I spend a lot of time in restaurants in the Des Moines area because my wife and I hate to cook. We have sampled almost every restaurant (at least in the northwest area) and have very specific likes and dislikes. Here are some of our thoughts, good AND bad, on area restaurants.

Webmaster: Count Zero   countz@home.com
- "My opinions are my own"

801 Steak & Chop

801 Grand 288-6000

American Cuisine

The fanciest and most expensive restaurant in Des Moines. Also located in the tallest building in Des Moines. Prepare to be pampered, but be prepared to pay for it. They have an extensive (and expensive) wine list, with most bottles proudly displayed throughout the restaurant. The food is excellent, especially the desserts.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar

American Southwestern Cuisine

A casual (mostly bar) restaurant with a large menu of mostly southwestern style food. They make a good hamburger. A wait of 30 minutes or more is common during the lunch and dinner hours. Kids are welcome, but the place is rather noisy, and the food is not impressive. (Forest location reviewed)

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

B-Bop's Drive-up

Hamburgers and Tenderloins

The best grease-pit burgers in Des Moines (I mean that in a good way). 50's theme/music. Also good fries and shakes. This place is strictly drive-up, although there is a walk-up window. The only tables are outside, so plan to eat in the car or carry home on less-than-perfect days.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Baratta's Trattoria & Pizzeria

2320 South Union 243-4516

Italian Cuisine

The best focaccia bread in Des Moines. Also all-around excellent food. VERY casual, cozy atmosphere, but you won't feel out of place in a tuxedo, either. Great place to take the kids, also a great place to celebrate a special occasion. Kids menu.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Baker's Square

Sandwiches, stews, pies

Everyone knows Baker's Square, the national chain. Strictly low-fat food, extremely limited menu. This is to make you feel comfortable ordering that decadent French Silk Pie for dessert. Pie is the only thing we go there for, as the menu has nothing on it that interests us.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Bennigan's Grille & Tavern

4800 Merle Hay Road 276-7777

Sandwiches, steak, beer

Everyone knows Bennigan's, the national chain. Very good food. Even though it's a bar (with 100 beers on tap) it's still a great place to take the kids. It's also my favorite place to unwind on a Friday afternoon with co-workers.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Buzzard Billy's Flying Carp Cafe

100 Court Ave 280-6060

Cajun Cuisine

Des Moines' only (that I know of) Cajun restaurant. Authentic cajun dishes, including crawfish, alligator, jambalaya, etc. I tried the alligator, and it was wonderful. You can also get a good steak, or blackened Prime Rib. Typical fun Court Avenue decor. Kid's menu.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Carlos O'Kelly's

225-4321

Southwestern Cuisine

The nation-wide chain. Excellent southwestern cuisine. There isn't anything on this menu I don't like. Children's menu. Call ahead seating.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Cheddar's

1301 NW 114th 222-3129

American Cuisine

Nice atmosphere. Seldom more than a few minute's wait. Children's menu. Birthday specials. The food and service here started out great when the restaurant first opened. We went there pretty often. The food quality deteriorated, and the service got much worse. We haven't been back in a while.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Chi Chi's Mexican Restaurant

Southwestern Cuisine

The national chain. Decent food, okay service. Kids menu.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Chicago Speakeasy

1520 Euclid 243-3141

American & Italian Cuisine

Excellent place for Prime Rib, Steak, and Chicken. Pay attention to the nightly specials, and you'll save some money. They have a great salad bar. During dinner hours, a wait of 15-30 minutes can be expected.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Chili's Bar & Grill

11411 Forest Avenue 226-1744

American Southwestern Cuisine

The national chain. Extremely limited menu, mostly chicken entrees. We went here once and have not been back. Service was poor, food was mediocre.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Chips

2502 SE Tones Drive (Ankeny) 964-2112

American Cuisine

They make their own wonderful potato chips here. They cook everything in a wood oven, including the pizza, which makes for a strange pizza, as far as I'm concerned. I recommend the chicken.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Christopher's

2816 Beaver Ave 274-3694

Italian American Cuisine

People rave about this place so mabye I'm wrong, but I think it's way overpriced for food that's just okay. I think it got a reputation for being a fancy, romantic place. But the owners decided to seat more people by cramming in more tables. If you don't mind sharing your dining experience with 30 elbows and shoulders, knock yourself out.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Cosi Cucina

1975 86th Street 278-8148

Authentic Italian Cuisine

Very nice, very expensive Italian restaurant. The food is great, the service is good, the atmosphere relaxing. I don't recommend taking kids. You can expect to wait up to an hour for a table. Closed Sundays.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Cucos Mexican Cafe

11407 Forest Avenue 267-1300

Southwestern Cuisine

This place is located in Clive's hot spot for family dining, between Chili's and Baker's Square. However, unlike those two places, this southwestern-style restaurant has several good things on the menu.Very comparable to Carlos O'Kelly's, you might try it here if Carlos is busy. Children's menu.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Drake Diner

1111 25th Street 277-1111

American Cuisine

Great atmosphere, so-so service. The food is typical fare for a diner. One of three related diners in the Des Moines area (North End & West End).

