The Pelican Post Bar & Grille

Iowa’s state bird is the American Goldfinch. While they are uncommon, some pelicans also make the Hawkeye State their home during the summer months. Des Moines metro diners and drinkers find their own pelican sanctuary at The Pelican Post Bar & Grille. 

The Pelican Post opened in March of 2023 and quickly became part of many area residents’ visit lists. The bar and grill won several 2025 CITYVIEW Best of Des Moines awards including Best Local Restaurant Patio and Best Local Patio Bar as well as a number of runner-up awards. We could not enjoy the award-winning patio due to the weather, but, after this trip, it earned a revisit when friendlier Iowa weather hits. 

Found at 265 50th St. in West Des Moines, a tropical theme decorates this watering spot. Tabletops are decorated with scenic postcards, lost coins and seashells. The inside walls and photos take you from Iowa to sandy beaches — and not the ones at Raccoon River. The decor creates a fun theme without feeling gimmicky. 

Local music performances and trivia nights keep the vibes high throughout the year. On the outside, as mentioned, is a fantastic patio, worth spending more than a couple hours enjoying during the summer. Space abounds for you and some fellow patrons to catch a game — or just catch up.  

What’s on the menu? Anything with a pelican next to a menu item is considered a house specialty. The grouper sandwich is one of them, with a goliath filet of grouper hand-breaded to order and served on a brioche bun with fries for $17.99. A gallon of nachos will run you $20, but the portion size is, you guessed it, a gallon. Split this one with a friend. 

Specialty burgers and steakburgers are on the menu. For the steakburgers, singles are $12.99, doubles are $15.99, and triples are $18.99. Additional toppings are 60 cents. Written on the menu for one specialty burger: “This is one of our favorites, but you be the judge!” That is The Baxter, which comes with bacon, jack cheese and a slab of peanut butter. I judged, and I enjoyed it. 

Mondays are steak nights from 6-9 p.m. or until they run out. A steak, baked potato, salad and a roll are $13.99 for 6-ounce sirloin, or $14.99 for 8-ounce ribeyes. Fridays are Fry-days at The Pelican Post. Enjoy all-you-can-eat fish, shrimp or a combo for $15.49. Also on Fridays comes a great happy hour deal, where three is the magic number. Select draws, wells and domestic tallboys are all $3, and get $3 off all appetizers from open until 5:30 p.m. 

As for drink, on tap, you can get a glass of area favorites like Easy Eddy, Des Moines IPA and Citrus Surfer among domestics. Cocktails are summer-themed like the Ass in The Sand, made with Cruzan tropical Rum, orange juice, cherries, coconut cream, and Kraken Rum, served with an orange slice. I opted for the peaches and cream Moscow mule, which tasted as advertised. 

Another good reason to hang out on the patio, or hunker down inside away from the cold on Saturdays and Sundays, is the two-for-one bloody marys and bottomless mimosas from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. n