50 Best American Restaurants near Grimes

“Amazing Happy Hour today for my Nephew's Birthday! Incredible food all on the $5 menu!! Can't rave enough about the food and service!! We will definitely be back!“

“Great staff, good food, good drinks. Large party room for group gatherings etc.“

“Visited family for a funeral and because im living in texas now a days I haven't been to a Culver's in almost 2 years! So when my brother took me there it was so like how i remembered it. Clean, friendly, with delicious food 😋! The guy named Zach who took my order was professional & polite!“

“I’ve been a regular here for years until I moved to another city but I still work in Grimes and I got my co workers food today from here. The bartender was super nice on the phone and in person. When we got the food back to my office everything was perfect. The food was amazing. My boss who usually trashes anything I order if it isn’t something in his usual food places, well he absolutely loved it and said next time we ever get burgers that’s where we are going from this point on! Thanks again Uptown!“

“Tried the tender bite meal for the first time and love it. My wife had the salad with the grilled chicken and it was delicious. And always have to get one of the shakes! My favorite Grimes fast food!“

“This restaurant notified us, after we ordered online for delivery, that they believed our driver took our order. They called to tell us that before we even had a chance to believe there was a problem, and fully communicated what the issue was. They remade our order and it was delivered less than a half hour after they discovered the issue. Superior customer service. Highly recommend.“

“We were in Des Moines for a soccer tournament and ran across you guys. I was diagnosed with celiac 3 years ago and you guys made hands down the best GF burger and tots I have had in 3 years. That includes better than in n out burger since you guys actually have a bun and they don’t. It’s also the best gf bread I have found in 3 years. I hope to someday make it back again!“

“Simon's is a charming and welcoming American restaurant that delivers a comfortable dining experience built around quality food, friendly service, and a relaxed neighborhood atmosphere. From the moment you enter the restaurant, there is a strong sense of warmth and familiarity that makes guests feel immediately comfortable. The restaurant successfully captures the spirit of a classic American dining establishment while still maintaining its own local personality and character.

One of the strongest aspects of Simon’s is the quality and consistency of the food. The menu offers a solid variety of American favorites, including burgers, sandwiches, steaks, comfort-food classics, appetizers, and hearty meal options that appeal to a wide range of customers. Rather than trying to be overly trendy or complicated, the restaurant focuses on preparing familiar dishes well, and that approach works extremely effectively.

The burgers are especially impressive and stand out as one of the highlights of the menu. The meat tastes fresh and flavorful, the portions are generous, and the ingredients are balanced well to create satisfying meals without feeling overly heavy. The buns are fresh, toppings are crisp, and the overall presentation reflects attention to detail from the kitchen staff. The restaurant clearly understands the importance of quality ingredients and proper preparation when it comes to classic American comfort food.

Another standout feature is the restaurant’s sandwiches and entrée selections. Whether ordering grilled items, comfort-food specialties, or lighter menu options, the meals arrive flavorful, fresh, and carefully prepared. Portion sizes are excellent and provide strong value, ensuring guests leave feeling fully satisfied. The sides, including fries, salads, and other traditional accompaniments, also complement the meals well and contribute positively to the overall experience.

The atmosphere at Simon’s is another major reason why the restaurant stands out. The environment feels casual, relaxed, and genuinely welcoming, making it suitable for many different occasions. Whether visiting for a family dinner, casual lunch, gathering with friends, or even a solo meal, the restaurant creates a comfortable setting where customers can enjoy themselves without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. The interior has a clean and approachable style that feels authentic rather than overly commercialized.

Customer service is also one of the restaurant’s strongest qualities. The staff are friendly, attentive, and professional, helping create a dining experience that feels personal and enjoyable. Employees interact with customers warmly and appear genuinely interested in providing good hospitality rather than simply completing transactions. That positive attitude adds significant value to the overall atmosphere and helps build customer loyalty.

One thing that makes Simon’s especially appealing is its consistency. Many restaurants may impress customers once, but maintaining reliable food quality and service over time is much more difficult. Simon’s appears committed to delivering a dependable experience where customers know they can expect good food, welcoming service, and a comfortable atmosphere every time they visit.

The pricing also feels fair considering the quality of the food and portion sizes being offered. Meals are satisfying, well-prepared, and reasonably priced, which makes the restaurant accessible for regular visits rather than only special occasions. In today’s restaurant market, where prices often increase while quality declines, Simon’s succeeds in maintaining a strong balance between value and quality.“

“Thanks Cheese Bar for the great food and accommodating our little one. she loved the kids cheese plate!“

“The Machine Shed in Urbandale, Iowa is a fantastic restaurant with good value. The food is excellent! The service is outstanding. We love to take our grandkids to the Machine Shed every time they are in town.“

“A go-to cozy neighborhood staple that never disappoints. Amazing specialty cocktails, great juicy burgers and best salmon in town.“

“tried this place out today, great service, amazing food will definitely be stopping by again!!“

“I came there on a Saturday and had the prime rib special. My steak was cooked to perfection. For dessert I had the smore. 😋👍👍“

“My second time here - great ambiance, service, good, & drinks. I’ve purchased items at the connected market each time. Very handy.“

“this is a fantastic place!!! food is incredible, atmosphere is awsome, and the owner is top notch. if it is a large group of a date this is the place to go“

“So good. We love it for upscale casual lunch and a wonderful dinner. Tonight my wife and daughter ate there. They had the chicken dumplings, carbonara, and the fried chicken salad. They said it was amazing. Best part? They brought me home a Waygu burger with Parmesan fries. So good!!! Check it out.“

“Returning to The Urban Grill was wonderful and brought back memories, especially after five years of not traveling to Branson, MO.

