Star Bar — Restaurant in Des Moines

I recently read an article in the Des Moines Register Datebook that reviewed Zombie Burger. The reviewer made a brief quip: "The burgers are good, but I hesitate to say they are the best burgers in town because I tend to go for thicker, meatier patties. The excellent burgers at Star Bar come to mind.", and that was enough to get me to convince my party to visit on a Saturday afternoon after the farmers' market. We got there around 11:45am on 10/5/13.

Based on the food critic's quip, I had the brunch menu's cheeseburger with wasabi potato salad, and my partner had the cheeseburger with bacon and french fries on the side.

The burgers were decidedly average, and I suggest that there was nothing to differentiate them from any other sports bar's burger in town. It was cooked as I ordered it (medium), but just didn't have that thick/meaty mouth-feel of "I have a mouthful of hamburger, and that makes me happy caveman" that I was anticipating based on the review. The bun was good, although it eclipsed the other aspects/flavors of the burger. As per toppings, the tomatoes were fresh and delicious, my partner's bacon was overly cooked which made it crispy versus flavorful, and the other toppings were forgettable (I think it was lettuce and raw onion).

Concerning the sides, my partner's french fries were excellent, and I would recommend those to anyone. However, the wasabi potato salad was uninspired. It reminded me of when old church-ladies get together and try to use as few ingredients as possible in order to stretch the dish across a congregation. The wasabi/horseradish flavor was non-existent!

For this middling meal, the price wasn't too expensive or, by any means, a great value. The drinks were appropriately priced. The ambiance was pleasant- artwork on the walls (more interesting than the food), an attentive and pleasant server, not too long of a wait on the meal to arrive, and the Hawkeyes were playing so the other patrons' energies were high.

Overall, Star Bar provided a remarkedly average experience for my...

I went into buy six orders of potstickers. I was told that it was the best potstickers in Des Moines. I went and made my order paid for it and waited. I waited for almost a half hour, and then I was told that of the six potstickers I ordered only one was prepped, and they’re going to prepare the others. And I waited as they came out Slowly, but surely out of the kitchen for a take-out order! By that point, the others had cooled off and I was waiting. Finally I ended up with five of the six and they told me they go back in and get the others ready. I was done. The definition of quality is low variability. You go in with expectations and they’re either met or they’re not. That’s the definition of quality. There is no one checking in following up on orders. I had a kid that I was leaving and not coming back. Things went into high gear. I wish they would’ve gone into high gear and just a normal pace ...

Ordered the jambalaya and the rice was fresh, it wasn’t mushy like some places that make it days ahead.

My only note is there was only 1 single shrimp.

Had a great amount of seasoning, sausage and chicken, but basically forgot to add a few extra shrimp.

1 by itself kind of stands out as something was missing.

Balance the ratio of shrimp, chicken and sausage and this would be a 5 star straight across the grid.

We were celebrating a couple of birthdays and the server was great about letting us get some visit time in.

It was slow and a Friday afternoon so not during rush time.

We ordered the big cheeseburger with fries and it was cooked to the perfect medium, jambalaya, rangoons, 2 beers and a Bloody Mary (that needed a little help but I drank it down) and our total was very reasonable. 45 plus 12 for tip.

There were a total of 7 at our table.

This review is just for our meals...