Drake Diner
1111 25th St, Des Moines, IA, 50311
Drake Diner Menu
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Address :
1111 25th St
Des Moines, IA, 50311 - Phone (515) 277-1111
- Website https://www.drakediner.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :7:00 am - 11:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Breakfast
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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dean d.
Good diner spot, very popular and very busy on a Sunday at 9am: huge menu with lots of house specials. I tried one: the Waffle Dogs. Sausage on a stick covered in Waffle batter and deep fried, served with maple syrup for dipping: tasty. I also ordered the Eggs Benedict (with sausage): I was expecting sausage patties and not links and the hollandaise sauce was not as creamy rich as it's supposed to be, but the dish overall was good. Service was excellent even when this busy. Cute outdoor seating area (fills up fast).
(4)Emily T.
Drake Diner is a great staple place. A huge menu to choose from and they serve breakfast all day long. I remember as a kid, they served their beer cheese soup with a popcorn garnish, I don't believe they do that anymore. I feel like the quality has declined a bit. Not horrible, possibly lacking seasoning? My burger was bland and could have used some simple salt and pepper. My husband had the Santa fe grits which he felt was disappointing as it said it had green chilis and cheddar cheese, but just tasted fried. Everytime I come here, I tend to get the same thing, even though the selection tempts me to try something new and on occasion, I do. Today we are enjoying the beautiful weather and dining in their screened in patio. Overall, typically a good dining experience, including service. Our waitress was awesome!
(3)Casey G.
I've eaten at the diner since they open 25 years ago. One great thing I can say is that the food is always consistent and there's a good variety. The waitstaff is usually on the ball, with a few exceptions. The place is clean and the decor is upscale diner, and the mood is casual. Great home made oatmeal for breakfast Good burgers, sandwiches and salads for lunch. Blue plate specials with real mashed potatoes for dinner. Don't forget to have a milkshake!
(4)Ashley M.
Went here for the first time for my birthday brunch, and it was amazing! The exterior and interior is a traditional diner like atmosphere, and its so so cute! The drake diner gave me this homey, classic vibe that makes you want to keep coming back. For brunch I had the eggs Benedict, and the hash browns were the star of the meal. Crunchy on the outside but buttery and soft on the inside, so good. We also had a bacon cheeseburger, a skillet and an omelet and all were cooked very well and really flavorful. Will come back again!
(4)Lauren M.
One of the few places still in Des Moines that serves authentic diner food and they know what they're doing. Their chocolate cake shakes are made with homemade chocolate cake that will make your insides oh so happy, though it's probably a good idea to split one since they're so large! (Unless you're like me and have quite a sweet tooth!) The blue plate dinner specials are great comfort food and they don't skimp when it comes to portion sizes. All around a fun place to go with friends or family for a casual night out.
(4)Jennifer H.
I went here for breakfast on Labor Day with some friends. The server was good, but not that friendly. Extremely focused, I guess is what I would call it. I had the Diner Omelet and it was delicious. The only major issues were that it was slow - slow to order, slow to get food, and slow to pay. Also, the people in the booth behind us had the most obnoxious kids on earth that the parents refused to make sit down. I had screaming, pounding on the window with their Hot Wheels, and breathing in my hair. Will make sure to go even earlier next time.
(4)Sylvia D.
If your doctor ever orders you on a bland diet, go to Drake Diner and order the roast turkey dinner with mashed potatoes and gravy. Then tell your doc you had that, and he'll say, "I didn't mean THAT bland..! This meal should go into a blender, then into the feeding tubes of comatose patients. It might even wake one up, and he'd go, "What the #%*@ was that?" The turkey and mashed potatoes were slathered with a large glob of flavorless white gravy whose job it was to just wet down the meal. The side of mixed veg, mostly corn with a couple green beans and carrot slices, was overcooked into oblivion and just soggy. Really, Drake Diner? You can't find some fresh veggies anywhere? You can't make turkey gravy? You can't put a spoonful of cranberry sauce on the plate? This is a disappointing attempt at a classic, simple dish of comfort food. And having paid $12 for it, I think I've been kind in my assessment.
(1)Brittany S.
How cute! Definitely a greasy spoon/hangover kind of establishment located fittingly on the Drake University campus. I was rocking the comfy clothes during my visit but luckily a hangover was nowhere to be found (what can I say, I just wanted to heavy breakfast food...). The exterior of this building is iconic diner vibe with metal siding (I believe that's how you would describe it) and booths and bar space available in the interior. Nothing fancy but plenty of nostalgically cute vibes to go around. I was surprised to find that they have a liquor license and plenty of booze to go around for morning cocktails like rum and cider or peppermint schnapps and hot cocoa. Note: the apple cider is not real cider - it's one of those powder mixes and they're charging $2.50 per cup for it! I counted on my fellow handy Yelpers to decide upon my order which consisted of the veggie eggs benedict and hashbrowns topped with gravy (gravy was a personal addition - I know, it's hard to believe I didn't have a hangover given my beastly breakfast order). Note that egg beater substitutes will run you $1.50 extra. I loved my order and would have finished it had I a second stomach. My boyfriend's side of bacon was especially good (and heart stopping) - something about it tasted like pork cracklings? We couldn't figure out why but I'm not complaining. Our server was a powerhouse - fast service, slightly cutthroat and perfect to keep things rolling along. (not that I'm a fast diner) He was borderline unfriendly but I couldn't help but appreciate his Soup Nazi-like charm.
