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    Uptown Bar and Grill

    4.0 (23 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)

    Uptown Bar and Grill Photos

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    UPTOWN BAR AND GRILL ATMOSPHERE

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    Todd B.

    Food: 5* Atmosphere: 3* Value: 4* Service: 4* 05/12/2024 Yet another solid experience at the Uptown Bar & Grill - nothing stands out for atmosphere, but the Value & Service are above average and the Food is great! I couldn't pass up the $2 beer special and today we went with the Breakfast Burger (see picture), Tater Tots (see picture) and Frisco Burger (see picture). We ordered the burgers medium rare and unlike other restaurants who deliver them well done anyway - they were actually served medium rare and were delicious!!

    French dip and tots $10 Holla!
    Tony H.

    My wife, daughter, and I came here for a Pubpass- the first thing I noticed is the location is in the old uptown part of grimes in an old building that smelled delicious from a block away. We were able to seat ourselves on a Friday night around 6:30 so that's always good. We were greeted by our friendly waitress for drinks. For beers, they had a handful on tap and a descent selection in cans and bottles. I noticed for the special, it was French dip with a side of $10 and I've been craving one for awhile so that's what I got with a side of tots. The tots were good and crunchy like I like them. The French dip was also very good- no gristle and the au jus didn't even spill to make my bottom bun soggy! My wife ordered the cowboy burger . The cowboy burger was nicely seasoned and cooked perfectly with cheese, onion rings, jalapeños and a delicious slightly spicy sauce. My daughter ordered the basic cheeseburger (sorry no pics) and it looked really good. Honestly i might order that next time. The burgers are 1/4lb so they are big enough to split if you're not that hungry. There isn't really any healthy options which is why I didn't give it a full 5 otherwise I probably would have. Also I think they might be slightly understaffed because service slowed down when they got busier. Nothing too crazy though. I would recommend this place if you're in the area and want some good bar food!

    Bar area
    Curt L.

    This place has AMAZING burgers, COLD draft beer and GREAT service. Get here, enjoy it while it's just getting g noticed!!

    Philly with fries

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    10 months ago

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    1 month ago

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    11 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

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    3 years ago

    Fun place. Really decent food. Great servers. Try the low carb lunch, that's my favorite.

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    2 years ago

    Tenderloin was burnt and the owner says that's how they serve them. Wasn't impressed with the fact that they serve expired products.

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Food and service are both great! The burgers and fries were very good! Will definitely go back!!

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Bar atmosphere. Typical bar food. I order tenderloins wherever I find them. These were average. Lots of tater tots. Service was good.

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    3 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Very good environment, food is great. Awesome burgers!! Great place to come have a meal an/or drink with friends!!

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    Destination Grille - Meat-Lover Large

    Destination Grille

    3.9(107 reviews)
    1.2 mi

    Destination Grille has a lot going for it, but the pricing is undeniably steep--especially for…read moreadult beverages. It's the kind of menu that makes you pause and wonder whether the experience will justify the cost. Another ongoing concern is the dinner rush: wait times can be long, and a call‑ahead or online waitlist option would make a huge difference. I highly recommend making a reservation if you plan to visit during peak hours. What consistently brings us back, though, is the service and the food. Our server, Brody--who we've actually had on every visit--has been exceptional each time. He's attentive, friendly, and always on top of everything. The dishes are consistently impeccable, and Brody's professionalism truly elevates the entire experience. Thank you to Destination Grille and the staff for making each visit enjoyable. We love the seasonal menu and the creative changes. This would easily be a five‑star review if the pricing, noise level, and wait times were more manageable.

    I've eaten there twice and after my last experience I am not sure I will return. My lunch…read morecompanion ordered pasta and was pleased with the presentation and flavor. I ordered a club salad and after two bites an insect crawled out of the lettuce. The waiter apologized and ask if I wanted another salad which struck me as an odd question give the current experience. He said that the buy the lettuce from a supplier. I was concerned that lettuce from the same container would be used for a replacement salad and declined as who knows how much bug poop was on the lettuce. He did offer other choices but by that time I was unsure about any replacement. I was not charged for the salad and I did pay for my companion's lunch. I left a tip as it was not the waiter's fault. On my first visit I order a fish sandwich which was quite good. I did notice that the decor could use a good dusting. Again, not the wait staff's fault. The food is ok, a bit over priced, but given that a drive through hamburger, fries and a drink will shoot the best part of $15.00 it would not out of line for the menu and venue.

