RoCA
208 Court Ave, Des Moines, IA, 50309
RoCA Menu
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Soups, Salads & Entrees
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Sandwiches
Diabetics at Johnny Rockets
Johnny Rockets serves burgers which are generally high in sodium and fat. Ensure that you pick the burgers which are light and doesn't contain too much sodium. Try ordering salads if you're concerned about your sugar intake and looking for healthy choices.
Foods to Avoid at Johnny Rockets for Diabetics:
Johnny Rockets is a fine dining place for burgers, but you must be selective if you're a diabetic. Skip all kinds of dressing when you order a burger at Johnny Rockets as it will only spike the sodium content on your meal. Salads are often considered diabetic-friendly but not the ones at Johnny Rockets. Avoid Crispy Chicken Club Salad and Grilled Chicken Club Salad as they are too high in sodium and fat.
Make sure you opt for water instead of the drinks available on the Johnny Rockets menu. Besides Diet Coke and Coffee, most of the drinks served at Johnny Rockets are high in sugar. Skip the shakes at Johnny Rockets to avoid high sugar intake. Breakfast is always preferred heavy for diabetics but most of the breakfast items on the Johnny Rockets menu are high in sodium and must be avoided.
Food Suggestions for Diabetics at Johnny Rockets:
Rocket Single Burger (1 Serving)
Nutritional Facts: 240 calories, 20g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 10g), 350mg sodium, 10g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein
Bacon Cheddar Burger (1 serving)
Nutritional Facts: 330 calories, 30g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 10g), 650mg sodium, 10g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein
Route 66 Burger (1 serving)
Nutritional Facts: 330 calories, 30g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 10g), 280mg sodium, 10g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein
Route 66 Double Burger (1 serving)
Nutritional Facts: 410 calories, 40g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 10g), 320mg sodium, 10g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein
The Original Burger (1 serving)
Nutritional Facts: 240 calories, 20g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat0g), 590mg sodium, 10g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Hot Tea (8 fluid ounces)
Nutritional Facts: 0 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat0g), 10mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Sweet Potato Fries, Side (1 serving)
Nutritional Facts: 220 calories, 10g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat0g), 370mg sodium, 30g carbs, 10g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein
Side of Fries (1 serving)
Nutritional Facts: 190 calories, 10g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 460mg sodium, 30g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Healthy Meal suggestions for RoCA
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Soups, Salads & Entrees
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Sandwiches
High Blood Pressure at Johnny Rockets
Fast-food restaurants are your last resort if you are suffering from high BP. Most fast food restaurants including Johnny Rockets offer foods rich in sodium. High sodium intake can be even lethal for people concerned with high blood pressure. However, you can always try the salads or choose food without any extra dressing or side dishes to limit your sodium intake.
Foods to Avoid at Johnny Rockets for High Blood Pressure
It is extremely important to avoid any kind of burgers with extra dressing at Johnny Rockets. You must also skip any kind of breakfast items except Pancakes at Johnny Rockets. Also, avoid Breakfast Belt Sandwich and Rocket Breakfast Burger at Johnny Rockets as both these items are too high in sodium. Also, avoid Crispy Chicken Salad and Grilled Chicken Club Salad as well as any kind of dressing on other low-sodium salads available at Johnny Rockets. Skip shakes containing Oreo on the Johnny Rockets menu as Oreo shakes served at Johnny Rockets are high in sodium.
Food Suggestions for High Blood Pressure at Johnny Rockets
Strawberry Chocolate Swirl Milkshake (1 shake)
Nutritional Facts: 810 calories, 40g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 30g), 300mg sodium, 90g carbs, 90g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein
Rocket Single Burger (1 serving)
Nutritional Facts: 240 calories, 20g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat10g), 350mg sodium, 10g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein
Route 66 Burger (1 serving)
Nutritional Facts: 240 calories, 20g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat10g), 350mg sodium, 10g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein
Garden Salad (1 serving)
Nutritional Facts: 150 calories, 10g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat10g), 260mg sodium, 10g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein
Side Salad (1 serving)
Nutritional Facts: 70 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat0g), 110mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Apple Juice (10 fluid ounces)
Nutritional Facts: 140 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat0g), 30mg sodium, 30g carbs, 30g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant blood pressure menu details.