(4)Clair M.
I absolutely Love there Bloody Mary, sweet potato pancake, and there hashbrowns! This local drake spot has been around for awhile and you normally see dsm locals dining in.
(3)Mike P.
My first visit in over a decade was for brunch recently. I took my date here as the Drake Diner isn't a place most people who aren't from here know about. It's on a side street in a neighborhood most folks don't go looking for a place to eat. I didn't tell my date about the tragic event that happened in 1992. IMPRESSIONS: Packed on a Sunday morning, Art Deco, neon, bustling, loud, clean ORDERED: Coffee $2.29, 1/2 Biscuits and Gravy $3.29, Chicken & Waffles $8.99 TASTED: I'm a coffee geek but can drink anything, Drake Diner's coffee tastes of bitter watery foodservice brew. Almost undrinkable. With the local roasters within a few miles this is a shame BUT it is a diner. My biscuits and gravy was a huge portion for being a half. A thick buttery biscuits topped with sausage gravy - highly recommend. The chicken and waffles were great as well. A large perfectly fried piece of golden crispy chicken on top of a large golden waffle. I loaded this up with butter and syrup. It wasn't the best chicken and waffle I've had (that honor belongs to BuildABurger in Milwaukee) but I'd recommend it. FOOD COMA. POST: Great friendly cafe-style service. A mix of college kids in sweat pants, well dressed folks headed to church presumably, seniors. The prices seem about a dollar or two higher than expected. My ticket for two was $25. Bad coffee. Clean restrooms. CHANCE OF RETURN: 8/10
(4)Bill L.
I cannot count how many times I've eaten here and in what scenarios, but I can say they have great food and great service. Their decor is a classic diner theme with neon lights to brighten the place up. Their staff is always friendly and on top of things. I have tried most of the breakfast items and sampled other items. I have always been satisfied with the food. To be honest, it is not much different than a Perkins or Village Inn, it is a diner with diner food. It has never been extremely busy when I came to eat, never had to wait for s table. They also have a nice outdoor eating area where we ate when we had a large group come together. I will continue to eat here until I have an unpleasant experience.
(5)Avonni H.
First of all the stars are for my bloodymary which was delicious and spicy. Yummy ok the fun times ended when my food arrived. The biscuit was a mound of cooked flavorless dough. Butter is not expensive people! My eggs were ordered scrambled they came folded over which I HATE with a passion!!! I asked for green peppers, onion and mushrooms to be added to my hashbrowns. The chef interpreted this as topping the hashbrowns with the barely cooked veggie assortment. If the chef was unsure of what I wanted he should have asked. The food was basically a culinary nightmare and you don't even want a funny parody to that crap. You would think with all the cooking shows on tv a chef would be fearful that Guy or Mr. Bourdaine could stroll through your place and you better not be serving crap. Trust me they are not prepared.
(2)Kenneth S.
This has been my stop for three meals while in Des Moines. Lunch, dinner and breakfast has been wonderful!! If you are really hungry try the meatloaf sandwich. I had a great Asian chicken salad for lunch when I first got to town - I would recommend that you get the chicken heated if you are like me on that, it was also mentioned adding some Cajun spice when they heat it up makes it really "pop" with flavor!! I will come back if in the area again!! Bon appetite my friend! Drake Diner IS a keeper!
(4)Ernie M.
Overall food was good service was great. A great diner atmosphere. Wish they would make their omelette a bit bigger and fluffy with some milk maybe. Coffee was you regular good diner cup of joe. Definitely would recommend and would return myself
(4)Michele M.
If I could eat only one thing the rest of my life, it might well be the skin on mashed potatoes at the Drake Diner. Add to that their delicious turkey, sides and rolls and prompt service and it's a great meal. I'm getting hungry just writing this review!
(5)Mark G.
When I want a great breakfast done the way I want it I go to the Drake Diner. The food is made fresh and if you want something your way it's no problem. I often want a low carb breakfast. Usually an omelette. Most places include hash browns and toast ( which is what's on the menu at the Diner). I'd rather trade the carbs for a side of bacon. That's no problem at the Diner. Other places either refuse or charge me extra. The service is always friendly and helpful. At breakfast most of the wait staff recognize me. Often they have already set out my coffee before I walk through the door. They really try to do whatever they can to make your day.
(4)Mark O.
