Off Hours: Where to find fancy, simple, or big and juicy burgers in the Des Moines metro

Susan Stapleton, Isaac Hamlet and Hannah Rodriguez, Des Moines Register
·10 min read
The hangover burger at Angry Fish Pub & Eatery.
The hangover burger at Angry Fish Pub & Eatery.

Hello, friendly readers. This week, the entertainment team takes you through some of their favorite things in the Des Moines area, starting with our entertainment editor Susan Stapleton talking adventures and burgers, retail reporter Hannah Rodriguez sharing her favorite eats and drinks, and entertainment reporter Isaac Hamlet talking to a butcher in Waukee.

Susan just bought a house in the Oak Park neighborhood, so be prepared to find out all about the daunting task of unpacking and decorating a new home in a future issue of Off Hours.

Welcome to Off Hours, a free weekly newsletter on all things entertainment from the Des Moines Register. You can subscribe for free. 

This is what I wanted to find at Badger Creek State Recreation Area. I'll have to try again soon.
This is what I wanted to find at Badger Creek State Recreation Area. I'll have to try again soon.

The Deal

Here’s the deal: I love going on adventures in Iowa, especially on the weekend. I’ll spend a Saturday with a morning that starts with “let’s go to brunch” or “let’s go to the farmers market” and ends up who knows where.

No sunflowers yet at Badger Creek State Recreation Area but some pretty views of the Iowa countryside.
No sunflowers yet at Badger Creek State Recreation Area but some pretty views of the Iowa countryside.

Last weekend, my mom and I decided to check out Badger Creek State Recreation Area in Van Meter in search of sunflowers. The Wave app decided to take me on a convoluted route on many gravel roads with some pretty farms along the way to get to the back entrance of the park with its boat launch. The sunflowers weren’t on that side.

We meandered more gravel roads to find the main entrance, and sadly the sunflowers were barely knee high with nary a bloom in sight. It was still a pretty drive and now we know how to find the sunflowers next time we go. My mom even scored a mark on her passport from Travel Iowa for visiting the park.

Middlebrook Mercantile was a pretty cool shop in Cumming.
Middlebrook Mercantile was a pretty cool shop in Cumming.

Then the adventure started. Just a short one this time that took us to Cumming to visit Middlebrook Mercantile, the new shop with local products. Mom bought a bar of locally made soap and we got to see a different part of central Iowa we hadn’t explored in the past.

More: Middlebrook Mercantile opens in Cumming, offering Oregon wines off the Great Western Trail

The dulce de leche crepe at Cafe con Leche comes with bananas, strawberries, dulce de leche, lechera and whipped cream. Yes, it's pretty decadent.
The dulce de leche crepe at Cafe con Leche comes with bananas, strawberries, dulce de leche, lechera and whipped cream. Yes, it's pretty decadent.

One weekend, I grabbed a friend to try a new restaurant, Café con Leche, on Hubbell Avenue. We chowed down on breakfast burritos, a decadent dulce de leche crepe and an omelet before I said, “Where should we go next?” Let the adventure begin.

Since we were already on the east side, we ended up in Altoona and went to Prairie Meadows Casino & Hotel. We checked out the horse racing on the day of the Belmont Stakes and then gambled a little on Buffalo slots and won. We left with coconut cake.

Another weekend, I went in search of the perfect burger. My friend and I started by going to brunch at Angry Goldfish Pub & Eatery on the south side and ordering the brunch burger. My, oh my, was that good.

Then we went to what I’ve heard is the gold standard of burgers at Clyde’s Fine Diner in the East Village. That CFD burger is more of a classic diner smash burger cooked on the griddle with a crispy sides and a delicate crust. If I hadn't had the brunch burger earlier, I could have eaten a whole burger here.

That adventure got me thinking about burgers and how much I love to find a good one. In the Des Moines area, they're plentiful. Admittedly, I have not eaten burgers everywhere. I'd love to get out to Marshalltown to try the burgers at Flying Elbow, or the Handlebar in Dallas Center. Lachele's Fine Foods on Ingersoll Avenue is definitely on my list. Zombie Burger + Drink Lab in the East Village of course is a favorite. And then there's a outstanding burgers at Bubba topped with pimento cheese and pecan-smoked bacon and Django (I have my eye on the Rossini with foie gras torchon, black truffle, demi-glace and Gruyère) that I simply must try.

