“This place doesn't just have full bar + amazing pizza, it has actual soul! There's a personality about it that shines through in the friendly service and the overall ambiance and retro vibe. Stopped in for a late lunch with a friend. Everything on the menu sounded great of course but we went with the recommend hand battered fried mushrooms. Clearly not a frozen product and it was absolutely made from scratch. The batter was light and crispy. Came with ranch to dip. Huge portion and the two of us didn't come close to finishing because we needed to save room for pizza. We opted for the small "White Lightening". Thin buttery crust, pesto sauce, ricotta cheese, Italian sausage and artichoke hearts. If this was a small, I can't imagine the size of the medium and large. Great place to bring a crowd! Lively atmosphere with retro biker, vinyl, and rocker memorabilia.“
“This was a nice, chill retro bar in the downtown area of Des Moines. The service was awesome. Our waitress was quite attentive. They have a large assortment of craft cocktails. I chose to stick with my regular staples, either an old fashioned or their penicillin. I loved the neon signs which I've attached to this review.“
“I come here pretty frequently. Ricochet is always a great place to be, best Barcade in Des Moines for sure. Lots of fun games and the bartender was completely on top of it even though they were dealing with a pretty big party. If they had food I'd never leave!“
“My daughter and I were having a fun night and stopped by RoCa to grab a bite before Les Mis. The drink, called aptly I dreamed a dream, was the best cocktail we’d ever had! Plus the Asian lettuce wraps and Fig and goat cheese flatbread were both scrumptious. Special thanks to the bartender who was so kind.“
“We stopped in on an unexpectedly busy Tuesday evening during their Nice List holiday takeover. The guys working worked their butts off to keep up with the rush and did a great job. We always enjoy the drinks here and especially love their dog friendly patio in the summer!“
“Celiac safe!!!! I was so excited when I learned this! I was diagnosed a few months ago and I haven’t been able to eat out since. I finally had a girls night and it was incredible! No anxiety around eating (iykyk) and everything was sooo delicious. Will definitely be going back!“
“This review is for 3.5 stars. This place has been on my list of places to try for a while so my husband and I ate dinner here last night. We both thought the food was good but priced higher than it should be for what we got.I got the CFD Burger and my husband got the Mojo Pork Sandwich and while we thought they were both fine, we felt a little underwhelmed for how much they cost. My burger was $14 and the pork sandwich was $16 and neither one came with fries or a side. The side fries were $4, which I got. I checked their website before we went there and the website price for the fries was $3, not $4. I really hate when restaurants change the price of things on the menu but don't update the menu on their website.My burger was good but not amazing. Their sauce in It reminded me of a Big Mac. I feel like I have gotten just as good hamburgers from Smashburger or Zombie Burger for much less money. My husband said he was expecting more flavor with his sandwich. It tasted good but didn't wow him. I guess we just expected more because the chef is a James Beard Award nominee. We thought the flavors would be much better than food you can find elsewhere.I also feel that burgers and sandwiches should always come with a side. Neither the burger nor the sandwich was very big. There's no way either one alone would fill you up. I don't know anyone who would order a burger without getting fries or some other side. However, I will say that the fries were very good. They were light and crispy and didn't taste like they were frozen from a bag. They were just slightly warm, though, and not piping hot. They were still tasty though.All the employees we dealt with were friendly and nice. Our server, though, disappeared after we got our food. She never checked on us to ask how things were. I didn't get very much ketchup for my fries and I was looking all over the room for her to ask for more ketchup. When I finally found her, I was halfway done with my food.The place looks amazing and definitely looks like an upscale modern diner. The decor and furnishings are beautiful. Everything looks well thought out. I don't think we will be back again any time soon, though. The food didn't impress us enough to try it again for what they're charging.“
“My wife and I had a great experience. It was evident that the cocktails were made by someone who takes pride in their craft. The service was exceptional. Laid back and easy-going atmosphere for 5pm on a Friday. We didn’t try any of the small plates, but they looked good as they came out of the kitchen.“
“Stopped in for a bite to eat with some co-workers. The atmosphere was very welcoming, an at home sit down kind of place to watch sports TV. The theme through out the bar was baseball for the most part. I got a bacon burger with loaded fries, it was very delicious. If I'm back in the area I will definitely go again! The staff were very respectful and helpful for sure.“
“I was celebrating my birthday last weekend and we ended up here an stayed until closing time. This place is incredible. It makes you feel like a kid again but with alcohol lol They have a bar on both levels and video games, pinball, skeeball, table team games, photo booth, huge pizza by the slice for $6, very nice and awesome bar tenders, well staffed, retro vibes for days and not enough good things can be said. I'd come back every week if I could honestly. Hidden gem of Iowa. Adults only, yes please.“
“It was our first time trying this place and we loved the food and Juan's service was great, from the moment he saw us thinking about what to order he was more than willing to help us and recommend what to try. Thanks to him we had a very nice experience“
