City: Des Moines, IA

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (515) 362-5222

Description: If you’re hungry for a burger, this Western Gateway joint can set you up: The kitchen has found many ways to cook and serve up 8 ounces of beef, including toppings of onion rings and Gouda, Pepper Jack, and chipotle mayo. Other sandwiches are good for washing down with some of the house beers brewed in big copper tanks on display, including a beer-battered fish sandwich and a brisket sandwich with both barbecue and horseradish crème sauce on the side. Carnivore options are a good choice as well, such as the beef tips Gorgonzola with penne pasta, mushroom, and red onion. There are plenty of other choices on the extensive menu, including slow-smoked barbecued ribs with a beer-based sauce, linguine with hazelnut mushroom pesto, and panko-encrusted halibut with lemon butter sauce and garlic mashed potatoes. Pizzas include a Mediterranean variety with roasted red pepper, pine nuts, artichoke hearts, and sun-dried tomatoes and a pie with locally made Italian sausage. On the lighter side there’s a good Thai Cobb salad. The house beers run the gamut from light to heavy, with an especially deep Stonecutter stout. Try a beer flight to sample three varieties of suds. The dining room has a clubby feel, with high booths and hardwood floors, but the casual menu and atmosphere also make it a nice place for families. Closed Sunday. The bar stays open late on weekends.