Shirley’s Bar & Grill — Restaurant in West Des Moines

4.0* (out of 5) Food: 3* Atmosphere: 5* Value: 4* Service: 5* Would I go back / Recommend?: 4* (Probably) Total check/person: $38

06/14/2025 We stopped here for drinks last weekend with our son who lives nearby, so when it was my turn to choose a place to eat after Mass tonight I thought we'd give it a try. We enjoyed the music from the 70s and 80s last time and in addition to that, they had a live band tonight and the place was pretty full, so we sat at the bar.

They try hard to say they aren't a sports bar (on the back of the shirts on all the wait staff), so I asked a bartender what they were then if they weren't a sports bar. After discussing the 70s / 80s theme, we ended up getting a history lesson. We were told that Shirley was the original name of the town of Waukee, but it was changed after lobbying from the Milwaukee Railroad that came through town to name it after them. The Waukee website gives a slightly different take...saying Gen. Reid of the Des Moines Valley Railroad stated that the 'powers that be' in the railroad office in Keokuk insisted that it should have an Indian appellation, and hence Waukee it had to be.

For dinner, my wife ordered the French Dip with tots (see picture) and I opted for The Rachel with cottage cheese (see picture). While I really enjoyed the Rachel - great taste with the smoked turkey and nicely toasted bread, my wife and I agreed that the French Dip and tots were average bar food at best. I didn't like the bread, the size of the tots were smaller than average...leaving mostly breading and she asked for Ranch to dip them in and instead received some type of sweet homemade sauce.

Overall, I liked this place - especially the drinks, service and 70s/80s music and theme.

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First, I apologize for the lame photos, but my camera isn't special. Shirley's is just what the area needed, so thank you so much for this concept! My wife and I were driving down University and stumbled on Shirley's by chance. We showed up on election night to watch results. The staff were very accommodating, and we liked your menus. Parking is ample.

The first thing we noticed was the ambience. The lighting is perfect, and we need to talk about the music. Nostalgia is perfect with the 70s and 80s music videos on some of the TV's synced with the music/audio. My wife and i loved that! We were drawn to the walls of celebrity mugshots along the walls. I personally loved the Drink - Original Fun Bar neon near the entrance. I miss my twenties. Both my wife and I loved all the lava lamps along the wall and wow the VIP red room booth is terrific.

Great, fresh Bleu cheese stuffed olives. The other TVs were on Newsmax and MSNBC and turned to election coverage. I requested a TV to go on network news to catch local results and less left/right biased results, and we found the seats extremely comfortable. You'd have to be silly to think this is a sports bar, but it would be a comfortable place to watch a game. We're also looking forward to catching some live music.

We had a great time at Shirley's and plan to return soon. This is the best place in the...

Restaurant Review: Shirley’s in Waukee

I had the absolute pleasure of dining at Shirley’s in Waukee, and let me tell you—this place is a gem. From the moment I walked in, I could feel the warmth of a restaurant that truly takes pride in what they do.

The atmosphere strikes a perfect balance between cozy and lively, making it an ideal spot for a casual meal or a night out with friends. The service? Top-notch. The staff was friendly, attentive, and genuinely passionate about making sure every guest had a great experience.

Now, let’s talk about the food. Wow. Every bite was packed with flavor, clearly made with fresh ingredients and a whole lot of love. Whether you’re craving comfort food or something with a little creative twist, Shirley’s delivers. The menu has a great mix of options, and everything I tried was cooked to perfection.

If you’re anywhere near Waukee, Shirley’s is a must-visit. Great food, great people, and an all-around fantastic dining experience. I’ll...