The Deadly Dirge of Des Moines Ghost Tour
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40 cheap eats places in Des Moines, editor-picked. the best low-budget spots in Des Moines: the places editors actually return to. All Des Moines food.
La Mie Bakery ★ 4.6
the-avenues · 841 42nd St, Des Moines, IA 50312
Widely cited as Des Moines' finest bakery, La Mie has been producing classic European breads and viennoiserie on 42nd Street since the early 1990s.
Iowa State Fair Food on a Stick ★ 4.6
east-village · E 30th St and E University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50317
The Iowa State Fair food programme: 11 August days, 400+ vendors and hundreds of items on sticks. Pork chop on a stick and Iowa corn dog are the standards.
Downtown Farmers' Market Food Stalls ★ 4.6
downtown · Court Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309
Operating on Saturday mornings from May through October across 12 city blocks in the Historic Court District, with stalls trading from 07:00 until midday.
La Mie Bakery ★ 4.6
the-avenues · 841 42nd St, Des Moines, IA 50312
La Mie produces croissants, rustic sourdoughs and European pastries that compare to the best in Chicago or Minneapolis, in a neighbourhood retail format
Smitty's Tenderloin Shop ★ 4.5
south-side · 1401 Army Post Rd, Des Moines, IA 50315
The Godfather of Des Moines tenderloin joints. Since 1966, Smitty's has been hand-breading and frying pork tenderloins on a flat-top griddle using family
Zanzibar's Coffee Adventure ★ 4.5
the-avenues · 2723 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
Des Moines' oldest specialty roaster since 1993; small-batch roasting on Ingersoll Avenue with a travel-themed cafe and artefacts from coffee-growing regions.
El Bait Shop ★ 4.5
downtown · 200 SW 2nd St, Des Moines, IA 50309
The definitive Des Moines craft beer destination, El Bait Shop has maintained over 150 tap handles since opening in a renovated riverfront building.
Smitty's Tenderloin Shop ★ 4.5
south-side · 1401 Army Post Rd, Des Moines, IA 50315
The most famous tenderloin shop in Iowa. Since 1966, Smitty's has hand-breaded and flat-griddled Iowa pork tenderloins using a family recipe that has
Graziano Brothers Italian Grocery ★ 4.5
south-side · 1601 S Union St, Des Moines, IA 50315
The soul of Des Moines' south-side Italian-American community, Graziano Brothers has been producing house-made Italian sausage, cured meats and Italian
Graziano Brothers Italian Grocery ★ 4.5
south-side · 1601 S Union St, Des Moines, IA 50315
Founded in 1912 and still occupying the same south-side block, Graziano Brothers is probably Des Moines' most culturally significant food business and one
Smitty's Tenderloin Shop ★ 4.5
south-side · 1401 Army Post Rd, Des Moines, IA 50315
The most famous cheap eat in Iowa: a hand-breaded, flat-griddled Iowa pork tenderloin that dwarfs the bun. The King Tenderloin is under $12 including a side.
La Mie Bakery ★ 4.5
the-avenues · 841 42nd St, Des Moines, IA 50312
The city's finest bakery doubles as one of its best cheap eats: a croissant, a filled pastry or a slice of quiche alongside a coffee is one of the great
Graziano Brothers ★ 4.4
south-side · 1601 S Union St, Des Moines, IA 50315
The heartbeat of Des Moines' Italian-American south-side community, Graziano Brothers has been supplying house-made Italian sausage, imported Italian
Scenic Route Bakery ★ 4.4
east-village · 350 E Locust St Ste 104, Des Moines, IA 50309
Modern East Village artisan bakery with ample seating and a seasonal pastry rotation. Strong sourdoughs and enriched breads from locally sourced ingredients.
Zanzibar's Coffee Adventure ★ 4.4
the-avenues · 2723 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
Des Moines' longest-running specialty roaster, small-batch roasting on-site since 1993. The Ingersoll Avenue room is decorated with artifacts, textiles
Scenic Route Bakery ★ 4.4
east-village · 350 E Locust St Ste 104, Des Moines, IA 50309
Consistently cited as one of the best bakeries in Des Moines, Scenic Route operates a comfortable East Village cafe alongside its baking programme.
Horizon Line Coffee ★ 4.4
downtown · 1417 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA 50309
West End Artist District roastery and cafe with light, transparent roast profiles. One of the more progressive specialty-coffee operators in the state.
Confluence Brewing Company ★ 4.4
downtown · 1235 Thomas Beck Rd, Des Moines, IA 50315
One of Iowa's most respected production breweries, Confluence has built a large following on clean, consistent American styles that have taken the Iowa
El Bait Shop ★ 4.4
downtown · 200 SW 2nd St, Des Moines, IA 50309
The 150-tap craft beer bar operates until 01:00-02:00 and while the kitchen is primarily bar snacks in the late hours, the beer quality remains constant.
