Judges — Restaurant in Des Moines

The Judges — Verdict: Charming Courtroom with a Few Hung Jury Moments

Walking into The Judges feels like stepping into a courtroom where the jury couldn’t quite agree on the décor. It’s a mix of rustic charm and modern polish—contemporary lights meeting cozy, lodge-like accents. Some areas feel date-night fancy, others casual enough for shots with friends. You can walk in wearing a suit and tie or jeans and still fit right in.

Exhibit A: The Bruschetta Toasted sourdough bread topped with Sweet Peach Marmalade, Pickled Shallots, Prairie Breeze Cheddar, and Fresh Basil. The flavor idea is brilliant, but the execution could use a little refinement. My slice was unevenly toasted, missing that satisfying crunch, and I couldn’t find the basil—it felt like a key witness who skipped court. Still, the sweetness of the peach glaze worked beautifully with the cheddar and onions.

Exhibit B: The Double Bone Pork Chop This one’s a statement piece. Starting with a 24-hour brine on a 16 oz chop, finished on the grill, and served with mashed buttermilk Yukon potatoes and roasted root vegetables, all topped with smoked peach and sweet onion marmalade. It takes 25–35 minutes from grill to table, and that’s fair—good rulings take time. For my taste, it leaned salty, but once you mix in the marmalade and potatoes, the flavors come together like a closing argument that wins the case.

Exhibit C: The Hanger Steak A 10 oz cut marinated in-house chimichurri, grilled perfectly, served with parmesan risotto and broccolini. My friend was quick to rule it the best dish of the night. The risotto could’ve been a touch creamier, but overall, this one’s a clear win for the defense.

Exhibit D: The Cocktail — Legally Pink Great name, decent glassware, but the cocktail itself could’ve used a little more flair. It was mostly vodka with a faint hint of cranberry. A garnish—maybe a raspberry or even a touch of pink foam—would have elevated it from “case dismissed” to “not guilty.”

The Staff & Service Our waitress was friendly and eager—clearly still learning, but doing her best—and she even offered to pack up our leftovers (props for that). A small branded to-go bag would be a simple marketing win. I’d also love to see the team in coordinated outfits or aprons with name tags—just something to tie the look together the same way the decor blends its mix of styles.

The Owner Tyson, one of the owners, stopped by our table to say hello—a genuinely nice gesture that made the evening feel personal. I’ve known him for almost 20 years, and while that might sound like bias, this review isn’t about friendship—it’s about the food and the experience. Tyson’s passion for hospitality shows through the details, and you can tell he’s building something special here.

Final Judgment The Judges is a welcoming, evolving spot with solid dishes, heart, and ambition. There are a few inconsistencies to iron out, but the foundation is strong. It’s got the potential to become a Des Moines staple once it settles into its true identity.

Verdict: Guilty of good flavor, great intentions, and a bright future. Sentence: a well-earned...

It's truly impressive what they have done inside judges. The staff was warm and friendly. They were attentive and the service was perfect. Hannah, our server, was wonderful and gave great suggestions and showed us around the new restaurant. What they did inside is so beautiful. All the details and love they poured into this place is so evident and I think it is a great addition to the Court Avenue District. The seating that faces 3rd Street is such a cute seating option.

For food - we tried the sweet corn ribs, shoestring fried pickles, peach bruschetta, and bucatini pomodoro. All of them were fantastic and we would get again. We also tried an old fashioned, off-menu cucumber shrub mocktail, and espresso martini and all three were very good. They have done a great job crafting a menu. We will...

Some of the best, most unique food I’ve had in Des Moines in a long time.

We stopped by for a little date night. Host was gracious enough to try and sneak us into a table between reservations but instead we decided to sit up at the bar (those chairs are surprisingly comfortable!)

The cocktails were fabulous. Food was some of the most interesting and complex meals i’ve had in a long time. The blackberry jam on my chicken sandwich was divine and definitely something I’m going to use for home too.

And the prices were right on. Usually I scoff at a $20 burger, but the way it was cooked, plus all of the flavors, really made the price...