A staple in the east side of DSM, this is the place to stop. Always busy, but never a long wait. Many regulars for authentic flavor. I'm not a huge pasta person, so usually get the salmon. Never been disappointed. Cooked crispy with deburgo sauce and wild rice. Always leftovers too. Service is always checking on you, even when it's busy. Many times you can sit at the bar too and eat. It's a great location of people and food and dining experience The ambiance is very inviting and friendly. I'm there minimum once a month. Can't wait to go back. read more

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Comfort food at its best. Fried chicken a d a baked potato before my birthday. Service is good and efficient. The customer base screams older crowd, but I assure you the menu has something for everyone. Feels sorta like your great aunt's house with your grandma cooking! read more

Now or Later Restaurant & Lounge - Fried chicken - American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

I was greeted immediately upon entering. A good sign. I asked to be seated at the bar and was obliged. Also a good sign. The bartender acknowledged me immediately and let me know she'd be with me as soon as the patron next to me finished his long-winded order. When she came to me, I asked to order a 1/2 order of onion rings. She was kind enough to let me know a ¼ order was also an option. I elected to go with that along with some of their homemade ranch. While not then french-fried style I prefer, they were very lightly breaded. And plentiful! The o-rings were a great way to start the meal. When I ordered the cavatelli, the bartender let me know that mushrooms were in the sauce I was going to order and if that was OK. Ugh--no! Mushrooms are terrible. I'm glad she told me and I elected a different sauce. The only disappointing part of this visit was the cavatelli is actually conchiglie pasta. Not the firmness one expects. But the sauce was zippy enough for me to leave this review at a four (actual cavatelli would have been a five). The creamy parm dressing on the salad had bold highlights and was also well crafted. As the kids say these days, the dressing "slapped". I appreciate the fact that the salad was served on a salad plate. The bartender was very helpful and guided me throughout the process. The DSM area could use more people like her. It seemed like many regulars came in as they were known by name. I hope to become one as well; I wish Now & Later wasn't as far from Johnston as it is. read more

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We stopped here for lunch on a Tuesday. It was fairly busy, but we were able to sit right down. Our waitress was attentive. I had ravioli casserole and hubby had the special of the day - - beef stroganoff. The servings were large and it came with very tasty bread. Start the meal with a good salad. The creamy Parm is delicious. read more

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We went for lunch about noon on a wednesday. it was packed! they said about a 15 minute wait. we were seated by 10 minutes. we ordered the fried cauliflower and the toasted ravioli for appetizers. the ravioli are not light wraps, they are more like a dough. almost more like an empanada. I wish I had known that when I ordered my entrees the ravioli casserole. the filing was great and the sauce was flavorful, but the breading was to much. my mom had the patty melt and S had lasagna. they were both good. Celeste was our server, she did great job. the bartender was jumping in helping in the dining room. I would go back and try something else. they had chicken and noodles over mashed potatoes as a special and that looked super tasty. read more

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The chicken gizzards are. The best in the city. The food is always hot and delicious. The service is second to none. Fast and efficient. Had there chicken noodle with mashed potatoes the last time I was there the potatoes were perfect the chicken noodle were a little saucy for me but still very good read more

Old-school joint. Server told me it's 29 years old. Fried chicken, smothered chicken, meatloaf, all on point. Even the salads and baked potatoes are excellent.. Four dollar beers. What's not to like go now or later? read more

This restaurant always provides excellent food and excellent service. We go there often.

It was amazing , the waitress was very friendly , kept are coffee cup full , there were 11 of us , and everyone got the food at the same time , was very impressed by them read more

We've stopped here several times driving back and forth to DesMoines--I was going to give it 4 stars because I unfortunately ordered the "seafood salad" last time I was there and it was mediocre and though tolerably ok. But other than that, everything we've had is really great. --good location if you're headed east out of town --steak and hamburgers are good --nice Bloody Marys --busy for a reason --a friendly "something for everyone" diner approach read more

Now or Later Restaurant & Lounge - a plate of food - American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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If you like chicken speidini and steak deburgo then this is the place for you. The menu has a variety of pasta, sandwiches, burgers, seafood and steak. Comfort foods made homemade. Great service and friendly regulars. Everyone will know your name! read more

Now or Later Restaurant & Lounge - a sandwich and onion rings - American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

