So, I've lived in Des Moines for a Week...

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NWICY

Well-Known Member
Sep 2, 2012
29,011
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Chef's kitchen has been closed for at least 7 years. The building sat vacant and rotted until a couple years ago they restored it. As far as I know, it's still vacant but I think the building is in much better shape.

The FD Wendy's was amazing (seriously noticeably better than Wendy's elsewhere) until they changed owners (old owners I believe also owned Taco Tico) and built a new location (new location was built over the old location's parking lot). Now it's no better than any other Wendy's.

Chef's kitchen building is reopened and a chinese place again can't remember the name of it.
 
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CloneGuy8

Well-Known Member
Mar 20, 2017
11,856
23,215
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38
Things I have learned:

The weather is glorious! I hope it stays this way year round.

The people are super nice.

Every time I see a Cyclone shirt or hat, I smile.

It was easy-peasy to sign up for Nex Gen internet and Direct TV for a decent price. Next day service. Works great!

Plenty of cool restaurants and bars.

The only thing that freaks me out is that I have seen 3 dead birds on the sidewalks. What's up with that?

Viva Des Moines!
giphy.gif
 

CivEFootball

Well-Known Member
Sep 16, 2010
511
379
63
My wife and I have our 5 year anniversary coming up next weekend. Any recommendations for dinner in the Des Moines metro? Our family is on a tighter budget so I don't want to go anywhere too expensive but don't want a chain restaurant either. Any recommendations?

New in town or 5 year I'd recommend checking out

Zuzap (thai food)
Hevanly in Valley Junction (chinese)
Exhile Brewing (maybe if you do a lunch for budget)
 

capitalcityguy

Well-Known Member
Jun 14, 2007
8,332
2,124
113
Des Moines
Regardless... the time is soon coming to finally GTFO of Illinois.

If I want the urban Des Moines experience, what areas/neighborhoods should I be looking at?

Beside downtown living, I consider traditional neighbors that are near downtown and are walkalbe as "urban" as well. To that end, my favorites are the neighborhoods immediately west of downtown. There are single family homes, apartments, and condos. A great business district (Ingersoll Ave).

A couple new downtown neighborhoods offer apartments for lease as well as condos and townhomes for purchase:

Bridge District: https://hubbellrealty.com/businesses/development-services/bridge-district-des-moines

Gray's Landing: https://www.hubbellhomes.com/communities/gray-s-station
 
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AlaCyclone

Well-Known Member
Jun 14, 2007
4,074
4,680
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3 weeks now and going strong! I bought a Cool Gel Roll mattress from Mattress Firm and a platform bed from west elm, I have NexGen internet and Direct TV, I have my Driver's License (still waiting on the hard copy in the mail), my new license plates, registered to vote, have a Hy-Vee Fuel Saver + Card and have been to plenty of new restaurants in DSM. Oh, I found a 4th dead bird the other day downtown. My sister-in-law says that it is the peregrine falcons who hunt the birds but don't eat all of their prey. Talking about hunting skills, the ISU Alumni Association found me without me calling to give a change of address!!! lol. They found me in 3 weeks!
 
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Cycsk

Year-round tailgater
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Aug 17, 2009
26,951
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3 weeks now and going strong! I bought a Cool Gel Roll mattress from Mattress Firm and a platform bed from west elm, I have NexGen internet and Direct TV, I have my Driver's License (still waiting on the hard copy in the mail), my new license plates, registered to vote, have a Hy-Vee Fuel Saver + Card and have been to plenty of new restaurants in DSM. Oh, I found a 4th dead bird the other day downtown. My sister-in-law says that it is the peregrine falcons who hunt the birds but don't eat all of their prey. Talking about hunting skills, the ISU Alumni Association found me without me calling to give a change of address!!! lol. They found me in 3 weeks!

ISU vanity plates?
 
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SCyclone

Well-Known Member
Mar 11, 2014
9,475
12,232
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Fort Dodge, IA
Chef's kitchen has been closed for at least 7 years. The building sat vacant and rotted until a couple years ago they restored it. As far as I know, it's still vacant but I think the building is in much better shape.

The FD Wendy's was amazing (seriously noticeably better than Wendy's elsewhere) until they changed owners (old owners I believe also owned Taco Tico) and built a new location (new location was built over the old location's parking lot). Now it's no better than any other Wendy's.

Dennis Johnson (old owner, also owned the fabulous Tico) sold it a few years ago and retired. And you're right, Dennis was always a stickler for cleanliness and quality. Now it seems the burgers get routinely overcooked, or kept far too long in the warmer. And for me, their fries are awful.....they started leaving the skins on, and to me they taste dusty. IMO
 
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BillBrasky4Cy

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Dec 10, 2013
15,242
27,686
113
3 weeks now and going strong! I bought a Cool Gel Roll mattress from Mattress Firm and a platform bed from west elm, I have NexGen internet and Direct TV, I have my Driver's License (still waiting on the hard copy in the mail), my new license plates, registered to vote, have a Hy-Vee Fuel Saver + Card and have been to plenty of new restaurants in DSM. Oh, I found a 4th dead bird the other day downtown. My sister-in-law says that it is the peregrine falcons who hunt the birds but don't eat all of their prey. Talking about hunting skills, the ISU Alumni Association found me without me calling to give a change of address!!! lol. They found me in 3 weeks!

Those SOB's called my wife's phone disguised as a DSM phone number. They really stepping up there game.
 

CycoCyclone

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Apr 6, 2009
5,501
823
113
Urbandale
Things I have learned:

The weather is glorious! I hope it stays this way year round.

The people are super nice.

Every time I see a Cyclone shirt or hat, I smile.

It was easy-peasy to sign up for Nex Gen internet and Direct TV for a decent price. Next day service. Works great!

Plenty of cool restaurants and bars.

The only thing that freaks me out is that I have seen 3 dead birds on the sidewalks. What's up with that?

Viva Des Moines!


Serious answer, Des Moines has a pair of falcons that like to destroy pigeons
 
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AlaCyclone

Well-Known Member
Jun 14, 2007
4,074
4,680
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3 months on and still loving it! I went out tonight for a walk, and stumbled across the "Cyclones Unplugged" on Capital Square. Matt Campbell was there and gave a quick answer and question session with the M.C. (Voice was familiar, but did not recognize the M.C.). I'm fired up and ready for some Cyclone Football!

68763884_2356367797784862_7691178832379772928_n.jpg


69221434_2356367894451519_4582957553415094272_n.jpg


68932726_2356367984451510_4718488643759505408_n.jpg
 
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cdface

Well-Known Member
Oct 28, 2014
4,484
5,023
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Behind Enemy Lines (IC)
3 months on and still loving it! I went out tonight for a walk, and stumbled across the "Cyclones Unplugged" on Capital Square. Matt Campbell was there and gave a quick answer and question session with the M.C. (Voice was familiar, but did not recognize the M.C.). I'm fired up and ready for some Cyclone Football!

68763884_2356367797784862_7691178832379772928_n.jpg


69221434_2356367894451519_4582957553415094272_n.jpg


68932726_2356367984451510_4718488643759505408_n.jpg

MC looks like John Walters, probably. You'd know him if you listen to any Cyclone sports on the radio.
 

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