Hessen Haus

I'm pretty sure drinks taste better when they come in a gigantic boot.  The Hessen Haus, right near the Science Center in Des Moines is just an awesome place.  It's the only place in town (that I know of) that you can get some authentic German food.  They have an awesome selection of "bier" as well as all of the popular domestic favorites and a big selection of ciders too.  And they'll serve it to you in a big boot! You need to have at least three people to get served a boot though, so make sure you bring friends!  The gluten-free options are listed right on the beer menu.

They also have great food!  My friend's kid put away a whole order of the alligator fingers last time they were in, so I knew Josh would love them too. He put away his whole order too.  The mustard dipping sauce was tasty and the gator fingers were golden fried in a light batter.  Awesome.

They have a large selection of sandwiches and salads, made to order soft pretzels and a ton of other snacks, appetizers and main meals including German favorites like wienerschnitzel.  You can view the menu here.

They are open for lunch and dinner and the prices are very reasonable.  I wouldn't hesitate to bring kids for lunch even though it's a bar atmosphere.  There are plenty of regular tables and the peasant plate would work for picky kids with lots of crackers, bread slices and cheese and sausage slices.

They of course have German chocolate cake for dessert as well as apple crisp that we were too full to try, but looked delicious.

They have $10 boots from 11-2 Monday through Friday and every time a train goes by, $3 jager shots!  Very fitting since the building was converted into a bier hall from a train station.  The Hessen Haus is a great place to try something different.  It's always an experience and there is no place like it close by.  If you haven't been there already, give it a shot, you'll like it.