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Old 02-01-2010, 04:52 PM
 
39 posts, read 166,811 times
Reputation: 24

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Just heard, it sounds like Ankeny will be getting an Olive Garden in the relatively near future. At least maybe one line will be decreasing in length during the next year or so. Also, Smashburger is a nice addition. We still don't have as much variety as many smaller cities but it is a start.
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Old 02-16-2010, 03:17 PM
 
2 posts, read 6,482 times
Reputation: 10
I know this was posted a while ago, but today, the Jordan Creek area is SICK with chain places. PF Chang's, Bravo Cucina, On the Border, Buffalo Wild Wings, Joe's Crap (not a typo) Shack, Cheesecake Factory, Applebee's, Fuddrucker's, and I think there are about five more I'm forgetting.

BUT WHY would you WANT to go to those places? I'll admitt to visiting Romano's Macaroni Grill from time to time, but I'd rather go to Chucks on the north side or to the Latin King on the east. I'd rather go to either Waterfront locations that Joe's or Red Lobster.

We have an amazing variety of locally owned food joints (from Tasty Tacos to Trostel's Greenbriar), that frankly I have no idea why any would ask "Why is there only ONE Olive Garden?".

The anwer: Because one is enough.
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Old 02-18-2010, 12:17 AM
 
252 posts, read 588,763 times
Reputation: 75
Look. Des Moines just isn't that into chain restaraunts. Open bag. Pour sauce from bag into industrial warmer. Ladel sauce over pre-fab microwaved pasta. Big freaking deal. Des Moines is a secret foodie town, just check every other cover of Cityview or DM Juice. Chain restaraunts have their place, thats why Chilis, Fridays, and Culvers have done so well. PF Changs, Cheesecake Factory, Joe's Crab Shack (why?), and the TWO locations of Hu-Hot do quite well, but DSM just can't handle too many. Old Chicago is just about pushing the limit of that race. Now, when another large corporation comes to town we should have more population base to support more crappy chain restaraunts. Until then, I'll take a Centro, Django, Something Italian, Azaela, Chef's Kitchen, Flying Mango, Tasty Tacos, Noodles, or George the Chili King with pleasure. Good, greasy, Iowa pleasure.
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Old 03-30-2010, 06:35 PM
 
6 posts, read 15,361 times
Reputation: 10
hi- I am currently finishing a masters degree in elementary education and planning on moving later this year. I am looking at a few spots in the midwest and south. Can someone tell me what it is like for new teachers around the Des Moines area. From my research, this area seems to have most of what I am looking for. Thanks!
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Old 04-04-2010, 09:28 AM
 
9 posts, read 36,405 times
Reputation: 11
Some people like chains because they know they are going to like what they are going to order.

Nothing worse than going to an expensive restaurant and not liking the food. Personally, I think the local Italian restaurants are a little overrated by the locals who want to think Des Moines Italian food somehow rivals Boston or Chicago. Their menus are also too alike, which is a direct result of being in a small market. They're all claiming Southern Italy about 5 generations too late and they probably don't even know a word of Italian.


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Old 04-22-2010, 03:45 PM
 
178 posts, read 332,687 times
Reputation: 105
Cheeseburger in Paradise? I've never heard of that before.
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Old 04-25-2010, 01:33 AM
 
17 posts, read 41,396 times
Reputation: 20
I may be alone on this, but I am pro-chain! Here are some chains that I wish would come to Des Moines:

Dick's Sporting Goods
Five Below (mostly an east coast store...still...it's friggin' awesome!)
Dunkin' Donuts
Melting Pot
At least ONE 7-Eleven
Shopko (for those who aren't in the midwest, it's a decent store in between Kmart and Target...Target clean with Kmart prices...which aren't terribly more than Wal-Mart's but it's an alternative than Wal-Mart...)
Macy's

If Macy's went into Southridge Mall, I think that mall would get more popularity (with Dillard's and Younkers already, they don't need to be in Jordan Creek)...that or Dick's Sporting Goods.

It didn't go so hot in Omaha, but I think Des Moines could keep a Melting Pot going....I personally think Des Moines has more culture than Omaha. People in Omaha just want to go to McDonald's and Runza 24/7...that could be one of the reasons why THEIR Melting Pot (and Romano's Macaroni Grill) closed.

Dunkin' Donuts...'nuff said. If St. Joseph, Missouri and Moline, Illinois can get them, WHY can't Des Moines? And I remember Boston Market being on 22nd Street where Krispy Kreme is now...and there was one in Ames where Quizno's and Gamers are now.

7-Eleven isn't in Des Moines anymore because of QuikTrip, which I'd rather have QuikTrip than 7-Eleven.

Me? I'm glad Des Moines has a lot of chains...especially for how small the metro area is! I love Cheesecake Factory and Romano's Macaroni Grill a LOT...and it's nice we have four major malls (with all anchors intact, by the way :-) ), many chain restaurants and stores....I could go on and on about this subject but I will stop for now lol...
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Old 04-25-2010, 01:34 AM
 
17 posts, read 41,396 times
Reputation: 20
...Cheeseburger in Paradise is a typical burger place that is owned by Jimmy Buffet. There is one in Omaha in Village Pointe...my buddy took me there once....I could get a better burger at Ruby Tuesday...but it wasn't horrible, but not driving 100 miles to go eat...
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Old 04-25-2010, 03:56 PM
 
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
2,401 posts, read 4,326,974 times
Reputation: 1464
Quote:
Originally Posted by 4starcashier View Post
I may be alone on this, but I am pro-chain! Here are some chains that I wish would come to Des Moines:

Dick's Sporting Goods
Five Below (mostly an east coast store...still...it's friggin' awesome!)
Dunkin' Donuts
Melting Pot
At least ONE 7-Eleven
Shopko (for those who aren't in the midwest, it's a decent store in between Kmart and Target...Target clean with Kmart prices...which aren't terribly more than Wal-Mart's but it's an alternative than Wal-Mart...)
Macy's

If Macy's went into Southridge Mall, I think that mall would get more popularity (with Dillard's and Younkers already, they don't need to be in Jordan Creek)...that or Dick's Sporting Goods.

It didn't go so hot in Omaha, but I think Des Moines could keep a Melting Pot going....I personally think Des Moines has more culture than Omaha. People in Omaha just want to go to McDonald's and Runza 24/7...that could be one of the reasons why THEIR Melting Pot (and Romano's Macaroni Grill) closed.

Dunkin' Donuts...'nuff said. If St. Joseph, Missouri and Moline, Illinois can get them, WHY can't Des Moines? And I remember Boston Market being on 22nd Street where Krispy Kreme is now...and there was one in Ames where Quizno's and Gamers are now.

7-Eleven isn't in Des Moines anymore because of QuikTrip, which I'd rather have QuikTrip than 7-Eleven.

Me? I'm glad Des Moines has a lot of chains...especially for how small the metro area is! I love Cheesecake Factory and Romano's Macaroni Grill a LOT...and it's nice we have four major malls (with all anchors intact, by the way :-) ), many chain restaurants and stores....I could go on and on about this subject but I will stop for now lol...
IMO chain restaurants vs chain (most everything else), is a different argument.
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Old 04-25-2010, 10:21 PM
 
2,652 posts, read 8,557,289 times
Reputation: 1915
I'm sick of chains. They've ruined small businesses, and the service/food is sub par.

P.S.-A hidden gem for Chinese/Vietnamese is Fawn's on University & E. 9th area. By far the best Pho in Des Moines.
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