The Huddle scores with Waukee sports fans
9/30/2026
Football season kicked off more than a month ago, and one question is on the minds of sports fans everywhere: Where can I go to watch the game?
Fortunately, Des Moines and its suburbs have sports bar options galore. One of the newest, The Huddle, is recruiting hungry and thirsty fans who are ready to cheer on their favorite teams.
Located at 2285 Grand Prairie Parkway in Kettlestone Central, The Huddle sits in a growing area of Waukee near the Kee Town Loop and Vibrant Music Hall. Kettlestone is a sprawling development featuring businesses, neighborhoods, trails, entertainment and more, with additional attractions planned for the area.
The Huddle is part of the Dark Side of the Spoon venture, which has several local establishments, including Shirley’s Bar & Grill, Merll’s and Wellman’s Pub. Co-owner Travis Tovrea says, “We’re here to make memories; we’re not just a sports bar.”
Inside, The Huddle features an exposed ceiling, concrete floors and black-and-tan tables. A large corner booth can easily accommodate 10 friends, with plenty of other roomy booths throughout the restaurant. And with 36 televisions, there is no bad seat in the house when it comes to watching your favorite team.
Outside, a covered patio with a fireplace extends the outdoor season a little longer — something Iowans appreciate when temperatures begin to dip.
The decor is sports-themed without going over the top. Deflated basketballs from the All Iowa Attack basketball academy, located just around the corner, line the entryway. A photo of Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham directs guests to the restrooms. Inside the women’s restroom, whimsical koalas are shown in various activities, including drinking beer and eating burgers, giving guests something to look at while waiting for an open stall.
The food and drink menu features standard sports bar fare with most appetizers and entrees ranging from $12 to $18. The house classic cocktails include my new favorite with a caffeine kick: an espresso martini made with Smirnoff Vanilla Vodka and Mr. Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur ($12).
A variety of bottled and draft beers, wine by the bottle and glass, seltzers and mocktails should satisfy nearly everyone’s thirst.
Appetizers include meatballs, seared ahi tuna, Brussels sprouts and a feta-and-hummus platter, along with staples such as buffalo chicken dip, wings and more.
The salads offer crunchy, savory options including an Apple Walnut Salad, Sesame Crunch Salad and my latest obsession, the Wedge Salad. The iceberg lettuce is topped with bacon, tomatoes, blue cheese and red onion, then finished with blue cheese dressing ($15).
Flatbreads come with toppings such as hot honey and Graziano’s Italian sausage and range from $15 to $17. A gluten-free crust is available for an additional $3.
The burgers and handhelds include wraps, a gyro, club, tenderloin, grinder and more, served with fries or tots. The Huddle Burger ($17) includes a choice of dipping sauce and “crunch.” Options include Doritos, bacon bits or Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.
Entrees include several pasta dishes, a chicken grain bowl and salmon. And if you are looking for dessert, you can get a taste of the Iowa State Fair with the deep-fried Oreos ($10).
So, when it’s time to huddle up with friends for the big game, The Huddle in Waukee gives sports fans a new place to grab a bite, order a drink and settle in for the action.
Just remember to arrive early. The only thing worse than watching your team lose is discovering the best seat in the house was taken by someone wearing the other team’s jersey. ♦
Jackie Wilson has written hundreds of articles for CITYVIEW and the Iowa Living magazines. She has covered many ordinary people living extraordinary lives.
