4.8* (out of 5) Food: 5* Atmosphere: 5* Value: 4*…read more Service: 5* Would I go back / Recommend?: 5* (Definitely) Total check/person: $32 03/28/2026 We saw that Arcadia was a Top 10 Finalist for Iowa Burger of the Year, so knew that we needed to give it a try - and last night was our opportunity. Arcadia is a short drive north of Grimes in a newly developed area of Polk City just after you cross over the long bridge over Saylorville Lake. We were impressed with the new building as we drove up (told that it opened about 1.5 years ago) along with the lively, open atmosphere & modern decor as we entered the building. We started our meal with a couple of local craft tap beers - a nice selection was available. Since we came for the Burger of the Year contender, the Smashburger was one of our orders (see picture) and we opted for the Fish Tacos as our second meal (see picture). Both were delicious and highly recommended. While I offer my Kudos for offering Marshmallow Creme for a dipping sauce with the sweet potato fries (we haven't found many places that do this...and we LOVE it), my only knock is that it was way too watered down and runny - with most of it running off the dipped fries rather than sticking to them. We finished with a Salted Carmel Old Fashion...and yes, it too was delicious and highly recommended! More information on the drinks and Happy Hour specials can be found at: HappyHourDesMoines . If you found this review helpful, please show your appreciation with a Like or a Follow. Photos copyright: happyhourdesmoines.com & thefoodanddrinkguy.com

We've visited this place three or four times now and feel like it's worth the drive to Polk City…read more Today we decided to try their burger, which has recently been recognized as the best in central Iowa. It is worth the hype! Delicious! It was on our table almost as fast as we ordered! Our server was attentive and kept our water glasses full. We had a couple of cocktails and they were excellent too. They have a mix of booths and tables, and you can dine at the bar if you choose. The place is in a newer building and very clear. The parking lot is shared with a few other businesses but there is ample parking. Check it out,

Another fantastic visit to Nite Hawk Bar & Grill! We pedaled up the High Trestle Trail and were…read morerewarded with delicious, reasonably priced cocktails on their inviting patio. Our server Sarah was attentive and friendly, making sure our drinks stayed cold and even refilling our bike water bottles before we headed back out. Even on a Tuesday afternoon, this place has great energy and makes for the perfect turnaround spot during our 32-mile ride. If you're cycling the trail or just looking for a welcoming spot with good drinks and service, Nite Hawk is definitely worth the stop!

Met some friends out here on a Friday evening and the place was packed. The boasted chicken was…read morefantastic and the service was excellent. It's a little out of the way for us to get there but there is no doubt in my mind that we will be heading back.

Best bar around worth the drive out of Ankeny or Ames. Amazing food and great bartenders!read more

In warm months we go for breakfast on the patio. Weekend hours open at. 8 and I love the "loaded…read morehashbrowns". Often noisy inside, but the patio is great!

Had dinner here on a Tuesday evening while in town for a conference. I partnered up with another…read moreconference attendee and we came here for dinner. The menu had a diversity of options with both bistro and full size options. We both settled on the Main St. chicken dish on recommendation from the waitress along with swapping the rice for mashed potatoes. Great suggestion. My conference mate asked to have her mushrooms removed and I asked to have the tomatoes removed. Although we both ordered the same meal, the presentation looked different for each of us and hit the spot for our tastebuds. Mine seemed more like a chicken marsala while hers was a tomato sauce. Either way we both enjoyed our meals. We both also had dessert - I had the delicious chocolate cake with raspberry sauce. Honestly there was too much sauce but the cake was still delicious! My conference mate had the peanut pie and it was divine - imagine a Reese cup with an Oreo crust. If I'm ever back in Ames this will definitely be on my return list!!

Came here on company dinner and we had a great time. Food was decent and I enjoyed my carbonara,…read morehuge portion. The French onion soup was just ok but everyone enjoyed the peanut butter pie. Very good ambiance for group dining and the service was great.

What went well? EVERYTHING. I was a lonely dude just trying to start over. Saw a suggestion for…read moretraveling to Iowa and starting over. I got a steal on a big ass house, it was old, and a ton of work to modernize. I was determined to make the house ready for my future family. The folks at THE STANK ( what we locals call it) were very welcoming and kept me from quitting on my dreams many times. They also suggest maybe asking Jesus, and God. I did. I worshipped, I prayed. I danced. The snake thing was weird. met this cool woman that already had 6 kids, but my dream was 7. She's like, no problem. Life is good. Probably getting married. Job at the Post Office didn't work out. I'm a pet groomer now. Her kids are violent and rob stores across Iowa.

I was single in Aplington for a while. There just aren't many people here to choose from. I took a…read moreleap of faith and decided to go on a date with a guy from church. He had just moved to IA to take a job at the post office for $25/hr. That's more than most people make here! I wasn't sure about him but he took me to Stinky's bar and grill and I had a great time. Now we go once a year with our 7 kids on our anniversary. What a life!

Have always wanted to try this place and on a Saturday night…read moreafter a Costco run my husband and I decided to stop here. There was a small but steady crowd throughout the night and we had top- notch service from our server- knowledgeable about the menu, attentive in the 'just right way' - carefully observing drinks and not interrupting date night more than necessary. A variety of local And other craft beers were featured although surprisingly not any from Firetrucker next door! The holiday decor was still up but even without it has a warm feel- love the various table sizes and heights and the long bar with a pretty decent offering for cocktails. While there, the bartender was experimenting with drinks and having fun. After recommendations I ordered the French dip which was phenomenal! Homemade bread, warm, generous meat and peppers and grilled onions, flavorful dip . I will say if I ordered again I would ask to have the sauce left off as I am not a fan of horseradish sauce. Still, it was tasty! Side salad as option was super fresh with mixed greens and the house creamy Italian was bursting with herby flavor. my husband had the tenderloin and while delicious- it was 'bougie' and not the traditional Midwest. It was generous and interesting as a dinner option. Would certainly return as the patio is inviting (just not in January)!'

It's been awhile since I've been able to Iowa and the Ankeny main Street has significantly grown!…read more Stopped into TT for lunch and it didn't disappoint! Great casual spot to grab. Drink or some great bites! Grilled cheese and a side of tomato bisque was just perfect. Great drinks, great service!

After seeing some fellow yelpers recommend this place we took our pub passes and made the easy trip…read moreto old downtown Grimes. This place is right on the corner, well maintained and has good signage. It lacks on curb appeal, but we came for the food, drinks and atmosphere. Upon entering we were greeted by big crowds and a very busy place. We lucked out and were able to sit right down (at the bar of course). The place is dated, and slightly divey but it has a lot of seating and the staff all seemed to be busy making it happen! There is a lot of table seating both high top and standard table and chairs. In addition to about 20 seats at the bar. Plenty of televisions with all types of content playing. Although it was busy we soon had 2 bartenders offering us drinks and menus. Shortly after we were drinking our beers and ordered some hamburgers. Kim opted for the regular hamburger with cheese and a side of fries. I ordered the jalapeño blue cheese burger. It was loaded with plenty of blue cheese crumbles and the jalapeños were a nice touch. I will say they were both solid choices. They make it clear that the $12-15 sandwiches do not come with sides unless you order the baskets. So sides are all in addition to the prices on the burgers. So it makes it a bit more expensive and for me $20 for a burger and fries is on the high side for anywhere in or around the metro. The service was good and as the crowd began to die down we ordered a second round. Though I feel the prices for stand alone sandwiches are high, at least the ones we had and the ones we saw delivered to other tables were pretty generous in size and the ingredients seemed fresh. All in all a pretty decent experience. If you are looking for a well made sandwich, in Grimes this seems like a good place to find it.

I had the coldest blue moon beer I've ever had! The bar was doing music bingo on a Sunday so the…read moreatmosphere was fun and friendly. I also ordered a Tenderloin that was delicious! The bartender was super chill and friendly too she was very efficient. I Highly recommend!

I ate there today with a friend, and our server was excellent and I want to make sure she knows…read morethat. However, the music is very, very loud, it is hard to converse because of it. I had asked her twice if they could turn the music down, which she did ask the guy behind the bar, I don't know if he was a bartender or a cook, but I heard him say what do they want, I've turned it down four times. Well, yes, I did overhear that I was sitting very clause to the bar. It was very rude of him, and I had been very kind and requested that the music be turned down some. The food was pretty good, I had the fig and creamy goat cheese flatbread. Overall, it might be a very good place for other people, rudeness is not acceptable.

Innovative food at a reasonable price. The waitstaff was attentive and knowledgeable about the…read morevarious items on the menu. Upscale but casual atmosphere. We were not that hungry so went with a number of small plate options: a pear and blue cheese flatbread, an order of amazing roasted brussel sprouts and a handheld Korean style BBQ Pork Banh Mi sandwich. Lots of other items on the menu we wish we could have tasted. Great place to go and share dishes.

Taco Tuesday is ok, not good. Service sub par at best,…read more STOP assuming everyone that walks in the door is a lifer and knows that just because the locals know it's Taco Tuesday that it means no point in the menu, except it doesn't. I had no idea if there was meat choices (there isn't) or toppings or sides (there are sides like fries) I'm glad I asked for the menu, as I almost thought about the nachos. Which I would have not known about if I hadn't seen a menu. We did not appreciate the rudeness when she asked if we were ready to order and I replied how would we know we haven't seen a menu. Just for her to roll her eyes and come back and toss them on the table. That attitude made me not want to spend my money there and my tip absolutely reflected her poor behavior. She could have earned 20 from me alone out of our group, instead of what was left over from the change. I work in the service industry and I appreciate both good food and service and it also would have been nice if our checks were correct but I have learned to pick and chose my battles but that also helped contribute to her not super tip. To the taco loved the shell it's like fry bread and one taco is the entire basket you have been warned. Sadly it wasn't really warm my fries were not even close to warm and definitely floppy. Really the stinker of the show was the server, so don't expect much.

Visited and really enjoyed the food. Service was good. A definite classic establishment.read more

Hawker Kitchen brings authentic Malaysian street food flavors right into the heart of Des Moines,…read moreand it's a spot that feels both comforting and exciting if you're craving Southeast Asian dishes. Char Kueh Teow This dish stood out immediately which has a smoky wok hei flavor (the "breath of the wok") coated the flat rice noodles, giving them that deep caramelized edge that's hard to find outside of Malaysia. The prawns were plump and juicy, and the mix of soy, garlic, and chili gave just the right balance of savory and spicy. Fresh cucumbers and pickled vegetables on the side added a refreshing crunch, making each bite balanced and addictive. Laksa Rich, creamy, and fragrant, the laksa broth was a highlight. The curry coconut base carried layers of spice without being overwhelming, and every sip warmed you from the inside out. The noodles were cooked just right, with toppings that tied it together from seafood to herbs. It's the kind of bowl that makes you pause between spoonfuls just to savor the aroma. Satay The chicken satay had a lovely turmeric and lemongrass marinade, grilled to a slight char that locked in the smoky flavor. Tender on the inside with crispy edges, it paired perfectly with the bold, nutty, and slightly spicy peanut dipping sauce. The cucumber slices on the side helped cut through the richness, just like you'd get back at a hawker stall in Malaysia. Overall Hawker Kitchen is a gem for anyone looking for authentic Malaysian comfort food in Des Moines. Portions are generous, flavors are bold and true to their roots, and the variety on the menu makes it worth repeat visits. If you're new to Malaysian cuisine, start with the satay and char kueh teow; if you're a fan already, the laksa will feel like home.

Another one that's been on my list for a bit... I was out in the Northern part of Ankeny this…read moremorning and knew Hawker's Kitchen was just around the corner from where I was. And "around the corner" right now is kind of subjective with the construction on Ankeny Boulevard... If I recall correctly Hawker's Kitchen opened later in 2024. October maybe? The food spans comfort staples from Malaysia, Singapore, Korea, Japan, and Thailand among other regions of Southeast Asia. I'd browsed the online menu but still wasn't exactly sure what to expect when I walked in. It's located in a strip so there is plenty of parking. It's order and pay at the front counter. They have a digital menu board and a hard copy menu available if you want to use that. Take a seat and they bring your food to you when it's ready. Coke fountain drinks as well as the other available drinks on the menu. Seating is mostly low top tables and chairs with a few booth table chair combos along the wall. They bus your table when you're done eating. I noticed a couple outdoor tables too as I walked in... I arrived at about 1115 am today (Saturday) and the restaurant seemed immaculately clean. I ordered the following. I was told my wait would be around 10 min. I think it took a little less than that. One Curry Puff. Described on their menu as: "A crispy pastry filled with curried potatoes, onions, and seasoned meat. A popular snack in Southeast Asia known for its spicy-sweet flavor and golden-brown crust." Sausage with sticky rice. "Asian sausage with sticky rice. Common street food that one can find in Laos and Thailand." Roti John Sandwich. "A popular Malaysian and Singaporean street food sandwich that blends western and asian flavors. Filled with curried beef, eggs, mozzarella cheese, shredded cabbage & carrots with mayo and sweet chili sauce." I didn't need to order that much... Just the sandwich would have been fine for a lunch... But it was something new to try and one item wasn't going to be enough from a curiosity standpoint alone... This would be a great place to take a few friends and do a family style meal! Everything tasted wonderful! I loved the sauce that came with the sticky rice. The curried beef in the sandwich... Wow about says what I want to say about the beef. There is SO much more I want to try! The BBQ puffs, the shrimp pancakes, their beef bulgogi, mee siam, and char kuay teo beef... A nice selection of boba, teas, fizzes, and sweets. Thank God they have a rewards program and a discount when you sign up for it... Cause I'll be back! I'm not sure what is going on, but once again... The staff here was fantastic! Incredible service! I've had a really great run of eating out lately and being treated very well across the board. From everyone working the front to a gentleman who came out from the back, when he saw my Navy cap, to thank me for my service. I was greeted when I walked in. Any questions I had were answered patiently. I stopped by the front to say thank you when I left and everyone was so friendly... Then I headed on my way... A stellar visit with Hawker's Kitchen! https://hawkers-kitchen.com/