High Cholesterol at Johnny Rockets
Burgers fall into the fast-food category and most fast-food items are high in cholesterol. If you're suffering from high cholesterol, then it is advised that you skip any meal with excessive fat and sugar.
Foods to Avoid at Johnny Rockets for High Cholesterol
You must skip all types of dressing on your burger. Also, avoid burgers like Smoke House Burger at all costs from Johnny Rockets menu. Skip all the drinks except coffee, iced tea, and diet coke as they are completely unhealthy for people with high cholesterol. Breakfast items on Johnny Rockets are very high in cholesterol and it is strictly recommended to avoid all the breakfast items on their menu including the sandwiches.
Food Suggestions to Maintain Cholesterol Level at Johnny Rockets
Kids Cappuccino Crunch Milkshake (1 shake)
Nutritional Facts: 740 calories, 30g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 20g), 310mg sodium, 100g carbs, 80g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein
Garden Black Bean Burger (1 serving)
Nutritional Facts: 330 calories, 30g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat10g), 650mg sodium, 10g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein
The Spicy Houston Burger (1 serving)
Nutritional Facts: 190 calories, 20g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat10g), 700mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein
Kids Banana Shake (1 shake)
Nutritional Facts: 560 calories, 30g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat20g), 190mg sodium, 60g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein
Johnny's Breakfast Sandwich (1 serving)
Nutritional Facts: 180 calories, 20g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat10g), 230mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 10g Protein
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.
Q & A on Johnny Rockets
Who owns Johnny Rockets?
Johnny Rockets is founded by Ronn Teitelbaum. Today, the restaurant chain is owned by Sun Capital Partners.
Does Johnny Rockets serve breakfast?
Yes, Johnny Rockets has a separate breakfast section, especially for breakfast meal. Johnny Rockets serves breakfast all day and night.
Where is Johnny Rockets located near me?
There are over 320 Johnny Rockets outlets across the United States. You can find a Johnny Rockets restaurant nearby using our Restaurant Listings directory.
What time does Johnny Rockets open and close?
All Johnny Rockets restaurants in the United States opens at 8 AM and stays open till 9 PM. Some Johnny Rockets restaurants stay open till midnight at some locations.
Does Johnny Rockets have gluten-free?
Johnny Rockets offers a wide range of gluten-free items. You can opt for the gluten-free bun to turn your burger into a gluten-free burger. For assurance, you can check out Johnny Rockets gluten-free menu.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
About Johnny Rockets
Johnny Rockets is a restaurant franchise headquartered in the United States. The American restaurant chain features 1950s diner-style restaurant format with individual jukebox stations, red vinyl seats, chrome accents, etc. There are around 320 Johnny Rockets restaurants in the United States.
Ron Teitelbaum from Los Angeles, California founded Johnny Rockets as a recreation of the 1940s vintage themed malt shops of his childhood. The first Johnny Rockets began its operations on June 6, 1986. Johnny Rockets specializes in American burgers and sandwiches as well as offers salads, starters, and shakes to enrich your dining experience at Johnny Rockets.
Healthy Food Options at Johnny Rockets
Johnny Rockets is a fast-food restaurant and finding healthy food at Johnny Rockets can be a bit tricky. While you can always opt for the salads and healthy shakes at Johnny Rockets for healthy options, there are also some healthy burgers and sandwiches which you can bet on. Ensure that the sugar, sodium, and cholesterol is in check when you order food at Johnny Rockets.
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Address :
208 Court Ave
Des Moines, IA, 50309 - Phone (515) 282-3663
- Website https://www.rocadsm.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
- Mon :Closed
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Parking : Garage
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Hipster
Noise Level : Loud
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : No
Coat Check : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Alison M.
