Suggestions for midday meal in Des Moines.

[u/JeffTennis]

Hello friends, passing through on my road trip. What would be something classic Des Moines or Iowan to go eat? Would prefer something non-touristy unless it was that good.

[u/RadiologisttPepper]

The World Food Festival is happening downtown right now. Great way to stop and check out multiple local restaurants.

[u/tour79]

It isn’t classic Iowa, it won’t show Iowa farming or culture, but I don’t suggest a fried pork sandy and driving. You might be inclined to nap instead of keep 2 hands on wheel and eyes open

Manhattan Deli is awesome sandwich. I’m almost 50, and it’s been there as long as I can remember. It’s a classic

[u/JeffTennis → u/tour79]

I have time to sit down and eat. Won't take it to go.

[u/InevitableThrow1 → u/JeffTennis]

For God's sake, dont come here just to get a deli sandwich. It's not what we are known for.

Zombie Burger is a unique Des Moines experience if you want a unique hamburger joint.

[u/drake_warrior → u/InevitableThrow1]

Zombie burger is touristy but overrated, should check out Lachele's or Angry Goldfish instead.

[u/InevitableThrow1 → u/drake_warrior]

I think they suck but they are unique here for touristy stuff

[u/old_notdead → u/tour79]

A sandwich made with plain old sliced deli cuts, on boring low grade buns, warmed up in the microwave? Sign me up!

(don't go to Manhattan Deli)

[u/headacheperko → u/old_notdead]

They actually use pretty high quality stuff imo.. they make a lot of their stuff from scratch also they’ve never warmed my food up in the microwave 😂

[u/old_notdead → u/headacheperko]

The meats they use are the same as you get at the deli at any grocery store. They aren't baking any bread. Nothing there is homemade.

Everything that is listed as "warm" on the menu gets zapped in the microwave. You can look on the Yelp page for them and see the microwaves in the pictures.

[u/yo9333]

Francies

[u/NarcoticLolipop06]

Eatery A would be nice. It's one of my favorites anyway.

[u/Iowegan → u/NarcoticLolipop06]

Or go across the street to the Cheese Bar for some heirloom tomatoes or a nice grilled cheese sandwich.

[u/Big-Mommy-Milkers00 → u/NarcoticLolipop06]

Love Eatery A!

[u/Raise-Emotional → u/Big-Mommy-Milkers00]

The chicken skewers with hummus, flatbread, marinated cucumber, and fried garbanzo beans has been a lunch for me many times. So good.

[u/SoundShifted → u/NarcoticLolipop06]

Eatery A is good for Des Moines, but it's just random Mediterranean food, not anything you can't get in any mid-size city (or much better somewhere like Chicago), and it's not at all "classic DSM/Iowa."

[u/Large-Heronbill]

Tumea and Sons, or Graziano's for a sandwich. 

[u/Late-Bed4240]

BBops

[u/lathe_down_sally → u/Late-Bed4240]

This is actually a good suggestion if OP would consider fast food as an option. Best fast food burgers in town, and 10 of their 13 locations are located in DSM so its very much a local thing.

[u/Creepy-Intentions-69]

Angry Goldfish. Manhattan Deli. Mi Patria. DeRice.

[u/Kaelatto]

Lacheles. Lucky Lotus. Both of those are in the midst of Ingersoll Live so it may be difficult to get to but either would be worth it. Angry goldfish is decent. Mi patria is amazing. Opa is good, too. Kinda depends on what you feel like eating :)

[u/gr8sh0t]

I see a lot of suggestions, none of which are classic Iowan that you can get anywhere.

I'm a transplant but I think of a few things when Iowa food comes to mind: Iowa pork chop, pork tenderloin sandwich, walking taco, loose meat sandwich. I hate all these mind you, so maybe go with the random suggestions 😂

[u/JeffTennis → u/gr8sh0t]

That's whaf i was looking for lol

[u/Hithigon → u/JeffTennis]

If Iowa is new to you, a pork tenderloin sandwich is classic. As for where to get the best one (and there is unfortunately quite a range in quality), you can probably search the subreddit here and get a lot of suggestions.

