Cactus Bob's Barbecue Corral - Des Moines Metro - Johnston, IA 50131 | Metromix Des Moines

Cactus Bob's Barbecue Corral

3 2.9 from 73 ratings


Neighborhood: Des Moines Metro
5955 Merle Hay Road

Johnston, IA 50131
515-331-0057
http://www.cactusbobs.com/
Price range: $$ ($9-$15)

Datebook Diner: Cactus Bob cares about the meat - and more
Editorial Juice Review: Cactus Bob's BBQ Corral
Cactus Bob's Barbecue Corral
A beef sandwich from Cactus Bob's in Johnston. (Arturo Fernandez/Juice)
Cactus Bob's is a must for the barbecue lover. The food is cheap and more than plentiful, the service is great and the atmosphere is friendly and laid-back. If you've got the guts, take the "Showdown Challenge." For $6 you get a brisket or pork sandwich smothered in the restaurant's special "behind-the-counter BBQ sauce" that's so hot it's kept away from the public. Eat the sandwich in 10 minutes or less without a drink, and you get bragging rights, your $6 back, and your photo on the "Showdown Wall." More than 50 have tried, but there are only seven photos on the wall.

Getting There

Cross Streets:
Merle Hay Road and Winwood Drive
Parking:
Free Lot
Wheelchair Access:
Yes

The Basics

Hours:
11 a.m.-p.m. Monday through Saturday; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday
Cuisine:
Barbecue and Ribs
Price Range:
$$ ($9-$15)
Reservations:
No reservations
Dress Code:
Anything Goes
Alcohol:
Beer
Smoking:
No

Features

Atmosphere and Personality:
Cozy and Fun And Flirty
Live Music:
No
Noise Level:
Quiet
Features:
Kids Menu, Online Menu, Open Kitchen/Watch the Chef, and Takeout/Carryout
Average Drink Price:
$1.60 for soda, $2.75 for beer
Worth Noting:
Everything is made from scratch in-house
Food specialties: Homemade Smoked Beef Jerky, Seven custom specialty Hot BBQ Sauces.
Payment Methods:
Major Credit Cards and Cash
Capacity:
60

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1


"Tenderloin"

By ron56c from Saylorville, June 1, 2010

Absolutely the worse tenderloin I've ever had. Poor cutlet...not tenderized...cooked in frier that made it taste like everything that was cook ...

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5


"The best BBQ in the city."

By ghostpepper from Johnston, May 31, 2010

I love this place!!! The food is always good. I eat there at least 2 times a week and have for years. I did get the wrong side dish once and the st...

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2


"Not as good as I had hoped...."

By DiamondB from Merle Hood, May 28, 2010

I have passed Cactus Bob's many times and have read many good reviews, including when it won top spot on the BBQ contest last year in the Datebook....

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