I really enjoyed this spot once we got past the hostess. On a Thursday evening, it was busy but not packed, however the hostess told us if we didn't have a reservation, we'd have to sit at the bar. She was quite cold and unwelcoming. We were fine with with sitting at the bar, and once we got settled, the bartender was awesome to us. He took great care of us and was entertaining to boot. I ordered the stuffed pork chop and it was delicious - possibly the best I've ever had. My guest had the salmon and said it was wonderful as well. They had a great selection of beer, wine and specialty cocktails on the menu to boot. While we enjoyed our meals, the dining tables never filled up and we definitely could have been seated at some point after all. I would go back but hope the hostess is different to get the evening started on a better note.
(4)Sue K.
the first time I went to RoCA, it was amazing. The 2nd time not so much. Made a reservation through Open Table to go after a show at the Civic Center. After an hour, our waiter informed us that they overbooked and needed our table. I was appalled. This has never happened in my life. The waiter said he was able to get us another half hour. We hadn't even ordered dinner yet, just had appetizers. We could tell the waiter was very uncomfortable being put in this position so we moved to the bar. After a half hour at the bar, the table was still empty!. In order to be fair, I emailed one of the owners. He responded, very apologetic asking for my information so they could make it up to me. Over a month later, I'm still waiting.
(1)Kirstin H.
Our company Xmas party was held in the basement here. We got to try many things off the menu. I was impressed! Flatbread pizzas were great. For small plates, our table had mussels, escargot, crab cakes & ribeye skewers. All were fantastic... Mussels and crab cakes were best imo. For entree ribeye was phenomenal. Tried a bite of pork chop and thought it was too salty. Didn't care for the root beer sliders they recommended. Way too sweet! Other than a couple disappointments, thought it was wonderful. Good service too!
(5)Andrew G.
We ordered the Pulled pork sliders and the filet. The filet was actually pretty good. Came with french fries and green beans. The french fries tasted like REALLY REALLY good Mc'donald's fries. And I mean that as a compliment. The food was really fresh and tasted amazing!!! Also, they have a great drink menu.
(4)Melissa D.
The service was atrocious. The bar tender actually told me he had "other things to do" after he asked me how my drink was and I was slow to articulate my opinion.
(1)Jennifer R.
Great food, we love to go and have a few small plates, and sit at the bar and have a few cocktails. We frequent here often on a random evening where we want a night out it is a great place to venture to!
(5)Katie K.
Whatever you do, make sure you make a reservation to sit upstairs. If you walk in and they want to sit you in the basement, come back another time. We made the mistake of walking in and they sat us in the musty, mildew smelling downstairs. It was extremely appetite ruining. Furthermore, there was a drip in the ceiling that dripped onto us and our table. The water smelled like urine or a combination of urine and stale water. It was disgusting. Now, to the food and wine. Not an overly impressive wine list, but the server made some good suggestions and let me try a couple of tastes before deciding on a wine, which was greatly appreciated. I got the tomato soup and grilled goat cheese croquette - delicious. The soup was a bit on the spicy side, but tasted good. I also got the vegetable ratatouille which was just ok. Some of the crostinis were warmed and others were cold and stale which is gross. My dining companions had the salmon, no complaints, and the other had the pasta special which she enjoyed. I would definitely try this place again but I would never sit in the basement!
(3)Angie C.
I invited a friend from out of town to join me for a girls day lunch at RoCA. What an amazing experience! I had the root beer pork sliders and coleslaw and I cannot even come up with enough good words to describe this plate, I will just saw best ever!!! I had to try the smoking bourbon and although I have never had bourbon it was full of unique flavor. I will be returning again and again!!!
(5)Aaron C.
This is a really unique place with a wonderful drink menu. The smoking gun is a must try for anyone who enjoys whiskeys. The staff is really hit and miss and that is the only reason for not getting 5 stars. Some nights I would give it 2 given the staff and some 5. It is worth a try if you are in the area.
(4)Heather V.
I loved this place! The small plates are so unique and delicious plus the wine selection is well designed for the food. The chef came to our table and invited us to a private party for a full meal and wine tasting. It was so gracious and pofessional of him and the waitress was helpful with selections and attentive! I hope you'll get a chance to meet the chef soon too!