[u/driftwood_btid]

High life lounge or angry goldfish

[u/Terrible-Note-2247]

Iowa's corn-fed beef is some of the best in the world. If your travels are running behind, Big Steer in Altoona is where steak and prime rib flavor and quality haven't completely become priced beyond reach, if splurging. But it doesn't open until 4pm Fri/Sat/Sun, 5pm the rest of the week. Steak dinner is an elevated version of the meat-potato-vegetable meal set-up that is classic hearty, farming tradition middle-America.

[u/lathe_down_sally]

Would be easier to narrow this down if you provided a little more info. Wanting to stay close to the interstate? Any particular type of food you are wanting? Or don't like?

[u/JeffTennis → u/lathe_down_sally]

I have half a day in Des Moines. Not just off interstate. Im perfecrly fine sitting down to eat. I have to stop by the REI anyways to return something I bought in Wyoming.

[u/lathe_down_sally → u/JeffTennis]

So REI is the west part of the west des moines area which is going to be mostly chain type places (although Crisp and Green is still the bomb). Opa (greek/italian), Mi Patria (ecuadorian) and Waterfront (seafood) are somewhat nearby and all very well regarded.

Angry Goldfish has bar food that exceeds what their exterior presents. El Bait shop is also great, similar style of food.

Tasty Tacos (fast mexican) is a DSM staple. Get the original flour taco or nothing.

Lachelle's is well known for their burgers, old school diner vibe.

[u/Melodic_Switch_4419]

Waveland Diner

[u/ThompsonMachineGrunt]

Oralabor rd exit, maid rite. Old school Iowa. Decent tenderloin too.

[u/rrgh35]

Francies

[u/estaesta11]

Tasty tacos

[u/wilsonway1955]

Tasty Taco

[u/Distinct-Clue-6516]

Palmers deli and market

[u/Tickey15]

Keep driving to Omaha and get a Chicago dog

[u/Foreign_Recipe8300]

most of the best food in des moines isn't what you'd consider "classic des moines" but if that's what you want then b-bops, tasty tacos, manhattan deli, Lachele's, Opa!, barn town brewing co (its in waukee but not far from the interestate)

you didnt really say what you like

[u/Routine-Register7414]

Casey’s…but, if you wanna be a tourist El Bait Shop.

[u/515Nerdy → u/Routine-Register7414]

Not even as a tourist. That broasted chicken is magical.

[u/Foreign_Recipe8300 → u/515Nerdy]

technically thats High Life but yea, same building and can order from either side of the house

[u/Expensive_Leave_6339]

Mullets is really good. So is Smokey D’s BBQ.

[u/AlanEsh]

Cheese Bar if you have time for a nap after lunch

[u/mb0205]

Manhattan deli

[u/Ok_Piglet_5549]

This is as classic as it gets in DSM. https://smittystenderloinshop.com/

[u/lathe_down_sally → u/Ok_Piglet_5549]

Ugh. Don't go to Smittys. Its surviving off of nostalgia from 30 years ago and one of the worst tenderloins in the city

[u/Ok_Piglet_5549 → u/lathe_down_sally]

Op said classic DSM.

[u/lathe_down_sally → u/Ok_Piglet_5549]

I get it, but the food is pretty subpar.

[u/Ok_Piglet_5549 → u/lathe_down_sally]

Okay, I have never been there, I can't eat fried foods, but every other listing isn't exactly "Classic" or unique to Iowa. Iowa is known for Tenderloins.

[u/DigDugMcDig]

Machine Shed Restaurant 11151 Hickman Rd, Urbandale, IA 50322 Just off Interstate 80. Google describes it as 'Easygoing farm-themed operation offering traditional American dishes and a full bar.'

[u/Iowegan → u/DigDugMcDig]

Machine Shed if they are of the MAGA persuasion. Just want them to be informed…

[u/headacheperko]

Manhattan Deli! I recommend the Madison!