6/20/25 Des Moines Food News: 100% Free Edition

Des Moines, all of this week's content is free for you AND ad free!

Des Moines Gems, Guides, and Goodies (G3) is the weekly food and restaurant resource for the Des Moines metro.

Photo by Ryan De Hamer on Unsplash

Love: Openings, Closings, Updates, & Events

• Zombie Burger’s Jordan Creek location closes June 27th (Reg).

• Moxie Kitchen + Events added Honey and Quail Provisions to its roster.

• Hi Thailand food truck starts up this summer in Ankeny serving Asian street foods and desserts.

• Palms DSM is now open on Ingersoll (on FB).

• AJ’s Catering offers Southern soul food catering (on FB).

• Bandit Burrito revved up a food truck.

• Lachele’s may have purchased the space formerly occupied by Alpine Tap (Reddit).

• Mee Mochi Donuts & Soft Serve opens in Waukee this summer (Reg).

• The original Taste of New York moves a few parcels down to the old Scratch Cupcakery space (The Reg).

• Hotori starts their 100 days of Hotori grand opening celebration. Check their IG at hotorimarket. Rosechu will be there for a few events.

• Rebel Chick BBQ food trailer will be rolling soon (on FB).

  • Their FB bio reads, “Jesus, America & BBQ,” so probably not for me.

Chain News

• Caribou Coffee opens soon where the Waukee Which Wich was.

• Zaxbys might expand to central Iowa (Biz Record).

• The Valley West Chipotle moves into the former Beauty Brands space on University (Reg). Poor Valley West.

• Marco’s Pizza in Windsor Heights closed. Redditors had opinions.

Donuts: Free-Range Donut Holes

• More Pride: VJ is holding its own Pride Festival.

• Something called “Daddyfest” is going on at the Varsity Cinema, and it’s not what I thought it was. *cough*

• We’re always here for local anti-MAGA content (Reddit).

• Is it me, or does this graphic look like they’re trying to hide the pig’s junk?

Did you know this exists?

That local Reddit thread about anti-MAGA businesses included Feral Flavors 💚 (via MarketSpread). It’s a small, homemade hot sauce vendor. I double checked with the owner, and yes, this is him. (BTW, he means Hessen Haus.)

Where’s This?

Last week was a steak quesadilla from Tacos Degollado! This week’s photo has potential to be way easier if you know it exists.

Programming Notes

Billing will be paused 8/1-28 with no weekly news on 8/1, 8, 15, and 22.

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☕ Spilling the Chai: Wrecks and Recs ☕

No wrecks this week, but definitely a rec!

After more recommendations than I can count, I finally got to Faustinos Taqueria in Beaverdale(ish). A friend and I went on taco Tuesday by accident, and holy shit, the cheap! Plus, the interior is absolutely fucking adorable, and the food is solid. I’m looking forward to a second visit!

The interior of Faustinos is colorful and funny.

One vampiro taco and one mulita taco both with carnitas

Birria tacos with consommé

You cannot eat this deliciously for cheaper.

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