    Photos
    Destination Grille - The backbar

    The backbar

    Destination Grille - Bruschetta

    Bruschetta

    Destination Grille - Classic Mule

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    Classic Mule

    B-Bop's

    B-Bop's

    4.2(39 reviews)
    4.1 mi
    $

    After years of just never quite aligning, we finally had B-bops for lunch on Monday. First tip (and…read morethis is coming from a fat guy), seriously, consider the 1/4 lb anything before considering the 1/2 lb. We parked and walked up to the front window just after 11. They were cheerful and ready to help us, but we wanted to study the menu for a minute. They didn't bother us, but just made sure we knew they were there when we were ready. Great attitudes the entire time we were there. I got the double bacon burger, and she got the double cheeseburger. Both of them were delectable, but they must measure the weight after cooking the burger - because WOW. The bacon was nice and thick, but could've used another piece. Though honestly, I probably won't get bacon next time. Didn't need it. The chili cheese fries were otherworldly. We haven't found chili cheese fries. We liked that much in about 10 years. The warm food was warm. The chocolate shakes were awesome. Love that they only do chocolate shakes and specialize in it. It was like a frosty on steroids. Bottom line is don't wait as long as we did to have this amazing food.

    A classic that my brother begs to go to whenever we're back in town! I think this is just an Iowa…read morechain - I could be wrong - but several locations in the area. No indoor dining or ordering: only drive through or window ordering with picnic tables outside. They're best known for their burger, which is good! The party could be better but the cheese mayo and mustard combo hits. Their fries are good and you can get them as chili fries or with cheese dip or ranch on the side. Their chocolate shakes are super thick and delish! Service is good and quick. Not the most amazing quality but a comfort classic.

    Photos
    B-Bop's - The adorable biscuit they gave to my puppers

    The adorable biscuit they gave to my puppers

    B-Bop's
    B-Bop's

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    Who's on 1st - Fries-seasoned and sliced thin

    Who's on 1st

    3.3(33 reviews)
    11.1 mi

    We got here early to meet friends and grab a good seat for the live band. Sadly, the band ended up…read moresequestered in a closet-sized space on the main level since the wind made the rooftop off-limits. Bummer! The Service: We were eventually seated at a booth (the one with no working TVs), and while we were quickly greeted by Jennifer--who was our waitress for the night--we ended up waiting most of the evening for her to come back. We did get waters and drinks while waiting for our friends to arrive. Once they showed up, it took a little while to get the rest of our order in, but it all worked out in the end. They were very busy that night--between the Indiana Fever game, graduations, and a band crowd. Jennifer was hustling, along with her husband and one other waitress, trying to cover the whole place. So, while I can't (and won't) complain about the effort, they clearly needed more help to reach that 5-star level. Same goes for the bar--it was overwhelmed and absolutely needed more than one bartender to handle that crowd. Just a note for management: the team was working hard, but they were outnumbered. The Food: The kitchen was on the ball. Our appetizer of Brussels sprouts was delicious--great flavors, perfectly cooked--and they hit the table just moments before our entrees did. I had the jalapeño burger with the ridiculously long name (you'll know it when you see it), and added the $4 onion rings. The burger was fantastic--well made, full of flavor. The onion rings, while not quite worth the $4 upcharge as a side, were the crispiest onion rings I've ever had. Really good. Kim's wrap, on the other hand, was underwhelming--$14 for a tortilla shell mostly filled with lettuce and not much flavor. Our friends seemed happy with their meals and later ordered a bread pudding to share. We all had a sample, and while it was decent, it was definitely missing a sauce or something to make it pop. The Value: Our bill--1 appetizer, 2 meals, and 4 drinks--came to over $100 plus tip. (Now that I'm writing this, I kind of wish I'd looked at the receipt more closely.) Still, that seems to be the going rate for this kind of night out in the greater Des Moines area these days. Pro Tip: Try coming during happy hour to stretch your dollars a bit further.

    Boyfriend and I both ordered burgers and they were both good. Mine could have used more sauce, but…read morethe place was busy I never got the chance to ask for more before I was finished eating. We tried both the signature fries and the double batter fries. The double batter fries were my favorite, but both options are good. Service was good, but sometimes a little slow. We sat at the bar and they only had one bartender on a Friday night. It didn't bother us much since we were just hanging out watching football, but could be bothersome if you are in a in a rush. Good place to watch sports and have a burger and some beer.

    Photos
    Who's on 1st
    Who's on 1st
    Who's on 1st - Nasty burger

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    Nasty burger

    Table 128 - Lynn's burger-
pickled pear, brie, crispy onion, Dijon aioli, brioche bun, choice of side. Des Moines IA Lunch or Dinner

    Table 128

    4.3(293 reviews)
    11.2 mi
    $$

    My how I have missed my favorite restaurant in the Midwest! This was my first time at their new…read morelocation and it did not disappoint. Chef Lynn greeted me when I walked in and took time to chat with me. Everyone and everything here is fabulous and I will be back as often as possible. The food, service and ambiance are fabulous!