I won't leave a lengthly review, but I will say this much - this place is really good! The service was easily five out of five. Don't sleep on the ravioli appetizer! And if you like that, check out the 'Ravioli Casserole' - they make a casserole of the appetizer. read more

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Stopped by this local restaurant on Saturday evening about 630. Waited about 29 minutes for a table. The waiting area is very small and right by the bathrooms. Ordered onion rings and breaded mushrooms for appetizers. The onion rings are good, the breaded mushrooms were ok, but the sauce they serve with them is very good. Steak deburgo fit entree off the recommendation of some strangers, the steak was incredibly tender with fantastic flavor. Our server Randi, was spot on with recommendations, very friendly and attentive. We look forward to returning read more

Now or Later reminds me of going out to eat with my grandparents 30 years ago. Old style decorating, homemade cooking, and even though they are always busy with people waiting to get in, it's always relaxing with great food. read more

Great food,great staff. I had the chicken Parmesan Just awesome. Large portion and seasoned to perfection. My wife had the steak deburgo She said it was melt in your mouth tender. Prices are fair. You must try. read more

Went for dinner on Wed night around 6:30. The unpretentious atmosphere was busy for staff but we didn't feel rushed at all. The place was packed and there were a few groups ahead of us waiting to be seated. The hostess kept everyone updated and mentioned having larger tables open; however they were for pending reservations. Since we only had 2 in our party so we were seated quickly. Service was good, staff kept up with the crowds fairly well. This was my 1st time visiting so I'm not sure if that was a norm for staff. Food was delish, portions are hearty. You get a warm mini bread loaf and butter at your table and the price was right. Rib dinner with salad and potato or rice was $16. Meat was tender with just the right amount of sauce from my liking. read more

What kind of meat or sorcery goes into your French dip sandwich? We ate there Tuesday Oct 18th 2022. My wife took half her sandwich home because she's too little to eat the whole thing. She kept telling me how good it was. So she finally said I could have the other half. Wednesday night October 19, 2022 I heat it up in the microwave the other half of that sandwich and the Anjou. It tasted like and chewed like rare ribeye or prime rib. It looked like well done meat. But it melted in my mouth as a leftover. I have to come there and try one fresh. I want to know the cut of meat, how it was prepared, and the recipe for the Anjou LOL read more

I had the Hot Roast Beef. It was very very good & the drink I had was excellent. Don't remember the name, but it was RED w/cherries

A fine east side staple that never disappoints. The food is consistently good, service is friendly and prompt.

Wife and I brought a friend here for lunch. Bread, salads, main entree and a coke was under $39.00 for the three of us. Normally I talk about the food and service before the price but we have only had great food and great service from John and his staff. But with so many choices of restaurants in the dsm area and prices are going up and up it's important to point out and to appreciate the menu of Now or Later. You can take the family out and not break the bank! Thank you for keeping your prices as low as you can. We ordered two hot beef, mashed potatoes and a parm chicken. All great tasting but the gravy really was outstanding. Plus it's a plus to run into others you know. Truly a family/friend feeling! read more

Service was very good and attentive. The food is mediocre. But there isn't much to choose from at this end of town.

My husband and I have always loved Now or later. It was our go to place. We had not been there since the pandemic started. We understand the struggle they are having to survive. The first question was the onion rings, I wouldn't call them onion rings, not impressed. My husband loves their meatballs, not the same recipe. Mine was bland, I could of done better at home and both were warm but not hot. read more

We came with a head spinning party of 19 with reservations and they did an awesome job! These guys must have some seasoned professionals in their kitchen because we were taken care of so quickly and efficiently! Usually when we go o it as a huge family get together, we are in any given restaurant for at least 2-3 hours. Now or Later had us in and out in an hour in a half with an otherwise packed house. The food was good, portion sizes perfect. I had a Moscow mule and it was perfect... my bill wasn't overwhelming either, two kids meals, a burger and my chicken parm clocked in at 48 before tip, which was definitely earned! Pretty reasonable for a Saturday night. Restaurant wasn't too loud, too cold or anything extreme. It was awesome! read more

So many things on the menu to choose from. Food was great and the service was wonderful

I haven't been here in about 10 years and I was looking for a grazziano grinder so I thought I might give them a try again. Everything about this place is a gem. The menu is fantastic and the Food was absolutely homemade and delicious. Wait staff did a good job as well. The most remarkable thing was the value you get for your money. I didn't find it expensive at all so I'm definitely going back more often now. read more