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

El Rodeo

7420 Douglas 251-7647

Authentic Mexican Cuisine

This restaurant is so mexican, most of the help does not fully understand english. The food is fantastic, and it comes out fast and HOT. Great place to take kids. We go there often.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Famous Dave's

Bar-B-Que

Claiming to have the best barbeque on the planet, I don't think it's the best in Des Moines. I'd rather go to Mustard's.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Felix & Oscar's

4050 Merle Hay Road 278-8887

American Cuisine

The best deep-dish pizza in Des Moines. I have heard that the sandwiches are good, and that they have a great weekday lunch buffet, but I haven't had anything but their pizza (nearly twice a month for 15 years). Also a great sports bar.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Friday's

3340 Westown Pkwy 223-8443

American Cuisine

The national chain. A fun restaurant with good food. Service has been hit-and-miss. Great place for kids.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Garcia's

1250 8th Street 221-0071

Southwestern Cuisine

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Gino's

2809 6th Ave 282-4029

Italian Cuisine

Very nice, reasonably priced. Kids welcome. Standard italian fare, very good food. Quiet dining experience. Their house dressing is so good, they sell it in the local grocery stores. Reservations accepted.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Great China

8569 Hickman Road 270-1688

Chinese Cuisine

Very nice, reasonably priced. Kids welcome. Standard chinese fare, very good food. Excellent Sunday brunch. Expect to wait for a table on weekends, and for the Sunday brunch. Reservations accepted.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Trostel's Greenbrier

5810 Merle Hay Road (Johnston) 253-0124

American Cuisine

Very nice, fairly expensive restaurant. Kids welcome. The best prime rib in Des Moines. They also have the single best steak I have ever had, the Ribeye Gunpowder Crust. If you want to impress your date, take her here.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

The Ground Round

4345 Merle Hay Road 270-2114

American Cuisine

The national chain. Sports bar. Great hamburgers and sandwiches. Not-so-great ribs, despite their claims. Don't even think about ordering anything from the bar besides beer, and the desserts are not as good as they look. This is a great place to take kids, especially on penny-a-pound night.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Helen & Pat's

American-Italian Cuisine

The home of cavateli, and it is excellent. The broasted chicken is also excellent. Great place to take kids. Good service, good food, good prices, what more could you ask for? (Douglas location reviewed)

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

House of Hunan

6810 Douglas 276-5556

Chinese Cuisine

Very nice, reasonably priced restaurant. Kids welcome. Nice atmosphere, good food, though the place is usually empty.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Imperial Garden

1821 22nd Street (West Des Moines) 223-8441

Chinese Cuisine

Very nice, reasonably priced restaurant. Kids welcome. Nice atmosphere, good food. Expect to wait for a table if you have no reservation.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Iowa Beef

1201 E Euclid 262-1138

Iowa Cuisine

The best steak in the world. You can even cook it yourself, to make sure it's done correctly. For a standard base price, you can choose your own steak from the cooler. They have as small as a 12 ounce sirloin up to a 28 ounce t-bone. (You can also get pork chops, and I think chicken, but why?) Great salad bar as well.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Iowa Machine Shed

11151 Hickman Road 270-6818

Iowa Cuisine

Family style dining at it's best. A very large menu of country-style cooking. Good food, good service, kid's menu, clowns on monday nights, it is the perfect family restaurant, though you may wait a while for a table if you catch them at a busy time (even though the place seats over 400).

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Judge Roy Bean's Eatin & Drinkin Emporium

210 Court Ave. 243-3700

American Cuisine

Nice atmosphere, extremely bland food. I had the ribs, it tasted about the same as the pork chop my wife had. Very boring.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

King Ying Low

223 4th Street 243-7049

Chinese Cuisine

Went there once. 'Nuf said.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:	No Stars
Prices:

La Pizza House

1013 SE 14th 288-2211

Pizza

Strictly a pizza place, but they are famous for their onion rings. It's a fairly dark and greasy place, but the food is good.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Legends American Grill

6000 Ashworth 555-1212

American Cuisine

Great sports bar. Over 20 televisions showing every sport available. The ribs are excellent, steaks are just okay. Kids menu.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon

1801 22nd Street (WDM) 223-9606

American Southwestern Cuisine

The national chain. A fun place to go. Crack your own peanuts and throw the shells on the floor. Steaks, ribs, and fajitas are their specialty. The service and food have deteriorated, so we have not been back recently.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Macaroni Grill

Italian Cuisine

The nation-wide chain. Good italian food. A cozy atmosphere, despite that fact that there are no walls. The whole place is one big room, including the kitchen. The servers are fun-loving, and sometimes break out in song. A great place to take kids.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Mama Lacona's Italian Ristorante

