The Beerhouse

4.25* (out of 5)
Food: 5* Atmosphere: 4* Value: 4* Service: 4*

04/04/2024
Had the opportunity for a return trip after work with a friend since this place is close to my office and the food didn't disappoint. Our server suggested the Patty Melt (see picture), so I went with that and we ordered Truffle Fries (see picture) to share. I was impressed with both items and would rate them well above average pub food.

A solid, modern bar with above average pub food and a good selection of tap beers.

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Photos copyright: happyhourdesmoines.com & thefoodanddrinkguy.com

Ordered the Pattie Melt sandwich and it was the best I've had in Des Moines!
Service is good and they offer a friendly experience.

I wish I could like this place. The menu has never caught my fancy...the food all seems overpriced for what it is.

They're still under COVID protocol...menus that you scan and run a virtual tab. You have to get your own condiments and soft drinks...but a burger and fries is almost $20. The food runner we had was super personable and the service was expedient on NYE. No one was there aside from a couple other tables. The remodel does look nice...

Did not appreciate the ordering process of not being able to even speak to a server about any menu items. We will likely not be back.

Stopped in tonight with my youngest daughter's basketball team. There is a QR code at each table that you scan and this is how you order your food & drinks. I think this is pretty slick. The service was fast and the food was good. I had a Nashville hot chicken sandwich with tots and my daughter had a cheese flat bread pizza. We sat in the game area and the kids had a blast playing while the adults were chatting.

The last time I went there they wanted us to only use their app to order drinks and food otherwise you were ignored.

Very interesting concept. You seat yourself and scan a QR code to order and pay. You pick up your utensils soda and water from a station. They do bring out your food when it is ready. It mostly has tall/bar height tables however they do have just a few normal height tables. We were there on trivia night and it appears they draw a decent crowd to play. I believe it doesn't cost to play and it is all done by your phone. Prizes are awarded for 1st, 2nd, 3rd place.

There is a game room in the back and people seam to like the game room. Overall it was interesting. The food wasn't bad and actually it was pretty good!

Four of us met for dinner on a Tuesday night. The new concept of online ordering is OK, but there are a few things that are confusing. You have to get your own utensils, napkins, to-go containers, and literally anything else you want. Water? Not sure. No one offered to bring any.

So...we sat down and placed our orders; we decided it was most efficient to order food and drinks at the same time. The drinks came out pretty quickly, and the food followed pretty shortly thereafter.

Interestingly, the drinks were slightly different with each subsequent round. The food was a mixed bag. My Philly Chesesteak was just not good. The meat had a slight burned flavor, and as you can see from the pic, the sandwich was a bit of a mess. The sweet poatato fry side was moderately warm and a fairly small $3.50 serving. My wife's Chicken Avocado sandwich was a plump and pretty tasty piece of chicken. The other two diners at our table got burgers, and said they were OK. They also each got fries that were hot and a much larger serving than mine. Oddly inconsistent.

So, we had a few drinks and hung out. At least 3 different 'runners' brought food to our table. When we went to check out on Toast, we noticed there was a 3.5% credit card charge. Since you have to set up a credit card to order I guess that is pretty much a mandatory fee. When you go to close your bill they suggest a tip starting at 18%. I'm a pretty good tipper, but wasn't sure if that was a good starting point for me having to do some of the work, and for no one server responsible for our service.

So, decent drinks, mediocre food, and different service, with a bit of a surprise fee at the end. Not sure what to think, but none of us were wowed enough to want to return.

Road tripping from Colorado to Minnesota, stopped in because it was close to the hotel. Should have dug a little deeper for options. Not a fan of these DIY ordering from your phone and product comes to your seat location. MUCH prefer being greeted, having the ability to speak with server and be waited on, even have to fetch your own plastic ware, napkins, condiments, napkins, salt & pepper and additional items. Prices DO NOT reflect a DIY self serve experience. We were there to watch some sports as well and as best we could tell there were 2 guys responsible for the entire dining room & bar on a Saturday night. Bartender was flying all around clearly over extended and the other guy was a bus boy, food runner, bar back and might have also been a cook (?) Ordered a blue hamburger & Cajun tater tots. Blue cheese consumed the burger, close to 8 ounces piled on the burger, yeesh! Tots were okay, burger claimed to be 1/2 pound but seemed a good bit less. Not impressed, look around more for better options.

This is not a true restaurant experience, everything is done on your phone and it is VERY confusing. Place was dead on a Saturday afternoon.....I now know why. Employees were sitting in a booth, not doing anything. Foods & drinks were below average, nothing special.

I will not be returning.