Palmer's

If you live anywhere near Des Moines, you've probably eaten at a Palmer's Deli by now.  

There are now locations in West Des Moines, Urbandale, Downtown, Ankeny and Ingersol Ave in Des Moines.

While I have always been a fan of their tasty soups, large salad selection and fresh sandwiches, what I'm most is excited about is that now most of their menu can be prepared gluten-free. Even the soups and sandwiches.

On my last visit I ordered the apple orchard sandwich on gluten-free bread and it included roasted turkey, provolone, granny smith apples and apple butter.  Yum!  They even had gluten-free cookies for dessert.

They also have spectacular egg salad which the hubby ordered.  Just fresh eggs, the right amount of Mayo and not too many fillers.  Awesome.

I will warn you that they get pretty busy during the lunch hour, so try to go when you can get there early or have a few extra minutes to wait in line.  Well worth the wait though.

You are sure to enjoy anything you order.  Make sure to try a brownie for dessert if you aren't gluten-free...Ah-ma-zing!

Don't forget about their breakfast!  The omelets are awesome and so is the Challah french toast!

Hy-vee Brunch (Urbandale/Waukee)

 While checking out the new and exciting Urbandle Hy-vee, we noticed that they serve an all-you-can-eat Sunday Brunch buffet on, well, Sundays.  They start at about 8:30am and end at 2:00pm.  During that time, for $14 you can pretty much eat anything you want from the Hy-vee Chinese, Italian, home style kitchen, specialty oatmeal bar, Omelet station and prime rib station. It does not include sushi or deli-sandwiches, but it does in include dessert and gelato.  This is a really great deal for only $14 per person if you come hungry.  And the best part is that kids 5 and under eat free from the buffet!

The have an optional bloody Mary bar, but soft drinks and coffee are included in the price.  They also offer some a la cart breakfast items if you'd prefer not to do the buffet.

The new restaurant is pretty nice with servers and cloth napkins, pretty innovative for a Hy-vee.  At 4:00pm they change into their evening restaurant with a regular menu and you can't eat food items purchased outside of the restaurant in the restaurant.  You can't do this during the Sunday Brunch either, but I think it's acceptable during breakfast and lunch on other days.  We haven't eaten there for dinner yet, but we thought the brunch was really neat, especially if you are a fan of the Chinese or Italian sections.

All-in-all I really like the new concepts the Urbandale Hy-vee has brought from the specialty cheeses to the expanded health food section and gourmet prepared food offerings like a sushi bar and gelato stand.  I was pretty impressed with the Sunday Brunch and thought the service was good.  I would recommend That you order your omelet right away though as it took a while to prepare, but it was worth the wait.  Great brunch experience with a good bang for your buck (especially if you have kids under 5!).  Check it out.

Update: The new Waukee Hy-vee also offers this awesome buffet!

Did you Declare Ham Independence?

So, this really fantastic, Norwalk, Iowa based company called La Quercia, that makes the most fantastic Acorn Prosciutto (among other fantastic cured meats), came up with this fun idea to celebrate Ham Independence all over the country.  

These celebrations include local retailers putting together a series of classes, tastings, parties, etc. to celebrate, well, ham! The best display presented will win the grand prize of a whole Acorn Berkshire Prosciutto.  This is a big deal people!

For the Des Moines celebration.  Local stores like Gateway Market, The Cheese Shop, 515 Brewing, Juan O'Sullivans, Centro, Confluence Brewing Co., Creme Cupcake and more set up grand displays of amazing food and beer at Grade A Gardens in Johnston.  Grade A Gardens is this fantastic farm proving local produce right from the gardens in their backyard.  You can find their offerings at the Downtown Farmer's Market.

All of this amazing food, like cheese, bacon cookies, relish trays, pork sandwiches and so much more was enjoyed along with live music, all for just a donation.

What a great way to gather some of the best of Des Moines' local businesses for a great cause (Donations went to the Practical Farmers of Iowa) to have a fun time.  One of the best events of the summer so far!  Almost $2,000 was raised for the cause.  

Thanks to all of the participating businesses for a fantastic and delicious event!  Can't wait til next year!

Is this New York? Nope, still in Des Moines

Hagar's Manhattan Deli is located at 37th and Ingersol in Des Moines and is celebrating 30 years in business.  

How refreshing to get a little taste of New York right here in Iowa.  In the "Yelp" reviews there is a comment that is interesting.  You can read the full comment here, but basically, it's a customer's theory that New York mobsters who ran a deli by day and lived a life of crime by night, snitched on their mob bosses and were relocated by the FBI to Des Moines, Iowa.  So doing what they knew best, they opened a Deli (one of the reasons they only take cash and checks for payment and not credit cards).  Far from the truth, but funny...

Anyway,  The offerings at the Manhattan Deli are probably the closest to authentic New England style deli food I've found. The egg salad is made daily and as fresh as you get.  Thick cut deli-meats that fill soft hoagie rolls.  You can't go wrong with anything you pick really. 

They have a good amount of seating, but it fills up fast over the lunch hour, so get there early if you can or expect to wait in line a bit.  They do move the line along pretty fast though so everyone can get in and out on lunch break.

The regulars recommend the Tuesday and Thursday specials. They say you don't have to know what it is, just know it's going to be the best thing they make that day.  Try the famous Vito with beef, provolone and spicy peppers or a simple and fresh turkey sub.  Prices are great and service is good.  Don't come here looking for ambiance, but, you are going to get a great meal and a little taste of the East at Manhattan Deli.  Highly recommend you try it!