85 Bar West — Restaurant in Waukee

My daughter and I tried 85 Bar West this past Saturday night for dinner. We went a little after 6pm and weren’t sure if it would be a long wait, super packed, super slow, etc. We were pleasantly surprised to be seated right away. Most of the tables were full, and the outside patio looked like it would be nice on an evening that was not 90 degrees! They had cornhole/bags set up, which is a fun time while waiting for your food. We did wait around 5 minutes for a waitress to come greet us, however it was fine – we understand they are a new restaurant, still learning, and all the staff seemed to be busy so it isn’t like anyone was sitting around not doing anything while we waited. The menu isn’t huge, but has the staples for bar grub. When McKenzie K. greeted us she was very friendly and helpful. We ordered pickle chips, the BLT with fries, and chicken strips with fries, and our drinks. Our drinks came out quickly, and the pickle chips followed soon after. The pickle chips were smokin’ hot. When my daughter was finally able to eat one unfortunately they were too spicy for her. She doesn’t eat the sauce (chipotle ranch) so it was definitely a kick in the breading and she doesn’t like anything spicy. It would be good to update the menu description to note that the breading has a kick to it as well. She at a few, and we brought the rest home for my husband to try reheating as he does like spicy food. While waiting for our food we enjoyed watching the baseball game on the big screen tv. The food came out in a reasonable time and was hot. The BLT had a TON of bacon, which is always nice, and it was crispy. Unfortunately it did only have one small piece of lettuce and two extremely thin sliced tomatoes, so it felt like more a bacon sandwich with a garnish of tomatoes and lettuce, but the bacon was very good. My daughter really liked the chicken strips, and there were a good amount in her order. The breading wasn’t overly thick, and they had a good flavor. I was a little disappointed in the fries because they had that light breading on them, which I am not a fan of, but that is more personal preference. My fries were fine and not soggy or anything. My daughter’s fries were super greasy – the grease was actually visible. It was fine, as she ate mine and liked those.

All in all, I think once 85 Bar West gets all their kinks worked out and refines their menu a little after settling in this will be a really fun bar/grille in Waukee. Everyone was very friendly and was working hard. The place was clean – which is not always the case when a restaurant is new, super busy, and working out kinks. We will wait a month or two and plan to return to check...

Chicago native, and had to visit the local Bears bar that also serves the Chicago style Italian beef. Let me preface this by saying that the Chicago Italian Beef is in my top 3 favorite foods. So the focus of my feedback will be on this sandwich, and may come off critical.

Much like the Philly cheesesteak, there are many different ways to order the Italian Beef. I love mine with hot giardiniera, mozzarella, and having it dipped. Now allow me to explain my disappointment:

I had to send my original order back because they didn't add the hot giardiniera. After receiving my second order I knew immediately it was the wrong peppers. There was too much cauliflower, and simply put, mild giardiniera is gross and easily identifiable. This is one of my favorite condiments and it's easy for me to spot. I did not send it back again, and simply tried to stomach it. We were on our way to a school concert, so I was on the clock. They do not have mozzarella cheese. Sorry folks, I will not substitute and desecrate my favorite sandwich with another type of cheese. The meat was dry and had no seasoning. I could not get any Italian flavors out of the sandwich. I wish there was so it could balance out the gross mild giardiniera. And for the good! It appears that they used the correct type of bread. This is important so the bread can soak the au jus without it falling apart.

My wife got the Buffalo chicken wrap, and my daughter got the 85 burger. They both enjoyed there handhelds, but I was left disappointed. I'm still looking for the best local Italian Beef, and this is not it. I cannot recommend this...

We REALLY wanted to like this place :( We took my parents as my dad is a Chicago boy and always searching for a good Italian beef option in DSM (we have Portillos shipped to us for Father's Day and his birthday every year). This is not Italian beef....it is shredded pot roast on non-toasted bread with peppers you can buy at Hy-Vee.

The service was a struggle too...

I ordered an Italian beef with ajus on the side (+$1) and hot & mild peppers and a side of chipotle ranch (+$1). My sandwich had mild peppers only, did not come with any ajus or chipotle ranch.

My dad ordered his sandwich with mild peppers only (he gets a super upset stomach with spice) his came with only hot peppers...

My mom ordered the nachos...very poor quality ingredients, including A LOT of canned corn and when the server pulled the can off they dumped all over the table.

Our drinks were never refilled.

Our bill was $125 and we were charged for the missing and incorrect items, even though I had told the server I hadn't got the ajus (still, she never brought it).

I realize they are new to the community and hope they will continue to develop and improve...but for those prices I can think of many better options in the area. Hell, for those prices we will keep getting Portillos delivered. It's...