Lindsay R.'s Profile

I've been going to Estilo for about 6 years now and I was a client of several stylists before settling on one. I love the atmosphere at Estilo -- it's high class, but not in a pretentious way that night make someone feel out of place. The stylists range in age and style, and I never feel "un-hip" as I know I have at some other trendy salons.

I always received what I was looking for in my cut/style, but didn't quite "gel" with anyone until I met Chrissy P. She's great. She has suggestions and ideas, but in the end gives me exactly what I want. She's easy to talk to, always remembers personal tidbits that I've told her, and seems to genuinely care not just about my hair, but about me.

Prior to meeting Chrissy, I did receive a cut I was unhappy with. (That's bound to happen anywhere! I still believe it was just a misunderstanding.) I was too timid to mention it then, but I called in later that evening and spoke with a manager who was very apologetic. She helped me schedule an appointment to have it fixed (free) when that stylist wasn't there (at my request). She made me feel very at ease about the whole situation.

I have confidently recommended Estilo, and especially Chrissy, to many friends and will continue to do so.

Jason's Deli totes that nothing on their menu contains high fructose corn syrup, trans fats or MSG, and it's apparent as soon as you walk in that this place is very health-conscious. The menu consists of about 12 soups, an endless array of deli sandwiches, a superb salad bar and a few pasta type items.

Customers place their order at the counter, receive a slip detailing the order and then pay at a separate counter where they're given a plate or an order number and may then go on to find a seat. (There's a surprising amount of seating here, especially for what one would expect in a deli!)

The salad bar is full of fresh items -- salad fixings, cottage cheese, hard boiled eggs, pudding, muffins, etc. They replenish the salad bar frequently and everything is kept cool.

I usually order the "1 trip to the salad bar" and split a deli sandwich (create your own -- ham & turkey w/ provolone, lettuce and mayo -- I'm a simpleton) and a side cup of fruit with a friend.  Every time I've done this, though, I've filled up on my single salad bar trip and taken my half of the sandwich and fruit home. The salad bar is great, though it's the mini corn muffins that stand out for me every time. The sandwiches are excellent  -- they certainly don't skimp on the meat there! Wow! And the salad bar includes soft serve ice cream (or maybe it's frozen yogurt) which is nice.

I'm typically not a "healthy eater" and tend to opt for anything battered and fried, so for me to rave about a place like Jason's means it's really top notch.

The only draw back is the price. Two single-trip salad bar orders, 1 deli sandwich, 1 fruit salad cup, 2 fountain drinks = $21. This seems a bit pricey to me, but since I had leftovers for the next day, I couldn't complain too much.

I'd been meaning to stop by Bauder's for years as I'd heard the ice cream was great. I finally made it a month or so ago and was not disappointed.

Bauder's has more charm than anyplace I've ever been in Des Moines. It's an adorable little pharmacy, with all the typical pharmacy  retail items -- medicines, candy, etc. But the old-fashioned soda fountain type diner is to die for!

You can get a simple sandwich, no frills -- think tuna or egg salad -- or just hop up on a stool and order some of their homemade ice cream. Everything's very reasonably priced. Bauder's also offers several of their flavors in pint-size containers so you can enjoy it at home, too. I highly recommend the Peppermint Stick flavor.

I adore this place and will be back as often as possible. My only complaint would be their hours -- I wish they were open later on these gorgeous summer evenings.

No experience with the Comedy Club, but I've eaten at Spaghetti Works numerous times.

Spaghetti Works can be a great place to stop with family for reasonably priced Italian food. It's very kid-friendly and has lots of space for larger groups. I've always had good service and had a nice time there, though I will say that the place tends to get rather loud.

I usually go with the create-your-own pasta dish and have always been pleased. It's not tremendous but it's good, decent food. Most everyone I've been there with has been satisfied with their meals. My mother recently had a chicken/pasta dish that she raved about, while my stepfather chose a small pepperoni pizza that he said tasted microwaved (and it looked that way, too).

The salad bar is a great feature and comes with most menu items. Also, in my experience, they tend to make their mixed drinks strong. Bonus!

In my opinion, Henry J's Taco House is LEAPS AND BOUNDS better than Tasty Tacos. Their tacos are completely amazing!!! If you're a big fan of Tasty Tacos, or of genuine fried tacos in general, I urge you to try Henry J's. It's a tiny dive on SW9th near Lincoln HS, across the street from the McDonald's. Try not to judge it before stepping in and trying a taco.

I haven't been adventurous enough to try anything else off the menu, but friends have told me the beans are good, the quesadillas are too small, and the fries are mediocre.  ... But really, go for the tacos.

The downsides to Henry J's:  ... okay, it's a dump. The place is unappealing from the outside and only seems to lower the bar once you walk inside. But y'know, dives often have the best food. Another downer is the fact that they only accept cash. So be sure to come prepared!

Having a 29" inseam, I have to have nearly every pair of pants I purchase hemmed. A friend recommended Jung Tailor and since then, I've passed along the recommendation to several friends and coworkers.

I've been helped by Jung himself every time I've gone in, and he's pinned up pants when I've needed him to, and accepted them pre-pinned when I've brought them that way too. He's taken in skirts and dresses for me as well, and I believe my friend had a leather altered. He's always accommodating if I request a certain size of hem, for example, or if I need the items sooner than the typical time frame allotted.

When I drop off 2-3 pair of pants it's usually about a week-long wait.
I've only tried a couple other tailors in Des Moines, but the prices at Jung seem comparable and reasonable. My only complaint is that I find that I can't call the shop for hours or to see if something may be finished early, because I'm unable to understand his (or his family members') dialect. But of course, that's certainly no fault of theirs. Just a minor inconvenience.

P.S. My favorite thing is that Jung always puts the original hem back on jeans so they don't look altered! Small but significant, and always appreciated!

The best non-Chicago-style pizza around Des Moines. They use spicey Graziano sausage that makes all the difference! The prices are good, too. I typically do take-out because the place can get crowded and the service can be a tad slow. My order is always ready within a few minutes and I can be in-and-out the door right away.

Francie's Sports Bar is another one of my local favs. They have the BEST burgers in Des Moines and the crinkle cut fries are really great as well. The only non-burger menu item I've tried was the chicken fingers, which were good but not extraordinary. I've heard raves about their nachos and other sandwiches, but I tend to stick with the All American Burger.  

The only downfall to Francie's is the service. It's very, very slow and the place gets crowded quickly at mealtimes. Plan to spend some time, though, and it'll be worth the wait!

Hands down, my favorite Des Moines area restaurant! I'm originally from Chicagoland and consider myself a bit of a Chicago style pizza freak. I was skeptical that any location in central Iowa could truly get it right, but F&Os rivals any place I've visited in the city.

I've just had the Chicago style pizza, and haven't sampled any pastas or other entrees. Friends have told me the sandwiches are good, but I can't imagine sitting in that restaurant with the aroma of pizza swirling around and then trying to enjoy something else. Not satisfying!! The appetizers -- garlic bread and toasted ravioli -- are great.

The newer West Des Moines location is a bit cleaner and nicer, but the old Merle Hay spot serves the same delicious food. Deep dish pizza can take a half hour or more, so be patient or call ahead.