Either.

"Des Moines (don't ask why)".
Why?

What's up, CHM?
I don't play here as much as I used to. Not much traffic anymore.
Burnt Ends are in about a half dozen places in Des Moines now. Nothing close to LC's at their best.
Never eaten at Famous Dave's. I was wondering if this would make it worth trying. You are likely right. I'll pass and drive South sometime this Summer.

Had one in Des Moines for years. Went out of business a few years back. I remember really liking the Cajun Chicken strips. Ordered with extra cajun seasoning. Off the appetizer menu you got a lot pretty cheap.
Keep in mind the last time I was there was at least 15 years ago.

Seen the commercials a few time. Burnt Ends will likely be new to people in a lot of the FD locations. I wonder how authentic they will be.
Anyone tried them yet?

He loved his beef, he loved his beer
That's likely why
He's already here

When the Vidalia's show up here. I like to batter them with a cheap batter mix (Don's Cajun), but instead of using a cup of water to mix, I use a half cup of beer, and a half cup of Louisiana Brand hot sauce. The sweet onion with the spicy batter is fantastic.
Oh, if you decide to do this, don't salt them before you try them.

Sadler's Smoked sliced brisket is worth the membership cost.
There have been a dozen or so BBQ places open where I live in the last few years. None can match the Sadler's brisket from Sam's. Costco has a much smaller version, while great, it's not quite as good as the big one at Sam's.
Also, just recently had the smoked pork loin. Agree that it is awesome as well.

Look at them closely. I've had prime strips that weren't worth a damn. It was my fault, they didn't look well marbled, but they were the only prime strips left, so I took a chance.
If they look good, they usually are good. I find that they need a couple days in the fridge before cooking. They are so fresh they haven't figured out they are dead yet.

Tried a sample. Found it to be totally unoffensive. I was surprised. First thought was what are they gonna do if bud drinkers start looking for taste?
On the other hand, it was 10:30 AM and I was a bit hungover.

The "Guinea Grinder" was a sandwich I grew up with in Des Moines. Big Italian population, many Italian sandwich shops. They all made them.
Just a loose meat sandwich using Italian sausage and a little sauce and cheese on a bun.
The term died out only a couple years ago. I've read post on Chowhound from people visiting that were appalled by this.
We're a little more laid back. The older folks still forget it's now just a grinder, the people at places like GRAZIANOS, just smile when they hear it.

Prime Rib.
One of the few things I go out for. Cost not a factor, I'll get it right.

Most of the Midwest doesn't get 3 Floyds.
If you can, do.
I would look for Big Sky IPA. Great beer at a great price point.

Haven't had the regular. Had a bottle of the coffee, and the cherry rye. Both outstanding. The cherry rye being my favorite of all the special releases.

Like most of the old chains, I remember when KFC was good. Now it's inedible. Why do people still buy it?

I love peanuts. Used to kill 5 lb bags from Costco weekly. I have to have creamy peanut butter. Don't ask me why, cause I don't know.

Hopefully millions feel the same way.

" Since we can't get you to come to us"

Thanks for the report. Don't plan to be up that way in the near future, but reports like this are so helpful for people that will. Reminds me of Chowhound 10 years ago.
Props to you!

I'll have to get a wife that lived in Italy for years.

Thanks. Obviously I'm not alone.
My baking dish is (was) at least 20 years old.
I'm surprised they can still sell this stuff.

I was making wings tonight. I do the Alton Brown steam, cool, bake method. I put a rack on top of my Pyrex 9x12 glass baking dish, as I have done many times before. About 10 minutes in, the pyrex explodes. Sounded like a bomb went off in my oven. It looked like when a car window breaks. Entire oven covered in broken glass.
What the hell?

Hardee's lures me in once every year or so with the crazy variety of burgers they dream up. I'm always disappointed, but I never seem to learn.
There aren't any very close to me, so it's not a big problem, yet.
There used to be one up the street from me. It closed around 1999. The space has since been a dozen different things. They cleared the land recently, and are building a new structure. I checked to see what it is becoming, surprise, a Hardee's. When I heard that I thought of an old song lyric, "For it must end as it began, and then, start again". I put on Uriah Heep and played "Echoes in the Dark". Best thing Hardee's ever did for me.

As an FYI for those who don't know, anything at Costco ending with .97 in the price is being discontinued. They can be marked down very low.

Walmart is the only place in Des Moines that sells select grade beef. At least that I know of.
All the supermarkets sell Choice at least, and sometimes a bit of Prime.
The Walmart promotion is really hard to take.

Thanks for the report.
I have no answers to any of your questions, but enjoyed reading your experience.
I'll have to give the truck a try.

A reply to a 13 year old post. I think we have a record.

El Bait shop has the best selection of craft beers in the Midwest. The 2 pints and 2 pounds(wings) for 16.00 is a great deal.
Americana is getting stellar reviews for breakfast.
Most nice places downtown make use of the Saturday farmers market. If you are downtown Saturday, you will be amazed or annoyed by the farmers market.

Yes, she said she's making Extract.

Mot much of a sweets person, but got a box of cookies from Nan's Nummies in Valley Junction as a gift at work. My reaction was surprise I enjoyed it so much, everyone else just freakin died over them.