Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives - Des Moines metro

[Al_4_State]

The wife and I ate there once a couple years ago. It was the worst BBQ we’ve ever had. The ribs she ordered tasted like they were cooked a couple days before and reheated in a microwave(rubbery) and the brisket I ordered was chewy with no flavor. I was shocked to see they were featured on man vs food. Maybe it was just a bad day for them and the normal pit masters were gone or what, but it was atrocious.

Flying Mango and Mi Patria are 10/10 places to eat as others have already stated. Both I believe have been featured on diners, drive ins and dives and rightfully so. Just amazing food. The owner of Flying Mango was walking around and sitting and talking with customers when we were there the first time and is a super nice guy. Can’t recommend that place enough.

Agreed. I’ve had Cactus Bob’s once. It was hands down the absolute worst BBQ I’ve ever had in my life. Everything was rubbery.

I couldn’t believe how it was surviving, and then I see a post in here about what a gem it is, and 10 people “liked” the post.

I’d rather have a ******* McRib.

 

[JP4CY]

Agreed. I’ve had Cactus Bob’s once. It was hands down the absolute worst BBQ I’ve ever had in my life. Everything was rubbery.

I couldn’t believe how it was surviving, and then I see a post in here about what a gem it is, and 10 people “liked” the post.

I’d rather have a ******* McRib.

Same exact experience for me.

 

[Al_4_State]

Same exact experience for me.

I went as part of a BBQ crawl sort of thing, and a buddy warned us not to go. Everyone in the group hated.

It wasn’t just off, it was like offensively bad. Some of the worst food I’ve ever paid for.

 

[JP4CY]

I went as part of a BBQ crawl sort of thing, and a buddy warned us not to go. Everyone in the group hated.

It wasn’t just off, it was like offensively bad. Some of the worst food I’ve ever paid for.

We went like at 745pm once, they were out of a couple things but had ribs. I got them and was wondering if they were boiled. They were AWFUL.

 

[oldman]

A Dong by Iowa Methodist has awesome vietnamese food.

 

[Macloney]

A Dong by Iowa Methodist has awesome vietnamese food.

My wife loved A Dong when we first got together, but has cooled on it considerably after years of marriage.

 

[BCClone]

My wife loved A Dong when we first got together, but has cooled on it considerably after years of marriage.

Better than her liking 2 Dong Though.

 

[JP4CY]

A Dong by Iowa Methodist has awesome vietnamese food.

That menu is maybe the largest in all of the restaurants I go to.
I just have to be careful because I really don't care for lemongrass and it can be in quite a few dishes.

 

[cyclonespiker33]

A Dong by Iowa Methodist has awesome vietnamese food.

A Dong is good vietnamese food for white people

 

[spierceisu]

I really like Cosi Cucina in Clive. It is a very intimate Italian restaurant with great food and service. The Ziti Cucina is wonderful (their house special).

 

[AgronAlum]

I really like Cosi Cucina in Clive. It is a very intimate Italian restaurant with great food and service. The Ziti Cucina is wonderful (their house special).

This is our go to for basically any special occasion.

 

[JP4CY]

I really like Cosi Cucina in Clive. It is a very intimate Italian restaurant with great food and service. The Ziti Cucina is wonderful (their house special).

Ducktail Lounge is nearby and a cool post dinner place to relax.

 

[ISUTex]

That menu is maybe the largest in all of the restaurants I go to.
I just have to be careful because I really don't care for lemongrass and it can be in quite a few dishes.

A Dong is the biggest is what you're saying?

 

[ISUTex]

I really like Cosi Cucina in Clive. It is a very intimate Italian restaurant with great food and service. The Ziti Cucina is wonderful (their house special).

Ever eat at Latin King?

 

[ISULibrarian]

Adding a few more to the list:
-Lucky Lotus is very solid and has different stuff than quite a few Thai restaurants (try the crispy rice wraps)
-Lachele's is our favorite burger spot
-Portifino's in Ankeny has good Italian food, not that Des Moines is lacking for Italian. Portion sizes are huge, the seafood ravioli is really good.
-Gursha's Ethiopian Grill by Drake is nice for an Ethiopian fix in the DSM-area, though I wish it was more a full menu/sit down place; hopefully someday Des Moines gets something more like that.

 

[ISUTex]

Adding a few more to the list:
-Lucky Lotus is very solid and has different stuff than quite a few Thai restaurants (try the crispy rice wraps)
-Lachele's is our favorite burger spot
-Portifino's in Ankeny has good Italian food, not that Des Moines is lacking for Italian. Portion sizes are huge, the seafood ravioli is really good.
-Gursha's Ethiopian Grill by Drake is nice for an Ethiopian fix in the DSM-area, though I wish it was more a full menu/sit down place; hopefully someday Des Moines gets something more like that.

Never had an "Ethiopian fix"... Is it common for people to have those?

 

[spierceisu]

Ever eat at Latin King?

Yes, I have had Latin King. It is really good too!

 

[ISUTex]

Yes, I have had Latin King. It is really good too!

Aren't those two places linked by the Tursi family? Or was that Mama Lacona's and Latin King? I think all the places used the same old recipes from the Tursi matriarch.

 

[ScottyP]

Aren't those two places linked by the Tursi family? Or was that Mama Lacona's and Latin King? I think all the places used the same old recipes from the Tursi matriarch.

Mama Lacona's and Noah's were from the same family.

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

Aren't those two places linked by the Tursi family? Or was that Mama Lacona's and Latin King? I think all the places used the same old recipes from the Tursi matriarch.

Maybe, I know Cozi has a new owner from what people probably remember from 5 to 10 years ago.