Consistantly the best! Ribs, brisket and veggies, like every meal I’ve had over the last 10 years are second to none! Keeps me going back!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Goat Cheese and Potato, BBQ Chopped Brisket, Braised Collard Greens, Grits of the Day, Cowboy Beans, White Chocolate Bread Pudding, Half Chicken, Picada, 24-Hour Beef Brisket
Doug Parsons
TL;DR: you will have a good time here.Overall the service and atmosphere are fantastic. The owner, Mike, happened to be in the restaurant and came over to our table to check on us a few times. Personable guy, funny.The food was in a weird spot for me. The sides were dynamite (creole mashed potatoes & and corn bread), the mains that I had (ribs, brisket) were just ok.The rub from the ribs was very smoke forward (my hands and clothes actually smelled of smoke for a while after we left) but I didn't get much in the way of flavor past the smoke. The rib meat was fine, if not a little bland.The brisket was less smoke forward but still that was the primary flavor I got. Additionally the brisket was served in one big hunk and it had the taste and feel of a pot roast moreso than what I expect brisket to taste like.The homemade sauces did a lot to impart flavor though. I would go back and try some of the other offerings though.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Vince A.
Enjoyed this place a lot. The smoked chicken dip had a nice smoky flavor and the spicy chips go well with it but the dip needs a little something else... something aside from chicken, sour cream and cream cheese. Some onion or red pepper would kick it up, but still it is pretty tasty. I had the shrimp creole and kudos to the cooks for not dumbing this down with regard to spice level. I work with Iowans who think ketchup is spicy...they would not be able to eat this. But if you like spice...try it, it's hot! This is a very flavorful creole with large chunks of celery, onion and pepper. The tomatoes are luscious and sweet, a brief respite from the spice. Mine had seven jumbo shrimp which is great for a $25 dish. I'd suggest the top shelf margarita to wash it down and cool the burn. Dessert was Red Hots Apple pie, which was tasty. Service by our waitress was excellent. I will definitely go back.
madelyn Bryan
Just did my first pickup, amazing. I wish it was a new day so I could eat here again. If you guys actually made this Gf cheesecake in house- I’m incredibly impressed!!! It was like a beautiful mousse cake. That pulled pork was just a perfect amount of spicy. Delicious! Home you get Gf buns sometime…. I was not into the grits. Goat cheese? Apples were great and thankfully still warm. Thanks for taking great care
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sam H.
What can I say, this is the spot! Unfortunately I cannot eat the brisket (health issue) but my partner claims this is the best in town! She'd be eating here every day if we could afford it. Recently, when they were very low on brisket (because people love this place) staff gave my partner a little plate of brisket just to get some and she was so happy to have gotten it even though a main course wasn't available. That really made her day, and by default made mine, haha. I was so happy she got her Flying Mango brisket fix, haha. Everything I've ever ordered has been very delicious, as well. Usually it's seafood for me. I lived in Louisiana and the south generally for a bit when I was in AmeriCorps, and when I want to experience anything close to food experiences I had in the south -- it's Flying Mango for me. It takes me back. The owner, Mike, is just about the greatest guy, haha. He will be walking around talking to people and getting to know customers. He's honestly the coolest. And the staff are always friendly and awesome. Never had a rude or careless server here. Often dinner comes with some good conversation with staff and fun stories. The layout and ambiance is nice too. It can be packed sometimes and it's hard for me to hear in that case but we've been lucky to get some tucked away spots usually. And, even when it's packed, it's comfortable... you're not shoulder to shoulder or anything. And, I enjoy the artwork around the restaurant. Flying Mango is really top notch! Ten stars for one of our favorite places!
Arita Balken
Food was absolutely delicious, owner and staff were great!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
newman dog
How great is this place? The service #1....the food is exceptional...Always!... see ya again soon......?
Barrett Harvey
Had the half rack of ribs. They are some of the best dry rub ribs that I have had in Des Moines. And our server, Jess, was fantastic. She was great at describing the specials and very good on checking in on us.
