The staff is always so friendly and smiling when we come in! We have been here so many times and…read moretried something new every time because there are so many good options on the menu! And plenty of good drinks options to go with it!

Hawker Kitchen brings authentic Malaysian street food flavors right into the heart of Des Moines,…read moreand it's a spot that feels both comforting and exciting if you're craving Southeast Asian dishes. Char Kueh Teow This dish stood out immediately which has a smoky wok hei flavor (the "breath of the wok") coated the flat rice noodles, giving them that deep caramelized edge that's hard to find outside of Malaysia. The prawns were plump and juicy, and the mix of soy, garlic, and chili gave just the right balance of savory and spicy. Fresh cucumbers and pickled vegetables on the side added a refreshing crunch, making each bite balanced and addictive. Laksa Rich, creamy, and fragrant, the laksa broth was a highlight. The curry coconut base carried layers of spice without being overwhelming, and every sip warmed you from the inside out. The noodles were cooked just right, with toppings that tied it together from seafood to herbs. It's the kind of bowl that makes you pause between spoonfuls just to savor the aroma. Satay The chicken satay had a lovely turmeric and lemongrass marinade, grilled to a slight char that locked in the smoky flavor. Tender on the inside with crispy edges, it paired perfectly with the bold, nutty, and slightly spicy peanut dipping sauce. The cucumber slices on the side helped cut through the richness, just like you'd get back at a hawker stall in Malaysia. Overall Hawker Kitchen is a gem for anyone looking for authentic Malaysian comfort food in Des Moines. Portions are generous, flavors are bold and true to their roots, and the variety on the menu makes it worth repeat visits. If you're new to Malaysian cuisine, start with the satay and char kueh teow; if you're a fan already, the laksa will feel like home.

I went here first back when they were a food truck and this was my first time at their brick and…read moremortar spot. It's an easy, tasty, fast casual spot in a great location and the food is always unique and tasty. I had the bang bang mac and cheese which was spicy and delicious with popcorn chicken and a bang bang drizzle on top. We also shared the pb&j fries which we were curious about and they way over delivered, I did not know that was going to be so good. The servers were great and quick as we were in a bit of a rush so the speed was much appreciated.

Superb initial visit, and wondered why I had not been here since moving to Ankeny this summer. An…read moreoutstanding combination of food quality, good overall vibe, solid pricing, great menu, and options. We ate inside the restaurant, which is a fun venue with cool decorations and theme. Loved the booth setting. Sound was fine. They also have a drive-thru option. My burger was excellent, cooked flawlessly, and the accompanying fries were perfect. A really good overall experience, kind customer service accompanied everything.

Worth the Wait at Jersey Mike's…read more Stopped by the Jersey Mike's on SW Vintage Parkway in Ankeny today for a quick dinner pickup. We placed our order through the app (super convenient) for a #6 Roast Beef and Provolone and a #55 Big Kahuna Chicken Cheese Steak. ## The Experience The place was hopping during the dinner rush when we arrived, which explained why our wait was a bit longer than expected. That said, I was impressed watching the staff hustle behind the counter - everyone was working efficiently and still managing to be friendly to each customer. No small feat during a lunch rush! ## The Food Our sandwiches were absolutely worth the short wait. The #6 Roast Beef and Provolone ($10.95) was made perfectly - tender roast beef with that delicious combo of provolone, red wine vinegar, and fresh veggies on their rosemary parmesan bread. The #55 Big Kahuna Chicken Cheese Steak ($10.25) was equally impressive - juicy philly chicken with white American cheese, just the right amount of jalapeño heat, and those perfectly grilled onions. I appreciated that they followed our "extra love" special instruction too! ## The Value At just over $21 before tax for two substantial sandwiches, the value is solid. These aren't your average thin cold cuts - Jersey Mike's doesn't skimp on quality or quantity. ## Overall While it wasn't the fastest pickup experience, the staff's positive attitude and the excellent sandwich quality more than made up for the slight wait. The Ankeny location seems well-managed even during the dinner rush, and I'll definitely be back (though maybe avoiding peak dinner hours if I'm in a hurry). Next time I'll remember to take pictures before devouring everything!

I placed an online order for a giant sub to pick up. When I arrived, I was given a half-sub…read moreinstead. The staff explained they ran out of my chosen bread. Instead of contacting me or substituting another bread, they probably assumed it was a DoorDash order and left it as half. I am disappointed that no one tried to reach out or leave a note to fix this.

