Goodbye Des Moines #1 (Best Eats)
This will be my first “goodbye post,” highlighting some of my favorite things about the last 2+ years our life here in DesMo.
I’m going to start it off with an “easy” post: My favorite places to eat in Des Moines.
The Best Places To Eat In Des Moines.
Pizza.
1) Big Tomato Pizza Co.
There is no shortage of pizza places in DesMo, most of which are pretty tasty! But when it comes to the taste and creativity, Big Tomato beats them all.
I’ll be completely honest; The “service” is scary. It’s 1 part soup nazi, 1 part grub line at a maximum security prison. I mean, it shouldn’t be a surprise. The neon sign on the window says “Lousy Service.” The first time I saw it I laughed at the “silly, ironic ‘bad service’ sign.” The second time I saw it I both feared and respected it as a sign of truth and warning. Read any of the trip advisor, yelp, or urban spoon reviews and you’ll find no shortage of complaints about the service. (The best is when a Big Tomato employee starts responding to peoples complaints here haha. “F*** it, don’t come in. I swear…if I hear “How many people does a large pizza feed?” I’m gonna have a f***ing aneurysm. I don’t f***ing know, lady. One really really fat person? Sixteen not so hungry people?”)
However, from classics like pepperoni to DesMo staples like honey-garlic on alfredo and on to crazy concoctions such as feta/green apple/honey, bbq beef brisket, or philly cheese steak - which tastes like an ACTUAL philly cheese steak.
The ONLY downsides to Big Tomato are no tables and it’s a bit pricey (unless you get by the slice after 10:30pm).
I know I wrote a lot about this place, but if I could only eat one thing the rest of my time in DesMo, this would be it.
2) Fongs Pizza
This is the first place we took almost every visitor that we had in Iowa. It’s one of the most unique concepts and places I’ve been too and has pretty great food.
Mostly known as a pizza place (they serve some other stuff too), they offer traditional pizzas as well as Asian-influenced pizzas, like the crab rangoon pizza (which is my personal favorite).
3) Gusto Pizza Co.
Gusto is a bit newer here in DesMo, but they came out of the gates swinging. I would say these are gourmet pizzas, but they aren’t in any way wussy. My favorite pizza on their menu is the West Of Philly (a version of the philly cheese steak). The main reason that I am putting them on this list is because of a special pizza they made over the week of Saint Patrick’s Day. It essentially incorporated all of the irish influences into a pizza. Corned beef, white cheddar, sweet carrot puree, and guiness glaze. It was one of the most incrdible things I’ve ever eaten - no exaggeration.
Mexican Food
1) La Rosa
La Rosa is one of the most obviously family owned/operated spots in town. They have the best tortas I’ve ever had in my life, and their tamales are pretty tasty too.
2) Abelardo’s
Abelardo’s is a small chain started by a family member that owns a chain called Alberto’s in southern California. It is an identical menu and has an identical taste. It’s great authentic Mexican fast food, it’s cheap, and it’s open later than anywhere else in Des Moines. And by later I mean 24hrs a day.
Other
1) La Mie
La Mie is a little french bakery/bistro on 42nd. Every morning they make a plethora of fresh pastries and bread, and they also serve sandwiches and breakfast and stuff like that. It’s all good. My favorite is their bread pudding, which they include little chunks of fruit and little chocolate chips in. Es’ favorite is the cinnamon chocolate chip scone, or their french toast. I will fiercely miss this place.
2) Palmers
When we moved to Iowa, we lived 2 blocks from Palmers Deli. This was a problem for our wallets and our bellies. This is one of the greatest delis I’ve been too. Tons of sandwich options, incredible salads, great soups, and a full spread of desserts too. I usually go with a rueben, but the beefeater is great also (a hot roast beef, pastrami and cream cheese sandwich).
3) Centro
I almost didn’t include Centro here, but I’ve got to give credit where credit is due. Centro has been consistently a part of our DesMo lives. They have the best french toast I’ve ever tasted, incredible wood-fired pizzas (the BBQ Chicken is incredible!), great sandwiches, Es’ favorite salmon in Iowa, and much more. It’s classy enough to be “fancy,” but comfortable enough to be “casual.” It’s been good to us.
That’s the official list, people. However, I feel like I need to give a list of the other great offerings of this city - the honorable mention list, if you will.
- George the Chili King - great cheeseburgers and fries, and the most glorious dive I’ve ever been to.
- Zombie Burger + Drinks - this place has all the crazy toppings you could want on your burgers, but the burger itself is really great too! Don’t discount their hotdog options, either.
- Tacos Andreas - good tacos, best papusas in town.
- Jimmy Johns - I know it’s a franchise, but I will definitely miss these sandwiches and the obnoxiously loud music.
- Woody’s Smoke Shack - best BBQ in DesMo. Home made pies and free cornbread don’t hurt either!
