Join da coach at 85 Bar West
10/1/2025
Walking into the 85 Bar West, patrons are greeted with Chicago Bears memorabilia. Signs, team rosters, posters, pictures and pendants line nearly every inch of the bar.
Located at 432 E. Hickman Road in Waukee, 85 Bar West opened up in the fall of 2024. Its sister location in the East Village is dubbed a “dive bar” mainstay, yet owners wanted to expand and offer food at the new location.
The 85 refers to the year that the Chicago Bears won the Super Bowl. 85 Bar West also offers Chicago-themed food and drinks. It’s family friendly, so kids are welcome.
Hit the spot for happy hour from Monday through Friday, 3-6 p.m. Get $4 vodka house lemonades and Hamm’s draft beer, $5 house wines, $6 vodka mules and $8 espresso martinis. Purchase $8 stadium nachos, two windy city hotdogs for $10, or the buffalo chicken dip for $7 (regular $11).
Can’t make it for happy hour? Catch a couple other specials. Mondays are 85 Burgers for $10; Tuesdays are 85 Wings for $10; and Wednesdays are Da Coach’s Italian Beef for $12 — all served with fries.
Got a late-night craving? Hit the spot starting at 8 p.m. for half-price apps on Saturday nights, followed by buy-one-get-one cocktails from 9 p.m. to midnight.
The menu’s specialty includes Windy City all-beef dogs, including the plain frank, chili dog or the Chicago dog, which includes relish, pickle spear, tomatoes, onions, mustard and celery salt for $12, with a choice of side.
Power bowls include various ingredients — make them veggie friendly or add desired meat. Mac & Cheese items include plain and creamy, BBQ chicken and buffalo chicken, from $6-$14.
Their “halftime” items include burgers, wraps, smash or smothered burgers and more, ranging from $13-$16. The Da Coach’s Italian Beef includes thin sliced beef piled high with choice of hot or mild peppers on a hoagie bun for $17, served dry or dipped.
End the night with a sweet treat — fried mini donuts, tossed in cinnamon and sugar. Add sauce or icing for an extra buck. Eight are $6; or 12 for $8. Make sure you order enough to share with your tablemates.
According to our bartender, a Chicago tradition is a shot of Malort served in a boot-sized shot glass with an Old Style. But, you might want to reconsider, as most patrons turn their nose at the bitter concoction.
If you’re waiting in line for the restroom, take a look at the walls. They are plastered in original Chicago newspapers, covering the iconic Bears games.
A Bear-themed bar wouldn’t be complete without the Chicago Bears game on TV. Now that football season is in full force, game nights offer various specials. Twenty wings for $20 are perfect for sharing.
If there is no Bears game on, and you want to watch another team, just let the waitstaff know as they carry the NFL ticket package.
You don’t have to be a Bears fan to enjoy the tasty food, drink specials and lively atmosphere in Waukee’s newest bar and restaurant — but it helps.
