Restaurants in Des Moines

We're heading to Des Moines, IA for Jr. Nationals and were wondering if there are any good steak places to eat.

Thanks,

LinZ

I recommend the IA beef house, a grill your own type place.

cant remember exactly what it is called, farm shed or machine shed... defiantely something that ends in shed.... just off of i80 and i35

Iowa Beef Steak House is really good, the rib eye is an excellent piece of meat with a good chunk of fat on it   if you head north like you are head toward Ames, iowa there is an Outback steak house and also a Texas Roadhouse. there was another really good place we ate at when we were at Iowa state fair but i can't remember it, i'll try to find out


Anyone know if there will be a SP get together at Simmi Jr. Nationals, i know there was a thread on here awhile ago... but dunno if it was ever decided on.

JWW

Rube's in Urbandale (DSM suburb) is very good.  It's a grill your own too.

If the Rubes is ran by the same people that have the one near Tama, your not going to beat it!! Super good steak! Super atmosphere! And honestly priced (not super cheap, but well worth it)
The Iowa Machine Shed is near 35 and 80 junction on the west side of town (fairgrounds on the east side of DM).
IA Beef House/Iowa Steak House is also highly recommended.

If you are more the BBQ and Smokehouse type person, you have to go to Paxtons. Unbelievable ribs and Brisket. Also get their sweet potato, and their fried greenbeans!!  Pretty reasonably priced and just about 15 minutes north of the Fairgrounds! (If you go, take your picture by the huge pink pig in their yard!)

  I believe it's the same people but it's quite a bit fancier than the one in Montour.  I agree on Paxton's.  We've ate their after long Expo and State Fair days and it's good stuff.  It's on the way back to most of the hotels in Altoona too.

The other one I thought of was the Big Steer.  I've always had pretty good steak there.  It's in Altoona. 

The headquarter hotel is the Sheraton on the west side of DSM - which surprised me that they would put the headquarters out in WDSM.

I think it would be neat to meet ppl from sp. I am up for a gathering. Our group has talked about going to the Iowa stake house (Missouri ). Were you aware that the Iowa Jr association is providing all of the meals the week we are there? How cool is that??? Great on the pocket book when you have a family of 5!

Outback has two locations in the area that I know of, one in West Des Moines and the other just north to Ankeny.  The Texas Road House is just of I-80/35 on 86th Street towards the northwest corner of Des Moines.  Expect a long wait there, though.  Even with call ahead seating, we've never gotten in without at least a 30 minute wait.  If you want to spend some money, Flemings in Jordan Creek Mall is excellent.  You probably can't get out of there without spending a minimum of $70 each.  (I've been there twice, somebody else treated both times or I wouldn't have gone!)  If you like Mexican, try El Rodeo on the west side on University just north of the Cracker Barrel.  Authentic, and good.  The Latin King at the junction of Hubbell and University is good for Italian and is fairly close to the fairgrounds.  Lots of good, small, out of the way places, too, especially for barbeque.

I would agree with the above. I would add Johnny's Italian Steakhouse to that list, as well.  The Machine Shed has a huge menu selection--if you can't find something that suits you, you are either darn picky or not very hungry. If you are specifically looking for a steak, I would choose one of the other places mentioned.. If you are looking for a great family style place, the Machine Shed is a really good choice.

Just found out where we ate..... it was the Big Steer.... very good food, and they were happy to accomidate our late arriving crowd with a simple phone call

JWW

JWW said:

Just found out where we ate..... it was the Big Steer.... very good food, and they were happy to accomidate our late arriving crowd with a simple phone call

JWW

Click to expand...

Yep, they are used to cattle folks eating there after a day at the fairgrounds---and have never complained about "cattle show smell...." (clapping)

How could I forget the Big Steer?!!! I have ate there several times, a few times straight from the expo or fair, no shower, and was greeted with nothing but a smile and a "what would you like to drink?"
It is pretty reasonably priced also.  Guessing around $30 per person (without drinking the river dry!).
Paxons will run about $30 also. Haven't been to Rubes in DM, but in Montour it will run about $40 per person.
Iowa machine Shed will run about $20-25.

Each of those places will leave you wanting larger pants with elastic waist bands!

My favorite is Flemings in West Des Moines but as Oakview said its pretty expensive.    Both Outbacks are very good--we go to the one in Ankeny every year during the State Fair and Beef Expo.  Latin Kings is also very good and near the fairgrounds on University. 

The only resturant Ive been to down there is my Aunt and Uncles house lol

Thanks for posting some of these places so I dont go hungery during Nationals 

with out reading everyone elses posts, just noticed the topic... the Machine Shed is a must have in des moines!!!

Also.... if your willing to drive up to ames one night... (25 min) Hickory Park is a must have!!!

The Big Steer is one of my favorite steak houses of all time.  It is a classic family run restaurant that you used to find all over the state before chains started popping up.  The food is outstanding(you won't go away hungry), the service is friendly and just down home Iowa and you will definitely feel like you get your money's worth.  It is  right across the road to the north from the Prairie Meadows Racetrack in Altoona.....

Thanks for all the ideas on where to eat. I'm sure we'll be eating at the show most days(THANK YOU IOWA JR SIMMYS) for providing that. but we may sneak away after showing to eat out somewhere. Don't know where anyone wants to meet but we're only going to have 2 juniors(me and SSIMMENTALS) there from Alabama and 4 head so we'll be pretty easy to find if anyone wants to decide when to meet up we can just meet at out stalls.. Maybe we could all go out for cheesecake one evening  (lol) Anyone who wants to meet up my number is 251 593 8864 and we'll be there around noon on Saturday.

LinZ

i say take the 25min drive north through scenic iowa to ames and go to "hickory park" , also you should check out nichols(bull stud) since you'll be so close