If you like Latin King, you will love Now or Later. It's located on the east side and they have the same delicious staples such as deburgo steaks and Tuscan chicken, but the sod so carry comfort foods like hot beef sandwiches, and bbq ribs. The cavatelli is delicious and lunches are so cheap! The appetizers are all filling and homemade. They get really crowded so go early! read more

Stopped in for the Friday steak lunch special. Price was right and the he steak was great. Our server was very nice and very attentive. I'll stop by again for sure. read more

Visited about a year ago with 2 of my kids & my dad. The food wasn't great in my opinion. When I go out to eat I want something better than what I can cook. My dad just had soup & he's very blunt- he asked the waitress if she really expected him to really f**#ing eat this s#\*. I felt horrible for waitress but wondered how they stay in business. Maybe we were there on an off night/or got the wrong menu items. Please excuse the foul language- that's just how my dad rolled. read more

Local neighborhood restaurant serving Italian, and American cuisine. Their Tuscan chicken is not original, you've seen it before at other local Italian restaurants. They do fried well, they have awesome stringy onion rings, and they use good ranch. The are one of the few places that does fried chicken livers and gizzards, not a favorite of mine, but I heard theirs is very good. They have specials, one of my favorites is cavatelli night. This is a very down to earth, friendly neighborhood eatery. It's very comfortable. It's simple in a very good way. My only complaint is it can be hit or miss on the food, depending on the night, I have had very good food, and I have had some just mediocre food from now or later. The local noise is that it has gone down hill in the past few years. read more

My family just come from a viewing from our aunt . When we arrived there was four people in one party and two in another waiting . they asked how many in are party we said four they said 25 mins. just a few seconds went by and four others and a infant for a highchair. they said they could seat them right now. I left read more

Love the pasta. Chicken parm is awesome! Great local establishment with friendly service.

Easily my favorite Italian place on this side of Des Moines. The service is great and the food is even better. Now or Later is easily one of the best restaurants Des Moines has to offer. read more

We have always loved NL, but hadn't been since the Pandemic. Decided to go last night...should have saved our $70. The onion rings were horrible. They were certainly a new recipe. The waitress said it depends on who makes the...WRONG. That is not what you tell people. They should always be the same, seriously, that's one of the staples NL is famous for. The steak deburgo, at $23 was the size of a hockey puck and there were no mushrooms, seriously. My MR was over cooked and hard to chew. The house dressing was a little off. Are there new owners? This was just not the same place and sad that it will no longer be my go-to when I want a nice meal at a decent price. read more

We ordered carry out as we have heard good things about this place. Food was good and decent. Our breaded mushrooms were great! French Dip and pasta were good as well. read more

I have had several dinners and lunches at "Now or Later" within the past 15 months and am a fan. It is friendly, casual and reminds me of the sort of place you would find in a small town. Last evening I was there with two others and we were each delighted with our choices which were: Steak DeBurgo, Salmon DeBurgo and Chicken Parmesan. I don't recall seeing Salmon DeBurgo on anyone's menu and I am wondering why? That sauce is a great compliment to fish. Every bite was finished. This place is an east side treasure offering wonderful food, great service and reasonable prices! read more

This place sucks. I used door dash to order a meal from this place not knowing what place I was ordering from. My food was cold and tasteless and just terrible. I blame the restaurant because my food was on time and the driver was very nice. Do not order from this place! I am not one to ever complain but it was terrible food! read more

The decor isn't fancy at all, but the food tastes better than most of the high-end restaurants I've been to. My husband and I go regularly as many of the customers do, and they remember our names, favorite waitress, and favorite meals. The prices and the food is the best in town. They have the absolute best broccoli cheddar cheese soup I've ever tasted. The steak de'burgo and pork-chop are our favorite entrees. They use ingredients from their own garden they raise right in their backyard. They treat you like family from the first time you enter through the doors. read more

We sometimes eat there but mostly get carryout. The service has always been great when we dine in. The appetizers and the house dressing are the best. My favorite dish is the spaghetti with meatballs closely followed by cavatelli and the Tuscon chicken. Seriously get appetizers. Just pick one. You won't regret it. read more

The service was great the food was realy good had sirloin steak it was cooked just right the fried gizzards I couldn't stop eating yummy

I have been here many many times over the years and its never a disappointment! from service to food its my favorite place to go!! The creamy parmesan dressing is house made and is to die for!! read more