    Train wreck-in every way. We flew into Des Moines from AZ and a friend suggested this restaurant…read more We arrived at 8pm for our 8:15pm reservation. There were two other tables in the whole restaurant so needless to say it was quiet. Our server was sweet but obviously not trained on efficient and fast service but was probably encouraged to run like a bunny when things go sideways. We ordered two glasses of wine and an old fashioned. Figured I just got off of a plane so why not get the evening going with some bourbon and have a Plan B with the glass of wine when I am ready. Two glasses of wine were delivered but no old fashioned. Who does this? Anyhow, old fashioned came out next. We ordered a cup of soup and a small salad to start with and then ordered a burger, medium, with fries and the pasta bolognese. The soup and salad came out but there was a long stretch of time before entrees came out. When they finally arrived the burger was very rare inside so my wife let the server know and she apologized and scurried off. I tried to wait but it was getting cold so I slowly nibbled. After 20 minutes, I flagged down our server and asked if the burger was coming out and she said "oh, do you want another one"? It was now 9pm and they were closing but we were not leaving until we enjoyed a medium burger. When the new burger came out, she said the "owner made it himself. We cut it in half to check the temperature it was still pink. How can an owner of a restaurant not know how to make a medium-medium well burger? And why didn't he walk out and deliver it himself and apologize? Not a word! My dish was finished and plate was gone while my wife finally had her burger. We had planned to eat together that was not going to happen tonite. She ate half and we took the rest of it to go. With wine, an old fashioned and the worst dinner experience, we spent $174 with tip. Huge mistake. Here is my tip: train your servers on how to take care of customers. To the cooks, invest in a thermometer if you can't tell when a burger is medium. To the owner, step out and make sure your customers are happy and enjoying your food.

    Photos
    Table 128 - The dining room at Table 128, downtown Des Moines. Perfect for Business Lunches, Happy Hour, Date Nights, or Celebrations.

    The dining room at Table 128, downtown Des Moines. Perfect for Business Lunches, Happy Hour, Date Nights, or Celebrations.

    Table 128 - Bacon cheeseburger-
grilled beef, provolone, applewood-smoked bacon, chipotle aioli, brioche bun, choice of side

    Bacon cheeseburger- grilled beef, provolone, applewood-smoked bacon, chipotle aioli, brioche bun, choice of side

    Table 128 - Chicken salad tartine | 
yellow curry, roasted chicken, celery, cranberries, argula, marcona almonds, toasted focaccia, choice of side

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    Chicken salad tartine | yellow curry, roasted chicken, celery, cranberries, argula, marcona almonds, toasted focaccia, choice of side

    Guesthouse Tavern & Oyster - Charbroiled oysters

    Guesthouse Tavern & Oyster

    4.5(70 reviews)
    6.5 mi

    4.6* (out of 5) Food: 5* Atmosphere: 5* Value: 4*…read more Service: 4* Would I go back / Recommend?: 5* (Definitely) Total check/person: $40 05/20/2026 The neighbors suggested the Guesthouse for our dinner tonight and given our experiences, we heartily agreed. We started our meals with a glass of beer, then ordered our dinners. Tonight, my wife opted for the Sweet Potato Gnocchi with grilled shrimp (see picture) - at our server Chelsea's suggestion (Chelsea was great). While I usually prefer trying different dishes vs. ordering what I've had before, it was Wednesday and I'm a sucker for specials...so again opted for Walleye Wednesday (see picture). While we both enjoyed both dishes after sharing tastes of each, the highlight of the meal was the Campfire Pie (that Chelsea recommended) along with a scoop of ice cream (at our neighbor's suggestion). Check it out in the picture and be sure to give it a try!

    I have dined here twice with friends and both experiences were amazing…read more Do yourself a favor and show up for Happy Hour. My hubby gets the oysters and I get the shrimp cocktail with huge shrimp! The drink selection is great. I've had their Wisconsin style old fashioned and their NA blueberry mojito. Both were delicious. The service is always professional, friendly, and helpful in making selections. We are going to be regulars!

    Photos
    Guesthouse Tavern & Oyster
    Guesthouse Tavern & Oyster
    Guesthouse Tavern & Oyster - S'mores smoked dessert! 9/10. The only things that would have made it better would be a berry compote on top.

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    S'mores smoked dessert! 9/10. The only things that would have made it better would be a berry compote on top.

    Uptown Bar and Grill - newamerican - Updated June 2026

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