The Food and Drink Guy

Tag: Comfort Food

Gilroy’s Kitchen, Pub & Patio (West Des Moines, IA) Review
4.2* (out of 5)

Yelp Review

Google Review

Food: 5*

Atmosphere: 4*

Value: 4*

Service: 3*

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

Total check/person: $19 (no drinks)

03/08/2026 Gilroy’s Kitchen, Pub & Patio +1 (515) 809-1727

Slept in after a late night so found ourselves going to a noon Mass downtown and looking for a brunch stop on the way home. We’ve driven by this place and talked about stopping for food before and my wife had been there with co-workers after work one day, but this was our first stop for food.

A clean, modern storefront greets you (see picture) and with plenty of televisions and a nice patio, it looks to be a hopping place once the temperatures warm up a little. While our server was a little hard to find at times, we both found our food to be quite good.

My wife ordered the Nacho Burrito Meal (see picture) and I opted for the Honey Citrus salad (see picture). As is our custom, we shared samples of each of our meals and both of us found both choices to be worthy of ordering again. I really liked the clean, crisp and fresh salad with a delicious tangy dressing and the Burrito was tasty inside and out (loved the creamy, cheesy sauce).

If you are looking for a great stop for Sunday morning brunch (possibly after some shopping at Sam’s Club just across the interstate to the North), you won’t go wrong here!

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https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d2984.095976808578!2d-93.71650272311398!3d41.588806383476026!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x87ee9e4e36922741%3A0x58642fe26dd3ced4!2sGilroy%27s%20Kitchen%20%2B%20Pub%20%2B%20Patio!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1775932960715!5m2!1sen!2sus

Photos copyright: happyhourdesmoines.com & thefoodanddrinkguy.com

Photos copyright: happyhourdesmoines.com & thefoodanddrinkguy.com

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03/08/2026
Angry Goldfish Pub and Eatery (Des Moines, IA) Review
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

4.6* (out of 5)

Yelp Review

Google Review

Food: 5*

Atmosphere: 4*

Value: 4*

Service: 5*

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

Total check/person: $29

06/25/2024 Angry Goldfish Pub & Eatery (515) 288-2358

Finally got the chance to return with my wife after our neighbors asked us to join them for dinner here. We both enjoyed the atmosphere, drinks and food during our visit. We started with a Mojito (see picture) and Old Fashioned (see picture) – both very good drinks.

For our dinner, my wife opted for the Asian Peanut Butter & Jelly Burger (see picture), our neighbor had the Boursin Burger (see picture) and I went with the AG Burger (see picture). All of them were delicious, as were the french fries and tater tots. This place is definitely worth a stop and next time we’ll try to go again on a Tuesday and remember their Burger & Pint special.

11/2022

Rating: 4 out of 5.

4.25* (out of 5)

Food: 5*

Atmosphere: 5*

Value: 4*

Service: 4*

Stopped here to try it out when in the area for a meeting, as it shows 1st alphabetically at HappyHourDesDoines.com. I was a little leary about going in upon seeing the very small parking lot in a near-residential area, but was glad that I did.

Stewart was my waiter and he took great care of me – there at the right times without being overbearing. There was a decent selection of tap beers (see picture) and the special of the day was Lasagna (see picture), which was also his recommendation.

The dinner salad (see picture) was fresh and crisp…although the pieces of lettuce were quite large and needed to be cut before eating. The Lasagna was a pleasant surprise – good-sized portion, nice presentation (see picture) and very tasty.

Being the great waiter he was, Stewart offered dessert…and while it sounded delicious, I was feeling pretty full and decided against the additional calories and $10. I would definitely recommend this place and plan on stopping by again sometime with my wife.

If you found this review helpful, please show your appreciation with a Like or a Follow. To receive Tweets of the latest Reviews, follow on Twitter: @TheFaDGuy

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Photos copyright: happyhourdesmoines.com & thefoodanddrinkguy.com

Photos copyright: happyhourdesmoines.com & thefoodanddrinkguy.com

For the best Happy Hour and Food Specials in Des Moines, visit: happyhourdesmoines.com
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06/25/2024
Cooper’s on 5th (West Des Moines) Review
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

4.5* (out of 5)

Yelp Review

Google Review

Food: 5*

Atmosphere: 4*

Value: 4*

Service: 5*

04/05/2024 Coopers on 5th (515) 255-9895

After really enjoying our first stop here over 2 years ago, we’ve been unsuccessful in getting in on several other occasions (didn’t have the forethought to make a reservation and they were full several times when we stopped in to check). Tonight we took the time to experience their Happy Hour while waiting to join our son and daughter-in-law at another restaurant for dinner.

This time we arrived early (around 5pm) and were able to find seats at the bar to enjoy a glass of wine and a beer. For an appetizer, we were intrigued by the Fried Zucchini (see picture) and it was recommended by the bartender. We were impressed when it arrived and found both the zucchini and dip to be delicious – tempting us to place a 2nd order when we knew we needed to save space for dinner.

A great stop in Valley Junction for lunch or dinner…just make sure that you make reservations, as you might not get in otherwise.