(5)Kelsey K.
Wasn't terribly impressed with my whole experience. Went on a weekend night, but had to wait longer than I had expected for a table. The drinks were good, but the food left something to be desired, especially given the prices. There are better choices for a nice dinner. The building is pretty cool, though!
(3)Patrick T.
It's 6pm on a Friday night in downtown DSM, I wanted to go get a drink before my wife and I went off with our respected boys night/girl's night dinners! We had not been to RoCA yet so we hit it up for a drink! Well it was packed we found 2 seats on the small bar type table above the stairs and scanned over the drink menu and food menu! Lots of Small plate stuff here, only bummer about the whole place is there is only 1 or 2 vegan options.. Oh well we were just here to get drinks anyway! The drinks are where it's at! Total Mixologist stuff going on here, My wife ordered a bourbon drink that was served in a bottle with SMOKE in it! Our waitress shook it up, clouding the bottle and then poring it over a hand cut ice cube, and a orange peel! Im not much of a bourbon guy, but I tried it and it was very smooth! I wouldn't make it in Kentucky! I'm a beer guy and they had a great selection of over 20 craft beers here! I chose the Stone To-Go IPA, which I had never had and it was fantastic! They also have a huge wine selection! 15 bucks was our tab for the fancy Bourbon and the great IPA.. Not to shabby! I really dig the design of the restaurant, long and narrow, with high top tables, and a great bar area! Wine bottle art, and cool paintings! It's pretty dim lighting would be perfect for a date, but It does get a bit loud in here! I do look forward to going back and trying 1 of those vegan options for food!
(4)Jessica H.
I was there on a Wednesday night and it was very busy. I was traveling for business, so I was alone. I sat at the bar and had a cheese plate which was delicious. Ordered a glass of Cabernet and it was served to me in a warm glass, but the bartender was quick to bring me a new glass. Food was great and the atmosphere was fun, but the Service staff seemed a bit overwhelmed. I'd still go back and give them another try when I'm in town again.
(4)Chad V.
Sat in the basement area with rustic ambiance. Service was fantastic, and we were served a free "thank you" appetizer by the chef before we ordered. The rest of the food was excellent tasting and perfectly prepared. They have some excellent, unique libations. Great time had by all the table!
(5)Arin E.
This is one of my new favorite spots! I went there for lunch and had the chicken sandwich. The bartender was great! And the cocktails are the most delicious drinks I have ever had! This place is definitely worth going to if you want good food portions and great cocktails!
(5)Gerald Z.
Stopped in with my lovely wifey on a cold blustery night last week. I had made a reservation on opentable (and I am glad I did as it was pretty busy). We opted to sit at the bar as the tables are VERY close together. In summary its a nice bar with some gastro-pubby food and some very nice handcrafted unique cocktails. The price point and food quality ratio was just right for us. We will be back. Onto the detailed review...we ordered three dishes to share, their smothered tater tots, Ribeye skewers, and Rootbeer braised pork sliders. The smothered tater tots were great...they aren't traditional tater tots but small chunks of potatoes that are browned outside and crispy inside. They are covered with gravy and turkey. Best way I can describe is it takes like thanksgiving in a mouthful. Very yummy very rich, this was the first dish that was gone. The rootbeer braised pork sliders were good, the bread was not dry (seems to me that burger/slider buns are always dry...) and it had a sweet mayo on it. It was definitely a bit one note but VERY good. The ribeye skewers were our least favorite. I am not a big fan of food that i can easily make at home. These I could easily make at home and maybe make better BUT they were still tasty. Like the pork sliders though they were very one note. Tater Tots smothered in turkey heart gravy wins hands down. For dessert we had a bread pudding which was good not intensely amazing that would cause my wife and I to duel forks as we shared the dish but good nonetheless. Here is a tip. Sit at the bar, they will give you better service and you can hear their recommendations on the food (we ordered the tater tots because a server said that they have those for their staff lunch and they love it). We will be back to try some of their other menu items..or maybe just for those tater tots!!!