1800 86th Street 270-0022

Italian Cuisine

Good italian food, including pizza. The fried chicken is also good, and the dinner rolls are exquisite. They have an excellent weekday lunch buffet. Good place for kids. Closed mondays.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Mandarin Chinese Restaurant

3520 Beaver Avenue 277-6263

Chinese Cuisine

Very Nice, fairly expensive restaurant. Leave the kids at home and enjoy an evening dining experience. They also have an excellent lunch buffet.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Mondo's Tomato Pie

Italian Cuisine

Apparently a chain, but I only know of two (one in Iowa City). Good italian food, fairly expensive. Leave the kids at home and enjoy an intimate atmosphere. Reservations recommended.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Mulligan's Restaurant & Pub

3280 100th St. 252-7121

American Cuisine

Mostly bar, but this place has good food. In a room just off the dining room, there are pool tables, dart machines, and golf machines where you can simulate playing a real golf course by smacking a ball into a large video screen. Children's menu.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Mustard's

American Cuisine

Excellent pizza, excellent sandwiches. Relaxed atmosphere. Known for their ribs. I'd rather have pizza or a french-dip sandwich.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Noah's Ark Ristorante

2400 Ingersoll Avenue 288-2246

Italian Cuisine

Part of the Lacona family italian restaurants. This one is excellent, too. Your basic italian restaurant. Children's menu. Reservations recommended.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

North End Diner

5055 Merle Hay Road (Johnston) 276-5151

American Cuisine

Great atmosphere, so-so service. The food is typical fare for a diner. One of three related diners in the Des Moines area (Drake & West End).

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Ohana Steakhouse of Japan

2900 University (WDM) 225-3325

Japanese-American Cuisine

Comparable to the national chains Bennihana, Rokbonki, etc. Great food prepared with style at your table. A fun but expensive place to eat. Reservations recommended.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Okoboji Grill

American Cuisine

Good food, especially the sandwiches. Kids eat free on Sundays. Great family restaurant (and the owner is a Cardinal's fan, too!)

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Olive Garden

3600 Westown Parkway (WDM) 224-0824

Italian Cuisine

The national chain. We went there once and have not been back. Some friends of ours go there every week, so I guess you either love it or hate it. I'd rather go to Mama Lacona's or Cosi Cucina for italian food.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

O'Malley & McGee's

South Duff (Ames) 1-515-555-1212

American Southwestern Cuisine

The best fajitas in the world. I only include this restaurant because of the fajitas. It's a 45 minute drive from Des Moines, but well worth the trip. It's mostly a bar, so leave the kids behind and make an evening of it. (Although there is a kid's menu).

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Outback Steakhouse

10901 University Avenue 221-3309

American Food

The nation-wide chain. Your basic steakhouse with an Australian twist. The Bloomin' Onion is great. Good steak, good service. Very busy on weekends. Reservations not accepted. Children's menu.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Raul's

2060 NW 94th 277-6314

Mexican Food

It's a brand new location for Raul's, and it's a nice place. Much nicer than the old location. The food is good, and the prices are reasonable. They have a great kids menu, good happy hour, and nightly entertainment (After 10pm) Monday's is Mexican buffet night, a great deal.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Red Lobster

3838 Westown Parkway (WDM) 226-2150

Seafood

The national chain. Grreat place for seafood. Okay place for a steak.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Robin's Wood Oven Grill

Army Post Road & SE 14th Street 287-2080

American Cuisine

Varied menu, good steaks and salads. Fine place to take kids. One of the few bright spots on the southeast side.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Rock Bottom

4508 University (West Des Moines) 267-8900

Brew Pub

One of several Des Moines Area brew pubs, and, I think, the best of the bunch. Very good food, excellent home brews. Despite the bar atmosphere, you can still take the kids.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Spaghetti Works

310 Court Avenue 243-2195

Spaghetti Cuisine

It seems a waste to me to pay someone to make spaghetti for you, but if you like off-beat sauces, this place makes it good. On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday night it's all-you-can-eat spaghetti nights. You can try a different sauce every time. There is also a comedy-club in back for an additional fee.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Stella's Blue Sky Diner

American Cuisine

Extremely limited menu (sandwiches & burgers). Good food, good service. Fun place to dine. Be sure and order a milkshake (and the special treatment to go with it).

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

Tasty Tacos

Mexican Cuisine

This is kinda like a fast-food restaurant. No table service, you order and pick up at the counter. These are the best soft shell tacos in the world (if you like beans mixed with the meat). Closed Sundays.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

The Tavern

Pizza

The newer location on 50th Street is nicer, and less a tavern atmosphere like the other location in downtown West Des Moines. This place is mostly famous for the pizza, though there are other things on the menu.

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices:

West End Diner

13731 University 222-3131

American Cuisine

Great atmosphere, so-so service. The food is typical fare for a diner. One of three related diners in the Des Moines area (Drake & North End).

Atmosphere:
Service:
Food:
Prices: