This is by far my favorite diner. Whether it be for breakfast, lunch, or dinner; I've never been disappointed. I've eaten at the diner many times and the service has always been good and the servers have been polite and attentive. They also have the best desserts! I personally recommend the hot fudge malt. read more

Drake Diner - Diners Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Waited a bit but the service was awesome and the food was great. The eggs and hash browns were cooked perfectly! Loved the diner so much I will now be going back for the service! read more

Drake Diner - The front of the diner - Diners Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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We went here today for our monthly outing. We got there at 11:45 and it was packed. There was also a camera crew filming people about the place which make it even more chaotic. We got sat down at 12:25 and it took 10 minutes for someone to ask us what we wanted to drink. We also ordered our appetizers and food then as well because we didn't want to wait. The appetizer came out five minutes later which was fast. Then we got our food 10 minutes later. The onion rings were to small for my liking. The hamburger tasted good but I asked for them to cook it medium but they cooked it well done. They gave a good amount of ranch and I loved their fries. As for the service the front desk lady was nice but the waitress we had, we asked for our check three times before getting it and the waitress that served the two tables we were in between got their orders wrong. The place was unique but the table that we sat at wasn't clean what so ever. Hopefully it was just today and it isn't like this all the time. read more

Drake Diner - Cheese burger with fries and ranch. - Diners Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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Went for a drink and appetizer the other night. Wasn't very busy. We got the onion rings and the pita hummus dip. This brown dip comes in a stone cold jar and looks like a pint of chocolate ice cream. It tasted weird and old, so we just ate the pitas it came with. During the night my friend and I got pretty ill. We kind of decided this is breakfast only kind of place. read more

I love a good diner! Drake is your classic 50s style diner, good food and friendly service. The only bad thing is the wait. We waited 45 minutes (told it would be 30). However, on a Sunday mid-morning, that's not too shocking I suppose. Food was fast & fresh. Our server was attentive and quick to refill my coffee (big plus for this coffee lover) but we didn't feel rushed. Eggs were cooked perfectly, with deliciously crispy hash browns and rye toast. Nice assortment of jams on the table. My first visit and hopefully not my last! read more

This place is pretty big and the have covered patio seating too. One thing I liked is that all of the chairs are on wheels, it just made it more comfortable. The service was fast, the food was good. I had the Santa Fe grits which I enjoyed and not spicy even with the presence of jalapenos. You get two slices of baked grits, 2 eggs and toast, not overwhelming in size either. Everything was cooked perfectly and quickly. Our server was fast, friendly and thorough. That is all. read more

Greasy good grub. Perfectly cooked bacon. Burgers. Shakes. Miss the grub at your school cafeteria? Get the turkey blue plate dinner. read more

I am having my first experience here as of current and am more than happy with the service and food !!! My waiter is Matthew and he has been very observant, attentive , and helpful to us. Another service member gave us a brand new bottle of ketchup we didn't ask for but he noticed we needed. Food came in a good amount of time and it wasn't to crowded tonight but still a fair amount of people have come and gone so far:) will definitely recommend and come back!! Matthew has been the best server and has made our date night an even more unique and great experience here !! read more

Stopped by while in town for a concert. Loved the location and college vibe of the place. The whole family was with, and we ordered a variety of items from the menu. I had eggs and sausage, others had the potato pancakes, cinnamon roll, and omelettes. The food was fabulous, and the service was decent. We sat outside in the screened in porch and loved the ambiance and hanging lights. The inside decor is cleverly retro. If we're in town again, we won't hesitate to return to this retro college diner. read more

Overall good food, love the atmosphere and the options. Was disappointed to see coffee items on the menu only to be told the espresso machine had been broken for a year. That is the reason this review is only 4 stars. read more

First time eating here and it was really good. Definitely had the diner feel when we walked in. Service was good and attentive, but we had to wait a little before we got our waters. It was lunch time so it was ok. Both meals tasted really good. The chicken with the waffles was juicy but the breeding came off rather easily. The hash browns were not as crispy with my chicken fried steak meal, but that's me just being picky. Other than those minor things, it was a good meal. read more

Drake Diner - Chicken and waffles - Diners Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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Ima be honest with you, food was decent, I ordered a burger and fries. Burger was decent but fries were not that good. They were okay but I definitely had better. Bet you I could make better fries at home. read more

They were crazy busy the day we were there because of state track championship. It was hectic but they handled it well. The food was good although you could tell it was thrown together. I trust it isn't this way normally. Great variety of menu items. Daily blue plate specials and homemade pies that change daily. Service this day was expectantly inconsistent. read more

My review is based on a take-out experience. I won't eat here again if I can avoid it although I have no hygienic concerns. I called beforehand to ask a couple questions and the lady sho answered wasn't *rude* but she sure wasn't nice. When my Husband called later to place the order he said the person he spoke to was very dismissive (might have been the same person). What I like about Drake's is that the menu is extensive and they gonna good job of making everything sound mouth-watering; if only they could deliver on that. I ordered their "award winning" hot meatloaf club sandwich with a side of "rarebit" fries they tout as "the ultimate cheesy fries". The slices of meatloaf were so small and I couldn't taste it at all. It was basically the worst club sandwich I've ever had and the bread was dry and a bit stale. I can't describe how bland it was. The cheesey fries were very not cheesy ... looked like a spoonful on top of half the fries - what a joke! Even worse, they too were bland! My Husband had a different sandwich and the same sort of fries and had just about all the same things to say as I did. Overall consensus was absolutely BLAND. Thank goodness we were home because I needed to add flavor just to get through the meal. When I need to add salt, mustard, ketchup and even a little ranch to make a restaurant dish edible there is something wrong. Now. The kicker. Hubby brought hope a piece of their massive and delicious looking chocolate cake! For sure I thought it would redeem them to 3 stars... but in fact it is the item that solidified my 2 star decision (rare for my reviews). The cake was somehow dry yet dense - and REALLY not in a good way. Probably the first time I've thrown away cake. All that bland disappointment for upper-end diner prices on top of lacking customer service landed? So disappointing especially considering it seems to have been wonderful years ago. read more

Drake Diner - Diners Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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Their hours on Google and Yelp say 11pm. They actually close at 10. Very disappointing for somebody who has been on the road for 11 hours. Highly unprofessional. read more

I was having a tough time finding a place for brunch this past weekend, but stumbled upon Drake Diner in a Yelp search (thanks Yelp!) My best friend was in town visiting and we wanted some breakfast before she hit the road back to WI. We arrived shortly after 9am on Sunday and the place was really busy. There was no wait (yay!) and we were seated at a cozy booth. We both liked the classic diner decor. Our server immediately set us up with beverages and took our order. I went with the cinnamon roll french toast. And my friend got the eggs, toast, and bacon. We shared the sausages enrobed in fried pancake batter, because how on earth are we passing that up?! We loved our food, especially those sausage thingys--served on a stick, mind you. Food always tastes better on a stick. Especially when you dip it into a side of maple syrup. Mmm... Service was attentive and my coffee was constantly being refilled. You betcha I'll be back here. read more

I avoid Drake Diner like the plague, despite having friends who insist on going here. The milkshakes are OK, but as the last reviewer mentioned, REALLY, how are you are going to charge me $5 for a milkshake made with AE ice cream while keeping a straight face??? I noticed that lots of other reviewers commented on inaccurate wait times and service problems. The last time I made the mistake of eating at Drake Diner, a simple meal turned into a three-hour ordeal during which we were yelled at repeatedly by our server, had to declare mutiny and visit the bar when we wanted refills on drinks or even water, and were served the wrong food (all at totally different times - nothing like eating your meal when the rest of your table hasn't even been served appetizers). To add insult to injury, the food was below average and not worth the wait. Really... it's just a basic diner. I know a lot of people have college and high school memories wrapped up with spending time here, but I don't have any fuzzy, nostalgic feelings toward Drake Diner, and since I do not enjoy angry, slow service or mediocre food, I think I'm done here. read more

Um...yeah... I think the following statement will sum up how I feel about Drake Diner: my parents and I ate there twice in one day. The diner is amazing. Shiny, clean, and very classic. The waitstaff was so friendly and answered our (sometimes strange) questions. We had the pumpkin pancakes (just like holiday pumpkin bread), some yummy, crunchy grit cakes, and my veggie eggs benedict. Holy moly. Stuffed and happy is how we left the joint. Then, later in the afternoon (What? You thought I was joking?) we came back and I had an eggplant parmesan sandwich and my parents tried some yummy, garlicky chicken entree and meatloaf. Everything was just delicious. Especially my mother's potato cake that came as a side to her chicken dish. I'm fairly certain I haven't had much better than that thing. There's a little something for everyone. You'll definitely find something totally delicious no matter your preferences. read more

What a great breakfast! She had her requisite oatmeal and egg whites, and changed it up with adding their signature pumpkin pancakes. He had a hefty breakfast platter. Later that night, we came back for a hot toddy nightcap...a peppermint "Patty", which was peppermint schnapps in hot chocolate with whipped cream and chocolate sauce, topped with a candy cane. It was so good that we came back another morning for another breakfast, and another night for another nightcap. read more

Being a Boomer, I typically like to check out Diners just for the atmosphere expecting the typical but generally good diner food, but The Drake exceeded my expectations for breakfast. This gem of a Diner is nestled in a woodsy neighborhood not like on a busy highway downtown. This diner is far from being unknown as the place was jumping with patrons on this one Saturday morning. The atmosphere was somewhere between a 20's to a 50's style diner with the lighting and fixtures, it was cozy albeit a little noisy in the main seating area, the service was absolutely superb, and the breakfast was the best I've had in a long time. No wonder it was busy as this appeared to also be a college student favorite as well. Next time we'll sit in the so-called, "Inside/Outside" enclosed section of the diner as it may be a little quieter. I'm not a vegetarian but this dish I tried was the "Vegie Bene" w/onions and cheese which was described so deliciously in the menu, I had to try it. What made this dish was the cheese and onion sauce which was draped all over the wonderfully prepared hash browns and the two good-sized poached medium eggs over their own specially made thick English style muffins. Every bite was yum yum for me. My wife thought the coffee was very weak (A Starbucks girl) and I asked the waiter if they had a bolder coffee. He said no but suggested a blend of their espresso and Americana coffees. She tried it and was very happy with the result. We will definitely be back for more breakfast delights, and would like to try their lunch and dinner items some time. read more

This is a great neighborhood diner that's been here "forever" and has had consistently good food the entire time. We especially like me breakfast here. My husband is a bit if a corned beef hash " expert"- he orders it whenever it's on the menu. Sometimes it's great and sometimes it's downright awful( there was a diner in Maine he Swore used dog food!) But he has declared the Drake Diner had the Best hash he's ever had! I love their pancakes- light and golden and Very filling. It's a great atmosphere, good service and consistent food. read more

Very cool vibe, very unique space. The menu is huge with lots of great options for everyone - ultra sweet dessert 'breakfast' items for kids, healthier options for boring people, greasy options for the hangover crowd. The fly free patio lives up to its name and gives a shady open air space for al fresco dining. read more

very very busy, i may add "it is well worth it" service is excellent! the atmosphere is amazingly comfortable! so if you ever want something next to home cook and accommodation drake diner is the place to be read more

Classic American Diner! The hash as a side is the best deal in the city. These people actually know how to poach an egg perfectly! Excellent wait-staff. Not too much Drake University hipster/activist/smarty-boy vibe going on. Parking is iffy so get there early. Get the Bloody Mary with your breakfast. read more

The pro's of this place: My breakfast was delicious. Hash browns crispy, ham very tasty. Cute place, retro vibe. Convenient location to drakes campus for a pre-tour breakfast. Cons: service earnest but a bit slow. But this was the real con, for me: weak, weak, watered down coffee. Unsure if they were holdings back on the grounds to stretch the coffee out or if it's weak roast, or someone didn't know how to brew it. Couldn't finish it. And that's what I really needed that morning, know what I mean? I'd go back for the pros listed above. And I'll have tea next time! read more

Drake Dinner is a Des Moines classic. It's situated in a great local neighborhood with plenty of parking. The restaurant has great comfort food -- and the meal sizes are a nice size too. You can definitely share a few of the dinner plates if you'd like. My favorite time to visit Drake Dinner is during the breakfast rush though. The rush knows what's up, as the food is top notch! Try the buttermilk pancakes and omelets. If you have room go for the italian coffee or apple cider. Perfecto for chilly weather! read more

Good old-fashioned café style food was great and I'm nice old-fashioned ambience ice cream restaurant fair prices good service.

When I want a great breakfast done the way I want it I go to the Drake Diner. The food is made fresh and if you want something your way it's no problem. I often want a low carb breakfast. Usually an omelette. Most places include hash browns and toast ( which is what's on the menu at the Diner). I'd rather trade the carbs for a side of bacon. That's no problem at the Diner. Other places either refuse or charge me extra. The service is always friendly and helpful. At breakfast most of the wait staff recognize me. Often they have already set out my coffee before I walk through the door. They really try to do whatever they can to make your day. read more

I have been coming here for many years with very few complaints... That ALL changed yesterday at lunch. My wife ordered the salmon with steamed veggies, it was very good. I ordered the soup and sandwich... Things came out fine, the waitress was nice, and THEN is tried the soup... My second spoon into the cheese veggie soup and I tasted something terrible... I spit out a long, thick rubber band!!! I flagged down the waitress, showed her and asked her to take it all away, I shared my wife's meal. Not ONCE did the manager come over after being informed of this... When paying up the manager asked "Who was everything?" Really??? We will not return, and shame on them... read more

I really, really wanted to love the Drake Diner. It's so cute on the outside - it looks like a fifties style diner with lots of neon signage. But the experience just didn't deliver. We arrived around 11 am on a Sunday morning - meaning we arrived with the post-church crowd. We were quoted a 20 minute wait for 3. 45 minutes later, we were finally sat. I don't mind waiting for a table - but if the wait is going to be double what was originally quoted, a little heads-up would be good. Once we sat, it took quite awhile for someone to come to our table. We were almost to the point where we were going to go ask the hostess if someone was going to take our order. But finally, someone showed up and we placed an order. I wanted one of their awesome-sounding veggie burgers, but they were out. Veggie burgers are an entire page in your menu but you're out? Weird. Forty minutes later, our food finally came. It takes 40 minutes to whip up a few orders of egg dishes? Something doesn't seem right here. Luckily, my veggie omelette was quite good. I opted to switch out the hashbrowns for a cup of the veggie cheese soup, which was thick and delicious and the saving grace of this experience. I'd give this place another chance - I think it might have just been an off day. But I really, really wasn't impressed. read more

Cool neighborhood, big portions, eclectic atmosphere. 50's style diner serving a modern crowd (that always seems to be full of sports fans), and doing it well. I got sick here after ordering to accommodate allergies. Not sure where the disconnect was, so no harm done; for everyone else, this place does really well on breakfast, dessert and milkshakes. Personally, I don't think it's the best breakfast, but it's a popular DSM joint. Long waits, but most people thinks it's worth the wait. read more

Excellent food. Excellent service. I had the Maytag blue cheese burger. The beef was excellent with gooey, sharp blue cheese. The generous serving of sweet potato fries were nice and crispy served with a pesto mayonnaise. I washed it down with the Des Moines IPA. Thank you to the servers for all wearing masks. I always like the roomy booths with good sized tables. read more

Who doesn't love this place? It is a Des Moines classic. The food is always fresh, well cooked, hot and tasty. I don't care who you are, if you like diner food at all, you'll crave this place. The fries are perfect; crispy and salty, with some substance. The burgers are fantastic, not too greasy, very tasty, and I usually get the bleu cheese burger, which is spectacular. Breakfast here, at any time of day, is for kings! If you want to know how good food used to be when your grandparents went out, this is the place. Friendly staff, awesome food, great atmosphere. Highly recommended! read more

This is one of my favorite places to come to when I'm Des Moines. Love the rarebit sauce and their thin sliced onion rings. Would recommend to anyone when in town. read more

Drake Diner - Rarebit and onion rings.....awesome and highly recommended - Diners Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

First time here. Stopped by Sunday morning around 10:30 AM. No waits and had a lot of tables open by the time we left they had a wait list and people outside. It did take a few minutes for our server to bring our drinks but other than that everything was fantastic. I really loved the atmosphere it was very retro with neon signs. I had ordered a baileys coffee to drink and to eat I had the eggs number 5 I believe? Over easy eggs, toast, hash browns that were cooked to perfection with pancakes and sausage. The sausage was big and had an amazing flavor I recommend ordering it. Total was $18 and I'm still full from it. Price is very reasonable. Overall, the food tasted great and was served hot and fresh and I will be stopping by again soon. read more

I've eaten at Drake Diner many times and never been disappointed. (The lack of parking availability is always frustrating.) I like the place well enough to take family friends there when they visit from outside of Iowa. read more

Drake Diner - A view of the spectacular patio! - Diners Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Nice casual place, definitely family-friendly. A friend and I each had a burger and thoroughly enjoyed what we had. Her kids had pancakes for dinner and I was impressed with the wide variety of sides on the kids' menu. Lots of healthy options for them too. The outside seating is really lovely! read more

First of all the stars are for my bloodymary which was delicious and spicy. Yummy ok the fun times ended when my food arrived. The biscuit was a mound of cooked flavorless dough. Butter is not expensive people! My eggs were ordered scrambled they came folded over which I HATE with a passion!!! I asked for green peppers, onion and mushrooms to be added to my hashbrowns. The chef interpreted this as topping the hashbrowns with the barely cooked veggie assortment. If the chef was unsure of what I wanted he should have asked. The food was basically a culinary nightmare and you don't even want a funny parody to that crap. You would think with all the cooking shows on tv a chef would be fearful that Guy or Mr. Bourdaine could stroll through your place and you better not be serving crap. Trust me they are not prepared. read more

Great diner! Lots of options to choose from. Pancakes, salads, burgers, sandwiches, some pasta options. Busy at times for larger groups.

Great lil dinner feel. Clean, great service. Sat at counter. Delicious breakfast spot! read more

Drake Diner - Santa Fe Grits - Diners Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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