We went to Boulder Tap House in Ankeny with a party of five and a half -- Kim and I, three of my…read morekids, and my one-month-old granddaughter. We sat at a high top with a bench, and it actually worked really well for having the baby with us. Drinks and waters came out efficiently, and our waitress was kind and courteous. The food did take a little while, but everything came out together, which I appreciate with a larger table. My fries were room temperature when they arrived, but they quickly replaced them with piping hot ones, so no real complaint there. Our table had a good mix: the Pulled Pork Sandwich for $12.99, Crispy Chicken Wrap for $14.99, Tequila Lime Chicken Tacos for $14.99, BTH Classic Smash Burger for $14.99, and a medium order of house-made boneless wings for $16.99. No one complained, which is usually a pretty good sign with our crew. The restaurant was clean, fairly busy, and all the staff we interacted with were friendly. Drink prices seemed reasonable too. We were also able to hang out and visit for quite a while without feeling rushed, which made it a really nice family stop. It is close to home, the food was good, and my daughter picked up the bill for Father's Day, so that made it taste even better. We will definitely be back.

Food was good, service was amazing and it was very quiet, we were there on a Tuesday…read moreafternoon...the music was great!

It's all about the customers! I mean- weekly specials that…read moreare as tasty as they are creative. We have waited for the return of the street corn sandwich. My son downed it in 4 bites! The monthly flavored shakes are also a nice treat. And where can one get some of the best Brussels sprouts at a chicken place? They are delish! You can get your sandwiches grilled, fried, in a wrap or in a salad. For me, all great options but the original fried is my go to- large, always perfectly cooked and juicy chicken. The service is as fantastic as the food- always friendly. And- dogs allowed! Outdoor patio seating in addition to indoor and (let me repeat what exceptional service) they find you even when you change your mind and start one place and end in the other. Drive through is a nice option and the only (good) problem for this business that started out as a food truck is that at peak times parking and pulling out can be tricky with the drive through. I've saved one of the best customer- friendly mentions for last- when you pay by card, the highest display for tip is 10%(starting at 3%). I mean- the service is always worth 20+ but I appreciate this range as opposed to so many that start at 15% or higher. Come for the always fresh, awesome food and tip for the excellent and friendly service! Locations growing around the metro- yeah!

Ordered the #5 char's bowl with Mac and cheese and the #6 chicken tenders. The breading is pretty…read moregood, I really liked their seasoning. Everything looked fresh and the tenders were hot. It's a local fast food vibe and everything tasted good. I definitely need to try their shakes next time.

Since moving to the area mid-summer, we have learned that Uptown Ankeny is a fun spot, and now we…read morehave found a restaurant to pull us there even more often! Uptown Food and Beverage was a fabulous stop, combining a tremendously cozy setting (booths/tables), ease of parking, location, and remarkable historic photos lining their walls. This place works well. Luckily, we had a superb server for our maiden voyage, as Adriana rocked! She helped us with menu options and was both kind and knowledgeable. We shared a tasty Caesar salad, and I appreciated that they served the dressing on the side without requesting it. Their thinner-crust pizza is delicious! We selected two, ordering their Margherita (olive oil, fresh chopped garlic, sweet basil, and topped with aroma tomatoes) and their Spicy Italian 16" options. Wowowowowowowowow! Both pizzas were fabulous, maintaining their consistency, and simply delicious. Thanks to fellow Yelper Dan T for his Spicy Italian recommendation. Sure, we brought home a lot of pizza, but this weekend will be better because of it. I learned they have a good lunch buffet (11-130PM), and we arrived during their 5-7 PM weekday Happy Hour but did not explore it. I had heard about their onion rings and saw an order at a nearby table that had me yearning for them on our next visit.