(3)Greg S.
To sum up Roca in one sentence: It is one of a handful of area restaurants that make Des Moines a legitimate food destination. You are going to spend a little more to eat and drink here but the pricing is not crazy and the food is real good. If you are a beer and wine person prices are not bad and specialty drinks fall in line (lots of these). Something I found cool was a choice in portion size. They were small plates but you could chose how small. Nothing was super small. I chose half size of olives (my better half is an olive person) and I could not get over how large the portion. Olives were really good and I am not an olive person. All the food was good and it was very hard to chose a favorite but the root beer glazed pork slider was the most memorable for its uniqueness. I will definitely be back for the food and atmosphere. I am not a huge fan of the high tables and super closeness to my neighbor's table but can see how it adds to Roca's coziness.
(5)Heather J.
RoCA is my new fave after-theatre stop. Great selection of small plates, wine, drinks and brews. We walked in about 4:30-ish after seeing 'Kinky Boots' this past saturday and scored the last 2 seats at the bar. This place is the go to for the after dinner crowd it seems while the wait staff was saying it was slow...wow! We tried a few cocktails and small plates. Absolutely loved the drunken mussels. We had so much fun we made a reservation for after we see 'Pippin' at the end of February. It was that good. Love the decor and openness of this restaurant. Tip the only restrooms are downstairs.
(4)Ben H.
Very hip and trendy, this place definitely has a big city feel and makes a good addition to downtown Da Moyne. I'm a sucker for exposed brick and dim lighting, both of which they have in (david) spades. Having moved here from Chicago, this place has a very Chicago-y vibe (with some Chicago prices to boot). On to the show. The drinks are the real star here. The complimentary whiskey punch they brought us out before our dinner was delicious and deserves it's own spot on the menu. My Old Fashioned was roof-raising good, containing just one giant ice cube. The drink definitely had some swagger. For food, we ordered a bunch of shared plates that we shared with another couple. They are listed as such: Mac and Cheese with mushrooms and chicken: Definitely the consensus favorite. I liked it better than the mac and cheese at the aptly named Cheese Shop, which was also quite good. Not too heavy, but delicious. Cheese and Meat board: hit or miss. Just depends on your tolerance for cheeses you don't know and fancy, uncooked meats. Roca smothered tots: I really enjoyed these, perhaps more than anyone at the table. The "tots" are more chunky potatoes though, not "tater tots" per se. The turkey on them was very good as well. A very rich dish, but worth it. Ribeye Skewers: Meh. They had an Asian flair to them, but were overcooked and everyone's least favorite dish. Spinach, artichoke, bacon and smoked chicken flatbread: Also very good. Solid B. All in all, a very good experience and great date spot. I'm interested in trying some of their large plates next time, and working my way down the cocktail list. (One caveat is that the beer list is pretty underwhelming - the chef's favorite beer is Stella, really? - but this is a place I suppose you come for the cocktails, not the beer)
(4)Meaghan M.
Amazing service. Was seated immediately and our water didn't reach half full all night. I had the root beer infused sliders with the bib wedge salad. Throughout the night I sipped on the cocktail titled "spontaneously horny" that was suggested by our fabulous waitress, Melinda. The music playing all night was also fantastic!! Great place to be in Des Moines!!
(5)Stacy B.
Went to Roca with my boyfriend on March 13th and had a delicious meal. We had the Root Beer Pulled Pork Sliders that all of my friends raved about. They didn't disappoint. We also ordered to Roasted Chicken Mac and Cheese. It was amazing too. The cheese was delicious. I had a Sutliff Cider and my boyfriend has the Pinot. Both very tasty. Hoping to try one of the craft cocktails next time we go back. We did love it so much that we ordered the same thing the next day while drinking at Shorty's. We also added the Spinach and Artichoke dip which I thought was really tasty. Overall great experience and neat ambiance in the restaurant.
(4)Christine L.
We will easily enjoy a second review but had to be on the books for an incredibly enjoyable experience. A fantastic time with delicious drinks and beautiful large-ice drinks that dazzled from the start.
