Drake Diner


Address »	1111 25th St, Des Moines IA (Map)

Phone »	(515) 277-1111

Website »	n/a

Downtown »	No

Type »	Restaurant

Tags »	American \| Breakfast

Avg User Rating »	(based on 9 reviews)
User Reviews

User Reviews (9 reviews)

Aug 01, 2007 Sarah

The Drake Diner is a neighborhood landmark. It has served as a back bone for the area. You will encounter every type of person there, from the mayor and cogressmen to the owner of the local bar or floral shop. As for the food, it is awesome and I miss it. I cannot understand what Sloppy Dog was getting at but some people just do not "get it". As for the deaths that occured there, yes they were tragic and we will never forget. Unfortunately bad things do happen to good people. It was an isolated incident. The staff at the Diner lost good friends that day. Speaking of the staff, they are the best bunch of people there are. Service with a smile and usually a good story if you get to know them.

Jul 01, 2007 quietriot

Love Drake Diner but it makes me sad that 2 people were murdered there in 1992

Mar 10, 2007 Mark

The Drake Diner is one of the few restaurants that really gets it. Hands down my favorite comfort food of anywhere in the world. Jackie is right, I've never had bad service there, from the minute you walk thru the door, you feel like you're at home. Everyone greets you with a smile and they go out of their way to make you feel welcome. The food is outstanding, even when they are crazy busy. And when they are really busy I've never had to wait more than 10 minutes for a table, if I'm really pressed for time then I sit at the bar and watch a game on their awesome Hi-def flat screen and eat right away. Amazing that I get the same quality of food when they are packed as when there are ten customers, and the kitchen never slows down, no long waits for food here, they know what they are doing. They cook eggs to order like I've never seen, the hardest meal to cook is breakfast, and they can do it like nobody else (why do you think so few restaurants are open for breakfast?). All of the ingredients are so fresh and you can tell it is from scratch. Not to mention that they can keep their staff, they have employees that have been there since they opened 20 years ago!! How nice that some things never change. Their Maytag burger is to die for, and Sloppydog got one thing right, their rarebit is amazing, I'd say better than Younkers.
I think it is really cool that you can go into the diner and have a conversation and get to know a sucessful owner who is still working his restaurant, even bussing tables!! How often do you get to do that? It's obvious they take pride in their environment, food and service. Nothing special? Pretty stupid comment considering 20 years of sucess. It sounds like Sloppydog wouldn't know special if it slapped him right in the face! Maybe he needs to try it again.

Sep 16, 2006 Jackie

I love this place! I've never felt so welcome in a restaurant. My family has been going since they opened...almost 20 years now, and we feel like family. The staff is always friendly and they care, asking how we are doing and remembering what is going on in our lives...that is something special. The food, wow, breakfast is awsome, their burgers are the best I've ever had, the price is right and everything else. And it is all homemade!!! I think it is so important with all of the out of town chain restaurants that serve food microwaved from a bag opening in West Des Moines to patronize the real Des Moines landmarks. The Drake Diner is a very special gem. Try it, there is a reason they have been an institution for 20 years.

Nov 04, 2005 Shannon

I eat lunch at Drake Diner all the time, often with a larger group. This place is packed during the lunch hour, so we often have to leave because the wait is too long and we have to get back to class. I have always enjoyed my meals here, particularly a signature parmesean dressing for their salads. The food can take a while during the busy hour, so if you're pressed for time this may not be the location for you. The waitstaff is always nice and its a fun place to dine.

Jul 20, 2005 DSM Girl

Nice diner for breakfast! The cinnamon rolls are awesome and come with tons of frosting to spar. This may sound odd, but on the weekends, they serve the BEST Irish coffees.

May 05, 2005 Shane

I've been here several times and had all good experiences. Kinda strange location, but when you look around, you realize they don't have any competition in close proximity.

Apr 24, 2005 Christina

As mentioned in the other review, there's nothing special here, only amazing service, superb "diner" food, friendly staff, a kick butt patio, cheap prices and a wonderful enviroment. This place has been around for eons and it's survived for a reason, they rock. My family and I eat there about once a week, my kids love the place and they have crinkle cut french fries which my kids say are the best. If you're planning on going here, may I recommend a few things. The Chinese Chicken Salad, chunks of grilled chicken, manadarin oranges, sugar snap peas, water chestnuts, chow mein noodles, and their amazing poppy seed dressing...it's to die for. Also, their onion rings are way too good, they're the thin cripsy kind that practically melt in your mouth. Oh and their blue plate specials are yummy, yummy,yummy...they even leave the skins on the mashed potatoes. So, go, eat, drink and enjoy.

Apr 13, 2005 SloppyDog

Ok, i guess. Kind of just standard. Nothing special here. That should be their slogan "Drake Diner: There's Nothing Special Here!!!"

But, what do you expect? It's cheap and some things are good, like the burger that's drenched with gooey cheese sauce!!