4.4* (out of 5) Food: 5* Atmosphere: 4* Value: 4*…read more Service: 4* Would I go back / Recommend?: 5* (Definitely) Total check/person: $32 03/14/2026 While certainly not our first visit here, it is the first time that I'm finally getting it documented. Tonight we stopped with friends who are neighbors with the owner after Mass. We started off by sharing a Wisconsin "Charcuterie" appetizer (see picture) - which was great to share with 4 people. Each of the items served in the pretzel were great - and we really enjoyed each of the dipping sauces. For our meals, my wife ordered the Chicago Beef (see picture) and I opted for the Mediterranean Bowl (see picture). As we always do, we shared our plates. While both were very good, I was especially impressed with the Mediterranean Bowl - it was so cool, light and tasty! Merll's is a relatively recent addition to the Waukee pub scene and worth a stop to sample some of their great food! If you found this review helpful, please show your appreciation with a Like or a Follow. Photos copyright: happyhourdesmoines.com & thefoodanddrinkguy.com

I like Merll's! The service is really good. It is classic bar food. Tons of TVs to watch sports…read more They have a huge amount of drinks to try at decent prices, and rotating cocktail flavors. I'd definitely recommend pizza, bowls, and cheese curds.

Drinks before and after the show at RŌCA…read more The drinks were all fantastic. The Pig & Fig Manhattan was fantastic with Bacon Fat Washed Bourbon, sweet vermouth, and house bitters. Excellent start. She got the smoked margarita which was really cool and smoky. Don Julio Blanco, lime, Cointreau, Agave, and Apple-Wood Smole. Very decadent. After the show we got: The Polar Express O with Diplomatico Rum, Sweetened Condensed Milk, coffee topped with cold foam, and grated chocolate. Very boozy and strong. Didn't look very good in the glass, but tasted ok. Very strong. She choose the Cold Brew Martini and it was excellent with Ketel One Vodka, Averna Amaro, Madagascar Vanilla Bean Simple Syrup, and House Cold Brew Coffee. The service was great. Will be back for more drinks.

Back in Des Moines after over two years (and in warmer weather!) so it was time to find some grub…read more RoCA was a gamble and I decided to chance it. When I walked in I loved how quiet and cozy the spot was so that set the dining expectation. I was attended to by Travis who is awesome and embodies hospitality and service (thank you Travis!) and decided to dive in for the Cajun Alfredo entree. I have been to New Orleans so many times and tried different variants of Cajun Alfredo pasta and I will say that this is one of the BEST I have had outside New Orleans. The pasta was perfectly cooked, flavored and balanced plus the portion was great. Travis was also very kind to knock out the sausage as I don't eat pork and substituted it with some chicken. I look forward to returning now that I have a spot to come back to!

I went all over the Des Moines area looking for the perfect bloody Mary. I think this place takes…read morethe prize. Not only does the ambiance kick a$$, but the bartenders were the best and most polite i found in the entire city. Absolutely recommend and I will never come through without stopping.

What exactly is this place? You decide…read more We were across the street for dinner and decided we should check this out while we were in town. Holy Smokes! We are glad we did - this was like a carnival ride meets dive bar, meets disco... This place is a lot of adjectives and too many for one review. What I will say is it is crazy and cool! We again sat at the bar where all our senses were being accosted by all the inputs! But it was fun. No place to look that I was not sure what I was seeing! Too much? Nah! It's great. The bartenders (Brian or Ryan and Taz?) Were great and funny - the personalities matched the vibe. No BS just fun and factual! Fast service with well made cocktails. We saw other folks order food and a pretty delicious looking pizza was delivered - not a frozen reheated, but looked fresh and delicious. (Gonna have to try that later) Honestly just check out the pictures - it's too much fun! We will be back for drinks and pizza! Pro tip - Remember where the doors are when you are sober - the decoration make them hard to find! (Front/ Patio and bathrooms) Also - not joking!

Always loved going here--until last night. Our group of 16…read morewas told we had to pay $20 per person just to enter. I can understand a reasonable cover charge, but $20 each is excessive. To make it worse, people before us and after us walked right in without paying anything. It felt like we were singled out because we were the "older group," which was embarrassing and disappointing. I've never felt shamed like that before, especially at a place I've enjoyed in the past.

