Portermill — Restaurant in Des Moines

Last Wednesday, I got dropped off at the airport just in time to miss my flight. The airline was able to get me on the next flight to Phoenix, but it was gonna be a 9-ish hour wait. I wandered around, got a bottle of water, ran down the battery on my phone, and took a nap. About 6 hours into this mess, I got hungry. Not a ton of options at this airport, but I wanted something hot and a place to sit for a while. Seemed that there was only a bartender and a server on duty. I didn't want any alcohol, so I chose a table against the wall because I spied USB outlets under the bench. The lone server greeted me promptly and grabbed my beverage when he brought my menu. A quick look, and my Juicy Lucie was on the way. This is a good sized place, and this one guy worked the whole floor by himself, apparently. I must say, he did a pretty good job of it, too. The restaurant itself is a nice looking place, well furnished, and a nice view of the tarmac to watch planes come and go.

I will say, though, the the food was typical of most airports. It was okay, but no better than that. My server really made the experience for me because he had a great attitude and a...

I keep wanting the service and food to be better, but time after time I have the same poor experience. In the three times I’ve eaten here, I sit at the bar and yet, it can take up to 10 minutes to even be greeted! Today I chose to build my own burger and a side salad over fries. I asked for my burger without a bun as I am gluten sensitive- it came with a bun. The side salad was a few pieces of cheap iceberg lettuce with a pile of roasted tomatoes thrown on top- that’s all. I chose not to eat it- my burger was undercooked but did have a large handful of pickles to go with it?! So, here was wasted a bun, lettuces, tomatoes, pickles and most of a burger. It’s disappointing. All of that costs $17.00- the server thought that was too expensive- so she took $2.00 off without me mentioning my unhappiness with the meal. That tells me she was probably embarrassed by it too. A woman next to me ordered a glass of wine- which she had to send back twice as both glasses had lipstick remains on it. It just makes me sad.

These are easy fixes, and could make one of the only choices in the airport a much more...

My review is in progress

It's busy right now. And with only 2 servers they are closing down more and more tables.

I sat at a table that hadn't been cleared yet after asking a gentleman that was clearing tables if it was open and if I could sit there. He affirmed yes.

Then the below pictured waitress came and yelled at me that it's in her section and nobody can sit there till it's cleared. I protested that I asked first. She didn't relent so I got up. Another gentleman sat there a moment later without a protest from her. At this moment he has a drink only. I sat down at a 2 seater shortly after. 4 tables in her area besides mine have turned over since I sat down. She has seen to all of them in some fashion or another. She is continuing to ignore me and has walked by dozens of times.

We are at one hour and counting. If my flight wasn't delayed, I'd obviously leave. But, I have nothing else to do right now.

My advice. Eat before coming to the airport

If she had a name tag I'd use her name. Instead I had to take a picture to identify her. Hopefully management...