The Food and Drink Guy

Tag: Caribbean

  • Palms (Des Moines, IA) Review

    Palms (Des Moines, IA) Review

    4.2* (out of 5)

    Yelp Review

    Google Review

    Food: 4*

    Atmosphere: 4*

    Value: 4*

    Service: 4*

    Would I go back / Recommend?: 5* (Definitely)

    Total check/person: $38

    10/11/2025 Palms +1 (515) 214-1213

    My wife found this place when it was her turn to pick a restaurant for dinner after Mass. We parked in the back and the first impression was great – the smell of actively smoking meat on the way in is always a positive for me! Inside, we found the decor to be clean and modern as was the storefront when I stepped out to take a picture for this review.

    As is almost always the case when we are out for dinner, we started with drinks – my wife opting for the Coconut Mojito (see picture) while I ordered the Caribbean Sea Margarita (see picture). Both were very good and are highly recommended, although they were a bit pricy…especially for their size (although that seems to becoming the norm everywhere).

    The menu was a bit limited, but did have some very unique dishes (see picture) – one of the main reasons that we love restaurants like this! For dinner, my wife ordered the Suya Pepper Shrimp (see picture) and I went for the Jerk Chicken with Coconut Candied Yams and Jollof Rice (see picture). The chicken was extremely tender and delicious…just be aware that it was served in what is likely a very traditional African / Caribbean style – chopped into small pieces with numerous bone fragments. We both thought the flavors of both dishes were wonderful – so would recommend them and would definitely order again.

    If you are looking for a unique African / Caribbean food and drink experience in downtown Des Moines…you will definitely enjoy a stop here!

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    Photos copyright: happyhourdesmoines.com & thefoodanddrinkguy.com

    Jerk Chicken
    Suya Pepper Shrimp
    Caribbean Sea Margarita
    Coconut Mojito
    Table Setting

    Photos copyright: happyhourdesmoines.com & thefoodanddrinkguy.com

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  • Flying Mango (Des Moines, IA) Review

    Flying Mango (Des Moines, IA) Review

    Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

    4.5* (out of 5)

    Yelp Review

    Google Review

    Food: 5*

    Atmosphere: 4*

    Value: 4*

    Service: 5*

    01/27/2024 The Flying Mango

    Almost a year since our last visit and yet another delightful experience. Tonight we started with a Mango Margarita drink while waiting up front (see picture). For our main course, my wife ordered Shrimp & Grits (see picture) with Chicken Creole (see picture) and loved them, while I opted for the Chicken Dinner (see picture). The Shrimp & Grits were quite rich and the Chicken Dinner was just plain a LOT of food, so we both enjoyed leftovers the following day. We have come to expect great food at The Flying Mango and tonight was no different!

    04/06/2023

    We returned with our neighbors last night, as we have both enjoyed our experiences here, so thought it would be a great place for a return visit. The atmosphere was definitely lively…to the point it was a little too loud, but we were able to visit at the table. The service was fantastic – Sara took great care of us, took the time to explain some menu options and kept our drinks full.

    The food on this trip was a little disappointing compared to our last trip. I ordered the Lime & Garlic Chicken (see picture) and found the chicken and pasta to both be quite dry and lacking in flavor. My wife ordered the Half Rib Dinner (see picture) and while the corn bread was very good, the ribs were a bit too well done (although the flavor was good and they were still fairly tender) and the rice was good – with a nice spicy ‘kick’ to it.

    When I go back, I will definitely stick to what they are known for (smoked meat) and order brisket, pulled pork or ribs. We still enjoy this place and did last night, I just won’t order the Lime & Garlic Chicken again.

    06/2022

    We heard about Guy’s visit and have been wanting to go here for a while.  We finally did it last weekend with our son and daughter-in-law and really enjoyed the experience.  Of course we watched the relevant Diners Drive-ins and Dives (DDD) episodes that weekend and loved the context.

    Our whole party wasn’t all there initially, so we were asked to take a table in the entry area and ordered a drink.  Given how busy they were, I understand this rule and she took good care of us, getting our order quickly and accurately.

    We started in the dining area by ordering the chicken dip appetizer served with blue corn chips.  All 4 of us really enjoyed it and I’d recommend it – a great balance of protein and flavor without too much grease, fat or salt.

    For the main course, my daughter-in-law ordered the Shrimp Pontchartrain (see picture), my wife ordered the Duck Breast and I ordered What Guy Had.  All of us really enjoyed all of the dishes.  While I thought my ribs were a little over-done (and dryer than I’d like as a result), the catfish cake and collard greens were both absolutely amazing!

    In my opinion, these are some of these best plates of southern food in Des Moines.  The atmosphere was above average for a barbeque joint, but not a 5* restaurant.  The prices were on the high side but you could argue that they are worth it.  Lastly, as my profile states, I like a server with opinions and a bit of an attitude and she had neither…but the service was still great.

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    Shrimp & Grits
    Chicken Creole
    Chicken Dinner
    Mango Margarita
    Lime & Garlic Chicken
    Half Rib Dinner

    Photos copyright: happyhourdesmoines.com & thefoodanddrinkguy.com

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  • Puerto Rico Restaurant (Des Moines, IA) Review

    Puerto Rico Restaurant (Des Moines, IA) Review

    Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

    4.25* (out of 5)

    Yelp Review

    Google Review

    Food: 4*

    Atmosphere: 4*

    Value: 5*

    Service: 4*

    06/17/2023 Puerto Rico Restaurant

    It was Father’s Day…so I got to pick where we went for lunch. If you follow my posts, you know I prefer experiencing new foods and places and this place looked interesting. The outside is nothing special…just a storefront in a strip mall along University – but it is what’s inside that matters.

    We started with a round of drinks (see picture) while we reviewed the menus. On our server’s suggestion, I ordered the Pernil Plate (see picture), my wife ordered the Carne Frita (see picture), and our sons ordered the Cubano (see picture) and the Camarones (see picture). All of the food was delivered promptly and I sampled some from each of the plates – finding each of them to be worthy of a recommendation. My only concern was that I found the pork on the Pernil Plate to be a little dry to my liking.

    For dessert, I ordered a Pastelillo for us to try and share. Similar to my pork comment above, I found this to be a little dry. While that is possibly the way it is supposed to be made and served, I like a little more moistness in my desserts – so wouldn’t order it again.

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    Pastelillo
    Carne Frita
    Camarones
    Cubano
    Pernil Plate

    Photos copyright: happyhourdesmoines.com & thefoodanddrinkguy.com

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