Italian$$south-sideTue-Thu 11:00-14:00 and 16:00-21:00; Fri 11:00-14:00 and 16:00-22:00; Sat 12:00-22:00; closed Sun-Mon
A Des Moines institution since 1947, Tursi's Latin King operates from a country-villa building on Hubbell Avenue and serves the classic Italian-American
Signature: Spaghetti with house red sauce, Chicken parmigiana, Steak de burgo
Italian steakhouse$$$south-sideMon-Sat 11:00-22:00; Sun 11:00-21:00
The canonical address in Des Moines for steak de burgo: a 6 oz filet in roasted garlic, basil, oregano and rich cream sauce ($44 at dinner).
Signature: Steak de burgo, Filet mignon, Veal Sinatra
BBQ$north-des-moinesMon-Thu 10:30-20:00; Fri-Sat 10:30-21:00; Sun 10:30-20:00
Competition BBQ team turned brick-and-mortar champion with 200+ competition awards. The pulled pork and brisket plate are the benchmarks; four sauce styles.
Signature: Beef brisket, St. Louis-style ribs, Burnt ends
Modern American$$$downtownWed-Thu 17:00-20:30; Fri-Sat 17:00-21:00; closed Sun-Tue
Award-winning restaurateur Tony Lemmo's Aposto occupies a historic 1880 Victorian mansion on 18th Street, with herbs grown on site feeding the kitchen.
Signature: Handmade pasta, Seasonal garden herbs
BBQ$$south-sideTue-Sun 11:00-20:00; closed Mon
One of several Jethro's BBQ locations anchoring the Des Moines smoke scene. Scratch-made sides, house-recipe sauces and a menu that spans ribs, brisket
Signature: Smoked ribs, Pulled pork, Brisket
Burgers$east-villageSun-Thu 11:00-22:00; Fri-Sat 11:00-23:00
East Village's theatrical burger destination: zombie-themed patty combinations, deep-fried mac and cheese buns, and a Drink Lab serving cocktails and
Signature: Mac and Cheese burger, Dawn of the Dead burger, Spiked milkshakes