Chuck's Restaurant — Restaurant in Des Moines

I visited Chuck's last night to listen to live music and share a meal with friends. The onion rings were very good, the thin crispy kind that I love. The salad was delicious with plenty of dressing, which I requested.

We ordered two pizza's. The flavor was some of the best pizza I have ever had. However, the crust could be improved. Both pizzas had a soft, somewhat soggy crust yet the outside crust was burnt. I brought home the left-over pizza and heated it in a skillet. That really helped the texture of the crust.

The drinks were very good with plenty of alcohol. They were just the right amount of a strong liquor flavor.

The male waiter was exceptional. He did everything right. In my past, I have worked as a waitress, so I recognize the good and the bad. He was very good. The other staff were very welcoming and friendly.

Chuck's desperately needs remodeled, especially the bathrooms. However, I understand how expensive a remodel would be and might be out of reach for the owners.

One more thing, the salt and pepper shakers were filthy. I didn't say anything to the waiter but I saw another table complain and they got a new/clean replacement.

Our table did not order the cheese log but other patrons ordered it and it looked yummy. Those people were commenting on how good it was. I will have to try it the next time I visit Chuck's.

Thursday's they have good drink specials, such as $5 Long Islands and $3.50...

Today was my first and last experience with Chuck's. Ordered a pizza and meatballs that were just the worst we have ever had. For the amount that was spent for the food, it should have been the best pizza and meatballs we have ever eaten. I wouldn't recommend that anyone eat here unless you are fond of food poisoning. Oh and when we called to complain all the manager could say was that she made the meatballs and there was nothing wrong with them. I can assure you ma'am they were pink in the middle and I will be reporting your establishment.

For whatever reason, I am just now seeing this response and with no way to reply to you I will have to do it this way. We still have not been back. Paprika will not make your meatballs absolutely RAW in the middle, nor will it give you intestinal distress after you eat it if it is prepared properly. As for your libelous accusation that it was my mother that called you to tell you that you and/or your staff were "stupid" that never did happen. I was the one you spoke with that evening and I can assure you madam that I did not call you stupid. I simply asked to speak to the manager and when the person over the phone kept insisting that I tell them what it was regarding, I simply told them that I wanted to discuss my issue with the manager and not someone who wasn't in charge. Nothing more, nothing less... Everything else I stated still...

Not crowded and good service. Had a salad with house dressing, Creamy Parmesan, which was delicious. Some other vegetables added to the salad would have have been nice. Only eaten there a few times, but food is always excellent. My friend's Cavatelli was a huge portion, enough for three at least. I had ravioli just because I eat lighter. Huge portions in restaurants is the norm these days, but I think it would be nice to offer a couple sizes. Onion rings so tasty! YUMMY! Bread fresh and yummy too. Ambiance not so so great--cold air blasting from registers on floor which were completed rusty. Not nice to look at, and a bit on the cold side from the freezing air coming from them. Chucks has an excellent reputation, and they open the restaurant to serve Thanksgiving dinners to the needy around town. Served 2,500 dinners were served either in-house or delivered, last year with the help of 400 volunteers. A shout out to them for their extreme generosity supplying these dinners. Someone said that PAUL AND LINDA TULLIS WERE THE ORIGINAL FOUNDERS OF THE THANKSGIVING Dinner. I PERSONALLY KNEW THEM AS LINDA WAS AS ALSO A CAREGIVER TO MY MOTHER DURING HER LAST DAYS ON EARTH. BOTH WONDERFUL PEOPLE. LINDA DIED LAST YEAR ACCORDING TO THE PERSON IN THE RESTAURANT, BUT THE DINNERS GO ON, BUT I'M SURE IT'S HARD WITHOUT LINDA. RIP LINDA TULLIS AND THANK YOU YOU TO CHUCKS! FOUR...