First time in Des Moines and I found this restaurant on Tripadvisor. Wow! This place is a true gem. My brisket was an A+... tender enough to cut with a spoon, the cornbread was perhaps the best I have had and they paired the perfect pint to go along with it for me. Definitely will be returning!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: 24-Hour Beef Brisket
Troy McGahuey
I love my food spicy so this was a great treat for me. I had the shrimp and grits. Had a great uniquely flavored sauce with grits, large BBQ shrimp and toasted garlic bread. I may reccommend that a side vegetable should be added for a little more balance. Wife had the garlic lime chicken on pasta. The chicken was well seasoned which helped assist the pasta which she felt was needing a little more flavor. Also ordered their personalized coffee that we both found very good. We shared a slice of the chocolate cake. It was nice and thick, creamy and topped with a cinnamon flavored cayenne pepper looking candy. A comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. Staff made us feel welcome and were attentive. Good selection of wine, beer and other refreshments. Was also fun to see the open kitchen where you could view food preparation. I would advise calling ahead for a reservation. I would like to go back and try another dish to explore one of their BBQ dishes.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Shrimp and Grits
Nicole A
I tried Flying Mango a few months ago and enjoyed the food but never returned until tonight. Food was fantastic and I regret wasting the last few months trying other restaurants in Des Moines that were awful.Tonight ordered:Side salad - mixed greens apples red onions - delicious 10/10Cornbread - density was different however- topped with cinnamon butter which is awesomeSide Greens- definitely the Surprise of the night as I was skeptical about ordering but they came with pork pieces and a nice vinegar that has nice flavor! 10/10Shrimp Pontchartrain - previous time was better. Tonight gravy was lighter in color and sparse however nice big fresh shrimpBBQ Chopped Brisket Sandwich - with Cowboy Beans - Absolutely amazing! Brisket can be tricky at most restaurants but Flying Mango got it right and the BBQ sauce was the icing. 10/10Last time a nice guy at the grill with a beard & man bun gave me a big kind smile - not tonight. Parking sucks and the hostess podium was far from the door which was confusing. Packaging was labeled nicely!
Do not recommend! Called ahead and was told half an hour, got there and got was told to sit it’d be 15 minutes. As we sat with drinks we watched 4 other couples come in after us and get seated while we sat for 40 minutes. Left before they even had a table for us. We felt very unwelcome and ignored, not a comfortable atmosphere.
amazing food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Redneck Surf and Turf
Consistantly the best! Ribs, brisket and veggies, like every meal I’ve had over the last 10 years are second to none! Keeps me going back!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Goat Cheese and Potato, BBQ Chopped Brisket, Braised Collard Greens, Grits of the Day, Cowboy Beans, White Chocolate Bread Pudding, Half Chicken, Picada, 24-Hour Beef Brisket
TL;DR: you will have a good time here.Overall the service and atmosphere are fantastic. The owner, Mike, happened to be in the restaurant and came over to our table to check on us a few times. Personable guy, funny.The food was in a weird spot for me. The sides were dynamite (creole mashed potatoes & and corn bread), the mains that I had (ribs, brisket) were just ok.The rub from the ribs was very smoke forward (my hands and clothes actually smelled of smoke for a while after we left) but I didn't get much in the way of flavor past the smoke. The rib meat was fine, if not a little bland.The brisket was less smoke forward but still that was the primary flavor I got. Additionally the brisket was served in one big hunk and it had the taste and feel of a pot roast moreso than what I expect brisket to taste like.The homemade sauces did a lot to impart flavor though. I would go back and try some of the other offerings though.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Enjoyed this place a lot. The smoked chicken dip had a nice smoky flavor and the spicy chips go well with it but the dip needs a little something else... something aside from chicken, sour cream and cream cheese. Some onion or red pepper would kick it up, but still it is pretty tasty. I had the shrimp creole and kudos to the cooks for not dumbing this down with regard to spice level. I work with Iowans who think ketchup is spicy...they would not be able to eat this. But if you like spice...try it, it's hot! This is a very flavorful creole with large chunks of celery, onion and pepper. The tomatoes are luscious and sweet, a brief respite from the spice. Mine had seven jumbo shrimp which is great for a $25 dish. I'd suggest the top shelf margarita to wash it down and cool the burn. Dessert was Red Hots Apple pie, which was tasty. Service by our waitress was excellent. I will definitely go back.