My roommate loves the shakes here so I begrudgingly tagged along for another visit. Felt like breakfast fare so I got the "whole shebang" which includes eggs, meat, hashbrowns, toast, and pancakes. If I recall correctly, this meal is $10.99. I elected for sourdough toast which cost 70¢ extra. I would not have minded the upcharge if the toast was worth it, but this was drier than any other sourdough I've had. Bacon, hashbrowns, and eggs (basted) were all very good. In the case of the eggs, you're asked how basted you want them (soft, medium, or hard). Pancakes spent a little too much time on the griddle. Only one kind of syrup was available and I'm positive its the generic stuff that comes off the Sysco truck. I also ordered a malt. While people may question paying $5.50 for a shake or malt, the amount of ice cream you get makes up for the price. I believe they are hand scooped. We had an awesome blonde haired waitress who was very cool and interacted with us frequently. She was very happy to answer questions and offer suggestions. Can't say it's a great value, however. my breakfast with a normal drink would still run around $14 and that's without a tip. I think that's too much for breakfast food. I dearly wish Waffle House would come north, but I don't think that's happening any time soon.
(3)Warren R.
Nothing special. No different than a Village Inn or Denny's other than you can get alcoholic drinks.
(3)Khalilah S.
Nice small hometown diner feel right in the middle of a neighborhood so you don't know what to expect. The food was really good and the atmosphere is pleasant. Glad to have found this little treasure while on a business trip.
(4)Ali M.
Great lil dinner feel. Clean, great service. Sat at counter. Delicious breakfast spot!
(4)Monica J.
I orderd a breakfast meal and upon receiving our bill, noticed that there was an 80 cents charge for sourdough toast. I asked our server what this is about, and he said that sourdough costs more. I replied that I would please like to see the menu. After looking at the menu, and noting that it says, "Your choice of toast" but nothing about a price differential for sourdough, the server said that in fact it does cost more. I asked to speak with the manager because I did not see that additional information anywhere except for the 'sides' portion of the menu where he had directed me. He said that he assumed we knew this. We eat at Drake Diner more frequently at lunch, and so no, I did not know this. The manager came to our table and immediately appeared defensive and flippant about this situation, stating that, "You need to read." This is when I pointed out that I would not know to look at the sides portion of the menu when I'm simply ordering from the breakfast section. She then listed a number of food items that cost an additional amount, naming English muffins and others, and that, "You'll know for next time." I explained that I wasn't trying to replace any food item with another, because I was simply ordering my choice of toast, as the menu for breakfast #5 states. She then said, "So do you want the 80 cents taken off the bill?" I told her that would be fine. She left without truly listening to our concern by saying, "Don't worry, you'll get your 80 cents back." Of course, this situation is not about a worry or even the 80 cents, but about the fact that the price differential states nothing about sourdough under the breakfast menu. I even noticed that on a different page, the menu specifically lists the type of toast a customer may choose for that particular meal. This was not at all how I expect to be treated at Drake Diner, or anywhere involving a customer's legitimate question (or complaint). All she had to say was that she understood our concern and that she would let upper management know. Then yes, it would be a nice gesture to remove the 80 cents charge. However, that is not the manner in which she handled the situation. In addition, the entire dining area was dirty and full of table trash throughout the time we were there. Upon sitting down initially, I had to politely ask the drink server to please wipe our table off. I had to ask for a refill on coffee, and also for silverware. If you are expecting normal customer service and cleanliness, you won't find it here. Too bad as the food is genrally well enough.
(1)Mark G.
Had breakfast thought it was pretty good, basic egg and pancakes. Need to try more flavors of pancakes and breakfast items. Was looking at everyone else's items and everything looked delicious. The dinner that I has was the spaghetti, came with salad, bread, and veggie all for a cheap price. Happy that I can get a quality meal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This place gets busy for breakfast so plan accordingly in case you are in a rush. Nice local place that can serve up some great food.
(4)David M.
Very cool vibe, very unique space. The menu is huge with lots of great options for everyone - ultra sweet dessert 'breakfast' items for kids, healthier options for boring people, greasy options for the hangover crowd. The fly free patio lives up to its name and gives a shady open air space for al fresco dining.
(4)Carly F.
Great atmosphere, friendly staff, and delicious food. What more can you ask for? I had the French dip sandwich- it was excellent.
(5)Bob B.
The last time there we sat outside. It was raining, but we were kept dry and bug free by the screened in porch area. The food was good and it is worth the stop if you're in the Drake area.
(3)Larry H.
My wife and I ate here recently for the first time around lunchtime on a Sunday. We decided to come here after being treated rudely immediately upon walking in (and walking out) Waveland Cafe down the street. We had to wait no more than five minutes for a table. I had eggs, hash browns, toast and a side of grits. She had eggs, ham, and pancakes. Everything was really good; normal diner breakfast fare. The grits needed butter, but were cooked well. The pancakes stole the show. I would come back just for those! We also had a mimosa and bloody mary. Mimosa was pricey at $8+ but the bloody mary with a beer back was less than $5. Probably the best bloody I've ever had! We will definitely return to try the lunch and dinner menu.
