Countdown: Five best steaks in Des Moines

Countdown: The five best steaks in Des Moines

By W.E. Moranville, Datebook Diner
Special to Metromix

As a Des Moines Register restaurant reviewer, I’m often asked the question: “What’s the best restaurant in town?” I never have one go-to answer. To buy a little time, I always respond, “Best for what?” After all, the best restaurant depends on what you’re in the mood to eat.

For example, if you’re jonesin’ for a steak, skip the chef-driven restaurants — those with New American menus focused on inventive seasonal cuisine. Sure, many put the obligatory steak on the menu — usually angled across garlic mashed potatoes w ith some asparagus or sparkling spinach as part of the tower, but it’s usually not where the kitchen’s passions truly lie.

To get the best steak in town, you’ll do better at a place that specializes in steaks: either a steakhouse or at one of our Italian-American venues, where steaks have always shared top billing on the menu with pasta specialties.

With one per day showcased this week (keep checking back), these are my top spots for steak in this town: