EXPLORE: New of the food scene
By Sofia Legaspi Dickens
So many new places that it’s hard to keep track… Here are some of our favorite restaurants and bars that have opened within the last year or two.
CRUMBL COOKIES
802 S.E. Oralabor Road, Suite 108, Ankeny
5585 Mills Civic Parkway, Suite 140, West Des Moines
crumblcookies.com
When Crumbl’s Ankeny location opened two winters ago, fans waited in two-hour lines — in freezing temperatures — to get a taste of the cookies that have taken the world by storm. Crumbl opened its West Des Moines location last fall. Check their website and social media pages for the latest updates on creative cookie flavors that rotate weekly.
DZÔ KOREAN BBQ
2611 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines
dzokoreanbbq.com
Offering the first Korean BBQ experience in Des Moines, you’ll want to get a reservation before heading to this popular new place. DZÔ offers a wide selection of meats including beef bulgogi, kalbi and Wagyu cuts — all of which may be prepared to your liking on your tabletop grill. Don’t ignore DZÔ’s mouthwatering sides and snacks including kimchi jjigae (kimchi stew), pork belly tacos and Korean fried chicken.
30 HOP
1615 S.W. Main St., Suite 105, Ankeny
30hop.com
First in Coralville then Cedar Rapids, 30 Hop now brings its Iowa-grown restaurant to The District at Prairie Trail in Ankeny. Serving up modern American fare alongside dozens of craft beers, 30 Hop is the place to find good times.
TIP: Brunch is served on weekends!
BACKPOCKET PIN & PIXEL
6205 Merle Hay Road, Johnston
backpocketpinandpixel.com
There’s a lot to unpack here. With the “Pin” portion of the business, Backpocket guests can enjoy duckpin bowling (smaller than regular bowling, no bowling shoes required). The “Pixel” offers retro arcade games. Finally, the bar and dining area offer about 15 beers on tap and “Backpocket Bytes” for the hungry.
PANKA PERUVIAN CHICKEN
3018 Forest Ave., Des Moines
pankaperuvianchicken.com
An offshoot of chef Mariela Maya’s popular Ingersoll eatery, Panka, the new Panka Peruvian Chicken roasts birds on a charcoal-fueled rotisserie. Find other Peruvian twists on classic chicken dishes alongside Peruvian street food staples on the menu.
POTS & SHOTS
9500 University Ave., Suite 1101, West Des Moines
facebook.com/PotsAndShotsIowa
No, it’s not that kind of pot. Iowa’s first plant bar merges vegetation and libations to create the perfect combination. With its menu of elevated cocktails, undeniably cool atmosphere and greenery galore, Pots & Shots is “where good times take root.” n
So many new places that it’s hard to keep track… Here are some of our favorite restaurants and bars that have opened within the last year or two.
CRUMBL COOKIES
802 S.E. Oralabor Road, Suite 108, Ankeny
5585 Mills Civic Parkway, Suite 140, West Des Moines
crumblcookies.com
When Crumbl’s Ankeny location opened two winters ago, fans waited in two-hour lines — in freezing temperatures — to get a taste of the cookies that have taken the world by storm. Crumbl opened its West Des Moines location last fall. Check their website and social media pages for the latest updates on creative cookie flavors that rotate weekly.
DZÔ KOREAN BBQ
2611 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines
dzokoreanbbq.com
Offering the first Korean BBQ experience in Des Moines, you’ll want to get a reservation before heading to this popular new place. DZÔ offers a wide selection of meats including beef bulgogi, kalbi and Wagyu cuts — all of which may be prepared to your liking on your tabletop grill. Don’t ignore DZÔ’s mouthwatering sides and snacks including kimchi jjigae (kimchi stew), pork belly tacos and Korean fried chicken.
30 HOP
1615 S.W. Main St., Suite 105, Ankeny
30hop.com
First in Coralville then Cedar Rapids, 30 Hop now brings its Iowa-grown restaurant to The District at Prairie Trail in Ankeny. Serving up modern American fare alongside dozens of craft beers, 30 Hop is the place to find good times.
TIP: Brunch is served on weekends!
BACKPOCKET PIN & PIXEL
6205 Merle Hay Road, Johnston
backpocketpinandpixel.com
There’s a lot to unpack here. With the “Pin” portion of the business, Backpocket guests can enjoy duckpin bowling (smaller than regular bowling, no bowling shoes required). The “Pixel” offers retro arcade games. Finally, the bar and dining area offer about 15 beers on tap and “Backpocket Bytes” for the hungry.
PANKA PERUVIAN CHICKEN
3018 Forest Ave., Des Moines
pankaperuvianchicken.com
An offshoot of chef Mariela Maya’s popular Ingersoll eatery, Panka, the new Panka Peruvian Chicken roasts birds on a charcoal-fueled rotisserie. Find other Peruvian twists on classic chicken dishes alongside Peruvian street food staples on the menu.
POTS & SHOTS
9500 University Ave., Suite 1101, West Des Moines
facebook.com/PotsAndShotsIowa
No, it’s not that kind of pot. Iowa’s first plant bar merges vegetation and libations to create the perfect combination. With its menu of elevated cocktails, undeniably cool atmosphere and greenery galore, Pots & Shots is “where good times take root.” n