Smokey Row Coffee — Restaurant in Ankeny

I would rate 3.5 if I could. Overall I really like this establishment but I have a few comments.

Pros: The space is really big and the tables are nicely distanced (inside). The coffee is super good - the cold brew is amazing. I love that food and sweets are available too.

Cons/Complains: I am always FREEZING in there. I've left early a few times b/c I could not feel my hands to type. I bring so many layers with me and try to warm my hands on my coffee. The temperature has always been that cold.

They have signs on the tables saying they are clean, but when you leave nothing tells you to flip the sign over or do anything to notify that the table is dirty. I rarely see staff come out to sanitize the tables. Also the sign on the door says "Mask are highly encouraged, but not required", not sure why the second half needs to be on there.

My food has been hit or miss, seems to depend on who is cooking. The first time I got a wrap it was amazing, but the next couple times it came ripped or falling apart. The first time I got tortilla chips I only got crumbs, and the next couple times they were really stingy on the number of chips. I would not recommend the panni's (looked like deli meat and bread wasn't good). I love that they have bread bowls, but their choice of bread seems odd to me (like a white instead of a sourdough). Burger was pretty good.

I hope they read this and address the cons. With COVID this is one of the few places I go when I need to get out of the house to work. I would like to keep coming since the coffee is so good but...

I have loved Smokey Row in Des Moines for a long time although have not been there lately. Met a friend here the other day and as another review said it felt like you were keeping them from doing something else. Service was fairly quick, but the attitude of the employees was horrible. Then unfortunately I spilled my whole drink and I went to the baristas and told them, apologizing for making the mess, but I told them it was a mess they would have to clean up because a napkin or two would not have done the job. They looked at me like it did not even register what I had said. About 15 minutes later they came a cleaned up the mess and let me tell you it needed a mop and bar towels. If they would have provided the equipment i could have cleaned it up I guess, but really it is their job to do. I am sorry it happened. I lost my whole $4.95 drink and did not get another one. So I paid you with tip $6+ and did not get to drink my chai tea. Not complaining about that, it was my spill. However, I will never go back OR it will be a long time. Good luck staying in business, it is a beautiful coffee shop. I cannot speak to the quality of the product. The...

Great atmosphere, large enough space that it’s good for groups and/or sitting alone. Plenty of outlets available & WiFi to bring your laptop for work or studying.

The coffee is great. The baked items are wonderful, my favorite is the chocolate scone. The breakfast/lunch food is usually great, but it sometimes depends on who is working.

Only reasons for not providing a 5-star rating - for some reason the women’s bathroom has trouble with sewer gases rising up through one of the grates. The smell doesn’t leave the bathroom but it makes using the bathroom very unpleasant.

Also, sometimes there’s quite a lot of trash and/or crumbs/stickiness left on many of the tables after the morning rush that does not get cleared for hours (if at all), so I’ve had to bus my own table...