Des Moines, Iowa: El Bait Shop
If you do a cursory search for the best places to eat in Des Moines, El Bait Shop is definitely one of the spots that will pop up for you. We went in the middle of the day on a Tuesday, but El Bait Shop definitely seems like the kind of place to be busier on a Friday or Saturday.
If you come during warm weather, there’s plenty of outdoor seating. The exterior of the building features red brick, with spray painted logos and emblems.
El Bait Shop Indoor Dining Area
About El Bait Shop
Des Moines, IA might not be an automatic stop on everyone’s map, but locals know there are a few foodie gems. Theo and I lived in Des Moines for a year and took every opportunity to try new spots, one of which was El Bait Shop.
The El Bait Shop website doesn’t have an about page, or much information about the establishment at all. According to Food Network, El Bait Shop advertises the largest selection of microbrews in the world, but as a non-drinker, I can’t really help to verify that claim or provide my opinion on their selection.
In fact, the beer at El Bait Shop is such a big deal that, according to the Des Moines Register, “readers of Craft Beer & Brewing voted El Bait Shop the 14th best beer bar in the world.”
But, as I said before—Theo and I aren’t drinkers. What that left for us was a broad menu of offerings, featuring plenty of American classics.
Broasted Chicken Dinner
Is El Bait Shop any good?
Our experience of El Bait Shop is a bit skewed compared to the average patron. For one, we went during the middle of the week. If you’re the kind of person who wants a quieter meal, I would definitely suggest doing the same. Otherwise, the space can get pretty crowded and loud on the weekends.
Additionally, neither Theo nor I are drinkers, so we weren’t all that enticed by what many would consider to be El Bait Shop’s biggest draw—the impressive selection of beer.
Usually if a restaurant has mocktails, I’ll give them a go, but El Bait Shop’s NA selection stops and ends with NA beer. These are the non-alcoholic options currently available at El Bait Shop:
Non-Alcoholic Orange Peel Wit
Non-Alcoholic Mango Dragonfruit Fruited Sour
American Gold (Non-Alcoholic)
Non-Alcoholic Juicy IPA
Non-Alcoholic Italian Pilsner
I’m not a fan of beer taste in general, so we didn’t give those NA beers a try, but they are there if you’re a non-drinker, sober, or just giving alcohol a break.
So back to the question—is El Bait Shop any good?
My overall assessment is that I liked the vibes and environment a lot more than the food, but that might just be me. Let’s get into it.
El Bait Shop Broasted Chicken Dinner
Broasted Chicken Dinner
When you look over the menu at El Bait Shop, the broasted chicken is definitely one of the heavy hitters. It’s “cooked with a patented pressure-frying process that produces some of the best chicken you'll ever have.”
My overall impression of the chicken was that it was a little too salty for me, but I know I’ve got a little lower tolerance for salt than most. Theo loved it, so if you don’t mind your food being saltier, this might be a good meal for you.
The mashed potatoes with brown gravy were good—but also a bit salty for my taste. Our other side was the mac and cheese. If there’s one thing to know about me, it’s that I want to try the mac and cheese everywhere we go. If it’s on the menu, I’m going to try it.
The mac and cheese was a deluxe side, so we paid the upcharge, and I found it was just okay in terms of taste and texture—a little tacky, but certainly not the worst mac and cheese I’ve had.
What to know before you visit El Bait Shop
At Postcards and Pins, we understand the awkward traveler, because that’s often us. We always try to compile some information to understand before visiting each location. These are some things to keep in mind about El Bait Shop:
The entrance is kind of hard to find. El Bait Shop is connected to the High Life Lounge, and the building is kind of an odd shape. This can make walking in a bit nerve-wracking. When we return, we’ll include a picture showing exactly which door to go in when you visit.
Weekends will be loud and crowded. Our initial visit to El Bait Shop was on a Tuesday, but if you’re looking to go on the weekend, it will definitely be busier and loud. If you’re looking for somewhere more chill, or somewhere that can easily accomodate large groups, this is probably not the best place.
If you’re a non-drinker, there are better options. Unless you’re specifically looking for some NA beer options, you’re not going to find a lot here if you’re sober or a non-drinker.
Final thoughts on El Bait Shop
All in all, I think El Bait Shop is worth visiting if you’re a beer person, or if you’re looking for an eclectic place to get some food. El Bait Shop definitely gives me salt and meat vibes more than light and fresh, so it might be best for a heavier, heartier meal than a quick lunch stop.
Let us know what you love about El Bait Shop and what we should try if we go back!
