I don't know why I continue to go here. The food is always lackluster. This time, I got a grilled cheese and fries. How can you mess that up? The bread was dry like toast and the fries tasted like old oil. read more

Excellent malts. Been there many times with my girlfriend, mainly to get a malt. Definately a place I'd foresee as a Drake student hang out.

We came here for Easter breakfast. The potato pancakes are amazing! The chicken and waffles were also extremely good. Bloody Mary's and mimosas were perfect. My daughter had the corn beef hash and loved it. My son had the pancakes and said they were amazing. The ambience was so fun and inviting. I wish we had a restaurant like this by where we live. Next time we are in Des Moines we will definitely stop again! read more

Drake Diner - Easter Sunday breakfast. - Diners Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Grew up going here! The rarebit burger and a green river is a repeat order!! Lots of good memories.

Guess I shouldn't have came with high expectations. Saw a sausage roll off a plate that was under the heat lamps and 2 wait staff grab off the counter and put back onto plate. GROSS!!! My bacon egg and cheese skillet wasn't very hot. BF had the diner omelette that was hot. Both had sour dough toast with a coke and oj. $30!! Really breakfast for $30, ridiculous!! IMO Ankeny Diner beats them! Will not return! Eat at your own risk! Forgot to mention, food lacked any flavor! read more

Horrific customer service... So, we've been to Drake Diner multiple times and never had any problems. Food is decent, service generally fine. But today was a different story. We had a table of eight, and food was delivered in shifts. First shift: two adults and one kid got their food. Second shift: two more adults got their food. Third shift: two more adults and one kid got their food. Fourth and final shift: the last adult got her food. From first through fourth shifts took about 15 minutes so by the time the last person got her food, most of the rest of us were done. The waitress was apologetic and explained that "the kitchen was backed up" (remember that phrase- it comes up again). I asked the waitress if they could comp the last dish that was served (a burger). She said she would have to check with her manager. A few minutes later a woman (I assume the manager- she never introduced herself) came out and the best way to describe her attitude was hostile. "Is there a problem here?" I explained the situation. She said "I told you when we sat you down that the kitchen was backed up (told you to remember that phrase)." I didn't know what she wanted me to say. She repeated that phrase again a couple more times before saying, "Fine I'll take the burger off your bill" and stalked away. A couple of comments: 1. The fact that the operational deficiencies of your kitchen caused us to have a poor dining experience is really not our fault. 2. I asked nicely about comping a small part of the bill and was effectively told that it was OUR fault that the food was delivered in shifts. Perhaps the "manager" should take a class in how to make your customers happy. Or maybe go into another line of business. BTW, I actually gave a nice tip to the waitress because 1) she did the best she could and 2) I felt bad she had to work for such a horrible person. read more

I've only ever eaten here on weekends, so I understand that it is going to be crazy busy and I will probably have to wait 20-30 minutes for a table. I will never go back after this Sunday's service. My first complaint is that I specifically asked for patio seating and I was willing to wait the 30 minutes for it. Instead our party of two was seated at a teeny table INSIDE and near the kitchen. We were upset but chose to say nothing. It was downhill from there. It was uncomfortable sitting there as all the wait staff had to carry huge platters of food over my head every few minutes. This was by far the very worst table I have ever been seated at in a restaurant in my 44 years on this earth. There were little gnats/bugs flying around our table and food. That was gross. Drake Diner is always understaffed on the weekends...there were plenty of other larger tables that were completely empty both on the patio and in the restaurant...they can't seat anyone there until a different table clears because there isn't enough wait staff to handle all the tables they actually have. UM, Hello, couldn't we have been seated elsewhere?!!! (like on the patio as I had requested?!!!) Our waiter was rude, dismissive and did not do a good job, completely blowing off the refills of our drinks that we had to request rather than check on us, our food and ask if we need another drink, like a normal waiter who is expecting a tip would do. Our waiter automatically split our check rather than asking if we were separate or together. I had planned on paying for my dining guest, so that was awkward. Half the time I couldn't understand what the waiter was saying because he was talking so fast and the noise from the kitchen we were seated so closely to was ridiculous. My bill was about 28 dollars, my friend's bill was nearly 30 as well. Two people spent nearly sixty dollars in your restaurant and neither of us were pleased with any part of our trip there beyond the fact that our food was prepared adequately...I can make eggs Benedict at home, so what people are paying for at Drake Diner is not the food, but the atmosphere and the service. I can get much better at any number of other places in Des Moines and plan to do just that in the future. I would absolutely not recommend Drake Diner to anyone wishing to have good service, it is abysmal. read more

