We were in town for a basketball tournament and had a team dinner at a nearby restaurant. My…read morehusband saw, Chickin Lickin, and was like I want to try that! So the next day, we did! And we were so glad that we did! We ordered a combo 2 which came with wings. Chicken tenders, and 3 sides. Chose the soy garlic sauce and for the sides got the bulgogi fried rice, egg fried rice, and corn. One of the kiddos also wanted a Korean dog, so got one of those too. Everything was sooooo good!! The chicken wings and tenders were huge!! The chicken had the perfect crunch and the sauce was delicious. Service was very friendly and patient as we decided what to order. They greeted each person that walked in quickly and friendly. I loved that the restaurant has a sink to wash your hands before and after the meal right in the dining area! As I went back there to wash my hands, I noticed that they have a pay it forward area! Customers pre-purchase items and others in need can redeem them. Love that thought! Overall, loved the food and experience at Chickin Lickin! Will definitely go back next time we are in the area.

Stopped in a few times recently, service is very good, friendly staff, they are very upbeat…read more Layout is good in the restaurant, typical fast food layout, convenient to have to go boxes laying out. The chicken is pretty good, we typically order wings, the flavors are good, the wings are pretty large and usually cooked well. A decent place to grab a quick bite for sure.

This place delivers serious Chicago bar vibes in the best way possible…read more Service? On point. Our glasses were never empty, and the staff checked in just enough to feel attentive without hovering. Now let's talk food, because it slaps. The onion rings are the real deal. Proper onion rings. Perfect batter-to-onion ratio, no sad, hollow rings here. The jalapeño poppers are equally legit, crispy breading, creamy filling, and just the right kick. And the wings? On a whole different level. Plump, meaty, and absolutely delicious. Sunday special: 20 wings for $22. That's not a deal, that's a public service. If you like great food, solid service, and classic Chicago bar energy, this spot delivers across the board.

4.4* (out of 5) Food: 4* Atmosphere: 5* Value: 4*…read more Service: 4* Would I go back / Recommend?: 5* (Definitely) Total check/person: $40 04/25/2026 We were looking for a sports bar to watch the Minnesota Wild playoff game, so thought we would try 85 Bar West...even though they were a Chicago-focused venue. Fortunately, they came through and put the game on several screens for us to watch during our visit. We started with an order of Onion Rings (see picture) - and they were the best onion rings I've had in many years. They were uniformly battered, uniformly fried to nice, crispy light brown color, and most importantly - a slightly crunchy onion inside that bit off cleanly so that you could dip it again! The picture itself does pretty good justice on their quality - and the dipping sauce was quite tasty also! For dinner, my wife ordered the Low Carb Beef Bowl w/ Pepperjack cheese & Rice (see picture) and I went with the Classic Wings split between Lemon Pepper Dry Rub and Mango Habanero sauce (see picture). We both really enjoyed the Low Carb Beef Bowl, finding it just as tasty as the name implies (all of the peppery zing of an Italian Beef with a melted cheese top - with rice replacing the bun). I was admittedly a bit disappointed with the wings, especially given the award-winning claims in the menu. My first impression and comment to my wife was that they were quite small in size. Secondly, while they tasted reasonably moist and tender, as the picture shows - they appeared to be dried out / overcooked...with meat pulling away from the bone. The Mango Habanero wings had very little spice given their name and very little sauce, with some barely wet and essentially none in the serving tray to use to add. While the wings would give me pause before ordering again, we REALLY liked the onion rings and everything else that we've ordered has been above average. The other thing I enjoy is their reasonable selection of craft beers (really liked the Chicago local Cold Time) as well as the unique cocktails. This is a solid stop.

Thao and Kara welcomed us to our first visit to the Smoking Goat Pub like we were family. We…read morestumbled upon this place through a different channel, and decided to give it a try. We are so glad we did. The atmosphere is a dicey but very clean and the vibe looks like a great time. It was a quiet afternoon but the ladies went out of their way to make us feel like we belonged. This visit was only for a couple of cocktails but we saw some food come from the kitchen and it looked on point! Kara made a tasty treat and shared it with some of at the bar and that sealed the deal! We will be back in to give it a shot. I will update my review on the food after that! See you soon!

Stopped in for lunch, had the (really good) house specialty burger. The service was excellent and…read morethe staff was friendly. Didn't get to sample any of their beers but the selection was definitely appealing.

Great bbq to be had at Kue'd Smokehouse!…read more I am a big Smokey D's fan but my cousins said this place was just as good and I have to say I'm a convert. Some things were better, others not as good, but good overall. Great brisket and burnt ends were ok but a little light on the smoke to be honest. The pulled pork was dry in some places and nice and juicy in others. The smoked Mac and cheese is mighty tasty and not too bitter from the smoke. Glad we tried the redneck nachos. They are made on house made potato chips and are a very unique treat. Also great bbq sauce! The original and spicy have excellent flavor. Glad to have another bbq spot in the DSM area to go to!

