lunch is always a great time to catch up on life - meet someone for lunch and socialize, explore a new restaurant or part of town, enjoy the weather (when it's not raining), get on Facebook, etc. (that's right we all know what you really do during the day). even if you just need a quick bite to eat, these places are sure to impress and your foodie side will thank you later.
if you prefer brunch foods, you can find the previous post
here - you are not going to want to miss it - complete with bananas foster french toast, omelets stuffed with mac and cheese, french pastries and more!
here are just a few of our lunch favs...
south union
why we love it | daily fresh baked artisan bread - need we say more? if you have ordered a sandwich in downtown des moines at all, you have probably had their bread - it's just that good. i personally recommend the pesto chicken melt, but don't let that stop you - many different sandwiches, soups, specialty salads and a 50-topping salad bar.
the location is great too! right on the edge of downtown - nice day out? get your lunch to go and enjoy it in western gateway park.
ps - they have a stand at the downtown farmer's market on saturdays.
blu thai food & sushi
love sushi? great! love thai food? perfect! look no further than this restaurant.
why we love it | i am a big fresh fish / sushi lover, and ever since my trip to san francisco, i have become very picky about where i go in des moines. case and point - this place. the sushi is always fresh and does not have that 'fishy' taste, and the portions are not ridiculously tiny either. everything is so colorful here, which makes you want to eat more of course - delicious! ps - went there for lunch today! check out the pictures on our
instagram profile.
not so sure you are up for trying sushi? they also have other amazing food so don't worry! i always have to get their crab rangoons. plus their dipping sauces are to die for - one of their specialty sauces (sweetened soy sauce) i could drink it is that good. i don't know what is in it for sure but a mixture of honey, soy sauce and ginger sounds about right.
ps - this place is awesome for dinner but they have daily lunch specials that make the cost very reasonable for the amount that you get. try it out and let us know what you think!
big city burgers & greens
why we love it | um hello?! who doesn't love a good burger? they also focus a lot on sourcing from local farmers for their meats and greens. here are just a few items off of the menu to get your mouth watering: the black and bleu burger (blackened topped with fried onions,
applewood smoked bacon and maytag bleu cheese sauce), the garden burger (grilled marinated portabello mushrooms stuffed with sauteed peppers, onions, goat cheese served with roasted tomatoes, lettuce, hummus, and a side of spicy remoulade and big city sauce).
want something other than a burger? try the pork tenderloin or LA salad (baby spinach, roasted turkey, cranberries, oranges, pineapple, avocados, golden raisins, pine nuts and cilantro lime vinaigrette) or create your own salad. you can't go wrong with anything here!
location | right in the heart of downtown des moines in the capitol square building. only open for lunch (or catering / rental) so put it on your bucket list for places to eat at for lunch in des moines.
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fernando's mexican grill
why we love it | it is authentic or as close as we can get anyways. super filling and delicious but not to the point where you are overly stuffed and can barely get up to make it to the door. they offer both eat-in and carryout options - perfect if you need something fast.
don't know what to get? try a burrito filled with your choice of chicken, steak, seasoned ground beef, tofu, grilled veggies or barbacoa topped with rice, beans, tomatoes, different salsa options and sour cream, or there is always a quesadilla or tacos too - you watch them make everything right in front of you. plus, pretty much all of the veggies, etc. are fresh and locally grown. mouth watering yet? after eating here you will be saying chipotle who?
located right in the heart of drake university's campus town by mars cafe. swing on over after your daily latte or americano.
court avenue brewing company
why we love it | it is located right on court avenue and the service is always awesome and fast (at least with my experience there). lets get to the point though - they have one of my favorite salads in town: the blue cheese steak salad. i know right! can't you just picture it - a bead of mixed greens with a perfectly grilled flat iron steak nestled on top surrounded by carrots, cherry tomatoes and blue cheese crumbles - all dressed in blue cheese of course (i think i have a slight obsession with blue cheese). you are getting in your car right now aren't you - it is as good as it sounds.
there are a lot of other options to choose from too - jambalaya, black and tan reuben, porto bomber (grilled balsamic marinated portobello mushroom with romas, roasted red peppers and carmalized onions), etc., but make sure to start with the spinach and artichoke dip. don't even think about not having it.
not ready to go back to work yet - try a handcrafted beer or soda. it is a brewery afterall. it is also one of my favorite places to get a ginger kid (moscow mule series). the lime juice adds a little something special to it.
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gateway market & cafe
why we love it | natural, organic and totally tasty. here are a couple of choices to make you want to drive over there right now: pesto shrimp mac and cheese, kc burnt ends sandwich (have you been to kansas city? this is probably as close as you are getting to their bbq), caprese tomatoes or cilantro lime chicken salad. they also carry south union bread (see above) and fresh pastries.
have some time to spare? wander around the market area. there are a lot of specialty foods that you will not find anywhere else in des moines. need fresh flowers, something totally unique or a wine chilled for a party that evening - they can do that too.
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jethro's bbq
why we love it | sometimes you just need some good bbq and specialty bbq sauces - or a giant pork tenderloin that is bigger than a dinner plate. this is a local sports bar so to say but that just makes it even better. the atmosphere is always great! feast away on ribs, bbq sandwiches (pulled pork, pulled chicken, brisket, turkey, pit ham or smoked sausage), salads bigger than you can even imagine (don't get a salad if you go here - geez! bbq! although i do have to admit that i did once - only once! shame on me i know) and don't forget the sweet potato fries or jalepeno cream corn. i am getting hungry just thinking about it.
location | there are now several locations but you have to go to the original of course - jethro's bbq by drake university on forest avenue. it's just the best plain and simple - don't argue! if you must go to another one, each location has a slightly different menu to freshen things up - example: west des moines offers crsipy fried alligator yummy yummy - feeling adventerous today?
la mie
i know, i know - la mie again? it is just sooo good that is why!
why we love it | check out their
brunch and that will tell you everything you need to know. want more? how about the french ham sandwich (with brie, lettuce and dijon), the mesclun salad (with almonds, cranberries, carrots and feta), a quiche or tartine and finish it all off with a fresh fruit tart and chai tea (or smoothie from juice co. a couple of doors down) to boost your day - amazing right?!
location | in the roosevelt shopping district - eat inside if you can find a spot or sit outside on the back deck if it is nice out. while you are there, stroll over to the cheese chop and browse through their selection, take a yoga class at shakti yoga shop or see what shows the des moines playhouse has coming up - do me a favor and munch on a french macaron while you are doing all this. thanks!
here are a couple of other places to try out...
cafe baratta's
until dinner....
with love - P
