Cooper's on 5th — Restaurant in West Des Moines

4.5* (out of 5) Food: 5* Atmosphere: 4* Value: 4* Service: 5*

04/05/2024 After really enjoying our first stop here over 2 years ago, we've been unsuccessful in getting in on several other occasions (didn't have the forethought to make a reservation and they were full several times when we stopped in to check). Tonight we took the time to experience their Happy Hour while waiting to join our son and daughter-in-law at another restaurant for dinner.

This time we arrived early (around 5pm) and were able to find seats at the bar to enjoy a glass of wine and a beer. For an appetizer, we were intrigued by the Fried Zucchini (see picture) and it was recommended by the bartender. We were impressed when it arrived and found both the zucchini and dip to be delicious - tempting us to place a 2nd order when we knew we needed to save space for dinner.

A great stop in Valley Junction for lunch or dinner…just make sure that you make reservations, as you might not get in otherwise.

11/19/2021 We stopped here for dinner based on a recommendation that my wife read and really enjoyed the service and atmosphere.

I don't usually order meatloaf, but asked about it here since it was marked as one of the spicier dishes. Our server highly recommended it - Cooper's way (open-faced, topped with cole slaw), with the loaded baked potato salad side. Boy am I glad I followed his recommendation...they were all delicious and I would highly recommend them.

The meat loaf was very moist, tender and tasty, with just the right amount of peppery glaze to give it a kick. White cheddar and American cheese slices were melted over the top - all of which was topped with a very tasty cole slaw. And then there was that loaded baked potato salad that was unique, tasty and just the right portion size. Think of a loaded baked potato squished into a small bowl with some relatively raw onions mixed in for taste and crunch - loved it! My wife also liked it much better than her burger and helped me eat it. Her burger was average, cooked beyond the medium rare that was ordered and a little dry...I would take the meat loaf before it any day.

Food: 4 (5 for the Meatloaf and 3 for the burger) Atmosphere: 5 Character: 4 Service: 5

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Unfortunately it seems their continued success has caused growing pains and poor service. After frequenting this place since it opened, it was necessary to get reservations. The issue I had tonight was some poor customer service. We had a reservation and arrived a few minutes early. Upon arriving I saw a small table with a reserved sign on it inside the front door, assuming it was ours. They told us they had a large party coming in later and were saving it to push together with another table. They said the “absolute first table that opened up” would be ours. Ok, no problem, I see one table that already had their check, it should not be long. Fifteen minutes go by and the table is open and clean. I ask if we may be seated now and they said, no that table was for a large party coming in. They told us the appointment was 1/2 hour after ours, so still 15 minutes to go until the large party arrived. But no, they tell us we now have to wait for the next table. I guess an earlier reservation has to wait at this place. Not to worry for us as we will not need a reservation to spend our...

It's a nice little place in valley junction. It's clean inside though it was noisy when we went but I think that's more because of a louder table they had. I don't know if it would be great for large events considering it is on the smaller side but it's a great place for a nice dinner with a few friends or family. The soup of the day was mushroom and we both got some. It was delicious and comforting without being too filling. It tasted clean and the mushrooms tasted fresh. I got the steakhouse burger with wedge fries as my main and dug right in. It was a bigger burger and every bite seemed better than the last. My wife got the egg rolls which at the time were Reubens I believe. She said they were perfect and were exactly what a Reuben should taste like. We finish out with a slice of cake each. She decided on the lava cake and said it was fluffy and tasted like a fresh brownie. I got the Italian lemon which was great and wasn't too lemony. Over all we spent 70 after tip but had an amazing time. We will be back in and I'd highly recommend this...