Best places to dine while visiting DM?

While visiting Des Moines, I'd like to find a nice place to eat out at one night.

Every city I try to go out and enjoy a staple of the city to visit, eat at ..etc.

Any idea's?

I love little dives and home town places a lot more than the big chains.

Thanks

If like burgers there is always Zombie Burger. I'm not from DSM so that's the only suggestion I have.

Jethro's Bacon Bacon on 22nd St., West Des Moines.
La Mie on 42nd St., Des Moines, go for breakfast and awesome pastries, they close by 2pm.
Lots of good places downtown, like Django, Americana, or Centro and Zombie Burger.
Cosi Cuchina for Italian on 22nd, West Des Moines.
We have lots of good places.

Zombie Burgers rocks

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaura...ines_Iowa.html

I've recommended this to many touring ladies. It's not in downtown but still in des moines - The Latin King.
Also I was at Iowa Taproom this weekend if your looking for local beer. Winery, there is one not far from downtown - Jasper Winery. A lot of hotels will shuttle u if needed. Any questions, msg me , I will be glad to help

Can't believe none of you Iowa guys said hopefully at her Y

I've been to the Jethro's location in Altoona by Adventureland and if the one Climax recommended is anywhere as good as that than it's pretty damn good. There's also Fong's downtown which has a crab rangoon pizza I've heard is incredible but I haven't been lucky enough to try it yet.

The Grill in my backyard.

Here is a link with some good information. If you are staying in West Des Moines/Jordan Creek, the bulk of stuff out there is chain. If you want nicer, go to django or centro downtown. Casual try any of the Jethros or Smokey D's. They were on Diners Drive Ins and Dives. Zombie Burger is a good choice as well. The Other Place in Clive is also very good. Iowa Tap Room is a neat place for beer, not sure about food. Downtown is really a cool place. Go down in the evening by the river walk etc. East Village has some cool eclectic places. Wellmans Rooftop by Jordan Creek is a good place too.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/sto...ines/81479216/

801 Chop House. Tumea and Son's purchases their inputs from Graziano's. As close to authentic Sicilian as you're going to get anywhere in the Midwest. Actually, some of the better I've had second only to my own, and my travels to Sicily.

There is one fairly unique bbq, and I believe it is mentioned above, but it isn't Carolina sauce, or anything you can't get anywhere else.

Outside of these, and none of these are really what I would call a "must have", you're better served in Cedar Rapids and Moline. Moline has a place with authenticated Kobe beef, and Cedar Rapids has two private dining clubs, and one restaurant that serve Waygu on a regular basis.

You could also try one of the member establishments of the Des Moines Embassy Club. It's been some time since I've used this, but it was never really outstanding.

Unfortunately for you, and my opinion only, Des Moines isn't a place where there is an absolute must go to place. It struggles as do most Midwestern MSA's.

It's really why the places in CR, or at least the one that has public access, and the place in Moline are clearly superior. Actually, the place in Moline with Kobe rivals places Chicago, NYC and Las Vegas.

But I refuse to pay for average food if I can make it better myself, and I like better food, so my judgements and opinions are coming from someone who knows exactly what I like, and has experienced it at several 5 star places on a regular basis. nation wide, and several foreign countries.

Anyway, that's my take. Not exactly a vote for Des Moines are restaurants, and it's a place I need to go to on a regular basis, but seldom get excited about their poor choices and poor quality of food options.

Flying Mango...

If you like Mexican, Dos Rios, downtown.

You know at this rate, I just offer my services if you just need company for the meal and take you out for dinner myself in my little beat up vehicle. I might as well play that card.

801 Chop House. Tumea and Son's purchases their inputs from Graziano's. As close to authentic Sicilian as you're going to get anywhere in the Midwest. Actually, some of the better I've had second only to my own, and my travels to Sicily.

There is one fairly unique bbq, and I believe it is mentioned above, but it isn't Carolina sauce, or anything you can't get anywhere else.

Outside of these, and none of these are really what I would call a "must have", you're better served in Cedar Rapids and Moline. Moline has a place with authenticated Kobe beef, and Cedar Rapids has two private dining clubs, and one restaurant that serve Waygu on a regular basis.

You could also try one of the member establishments of the Des Moines Embassy Club. It's been some time since I've used this, but it was never really outstanding.

Unfortunately for you, and my opinion only, Des Moines isn't a place where there is an absolute must go to place. It struggles as do most Midwestern MSA's.

It's really why the places in CR, or at least the one that has public access, and the place in Moline are clearly superior. Actually, the place in Moline with Kobe rivals places Chicago, NYC and Las Vegas.

But I refuse to pay for average food if I can make it better myself, and I like better food, so my judgements and opinions are coming from someone who knows exactly what I like, and has experienced it at several 5 star places on a regular basis. nation wide, and several foreign countries.

Anyway, that's my take. Not exactly a vote for Des Moines are restaurants, and it's a place I need to go to on a regular basis, but seldom get excited about their poor choices and poor quality of food options. Originally Posted by Golfer1

Good thing you aren't on the "Catch Des Moines" committee. (insert eye roll)

801 Chop House. Tumea and Son's purchases their inputs from Graziano's. As close to authentic Sicilian as you're going to get anywhere in the Midwest. Actually, some of the better I've had second only to my own, and my travels to Sicily.

There is one fairly unique bbq, and I believe it is mentioned above, but it isn't Carolina sauce, or anything you can't get anywhere else.

Outside of these, and none of these are really what I would call a "must have", you're better served in Cedar Rapids and Moline. Moline has a place with authenticated Kobe beef, and Cedar Rapids has two private dining clubs, and one restaurant that serve Waygu on a regular basis.

You could also try one of the member establishments of the Des Moines Embassy Club. It's been some time since I've used this, but it was never really outstanding.

Unfortunately for you, and my opinion only, Des Moines isn't a place where there is an absolute must go to place. It struggles as do most Midwestern MSA's.

It's really why the places in CR, or at least the one that has public access, and the place in Moline are clearly superior. Actually, the place in Moline with Kobe rivals places Chicago, NYC and Las Vegas.

But I refuse to pay for average food if I can make it better myself, and I like better food, so my judgements and opinions are coming from someone who knows exactly what I like, and has experienced it at several 5 star places on a regular basis. nation wide, and several foreign countries.

Anyway, that's my take. Not exactly a vote for Des Moines are restaurants, and it's a place I need to go to on a regular basis, but seldom get excited about their poor choices and poor quality of food options. Originally Posted by Golfer1

Yah it is easy to want to pass this area by for someone from somewhere else but once someone knows somewhere else's someone well then it is what it is .

on a side note fishing and catching and releasing could of been a catching and grilling
wouldnt that be geneva ....

I get excited -But only when i see miss jane hathaway on the beverly hillbillies that is not a poor choice she has that good job at the bank keeps her figure slim went to finishing school is a chubby chaser takes direction well likes the outdoors live's alone and is a virgin and also gets along with jed and granny = good choice and grannys cooking is good food ...