Whether a big juicy version, a burger you'd only get at a fancy restaurant, or one that only a diner can make, I like burgers. Here's a look at some of my favorites I've tried since moving back to Des Moines.

Where do you like to get your burgers? Shoot me an email with your favorites and where to find them at sstapleton@gannett.com. 

My Top 3 Burgers in Des Moines

Alba makes it tough for me to order anything else on the menu when the burger is so good.
Alba makes it tough for me to order anything else on the menu when the burger is so good.

1. Fancy pants burger: You'd think that a burger called simply the house burger would be, well, simple. Au contraire. At Alba in the East Village, that burger for $16.75 comes with Prairie Breeze fondue, truffle aioli, caramelized onions, and Lee's greens. No, you cannot have a bite. Not you cannot steal a fry because I ordered the truffle fries for an extra $11. I am savoring every bite of this beauty. Sorry, not sorry. Find it at Alba, 524 E. Sixth St., Des Moines; 515-244-0261.

The burger at Clyde's Fine Diner is the perfect mix of crisp from the grill top and cheese.
The burger at Clyde's Fine Diner is the perfect mix of crisp from the grill top and cheese.

2. The classic diner burger: Now this burger, while simple, comes with big flavor. Clyde's Fine Diner's CFD burger for $12 features two patties, American cheese, the restaurant's own burger sauce, shaved onions and pickles. Granted, it does not come with fries, but I'm not mad about that. I love the crispy crust and light bun. Find it at Clyde's Fine Diner, 111 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines; 515-243-3686. On Tuesdays, you can score a burger with a shot of Evan Williams Bourbon and a PBR for $15.

3. The burger your brother might make on the back yard grill: My brother Scott makes a great burger. It's thicker and juicier, which is just the way I like it. At Barn Town Brewing in West Des Moines, those burgers are pretty close to what my brother makes. I dig the Brewer's Burger with some bacon, a fried egg and cheddar, maybe because I'm too lazy to make it at home, and for $14.99, it's worth it to have someone else make it. Find it at Barn Town Brewing, 9500 University Ave., Suite 1110, West Des Moines; 515-978-6767. And yes, you should have a beer while you're there.

Eat This, Drink That

Plan your day around a long nap after this burger.
Plan your day around a long nap after this burger.

Joy Division, $12.95: Break out the Hawaiian rolls, double the patty, add bacon and a fried egg, top with jalapeño ranch and cheddar cheese. So. Good. Hawaiian buns don't have to be reserved for sliders and can add a soft and sweet chewiness to a greasy and hearty burger. During Mitzi's brunch in Valley Junction, the burger is served with crispy, thick-cut fries or hash browns.

Get it: All of the dishes at Mitzi's are named after popular songs or music groups. On Tuesdays, you can score a burger with a shot of Evan Williams Bourbon and a PBR for $15. Check out the murals and fun decor with the family at 206 Fifth St., West Des Moines.

Coco Chanel at The Lift has coconut rum, elderflower liqueur, lime juice and sour.
Coco Chanel at The Lift has coconut rum, elderflower liqueur, lime juice and sour.

Coco Chanel martini, $4 on special, normally $8: Nearly every Wednesday you can find me downtown Des Moines sipping on half-priced martinis at The Lift. It's one of the best drink specials in the city but be careful, the martinis are deliciously strong. There are more than 30 to choose from but my favorites are Coco; Sunny Side Up with vodka, grapefruit juice and grenadine; and Cucumber Number with cucumber vodka, ginger liqueur, Champagne and lime juice.

Get it: Just off Court Avenue, The Lift at 222 Fourth St., Des Moines also features rotating artwork for sale. Open all week from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.

48 Hours Off

Explore the newest exhibit at the Des Moines Art Center.
Explore the newest exhibit at the Des Moines Art Center.

Friday afternoon: "Images Unbound" is the latest art exhibit at the Des Moines Art Center. The exhibit examines how the ability to take photographs, broadcast moving images and the advent of social media have shaped how we view the world. The exhibit opened in June, and visitors can attend for free until Sept. 25 when it ends its time at the art center, 4700 Grand Ave., Des Moines.

More: 55 summer shows in central Iowa from Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani to 'My Fair Lady'

You have an excuse to celebrate Christmas in July.
You have an excuse to celebrate Christmas in July.

