Cornfed Librarian

OK, we know -- what you're really interested in is...food!  You'll find that the food is great here in Des Moines.  Some of our city's best eating is within easy walking distance of the Marriott:

• Azalea 
  400 Walnut Street
  An eclectic menu of small plates, gourmet pizzas, and some fancy entrees like the five-spiced caramelized Long Island duck breast and crispy leg with spiced-bacon cabbage and orange marmalade.  (See the rather hard-to-read menu)
  
  
• Bos at the Renaissance Savery Hotel
  401 Grand Avenue
  Featuring "contemporary Midwest cuisine" and home of the best Iowa Corn Soup in town. The small but tasty buffet that includes excellent desserts makes for a quick stop on hectic days. Also of note: Diet Dr. Pepper is available! (menu)
  
  
• Centro   
  1007 Locust Street
  Rather upscale Italian, but like any Iowa restaurant worth its salt, pork tenderloin is on the menu! (lunch menu)(dinner menu)
  
  
• Django at Fort Des Moines Hotel
  201 10th Street
  French food -- in Des Moines! Salads and omelets highlight the lunch menu, though there's plenty of meat and seafood on the menu, too. (lunch menu)(dinner menu)
  
  
• Dos Rios
  316 Court Avenue
  Traditional Guadalajaran recipes with a contemporary twist.  (lunch menu)(dinner menu)
  
  
• Raccoon River Brewing Company 
  200 10th Street
  Don't let the post-industrial decor fool you -- local beers and unusual food pairings (shrimp and grits, for example) make this well worth the visit. (menu) 
  
  
• Sbrocco Wine
  208 Court Avenue
  Wine is the star in this restaurant: 42 wines available by the glass, and another 200 available by the bottle.  The food offerings feature organic and seasonal ingredients combined in interesting ways. (menu)
  
  
• Splash
  303 Locust Street
• Des Moines' premier seafood restaurant features an oyster bar along with a fine selection of fresh fish.  Steaks and chops are also available; how else would they be able to offer the Splash Surf and Turf: filet mignon and king crab legs?(lunch menu)(dinner menu)
  

Local flavor:These restaurants offer a less formal experience.

• el Bait Shop
  200 SW 2nd Street
  Located near Principal Park,  el Bait Shop is a favorite watering hole for those on the way to the ballgame.  Featuring an ever-changing 105 beers on tap, it's not surprising that the beer list  is longer than the menu.  Nonetheless, if you're looking for burgers or a good fish taco, you'll find it here.  And if you need a drink after the .8 mile walk from the hotel, you'll be in the right place! (menus)(map)
  
  
• Fongs Pizza
  223 4th Street
  Though it's a pizza joint now, once upon a time, Fong's was a Chinese restaurant.  That heritage remains in menu items like Fongolian Beef, Thai Chicken, and Moo Shu Pork pizzas.  Also known for its extensive list of specialty cocktails served in unusual mugs. (For example, the Happy Fong is served in a puffer phish bowl big enough for two!)(menu)
  
  
• Hessen Haus
  101 4th Street
  The Iowa version of an old-fashioned German bier hall.  Wienerschnitzel, Schweins Haxe, and Sauerbraten highlight the entree menu, but appetizers like the Peasant Plate or Bavarian Nachos are also substantial.  A number of German beers are available on tap.(menu)(beer menu) 
  
  
• Royal Mile
  210 4th Street
  Bangers and Mash in Des Moines?  Yes, along with Shepherd's Pie, Cornish Pasty, and Scotch Eggs.  Also offers a great beer selection and over 85 single malt Scotches. (menu)
  

Fast Food:
While there's a Burger King on Walnut, most of Downtown's fast food is up in the sky -- the Skywalk, that is.  The Kaleidoscope Mall features a Food Court at 555 Walnut. Easily accessible from the Skywalk (or up two escalators from street level), the Food Court includes Maid Rite, a source of loose meat sandwiches, along with Subway, Sally's Hamburgers, Panda Chinese Food, and more.   (The Kaleidoscope Mall is clearly marked on this map.)

And we'll admit it here:  we're addicted to the "gourmet" sandwiches from Jimmy John's on 422 E Locust Street.  They're famous for their delivery -- and there's an online order form that's screenreader accessible.

Many Iowans feel that Tasty Tacos, a local chain, makes the best tacos in town.  The secret is in the flour tortilla, but it's hard to describe.  (Hard to resist, too.)  One of its four locations is near the State Capitol Building at 1418 E. Grand. (menu)