I used to enjoy eating here when in town. It's been a few years since the last time and it's gone downhill. I ordered a Ruben and the bottom bread was soggy and the meat dry. There was hardly any dressing or sauerkraut on it. read more

I don't even know where to start. The diner itself is cute and looks to be fun...the food however was terrible. We both ordered the fried chicken dinner that was 4 pieces of chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn on the cob, salad and roll. They brought us our salad and we had no silverware, so we grabbed some from another table. The salad was bagged with a piece of not ripe enough tomato in it. The chicken was way overcooked and hard. The corn was chewy and tasteless....the absolute worse corn on the cob that I've ever had. I couldn't eat it. The potatoes were the best of part of the meal and they weren't that good. The waiter we had didn't seem to know what was on the menu either. We also watched one of the managers sneeze into his hand and then pick up a plate from the counter to serve. ....I will not recommend this place to anyone nor will I be back. read more

Over priced, server was very slow and wasn't that busy. Could have gotten the same quality of French dip at an Arby's for half the price.

Went in at 8pm, barely received a hello, ordered a Grinder & a salad after being ignored for 15 minutes. After 35 minutes of not even seeing our waitress, we got our food & the salad wasn't the one we ordered. Overall, slow/minimum service, ok food, & way below expectations. D- read more

This is the best diner I have had in a long time my family and I go here every Thursday night and have breakfast the waitstaff is always friendly the food is very good we get the blueberry pancakes and buttermilk pancakes which are both very good the pancakes come in short stack (2) or tall stack (3) the pancakes r the size of the plate and very fluffy the pumpkin pancakes are also very good havent ever had dinner there but will try sometime and re yelp how it is the waiters that we have ever had keep our drinks filled don't usually have to ask its always very good every time we go here if you haven't had drakes definitely have to go there and give it a try read more

Don't get the fried chicken. Mine was as hard as a rock and the drill sargeant/waiter/manager knew that I didn't eat it and he didn't care. Also, our table was filthy. F.I.L.T.H.Y. The iced tea was good but I was afraid to ask for more because I didn't want to get yelled at. read more

Fun atmosphere, lots of space. Food is good, biscuits and gravy is flat. Veggie Bene and waffle dogs are great! Great service too.

Pretty good place to pick up breakfast. Good food, prices are reasonable, nice atmosphere. Kid was a little lax on keeping the coffee topped off, but not a huge deal. Place is usually busy, so don't expect a seat right away if you come during normal meal hours. read more

This place is hidden on a side street in the middle of several apartment complexes. It's bright and clean. The staff is very friendly. The food was great. Cheap enormous portions. The hash browns were awesome and bacon means 4 strips. Definitely recommended. read more

Perfect spot for brunch. The veggie Benedict, corned beef hash, and huevos rancheros were excellent. Plus, the unique waffle dog was a tasty surprise! read more

I had breakfast at Drake. The food was good but I wouldn't called it outstanding. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't disappointing by any means but I thought it was about what anyone would expect from a diner. The only real complaint was the time it took us to get our food given the fact that the place was no where near full. read more

My son and I sat down at 9:50 a.m. we were waited on, never received the x-sugar requested, the place was busy and after 2 couples (not together) sat at the counter were waited on,( After we had sat down and ordered and got our coffee), ordered, received their food and were done. We still had not gotten our food which was 1 waffle and blueberry pancakes (sm stack), I was nice and told the hostess the situation she was nice about it all and said the tickets were not pulled in order, no excuse we saw a line of plates on the serving window and the 2 cooks were sitting plates on top of other plates of food. The hostess went to the kitchen and she brought the waffle(sorry we each had a side order of bacon) and bacon out she said the pancakes will be out in a minute, my son was done with his waffle when I received the pancakes and bacon. Waffle bacon received 45 minutes after ordering, My son and I believe that the waitress didn't put the order in or forgot. They did not have enough waitress's, 1 cook was eating while cooking, 1 lady made coffee etc... she was drinking from a cup (coffee?) while she working and behind the counter and a young man came in walked behind the counter got himself a pop and then started to clear tables, he did not wash his hands, put a hairnet on nor a cover over his street clothes (apron)?. Up above the counter my son saw a dead spider hanging down. Will not go back Sherry B. read more

Nothing special. Service was brusk and almost aloof. Food was ok, not bad, not great. Cinnamon roll not worth the price. It was a grocery store bought flat Taystee(?) brand roll with plastic-tub frosting globbed on top. Prices were slightly high for breakfast. Our food arrived quickly, correctly, and was hot. Waiter was efficient. read more