“I really enjoyed the vibe here and the cocktails are good and reasonably priced. I had a Manhattan, $10. The dimly lit room, local art and music are fun. Of course, the actual "lift" is the centerpiece. Definitely a great spot in a great city.“
“Capt Roy’s is my go to place when cycling or driving. Great food in a comfortable atmosphere. The best trivia in town, with format that doesn’t allow internet look-ups. Fun to be by the water and bands all year long on weekends. Locally owned. What more could you ask for? Come check it out!“
“What a place! So much stuff to see on the walls, but it’s not gimmicky feeling. The music is very 90’s punk on a Monday night which is fantastic, and goes either way the homemade feel of having boasted chicken that is juicy and crispy. There must be 200 beer options including 2 great hop water N/A options. They’re good enough you don’t need a bunch of other N/A choices I’d say! Friendly service. Right location!“
“A week or so ago my family placed a large online order. My wife picked the order up and brought it home. When we got everything separated we realized some items were missing. Both my wife and I tried calling the restaurant several times due to living 20-plus minutes away but could only get a busy signal. My wife ended up going back to the restaurant. The young lady my wife spoke with was very apologetic about the entire situation and extremely kind. Despite having to go back for a couple of things, the young lady's handling of the situation and the food being great more than made up for everything. We will for sure return in the future.“
“We were in the process of moving and decided to try this place for lunch. I'm so glad we did. Amazing food and friendly staff. So far this is definitely my favorite place to eat in town. Will definitely eat here again. Thank you for truly Amazing food and perfect service. Service and food has definitely went down in general, with prices going higher. Here you get great food, service and great prices.“
“Nice place and great people, appears to be changing things up to improve the overall experience and atmosphere. What they are doing doesn't appear to be just for show, looks like they are putting the work and money into the place to make it better.Food exceeded my expectations for a typical bar, there food had flavor and most appears to be made onsite, not the normal frozen items that many bars try to pass off as meals.Can't wait to see all the changes in the next few months, but what they are already doing has made me a returning customer.It's worth the drive to stop in, if your in town for work, or just looking for a different place than normal to grab food for lunch or drinks after work.“
“Had a good time with friends, staff was friendly and have AMAZING patience. It got crowed quickly, with a very diverse crowd. Definitely meet some interesting people. Ella and the other bartender (didn't catch his name but he was a big guy with a beard) are probably some of the most efficient bartenders I ever saw in action. You guys rock! 5 STARS“
“The east side of the river really isn’t dirty anymore. It’s been gentrified with your typical cookie cutter businesses and people. I enjoyed my Saturday afternoon visit. The prices are typical with the area. The bartender was on point and it wasn’t to sticky. For me the ambience wasn’t what I expected. Numerous bachelorette parties and those people that ride that drinking wagon thing came and went. A privileged frat boy sorority girl feel but maybe it was just the day. Without the patio I don’t think I’d bother with the place and I wonder what happens in the winter 3/4s of their seating disappears. I’ll swing in again to enjoy a nice patio evening but maybe on a weekday instead.“
“We have been there numerous times for Wednesday steak night and a couple taco Tuesdays, every meal has fantastic!!!!! The staff are very welcoming and accommodating! We have only had one issue with our food and it was corrected immediately! Absolutely will be going again!“
“This is the best bar in the metro. Your average patron varies between bikers, hippies, and people in the service industry. The drinks are cheap and good, but the atmosphere is second to none. They also are the only place in town to get food late night as they serve tacos until 1:30-2“
“Cheese Bar is my favorite restaurant. I like it for the friendly staff, excellent service, knowledgeable chef, and of course delicious food. They clearly train their people well and are all very kind and relaxed. Their food and beverages have been consistently well prepared and tasty for over 6 years. I love it!“
“Super place to hang out, sip a cold one, and play some Golden Tee. Food is solid on their limited modest day to day menu, however, their Sunday morning breakfast and "Tuesday Taco's" are the best kept secret bargain on the eastside. Very tasty and the price is awesome. Staff is friendly and responsive. April and Chad have done a very nice job with this place and I look forward to the pleasure of being a customer of theirs for a long time to come.“
“We stopped in for one drink on Labor Day Sunday. There were only about 8 people there and they all seemed to be regulars. Everyone was kind, service was good and the drinks were tasty.It's a small quaint bar. Only one bathroom (toilet) in the girls restroom.“
“This place is a dive in all the right ways! Bartenders seem to handle a crowd well and I never wait long for a drink. I appreciate that. Tuesday open mic is always fun but loud if you are trying to visit. Might take it to the back room or out front or back. Wings on Wednesday happy hour from the Keg Stand hit the spot. Can't say more or too many people will show up. Have to leave your mark and sign the wall somewhere. Seems like everyone in town has“
“I always love coming here. The environment always calls for good vibes. Anna is awesome and quick with drinks and making sure we are taken care of! Brooke is always on top of getting drinks out in a timely manner. Staff overall just makes sure everyone is having a good time. The option to be able to dj the bar yourself is awesome too. We love tonic❤️❤️❤️“
