Eating in Des Moines: Budget

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• B and B Grocery, Meat and Deli, 2001 SE 6th St, ☎ +1 515 243-7607, www.bbgrocerymeatdeli.com. Family owned and operated since 1922. B&B is a neighborhood grocery store that four generations of the Brooks family transformed into an old fashioned meat market and popular sandwich shop. In 2008, the readers of The Des Moines Register voted their Dad's Killer as the "Best Deli Sandwich" in the city. In 2009, Des Moines Juice Magazine named it one of the "Five Manliest Dining spots in Des Moines." The readers of Cityview voted B&B Des Moines' "Best Kept Secret on the Local Restaurant Scene" and Des Moines' "Best Mom & Pop" in 2010.

• B-Bops, 7 area locations, www.b-bops.com/about.htm. Few sit-down restaurants can match the goodness of the most popular menu item, the 1/4-lb. hamburger. If the weather's nice, you can sit under an umbrella and listen to classics from the 50's and 60's. The burgers are so good they've won the "Best Burger in Des Moines" award more than 10 years running (per Cityview). $3.

• Big Tomato Pizza Co., 2613 Ingersoll Ave (1/2 mi. W of MLK,Jr.Pkwy.), ☎ +1 515 288-7227. Very late delivery. Near the downtown nightlife area. Carry out or delivery only. $4 slice, $25 pie.

• Godfather's Pizza, Various locations, www.godfathers.com. Serving pizza lovers for over 30 years, somehow able to work their magic in a way that doesn't leave your hands greasy yet isn't some wimpy hand-tossed or thin variety. The Humble Pie is a signature pizza. $15.

• La Mie Bakery and Restaurant, 841 42nd St (1 block N of I-235 in Roosevelt Shopping area), ☎ +1 515 255-1625, www.lamiebakery.com. Closed Su. French-style bakery featuring all the goods you'd imagine, with quality omelets and coffee. High ceilings and modern setting make it a popular place to dine for all 3 meals rather than simply carry out fare. Outdoor patio on the back with a few tables. $10.

• Mustards, 2 area locations, www.mustardsrestaurant.com. BBQ and pizza, excellent tenderloin sandwiches for those looking for an Iowan tradition. $10.

• Stella's Blue Sky Diner (Stella's), 3281 100th St, Urbandale, ☎ +1 515 727-4408, www.stellasblueskydiner.com/about.html. Used to be downtown but the new 'burb spot is bigger. The whole place says "fun" and make sure you get one of their milkshakes made with Iowa's own, Blue Bunny Ice Cream (poured on top of your head for an extra quarter). Vintage car nights. $10.

• Tasty Tacos, 6 locations. Local fast food joint rivaling taste of some of the sit down places. $5.

• Waveland Cafe, 4708 University Ave (1 block E of Waveland Golf Course in Roosevelt neighborhood), ☎ +1 515 279-4341. If you're expecting a fancy diner, then you better get lost. This place is for the real Saturday morning crowd and a good place to recover from a hangover. A nice smoky environment. $8.

• www.bbgrocerymeatdeli.com
• www.b-bops.com/about.htm
• www.godfathers.com
• www.lamiebakery.com
• www.mustardsrestaurant.com
• www.stellasblueskydiner.com/about.html