9 social media-famous food joints to try in Iowa

More Iowa restaurants have appeared on TV than you might have thought. Check out these nine examples that serve up perfect pizza, Southern food, and more.

Iowa’s food scene is always growing. We have legacy dishes like pork tenderloin sandwiches that have gotten passed down from generation to generation, but we also have trendy, boundary-pushing foods taking off at every turn. This is especially true in Des Moines, where quite a few restaurants have appeared on TV, but this phenomenon isn’t exclusive to the city.

Across Iowa, restaurants have been honing both their skills and their menus for years, and they continue to capture the eyes of TV producers from various broadcasters, not just Food Network. The following establishments have been on everything from “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives” to “Man v. Food” and “United States of Bacon,” and they’ve proven that having a unique point of view is essential if you want to last in the restaurant industry.

With that said, let’s break down nine restaurants whose food you can take from the screen to your belly in no time.

1. Mi Patria Ecuadorian Restaurant

Address: 1410 22nd St, West Des Moines

Hours: Monday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Mi Patria Ecuadorian Restaurant was featured on an episode of Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives” focused on poultry and seafood—and rightfully so because this restaurant is known for its ceviche. For the uninitiated, ceviche is a raw seafood dish composed of finely cut fish or shrimp that’s then marinated in an acidic mixture that slightly “cooks” it. It’s tangy and refreshing, and Mi Patria nails it every time. You can’t visit here without trying the empanadas, either. Thank us later.

2. Smokey D’s BBQ

Address: 5055 NW 2nd St, Des Moines

Hours: Monday-Thursday: 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday-Saturday: 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday: 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m.

Smokey D’s BBQ is a true “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives” regular, having appeared on Food Network’s long-running series three times. (One of those times was in Mi Patria’s episode!) If you’re looking for a Guy Fieri-approved dish, you’ll order the smoked chicken wings, but you really can’t go wrong here. Other mouth-watering menu items include BBQ Sliders, Pit Ham, and the Rib & Meat Platter. You’re guaranteed to be lickin’ your fingers by the end of your meal, but that’s how you know it was good.

3. El Bait Shop

Address: 200 SW 2nd St, Des Moines

Hours: Monday-Thursday: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-12 a.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Did you know that longtime Food Network star Sandra Lee had her own food-travel series similar to “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives” but focused on nightlife? It was called “Sandra Lee’s Taverns, Lounges & Clubs,” and it only ran for one season on the Cooking Channel in 2012. But during those six episodes, Des Moines’ very own El Bait Shop was featured, giving folks around the country a glimpse into its divine food and drink choices.

Here, you can dive into scrumptious Pot Roast Poutine, lap up meaty juices with tender burgers, and experience perfectly cooked, fresh seafood with shrimp tacos. Yum!

4. Fong’s Pizza

Address: 317 E Court Ave, Des Moines

Hours: Monday-Thursday: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-12 a.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Fong’s Pizza is known for its unique take on the classic slice, becoming beloved specifically for its Crab Rangoon Pizza. Yes, everyone’s favorite Chinese takeout appetizer has been turned into an Italian pie, featuring fried wonton pieces on top and sweet chili sauce. Other tantalizing options include pizzas based on Thai chicken, bang bang chicken, and Korean beef. All of this has led to Fong’s Pizza appearing on TV multiple times, including on Travel Channel’s “Man v. Food” and “Food Paradise.” Now, you just need to try it for yourself!

5. The Machine Shed Restaurant

Address: 11151 Hickman Rd, Urbandale

Hours: Monday-Thursday: 6:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday: 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday: 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday: 7 a.m.-9 p.m.

The Machine Shed Restaurant is Urbandale’s premier award-winning farm-to-table restaurant, serving fresh ingredients with even fresher, bolder flavors. Many of its menu items, whether breakfast or dinner, feature bacon, and that’s precisely what landed it on Destination America’s 2012 series “United States of Bacon.” For instance, you can find bacon in the Smoked Beef Brisket Salad or Mac and Cheese Bites at dinner, while you can order bacon with pretty much anything at breakfast.

The Machine Shed Restaurant has also appeared on Travel Channel’s “Food Paradise.” What’s more, it’s already expanded into Illinois and Wisconsin, so we may well see it become a nationwide phenomenon in due time.

6. Zombie Burger

Address: 300 E Grand Ave, Des Moines

Hours: Monday-Thursday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Zombie Burger took Des Moines by storm in the early 2010s thanks to its huge entrees, leading it to land on the radar of “United States of Bacon.” One of its most indulgent burgers is called The Walking Ched—a cheesy pun on the long-running zombie series “The Walking Dead”—and it features fried mac and cheese “buns” along with the burger, bacon, caramelized onions, and a few other select condiments. Naturally, Chef George Formaro knew he had to make this on the show, and it helped cement Zombie Burger as a must-visit restaurant.

7. Jethro’s BBQ ‘n Jambalaya

Address: 1480 22nd St, West Des Moines

Hours: Monday-Wednesday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Thursday-Friday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday: 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday: 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

Last but certainly not least in the “United States of Bacon” trifecta is Jethro’s BBQ ‘n Jambalaya. Jethro’s has three locations in Iowa, with each serving some unique dishes, but what caught the “Bacon” producers’ eyes was, of course, the BLT Melt (via Patch). This sandwich featured a full half-pound of bacon, so it wasn’t for the fainthearted. It doesn’t appear to be on the menu at present, but there are other bacon-forward dishes to enjoy, including the Brisket Bacon Melt, which features mushrooms and onions in addition to its namesake meats. Are you drooling, too, or is it just us?

8. Flying Mango

Address: 4345 Hickman Rd, Des Moines

Hours: Wednesday-Thursday: 5 p.m.-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday: 5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.

Flying Mango is another Des Moines restaurant that’s been featured in three episodes of “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives.” What makes this restaurant so special is its combination of Southern and Caribbean flavors and techniques. These come courtesy of Chef Mike Wedeking, who puts his all into various smoked foods, from Memphis-style ribs to pork tenderloins. But as noted by Food Network, Guy Fieri particularly loved the Smoked Catfish Cakes. Yes, that’s like a crab cake but with good ol’ catfish, aka the Southern way. We’ll take 10!

9. Smitty’s Tenderloin Shop

Address: 1401 Army Post Rd, Des Moines

Hours: Monday-Saturday: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

If you’re from the Hawkeye State, you undoubtedly know all about the Iowa’s Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin Contest and have probably tried some past winners to see what all the hype’s about. Smitty’s Tenderloin Shop may not have won the contest before, but it garnered plenty of attention after appearing on “Man v. Food” and the “Today” show, as well as being named People magazine’s best pork tenderloin sandwich in 2019 (via The Des Moines Register). Smitty’s is known for its particularly massive pork tenderloins, so definitely go here hungry—or with friends to share. Either way, you’ll leave full and happy.