Where Locals Actually Eat in Des Moines

Forget the reservations and the white tablecloths. This guide is for the “Tuesday night at 6 PM” cravings—the places where the staff recognizes the regulars, the prices don’t require a loan, and the food is consistently, stubbornly good.

🍔 The Neighborhood Gold Standard: Simon’s

If Des Moines had a “living room,” this would be it. Tucked away in an unassuming brick building in a residential area, Simon’s has been voted the “Best Kept Secret” for a decade running—mostly because locals want to keep the short wait times for themselves.

• Location: 5800 Franklin Ave, Des Moines, IA 50322
• Hours: Mon–Thu: 5 PM – 9 PM | Fri–Sat: 5 PM – 10 PM | Sun: Closed.
• Price: $$ (Entrees approx. $15–$30).
• Parking: Plentiful free parking in the side lot and on the street.
• The Ritual: Every meal starts with a complimentary basket of their legendary red-velvet cake.
• Repeatable Move: The Steak de Burgo (a Des Moines garlic-butter staple) or the simple, perfect Lasagna.

🥪 The Lunchroom Legend: Manhattan Deli

Serving the Ingersoll neighborhood since 1982, Manhattan Deli is where you go when you want a sandwich that requires two hands and a nap afterward.

• Location: 3705 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
• Hours: Mon–Sat: 10 AM – 3 PM | Sun: Closed.
• Price: $ (Sandwiches approx. $10–$14).
• Parking: Limited parking in the rear lot; additional street parking available on Ingersoll.
• The Ritual: Walk in, grab a bag of chips, and join the fast-moving line.
• Repeatable Move: The Manhattan (pastrami, corned beef, swiss) or the Truly Delicious.

🍜 The Comfort Bowl: A Dong

A Dong is a downtown institution. It’s the kind of place where you can be in and out in 30 minutes, but the flavor of the broth lingers all day.

• Location: 1511 High St, Des Moines, IA 50309
• Hours: Tue–Sun: 11 AM – 9 PM | Mon: Closed.
• Price: $ (Most bowls $12–$16).
• Parking: Dedicated parking lot on the side of the building (a rarity for downtown).
• The Ritual: Flip through the massive, 100+ item menu just to end up ordering your “usual.”
• Repeatable Move: #36 (Phở đặc biệt) or the Spring Rolls with peanut sauce.

🍕 The Happy Hour Hero: Eatery A

Located on Ingersoll, Eatery A is famous for its “Happy Hour,” which locals treat like a second religion.

• Location: 2932 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312
• Hours: Mon–Thu: 11 AM – 10 PM | Fri–Sat: 11 AM – 11 PM | Sun: 11 AM – 9 PM.
• Price: $$ (Pizzas $16–$20; Half-price during Happy Hour).
• Parking: Large parking lot behind the building and easy street parking.
• The Ritual: Get there between 3 PM and 6 PM daily for half-price wood-fired pizzas and draft beers.
• Repeatable Move: Pizza #6 (sausage, pepperoni, mushroom) or the Moroccan Lamb small plate.

🌮 The Taco Authority: Tacos Mariana’s

A tiny, colorful spot on University Avenue that proves you don’t need a fancy interior to have the best food in the city.

• Location: 1305 University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314
• Hours: Mon, Wed–Sun: 11:30 AM – 9 PM | Tue: Closed.
• Price: $ (Tacos approx. $3–$4 each).
• Parking: Street parking on University and a small side lot.
• The Ritual: Order at the counter, grab a glass-bottle Coke, and wait for the most authentic street tacos in the metro.
• Repeatable Move: Carne Asada Tacos or the Enchiladas. Don’t skip the house-made salsa.

🛡️ Safety & Dining Disclaimer

Plan Ahead: Popular spots like Simon’s do not take reservations for small groups and fill up fast. Always double-check holiday hours directly with the venue. If you have severe food allergies, please inform your server immediately, especially at high-volume spots like A Dong or Manhattan Deli.

✨ Outro

Eating like a local in Des Moines means finding the beauty in the routine. These spots aren’t for the “one-and-done” tourist; they are the pillars of the city’s culinary scene because they hit the mark every single time you walk through the door.