A solid no-frills breakfast. It seems they have upped their staff, so tables turn quickly, are well attended, and food comes quickly. A better, locally owned alternative to the Perkins and IHOPs of the world. read more

PerKup Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - West Des Moines, Iowa

The food is fine, regular breakfast food. Nothing special. I find some of their "amazing!" reviews to be very fishy, if you catch my drift. The service was awful. Waitress immediately asked if we knew what we wanted as soon as we got the menus, so she came off a little pushy. Then after we received our meals she never came back! We finished eating, pushed our plates to the end of the table so that they could see we were done. My mom wanted a soda refill and never got one. She tried to get another waiter's attention and he didn't notice/hear her. I believe the two people acting as servers are the son/daughter of the owner? Not sure but I heard our waitress refer to the woman acting as 'host' as mom. And I saw them all sitting at a table together at one point, just chilling. And yet we couldn't even get a refill! And it wasn't even busy. read more

My all-time favorite place to eat! I have been eating at this cafe since shortly after it opened just over five years ago. I eat there at least a couple times each week with family or friends. I have NEVER had a anything that wasn't GREAT! I have also ordered some special things to take to potlucks and I've never had a negative comment! I highly recommend it to anyone looking for excellent food at a fair price! It's a VERY NICE place with good service to eat and visit! Please ignore posts by disgruntled customers & let this place, these people & this GREAT food speak for themselves! read more

Found this cafe on Yelp. Great little family-run breakfast spot. Hash browns had a super nice crunch. French toast was crunchy, too - great flavor. Biscuits and gravy were flavorful. Coffee was nice, and waitress was attentive. Very good choice. read more

Took my parents here for Father's Day. The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is because they ran out of biscuits and gravy. The kick up omelet surpassed my expectations due to the awesome revenge sauce. My father loved their made from scratch strawberry shortcake. Our server was very friendly and let us know to come in earlier to ensure we get their made from scratch biscuits and gravy next time. The price was very economical and service was fast. read more

This is a cute little family owned restaurant that was close to our hotel. I ordered a fried egg sandwich. It was disappointing, and was made with processed cheese. The coffee was weak and not very good. The prices were a bit high for the quality. I would think $5.75 for a fried egg sandwich would get me a slice of real cheese. The service was okay, not overly friendly. I was okay, got some food in my belly, but wouldn't come back. I also found it disturbing that they charge $2.00 to share a meal. Their light fixtures are amazing, but that money would've been better spent on real cheese and better bread. read more

Absolutely wonderful experience this morning with family and friends. It was our first time here and it most certainly will not be our last

Tasty and consistent with great wait staff. Good lattes, locally owned, and nice atmosphere.

Typical farm house, diner breakfast. So good! Best hash browns! Service was great and friendly! We're visiting from out of town and looking for something different. We really enjoyed it. read more

food was delicious , service was great...but the prices are ridiculou... $1.75 for cheese on the hashbrowns and $5.00 for 2 pieces of sour dough bread which is ridiculous! we will definitely not be coming back...also none of these extra charges are stated on the "new menu" read more

This was a decent breakfast place. Our waitress was really nice and the special hot chocolate was delicious. No specific complaints, but the food wasn't amazing It was alright and if I lived nearby I probably would find myself there again. read more

Amazing, delicious, caffeinated, crispy, satisfying breakfast. My friends and I love this place. The hash browns are delicious, and the French toast is amazing. They have an omelet menu one would not think of to put together ( for example, chicken parmesan omelette). The staff is friendly and the ambience is bright and cheery. I hope this place stays around for a long time. read more

I love that they don't serve straws with their drinks! Yay for reducing waste one step at a time! I debated between giving them three or four stars... The food is pretty good, but a tad pricy for what you get. It is only open for breakfast and lunch, so you'll have your standard eggs, pancakes, and French toast options on the menu and for lunch, hot sandwiches or burgers. We all had breakfast food (plus the chicken citrus salad) and were all happy with it, but not blown away. The service was outstanding, our server was so friendly! They have very cute and colorful coffee mugs. read more

For some reason good breakfast places are hard to find in the Des Moines area (outside of eating at grocery stores...). This place -short and sweet- is great!! Friendly staff, really good food and coffee, easy and plentiful parking is hopefully a recipe for success. Please all you locals and visitors, give this place a try and keep it in business!! You won't be disappointed. And no, I am not at all affiliated with the restaurant. It was word of mouth to me and I'm passing it on :) read more

This is a small breakfast/lunch spot tucked away in a strip mall. I walked inside to a clean and well lit diner, and was promptly seated. I ordered coffee, browsed the menu, and decided on the breakfast wrap. It came by itself with eggs, onions, mushroom and cheese, and I added bacon to it. Came out fairly quick and tasted delicious, as the veggies were fresh and the eggs fluffy. Prices were reasonable as well for the quality offered. The owner was very friendly and struck up some conversation with this newcomer, which is always welcome. read more

Great service, uplifting music, good coffee and two words: hashbrown taco! I'll definitely be back.

