There's some mighty tasty food in Iowa! A Review...

14 years ago

I have this...um...corny love affair with the state of Iowa. Although it might not be most people's idea of a ''go-to destination'', I always look forward to being there. We spent two days in Des Moines, and I got to taste some of Iowa's delicious foods; I'm already looking forward to going back.

There's an incredible French bakery there, La Mie. Oh MY. Their egg sandwiches are very French in the best sense, and their breads and pastries are divine. (I don't know about you, but a perfectly cooked egg is sometimes hard to find.) The eggs were farm fresh (I used to raise chickens so I know) and breakfast was a real treat. They seem to do a huge business catering lunches, and after seeing their sandwiches, it's not hard to figure out why. Of course I had to buy a loaf of their Cinnamon Raisin Bread to bring home. I live in a much larger city and we don't have anything close to remotely compare this bakery to. It was a HUGE hit for me.

The local Iowa burger chain that reminds me of California's In-N-Out Burgers is called B Bop. The burgers are charbroiled with lots of fresh ingredients, and it's delicious fast food you can really sink your teeth into when you've gotta' have a burger.

We also found a local place with many locations called Tasty Tacos. It's family owned and run and they have a flour taco that is truly Tasty. The ''taco'' is served on a type of fry bread, which is a little different but also very ''midwestern'' in a way; really delicious and more than worthy of the $2.40 it cost me.

I took a drive out to the Maytag Dairy in Newton, and bought a 5 pound box of blue cheese crumbles, so I could make Linda's incredible blue cheese dressing. While there, I also bought some swiss and sharp cheddar cheese, and am looking forward to trying them all. Along with the cheese, were specific instructions on where to find the freshest picked sweet corn stand, before we left the area. The farmer was describing how he plants corn every four days, in order to keep enough for the season. He and his wife were very good at what they do, and Of Course I had to buy a dozen ears. I've heard (from Iowan's naturally) that they have the best sweet corn, and now I can wholeheartedly agree.

We only had one bad meal experience. I wanted to try the local favorite, Steak DeBurgo, at a popular Italian steakhouse. Unfortunately, there was too much raw garlic on everything, and the oil used for cooking was old. The butter, garlic sauce that is park of this dish, didn't have time to develop any flavor the way it was cooked, and the raw garlic was much too strong for me. Now I love garlic, but I do prefer it cooked, just a little. Sadly, it was our most $ meal, and not one that would make me want to try again.

Before leaving town, we picked up 6 lbs. of Graziano sausage. When I'd heard about it, I wondered if Iowans were overly proud of their local sausage makers. After tasting it last night (with an ear of fresh sweet corn fixed on the grill), I'd say they have every right to be proud! I only wish I'd bought more. As one person said, ''Graziano's sausage is worth moving to Des Moines for.'' Now I know what he meant.

I can't wait to go back. From what I understand, their Farmers Market is one of best, and I'd really love to experience it. After what I saw, I can believe it. I'm just happy I've embraced the cooler bag, as I filled two for the trek home. If you get a chance to taste some great midwest flavor, make Iowa a destination. I'd consider it a well-known secret...depending of course on who you know!

Comments (19)

mustangs81
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Claire, Sounds like a foodie adventure for sure. LindaC is the unofficial mayor of one of the towns you mentioned!

I hope I could have the same luck while in Sioux Falls, SD and surrounding area this coming week.
lindac
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
And you didn't call me!!!??????
***sob****
I could have saved you from the bad steak de burgo.....and at least met you for coffee....or fed you dinner or lunch...or...
You were about 1/2 a mile from my house....
Linda C
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trudy_gw
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Bummer...you didnt get to have coffee or something with Lindac!

Graziano sausage, it is wonderful. We buy it by the rope and also loose meat. Our local butcher now sells the sausage, so we dont even have to travel far to pick it up.

To bad about the steak meal.....hmm now curious where you ate.

French bakery , La Mie not sure I have heard of that bakery. Will do a search to find out where it is located.

We are hopefully going to make it to the market soon. I am going to be looking for the 'Garlic Guy' to by some varieties of garlic that are new to us.

