Jethro's BBQ Southside ★ 4.0
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
Johnny's Italian Steakhouse is an italian steakhouse restaurant in South Side, Des Moines.
Editorially verified June 26, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Signature dishes: Steak de burgo, Filet mignon, Veal Sinatra
Address: 6800 Fleur Dr, Des Moines, IA 50321
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
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
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
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
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
A full-scale German beer hall in downtown Des Moines with 50 German beers on draft and over 100 in bottles, claimed as the largest German beer selection
Signature: Wienerschnitzel, Currywurst, Schweinshaxe
The Chinese-tiki pizza bar Des Moines made its own: crab rangoon pizza, General Tso's chicken topping, and conventional pies in a bar format.
Signature: Crab Rangoon pizza, General Tso's pizza, Tiki cocktails