It's a great little place for breakfast. Super cute and whimsical inside with really sweet servers.

Ate an early lunch at Perk Up Cafe yesterday. We arrived just after 10:30 in the mood for lunch. The restaurant had maybe six or eight tables seated. We were greeted and seated immediately in a booth. The decor was fun. It was bright (maybe because they had every single light in the joint turned on, despite the bright light streaming in through the large windows). We ordered drinks and received them a short period of time later. I ordered a chicken salad sandwich and a cup of broccoli cheddar soup and my husband had the Jack chicken sandwich with bacon and a cup of chili. It took over half an hour to get our food, which we thought was a little excessive. His chicken sandwich was good (the Jack sauce was delicious!) but he said the only thing he could taste was the butter they put on the bun before they grilled it. He also complained that his bottom bun was soggy. My chicken salad was very good. My broccoli cheddar soup was unimpressive (but I LOVE Panera's, despite them being a chain). We aren't raving about the food or service, but we are willing to go back and try breakfast since that seems to be the more popular thing. Prices weren't unreasonable also. Oh, and they didn't charge us for the bacon on my husband's sandwich. read more

PerKup Cafe - Jack chicken sandwich with bacon and a cup of chili. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - West Des Moines, Iowa

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Always looking for local places to eat at when we travel. This place popped up in a routine search of such a place. There's really not a downside to this place. We had a late breakfast, and while that's neither here or there, it was the freshest cafe food we've had in some time. The servers were prompt and cordial, but not overbearing. No "darlins" or "honeys" or "sweeties." Just professional, courteous and timely service. Highly recommended! read more

This is a very cute place, and I am glad we read other reviews suggesting this as a breakfast stop. I enjoyed a veggie omelet and added blueberry bread to accompany it. I wouldn't get the blueberry bread again, as it didn't have enough blueberries for me! My daughter had eggs, sausage, and toast. The sausage was delicious. As it was slightly spicy. They have a barista to make fun coffee drinks. It was disappointing that you had to pay extra to have their homemade jam versus the jellies on the table. The other suggestion I would make is to have them adjust/ fix the restroom doors to prevent slamming... We sat in a booth near the restrooms, and the doors slammed each time someone opened them. read more

Best bacon in the entire state of Iowa! This restaurant has an affordable menu full of delicious options. I had pancakes, eggs, bacon, and hashbrowns, and they were all top quality. The food was served quickly, waitress was friendly and helpful, and the restaurant had a cute style. read more

Want to love this place. Some of the food is good. When they serve what you order. However, the service is terrible. Kitchen screws up orders frequent. Today- I ordered an egg scramble, was given an omelet chopped up. When I sent back and asked for what I ordered... 5 min later the waitress returned with the same plate and says the cook said it's a scramble. Now I have a cold chopped up omelet. Never in my 40 years of life have I sent back a plate (I rarely send a plate back) to have it brought back and told to eat what it is!!! This was the worst of my experiences at this place. I will not come back. Very disappointed. read more

PerKup Cafe - Here I am without breakfast. Did not even try to make it right. Won't be back. Manager said, well we didn't charge you. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - West Des Moines, Iowa

Great service, very personable server who seemed to love what she does. Very good coffees- we had a latte, a dirty chai, and from the pot. Latte espresso was smooth, not bitter, nutty. Dirty chai was creamy, with cinnamon and sweet finish. Server refilled my latte cup with regular after asking me- I have always thought this is only fair, but rarely practiced. Another delight. We were passing through town Midwest on s 6 hour drive, so the restrooms were a priority- roomy and super clean. Breakfast was excellent- we had omelettes- the kick it up, which has the Revenge sauce. It had good kick. The florentine was mushrooms and fresh spinach with Italian cheeses. Both came with choice of sides and we both had two fluffy pancakes that were perfect with the hot syrup. My wife had the egg sandwich on a croissant and it was no problem when she asked for pepper jack instead of cheddar. We waited 2 minutes to be seated in an otherwise full cafe on a Sunday morning. When we left 40 minutes later, there were 20 people waiting, so clearly a popular destination. We know why- great food, great service, clean, upbeat, and happy regulars! read more

Awesome place for breakfast. I had the corn flakes encrusted blueberry French toast with bacon and hash browns and it was truly outstanding. Well worth a visit. read more