Glad you enjoyed Iowa....Cheer!
claire_de_luna
Original Author
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
OH!!! OH!!! Linda, I didn't realize you were in Des Moines! Well, if you'd like to meet the next time I come, I'd love to meet you, because I will be back.

Cathy, Have fun on your trip. I hope you can find some great places to visit, and I'll look forward to hearing all about it.

Trudy, are you in Iowa? The bad Steak Deburgo was at Gino's, and I would say to anyone that they should really skip it. The food might be good if you order it without raw garlic! No, never mind. They asked how we wanted our steak, then proceeded to cook it very rare. I always wonder when that happens...why did they ask? I know a lot of people like it that way, but I don't ever like to see anything bleeding onto my plate.

So Linda, shall I let you know next time we go there? I'd love to meet, and really want to come for a Farmers Market...
pkramer60
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Iowa, Maytag, corn and NO LINDA? For shame......

:)
lindac
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
It was when you were on the way to Maytag Dairy. My late husband was CEO of the place for about 20 years....you passed about 1/2 mile from me on the way.
I like Geno's....I think that if my steak isn't bleeding it's over done!
When will you be back?
Linda C
trudy_gw
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
We are ...45 miles southeast of Des Moines.

Haven't eaten at Geno's.
claire_de_luna
Original Author
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Peppi, I AM ashamed. I can only plead total ignorance, but ignorant I am no longer.

Linda, we will be coming back hopefully, before the snow flies. Probably not in time to make the Farmers Market though, which I regret. I will definitely let you know the next time we make plans to be there. Now I completely understand why you are the Queen of Blue Cheese Dressing.

Trudy, would you be up for meeting in Des Moines next time I'm there?

I think I should take every opportunity to meet people who cook, that I can!
claire_de_luna
Original Author
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
...Don't forget about me the next time anyone is in Kansas City, Please! I want to hear from you...
trudy_gw
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Oh my...didnt realize that you lived in KC. We had two kids who lived in that area. Son lives in Raytown, close to Royals Stadium and daughter did live in Overland Park. She now lives in St Louis.

I dont know if you would really call me a cook. Lurk here often. Enjoy baking more.

Let me know when you are do a meeting in Des Moines, and will see what I can work out.
lindac
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I'll cook....or we could meet in Prairie City at that tea room there....or Pella...Several good lunch places there!
dlynn2
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
After seeing the title of the post, I thought I was going to see pictures of a CF "Meet and Greet" with LindaC! Anytime I hear "Iowa", I think LindaC.
claire_de_luna
Original Author
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
You'll be hearing from me the next time we venture your direction!
glaserberl
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
We only leave 3 blocks away from La Mie! I have to try to stay away from there. Too many temptations.
For Steak de Burgo you should go to the Latin King.
claire_de_luna
Original Author
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
glaserberl, you are lucky people. That place is a real treat.

Did the Latin King burn down at some point in time, and then rebuilt?
glaserberl
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Nope, there was a fire at Noah's Ark and twice at Christophers. I don't recommend Noah's Ark. I have eaten there 3 times in 15 years and have been disappointed each time. A lot of people love it, but to me the food is mediocre. Christophers on the other hand is good.
If you want Mexican I can only recommend Los Laureles on 15th and Grand. After eating there we don't like any other Mexican place in town. We also like Centro and Bistro Montage.
lindac
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I love Noah's! Their calamari is the best!
I also love Centro.
My son in law is related to a lot of the old time Des Moines Italian restraunteures ( however that's spelled!) and keeps up with the ins and outs of who's good.
Have you tried Monterey on University near Toys are Us? Good Mexican, not a chain and near where I like to shop.
And I still miss Babe's and Anjo's.
Linda C
glaserberl
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Haven't tried the calamari at Noah's. I love chicken livers and every time I tried them I was disappointed. We used to go to the Monterey all the time and then we discovered Los Laureles. Much better in my opinion. MIL doesn't like it because too many Mexican's eat there. A good sign to me!
We have eaten at Babe's once before they closed and never at Anjo's. Tried Tumea and Son's the other day for the first time and it was very good.
Off to try some German culinary delights tomorrow. Going to visit family in Berlin.
claire_de_luna
Original Author
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Thanks for the ''hot tips'' Linda, and glaserberl. I'm saving them all...

There's some mighty tasty food in Iowa! A Review...

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