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Iowa

  (17 restaurants)    
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Restaurant Notes
Flying MangoSee Flying Mango Video ($$)
(425 ratings)

4345 Hickman Rd Map It!
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 255-4111
www.flyingmango.com
  • Ribs
    baby back ribs, rubbed & smoked in cherry wood for 4.5-5.5 hrs; served w/ sweet potato pancake & red beans & rice; looks good
  • Smoked Catfish Cake
    chef-owner's personal favorite; served w/ corn bread & collard greens
4.5 out of 5
425 ratings
opened in 2003; "prides itself on award-winning succulent barbecue, bold flavors of the Caribbean and unique homemade sidedishes" (from its website); Other Recipes: Collard Greens Gratin
High Life Lounge ($)
(261 ratings)

200 SW 2nd St Map It!
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 280-1965
As Seen On:
Man v. Food, Episode: "Des Moines"
  • Bacon-Wrapped Tater Tots
    looks good
  • Broasted Chicken
    looks good
4.5 out of 5
261 ratings
Mi Patria Ecuadorian RestaurantSee Mi Patria Ecuadorian Restaurant Video ($$)
(388 ratings)

1410 22nd St Map It!
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 222-2755
www.mipatriaecuador.com
  • Arroz Con Pollo
    rice mixed w/ a medley of pulled chicken & vegetables; served w/ slices of fried ripe plantain; looks good
  • Hornado con Mote
    slow-roasted marinated pulled pork served w/ white corn, steamed white rice, potato patty & ensalada criolla
4.5 out of 5
388 ratings
since 2011; heritage of the Ecuadorian flavor; Other Recipes: Tortilla de Yuca
Patton's [CLOSED]See Patton's Video ($$)
(56 ratings)

1552 E Grand Ave Map It!
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 265-2203
  • Red Beans & Rice
    w/ andouille sausage, smoked turkey; served over rice; "that's outrageous!" - Guy Fieri; looks good
  • Red Velvet Waffles
    topped w/ hot (melted) cream cheese frosting
  • Southern Fried Chicken
    brined over night, dredged in seasoned flour & deep-fried
4.5 out of 5
56 ratings
[CLOSED]; since 2010; casual dining establishment offering Cajun Creole, Caribbean Jerk & a variety of "Southern soul w/ flair"
Cactus Bob's BBQ Corral ($)
(89 ratings)

5955 Merle Hay Rd Map It!
Johnston, IA 50131
(515) 331-0057
www.cactusbobsbbqcorral.c...
As Seen On:
Man v. Food, Episode: "Des Moines, IA"
  • "Showdown Challenge"
    pulled pork sandwich smothered w/ "showdown" scorpion pepper BBQ sauce; 10 full minutes w/ no drink, hand/face wiping, or breaks wins a t-shirt & photo on the "Wall of Flame"; Casey won
4.0 out of 5
89 ratings
opened in 2005; authentic "competition-style" BBQ & homemade hot sauces
Eatery A ($$)
(509 ratings)

2932 Ingersoll Ave Map It!
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 282-8085
www.eateryadsm.com
  • Cioppino
    mussels, clams, chorizo, shrimp, fumet, san marzanos, fennel; served w/ toasted house bread
4.0 out of 5
509 ratings
est. 2014; creative, wood-fired pizza & Mediterranean inspired cuisine
Fong's PizzaSee Fong's Pizza Video ($$)
(902 ratings)

223 4th St Map It!
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 323-3333
fongspizza.com
  • Crab Rangoon Pizza
    crab rangoon base, surimi, green onion, asiago & mozzarella topped w/ crispy wontons & a sweet chili lattice; looks good
  • General Tso's Chicken Pizza
    thin crust pizza topped w/ "General Tso" sauce, breaded chicken, water chestnuts, baby corn, roasted red pepper, mozzarella, asiago & green onion
4.0 out of 5
902 ratings
est. 2009; mid-century style restaurant & Tiki bar serving pizzas inspired by classic Chinese takeout dishes; Other Recipes: King Fong
Iowa State Fair
(116 ratings)

3000 East Grand Ave Map It!
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 262-3111
www.iowastatefair.org
  • Deep-Fried Butter
    butter is sticked, dipped in cinnamon/honey batter & deep-fried
  • Deep-Fried Pickledawgs
    one of the more popular items; quarter-slice dill pickle w/ cream cheese w/ ham or pastrami wrapped on outside, then battered & deep-fried
  • Double-Bacon Corn Dog
    hot dog wrapped in bacon & dipped in cornmeal batter w/ bacon bits & deep-fried
  • Funnel Cakes
    red velvet topped w/ powdered sugar & cream cheese glaze; also German chocolate topped w/ powdered sugar, pecans
  • Potato Chips
    made-to-order; at Grater Taters booth
4.0 out of 5
116 ratings
vendors & vendors of deep-fried foods
Jethro's BBQ [CLOSED] ($$)
(376 ratings)