Bauder Pharmacy Soda Fountain ★ 4.3
the-avenues · 3802 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
Bauder Pharmacy, founded in 1916, has paired a working pharmacy with a vintage soda fountain and bakery counter on Ingersoll Avenue since the 1920s.
Horizon Line Coffee ★ 4.3
downtown · 1417 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA 50309
A coffee bar and roastery in downtown's West End Artist District, Horizon Line roasts its own beans and rotates a seasonal menu of lattes and pour-overs.
Northern Vessel ★ 4.3
downtown · 1201 Keosauqua Way Ste 100, Des Moines, IA 50309
Specialty coffee with a hospitality-first ethos, Northern Vessel rapidly became one of Des Moines' most popular cafe destinations after opening.
Northern Vessel ★ 4.3
downtown · 1201 Keosauqua Way Ste 100, Des Moines, IA 50309
Northern Vessel roasts in small batches and serves at its downtown cafe, where the bottled cold brew latte programme has become a local retail staple.
Fong's Pizza ★ 4.3
east-village · 317 E Court Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
The most reliable late-night food stop in Des Moines, Fong's serves its Chinese-tiki inspired pizzas until 02:00 on Friday and Saturday nights.
Bauder Pharmacy Soda Fountain ★ 4.3
the-avenues · 3802 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
Bauder Pharmacy has run a working soda fountain on Ingersoll Avenue since the 1920s, where cherry phosphates are still mixed from syrup and carbonated water.
Fong's Pizza ★ 4.3
east-village · 317 E Court Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
The quirky Chinese-tiki pizza bar that became a Des Moines legend: pizza topped with crab rangoon, General Tso's chicken or Asian-inspired ingredients
Smokey D's BBQ ★ 4.3
north-des-moines · 5055 NW 2nd St, Des Moines, IA 50313
Over 200 BBQ competition awards turned into a reliable local chain. Pulled pork sandwich, brisket plate and house sauce variety at family-friendly prices.
Smokey D's BBQ ★ 4.2
north-des-moines · 5055 NW 2nd St, Des Moines, IA 50313
Competition BBQ team turned brick-and-mortar champion with 200+ competition awards. The pulled pork and brisket plate are the benchmarks; four sauce styles.
Smokey D's BBQ ★ 4.2
north-des-moines · 5055 NW 2nd St, Des Moines, IA 50313
More than 40 Iowa State BBQ championship titles and 200+ national awards behind the recipe; pulled pork and brisket remain the benchmarks here.
Southern Cross Bakery ★ 4.2
east-village · 427 E Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309
East Village bakery with long-fermented sourdough and Scandinavian-influenced viennoiserie; limited weekend specials with a loyal E Locust Street following.
Oak Park Bakery ★ 4.2
downtown · 3409 6th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313
Neighbourhood bakery with devoted following for long-fermentation sourdoughs and flaky croissants; limited production means sell-outs before noon on weekends.
Daisy Chain Coffee ★ 4.2
east-village · 505 E Grand Ave Ste 104, Des Moines, IA 50309
East Village specialty cafe with local honey espresso drinks and a dog-friendly environment, one of the most pleasant morning stops in the neighbourhood.
Maid-Rite Sandwich Shoppe ★ 4.2
415 Main St, Ames, IA 50010
The original Des Moines-adjacent Maid-Rite, best visited via day trip to Ames, serves the loose-meat sandwich that is a uniquely Iowa street food
El Rodeo Taqueria ★ 4.2
south-side · 1700 Army Post Rd, Des Moines, IA 50315
One of Des Moines' most-loved taquerias, El Rodeo serves birria, al pastor and a full range of traditional street tacos on the south side, open daily.
Gateway Market Deli ★ 4.2
sherman-hill · 2002 Woodland Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
The specialty grocery Gateway Market maintains a deli counter producing sandwiches, prepared salads and grab-and-go meals from seasonal local ingredients.
Mars Cafe ★ 4.1
drake · 2318 University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311
A space-themed artisan coffeehouse near Drake University, Mars Cafe serves coffee, espresso, tea, wine and beer alongside locally baked goods, sandwiches
The Slow Down Coffee Co. ★ 4.1
downtown · 3613 6th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313
A north-side Highland Park favourite with vintage charm, reclaimed wood and espresso from local roasters; community events and warm neighbourhood vibe.
Chain and Spoke ★ 4.1
the-avenues · 515 28th St Unit 102, Des Moines, IA 50312
Combined coffee shop and bicycle repair studio with bright, airy design and specialty espresso drinks; one of Des Moines' more characterful cafe experiences.
Plain Talk Books and Coffee ★ 4.1
east-village · 602 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
A bookshop and coffee combination at the quieter eastern end of the East Village, combining a curated independent bookshop with quality coffee in a calm,
Tasty Tacos ★ 4.1
downtown · 1810 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
Des Moines institution since 1961: the local Tex-Mex fast food chain the city adopted as its own. Crispy hard-shell tacos and breakfast burritos citywide.
Book food experiences in Des Moines