(4)Peter B.
Great breakfast and burgers. This is our go-to diner in Des Moines. Never had a disappointing meal and we've eaten here quite a lot. We usually order off the breakfast menu and everything is good. I've heard mixed reviews of the fried chicken. The burgers and sandwiches are scrumptious. The coffee can be hit or miss. Probably just depends on who brews it. The service is good but can be a bit slow.
(5)Jill B.
Love the local flavor! Potato Pancakes are life changing.
(5)Julie D.
This is a cute little diner located right by Drake University. The decor is 50s soda shop, and it's very clean, both in the restaurant and in the restroom. They have a porch attached to the restaurant that is nice to sit on. The food is standard diner fare with not much on the truly healthy side. I've been there for breakfast and lunch, and breakfast is pretty good; lunch was a bit greasy and heavy. The day we went for breakfast, there was only one waitress working the entire restaurant. She did a great job - didn't forget anything, was super quick and friendly, and never stopped moving that I could tell.
(4)Michael M.
Looking for a diner near Drake? Then this is your spot. Serves all of the typical diner food, at fair prices and large portions. I had a bacon and cheese skillet, and it hit the spot for a Saturday morning meal. They have a nice covered outdoor patio, and a bike rack in front of the restaurant. The interior is also much nicer than your average diner. Check it out if you are in the mood for good breakfast food, or a nice patty melt.
(3)Sally J.
As far as diners go, Drake Diner is the best! I love love LOVE their onion rings! My favorite dish is the cheese frenchy. Amazing! Unfortunately for me, I get so full from their generous portions, I have never had dessert at the Drake Diner. :( The quality of the food and service is always very consistent. I know what to expect when I go there, and I always get it. My only negative comment is that it is a little too dark inside the diner at night, but I don't go there for the lighting... have I mentioned how crazy amazing their onion rings are?!
(5)Nate V.
This place lived up to its expectation from all the reviews I read. Fast service from the waitress. The pancakes were fluffy like a pillow. Haha I really enjoyed this place.
(5)Mary H.
Why have I not been here sooner? Breakfast all dayyyy I ate chicken and waffles; salty/greasy fried chicken and sugary syrup were calling my name. There are tons of other tempting looking things on the menu that I'm excited to return for... waiter recommended: Pumpkin Pancakes, Everything Skillet, Meatloaf Club Sandwich, Chicken Fried Steak and Eggs, other things I can't recall. Neon lights, true diner style.
(4)Jeff H.
The pro's of this place: My breakfast was delicious. Hash browns crispy, ham very tasty. Cute place, retro vibe. Convenient location to drakes campus for a pre-tour breakfast. Cons: service earnest but a bit slow. But this was the real con, for me: weak, weak, watered down coffee. Unsure if they were holdings back on the grounds to stretch the coffee out or if it's weak roast, or someone didn't know how to brew it. Couldn't finish it. And that's what I really needed that morning, know what I mean? I'd go back for the pros listed above. And I'll have tea next time!
(3)YourDad D.
One of my go-to carryout spots. Even though I asked for my fires crispy tonight and ya'll bricked! Still 5/5. Fun place to dine-in, have a beer (or Shirley Temple) and some good food with a friend. Chill on the screened patio if it's nice out. Very nice architectural craftsmanship inside the diner. Unique and very well-constructed. Carrying out can be quicker on the busy days/ nites. If you're picky like me, make sure you got crispy fires BEFORE you get home. They get it right most of the time though.
(5)Evie R.
It is essential I go here every time I visit Des Moines. I could not imagine my life without the potato pancakes. Service is always very fast and friendly too.
(5)C F.
Always great food anytime of day. A must for breakfast. The crowd is electric, varied, and staff is very friendly.
(5)Tom R.
We had a late breakfast here after flying in from California. All the meals, potato pancakes, corn beef hash, pumpkin pancakes, and an omelette were fresh and great tasting. We will come here again when back in DSM.
(5)Julie F.
Fun atmosphere, lots of space. Food is good, biscuits and gravy is flat. Veggie Bene and waffle dogs are great! Great service too.
(4)Holli Z.
Cute decor. Love the 50s diner vibe. Food was good, not spectacular. My biggest complaint was the fries. Obviously frozen from a bag. Why not make hand cut fries? So much better. Oh well, the server was awesome so that made up for everything.
(3)Janet E.
We came here around noon on a weekend and the place was packed! Thankfully they had two seats available at the counter so we snagged those up immediately! Our server was quick to greet us and take our order. We ordered the veggie bene with cheese hash browns, coffee, and a pumpkin milkshake. The veggie bene was good. We had the option of ordering it soft, medium or hard. I like my eggs well done but soft in the middle so I opted for medium. I should have ordered hard because the eggs were not even cooked and were super runny! The coffee was really watered down. I would skip it. The pumpkin shake is a seasonal drink and was super delicious!!!! The other yelpers aren't kidding when they say the shakes here are awesome! Definitely order a shake if you come here. Breakfast is served at this diner ALL DAY so you can sleep in if you want! The servers at this diner are rushing rushing rushing! It feels a bit hectic if you sit at the counter, but service was so fast and attentive I really can't complain. Prices can be on the pricey side but the quality of food was worth it.