(5)Melissa M.
As a former Sbrocco fan, I was pleasantly surprised to discover upon meeting a friend at RoCA [aside from my slight annoyance with the hipster originality of this name] this past Saturday that RoCA is in fact the new Sbrocco! This means a few things: 1. Kris, one of the bartenders, is still working which makes me happy. He's super nice, fun, and knowledgeable about wine and will always give you great recommendations. And maybe even a free cocktail drink with an umbrella. Maybe. 2. A pretty decent wine list. But, now that they're not just focused on wine, they've expanded to extremely cool cocktails and a really legit beer selection. I'm a fan of that. 3. The food is somewhere between "okay" and "good." Nothing really blew me away, but everything was certainly as described. We tried the smoked chicken mac and cheese (which was way too creamy and nowhere nearly enough actual cheese for me), the spinach artichoke flatbread (which was alright - heavy on the toppings and decent flavor, but the crust was lacking and actually kind of burnt), and the roasted tomato and goat cheese shpread (which was pretty alright, but kind of bland and not super exciting.) Overall, a relatively decent meal can be had here, but it's not somewhere to go if you really want to treat yourself. Personally, I'd just come for drinks and the atmosphere. I'll probably be back; let's be honest, wherever there's good wine, beer, AND cocktails in Des Moines, it's bound to last.
(3)Andrew D.
The atmosphere is upscale, comfy, but casual. You come here to talk, enjoy a cocktail, and eat good food. The few TV's they have offer volumeless programming that adds to the feel of the joint...in our few visits. Slighty tight with the tables. Their artisan drink menu offers a lot for a reasonable price. The Smoking Gun is a fun choice. My wife and usually enjoy 3-4 half portions off the small plates menu. One item we always get are the Root Beer Braised Pork Sliders. Our favorite place downtown. We use OpenTable.com for resurvations.
(5)Andrew J.
Went there for Valentine's Day and setup a Reservation through OpenTable about a month in advance. Hostess called me to confirm reservation on Thursday before. Yet when we showed up for out reservation there was no record of it. Hostess apolgized and explanied they were having trouble with OpenTable and also confirmed that she fact did call me. Thankfuly she had a table for us, and her making that happen was much appreciated, sorry i can't remember her name. Loved the ambience of the place, very warm and welcoming, The exposed brick is a nice touch. Easy to see why this is becoming a hot spot in Downtown. Our Waitress was fantastic and very helpful, can't remember her name as well. I ordered an old-fashioned which was perfect. Girlfriend asked for a wine suggestion, and our waitress gave her some reccomendations and she loved her choice. We arent't really used to the shared plate concept, but we really enjoyed it. We ordered the Root Beer Braised Pork Sliders, which i could not get enough of, they were like candy, so decadent. Also ordered the Spinich & Artichoke Flatbread, which was just as good. Looking through the menu and i spotted several things i wish i could try. Next time we are through Des Moines again we will defintely stop by.
(5)Andrea O.
We went for lunch and were very happy with our meal. The atmosphere was great, the waitress was attentive, and the food was delicious (especially the truffle fries!) We would definitely go again. I'd like to go back and try some of the yummy looking coctails.
(5)Andy P.
There are a lot of excellent bartenders in this town, and I count some of them among my very closest friends. But only a few times in my drinking career (yes, I'm calling it that) have I been served by a mixologist with such obsessive attention to detail, and all in the middle of the dinner rush. Over the course of our evening, our bartender (who's name I will omit out of courtesy) engaged us in a wealth of friendly conversation. He was also kind enough to use my date and I as guinea pigs to "dial in" RoCa's cocktail menu, so we got to sample the full list. RoCa is getting a little press lately about their hand-cut ice cubes but, while these were indeed excellent, they are just the tip of the high-end cocktail iceberg. (Is that a pun? I don't know--we'll just call it wordplay.) This bar employs many tricks of the trade that I've never seen in DSM before. I was very impressed, both with the creativity and taste of all the drinks served. As for the food, it was also very good. It definitely took a back-burner to the great drinks in my opinion, but excellent fare nonetheless. The menu features primarily shared-plate items of the haute cuisine variety. The wait staff was fantastic, and the executive chef stopped over to ask how our night was going. One of the cheeses on our plate was rolled in nuts, and my gf is mildly allergic. When I asked the chef if he could possibly prepare a version without them, he nodded and vanished, only to reappear smiling two minutes later with a full serving sans nuts. RoCa has a lot of competition on Court Avenue, but if they maintain this level of precision, class and service beyond their honeymoon period, it will quickly become one of my favorite venues in Des Moines.