“Great bartender! He's always been super friendly and engaging whenever my group comes through. The whole atmosphere up there is really cool and the beers they have are great. Love going here to try some new imported beer I've never heard of. I typically eat downstairs at the Royal Mile, then head up here for a couple drinks. Definitely recommend making the trip downtown for this place.“
“We went here for a drink cuz our regular bar was closed for the night. The bartender was rude and ignored us even after I said hi to her. parking lot sucks. Bathroom sucks. Other customers gave rude dirty looks. We will NEVER be back. Poor example for our east side.“
“I *never* review, but being from out of state and putting my luck and a humble experience, I found it. Dustin, the bar tend, was very kind and attentive.With awesome tunes, and a fun and entertaining staff (like old friends), I highly recommend this as your spot for Saturday night.“
“I ordered delivery by DD. My order was Guinea grinder with onion rings. The grinder was good and on a nice soft hoagie roll. The door dash menu doesn't give you the option to remove the peppers. I hope they change that. The onion rings were not good, no flavor to them and definitely not worth the price. My first time trying this place.“
“The Park Avenue Pub has been around forever, well known on the Southside of Des Moines and largely remains unchanged. Still operating under normal pub hours and participating in local pool league tournaments. If you’re looking for fancy, this is not your place. If you’re looking for an old school simple watering hole and place to grab a bite, this is it. A small group of us still get together periodically on Saturdays for sausage sandwiches and a couples beers. Always a thumbs up on the sandwiches and they are reasonably priced. Also, plenty of parking in the back.“
“It was my first time there and I had a good time. I didn't have an opportunity to eat there but the people that I meant there were great. Friendly and very accepting. I will go back there again and recommend Donna's to my friends.“
“I love this place, everyone that goes there are so friendly and nice i love the atmosphere there we are all there to enjoy ourselves and have fun specially on Saturday to watch our Hawkeyes play. Also luv that they carry Pickle ? beer my favorite. I go at least once a week if i can.“
“This is a real gem! Owner actually goes out of her way to greet a stranger. Cold beer in frosted mug and Graziano sausage sandwich - just can't get better than that. Thanks Scooter! Bring your Beemer, bring your El Camino, bring your Chopper, bring your Harley, bring your Caddy, bring yo' dirt bike (me), but come have a good time!!“
“If you're a fan of dive bars, you'll enjoy yourself here. Your basic no-frills corner bar. Cheap drinks, pool table, juke box (the new touch screen computer type). If your cell phone's dead, they even have a power strip on the wall for your convenience. Nice touch! Sometimes busy, but never packed. Perfect spot to gather with friends without the crowd.“
“Our 1st time at Monalous. Her onion rings were thin, flavorful and not greasy. I had the chicken rice soup which was fabulous, we each had a cheeseburger which we also thought was very good. Will definitely be going back. Monalou welcomed us almost like family.“
“What a great bar! The bartenders hustle with a busy bar and the drinks are a great pour. The customer service is amazing and with TVs on every wall they are the best location to watch a game. Food was also amazing and we can’t wait to be back!“
“Cracking little place this, a real hidden gem in Ankeny. Myself and my fiancé stopped in purely by chance to grab some food and a couple of drinks and fell in love with the place. The staff are attentive and really friendly, the food was really good and most importantly the beer was perfect in a frozen glass. Has a real charm to the place that I think alot of bigger drinking establishments lack. As an Englishman, I'm no stranger to the "local pub" and this just has those vibes in spades. Just feels like you should know everyone by name and feels like you should of been drinking here forever. A really charming place that I'll definitely be coming back to when I return to Ankeny.“
“Never had a bad meal or experience here - it is a solid go-to for classic and creative food and drink. The staff is helpful and best in the city. The drink options are amazing and the food is some of the best in the city. If you haven’t been you are cheating yourself out of a great dinning experience.“
“4.0* (out of 5) Food: 4* Atmosphere: 3* Value: 5* Service: 4* 08/06/2023 This place's Italian Beef was highly recommended by a reviewer on another site and finally got the chance to try it today. This is definitely a neighborhood bar - as several other patrons / regulars asked us how we liked our drinks and dinners. Granted, the area looks a little on the rough side as you pull up but the service and food were both great - all handled by one lady behind the bar. On the recommendation of another patron, we started out with Bloody Marys with pickle vodka and I highly recommend them - not too salty or thick. For our meals, my wife ordered the Italian Beef (see picture) and I went with the Chicago Dog (see picture). As always, we each shared tastes and found both dishes to be very good. Our neighbors ordered the Italian Beef with Cheese (see picture) and Chili Dog (see picture) - and both of them thought they tasted great, commenting especially about how good the chili was. If you found this review helpful, please show your appreciation with a Like or a Follow. Photos copyright: happyhourdesmoines.com & thefoodanddrinkguy.com“
“Had a great time. Hamburger was above and beyond, real French fries ?. Tori did an outstanding job of serving us, my first time there. Nacho burger was excellent. Definitely a great place for a quick bite to eat if you aren't into corporate fast food, this is an ideal spot to stop and have lunch. Prices are reasonable.... $20 per guest, approx. Flor does a great job of making everyone feel ? welcome.“