any) and I chose the brisket! I learned from a local sitting next to my friend and I that they get the brisket from a local bbq joint, which I thought was pretty cool. Good coffee, good vibes, good service! Would come here again if my travels blow me back into town!