“Casey and Dan saw us pull up and we didn’t realize how late it was but the light clicked off and as we were pulling out they said not to leave they’d get our order, me being pregnant and needing food lol was the best thing ever and for my husbands sake as well(me without food and pregnant=hangry pregnant women) and I definitely would it took it out on him so not only thank you for saving our marriage that night but thanks for the great food and customer service you two deserve well earned raises you don’t see that type of service anymore! Keep up the amazing service and I’ll be sending everyone over to you guys just not as late as we showed up ;) thank you again!Vegetarian options: I didn’t want a salad so not sure , actually who asks for a salad at a fast food place ? Just curiousKid-friendliness: Sonic is always kid friendlyParking: Ton of spots to choose from“
“I highly recommend Black Cat Ice Cream! They have a lot of unique homemade ice cream flavors that are creative and seasonably appropriate. It’s a fun experience with the ice cream options and the atmosphere in the shop and outdoor seating options. I’ve tried their scoops of ice cream, and the ice cream nuggets dipped in fudge. It doesn’t matter what I get, so far I’ve been happy with my selections each time. If you love ice cream and are looking for something fun and unique, this is the place for you!“
“This was my first time there, and walking in the place was clean and nicely decorated. I was helped through the whole process of choosing your paleta, sauce to dip it in, toppings, and drizzle. He was very nice and helpful. I don't think I could eat here consistently, it's a large portion, but it's definitely a nice treat! If you don't enjoy biting into your frozen treats, this may not be the place for you. But the flavors I chose worked well together and I will be back to try a new flavor when the weather gets warmer.“
“I stopped in here on a Saturday afternoon and got a 2 scoop cup of coffee heath. The girls behind the counter were very nice and gave me a sample no problem when I asked. The 2 scoops were just over $7. The place was cute, had a decent amount of seating but very cool that they had small child seating as well. The ice cream was good, not overly heavy on the coffee flavoring. The heath was good though I personally wished there was a bit more as I did have quite a few bites without any real heath in it. It seemed pretty busy for a chilly and windy day but no one really waited in line for service. I would say check it if you are in the area. It's good ice cream with nice friendly staff.“
“The server was very nice and the atmosphere is very charming, I got the enchiladas, I thought it was a bit overpriced for 13 dollars but they give you an enormous amount of food, and the chicken and tortilla were both very well seasoned and made to “
“I came here expecting to only be served malts, but contrary to the name, they offer much more than just that! Various ice cream novelties, bottled water, and napkins are served for prices that adjust with inflation. They even serve puppy cones, that's just another reason why I wish I was a dog! There was no indoor seating, but I guess that's how they keep their ice cream recipe secret from the public. My go-to order is a turtle sundae without the nuts and caramel, it's a state of ice cream rapture!“
“My shoes Crumbl. My mind Crumbl. My toes, Rumbl. Quit reading this mess and get your grippers on some of these flat SPHERES. back in my home country (Crumbalia), we should fight to the death daily to get our daily porridge daily. Crumbl forgot to put an e at the end of their name and for this I dedicate this mountain dew to them. Don't believe me? Subscribe me on Twitter!!! Fern the Germ sig out!Parking: I pull up“
“Found this place by chance and so glad I did. Tiny little mom and pop style shop. The ice cream was delicious and they had A LOT of variety in flavors to choose from. I'm sad because they had a sign on the door that December 3rd would be their last day. I have no other information so I'm not sure if they're going out of business or just moving locations.Kid-friendliness: Very kid friendly“
“This place is pretty neat! Had never been to a funky gourmet style ice cream shop before and this was certainly fresh and fun... And the girls who served us were really sweet! Had a fun time just hanging out and trying something different! We'll be back!Parking: Reserved patron parking around to the right side of building when facing the front of the shop which is located in the back of another Mexican restaurant!“
“I live close to Al’s and tried it this summer with my parents and it is amazing, I am just now posting this review in the winter because I was craving Al’s and checked and saw they were closed for the season lol. Will be back when it warms up!“
“Oh man… I am so glad I stopped here. Randomly saw this place on the way to the store and decided to stop on my way back. 10/10 loved my custard. I got a medium turtle sundae and can’t finish it, but I’m going to make myself eat as much as I can because it’s so delicious. The parking lot and exterior is rinky dink, but that adds to the feel of how long this place has been here.I’ll be leaving Iowa soon, but I’m definitely coming back to try their shakes. I’m so so pleasantly surprised at how good it is“
“I wish they had a few lactose free ice cream options and not just dole whip. My son loved the ice cream and so did my pup! (Pup cups were available for $1.00 and had some sugar cone on them .. my dog didn't really like that part though!)“
“Would absolutely recommend Uptown Dairy. Growing up near the WI border my family enjoyed Cedar Crest ice cream as a special treat and I’m happy to see it here in Iowa! Hands down some of the best small batch ice cream I’ve ever had and plenty of variety to choose from. I love that Uptown Dairy is right by the High Trestle Trail Ankeny trailhead and makes for a perfect treat after a long ride. If you love coffee and haven’t tried the affogato I would definitely give this Italian coffee/ice cream desert a shot! You can really tell the owner puts a tremendous amount of pride and care into Uptown Dairy“
