El Bait Shop: User Reviews
El Bait Shop
200 S.W. Second St. - Des Moines515-284-1970
Seriously? How is this place only getting 3 stars? They have more beer than any other place in the metro. Must be a bunch of bud/miller/coors swill drinkers in this town that don't appriciate a good beer. The beer selection is enough to make me cry tears of hoy each time I walk in the door. Add to that the staff is knowledgeable. I'm sure they tried all the beers before. Three stars my butt...
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Best for the atmosphere, beer and nachos
By MegF from West Des Moines , June 17, 2009
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I love drinking at El Bait Shop, the atmosphere is fun-especially the patio. The nachos are delicious, but I cant say I have ever been please with the other food menu items. If your a beer lover, this is the place for you. Unless your like my boyfriend, and love Bud Light. While I usually dirnk that myself, I love experimenting with the hundreds of beers at El Bait Shop. One of my favorites to date-Pyramid Apricot. Go to El Bait Shop for drinks, maybe nachos-but I would recommend eating before.
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Quirky atmosphere, great beer-but eat before you come
By MegF from West Des Moines , April 13, 2009
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El Bait shop is like no bar you have ever been to. How many times have you been to a bar with a shower and a giant wall mural from the book, Where the Wild Things Are? In the summer they open up the garage door (it was a former warehouse) for an island like feel. Its a beer lover's dream with the amazing assortment. If you want a change of atmosphere, you can step into the 70's by entering the retro Miller High Life Lounge. I love the fact that you can walk between bars and bring your drinks with you. They have recently added a nice sized patio that really adds to the bar. I dont have too many good things to say about the food on the other hand. Its average, very average. Dont waste your money-eat somewhere else downtown if your feeling like eating out. Or make a frozen pizza-it would be better than their Mexican food.
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While El Bait Shop bosts one of the larger beer selections in town for items on tap and does have some really excellent deals on food and drink one will kinda be dissapointed in the long run. A) if you are going there to find a rare draft you love, you'll find it and it'll be overpriced (small glass at a premium cost). Basically the only good deals are on the items that have been there too long or the free stuff brought in by local brewers. Average for nicer beers is going to be 6 to 8 a glass. B) While the food is inexpensive, it also tastes that way. I've ate there 3 times hoping that maybe they were having an off night and come to the conclusion that-that's basically as good as it gets. But again, I guess you get what you pay for.
I find myself pretty torn, I enjoy the ambiance and have had some good times there, I just wish they'd shift some of their costs off of the beverages and invest their time in a better menu.
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I joined a group of friends for a birthday get together at this location. Multiple rounds of tequila shots were ordered by one person. When she got the bill, we learned that they had used premium tequila and the shots were $9.50 each. The bill was over $200. The bartender/manager's attempt to make things right: a complementary glass of some jungle juice or something - hardly worth the extra $100 over what was expected to pay for the shots.
I felt like they took advantage of the situation and would like to warn others who might make assumptions that they'll use reasonably priced alcohol when shots are ordered.
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If you're looking for a place that has hard to find beers on tap, this is the place. As for the décor of El Baitshop; you’ll either feel comfortable in the mixture of a “Joe’s Crabshack meets Cracker Barrel”, or you’ll find it annoyingly busy and erratic. Me, the décor is isn’t an issue at all. The food has a great cheap price but unfortunately I’ve gone through half the menu and have been fairly disappointed with every dish. I’d certainly pay a little more if they could put some love into what they are making. The dishes are usually dry and over cooked. For brews, you’ll pay a little more than at some of their competitors located nearby, but you will find everything under the sun. The happy hours and discount nights help bring that aspect back down to earth. They do have a 2.50 bartender’s choice but that kinda defeats the purpose of going to a place to find a rare draw you’ve been wanting. Typically for a draw of beer you will end up paying 6 to 8 a glass. So if you are going there for a good deal on something “you want” you might be disappointed. Visit their website and check out their calendar for the best deals.
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If you are looking for a large selection of beer this is the place to go. The taps change so there is always something new to enjoy. If you looking to try something new, but not sure what, ask for a Bartenders choice. It is 2.50 and usually a pretty good beer. I've always enjoyed the food. I think the Thursday night special is the best. Two flour tacos with rice and beans. Also on Thursdays is the Homebrew night. You can enjoy some locally grown beer for free minus a tip. The staff is very friendly and there are always new people to meet. This place never lets me down.
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Regardless of what the other posters have said i love this place. Unrivaled beer selection and cheap food. Now that's living the high life (as they say). Can get a little crowded on weekends but is still worth it. For what you pay the food is great.
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This place is cheap, if you know what to order. The happy hour margarita ($3) is a steal, and will surprise you. The beer specials can be had for $1, and are generally good choices. Food specials are generally under $5, and the nachos are, in my humble opinion, some of the best in town. Smoked chicken meshes very well with the jalapenos, cheese, sour cream, and beans - so if you're in the mood for nachos and margaritas, skip the typical Mexican joint and check it out here. I was not a fan of the fish tacos here, however, or of the bartender/waiter/cook who, despite his best efforts, seemed to be overwhelmed.
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Lol, take $5000 and go to a garage sale and throw it into a building and call it el bait shop. then convince the kool-aid drinkers that this is cool in des moines. if you don't mind surrounding yourself with gross people and wanna-be people wearing berets, then this is your home. if you have self-respect or wanna take a woman out, avoid this place! i'm constantly amazed at what the print media in this town thinks is cool.
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Review Summary
The following scores represent the average rating submitted by 24 users:
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