We were passing through Des Moines and discovered the Drake Diner online. This place has a great diner vibe. We wanted to love it. However, our meals were totally disappointing. It was flavorless - food out of cans, containers, or thawed out. The stuff of a lazy kitchen with a too-big menu. So disappointed. read more

I've been here quite a few times for breakfast, and the food quality seems to get worse each time. I went there this morning, and we were seated about 9:20am. I ordered the Denver Omelet and my son ordered the Breakfast Banana Split, which has yogurt and fruit. The food was delivered. My toast was so hard people could hear my crunching it across the table. Like really really stale bread that has then been toasted. My omelet came and I opened it because it seemed really flat. I could actually COUNT the things in it. 4 squared of chopped ham, and literally 5 little squares of green pepper. Since our waitress was ridiculously slow, I brought the plate to her and told her that its not a Denver omelet and I don't want to pay $10 for an fried egg patty with a few pieces of stuff in it. She asked if I wanted a new one but said it would take 20 minutes even after I expressed that everyone else at the table was already almost done eating at that point. So I didn't even get breakfast. When I talked to the manager about it... the issue was food quality and the amount of time to get an omelet which should only have taken 3-5 minutes to make... and all she could say was "well good thing we took it off the bill" YEAH good thing it is off the bill because I didn't eat it. And when I told her its an issue because I have to pick up something to eat on my way home since I have not gotten to eat and AGAIN she repeated "At least it was taken off the bill". The manager had no empathy for the situation. My son was given a bowl with yogurt and fruit, and no spoon in which to eat the yogurt. only a fork. The waitress never came back until it was time to drop off the bills. I am extremely disappointed that the food quality was not addressed and the manager had no concern for how the meal went. read more

Great food, friendly staff, comfortable seating. Drake Diner is wonderful all throughout!

Drake Diner has a very cute design and setup. The service, however, was subpar. To be fair, it was pretty busy in the diner, but our waitress took forever to even bring us our beverages. Since we were just driving through Des Moines and were completely new to the diner, we decided to sample a few different things. My mother had their biscuits and gravy; said it wasn't too bad. I got the Sunshine Express that included a croissant with canadian bacon and a side of hashbrowns. The croissant was only good after I put ketchup on it, if that tells you anything. The cheesy hashbrowns aren't really anything other than normal hashbrowns with a bunch of shredded cheese melted all over. We also gave the Waffle Dogs a shot, they sounded like they'd be so delicious! I honestly can't be for sure if they didn't get the waffle dogs from the frozen food aisle at the grocery store. They're exactly like the sausage on a stick with pancake around them to dip in syrup. All in all, I really expected something original and tasty. Maybe I misinterpreted an old fashioned diner as a place that would make homestyle or old fashioned food. Wrong. I don't think we'll stop by next time we drive through Des Moines. :( read more

Large menu, breakfast all day. Ordered the rarebit like I do every time and this time it was just ok. A rarebit is supposed to be drowned in queso. This one was meh on the queso and the burger was super overcooked. If you ask how I want it cooked at least try to make it that way. The fries were not crispy which was a disappointment. I ordered a water and was given a small glass of water. Not enough to keep one content as far as a drink goes. Once our food was delivered our waitress did not reappear until our checks came. I was thirsty and my food was meh. Very disappointing visit. It was not a super busy time for them so there was really no reason for mediocre service other than the person waiting on us didn't want to be there. I want to like this place but they have made it almost impossible with their service and food. I would not return unless our group lunch wants to eat here. I do not like saying that I won't return but I have given Drake Diner too many chances only to receive very mediocre service and food. Sad, it could be a really great place to eat. Maybe someday! read more

If your doctor ever orders you on a bland diet, go to Drake Diner and order the roast turkey dinner with mashed potatoes and gravy. Then tell your doc you had that, and he'll say, "I didn't mean THAT bland..! This meal should go into a blender, then into the feeding tubes of comatose patients. It might even wake one up, and he'd go, "What the #%*@ was that?" The turkey and mashed potatoes were slathered with a large glob of flavorless white gravy whose job it was to just wet down the meal. The side of mixed veg, mostly corn with a couple green beans and carrot slices, was overcooked into oblivion and just soggy. Really, Drake Diner? You can't find some fresh veggies anywhere? You can't make turkey gravy? You can't put a spoonful of cranberry sauce on the plate? This is a disappointing attempt at a classic, simple dish of comfort food. And having paid $12 for it, I think I've been kind in my assessment. read more

Great food, great service. Hadn't been here in quite awhile and great as the last time

