The Ultimate Stop for Bikes, Beer & Bites…read more After a day of biking, we made it back to El Bait Shop with some friends. This place is a solid choice, whether you're in the mood for the world's biggest selection of tap beers or some fantastic gastropub and comfort food from the lounge next door. We love it here because we can park our bikes in the provided area off the patio and still keep an eye on them. The outdoor service area is semi-shaded and the service is just as good as you'd get inside. As a beer lover, I can tell you the selection is ridiculous and expansive. If you want it, they probably have it, and from four or five different breweries at that! The menu is also loaded, with choices from both El Bait Shop and the High Life Lounge. Today, our food order was as impressive as the beer list. While I can't recall all the beers we had, the food included a Prime Rib Sandwich with tots ($14.99), the Pizza Burger also with tots ($11.99), the Philly Style Pot Roast Sandwich with a side of potato salad, and a massive bowl of Macaroni and Cheese ($11.99). We were starving after our ride, but that didn't change the fact that the food was all delicious, well-prepared, and served by our very attentive waiter, Kyle???, May. No one had any complaints, and the beer was cold and on time! Overall, we love the eclectic vibe of this place. Its downtown location gives you some great views, and more importantly, you're within walking distance of almost everything downtown Des Moines has to offer. This is a go-to spot for me, and I love taking first-time visitors here because it's so unique and the quality of both the service and the food is always on point. Oh, and did I mention the beer selection is completely insane? If you haven't been here yet, you are missing out, and you don't even know it. PRO TIP: Come here, and before you leave, slip over to the High Life Lounge for a throwback moment. Next time, start there and slip over here for a beer!

Wow this is not a dive bar, no matter who calls it that…read more We came in for a bite to eat and a beer while passing through Des Moines based on Yelp reviews. Had a sour with three fruit flavors that was lovely, and lunch of broasted chicken and beef stroganoff. The beef was surprisingly tender. Friendly service. Highly recommend this place!

It is one of those Des Moines staples, and i am so glad that we did it, because it is a damn good…read morevisit. Street parking, busy indoor environment, casual attire. A fun stop, full of energy and good food. Our server, Michelle, was outstanding, mixinga fun personality with a terrific energy and awareness. Loved my High Life Burger basket, and our Chicken Pot Pie was incredible. Coke products.

Take a walk back in time in this laid back spot. Tucked away on a quiet side street across from a…read moreparking garage, is this endearing gem. The vintage decor is everywhere. The huge bar, tables and booths with retro signs and chachkies everywhere really create the perfect vibe. The ladies serving fit right in. Our server felt like sweet Aunt who wants you to eat all of your food or no dessert. So cute and adorable. Our food was very tasty. My pot pie looked unique but tasted soo good. My friend loved her turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy. Comfort food all around. We really loved our experience and will definitely return!

Drinks before and after the show at RŌCA…read more The drinks were all fantastic. The Pig & Fig Manhattan was fantastic with Bacon Fat Washed Bourbon, sweet vermouth, and house bitters. Excellent start. She got the smoked margarita which was really cool and smoky. Don Julio Blanco, lime, Cointreau, Agave, and Apple-Wood Smole. Very decadent. After the show we got: The Polar Express O with Diplomatico Rum, Sweetened Condensed Milk, coffee topped with cold foam, and grated chocolate. Very boozy and strong. Didn't look very good in the glass, but tasted ok. Very strong. She choose the Cold Brew Martini and it was excellent with Ketel One Vodka, Averna Amaro, Madagascar Vanilla Bean Simple Syrup, and House Cold Brew Coffee. The service was great. Will be back for more drinks.

4.6* (out of 5) Food: 5* Atmosphere: 4* Value: 4*…read more Service: 5* Would I go back / Recommend?: 5* (Definitely) Total check/person: $46 06/28/2025 Enjoyed our latest visit to RoCA with friends after Mass Saturday evening. My wife started with a Smoked Margarita (see picture) and I opted for the El Chapo (see picture) - both were delicious. The great thing about a small plates restaurant, especially with 4 people, is that you can try a bunch of different things...and that we did! We each chose one small plate and I'll say up front that all of them were wonderful and I wouldn't hesitate to order any of them again. We started with a BBQ, Pork & Apple Flatbread (see picture), followed by the Deconstructed Ribeye Nachos (see picture), Fondue (see picture) and Graziano Sausage & Pepperoni Flatbread (see picture). Of all of these, our favorite was the Fondue and Deconstructed Ribeye Nachos...but both Flatbreads were also very good. The only negatives to the atmosphere were having to go downstairs for the restroom and a bachelorette party next to us that got a little loud. If you found this review helpful, please show your appreciation with a Like or a Follow.