Natasha was our server and she was brilliant! As first time guests, she made feel welcome and told all about the foods to try. The biscuits and gravy were delicious! Please try the chicken parm omelette, you won't be disappointed. I don't give many 5's, but this is the real deal. read more

Me and my fiancé were in town from Cedar Rapids for the weekend. Before taking the 2 hour drive back home, we decided to get a bite to eat. Perkup Cafe was such a great find! The staff are friendly and the food was to die for! I got the classic breakfast platter and ate the whole thing. My fiancé got the biscuits and gravy and never set his fork down. We will definitely have to make a stop back to perkup cafe next time we're in town! read more

Service was great, staff is super nice. It is a neighborhood place. If you want basic nothing fancy this is a place to visit with a welcoming feel. I gave it 3 stars because the food was basic. Take it with grain of salt I only had the paige breakfast sandwich. read more

I am in town for business and asked a local for a recommendation, always a good idea I think. I went to this adorable cafe and found it to be clean and friendly with great food. I had breakfast for lunch and the homemade goodies did not disappoint! I had such a good experience I went back today and brought 2 associates with me and this time I had a sandwich and a side. The restaurant has a fun and funky vibe to it and they sell the prettiest little handmade aprons and such. The owners son was running the place and he was so engaging and pleasant and represented the restaurant so well !! If you find yourself in Iowa you need to make a trip to this cafe and see what the Buzz is all about. Till the next visit. read more

Best French Toast in the City of Des Moines and metro area. I love the local small mom and pop feel of this place as well.

Stopping in for breakfast for the first time. The food and service was awesome . They have a large menu and serve breakfast all day. We well be back next time for lunch. read more

I was super excited to come have a great B&G only to be let down when I was told the were out of gravy at 11 am WTF

I like this place because its not flashy or over tho top. Just good food and service. A great place to take the family!

Nice discovery! Serves breakfast all day. Excellent expresso drinks. Food fresh & appealing. Had meat lovers omelette with hasbrowns, probably should of asked for some salsa to jazz it abit. Will be back read more

This is by far the best and friendliest establishment in the city of Des Moines and surrounding area. The service is that of a high end restaurant with the personal connection of your local cafe. The food has never once been incorrect for myself and always deliciously cooked to perfection. I can not say enough good things about this place. If you are in the are or looking for a local spot then you must try, you will not be disappointed! :) read more

Always great food. Family owned and operated. New location for less waiting during peek times.

This place is amazing! It's a small family owned place that serves the most amazing French toast, legit biscuits and gravy, fresh homemade jam and of course all the other breakfast things you love. There is always a wait but well worth it since every bite is amazingggggg!!! YUM. read more

Excellent experience. The food and coffee were both very good but my favorite thing was the staff. Everyone working was friendly and hard working. No standing around and talking while you wait on them. The crew was very efficient and so friendly. They all looked like they like their job. The hash brown were cooked perfect and the Dirty Chai was fantastic!! read more

https://www.stalkingriskprofile.com/victim-support/stalking-in-the-workplace First time... From first waking being sat. I asked for booth tried to be sat at the table. When said something he lady up front who was sitting me told me she may need the booth for a large party. Ok why a booth needs a large part! So I was sat a a small half booth. Nd she could really save the excuses. The waitress Sydney had was very polite! Let me know to cook the hashbrown the way I like them she said would take a bit. I appreciated that. Makes coming in on my lunch good to know! Food flavor temp and time it took to get to the table. Hashbrowns still not done. Ended up leaving with out food. The owner stocked me and showed up at my work, To talk to me. She was informed by myself that her harassment need to stop and not come to my place of employment. Be carful stocking people is an new one for me and very sketchy, I will do business with a company that values their customers. And Realize that stocking your customers is not cool on any form or level read more

My husband and I had breakfast and the omelettes were really good. The Mama Mia omelette had the right amount of kick and my husband's veggie omelette had lots of cheese and vegetables. The service was quick and our meal came out quickly and piping hot despite the cafe being full. Our waitress had a smile ready despite the full tables. We will be back again and I can't wait to try their lunch menu. read more

LOL i wish that i could give this place ZERO stars. this establishment is an absolute JOKE. i'm not from the des moines area, but i saw this place on yelp and figured yolo, let's try it. don't, save your breathe and don't go. FIRST OF ALL, walk in that the place stinks. SECOND OF ALL it's a bunch of uppity ass holes. THIRD OF ALL, my mom and i walk in, get sat by this rude woman. we waited for 10 minutes, which would have been fine however another table came in and got sat, and given drinks, meanwhile nobody had served us. lol we literally left and went to Waveland Cafe instead. read more