I ate at this location last night on 10/10/25. I got up early this morning and have been having severe GI issues and also throwing up. You guys have either a dirty employee working there or someone who is sick.
I now have food poisoning and will not be back! I’m going to file a report to the health department as well. This is not okay.
Ari Davis
Have been going to Smokey D’s for about 10 years now, and the food is always delicious. I went today and was shocked at the improvement in customer service. My husband and I always joke that we go for the food so we ignore the customer service, but today was extremely different. Huge shoutout to Mr. Juan who checked on my table multiple times and sincerely talked to us. This is the first time I didn’t have to ask someone for a to go box. Keep up the great food and reward the new and improved staff!
Jay Finesilver
Good food and service, ok not great
Thomas Spadafino
We ordered BBQ chicken and they ran out. I wanted a Brisket Sandwich and they didn't have rolls (Texas toast instead). OK. But their brisket was excellent and even better on the toast. So that saved the day.
Ann Martineau Breier
My mashed potatoes had aluminium foil in them. They replaced but the meatloaf portion was 1/2 the size of the original. My husband's baked potato and meat on the top were cold. Server dropped the silverware and said he would return with clean. Never happened. Wouldn't recommend.
Teresa Cruise
Great little restaurant for downtown DesMoines especially for a quick bite to eat. The BBQ beef sandwich is superb.
Craig Payne
I always get the brisket. I’ve had this other places where it’s been dry but not here…moist and delicious! So, whenever I want BBQ, I always go here.
Darci Fiala
Excellent service; fast, friendly and attentive crew.
Delicious bbq and large portions!
Gary Westerdale
Will stop when I come back to Des Moines.
Rebecca Meeke
In for the ISF, decided to try Smokey D's as it was on Diner, Drive-Ins and Dives. Great atmosphere and food was amazing and filling. Got apple dumplings to go. Whenever in Des Moines, will be back.
Don't bother going for ribs on Wednesday. They "sell out" in under two hours of opening? How can you not prepare for a 4 hour shift in Skywalk space? I'll just rediscover Jethros and save myself a drive. Thanks.
Tom mcpherson
Always great food. The tenderloins are huge and very well priced.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken BBQ Nachos
Chris Riederer
Decided to try a BBQ joint while visiting Des Moines. Great decision! Food was great! Service was great! Food came out fast! Very reasonably priced for being a smoke house. They also have a number of sauce flavors, which you can buy bottles to take home. A few other dessert options as well to take home. Wish I had a restaurant like this 5 hours north in MN! Would definitely come back!
This place is kind of a joke. Arrive at 1:30 pm on a Friday and no burnt ribs, no brisket, no nachos…. You just walk away shaking your head and think who runs a place like this?It is the kind of place that you would never go out of your way to visit.They make it feel like you are doing them a favor — this place does not deserve the time.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
Dayana Pinto
It was our first time trying this place and we loved the food and Juan's service was great, from the moment he saw us thinking about what to order he was more than willing to help us and recommend what to try. Thanks to him we had a very nice experience
I ate at this location last night on 10/10/25. I got up early this morning and have been having severe GI issues and also throwing up. You guys have either a dirty employee working there or someone who is sick. I now have food poisoning and will not be back! I’m going to file a report to the health department as well. This is not okay.
Have been going to Smokey D’s for about 10 years now, and the food is always delicious. I went today and was shocked at the improvement in customer service. My husband and I always joke that we go for the food so we ignore the customer service, but today was extremely different. Huge shoutout to Mr. Juan who checked on my table multiple times and sincerely talked to us. This is the first time I didn’t have to ask someone for a to go box. Keep up the great food and reward the new and improved staff!
Good food and service, ok not great
We ordered BBQ chicken and they ran out. I wanted a Brisket Sandwich and they didn't have rolls (Texas toast instead).
OK. But their brisket was excellent and even better on the toast. So that saved the day.
My mashed potatoes had aluminium foil in them. They replaced but the meatloaf portion was 1/2 the size of the original. My husband's baked potato and meat on the top were cold. Server dropped the silverware and said he would return with clean. Never happened. Wouldn't recommend.
Great little restaurant for downtown DesMoines especially for a quick bite to eat. The BBQ beef sandwich is superb.
I always get the brisket. I’ve had this other places where it’s been dry but not here…moist and delicious! So, whenever I want BBQ, I always go here.
Excellent service; fast, friendly and attentive crew. Delicious bbq and large portions!
Will stop when I come back to Des Moines.
In for the ISF, decided to try Smokey D's as it was on Diner, Drive-Ins and Dives. Great atmosphere and food was amazing and filling. Got apple dumplings to go. Whenever in Des Moines, will be back.
Restaurantji Recommends
Don't bother going for ribs on Wednesday. They "sell out" in under two hours of opening? How can you not prepare for a 4 hour shift in Skywalk space? I'll just rediscover Jethros and save myself a drive. Thanks.
Always great food. The tenderloins are huge and very well priced.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken BBQ Nachos
Decided to try a BBQ joint while visiting Des Moines. Great decision! Food was great! Service was great! Food came out fast! Very reasonably priced for being a smoke house. They also have a number of sauce flavors, which you can buy bottles to take home. A few other dessert options as well to take home. Wish I had a restaurant like this 5 hours north in MN! Would definitely come back!
Kid-friendliness: Kids menu
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pulled Pork, Baked Beans, Cookies, Cornbread, Sandwich, Garlic Bread, 2 Meats, Lunch Platter
This place is kind of a joke. Arrive at 1:30 pm on a Friday and no burnt ribs, no brisket, no nachos…. You just walk away shaking your head and think who runs a place like this?It is the kind of place that you would never go out of your way to visit.They make it feel like you are doing them a favor — this place does not deserve the time.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
It was our first time trying this place and we loved the food and Juan's service was great, from the moment he saw us thinking about what to order he was more than willing to help us and recommend what to try. Thanks to him we had a very nice experience
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