Went there (10/2/25 4PM) to have a drink with my boyfriend and was greeted with ABSOLUTELY NO…read moreservice. Sat outside and never saw anyone. We were the only ones there (I can tell why now). Finally someone emerged from the back and clearly saw us but still never said hello or asked what we wanted to drink. I decided to leave due to lack of no menu and very appalling staff service. As my boyfriend and I were walking out the woman staff member yelled back us to...and I very surprisingly quote...."grow up and that it will be alright." Mind you I was having a totally unrelated discussion with my boyfriend. Very sad to see that type of behavior from a grown woman. It was disgusting how she thought she could talk to me like that. I hope she finds help and has a blessed day.

Fun vibe! Stopped in on a Saturday evening & found seats right away. There were people on the…read morerooftop but not outside. We started with tasty fried mushrooms with parm dipping sauce, which I saved for my tater tots. The portion is small. Beers were cold & reasonably priced. I had a Cuban with my tots. It was good--heavy on the ham. I took 1/2 home. Hubby had the hot honey chicken sandwich. He liked it. His mashed potatoes were dry so he didn't eat them. Friend thought the hot honey chicken was too spicy--hotter than the description. She said she would not order it again. She thought the pasta salad was homemade and it was fine. Her hubby had the French dip sandwich and said it was delicious! It ranks right up there as other French dip sandwiches he has loved. The waiter checked in on us several times. It's a fun place with a good vibe. Pay attention to the specials each day of the week and stop in if you're in the neighborhood.

I love the Dam Pub. This is an 80's themed restaurant/pub that has amazing food. They have some…read morevery unique dishes here that are a must try. I ordered the Monte Cristo which is a deep fried ham and Swiss sandwich that comes with a spicy strawberry jam. Omg, this was amazing and was like eating a fresh fried donut sandwich! Be cautioned though, the strawberry jam is no joke. It was very spicy but good. My wife ordered the grilled chicken with a honey and goat cheese topping that she thought was incredible as well. Her side was a spicy cream corn that is much like a Mexican street corn and was excellent. I had the Italian pasta salad and it was just as good. Other members of our party tried the French dip and an asiago cheese chicken sandwich. They raved about their sandwiches as well. Lastly, our server was a young blonde girl that kept the drinks flowing and provided amazing service. We were here on a Thursday for dinner and they had $2 cans of beer of some of the 80's greats like Hamms, Little Kings and even Montucky. If you are ever in the Des Moines Iowa area, definitely stop here to eat!

My wife and I went for steak night. We both had steaks, and I had grilled shrimp with mine. The…read morefood exceeded my expectations. The steaks were cooked just right and the shrimp were great. We will definitely be going back!

Awesome staff! Cool place. The food smelled amazing but we didn't eat...this time. Will be going…read moreback for steak night though.

First time at Range, on the way to Branson, MO. Cece was very professional and made us feel right…read moreat home. The Old Fashioned was excellent. Wherever I go, especially to a new restaurant, I'm always guided by the quality of the Old Fashioned. Very good! The Salmon and the Beast... I won't even tell you, you have to go. A delight. And don't forget to try the Warm Butter Cake. Until next time...

8/14/2026. I don't think this place will last six more months. Food quality is poor, over priced…read more Don't waste your time. It's a Friday night and the place was dead. I should have known better.

Taco Tuesday. Taco Tuesday Election day. :) My brother in…read morelaw invited us out here. They have a great taco deal 2 FLOUR fried tacos for $10 and a drink. These are FRIED Flour taco. They are like another local favorite but .. they are SO good! It was even better evening when you got a free drink tonight for wearing your "I voted" sticker. What a great deal! It's a small parking lot, small establishment. It appears the normal bar but really this is a hidden gem if you like a good time. My brother in law is going to participate in the eating contest they are putting on. Staff is really nice. She went above and beyond. I even gave my complements to the chef as we left, cause you get to pass by the kitchen as you head out. I'd go here again in a heartbeat. So filling and great evening. -Also the bathroom is funny, but you should go check that yourself.

A group of us stopped in to punch one of our Pub Passes. It was a fairly quite evening. Service and…read moremusic were good.