6/6/25 Des Moines Food News: Best Burger Edition
Des Moines, let's beef. 🍔
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Love: Openings, Closings, & Updates
Mandarin Noodle House in Johnston closed. Boo to the end of the only Dan Dan Noodles in town. But thanks to José, local baker and owner of , for the tip!
He also tells me it’s to be replaced by Saffron. No info on that yet.
The OG Mandarin Grill and Sushi Bar in Clive is still open.
Perfect 10 closed.☕ *laughs in feminism*
Savor Brazil is open (sorta) in Ankeny. They have to do some repairs before they get their license fully approved.
Revelry Room is now open at the Savery Hotel.
Masao, a French-Asian fusion restaurant replacing Miyabi 9, is now open.
The Art Center Café from la mie opens soon. ☕
Pepp’s Pizzeria moved from Grimes to Urbandale near Meredith on 86th. ☕
Saj African Market is open in Windsor Heights’ Sherwood Forest strip mall (OpenStreetMap).
A restaurant potentially named Floaters is replacing Buoy’s at the Saylorville Marina. The jokes write themselves.
Sweet corn bagels are back at 5 Borough Bagels! This was last year when I decided sweet corn bagels needed to be a thing 50 years ago.
As mentioned last week, I am no longer providing a list of events. Instead, I refer you to Redditor limitedftogive’s weekly events list! Because I’m getting rid of events, all subscribers will now receive this on Fridays!
Our first 💰 Cash Mob 💰 is next week! If you want to know when and where, become a paid subscriber right quick like! It’s gonna be an easy way to try new places and support local during economic weirdness.
Chain News
Planet Smoothie opened its first central Iowa location in Altoona.
How far will you travel for food? Every November, we go to Kuma’s Corner and usually stay at Marriott Schaumburg where it seems there’s always an Indian wedding. Best vibe ever.
Recs Preview
There’s never not a time that I won’t recommend The Walnut. However, I’ve got reason number 206 in ☕The Chai☕ this week! Their burgers were reason number 88.
Donuts: Donut Buns on Burgers, Yay or Nay?
I haven’t braved that yet. I can’t bring myself to do it.
Say goodbye to ads by becoming paid subscribers! In the meantime, WHO DOESN’T WANT A BYO CANDY DISPENSER?! No seriously, You have to click the link. There’s an action shot. It gave me joy.
Programming Notes
There will be no weekly news on August 1, 8, 15, and 22. I’ll pause billing from August 1st through August 28th.
Also, this edition came to you an hour later because evil numbers muhahahaha.
Did you know this exists?
Across from Park Fair Mall sits the rare, local, fast food, drive-through burger chain. It’s LJ’s Burgers and Ice Cream, formerly Little John’s Burgers (OpenStreetMaps). LJ’s has been there since 1972, and while it isn’t anything special, it’s a good way to get your chain fast food craving satisfied locally.
Where’s This?
Last week was loukomades from the Greek Food Fair, which is this weekend! Go get your fried honey balls, yo. As for this week, if somebody doesn’t get this, I’m going to pull my extremely disappointed face on y’all.
Professional Contrarian’s Classroom
PSA: This Redditor’s story about a local gynecologist is infuriating. As are the comments from other Redditors who’ve seen this guy. Run, friends.
I wanna see your cookbook shelf! Here’s ours! I’ve been inventorying our books, and oh the obscure ones that aren’t on Bookshop like the Ghirardelli’s Chocolate Cookbook and Alton Brown’s Gear for your Kitchen.
Do you grill in the dark? Maybe you need an LED grilling tool set. Or maybe you wanna make your own smashburgers on the grill. I can think of no better took than a personalized cast iron grill press. That engraving though!
Currently reading: Dating Dr. Dil, so far, a cute romance centered on Indian characters. The first sex scene is hot! I picked it up for free at our Book Trade. We’ll be doing another one this fall!
Speaking of sex scenes, how long before romance novels are banned?
☕ Spilling the Chai: Recs and Fun ☕
This week: Perfect 10 was very, um, crlassy. The Walnut does right by us. And why two mentioned eateries are on my list of places I don’t patronize. You can only read about those if you’re a paid subscriber, so be sure to click the button below my mug! Meaning my coffee mug, not my face. Also, my nomination for the best burger is below. I mean, we need a new one after JJ’s closed, right?
