Charlie’s Filling Station
“Saturday Night Live.” “Jaws.” “All In the Family.” “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” It was 1975 when these shows and movies were popular. Meanwhile, one other 50-year landmark is [...]
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Posted September 03, 2025in Belly Up To...
Posted August 06, 2025in Belly Up To...
New foods at the Iowa State Fair
Corn dogs. Fried Twinkies. Grinders. If you think that sounds like food from the Iowa State Fair, you are correct. But fair food goes beyond a porkchop on a stick. [...]
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Posted July 02, 2025in Belly Up To...
Guesthouse Tavern+Oyster
Step into the Guesthouse Tavern+Oyster and you might think you’re in a lodge, alongside a lake or river located in northern Wisconsin or bordering Minnesota. But you’re not. Instead, you’re [...]
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Posted June 04, 2025in Belly Up To...
In Confidence
“Where’s the door?” My Belly Up companion asked this as we wandered into Hotel Fort Des Moines, inspecting possible entryways to an alleged secret speakeasy. The hotel concierge pointed to [...]
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Posted April 30, 2025in Belly Up To...
Smoking Goat Pub
“GOAT” doesn’t just refer to a hay-eating, climbing, hooved domestic animal. It is also an acronym — Greatest Of All Time — often referring to sports icons. Yet there is [...]
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Posted April 02, 2025in Belly Up To...
Doug’s Pub & Grub
When walking into a new bar, patrons often experience an instant vibe. The vibe at Doug’s Pub & Grub is friendly and welcoming, a neighborhood bar feel that many patrons [...]
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Posted March 05, 2025in Belly Up To...
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 [...]
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Posted February 05, 2025in Belly Up To...
Striking Sparrow Lounge
When entering the Striking Sparrow Lounge, it is like taking a step back in time. Setting the vibe are vintage beer signs such as the Hamm’s Beer flowing lake, which [...]
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Posted January 01, 2025in Belly Up To...
Shirley’s Bar & Grill
One of West Des Moines’ newest restaurants is NOT a sports bar. At least that’s what it says on the back of the servers’ T-shirts. Take a peek into Shirley’s [...]
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Posted December 04, 2024in Belly Up To...
HiFi Brew Lounge
At the HiFi Brew Lounge, a wall of records, stacks of albums, a disco ball and photos of musicians might signify a dance supper club where A-list celebrities drink martinis [...]
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