Looking for a diner near Drake? Then this is your spot. Serves all of the typical diner food, at fair prices and large portions. I had a bacon and cheese skillet, and it hit the spot for a Saturday morning meal. They have a nice covered outdoor patio, and a bike rack in front of the restaurant. The interior is also much nicer than your average diner. Check it out if you are in the mood for good breakfast food, or a nice patty melt. read more

The last time there we sat outside. It was raining, but we were kept dry and bug free by the screened in porch area. The food was good and it is worth the stop if you're in the Drake area. read more

This was the most uncomfortable experience ever. My coworkers and I went for a work lunch. Called in advance for a party of 10. Ordering seemed to go smoothly and getting our food ok. But when it came time to get our checks...it went down hill from there. They were all wrong and when we tried to explain and help the gentleman he became very agitated and even scolded a couple at another table saying "can't you see I'm busy!" so they got up and left without ordering to which he replied "they couldn't see I'm f****ing busy. Yes..he went there. When he brought the tickets back they were still wrong at this point we didn't care we wanted to pay and bolt asap as we didn't know what he would do next. An extra meal got added to a ticket and the coworker could see he wasn't understanding and getting mad so she just paid for it...BUT that isn't even the worst part. When a coworker called the next day to let the manager know what happened she immediately came to the workers defense saying how he had worked there a long time and gets frustrated and so on, But when it was told to her about one person paying for an extra meal...her response "tell her I'm sorry" she didn't even offer to refund for a meal that was never received.....Worst experience ever and the customer service after the fact was even worse. Only excuses and zero responsibility and an extra $14 for a meal that was never received. None of us (as well as the other couple) will ever be back...ever. read more

Its your basic dinner food. Its usually always filling and good but I have been disappointed a few times usually when I try something new, but for a burger fries and a milkshake your not going to be disappointed. read more

Love the breakfast here! I got hooked on the Turkey Reuben and Sweet Potato Fries.

Great atmosphere, friendly staff, and delicious food. What more can you ask for? I had the French dip sandwich- it was excellent.

Easily the worst cheeseburger I've ever had. Soggy bun with soggy sweet potato fries. Flavors were just so... off. So disappointed, especially after reading so many positive recommendations. At least the atmosphere was inviting? read more

Tricia is the best waitress I've ever had hands down. She knows her stuff and is a sweetheart! Food is good.

Terrible food--french dip was processed deli beef like you buy in packets at the grocery store. Bun was bland. Fries weren't done, very undercooked. And the service was the worst--it took 15 minutes to order at lunch and she never refilled the tiny glass of water that was my only liquid. Skip this place. Way overrated. read more

The food can be OK sometimes. The bathrooms (especially the men's) are filthy which makes you wonder about what is going on in the kitchen.

Had breakfast here on a Thursday. Order biscuits and gravy. I could taste milk and flour in the gravy, and it was cold and runny. The biscuits were ok but couldn't taste them under the gravy. The hash browns weren't the style I like, but they were good. Service was good but not great. read more

My favorite breakfast place by far in Des Moines. I go there about once a month. I like sitting at the bar better than in a booth or table. read more

I made a yelp account just from this special occasion. I've been going to the Drake Diner for over 20 years. It was about a 4 year gap between my last visit and the one prior. I loved this place. My siblings and I would go almost ever weekend with our parents and even though the wait was always long the food made up for it! Not sure what happened this time as an adult. Visited with my sister, her husband and their little 2 year old. After the usual wait we get a booth in the old smoking section and order. I chose the biscuits and gravy, you know playing it "safe" and some coffee. The coffee tasted like I was licking the spent grind but whatever, I was very hungover and just needed the caffeine. Then the food comes. My plate of white lumpy muck was elegantly placed at my 12 o'clock. I never trust white gravy but again, hung over and I wanted that grease. The biscuit had that fine open bag freezer taste and the gravy, well I'm fairly positive it was just flour mixed with water or whatever powdered gravy in a bag they ordered. It was disgusting. No sign of sausage unless you count the little brown flecks spattered throughout. I ate a quarter of it with each bite trying to like it. I'm no chef but I can cook enough to know what good biscuits and gravy taste like, this was not. It sucked, it totally ruined my past with the Diner. To boot the bill was a dollar more than advertised on their menu! Not a major deal but just that extra needed kick in the pants I really needed. Maybe it was a new cook in training or them cutting corners but I won't be back. Not with the amount of breakfast places Des Moines has now. If I ever do go back I'll just get toast and maybe some eggs. Things a child could make. Service was fine. read more