It's been a minute since I dropped out a review on one of my favorite pizza spots in the metro…read more Uptown Food and Beverage Co. in Ankeny! Not to be confused with Uptown Garage Brewing (also in Ankeny) or Uptown Bar & Grill in Grimes... I've been ordering and eating pretty much the same thing here since it was Encore Pizza in Johnston. Lol A large Spicy Italian pizza Italian cheese sticks And a fountain drink... Dennis Gibson opened Encore Pizza in Johnston years ago. He started out as an Ankeny Hawk, went on to ISU (he's an ISU hall of famer), was drafted by the Detroit Lions and later played for the San Diego Chargers and led his team to a Super Bowl appearance. And he's a heck of a nice guy... I loved Encore Pizza, but Dennis missed his hometown I guess and wanted to be headquartered in the community he grew up in. Encore Pizza closed and he opened a larger location in Ankeny and rebranded it Uptown Food and Beverage Co. Many of the menu items carried over from Encore to UF&BC and the menu has expanded past what it was. And another carry over is the high backed booths... Which I dearly love! These booths are big enough to seat six people easily... Seating at UF&BC is a bar and bar stools, both low and high top tables and chairs, and the aforementioned high backed booths. There is street parking along Maple and SW 3rd St. and a couple small parking areas within easy walking distance. Because of the parking and adjacent businesses you can be deceived on how busy Uptown Food and Beverage Co. looks. We arrived for lunch a little before noon yesterday. That's late for a Saturday lunch for us... Parking was pretty full, but when we walked in there was only one other couple in the restaurant... More people arrived in the next hour, but it wasn't near as busy as it looked from outside. Don't let a lot of cars be your barometer. Stick your head in or give them a call. They may not be as busy as you think they are. Italian Cheese Sticks... Five sticks breaded in Italian flour, fried golden brown, served with a cup of marinara Obviously hand cut and always served hot and molten! The Spicy Italian is described as red and Alfredo sauces, hot Italian sausage, banana peppers and jalapeños. This is probably my favorite pizza in the entire metro and as close as I get to thin crust. It is a thin crust, but it's not cracker thin. Rarely do I deviate from these two items. When it comes to UF&BC I'm a creature of habit or a one trick pony if you will... But I've never ordered anything off the menu that has disappointed me. The staff here is always top notch. Quick to greet you at the hostess station just to the Right as you walk in the door. Always on top of refills. And they check on you enough to make sure you have what you need, but not too much that they are bothersome. Your order is taken at the table and that's where your bill is presented and taken at the end of your meal. Cash and cards (but not American Express). For you lunch buffet fans there is a pizza and salad buffet Monday through Friday from 1100 AM - 130 PM. You can also order off the menu during the buffet hours if buffets aren't your jam... Truly one of my favorite spots in the metro and will never drop out of my rotation! https://uptownfoodandbeverage.com/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063493183495

Ordered take out of a coupe of empanadas, some cheese bread and a chicken pot pie. When I got…read morehome, I noticed that the chicken pot pie was missing. I called to ask about it and the person and they seemed confused trying to find my order. I was there 10 minutes ago and nobody else was in the restaurant except one couple who already had their food. He finally found my order and told me I could come get it. When I arrived at the restaurant, they unlocked the door and handed me the container. It seemed like I was inconveniencing them even though they made the mistake. No apology, but they did give me some prepacked candy with my food which I guess made everything alright for me having to come back to get the rest of my order. Overall the empanadas and the cheese bread were good, but the chicken pot pie wasn't great, the crust was off and just coated my mouth in an unpleasant manner.

Great small business. We got desserts to take home. Yuca and flan desserts were very good. (are not…read morelike sugary American desserts though) also got the passionfruit mousse which is more like what Americans get for desserts as far as sweetness level. Was very good

It's been awhile since I've been able to Iowa and the Ankeny main Street has significantly grown!…read more Stopped into TT for lunch and it didn't disappoint! Great casual spot to grab. Drink or some great bites! Grilled cheese and a side of tomato bisque was just perfect. Great drinks, great service!

Have always wanted to try this place and on a Saturday night…read moreafter a Costco run my husband and I decided to stop here. There was a small but steady crowd throughout the night and we had top- notch service from our server- knowledgeable about the menu, attentive in the 'just right way' - carefully observing drinks and not interrupting date night more than necessary. A variety of local And other craft beers were featured although surprisingly not any from Firetrucker next door! The holiday decor was still up but even without it has a warm feel- love the various table sizes and heights and the long bar with a pretty decent offering for cocktails. While there, the bartender was experimenting with drinks and having fun. After recommendations I ordered the French dip which was phenomenal! Homemade bread, warm, generous meat and peppers and grilled onions, flavorful dip . I will say if I ordered again I would ask to have the sauce left off as I am not a fan of horseradish sauce. Still, it was tasty! Side salad as option was super fresh with mixed greens and the house creamy Italian was bursting with herby flavor. my husband had the tenderloin and while delicious- it was 'bougie' and not the traditional Midwest. It was generous and interesting as a dinner option. Would certainly return as the patio is inviting (just not in January)!'