We had breakfast here two mornings and their breakfast dishes are SPECIAL! We had amazing service…read moreboth days and they were sure to take great care of us. The place is small inside though is the only issue for larger parties. The eggs and sausage were good the first day and a co-worker got their sourdough french toast and the slices were cut so thick!! He said that it was some of the best he has EVER had. The second day, I got their Biscuits and Gravy and OMG, this is a dish that you have got to get at least once!!! The biscuits are killer, then they add sausage patties, then sausage gravy (so good) and then the topper that blew me away, poached eggs! The poached eggs were cooked to perfection and added so much flavor. Top notch place!!!

When staying at the hotel not sure why you to eat anywhere else never had such a succulent burn and…read moreI'm from Kansas City. It's very different.. Farmers cheeses are ridiculous value on a happy hour menu I've never had a bad meal and Dave at the bar is the best

This is a happening and fun place. The zombie theme is a lot of fun. The photos with the zombies…read moreare in the hallway that separate them from people trying to dine in a way that I appreciate and reflects a thoughtful layout. I was delighted that they had vegetarian chili as a regular menu item and it was good. The burger was good too. Portions are a little on the small side, but they're also not that expensive. If I lived in this area, I would definitely come back.

Sat in the dining area for the first time. Had to show a friend visiting DSM one of our more…read more'eclectic' dining venues. I'd say this is right where Zombie burger falls. Probably not the best food you've had in your life, but it is unique. I was impressed with the fries being better than I'd expected. The staff is professional and very helpful! Nothing to complain about from their service.

Cool joint and great drinks, ambiance, and damn good fish and chips. Go check it out!!read more

I stopped by here early on a Saturday afternoon for a late lunch/early dinner. There was a decent…read morecrowd, but plenty of seating. I found myself a spot across from a tv so that I could watch some Olympic hockey. Very attentive but not intrusive staff. When I finished one drink or my food, my glass/plate were swiftly whisked away. The tiny Guinness shot was adorable, and honestly worth the money for the selfie opportunity alone. I also had their lamb burger with fries, which was quite good as well. They had plenty of pub favorites on the menu, but if I stopped by again, I would probably still get the lamb. It's such an underrated option.

Best Breakfast Burrito Ever!…read more Went to brunch Sunday and was blown away by the menu. I had a side of red bean and rice as well, and that was also wonderful.

Visiting the city for a work trip and came here for dinner the first night. Authentic southern food…read morebut also had plenty of healthy options! It was so cute inside and they had a full bar. The food was delicious, and our server decent - she really opened up at the end and ended up being great.

We went here for their Rudolph on the Rooftop holiday pop up. We loved the Christmas deco, and the…read morevibe was merry. The food was good. I really enjoyed the pesto and tuna and charcuterie board. Our waitress checked in on us often. We would come back here.

Chill sunny vibe. Attentive service and fabulous appetizers. We loved the wings along with the…read moreflatbread. But by far the best was the Traveler cocktail.

Great date night location. The night time vibes are romantic and feel classy. I want to mention…read morethat the service has always been super friendly from my first visit years ago to now! We went on a weeknight so it wasn't too busy till around 7pm. There's a parking garage a block away, close to HyVee. But I feel like street parking isn't too busy in the area either. I ordered the short rib pappardelle, a very savory pasta dish, it was delicious. Definitely more on the salty/savory side if that's your jam! I also ordered the Brussels sprouts which I ate so fast I didn't get to catch a picture! I highly recommend it as an appetizer! They were very crispy and delicious with their garlic aioli.

Let me start by saying I have reviewed very few places less than 3 stars …read more.. This review is coming from 2 separate visits The first time we went my fiance ordered 2 different meals that they "ran out of" by 7pm... okay fine! Didn't write a review for this but pretty odd to run out of 2 different meals by 7 pm! Also the waiter was definitely not friendly about it Today we went to brunch and I don't think I could name a single thing that went well other than their ranch! Every staff member I came into contact with was grumpy! Truly every single thing we ordered as a group of 4 came incorrectly! Like I said, I will commend the fries and ranch but it wasn't good enough to go back given the service! Pretty terrible experience, to the point where it was very funny by the end! So I guess if you need some entertainment, go for brunch!

Food is absolutely delicious. We ordered it to go. They packaged everything well when I went inside…read morethe restaurant smelled amazing. The gluten-free bun is one of the best buns my partner has had. Good job Chef Also the service was quick and friendly on fleet. Side note: the burger Pattie was little salty

Great experience getting a late night dinner here! I'd heard so much about Big Grove and was…read moreexcited to check it out. AMBIANCE It's a very large space, with great mood lighting all around. There's some more structured dining space on one side with a bar, and more tables and booths in a more spread out casual side. DRINK They have their own beers, but also offer cocktails and mocktails too. I had a great mocktail here and my family enjoyed their beers! FOOD I got a smashburger with a GF bun that was great, and my family enjoyed the fried chicken sandwich and reuben sandwich. We loved the fries too - very crispy! Great ranch. SERVICE Service was efficient and kind but didn't linger - looked like she was working with some understaffing surrounding the holidays. Their patio looks awesome - we'll have to come back when it's not winter!