(5)Lucy L.
The atmosphere is nice... but that's about it. Service was really, really slow. I'm not one to write bad reviews, and usually make excuses for when I'm disappointed by something, but this was just plain weird. The food was utterly tasteless and tasted like it had been microwaved. Tried to order 2 different bottles of wine and they were out of both. Waitress didn't help recommend anything either, just kept leaving and asking the bartender. I wouldn't have even care if she had made shit up, I just wanted a damn bottle or red wine! So we switched to cocktails and they were equally as tasteless as the food. I'm sorry, but it's true :(
(1)kaitlin p.
The menu is a bit misleading. I got the white bean hummus, assuming it would be a somewhat typical hummus, but instead it had goat cheese in it. Being a (not so strict) vegan, I could have done without the hidden cheese. Although, it tasted good, had quite a zing to it, but I'm sure they would have exchanged it if I had asked, I'm not one to disturb a busy server, and the service was very nice. So just a warning, if you have dietary restrictions, choose cautiously.
(3)Yuxi J.
Like this place. Great cocktails. The bar tenders really know what to do. Plus great food. They give half portion choice. So you could do half of multiple dishes and try more stuff.
(5)Lindsay E.
Very nice place. We went on a Saturday afternoon around 4 and there was a table of 6 and a couple at the bar. We had awesome service. We sat at the bar and they handed us a bunch of menus. The drink menu is amazing! We had drinks, I got the last word cocktail and hubs got the gin and tonic with Hendricks gin. They asked if he wanted cucumber or mint and he got the cucumber. Drink was delicious! Mine was very good too and had chartreuse which I had never had. The bartender offered a sample and I was sold. We will definitely be coming back to eat. I already have the beef carpaccio picked out and the oyster plate. Our new go to in Des Moines. The decor is also classy and cool. They even make their own syrups.
(5)Brittany R.
The shared plates are such an awesome feature. It allows for more food choices for a group and better ability to try more items. The kale and quinoa salad is a great choice as a side as well. We had an incident where a member of my party broke a glass, and the staff was super helpful and efficient! Our food and glasses were replaced and the entire situation was cleaned up quickly.
(5)Alan H.
Great sliders and great cocktails. The first impression cocktail was incredible. Never tasted something so well crafted.
(5)Brad S.
Party of six and we tried most of the menu... Was all quite good. The standouts shrimp fritters and Graziano flatbread. Bbq flatbread was good too. Liked the smothered tater tots and the Asian turkey wrap. Beer selection was strong. Service was very very good. Highly recommend!
(4)Ashley B.
I could eat here every.single.day . The pork sliders had the best pork I've ever had and the butternut squash bisque is phenomenal! The drinks are great, I tried the 2nd one on the list with the elderflower liqueur.
(5)John S.
Overhyped, average at best food. Pretentious drinks that are over priced served by a staff that is grossly under trained. In three visits we had two cracked glasses, way overcooked ribeye and a waiter they put 3 tables on to one bill. Terrible restaurant, I have no doubt it will be gone in a year.
(2)Jake D.
Had the hoisin skewers...great Rocafeller oysters......just ok Root beer slider ........BEST flavor!!!! Cocktails blew my mind Great atmosphere great staff go there tonight
(4)Joe S.
Great place! Packed so sat at bar. Great bartenders! Asked 2 different ones to recommend a drink with my tastes and both did well. Most bartenders don't want to think about it and give you the old basics. Good was really tasty but small for this fat guy.
(4)