There's a particular smell that good barbecue joints carry -- the low, sweet perfume of wood smoke…read morethat clings to your clothes long after you leave. It's the smell of patience, of time, of a pitmaster standing watch over a stubborn hunk of meat for half a day or more. Walking into Kue'd, I was hoping for that smell. What I found instead was something a little more complicated. I ordered a half pound of brisket and a half pound of burnt ends, with a side of poblano creamed corn -- thirty-two bucks all in. Not bad. In the modern barbecue economy, where smoked meat is starting to cost what a decent steak once did, that's a respectable number. The brisket arrived looking the part. Sliced, tender enough, with a decent beefy flavor. But the first bite told a different story. Where you expect the deep campfire soul of smoked meat -- that unmistakable bark, that blackened, peppery crust that whispers of hours in the pit -- there was... nothing. No bark to speak of. No smoke that lingered. If someone had told me it was roast beef pulled from an oven instead of a smoker, I wouldn't have had much evidence to argue otherwise. It wasn't offensive. It just wasn't barbecue. Then came the burnt ends. Now these were the reason to be here. Juicy, tender little cubes of beef with the kind of bark the brisket should have had in the first place -- dark, caramelized, and deeply smoky. The fat rendered just right, the meat pulling apart with that perfect balance of resistance and surrender. Each bite carried the flavor of the pit that the brisket seemed to miss entirely. The regular barbecue sauce was solid -- sweet, balanced, and clearly designed to complement the meat rather than smother it. The vinegar-based sauce, on the other hand, promised Carolina but delivered something closer to pancake syrup. Sweet, thick, and missing the sharp, nose-tickling tang that vinegar sauce is supposed to bring to the party. The poblano creamed corn was good -- comforting, creamy, with a mild pepper warmth -- but it played things a little too safe. One note, pleasant but forgettable. Like a song that never quite reaches a chorus. Still, when you step back and look at the whole tray -- a pound of meat, a side, and change left in your wallet -- the value is hard to argue with. Not every barbecue meal has to be transcendent. Sometimes it just has to be honest. And here's the thing: those burnt ends? They were honest. Next time I walk into Kue'd, I'll know what to do. Burnt ends again, no question. Maybe some pulled pork. And I'll give the baked beans and potato casserole a shot -- because every barbecue place deserves a second look, especially when they've already proven they know how to get at least one thing very, very right.

Went here for late breakfast. Had been being advised to check it out for months now but it's not…read moreconvenient to get to from where I live. Anyway. Finally went here and I was not let down. There were only 3 gals working the entire time taking care of cooking and bartending and waiting on everyone in the estaishment. Definitely efficient and friendly staff. We ordered drinks and breakfast. Both were quickly served. My breakfast burger was delicious with layers ofhashbriwns and eggs and bacon and a burger. The diced potatoes were also great. My partner had the meat lovers omlette and was very happy with the entire meal. My only complaint is the price of the state fair lemonade (vodka lemonade) was 8.50$ which a typical vodka lemonade or cranberry is 6$. However it was delicious and the prices in this area are just typically higher than other areas so I do understand. I'd definitely go back again for food & drinks!

4.6* (out of 5) Food: 4* Atmosphere: 4* Value: 5*…read more Service: 5* Would I go back / Recommend?: 5* (Definitely) Total check/person: $20 04/01/2025 We have stopped here a few times since the last review, including a Trivia Night with a great taco value (unfortunately, we ate before the last minute invite to join a team there) - but hadn't taken the time to update my review. We stopped for their Tuesday night Burger Special...which left me wondering why we weren't going there every Tuesday night for burgers! I ordered a Burger (of course - see picture) and was thoroughly impressed with it! Usually when you ask for a medium rare burger, it is brought out medium well to well done. Not only was the burger excellent (a little beyond medium rare, but at least some heavy pink in the middle), but the bun and the lattice fry sides were all delicious! Unfortunately, I gave up alcohol for Lent...so didn't have a beer with the burger - but you can bet that I'll be back for both after Easter! If you found this review helpful, please show your appreciation with a Like or a Follow.

We use to make it a point to stop at Jethro's on our way through Des Moines. Moved here recently…read moreand visited Sunday for lunch. Had Brisket and chicken platter. Sent it back because it was cold. Came back lukewarm. Chicken was so dry it wasn't edible. Service was just ok. Can't imagine we will ever stop again.