“One of the best selections of chocolates available anywhere. They're pricey but offer a wide selection of milk and dark chocolates. I've ordered a box of chocolates here and had them shipped out of state at a very competitive price. During hot weather, they package the box with ice packs.“
“I got an ad on Instagram for this place the other day and looked at the menu and decided to go. We got street corn, mango enchalidito, cotton candy swirl and super hero; all of our treats were amazing! The employees were very nice to us and were fast with service. 10/10 recommend giving this place a try!“
“Visited this fantastic ice cream shop on a Friday evening for the first time ever! Both employees were super friendly and gave us a couple samples. It was so hard to pick what to get due to them having so many delicious sounding options, including a few seasonal choices! They offer sundaes, ice cream cake, pints, quarts, and have a decent selection of vegan options. The sizes pictured were one of their smallest and even still it was a great size. The store is super clean and tidy too.My only minor complaint is that they only have one milkshake size and it seems to be pretty large. I wanted a milkshake but didn't want a huge one. The price was relatively high too which was a bummer because shakes are usually my go-to. Overall, this didn't take away from the experience and we absolutely loved the ice cream shop!“
“First time visiting Smokey Row since all my coworkers rave over it. Coffee was delicious and came out the perfect temperature. Chocolate Muffin was not what I was expecting but it was SO GOOD. Environment is very chill and the staff was very friendly!“
“Great service! A manager opened the door for us on the way in!I saw a management going around to the tables after they'd received their food to make sure that everything was good or if they needed anything.Great teamwork, as I always say, employees reflect managements attitude.All of the employees seemed happy and enjoyed their jobs!!Foo;D was awesome“
“This cute cafe hit the spot after a tough workout. I got the combo with a chicken avocado sandwich and spicy tomato soup, with a green smoothie upgrade. That smoothie was GREEN and the soup wasn’t too spicy. Also got one of their massive vegan cookies and wow. Mike went above and beyond to make sure I enjoyed my visit, go see them!“
“Brought my two kiddos and they loved the pre made chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwiches. I had the Peanut Butter Party and it was awesome! Very cool atmosphere, lots of options, and great service. This will be our “ice cream date with Dad” spot for many years.“
Bakery •
“Employees are always friendly and fast and the cookies are amazing every time! The first time I went, one of the employees (I'm assuming a manager) found out it was my daughter's birthday and let me pick out a leftover cookie for free just for her!“
Ice Cream Shop • $
“Ice cream was outstanding, but beyond that, the staff made the environment one the best experiences I’ve had in Des Moines. We had never been to a rolled ice cream place so took quite a bit of time looking at the menu. The staff was kind enough to check frequently if we were ready, but never made us feel rushed. They continued to talk with us as they made our ice cream. Will definitely be coming back.“
“I think the guest service, environment and product are fantastic. The manager on duty handled herself and her associate handled herself fantastically with what I saw as highly problematic guests and I applaud them, you're Gelato was amazing and I LOVED my Italian Soda TY ladies!!“
“Favorite boba shop in DSM!! They have a lot of options but my go to is the lava milk. The jasmine tea is also really good! I suggest getting less ice, it’s a couple cents more but it makes all the difference. The employees are also really kind and helpful. I also think the shop has a nice atmosphere!! Cute decor and seating and usually nice music playing. Highly recommend!“
“On a very humid day, why not pull up and order an ice cream laden Banana Split. The service is quick and easy due to the large print bill board. The total environment is safe, plenty of parking with extra help hoping you enjoy your flavor of the day!“
“In Iowa Clinic 5/24 at 2:40pm. After finishing her text then hearing my order, the young lady sighed and hesitated. I said, "Oh, are you closed?" Answered, "No but I just started cleaning my machine." But she moved on to make my hot drink. Probably not the customer service vibe management hopes for.“
“So much to try - ice cream, Mexican popsicles (paletas), and many flavors of beverage (horchata, nuts, etc.) And all the Mexican street/fast food you can imagine. Be a kid again and take the family. Family owned business. Staff is friendly, recommended.“
“This is the best place to get an Acai bowl. I absolutely love this place and come here quite frequently and I’m always happy. It’s been the best Acai bowl I’ve ever had and I have lived many places and consider myself to be an Acai bowl fanatic.“
“I haven't been to happy joes in years! We moved and the kids wanted to try something different, 100% satisfied. I have ordered here twice since moving and the first time was excellent, second time had a couple bumps in the road but they resolved my issue. They were friendly, knowledgeable, and respectful. They replaced my order and ensured it was delivered as my car was in the shop at the time. Highly recommend!“
“I was so eager for Ol to reopen for the season due to this being my #1 pregnancy craving. I messaged the Facebook page to find out, they were so kind as to gift me two bowls of my favorites to get me through until opening this March! I CRIED in joy of their kindness. Now that they have reopened I have waddled in twice this week alone for frozen goodness. I'm tallying up how many times I'll go until my due date this August. Might have to name my son Froyo. Thank you Orange Leaf owners for your generosity!“
