Foodie 515: Des Moines Restaurant News, 1/29/24 (kinda late edition)

Des Moines, is that the sun?! 🌞

Welcome back to Foodie 515!

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Des Moines Openings, Closings, and Such

• Open
  • Nadia’s French Bakery is now open! This is a reminder to be patient with new eateries, please.
  • Curbin’ Cuisine is now open in Ankeny, which I hope goes smoothly for them. Some of us might be annoyed with the move, but please do be nice to them. They’re doing what’s best for them.
• Coming Soon
  • Guesthouse Tavern + Oyster passed their inspection, so expect an opening very soon. Also, I fucking love that they say they’re located in “West Des Waukee” because that’s pretty much what I call that area.
  • Baba’s Gyros N More is opening a location (or moving?) in Local Bites downtown.
  • Roots 95 from the Flame Group passed their inspection.
  • Baru(thio) is returning to downtown Des Moines, which is cool. I hope it works for him this time. People rave about his food, but I’ve yet to try it.
  • Table 128’s return looks to be in mid-March, per Wini Moranville. It looks like this launch will happen almost simultaneously with their HUGO’s Wood-Fired Kitchen.
  • Chain News
    • Hokkaido Ramen House & Izakaya is opening in Ankeny. I’ve never heard of this chain, but they also have a location in Coralville.
    • Fuzzy’s Taco Shop on MLK downtown passed a pre-opening inspection, so I guess that means they’re coming back? It will be the only remaining location in Iowa.
• Bits and Bobs
  • The delightful and talented Chris Hoffman of Clyde’s Fine Diner was nominated for Best Chef: Midwest by the James Beard Foundation! If you don’t know, a Beard nomination (let alone winning) is a big freaking deal in the restaurant world. Congratulations, Chris!
    • The man made a perfect key lime ice cream this past summer, and I made many noises because it was properly tart.
  • Rolling Wok Café might be closed for a bit, as they had a loss in their family (via eatwithmo.dsm). Much love to them!
  • Chain news: We *might* be landing The Melting Pot. I adore fondue. I’ve always wanted to go to The Melting Pot, but it’s pricey.
  • Creme’s got king cakes!
  • Pints by Beth will now be Scoops by Beth, and she’s got cute branding!

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Recs! Recs! Recs!

• I’m in hibernation mode for a few more days!
• After many months of missing their pop-ups, I finally got me some G.G.’s Chicken and Waffles. I cannot recommend them enough! This was my third or fourth time having their wares, and damn, y’all. Yes.
• If you can’t get into a restaurant, there are other fun ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day . . .
• You can also raise money for rescues by celebrating love!
• Which one of you bought this house before I could make several mil and buy it? That’s my friggin’ dream Sim home.

Craving Donut Hut is my permanent state, so when I saw that the owner’s father passed away, I knew I had to support them. Fortunately for me, that meant deliciousness.

If you don’t already know, Cylde’s Fine Diner has the best fries in Des Moines.

If you don’t know, the Des Moines subreddit is often entertaining. This gem still has me laughing. Here’s the original thread.

WTF, Des Moines?

• Hey, remember when the Trump-hosting owner of Whiskey River said, “It’s not worth us coming to Des Moines or being anywhere near Des Moines since they can’t control the violence.” Yeah, the guy accused of the shooting is from Minnesota, and Whiskey River’s owner is being sued.
• Speaking of Trumpers, remember how Steer N’ Stein not only hosted the Cheetotator at the fair this past summer, but they also featured a “MAGA special.” Sadly, it turns out they are now the owners of George the Chili King’s chili recipe.
  • I don’t know much about Chef Enosh Kelley except that he made his mark on local cuisine a long time ago. But there’s also this part too. I guess he’s just not my peeps.
• They just continue to ruin Kum & Go. Long live, Jerk & Squirt.
  • Oh, stay tuned. I’m working on a t-shirt related to Kum & Go. 😉