Just did my first pickup, amazing. I wish it was a new day so I could eat here again. If you guys actually made this Gf cheesecake in house- I’m incredibly impressed!!! It was like a beautiful mousse cake. That pulled pork was just a perfect amount of spicy. Delicious! Home you get Gf buns sometime…. I was not into the grits. Goat cheese? Apples were great and thankfully still warm. Thanks for taking great care
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
What can I say, this is the spot! Unfortunately I cannot eat the brisket (health issue) but my partner claims this is the best in town! She'd be eating here every day if we could afford it. Recently, when they were very low on brisket (because people love this place) staff gave my partner a little plate of brisket just to get some and she was so happy to have gotten it even though a main course wasn't available. That really made her day, and by default made mine, haha. I was so happy she got her Flying Mango brisket fix, haha. Everything I've ever ordered has been very delicious, as well. Usually it's seafood for me. I lived in Louisiana and the south generally for a bit when I was in AmeriCorps, and when I want to experience anything close to food experiences I had in the south -- it's Flying Mango for me. It takes me back. The owner, Mike, is just about the greatest guy, haha. He will be walking around talking to people and getting to know customers. He's honestly the coolest. And the staff are always friendly and awesome. Never had a rude or careless server here. Often dinner comes with some good conversation with staff and fun stories. The layout and ambiance is nice too. It can be packed sometimes and it's hard for me to hear in that case but we've been lucky to get some tucked away spots usually. And, even when it's packed, it's comfortable... you're not shoulder to shoulder or anything. And, I enjoy the artwork around the restaurant. Flying Mango is really top notch! Ten stars for one of our favorite places!
Food was absolutely delicious, owner and staff were great!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
How great is this place? The service #1....the food is exceptional...Always!... see ya again soon......?
Had the half rack of ribs. They are some of the best dry rub ribs that I have had in Des Moines. And our server, Jess, was fantastic. She was great at describing the specials and very good on checking in on us.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Got there, and was a little high.
Restaurantji Recommends
One of the best BBQ restaurant in the US!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: 24-Hour Beef Brisket
First time in Des Moines and I found this restaurant on Tripadvisor. Wow! This place is a true gem. My brisket was an A+... tender enough to cut with a spoon, the cornbread was perhaps the best I have had and they paired the perfect pint to go along with it for me. Definitely will be returning!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: 24-Hour Beef Brisket
I love my food spicy so this was a great treat for me. I had the shrimp and grits. Had a great uniquely flavored sauce with grits, large BBQ shrimp and toasted garlic bread. I may reccommend that a side vegetable should be added for a little more balance. Wife had the garlic lime chicken on pasta. The chicken was well seasoned which helped assist the pasta which she felt was needing a little more flavor. Also ordered their personalized coffee that we both found very good. We shared a slice of the chocolate cake. It was nice and thick, creamy and topped with a cinnamon flavored cayenne pepper looking candy. A comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. Staff made us feel welcome and were attentive. Good selection of wine, beer and other refreshments. Was also fun to see the open kitchen where you could view food preparation. I would advise calling ahead for a reservation. I would like to go back and try another dish to explore one of their BBQ dishes.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Shrimp and Grits
I tried Flying Mango a few months ago and enjoyed the food but never returned until tonight. Food was fantastic and I regret wasting the last few months trying other restaurants in Des Moines that were awful.Tonight ordered:Side salad - mixed greens apples red onions - delicious 10/10Cornbread - density was different however- topped with cinnamon butter which is awesomeSide Greens- definitely the Surprise of the night as I was skeptical about ordering but they came with pork pieces and a nice vinegar that has nice flavor! 10/10Shrimp Pontchartrain - previous time was better. Tonight gravy was lighter in color and sparse however nice big fresh shrimpBBQ Chopped Brisket Sandwich - with Cowboy Beans - Absolutely amazing! Brisket can be tricky at most restaurants but Flying Mango got it right and the BBQ sauce was the icing. 10/10Last time a nice guy at the grill with a beard & man bun gave me a big kind smile - not tonight. Parking sucks and the hostess podium was far from the door which was confusing. Packaging was labeled nicely!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Corn Bread with Cinnamon Honey Butter, Braised Collard Greens
Do not recommend! Called ahead and was told half an hour, got there and got was told to sit it’d be 15 minutes. As we sat with drinks we watched 4 other couples come in after us and get seated while we sat for 40 minutes. Left before they even had a table for us. We felt very unwelcome and ignored, not a comfortable atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1