(5)Cassandra P.
Service was a tad slow and the food wasn't anything to rave about. Ok if it's convenient but I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here.
(3)Chris B.
Drake Diner is a solid breakfast place. The food might not win over your heart, but everything I've had there has been pretty good. Also, the place can get Packed. Be prepared to wait around for a while to find a place to sit unless you can avoid the rush.
(4)Andre' C.
My wife and I stopped in three days ago and were sat on the patio. The service was exceptional, hot food and top notch! I do many fund raisers and am hired as an event planner for the Playhouse and other in and around central Iowa groups and Shannon and the staff Mary too, are my bff! Go late at night or early in the morning because you will be greated with a smile in a 50 decor with healthy portions without the sass! I have even brought Grammy artists here late at night after a concert for a quick fix.
(5)Caroline M.
I was having a tough time finding a place for brunch this past weekend, but stumbled upon Drake Diner in a Yelp search (thanks Yelp!) My best friend was in town visiting and we wanted some breakfast before she hit the road back to WI. We arrived shortly after 9am on Sunday and the place was really busy. There was no wait (yay!) and we were seated at a cozy booth. We both liked the classic diner decor. Our server immediately set us up with beverages and took our order. I went with the cinnamon roll french toast. And my friend got the eggs, toast, and bacon. We shared the sausages enrobed in fried pancake batter, because how on earth are we passing that up?! We loved our food, especially those sausage thingys--served on a stick, mind you. Food always tastes better on a stick. Especially when you dip it into a side of maple syrup. Mmm... Service was attentive and my coffee was constantly being refilled. You betcha I'll be back here.
(4)Taylor R.
We walked in and were greeted by no one. After standing around for a few minutes, someone finally came over, said "just two?" We said yep! She stuck us in a booth without saying anything else to us. Our waitress took our order, never once looking us in the eye. I ordered a half order of biscuits and gravy and a side of corn beef hash. My boyfriend got chicken fried steak with eggs. The sausage gravy on both his steak and my biscuits was absolutely flavorless. The corn beef hash was cooked well though and his eggs and hashbrowns were good, too. Although I had only taken one bite of the biscuits and gravy, the waitress never asked if there was anything wrong. We sat without refills through breakfast. And finally, she laid the check on the table while we were still eating. Overall, a total disappointment.
(1)Ian D.
I've been eating here off and on for almost two decades. For diner food, this place is my first choice. Breakfast here is pretty good (although sometimes weekends are busy, there might be a wait), and I've also had quite a few late-night burgers here. The onion rings are delightful. I don't like the cap'n crunch French toast sticks whatnot, but the breakfast menu has plenty of other classic options. Service is usually pretty good in my experience. I think I've only had a couple of times where I was disappointed with the service or food (not bad for two decades).
(4)Sarah C.
Nice casual place, definitely family-friendly. A friend and I each had a burger and thoroughly enjoyed what we had. Her kids had pancakes for dinner and I was impressed with the wide variety of sides on the kids' menu. Lots of healthy options for them too. The outside seating is really lovely!
(3)Jessica A.
Service was quick and friendly, but the food was unimpressive. I would have given it a two stars but the kids and DH enjoyed their sandwiches. My portabella mushroom sandwich was kind of gross and my sweet potato frieds were cold.
(3)Jayne M.
Love the atmosphere of this place and that you can choose breakfast or dinner throughout the day. Did get sick on the eggs benedict once, but a good place for burgers, fries, shakes.
(3)Meredith A.
Don't get the fried chicken. Mine was as hard as a rock and the drill sargeant/waiter/manager knew that I didn't eat it and he didn't care. Also, our table was filthy. F.I.L.T.H.Y. The iced tea was good but I was afraid to ask for more because I didn't want to get yelled at.
(2)He And She I.
What a great breakfast! She had her requisite oatmeal and egg whites, and changed it up with adding their signature pumpkin pancakes. He had a hefty breakfast platter. Later that night, we came back for a hot toddy nightcap...a peppermint "Patty", which was peppermint schnapps in hot chocolate with whipped cream and chocolate sauce, topped with a candy cane. It was so good that we came back another morning for another breakfast, and another night for another nightcap.
(4)Katie L.