I REPEAT IF YOU ARE A BLACK PERSON DO NOT SUPPORT THIS BUSINESS AT ALL!!!!…read more I came into the restaurant & everyone was seated at the bar. Not one person came to welcome me into the establishment and I had to find my own seating. I sat at the bar and let the hostess know that I needed to order to go. She then proceeded to have a conversation with the patrons at the bar, who, of course did not look like me, and so I waited a little bit and interrupted and let her know that I was ready to order. **ignored** I had to speak up a little bit, louder to be heard and grasp her attention to request to submit my order. I was not rude! She took my order and walked away. Not only did she slam my food down on the countertop, but did not give me any utensils or napkins. Alao while doing so, she looked at me & rolled her eyes when I asked for those items. She proceeded to walk away, and I told her that she was very rude and that her Customer Service was very rude. I naturally am very giving with a monetary tip but today I did not. I walked out to my car really shocked about how I was treated and was going to leave, but then I decided I needed to speak up and out. I walked back into the restaurant and requested to speak to a manager. Naturally, the young lady had already told her manager about what happened because they must've overheard me telling her that she was very rude. His name was Oscar and he spoke with me about reviewing the footage, and I let him know how it made me feel as a person, not just individually, but being the only person in the restaurant who was black and he told me that my race is not what prompted the bad service. Ok. Hmmm I let him know that I simply interrupted her other conversation to let her know that I was ready to order and I was not rude at all. At the end of the day, we shook hands and he apologized for her being rude and he invited me back and or to visit any of the other locations. Whether he was sincere about it or not, only God knows! But all I know is how I feel leaving the establishment. And yes, when I was talking with him, I did inform him that I was recording a video. It's sad that naturally people have to go live in order to feel safely heard. ‍ What's disappointing is that as I was walking out, several patrons stood up rudely clapping me out the door.

Good food and service. Jigar is veryhelpfulandhard working very cleanandgood…read moreEver time good help

My kid wanted to try this place. Stopped here on a Sunday at 5:45 PM. We ordered 12 wings, fries,…read moreand a drink with the sauces on the side. We did notice lots of people standing inside waiting for to go orders. 30 minutes pass, and we ask cashier the status, and they said that mobile orders take priority over in store orders. I simply just asked for a refund stating they should have mentioned that before ordering at the register. They did not want to refund my order. Some how 5 minutes later, the order is ready. Several others waiting for their order stated waited over 1 hour or more along with food delivery staff. Maybe it was during a busy dinner time, but the long wait time is not worth it, in my opinion.

We came here at the end of the day/afternoon of sightseeing 2 museums…read more We were originally supposed to order food to go. We ordered a pizza with chicken, beef and red peppers. I ordered a beer while we waited for our pizza. When the pizza came, my friend must have been hungry because we ended up eating the pizza there. The pizza crust was not too thick or thin. The pizza was pretty tasty. The service was professional.

I stopped by for a quick carry out order of potato skins…read more Color me unimpressed. The bartender was very dismissive and acted bothered that I was taking up his time to order. The place smelled like stale beer and was a depressive atmosphere. To top it off, when I went to eat my potato skins there was no cutlery or napkin, I will not return.

Was a little confused about where to go because the exterior didn't match the name of the business…read more But I trusted my nose and followed that amazing smell of chicken! The women who welcomed us and took our order were so friendly and the chef let us know it would take a bit because he was dropping it in hot. I was surprised to find several drummies instead of a big piece of chicken but made sharing much easier. Chicken was hot and crispy and seasoning was amazing! The waffle was good but was outshone by the chicken. Overall amazing experience and will be following this business and checking them out again!

Chicken, Waffle and syrup, who knew!!!!! My first time eating this combination, experiencing the…read moreKitchen Space and eating from GG's Chicken and Waffles. It was also my first Yelp perks event. Instructions were not clear on what to do when I arrived. Was able to see someone was asking who were at a laptop. A man came out and announced they were going to be making our meals fresh and they would start coming out. I made the assumption he was the chef and owner. I would have enjoyed hearing the history of the business and more from the event coordinators. Hearing their story would add to my word of mouth references when someone asks what have we been doing that is new. When the food came out it was piping hot. It would have easily made a 20 minute drive home and still stay fresh. I choose the original chicken. It had good classic flavor and appearance. I was surprised it was wings and drumsticks as I was expecting a large chicken breast or thigh. The smaller chicken was easier to eat and manage. Chicken was not crisp which made it feel more home made then other restaurant too. It looked and tasted hand breaded which was a great treat and I prefer. The waffle was nice sweet add to the meal. I will definitely try this combination again. As we were eating, we were served fresh peach cobbler. It was so hot it steamed when I opened the container. I immediately stopped eating the chicken and moved to the dessert. It was delicious. Runner then cobblers I typically have. There was enough food I shared with my spouse when returning home.

Expensive pizza, and decent. Not slap your mamma good, just decent. We had the TONY and the…read morepepperoni. Not sure what it was but the pepperoni was so much better. The TONY looked amazing but the shaved meatballs had no flavor. For the price I expected more and have had MUCH better for less.

Such a gem in Waukee! Great NY style pizza. The restaurant is clean and everything is well marked…read more Nice lunch specials and quick service. I got the TONY and the Spicy Kee. Both were good but it's hard to beat the TONY (pepperoni and meatballs). After spending time in Manhattan a few months ago I can verify...this is legit good pizza.