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A few weeks back I noticed a new, hand-painted sign just a few blocks away from my house: “Belle’s Kitchen. Home Cooked Food. Now Open.” I was slightly perplexed, because the sign was located in what seemed to be the parking lot of an apartment complex. That made me curious enough to find out what, and where, this business was.
Turns out Belle’s Kitchen is located in the basement of The White House, a meeting site that hosts dinners, groups and sometimes Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. After entering and being directed to walk through the large meeting room (where a meeting was going on), we found Belle Miller manning the grill and taking orders in a little diner-like room with a scenic view of the Des Moines River.
Miller opened the restaurant about six months ago, but only recently placed the sign out front. Belle’s has the look and feel of a diner, with a long counter and several tables scattered around the room. Friday lunch business was steady when we stopped in.
Belle’s serves breakfast all day, along with a variety of lunch options and daily specials. I went for the homemade breaded tenderloin, which Miller told me she makes herself daily. My wife ordered the breakfast special, which included two eggs, a choice of bacon, sausage or ham, hash browns and toast.
We were a little nervous about what to expect from this hidden-away spot housed in an unlikely location, but it was shockingly good. Like Belle’s-might-be-my-new- favorite-tenderloin-in-town good. The breading was crisp, the meat inside was tender and juicy. The fries stayed hot the entire meal, and despite Belle’s Kitchen being pretty much a one-woman show, service was great and friendly.
My wife enjoyed her breakfast, which arrived with fluffy scrambled eggs and bacon cooked to just the right level of crispness. But after a bite of my sandwich she regretted not ordering the tenderloin. This thing might be magic. Despite being very full after finishing it, I felt the overwhelming desire for another one for the road.
Belle’s Kitchen is a little gem, hidden away in a place you would never expect such delicious food.
Our receipt
Our receipt
Hand-breaded tenderloin … $5.50
French fries … $1.25
Breakfast special … $6.
Total with tax and tip: $16.02
Belle’s Kitchen
Belle’s Kitchen
Find it: 1400 Pennsylvania Ave. (inside the White House)
Hours: 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 8:30 a.m.-noon Saturday; 8 a.m.-noon Sunday. Also open for dinner 5-7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Friday
Info: 528-8060