Drake Diner has a very cute design and setup. The service, however, was subpar. To be fair, it was pretty busy in the diner, but our waitress took forever to even bring us our beverages. Since we were just driving through Des Moines and were completely new to the diner, we decided to sample a few different things. My mother had their biscuits and gravy; said it wasn't too bad. I got the Sunshine Express that included a croissant with canadian bacon and a side of hashbrowns. The croissant was only good after I put ketchup on it, if that tells you anything. The cheesy hashbrowns aren't really anything other than normal hashbrowns with a bunch of shredded cheese melted all over. We also gave the Waffle Dogs a shot, they sounded like they'd be so delicious! I honestly can't be for sure if they didn't get the waffle dogs from the frozen food aisle at the grocery store. They're exactly like the sausage on a stick with pancake around them to dip in syrup. All in all, I really expected something original and tasty. Maybe I misinterpreted an old fashioned diner as a place that would make homestyle or old fashioned food. Wrong. I don't think we'll stop by next time we drive through Des Moines. :(
(2)Ken L.
In from out of town on business and had never visited Des Moines. Took a long walk over to the Drake University campus on a Saturday morning and stumbled upon this oasis. Wow, amazing breakfast in the quintessential American Diner motif, with lots of classic neon, the old-school Coke napkin dispensers, and of course a long polished row of counter stools. Had the #1 egg breakfast to eat, absolutely get the hash browns with melted cheddar and onions... among the best hash browns I've ever had, great eggs over-easy with wheat toast and ordered an off the hook short stack side of their homemade pumpkin pancakes. I'm a breakfast guy and this is in the running for the best diner I've ever been to. I'm heading back tomorrow to try a shake because they look incredible as well.
(5)Alexis R.
Um...yeah... I think the following statement will sum up how I feel about Drake Diner: my parents and I ate there twice in one day. The diner is amazing. Shiny, clean, and very classic. The waitstaff was so friendly and answered our (sometimes strange) questions. We had the pumpkin pancakes (just like holiday pumpkin bread), some yummy, crunchy grit cakes, and my veggie eggs benedict. Holy moly. Stuffed and happy is how we left the joint. Then, later in the afternoon (What? You thought I was joking?) we came back and I had an eggplant parmesan sandwich and my parents tried some yummy, garlicky chicken entree and meatloaf. Everything was just delicious. Especially my mother's potato cake that came as a side to her chicken dish. I'm fairly certain I haven't had much better than that thing. There's a little something for everyone. You'll definitely find something totally delicious no matter your preferences.
(4)Andrew C.
Never been disappointed by Drake Diner. They have some if the best comfort food option in the city. I love the Rarebit Burger with a side of chili! They have shakes for the kids and wine for the non-kids. :)
(4)Ray B.
First, it is a dinner, so set your expectations as such. Found the staff to be great and liking their job. Limited draft selection, but was also beyond average.
(4)Felicia C.
I love this place! My only complaint is that they are so busy sometimes, but that's really a good problem for a diner to have I suppose. :) I love everything I've ever tried, but my favorites are their Eggs Benedict and a Bloody Mary. I also enjoy their screened in patio.
(5)Yoseph Z.
Great food and good .
(4)Jamie M.
Pretty good place to pick up breakfast. Good food, prices are reasonable, nice atmosphere. Kid was a little lax on keeping the coffee topped off, but not a huge deal. Place is usually busy, so don't expect a seat right away if you come during normal meal hours.
(4)Monica S.
This place gets packed! So get here early, because its worth it. It's a great place to get some classic diner breakfast dishes, coffee, and chat with a group of friends as the waitresses bust their butts around you, keeping your coffee warm and your food out fast. I highly recommend the huge Belguim waffles with fruit or the pumpkin pancakes.
(3)Megan H.
I avoid Drake Diner like the plague, despite having friends who insist on going here. The milkshakes are OK, but as the last reviewer mentioned, REALLY, how are you are going to charge me $5 for a milkshake made with AE ice cream while keeping a straight face??? I noticed that lots of other reviewers commented on inaccurate wait times and service problems. The last time I made the mistake of eating at Drake Diner, a simple meal turned into a three-hour ordeal during which we were yelled at repeatedly by our server, had to declare mutiny and visit the bar when we wanted refills on drinks or even water, and were served the wrong food (all at totally different times - nothing like eating your meal when the rest of your table hasn't even been served appetizers). To add insult to injury, the food was below average and not worth the wait. Really... it's just a basic diner. I know a lot of people have college and high school memories wrapped up with spending time here, but I don't have any fuzzy, nostalgic feelings toward Drake Diner, and since I do not enjoy angry, slow service or mediocre food, I think I'm done here.
(1)Larry P.
I've eaten at Drake Diner many times and never been disappointed. (The lack of parking availability is always frustrating.) I like the place well enough to take family friends there when they visit from outside of Iowa.
(5)Bryan M.
Busy Sunday morning, waited about 20 minutes for a table. I got the potato pancakes and a strawberry-banana smoothie.
(4)Tracy B.
My favorite breakfast place by far in Des Moines. I go there about once a month. I like sitting at the bar better than in a booth or table.
(5)Chuck M.
