The Fitz

The Fitz
3621 Sixth Ave., Des Moines
515-330-6876 • lacheles.com
Sunday: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Monday: 5-9 p.m. (bar side only)
Tuesday – Saturday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Walking into Lachele’s Fine Foods in Highland Park, I found a brightly lit diner. Craving a bar atmosphere, I asked myself: Where’s the bar? I didn’t have to look far. The Fitz was right next door. The two are connected, and I could have easily gone through a side door to reach it.

Lachele’s Fine Foods and The Fitz share the same owners. Corey Wendel and his wife, Lachele, opened the Ingersoll location and added the Highland Park venue last year. Named for Lachele’s maiden name, Fitzgerald, The Fitz has a laid-back, eclectic “crazy uncle” vibe, while Lachele’s retains a classic diner feel. Both locations serve food and drinks.

The Fitz features a mix of wall treatments, flooring and décor. One wall is wood-paneled, another brick, and a third green plaid. Retro-colored booths include hunter green and brownish mahogany. Taxidermy, thrift-store finds, old beer signs and a miniature Oscar Mayer Weinermobile are displayed in unexpected spots.

An upstairs loft with a low ceiling feels like an afterthought. With only a few tables, it offers a view of the room below for people-watching. Streetside seating provides a big-city feel with an old-fashioned charm.

Drinks include a variety of canned beers starting at $4 and craft cocktails starting at $8. One signature drink, the Hiland Park Punch, combines Pimm’s No. 1, fresh fruit, Sprite and lemonade for $8. For multiple servings, a jug is available for $21. Bartenders pour generously on cocktails.

Another unique offering features a ChaCha’s Hiland Bakery donut. The drink, called “Cities in Dust,” mixes vodka, coffee liqueur, orgeat and cream, served on a sugared rim and topped with half a fresh donut. The drink costs $11. Our bartender split it so each of us could try it.

The Fitz menu includes many of Lachele’s favorites, such as juicy smash burgers on sesame or potato rolls, priced from $15 to $17. Each burger comes with a side, including tots, fries, coleslaw or salad. For $1 more, diners can upgrade to onion rings, corn nuggets, cheese curds, steamed vegetables and other options.

The menu also features soups, salads and specialty items such as “Fry Me to the Moon,” a breaded pork schnitzel with fingerling potatoes, carrot puree, Brussels sprouts and apple-bourbon pan sauce, priced at $18. Friday specials include various fish dishes. No menu item exceeds $26.

The Fitz hosts community events. In April, it will host a market featuring local vendors. On Metal Mondays, heavy metal music fills the space.

Whether you choose Lachele’s or The Fitz, both offer appealing atmospheres. Highland Park’s resurgence is a boost for the Des Moines restaurant and bar scene. ♦