Memories of conversations with the owners, memories of the excellent dishes and good wines. Going back felt like time stood still, but believe me, time does. After hours of driving from Branson, MO, we were able to recharge, and I also want to emphasize Danielle's professionalism and warm welcome. I hope and wish there will be another visit. I won't say goodbye, but rather, until next time.“

“Sunday was our server. He was kind, talkative and attentive and we will ask for him next time!!!“

“The food is licking lips, 😋😋😋😋😋😋😋😋😋😋“

“GIVE FRANCIS A RAISE!!!!!“

“Stopped in today after grabbing groceries! And got a tea, very delicious. The place is so cute & the worker is such a sweet heart! 10/10!“

“fast food. great service.“

“Convenient location, right off the highway and about 15 min drive to downtown Des Moines. The staff were friendly, the hotel was clean, and they have a decent bar/coffee bar with some breakfast food options for purchase. I'm not sure if the hotel was empty, but this was the quietest hotel I've ever stayed in! Didn't hear one other guest, the elevator, ice machine, maids, etc, at all during a 3 night stay. The room also had the darkest black out curtains ever.“

“Absolutely fabulous experience! Food was very clean tasting, fresh, simply delicious! Wonderful family owned business!“

“My family and I recently stopped at Smash Park in Des Moines on a whim for some family fun and food. The atmosphere was laid back and our kids thoroughly enjoyed the outdoor pickle ball courts and the arcade. Food, dessert and drinks were all crowd pleasers! And to go completely over the top, we left our blanket outside and Jerry answered my phone call, went outside to retrieve it from the bench where I left it, and mailed it back to me free of charge. In a world where kindness and customer support are harder and harder to come by, Jerry and Smash Park get a 10/10 from this family!!!“

“Fabulous!! Great service! Food was yummy, hot and fresh!“

“Pretty good. I don't know how, but they have managed to make a quarter pound of beef seem like an eighth. LOL. I have never seen a thinner patty in my life.

Yet, the taste is there. Combo meal with fries and added a turtle sundae. Total was $14.50 or so. They make a good sandwich.

Pop machine was out of ice and ketchup container was empty. No problem. Staff addressed both when they were told.

Clean space and everyone was wearing a smile. Culvers seems to be good at finding those staff that will smile!“

“We had our wedding dinner tonight at Harbinger. Low-key, just the two of us. We were treated with such kindness and respect from everyone, including the chef who made concessions to his tasting menu for my wife’s sugar issues. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. We visit Harbinger we are blown away by the quality of our dining experience.“

“Best server I have ever had , hands down!!! Tamla was the servers name at Cracker Barrel, Clive iowa… outstanding!!!!“

“Quite possibly the best bbq on the planet!! They had lots of gluten free choices.. all meat and sauces are gluten free. Although they served the food with 4 huge slices of bread which seems unnecessary and is totally cross contamination. The brisket was melt in your mouth amazing! The garlic Parmesan potatoes were very delicious!“

“My husband and I have eaten at Aura at least 5 times. We've also hosted group dinners there. The food is FANTASTIC, and the mussels are absolutely delicious. And I'm from the NW, I know delicious mussels! The ONLY thing keeping me from giving it a 5 STAR review is that the music is too loud, and it's monotonous. Please, serve quiet, enjoyable music to go along with your wonderful food.“

“We had lunch here yesterday, absolutely delicious burgers. Ate every bite, nice atmosphere. Yummy ice cream sundae to finish off. 10/10“

“I really enjoy the Sourdough Melt. not a lot of options out there for sourdough or melts so I swing by and make it a double 🫠“

“Had a business meeting here. Amazing atmosphere, extremely hospitable. Food was OUTSTANDING. Highly recommend; will come back with friends and family.“

“We had a great experience today Paul our server was excellent oh, you did a great job from start to finish really appreciate it is great customer service. My brother was very impressed with the Durango Burger said it was the best burger he is ever had in his life. My cheeseburger with bacon was very good as well took the way I like it. Appreciate the great service and hospitality and food that we enjoy.“

“Great food, friendly staff, attentive and helpful“

“Tiffany is an absolute joy of a server. We took our 4 kids here and she was very friendly with them, they quite enjoyed their meals, she brought extra chocolate milks for them. She gave lots of options and opinions on drink choices, which is very nice that they understand what they serve. Our food was absolutely delicious, very nice menu choices.“

“There is nothing better than The Library! They have a great selection of drinks and beers, incredibly fresh and tasty food, and amazing service! The small, cozy atmosphere just makes me happy!“

“Great food, great setup. Nothing bad on the menu“

“I had lunch with a friend and had The BEST tenderloin ever! It fit a good sized bun and was thick and cooked to perfection. Onion rings were exactly how I like them. Going tomorrow for brunch. I will have the tenderloin. Great place!“

“My favorite breakfast spot in Des Moines, great food and coffee....and the service is always fantastic“

“Came in on a Saturday for a softball break. They only had ONE worker named Devina. Well she ended up being AWESOME. She tended our table of 12 and worked her butt. Luckily she had some kind gentlemen customers that jumped behind the bar and helped her out. She made us some of the best bar pizza I’ve ever had. Was a very pleasant surprised. I would highly recommend getting her some help before you lose her!!!“

“A little stinky but fun place to let your pooch run around“

“The BEST sour beers I’ve had!“

“great food & service!“

“Olivia was great and deserves a pay raise“

“Great food and drinks! Service was fantastic, thank you to Cory and Zoey!! The kitchen team was hard working!!“

“Great service and quick delivery of good, portioned food. Everything we ordered was as ordered and hot.“

“Service was fast and friendly. Restaurant was clean and food was great. Perfect place to meet for Thanksgiving.“