11/19/2021

We stopped here for dinner based on a recommendation that my wife read and really enjoyed the service and atmosphere.

I don’t usually order meatloaf, but asked about it here since it was marked as one of the spicier dishes. Our server highly recommended it – Cooper’s way (open-faced, topped with cole slaw), with the loaded baked potato salad side. Boy am I glad I followed his recommendation…they were all delicious and I would highly recommend them.

The meat loaf was very moist, tender and tasty, with just the right amount of peppery glaze to give it a kick. White cheddar and American cheese slices were melted over the top – all of which was topped with a very tasty cole slaw. And then there was that loaded baked potato salad that was unique, tasty and just the right portion size. Think of a loaded baked potato squished into a small bowl with some relatively raw onions mixed in for taste and crunch – loved it! My wife also liked it much better than her burger and helped me eat it. Her burger was average, cooked beyond the medium rare that was ordered and a little dry…I would take the meat loaf before it any day.

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Photos copyright: happyhourdesmoines.com & thefoodanddrinkguy.com

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04/05/2024
Bubba (Des Moines, IA) Review
Rating: 5 out of 5.

4.75* (out of 5)

Yelp Review

Google Review

Food: 5*

Atmosphere: 5*

Value: 4*

Service: 5*

A high-quality southern comfort food restaurant in downtown Des Moines with a great atmosphere.

10/19/2023 Bubba (515) 257-4744

Had a chance to get back here after a couple of years and again thoroughly enjoyed the food, atmosphere and service. They have a reasonable selection of beers on tap along with an extensive array of liquor (see pictures). Both my friend and I ordered the Pan Seared Salmon (see picture) along with a side of grits (see picture) and both of us would highly recommend it for your visit.

The best part by far though was what we shared after dinner – the Bourbon Bananas Foster (see picture). I shouldn’t have eaten nearly as much as I did, but the creamy, carmelized sauce over the perfectly prepared waffle and bananas just kept calling me back for “1 more bite”. Make sure you save room to enjoy this after your meal – you will truly thank me for the experience!

10/21/2021

We stopped here for dinner last night and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. May was our waiter and was very personable and helpful.

We started off with drinks…both from Matt’s suggestions and loved them both. I had the Leather and Tobacco while my wife had the Jalisco Tea (see pictures). Following that, we each enjoyed Matt’s to 2 recommendations from the menu: Chicken Fried Steak and Shrimp & Grits (see photos).

What a great combination of 5* service and atmosphere with a fantastic menu, while starting slightly under the typical 5* costs. You will definitely want to put this place on your ‘Want to go’ list…especially if you enjoy southern comfort foods.

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10/19/2023
Say Cheese Mac & Melt (West Fargo, ND) Review
Rating: 4 out of 5.

4.25* (out of 5)

Yelp Review

Google Review

Food: 5*

Atmosphere: 5*

Value: 3*

Service: 4*

After seeing a Facebook post of a morning TV live cooking event from my 1st cousin which featured her son cooking for the hosts, I had to try this place. Anything that combines bbq meat and cheese has got to be good…

The building and atmosphere were great…modern, clean, vibrant – with a little country music playing in the background. You order at the counter, then take a number and they deliver it to your table. I loved the presentation – a heavy cast iron skillet preloaded with a real metal fork…ready to be enjoyed.

Per Parker’s recommendation, I ordered the BBQ Pulled Pork Mac & Cheese with Carolina Reaper cheese added – the ‘Parker Special’. Boy was it delicious – moist, flavorful pulled pork, tangy bbq sauce, creamy cheese…and a little bite from the Carolina Reaper cheese! I highly recommend this restaurant and this dish and can’t wait to return to try some other options.

If you found this review helpful, please show your appreciation with a Like or a Follow. To receive Tweets of the latest Reviews, follow on Twitter: @TheFaDGuy

For the best Happy Hours and Food Specials in Des Moines, visit: happyhourdesmoines.com

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03/06/2022
Ford’s Garage (Orlando, FL) Review
Rating: 4 out of 5.

4.25* (out of 5)

Yelp Review

Google Review

Food: 3*

Atmosphere: 5*

Value: 4*

Service: 5*

Stopped here with our adult children while on vacation and staying nearby. Although we admittedly aren’t big Ford fans, the restaurant was very unique and the food was delicious.

From the unique urinals, sink and door handles in the men’s roomto the hose clamps around your napkins / silverware to the oil funnel holding the onion rings (see pictures), everything about this place was very unique and fitting for a garage setting.

The food took plenty long to be delivered and we had a quality issue with one of the burgers, but they were good about replacing it and the replacement was great.

You will definitely enjoy the atmosphere here (and Tyler provided great service)!

If you found this review helpful, please show your appreciation with a Like or a Follow. To receive Tweets of the latest Reviews, follow on Twitter: @TheFaDGuy

For the best Happy Hours and Food Specials in Des Moines, visit: happyhourdesmoines.com

Photos copyright: happyhourdesmoines.com & thefoodanddrinkguy.com
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10/18/2021