Chicago Speakeasy — Restaurant in Des Moines

After reading other reviews my wife and I were excited to go out to eat somewhere new for our anniversary dinner. The outside wasnt what we expected with the atmosphere that this location seemed to want to express but we thought with the reviews that it the outside wasnt what we were here for and we went in. Right away we got friendly service at the front door and was sat down at a table. Our server seemed to have 0 personal skills and no warmth in here voice. What I mean by this was instead of being greeted with something like "How are you guys doing tonight, conversation, What can i get you for drinks tonight" The converstion was "what do you want to drink". After we got our drinks waited a few minutes and got our food ordered we had to read the card ourselves that was on the table for the salad bar usage. Safety stuff like glove the hand that touches the utensils, one family at a time, go clockwise around the salad bar, etc. With the rules that were in place we felt it was safe to still use the salad bar with everything going on. Was not half bad actually. This is when things started to turn to deserve the 1 star from me. Waitress did not speak to us again, stopped by the table 1 other time to bring us refils on our drinks and did not say a word during that exchange either. The entire what i can guess was wait staff, and cooks maybe, were in the back talking about personal life loud enough us in the eating area could hear it. I wouldnt see a problem with that if it was not stuff that shouldnt be talked about at work. At one point the male employee was talking about how his boss might have to actually come in for 20 minutes to check the cameras for something someone did and that would be a miracle. Another let him knwo they could view it from home and you could tell he got a bit nervous and quit being as chatty as before.

My wifes sanwhich was not bad, seemed a bit overdone but she liked it and thats all i cared about. I was served bad fish, and paid for it that night, Its been awhile since I had cod so i tried to eat it thinking it was different than the other foods I had but it got to the point where not only did i know it was bad but that I was also getting sick. The fettecune that cost extra to get was one of the most bland things i have ever not tasted. Sauce seemed like it was starting to seperate and the noodles were not done correctly either. All in all i paid $26 for a dish i had maybe four bites of.

Not only will I never go back to this location again I also will make sure to tell anyone I speak to that this is not a good location. We went on a Thursday night 10/1/20 around 6 pm and maybe that was the problem since it wasnt a busy weekend but that was the only time my wife and I could get our work schedules to match up for our dinner.

Not only was there a food problem, there was a food safety problem that I saw at least 3 seperate occasions of the workers on the food bar, such as using dirty rags that touched the ground or using not clean glooves to do multiple different things so on so forth. We sat directly next the salad bar so we couldnt miss it. As well as 0 enforcement for the rules that i already mentioned in regards to the salad bar. And a Staff that not only doesnt respect their leadership but also openly talks bad about them and talks loud enough everyone can hear it. At no point should your staff be worried about if their bosses can check cameras.

All in All I would give 0 stars if i could, but hopefully this helps anyone else that thinks...

Alright the TL;DR version - it wasn't great.

So here are the details - I wanted to love this place. It's been recommended so many times to me, but it just didn't live up to the hype at all. First be warned, if you're not from the area, parking was a nightmare in itself. 6pm on a Saturday night and not a single spot in the lot, period. We got lucky and a family left as I was going in to check-in. However, I heard others say they circled for 20 min + to park (it should have been amazing by the crowd!) We had called ahead and had a 1 hour wait, at 450pm on a Saturday, totally typical. However, when we arrived the hostess checked us in, told us to wait in the lounge, which was less than standing room only. Servers struggled getting food through that area, and good luck bringing drinks out. It was wall to wall people. We weren't given any time frame-and ended up waiting another 45min + before we were seated. The place has like others mentioned, a prohibition era vibe, super cool. Dark, and candlelit. We wasted little time ordering - the server was prompt, and courteous. She deserves more than 2-stars, but that was it. Tables seated after us received their food prior to us (with more in their parties, and we put in our order quite a bit before them)The salad bar was good, constantly being stocked as you went through, but it was probably the only highlight. I ordered the herb crusted mahi mahi and probably should have just done prime rib - my mahi mahi was dry, and flavorless. Despite being coated in an herb breading. Some of the breading was soggy and gummy, some crispy and overdone. I took 3 bites and I couldn't force myself to eat more. It was horrible. It lacked any flavor, and quite honestly, if I had a light, I am assuming my fish wasn't done. I never saw my waitress until we were almost done eating so I didn't even say a word. I haven't mentioned yet we had two children with us, one a toddler, her patience was long gone (at no real fault of the restaurant) at this point. My side pasta was just noodles and meat sauce, it was good, but really flavorless. It reminded me of when my grandma made pasta for a small army of us and used one jar of sauce and 2 jars of water to stretch the tomatoes. It had that consistency, and flavor. My husband ordered the baked spaghetti, and felt it was much the same. At least they were edible, unlike the fish. Our children had kids meals - and they were fine. I can't speak for them, they peck at most anything we eat. Perhaps the issue is that everyone who has recommended this place probably downed a few drinks during the long wait and by that time the food probably would have been delightful. The drinks coming out did look good, if we had had a place to wait I might have tried one sadly this wasn't the hype...

Title: A Hidden Gem for Salad Lovers: Speakeasy Chicago Speakeasy Review

Speakeasy Chicago Speakeasy, located on Euclid Avenue in Des Moines, is a true hidden gem that has caught the attention of food enthusiasts. With its outstanding salad bar and a menu featuring delicious American favorites like steaks, chicken strips, and roast beef, this cozy spot offers a delightful dining experience.

Starting with the service, Speakeasy Chicago Speakeasy sets the bar high. The attentive and friendly staff ensure that every customer feels welcomed and well taken care of. Their knowledge about the menu and willingness to assist in choosing the perfect dishes adds to the overall dining experience.

The ambience of the restaurant is another highlight. Speakeasy Chicago Speakeasy exudes a warm and inviting atmosphere, making it an ideal choice for a relaxed meal. The cozy setting creates a comfortable and enjoyable environment, perfect for catching up with friends, having a romantic dinner, or simply indulging in a satisfying meal.

One of the standout features of Speakeasy Chicago Speakeasy is its impressive salad bar. Considered one of the best in town, the salad bar offers an array of fresh and delectable options. From crisp greens to vibrant vegetables, the selection is carefully curated to cater to all tastes. The commitment to keeping the salad bar in top-notch condition ensures a consistently high-quality experience for salad lovers.

While the menu at Speakeasy Chicago Speakeasy offers a range of American favorites like steaks, chicken strips, and roast beef, it is worth noting that the food remains true to its traditional roots. The steaks are cooked to perfection, the chicken strips are crispy and flavorful, and the roast beef is tender and succulent. These classic American dishes are prepared with care and attention to detail, guaranteeing a memorable dining experience.

In terms of pricing, Speakeasy Chicago Speakeasy offers reasonable rates that won't break the bank. Considering the quality of food, service, and ambiance, the value for money is excellent.

Overall, Speakeasy Chicago Speakeasy is deserving of four stars. It successfully combines exceptional service, a great ambiance, and a fantastic salad bar with a menu featuring delicious American favorites. Whether you're a salad enthusiast or looking for a satisfying meal with mouthwatering steaks, chicken strips, or roast beef, Speakeasy Chicago Speakeasy is a must-visit destination...