The plates that define Des Moines: what they are, and where to eat the canonical version.
The plates that define Des Moines. what they are, where they came from, and where to eat the canonical version.
A filet mignon cooked and served with garlic, fresh herbs (basil, oregano, thyme) and either butter or cream sauce.
Where: {'venue_slug': 'johnnys-italian-steakhouse', 'note': 'The canonical keeper; steak de burgo is the defining dish on the menu'}, {'venue_slug': 'centro', 'note': 'Contemporary version on the dinner menu'}
A butterflied and pounded Iowa pork loin, hand-breaded with seasoned flour or breadcrumb coating, fried or flat-griddled until golden.
Where: {'venue_slug': 'smittys-tenderloin-shop', 'note': 'The definitive Des Moines version since 1966; King Tenderloin is the benchmark'}
Iowa grows some of the finest sweet corn in the United States. The combination of deep Iowa topsoil, warm summer days and cool nights produces a sweetness
Where: {'venue_slug': 'downtown-farmers-market', 'note': 'Fresh from farm trucks Saturday mornings July-August; the best context for the ingredient'}, {'venue_slug': 'harbinger-hidden', 'note': 'Seasonal summer preparations with local farm sourcing'}
Seasoned ground beef cooked loose on a flat-top without forming a patty, spooned into a soft hamburger bun. The loose-meat sandwich is a uniquely Iowa fast
Where: {'venue_slug': 'maid-rite-des-moines', 'note': 'Closest Maid-Rite to Des Moines is in Ames, 35 min north; the original format'}
Fong's Pizza's signature creation: a pizza topped with cream cheese, imitation crab, green onion and a sweet chili drizzle, named after the Chinese-American
Where: {'venue_slug': 'fongs-pizza', 'note': 'The only place to eat it; the original and only version that matters'}
The definitive Iowa State Fair food item: a whole pork chop on a wooden stick, grilled over open flame at the Iowa Pork Producers tent.
Where: {'venue_slug': 'iowa-state-fair-food-sticks', 'note': 'Iowa Pork Producers tent at the fair; available only during the 11-day August run'}
The house-made Italian sausages at Graziano Brothers have been produced to the same family recipes since the business opened in 1912. Sweet, hot and fennel
Where: {'venue_slug': 'graziano-brothers', 'note': 'The only place to buy the real Graziano sausage; also available as in-store deli sandwiches'}
Harbinger's five-course seasonal tasting menu, available nightly, is the single best way to eat in Des Moines. The menu changes almost daily based on market
Where: {'venue_slug': 'harbinger-fine', 'note': 'The only venue; book via Tock; tasting menu is the recommended format'}
Uncover the eerie secrets of Des Moines with our captivating ghost tour, where you'll wander through the city's most haunted and historic sites under the cover of night.
Des Moines's signature dishes include Steak de Burgo, Breaded Pork Tenderloin Sandwich, Iowa Sweet Corn, Loose-Meat Sandwich, Crab Rangoon Pizza. See our signature dishes chapter for where to eat each.