Being a Boomer, I typically like to check out Diners just for the atmosphere expecting the typical but generally good diner food, but The Drake exceeded my expectations for breakfast. This gem of a Diner is nestled in a woodsy neighborhood not like on a busy highway downtown. This diner is far from being unknown as the place was jumping with patrons on this one Saturday morning. The atmosphere was somewhere between a 20's to a 50's style diner with the lighting and fixtures, it was cozy albeit a little noisy in the main seating area, the service was absolutely superb, and the breakfast was the best I've had in a long time. No wonder it was busy as this appeared to also be a college student favorite as well. Next time we'll sit in the so-called, "Inside/Outside" enclosed section of the diner as it may be a little quieter. I'm not a vegetarian but this dish I tried was the "Vegie Bene" w/onions and cheese which was described so deliciously in the menu, I had to try it. What made this dish was the cheese and onion sauce which was draped all over the wonderfully prepared hash browns and the two good-sized poached medium eggs over their own specially made thick English style muffins. Every bite was yum yum for me. My wife thought the coffee was very weak (A Starbucks girl) and I asked the waiter if they had a bolder coffee. He said no but suggested a blend of their espresso and Americana coffees. She tried it and was very happy with the result. We will definitely be back for more breakfast delights, and would like to try their lunch and dinner items some time.
(4)Caitlin S.
I wanted so badly to like Drake's- but they lost us with the terrible service and lackluster food. First off , we went to the bar while we waited to be seated, to find a bartender that showed up for 30 seconds every 10 minutes- so by the time he did come around, we were frustrated enough with the lack of service we didn't order any drinks. Once seated, it took a solid 30 minutes to get our food- with no apology or even acknowledgment from our waitress, whom was pleasant but really did a bare bones job. I ordered the eggs benedict, which we ok, nothing astounding. My boyfriend got the western skillet and enjoyed it, but then again, how can you screw up a skillet? Overall- a disappointment, the thought was there with the whole diner thing but the delivery was a total let down.
(2)Bryant G.
I don't know why I continue to go here. The food is always lackluster. This time, I got a grilled cheese and fries. How can you mess that up? The bread was dry like toast and the fries tasted like old oil.
(2)Kyleigh J.
Love the breakfast here! I got hooked on the Turkey Reuben and Sweet Potato Fries.
(5)Justin B.
Drake Diner is the diner of diners. They serve the essentials such as burgers, tenderloins and malts but looking at the menu reveals some surprising options. My wife loves their salads, and I religiously order either the pancakes or the Veggie Mex burger, it comes with Guac and black bean relish. Service is always friendly and attentive and the ambiance is a step up from your typical diner. Drake Diner takes the good diner atmosphere, and steps it up a few notches. 4 stars because, for a Diner, this place is great!
(4)Ralph S.
Terrible food--french dip was processed deli beef like you buy in packets at the grocery store. Bun was bland. Fries weren't done, very undercooked. And the service was the worst--it took 15 minutes to order at lunch and she never refilled the tiny glass of water that was my only liquid. Skip this place. Way overrated.
(1)Matt D.
For a basic diner, with average food and service, the prices at the Drake Diner are insane. When I noticed that some desserts, like basic milkshakes, were in the range of $5 or $6, I was astounded and wanted to ask if someone had made a mistake when typing up the menu. Since the Diner actually brags that they use AE ice cream, which is available for far less in a half-gallon container at any local supermarket, there is honestly no justification for this markup. Overall, the food was totally plain and sufficient and service was decent but slow. It took 90 minutes to receive our check after ordering, which seems very slow for a basic diner. I'd say both food and service were totally average. But with so many average options in the area for much reasonable prices, there's really no point in going to the Drake Diner.
(1)Joseph D.
This has been an indelible fixture of Dogtown for years and years. Located just south of Drake University's campus, Drake Diner has a screened in porch to eat in during the summer months, and the entire inside has been retrofitted to represent the fifties era. The food is cheap, but tasty. And there are a boatload of dishes to choose from. The service is attentive and quick. It is a great restaurant to go for a business lunch or to study. If condensed down to only one sentence, I would say that Drake Diner is a charming local establishment located in the heart of a rich and vibrant campus community!
(4)DeWayne K.
We have tried every top 10 restaurant in Des Moines for breakfast and this place blows them away. We also go on Sundays and have always found the wait times average, food excellent, wait staff nice, and its somewhat crowded but the Drake Diner always satisfies. You must eat breakfast here!
(5)Leon R.
This is the best diner I have had in a long time my family and I go here every Thursday night and have breakfast the waitstaff is always friendly the food is very good we get the blueberry pancakes and buttermilk pancakes which are both very good the pancakes come in short stack (2) or tall stack (3) the pancakes r the size of the plate and very fluffy the pumpkin pancakes are also very good havent ever had dinner there but will try sometime and re yelp how it is the waiters that we have ever had keep our drinks filled don't usually have to ask its always very good every time we go here if you haven't had drakes definitely have to go there and give it a try
(5)Janice N.