Saturday afternoon: It's Christmas in July! Join the Salvation Army at Evelyn K. Davis Park at 1400 Forest Ave., Des Moines, for free ice cream, lunch and toy giveaways. Santa Claus is also scheduled to make an appearance and there will be a bouncy castle and face painting. Don't miss it from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Matt Douglas, John Darnielle, Jon Wurster and Matt Douglas are the Mountain Goats.
Matt Douglas, John Darnielle, Jon Wurster and Matt Douglas are the Mountain Goats.

Saturday night: The Mountain Goats are coming back to Iowa for the first time in five years with three albums and a novel from frontman John Darnielle. The indie-rock band will play at 8 p.m. at Wooly’s, 504 E. Locust St. in Des Moines. Tickets for the evening are priced at $35 through tixr.com.

More: Mountain Goats' John Darnielle has a fondness for Iowa. He returns for the first time in 5 years

Person to Know Calvin Schnucker

Calvin Schnucker at Old Station Craft Meats in Waukee focuses on local producers.
Calvin Schnucker at Old Station Craft Meats in Waukee focuses on local producers.

A graduate of Valley High School, Calvin Schnucker found his way back to central Iowa after working at a meat processing plant in Colorado and discovered the website for Old Station Craft Meats before the business had fully opened.

“I had the skill set to take it from here’s the idea to here’s how we’re going to do it,” said Calvin, now the manager and head butcher at Old Station Craft Meats, located at 450 Sixth St. in Waukee.

The idea for the butcher shop came from brothers Nick and Adam Lenters, with Nick and his wife opening the storefront in late 2020. Meanwhile, Adam raises some of the cattle that’s sold in the butcher shop in Sioux Center.

Know where your meat comes from.
Know where your meat comes from.

More: Waukee welcomes new butcher shop with emphasis on customer service

The goal of Old Station is to create an area outlet for Iowa cattle farmers to sell their product, an alternative to selling to the big meatpacking companies that might not pay the farmers what it's worth.

As a result, Calvin says the shop strives to work with local producers while avoiding the big four meat producers.

“There’s nowhere here in the Des Moines metro area to buy local animals,” Calvin said. “You can buy a whole beef from a locker, but there’s nowhere where you can just walk in and know where it came from and who raised it. That’s the gap we’re trying to fill.”

Calvin Schnucker focuses on local meat producers at Old Station Craft Meats.
Calvin Schnucker focuses on local meat producers at Old Station Craft Meats.

Calvin noted that there’s other local brands like Iowa breweries Big Grove and Millstream that the shop tries to be an aggregate for. One of his favorite parts of Old Station is the fact that he has a relationship with the people behind the businesses represented there.

“That’s the biggest thing for me — we’re not just selling you the marketing behind the steak,” Calvin said, noting a map on the wall of the state with the farms the shop buys from. “We actually have visited all these places. We know all the people that are impacted by someone’s choice to shop here instead of shopping at a large chain.”

Where do you like to buy your meat? Shoot us an email at ihamlet@gannett.com.

Around Town

Now Phoebe is just showing off.
Now Phoebe is just showing off.

Our Day Jobs

Hannah: The best thing about being on the Des Moines Register's entertainment team is that we sometimes get to ride roller coasters. I had a blast at Lost Island's new theme park, and I can't wait to go back. Have you visited yet? I want to know what you thought. Shoot me an email at herodriguez@registermedia.com or a DM on Twitter @byherodriguez.

Isaac: We're well into the summer season now and the calendar of summer festivals and events shows it! You'll be seeing more than one piece about the Des Moines Metro Opera's 50th anniversary season. After that, we're going to be looking at covering RAGBRAI, Hinterland Music Festival and, finally, this year's Iowa State Fair. Stay tuned for all that and more!

Susan: Much like Isaac, I will be up to my ears in the Hy-Vee IndyCar Race Weekend at the Iowa Speedway, RAGBRAI, the Dew Tour, Hinterland Music Festival, Field of Dreams and the Iowa State Fair. It's a blockbuster summer for entertainment, so get out there to enjoy it. And then I can move into my house!

Next week, western suburbs reporter Sarah LeBlanc gets us psyched to go on RAGBRAI.

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This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Where to find some of the best hamburgers around Des Moines