Foodie 515: Des Moines Restaurant News, 1/22/24

Des Moines, 30 inches is enough.

Welcome back to Foodie 515!

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Des Moines Openings, Closings, and Such

• Coming Soon
  • OPENING TOMORROW: Curbin’ Cuisine dropped a ton of info, which you will want to read before going.
  • Good Eatin’s looks like it’s shifting from food truck to brick and mortar, based upon a recent pre-opening inspection. The address is on SE 14th where Hot Tamale Catering used to be.
  • A home bakery named Honeybear Panaderia Cafe and Bakery appears to be starting business soon.
  • Arcadia in Polk City is in its early stages, but I’m intrigued. (Thanks to realtor Paul Walter for the tip!)
  • Chikin Lickin in Waukee is adding to the Metro’s Korean fried chicken scene (via Wini Moranville’s Substack, which I highly recommend)
  • Roots 95 is coming to Johnston, from the Flame Food Group fam (again, from Wini)
  • Zazas is opening on 4th Ave. where Java Joe’s and an unfortunate other restaurant were. I don’t know anything about JC Cirese other than he’s the owner of Despensary, but dude has my attention.
• Bits and Bobs
  • The Reg featured upcoming pop-up dinners, which is worth a look.
    • By the way, if this is behind a paywall, you can access it via the Des Moines Public Library, as long as you have a card.
  • I normally steer clear of alcohol-related content, but The Slaughterhouse opened a speakeasy called The Haunt, and I’m gonna have to visit with the friend who alerted me to this.
  • If you’re planning a visit to Des Moines, we do love a Marriott (especially the downtown Marriott)!

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Recs! Recs! Recs!

• Book your Valentine’s dinner reservations now. Like right now. You might already be too late for some places. If you aren’t sure where to go, I’m always game to provide recommendations. I simply ask for a tip on Ko-fi in exchange!
• Speaking of all things sexy fun time, we’re lacking a progressive adult store in the area, so if you’re looking for toys, may I recommend either Good Vibrations or Geeky Sex Toys? I vouch for both! If you use my link and this code, you can get 5% off from Geeky Sex Toys: wholedamnwoman5.
• I’ve been asking for a few weeks if anyone knows of any Des Moines area Black-owned food businesses, and sadly, I’ve not gotten much response. This is my last call before I start the work. If you know of one, please let me know! You can email me, or you can simply comment below. I’m working on updating my list, and I want to make sure I’m getting everyone that I can before I release it. This list is imperative considering the increasing denials about America’s racist history, the erasure of DEI efforts, and the continued systemic racism in our government. Black businesses need more support than ever. It’s not a trendy thing. This is when the work is needed.
• ICYMI: My piece on Le’s Chinese Bar-B-Que is now available at DSM Magazine! I also added some fun stuff about Le’s here.

WTF, Des Moines?

• I have things to ask of my fellow diners:
  • Please do not post negative reviews or comments about a restaurant in its first month (ideally, the first three months) of being open. It takes time to get an operation running smoothly.
  • Always chat with an employee or a manager before posting a negative review. If you’re non-confrontational, try messaging them on social media. Let them have a chance to redeem themselves before you complain to the world.
  • Look up a restaurant’s prices before you visit.
  • Be kind to super-small businesses. If there’s, like, three people running the whole operation, don’t be a dick about how long it takes.
• Don’t sleep on public libraries, y’all. DMPL recently did away with late fees. Please support them!