Jethro's BBQ n' LakeHouse — Restaurant in Ankeny

We love BBQ and have eaten here many times with the hopes that the meal turns out good. You take your change and roll the dice, but you have about a 50/50 shot your order is correct. Today was the last straw for us, and I do not believe we will visit this location again. Our food was ToGo, and when we opened the boxes at our house, three of our sides were missing, and the food that was there was cold, dry, hard and not edible. For a dinner we spent $130 on, you would expect it to be great, but their food is extremely overpriced for the quality of food you get. Ribs that are so hard you need a steak knife to cut through in between the bones. Then the meat you get off of them is so hard you have to bite into it carefully for fear of breaking a tooth. A slice of ham that is 80% fat and 20% meat. Turkey that is so dry it is difficult to swallow. A salad that is supposed to have chicken on it that has no chicken. Missing side orders. Boneless wings were horrible. I called on the phone to complain, and was told by the manager to take it up with the delivery service we used to bring us the food. Missing food items and disgusting food have nothing to do with the delivery service. I watched the delivery service and it shows when the meal is picked up and the food was brought straight to us within in a few minutes. It was not the fault of the delivery service, it was the fault of the restaurant. It is as if the food sat pre cooked, under a heat lamp, and then when the order came in they just tossed it into a box after sitting out half the afternoon.

This was not the first problem either. We went into the restaurant a couple months ago, and the servers were horrible, and put items on our check that we did not even order, and knew about it. They brought us the check, and I gave them the card to pay for our meal, but then the version of the check that came back that they swiped our card to pay for was not the same items that were on our check when I saw it before giving my card. I noticed the difference and asked about it, and the responded "Is the check more than what you expected?" It turned out that there was an item from another table that he forgot to put on their check, but they had already paid and left, so he added it to ours. It was completely dishonest, and when we requested to speak with a manager, the manager started arguing with us. It turned into a argument between my wife and I, and the manager as they refused to take an item off of our check that was not an item we ordered, and the server lied about it. A complete horrible experience, and that was on Mother's Day. That was the last time we went into the restaurant, but still ordered online, and as I said before, it is about a 50/50 shot, maybe less if you get your order correct. We just love BBQ so have been willing to take that chance, but it is so bad at this point we will not ever go back. I will drive as far as I need to get BBQ to avoid this place.

Jethro's in Ankeny is a horrible experience from top to bottom, from the food, to the service, to the integrity of their employees. My recommendation is to avoid this restaurant like the plague unless you hope for a horrible experience. If you want maybe some fried food and sit at a bar and watch a game, maybe? But there are many many much better options. If you are looking for a place to have a good family meal, with good service, that is family friendly, this is not your place. Trust me, if you do not listen to me, you will, after you try Jethros, wish...

Absolutely amazingly delicious food here! We ordered the "Dinner for 2" - half rack of ribs plus 1/2 lb of meat (1/4 of each, so you can get brisket, and burnt ends, or pork and ham, etc - you get to choose your meats!). This comes with your choice of either Texas Toast or Corn Bread Muffins- we definitely went with the cornbread muffins, and OMG they were so delectable! Yummy! Pretty small, but thats ok :) The rack of ribs were OhSoTender, and we dipped in some amazing BBQ sauce.. We chose sliced brisket & burnt ends, which were also delicious. The brisket did have some fat, which I didn't care for but otherwise good. Muffins were to die for! This also came with 4 sides, which they have a PLENTIFUL assortment of these! From green beans to sweet potatoes to jalapeño corn... To mac & cheese, fried pickles, side salad, French fries, potato salad, baked beans.. the list GOES ON! We chose the Baked Beans, Mashed taters and Gravy, Mac & Cheese, and Red Beans & Rice - and WOW were they all deliciously AMAZING!! I loved the creamy, unique mac & cheese, the beans & rice definitely standing out with its flavor- OUTSTANDING! Loved them all! We did order a Quesadilla, half cheese half chicken for my daughter- unfortunately, they put chicken on ALL of it instead; she did try it, but didn't care for it (unlike most 11 yr olds).. So I did give up my meal for her to eat (ribs, & mashed taters). This was disappointing, as I wasn't able to eat my own meal - luckily I was able to have my daughter happily full, so that was a plus. I was upset by this, but we called and they made things right. Overall I give them 5+ stars - AMAZINGLY tender meat, with tons of sauces! The sides are ALL delicious - do not hesitate to order from any of Jethros...

The food is ok. The big problem with most restaurants, and about any other business in this area, at least, is finding help. If you pay your help better, maybe you could get and keep good staff.

I have had many items from the menu. Brisket. Boneless wings. Wings. Ribs. It's ok food for the price.

It is easier to complain than say good things but here are my issues with the place.

First, they serve food on metal plates. Metal conducts heat. If you order anything hot, the plate will bleed the heat right out of your food. You either have to eat fast or just plan on eating lukewarm or cool food. The first few bites will be ok. After that, the plate has taken the heat from your food.

This evening, when I sat down at the bar, I could see that someone had been eating. They had picked up the drink coasters but didn't wipe the counter. I could see sauce, salt, etc. all over. The bartender approached, tossed a coaster in front of me and asked what I was having. I asked if he could please wipe off the counter. Do I really need to ask that?

Later, I watched a couple get up and leave the bar area. Leaving behind, of course, their dirty dishes. Sure as the world, the bartender picked up their dishes and removed all items. Did he bother to wipe the counter? Nope. I sure hope this guy isn't in charge of washing dishes and who wants to bet me that he doesn't wash his hands when he is done in...