“What would summer be like without Dairy Queen this little walk up Dairy Queen has been here for a long time and hopefully its air for a long time more me and my daughter and the dog Britain had ice cream the other day it was just a bit of nostalgia.“
Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt • $
“Always surprised by how cheap it is. If you go small it’s like $2. If you go big like $6 max I’ve paid and it was overflowing. Such good yogurt and really good toppings. They switch a few of the toppings often which we enjoy. This is a regular spot for us and has been for years! The best!!“
“Friendly staff, clean, all flavors and mix-ins readily available. Not much more one could ask for when you want some dessert after a good meal. They have plenty of waffle cone selections and even had the special Barbie cup and flavor available for those wanting to go all pink. Will definitely return the next time we are in town and want ice cream.“
“Good! However, not the best. I go to Baskin-Robins occasionally, and it’s a nice treat every time! However, it’s not the best quality, I assure you. They don’t have that many flavours for you to try, comparing to less populated ice cream shops. Some of the workers don’t even wear gloves, and it’s disgusting. It’s also somewhat pricey at times.. such as that it’s $50 for a medium sized cake. Overall, good, but not worth your time.“
“Went through drive-through. If you like fish sandwiches, look no further than Culver’s. The fish batter is light and almost buttery in texture. It sits between a soft bun that is also buttery. The fries are meh, but go with veggies or a salad. Of course, it cost a bit more than McDonalds or BK, but well worth it.“
“I love Freddy's and have been to several over the midwest. This one is just as good! Maybe not the cleanest store but they're always pretty busy and still get good hot food out at a reasonable speed!Parking: Not a huge lot but usually plenty of places to parkKid-friendliness: They have kids eat free deals and good kids meals“
“This is the main Smokey Row but they have satellite coffee houses all around the Des Moines Metro. The food is excellent. But the main thing here is the coffee. They have all of the usual things you would expect, like flavored coffee drinks and so forth. But the real star of the show for me is the house blend black coffee. It is the best black coffee I have had - and I have had a lot, and in a lot of places. Highly recommend!“
“Great customer service! You had 2 products I had requested at another DQ in town and they had no idea what they were :( Your Staff was pleasant and my husband's malt cup was full unlike his experiences at other stores, Keep up the good work!“
“The one in Ankeny has a decent menu and a little more variety than other Smokey Rows. It is cleaner and staff friendly enough. The restaurant has a lot of different spaces. You can hang out and play games while drinking your latte. Good place to bring your laptop etc.“
“While in Des Moines I stopped into this rustic coffee shop/soda fountain and was delighted...The mixed soda choices were great and I wished I could have tried the other things on the menu.Anyways this spot has a wonderful old timey atmosphere and it actually stays open till 9pm.If only Chicago could have coffee shops staying open this late.“
Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt • $
“This is one of my favorite places to go in my town and while I was on a trip I came to this location and the yogurt was so good and the service was amazing. My server Khallee was so attentive and helped me so much. I love her she was so sweet. Thank you for all the help!! ❤️❤️????“
“So happy Ankeny finally got Baskin Robbins here. The same as it was when I was a kid. Amazing ice cream. The place is new and fun and the staff were amazing. So good we went 2 nights in a row.Parking: Plenty of paring in a parking lotKid-friendliness: Kids will love the place. Lots of choicesWheelchair accessibility: Totally wheelchair accessible. No worries there.“
“Took my kids here. They each got ice cream, and I got a cookie.First, I always feel like places like this (here, and their most obvious competitor, Cold Stone) are a bit overpriced, likely because of their gimmick.That said, this place definitely doesn't skimp on the amount of ice cream they give. I ordered the regular/'small' size for both kids, and they got a *lot* of ice cream. They both very much enjoyed it as well.My cookie (an M&M cookie) was also good, though nothing particularly fantastic. Would go here again with the kids, if not by myself.“
“Smokey Row Coffee is a quaint cafe with locations around Iowa. My dad and I stopped at this location to meet a friend for a quick morning coffee while on our way to points east. The coffee was piping hot and the cafe was clean and comfortable for relaxing throughout the day. I definitely want to explore more Smokey Row locations over the coming months!“
“Great location, delicious food and drinks, the staff often mess up my drink order but they always correct it when I ask. They are pretty young so I give them a pass and try to be patient because their menu is huge so it’s probably hard to get things right 100% of the time.I used to drive to Des Moines to get it from the location there so I love having one closer to home.“
“Great service. We were asked if we qualify for the senior discount. No one had ever asked us that before. We do. So, received a 10% discount. The blizzards were good but looks like the medium size is not as big as in the past. Not surprisingParking: No problem this time.“
“Ice cream was pretty tasty, but I remember wishing I’d order something more “fun” I suppose. They also don’t accept cash which put me in an awkward situation. The environment is genuinely old school, people waiting outside, order at the window vibes!“