3100 Forest Ave Map It!
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 279-3300
  • Adam Emmenecker Challenge
    challenge: 12-inch deep fried pork tenderloin, 2 buffalo chicken tenders, angus steak cheeseburger, bacon, beef brisket, 2 fried cheddar cheese cubes, smothered in cheese sauce, plus 1-lb of waffle fries..all in 15 minutes; Adam lost
  • Hot Wings
    voted best wings in Des Moines for 3 consecutive years; smoked and then flash fried; looks good
  • The Jethro
    (huge) sandwich w/ battered & fried pork tenderloin, Carolina style pulled pork, house smoked pit ham, double order of thick slab bacon & topped w/ aged white cheddar cheese sauce; looks good
4.0 out of 5
376 ratings
[CLOSED]; #2 (Top 5 Restaurants-Best Bacon Bites); #69 (101 More Amazing Places to Chowdown); opened in 2008; big food portions and beer served in mason jars
Smitty's Tenderloins Shop ($)
(162 ratings)

1401 Army Post Rd Map It!
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 287-4742
smittystenderloin.com
As Seen On:
Man v. Food, Episode: "Des Moines, IA"
  • Taco Tenderloin Sandwich
    breaded & fried pork tenderloin on a hamburger bun, w/ chili con carne, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, ketchup, mustard & taco sauce; sizes king or queen
4.0 out of 5
162 ratings
opened in 1966; old school diner known for award-winning fried pork tenderloin sandwiches
Smokey D's BBQSee Smokey D's BBQ Video ($$)
(481 ratings)

5055 NW 2nd St Map It!
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 243-2747
www.smokeydsbbq.com
  • Apple Dumpling
    whole un-cored apple wrapped in dough & baked
  • Asian Smoked Wings
    cherrywood-smoked & deep-fried; looks good
4.0 out of 5
481 ratings
opened in 2010; "winner of over 60 State BBQ Championships & over 700 local, regional & National BBQ Awards" (from its website); inside the "swine colosseum" (11,000 sq-ft)
George The Chili King Drive-In [CLOSED]See George The Chili King Drive-In Video ($)
(72 ratings)

5722 Hickman Rd Map It!
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 277-9433
  • Chili
    award-winning; looks good
  • Tenderloin Sandwich
    a Des Moines staple; breaded & deep-fried pork shoulder w/ ketchup, onions, pickles & mustard between burger buns
3.5 out of 5
72 ratings
[CLOSED]; est. 1920; classic all-American drive-in where waitresses rollerskate your order to your car (think of movie "American Graffiti"); institution; Other Recipes: Onion Rings
Machine Shed Restaurant ($$)
(412 ratings)

11151 Hickman Rd Map It!
Urbandale, IA 50322
(515) 270-6818
www.machineshed.com
  • Farmer's Daughter
    one "AA" egg and your choice of a slice of smoked ham, smoked country sausage, two strips of thick cut Applewood smoked bacon or sausage (two links or one patty)
  • Hungry Man's Breakfast
    three "AA" eggs as you like them, complete with our American fries, plus smoked country sausage, thick-cut Applewood smoked bacon, a slice of smoked ham and two large fluffy buttermilk pancakes topped with butter and warm syrup
  • Shed's Famous Cinnamon Roll
    HUGE award-winning rolls feature real butter cream frosting; looks good
3.5 out of 5
412 ratings
est. 1978; country farm décor w/ servers dressed in bibs overalls; "Dedicated to the American Farmer" (from its website); everything made from scratch; say "I love eggs!" and you get an extra egg
Maid-Rite Skywalk [CLOSED] ($)
(3 ratings)

655 Walnut St Map It!
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 244-4223
  • Original Maid-Rite Sandwich
    seasoned ground beef loose meat sandwich served on a warm bun; like a sloppy joe, but not as greasy
3.5 out of 5
3 ratings
[CLOSED]; opened in 1926 as a walk-up window; claims to be the first drive-thru starting in 1948; over 70 locations
Tacopocalypse [CLOSED] ($)
(323 ratings)

407 E 5th St Map It!
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 556-0571
  • Bulgogi Masa Fries
    masa fries (potato dough mix sliced into fries shape & deep-fried) topped w/ Bulgogi (pan-fried marinated thinly sliced beef), cheese sauce, kimchi & eel sauce; "of everything I've enjoyed on this show, that's got to be at least in the top 5%"-Guy Fieri; looks good
  • Seitan Andouille Burrito
    vegan burrito w/ homemade vegetarian "Andouille", poblano potato w/ smoky tomato sauce; "90% of the people" would never guess it's vegan
3.5 out of 5
323 ratings
[CLOSED]; opened in 2013; metal musician turned taco chef serving tacos w/ Asian flair; Other Recipes: Pak Bulgogi (BBQ Chicken) Tacos
Tomaso's Pizza ($$)
(70 ratings)

3234 Center Point Rd NE Map It!
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
(319) 364-4313
www.tomasos4me.com
  • Detroit Deep Dish Pizza
    "thick & bready, no lip, cheese all the way to the edge of the pan so the crust caramelizes"; looks good!
3.5 out of 5
70 ratings
est. 1995; rustic award-winning pizza parlor w/ thin crust & deep dish pizzas & wings
Black Market Pizza [CLOSED] ($$)
(32 ratings)

2610 Northridge Pkwy Map It!
Ames, IA 50010
(515) 292-1111
As Seen On:
Man v. Food, Episode: "Des Moines"
  • Reuben Pizza
    looks good
3.0 out of 5
32 ratings
[CLOSED]
Iowa   (17 restaurants)