We went for dinner on a Friday. We waited less than 20 min. Our booth was pretty uncomfortable and we were a mix of sizes ages and shapes. My daughters vegies came out of a bag in the freezer, and not a fresh one. The salmon was mushy and tasteless. Malts and sodas watery. Burgers dry but tasty. Soup good, but not prepared fresh. Service good, kept our drinks filled. Mashed taters and gravy were a hit. Just ok, I might try breakfast
(2)Nathan J.
How could you not like this? loved it when I went to drake. Love it today.
(5)Kim J.
I really, really wanted to love the Drake Diner. It's so cute on the outside - it looks like a fifties style diner with lots of neon signage. But the experience just didn't deliver. We arrived around 11 am on a Sunday morning - meaning we arrived with the post-church crowd. We were quoted a 20 minute wait for 3. 45 minutes later, we were finally sat. I don't mind waiting for a table - but if the wait is going to be double what was originally quoted, a little heads-up would be good. Once we sat, it took quite awhile for someone to come to our table. We were almost to the point where we were going to go ask the hostess if someone was going to take our order. But finally, someone showed up and we placed an order. I wanted one of their awesome-sounding veggie burgers, but they were out. Veggie burgers are an entire page in your menu but you're out? Weird. Forty minutes later, our food finally came. It takes 40 minutes to whip up a few orders of egg dishes? Something doesn't seem right here. Luckily, my veggie omelette was quite good. I opted to switch out the hashbrowns for a cup of the veggie cheese soup, which was thick and delicious and the saving grace of this experience. I'd give this place another chance - I think it might have just been an off day. But I really, really wasn't impressed.
(2)Jessica K.
One our favorite places to have Sunday breakfast. Classic dinner food and a little something different. Try the waffle dogs!
(5)Bob J.
The other reviews are way off. The host was friendly and seated us right away. The waitress was attentive and helpful. My medium-rare rarebit burger was delicious as were the fries and pumpkin shake. Five dollars for the milk shake. Well, it was the best milkshake I have had in years. Yeah! The variety of Jones sodas made my daughter's day My wife loved her portabella sandwich The diner is upscale and the quality of the food and service justify the prices. This is not a Denny's.
(4)Scott C.
A little bit of everyting. Not bad
(4)Tony G.
I had breakfast at Drake. The food was good but I wouldn't called it outstanding. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't disappointing by any means but I thought it was about what anyone would expect from a diner. The only real complaint was the time it took us to get our food given the fact that the place was no where near full.
(3)Katie M.
Great old school diner. The chocolate peanut butter malt is to die for!!
(3)Chris F.
I have lots of friends who love this place, I'm not a huge fan. Their Maytag Bleu cheese salad dressing and maytag bleu cheese burgers are both really good though.
(3)J. K.
I have a lot of memories wrapped up in the Double D. From the last meal I ate with my Mom and Dad before I began my college experience, casual summer reunion meals with friends, to a lunch stop on my journey to destinations further West. Burgers and Shakes are good if not tasty, but as has been said - how often have you had awesome Diner food? Prices are good, Decor is fun without being campy and overdone. Location is great for either a DU student to take break from the weekday Hubbel routine to a Sunday dinner.
(4)Roz S.
The Drake Diner is a great place to stop for lunch after a Farmer's Market excursion! The menu selections are wide, with both breakfast and lunch choices. They also have lots of great options for vegetarians. Perhaps you'll be more daring (and less health-conscious) than I and you'll try the "Cake Shake"... a milkshake made with a slice of chocolate cake blended in. I've eaten at the Drake Diner many times and have never had a bad meal or bad service. If you like the food, you can also stop into the West End Diner in West Des Moines near Valley West Mall - they seem to have the same menu.
(4)Lim K.
Usually we go to Cracker Barrel for breakfast on Sundays after church but we wanted to try a different place so we decided to try Drake Diner for the first time. We were promptly seated in the patio area. I ordered grilled grits with two eggs and my husband ordered a turkey club sandwich which came with sweet potato fries. The grilled grits tasted blend and were a little dry. My husband liked his sandwich. Overall, the service was good and we enjoyed the patio dining.
(3)Ricky T.
You won't be seeing this one on Diners Drive ins and Dives anytime soon. Just a run of the mill nothing to special about this place. You can find most items on any menu in the U.S.A.
(3)Jon G.
This place is great for Breakfast, my wife and I always take our friends from out of town here to show them a unique Iowa place to eat. I have only had breakfast here so I don't know much about their lunch and dinner offerings but for Breakfast it is a great place to eat. The offer a nice variety of skillets, omelets, and pancakes. My wife loves their pumpkin pancakes and I would recommend the eggs benedict.
(5)Bryan L.
Went in at 8pm, barely received a hello, ordered a Grinder & a salad after being ignored for 15 minutes. After 35 minutes of not even seeing our waitress, we got our food & the salad wasn't the one we ordered. Overall, slow/minimum service, ok food, & way below expectations. D-
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